What to expect from tonight's Copa do Brasil final | OneFootball

A 45th-minute goal from Thiago Neves gave Cruzeiro a 1-0 win over Corinthians in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final.

The second leg comes back to São Paulo tonight, and automatic qualification to the 2019 Copa Libertadores group stage is on the line.

Here’s what to expect:

A packed house

Corinthians are expected to break their attendance and ticket revenue records tonight. Revenue will likely exceed R$5m (€1.2m), breaking the record set just last month in their Copa do Brasil semi-final clash against Flamengo.

The fans couldn’t be more excited about this duel. In fact, during an open training session yesterday, over 38,000 people filled the Arena Corinthians. Wow.

Spectacular goalkeeping performances

Cássio and Fábio are widely regarded as two of the best goalkeepers in Brazil and could be the main protagonists should this match go down to penalties.

There is no away goals rule for the final, so the probability of a dreaded penalty shootout is high.

Both goalkeepers have already experienced high-pressure penalty shootouts this year, and both have come out on top in each occasion.

In the Campeonato Paulista, Cássio kept the ball out of his net twice in their semi-final victory over São Paulo and did so once again against Palmeiras in the final to claim the trophy.

Fábio, meanwhile, kept out all three attempts by Santos in the quarter-final stage of this Copa do Brasil tournament.

A battle of the champions

Corinthians and Cruzeiro are the two teams that currently own Brazil’s national championships.

Despite being just four points above the relegation zone this season, Corinthians are the defending Brasileirão champions and have put all of their efforts into the Copa do Brasil.

Defending Copa do Brasil champions Cruzeiro have also faltered in the league and have focused on tournament glory.

Although their Copa Libertadores run came to an end in the quarter-finals at the hands of Boca Juniors two weeks ago, back-to-back Copa do Brasil titles would be seen as a massive success.

Given their poor positions in the league, tonight is likely the only chance either team has to make the 2019 Copa Libertadores.

The last time these two teams met in a final was way back in 1998, when a play-off style tournament decided the Brasileirão title. Corinthians won 2-0 in a replay after their first two matches both ended in a draw.

A tactical duel

Corinthians manager Jair Ventura only took over for Osmar Loss just six weeks ago and has mainly deployed extremely defensive styles.

In fact, Corinthians have allowed nine goals while only scoring five times in nine matches in all competitions since Ventura claimed the managerial post.

Ventura has generally used a 4-2-4 formation without a forward and did so in the first leg as well. Wing-backs Fágner and Danilo Avelar will be fundamental to their success, while Jadson and Mateus Vital will likely combine forces as ‘false nines.’

Since they have the goal advantage, Cruzeiro will likely be forced to absorb a lot of pressure from the home side, especially at the beginning of the match.

However, this shouldn’t be a problem for Mano Menezes and Cruzeiro’s extremely solid defence.

They will likely depend on their counter-attack for goals, although it may be a problem if they do fall behind.

Cruzeiro have only scored 22 goals in 28 league matches – the second-worst rate in Brazil’s top-flight – and have scored multiple goals just once in their last 13 matches.

Enjoy the final!