Cruzeiro won the league in 2013 and 2014, before finishing in 8th spot in 2015, but they fell even further down the food chain in 2016, dropping into the bottom half of the table with their 12th-placed finish. Right from the beginning of the campaign it was clear that 2015 was more than just a blip. The club failed to win in its first four matches and it wasn’t long before coach Paulo Bento was out the door, leaving in July after suffering eight defeats in his 17 matches in charge. The Belo Horizonte club wasted little time in hiring their former coach and former Brazil national team coach Mano Menezes. He turned out to be a calming influence at the troubled club. After an understandable defeat away at Santos in his first match, he led his side on a six-match unbeaten run of four wins and two draws. That helped diminish the fears that Cruzeiro would suffer a first ever relegation and the rest of the season was spent with the team floundering in mid-table mediocrity. There were exciting 4-2 and 3-2 wins over Fluminense and Corinthians respectively, but there was little left for the team to play for, especially once their Brazilian Cup run came to an end at the semi-final stage.
Although it was a difficult season, there were some players who emerged from 2016 with some credibility. Uruguay international Giorgian de Arrascaeta showed his quality with nine goals and nine assists, although some would argue that he was a little too hot and cold in terms of when he decided to perform. Also contributing in the attacking midfield was Robinho, with the on-loan Palmeiras player providing eight assists, in addition to his four goals, while striker Rafael Sobis showed flashes of his £4 million price tag with his four goals. Defensive midfielder Henrique was also a steadying presence in their 4-2-3-1 setup, while Bruno Rodrigo did the best he could to keep the defence functioning despite the constant changing of defensive personnel, as a result of injuries and poor form.
It will take a lot for Cruzeiro to return to the heights of their championship winning seasons in 2017, but there is no reason why they cannot push for a top six finish and a Copa Libertadores place. Mano Menezes showed that he can get this team playing competitive – and sometimes attractive – football, but there was little motivation in the second half of last season given how poorly the league campaign had started. If Cruzeiro can get off to a good start and have something to fight for then they can still be a good football team, as they showed on their run to the final four of the Brazilian Cup. The board has also showed a willingness to open their wallet during the transfer market, with Luis Caicedo and Diogo Barbosa already having been signed for the 2017 campaign. With a few more smart additions, and a replacement for Robinho, Cruzeiro can certainly return to the right end of the table.
