With defender Ronaldo Angelim ruled out by the medical department, coach Joel Santana selected Thiago Sales to form the defensive duo with Fábio Luciano, for Sunday's game (04/11), against Cruzeiro, at Mineirão.

The young defender, who has never played at the Minas Gerais stadium, hopes to seize the opportunity and says he is ready for the difficult derby.

- "I'm ready for the game. I've been working hard, and I'll try to do my best. Cruzeiro is a great team, but we're going after the victory in Minas Gerais."

With the best attack in the competition, Cruzeiro doesn't scare the defender.

- "I'm very calm about doing my best on the field. We have to play intelligently, reducing the spaces, to make Cruzeiro's quick attack difficult."