Júlio Baptista scored in Cruzeiro’s comfortable 3-0 win over Tombense at the weekend, a rare appearance for the former-Arsenal man, and now he has talked up this week’s Copa Libertadores match for his team.
Cruzeiro host Defensor Sporting in the Libertadores on Thursday evening and it is a match of extreme importance according to Baptista and one they need to win.
Defensor are currently top of Group 5 but a big win for the Brazilian side could see them overtake the Uruguayan club in the table.
Baptista told Lancenet about the significance of the match, he said: “This is a game of extreme importance, perhaps the most important we will play this season.
“This victory alone is worth a whole lot more in this match but I hope we win and get higher up in the rankings.”
Cruzeiro warmed up for their Libertadores game with a State Championship win, as mentioned above, and Baptista admitted it was nice to be involved and among the scorers again.
The former Brazil international spoke prior to the match about his eagerness to impress and he pointed towards his effort in training as the key to his weekend showing.
“It is important to play and score,” admitted Baptista.
“We almost had the whole week to work and maybe this will work for us on Thursday as well.”
