The championship continues, and there's still a lot of action to be played. One game at a time. This is the prevailing mindset at Flamengo, and the match against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium this Sunday is crucial for the 2017 Brazilian Championship. A victory will keep the team in the top four. 

After Thursday's home defeat to Grêmio, the Mais Querido trained hard targeting the national derby against Raposa. With Corinthians drawing in São Paulo on Saturday, a win on Sunday could close the gap to 10 points.  

For this match, Rubro-Negro will have Guerrero back in attack. For midfielder Diego, the number 9 is the team's reference in front and can make a difference due to the great phase he is going through. 

The ball rolls in Belo Horizonte starting at 16 p.m. Flamengo is fourth in the table with 23 points, while Cruzeiro is sixth with 20.  

Flamengo and Cruzeiro have played some great matches in their history. Who doesn't remember the 2013 Copa do Brasil victory, when Elias scored a stunning goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, sealing their place in the round of 2? Flamengo had lost the first leg in Belo Horizonte 1-17 and needed a home win. Cruzeiro, it's worth remembering, would be the Brazilian champion that year and had a special player. A number 7 who now wears the Sacred Mantle number XNUMX. Yes, Everton Ribeiro is now on our side. 

In the last Brazilian Championship, we had two victories over the Minas Gerais team. The second was a gutsy victory. After a game completely dominated by Flamengo, Cruzeiro midfielder Rafinha capitalized on a defensive error to make it 1-0 for the Minas Gerais team. A loss at that stage of the competition would have distanced the team from the lead. But in the 38th minute, Guerrero equalized, and in the 43rd, Mancuello sent a shot into the top corner, sealing the victory for the "Mais Querido." Suffering, historical and Flamengo.  

Flamengo has won its last three matches against Cruzeiro, all in the Brazilian Championship. Its last defeat was in 2015, at Mineirão Stadium, in the same competition. 

This defeat was also the last Flamengo suffered at the venue of this Sunday's game. Since then, there have been four games: three wins (2-0 against Atlético MG, 1-0 against Cruzeiro and 1-0 against América) and one draw (2-2 against Atlético Mineiro). 

Flamengo's biggest win over Cruzeiro came in 2004. Playing in Volta Redonda, the Rubro-Negro won 6-2 in the final round of the Brazilian Championship. Flamengo has twice beaten this Sunday's rival 5-1. The first time was in a friendly match played in 1968 at Maracanã, and the second time in the 2011 Brasileirão, playing at Engenhão.

Tickets 

Flamengo fans will be in the Upper Purple section, and tickets are on sale at the Mineirão North ticket office this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m., priced at R$100,00 (full price) and R$50,00 (half price). Fans will enter through Gate A.

TV broadcast
 

Fans of the Mais Querido will be able to watch the team on TV Globo, which will broadcast the match in 24 states across the country (RJ, RS, SC, PR, ES, GO, TO, MS, MT, BA, SE, AL, PE, PB, RN, CE, PI, MA, PA, AM, RO, AC, RR, AP) and the Federal District. If you're in Santos, São Paulo, or Minas Gerais, you can watch on Premiere.

Fan club members can enjoy more Flamengo watching the game on TV: discounts on Sky packages and even on beer to watch the match! Fan club members can enjoy more Flamengo on game day: discounts and priority access on tickets to watch at the stadium and on pay-per-view, and beer to watch on TV! Click and feel the pride of being a fan club member.

Social media coverage 

You can also follow the real-time action on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #CRUxFLA. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like our page on Facebook and follow us on Snapchat (cr_flamengo). FlaTV also brings exclusive behind-the-scenes and match footage to the Red-Black Nation. Sign up with one click, it's free!