Gabigol reveals the secret behind Cruzeiro’s home surge | OneFootball

Gabigol has placed a spotlight on the influence Cruzeiro’s supporters have had on the club’s revival this season, stating that the atmosphere at Mineirão has become a decisive factor in their strong run, according to Lance. Speaking during a Podpah podcast event at a Belo Horizonte shopping centre, the striker reflected on the side’s transformation after a rocky start to the year.

Earlier in the campaign, Cruzeiro suffered elimination in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Mineiro and stumbled to three consecutive defeats in the opening rounds of the Copa Sul-Americana. Gabigol acknowledged these difficulties, commenting, “At the start of the year, we weren’t doing so well, but we weren’t the worst team in the world. And now that we’re doing very well, we’re not the best either. Things have to be taken calmly.” He was quick to point out the steadfast backing from fans and described the role of the crowd as central to Cruzeiro’s progress: “We’ve had a lot of support from the fans. Mineirão is always packed and that makes a big difference.”

His remarks come as Cruzeiro sit joint-second with Flamengo in the league table, both on 24 points from 12 matches. Mineirão has been particularly kind to Cruzeiro this season. In five home matches in the Brasileirão, they have claimed four victories—against Mirassol, Bahia, Palmeiras, and Flamengo—and drawn once with Atlético Mineiro.

Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture against Grêmio, Gabigol expressed confidence that the ground’s energy will again provide a lift. “I’m sure the game against Grêmio will be the same, it will be totally full,” he said. Ticket sales for the encounter have already opened for season ticket holders.

Gabigol also outlined collective ambitions for the campaign. He identified Copa Libertadores qualification as the club’s primary target, building momentum from recent improvements in training and on matchdays. “Things are gradually getting better. It’s clear to see in training how we’re progressing tactically, physically, and even as people. Our focus is always to win, especially at home. I feel that’s our stronghold; we’ve hardly lost there. We need to keep going and aim for big things. Our biggest goal is to qualify for the Copa Libertadores.”

The podcast event itself was a magnet for Cruzeiro supporters, with hundreds gathering at BH Shopping to get photos and autographs from the forward.

Original source: Lance.

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