Football Season Guide

Atlético MG had a decent run in last season, having finished third and putting up some contest to the title up until latter stages of the season. The fans weren't absolutely pleased, though, since the team had some irregular periods, and one might say that the 3rd place was only possible because the competition was also having a bad year. In 2024, Atlético MG reached the final of Campeonato Mineiro, as it is their obligation. In the final, they defeated their arch-rivals Cruzeiro, winning the second leg match away from home. Libertadores started smoothly with a nice 4-1 away win in Venezuela. Manager Scolari was sacked after some slightly unconvincing performances in State Championship, and also because he was never capable of building a good rapport with the club's fanbase. Former Argentinean international Gabriel Milito is the new man in charge of 'Galo', and he looks to be ready to implement a dynamic 3-5-2 formation. 'Galo' brought just three new players for the new season, and only Gustavo Scarpa seems to have enough quality to challenge the men from last season. Hulk and Paulinho remain the clubs main references. The two form perhaps the most menacing attacking partnership in the entire Brasileirão. Full-back Guilherme Arana is the other top player on the squad. Rodrigo Battaglia looks in better shape in 2024 than he was in last season, and that are woderful news for the fans. One big question that worries the fans is that Hulk isn't getting any younger, at 37, and being a player that heavily relies on physicality, will this be the year of decline for Brazilian's former international? The fans would have been happy to see a few more new faces that could bring new energy to the side.