Sports
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Atlético-MG vs. Cruzeiro: Classic ends fan-split era
It's a familiar scene in Belo Horizonte, isn't it? The anticipation building for another Atlético-MG versus Cruzeiro match. This Wednesday, as the whistle blows at Arena MRV, it will be a sea of black and white. As reported by ge, this is likely the last time we'll see this particular agreement – the one restricting clásicos to a single team's supporters. It’s a situation born out of a past deal, and while Cruzeiro, now under new leadership with Pedro Lourenço, has expressed a desire to bring back the dual-fan experience, those talks haven't quite picked up steam.
You can feel the hesitation from Atlético's side, a concern for their new stadium, Arena MRV, especially recalling some of the less-than-ideal moments from past matches. They seem content to keep their home turf exclusively for their faithful, a sentiment they've conveyed to ge. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, officially stated their willingness to have both sets of fans, even suggesting a 50/50 split, as long as safety is assured. It’s a delicate balance, isn't it? The law often requires a portion of tickets for visitors, unless safety concerns dictate otherwise, and in Minas Gerais, there isn't a mandate from law enforcement or the Public Ministry to exclude visiting fans.
There's a glimmer of hope for the traditional split, though, in the potential restructuring of the Campeonato Mineiro. If the finals revert to a single, neutral venue, as they did in 2022, and if Atlético and Cruzeiro find themselves facing off, we might see the Mineirão filled with both sets of supporters once again. But for now, the focus is on the present. Even with the single-fan policy, the passion is palpable; ge noted that around 35,000 tickets were snapped up by Atlético fans alone. Meanwhile, some are already weighing in on the potential outcome, with journalist Jaeci Carvalho suggesting Cruzeiro holds the edge due to a stronger squad and management at this moment. It makes you wonder, with all these undercurrents, will the trend of single-fan attendance continue beyond this agreement, or will the roar of both sides eventually return to the pitch?
You can feel the hesitation from Atlético's side, a concern for their new stadium, Arena MRV, especially recalling some of the less-than-ideal moments from past matches. They seem content to keep their home turf exclusively for their faithful, a sentiment they've conveyed to ge. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, officially stated their willingness to have both sets of fans, even suggesting a 50/50 split, as long as safety is assured. It’s a delicate balance, isn't it? The law often requires a portion of tickets for visitors, unless safety concerns dictate otherwise, and in Minas Gerais, there isn't a mandate from law enforcement or the Public Ministry to exclude visiting fans.
There's a glimmer of hope for the traditional split, though, in the potential restructuring of the Campeonato Mineiro. If the finals revert to a single, neutral venue, as they did in 2022, and if Atlético and Cruzeiro find themselves facing off, we might see the Mineirão filled with both sets of supporters once again. But for now, the focus is on the present. Even with the single-fan policy, the passion is palpable; ge noted that around 35,000 tickets were snapped up by Atlético fans alone. Meanwhile, some are already weighing in on the potential outcome, with journalist Jaeci Carvalho suggesting Cruzeiro holds the edge due to a stronger squad and management at this moment. It makes you wonder, with all these undercurrents, will the trend of single-fan attendance continue beyond this agreement, or will the roar of both sides eventually return to the pitch?
