Cruzeiro Esporte Clube U20 faces Ceará this Wednesday (29/4) in the fourth round of the Brazilian Série B U20 Championship, aiming for a spot in the first division. The decisive clash will take place at Estádio Franzé Morais, in Itaitinga, Ceará, with kick-off scheduled for 3 PM.

After a start with a loss to CRB in the competition's opener, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube recovered impressively, winning the subsequent two matches. The celestial team defeated Goiás 1-0 and Grêmio Novorizontino 3-0, both victories secured at home, showcasing the strength of the youth squad.

For the important match against Ceará, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's U20 coach, Henrique Teixeira, will face significant absences. Key players such as goalkeeper Lucas, defender Pedro, full-backs João and Gabriel, and midfielders Rafael and Felipe, who were crucial in the victory over Novorizontino, have been promoted to the professional team. They traveled to Cusco, Peru, where Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's senior team faces Cienciano this Wednesday, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), for the third round of the Copa Sudamericana group stage.

In addition to the athletes called up to the main squad, defender Matheus will also be unavailable to coach Henrique Teixeira. The team captain suffered a head collision in the previous match against Novorizontino and is following concussion protocol, preventing his participation in the clash against Ceará.

Currently, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube holds the second position in Group A of the Brazilian Série B U20 Championship, with six points. The group leader is precisely this round's opponent, Ceará, who boasts a 100% record in the competition and has accumulated nine points, making this direct confrontation crucial for Raposa's promotion ambitions.