Gremio keeper wary of Cruzeiro threat
Gremio goalkeeper Victor has warned his team-mates to be wary of Cruzeiro's attacking arsenal when the sides clash in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Wednesday.
Porto Alegre-based side Gremio lead the table on 59 points, four points and two places above Cruzeiro.
And Victor is aware of the need to keep their focus ahead of the crunch midweek encounter at the Stadio Mineirao.
"We must counter their attacking style and fill the gaps as they are very good going forward. They are all comfortable on the ball," he said.
"We must counter-attack well as we've clinched good results by that method this season."
Midfielder Rafael Carioca added: "Cruzeiro are a very good side technically. We are playing a candidate to win the title."
Cruzeiro boss Adilson Batista, who won the 1995 Copa Libertadores and the 1996 Campeonato Brasileiro with Gremio as a player, is keen to dent his former team's title tilt.
He said: "Respect to Gremio exists because of my spell there. I have great memories, but professionalism is what counts.
"This is a very important match for us and I am planning it seriously so we can win it."
Two-time defending champions Sao Paulo moved up to second in the standings last Thursday when they beat Vitoria 2-1.
Lying three points below Gremio, Sao Paulo visit Botafogo with goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni eager to play down their hopes of three-peating.
"Gremio are the big favourites," he insisted.
"Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Cruzeiro have chances but nothing compared to Gremio."
Botafogo will be without Uruguay international goalkeeper Juan Castillo, who has torn cruciate ligaments in his right knee.
As well as Cruzeiro, Flamengo and Palmeiras have also collected 55 points and are fighting to make it into next year's Copa Libertadores.
The Rio de Janeiro giants meet Vitoria in Bahia, while Palmeiras challenge Goias, who are fighting for a place in next year's Copa Sudamericana.
Both matches take place on Wednesday.
On the same day, Coritiba play Atletico Mineiro, Internacional take on Nautico and Portuguesa will try to leave the relegation zone as they meet rock-bottom Ipatinga.
Finally on Thursday, strugglers Vasco da Gama and Atletico Paranaense meet in Rio de Janeiro, while Sport entertain Santos and Figueirense take on Fluminense.
