The Brazilian league begins this weekend with some of the country’s top teams still focused on the final stages of the Copa Libertadores.
Five of the main Brazilian league contenders are still playing in the Latin American club competition, including two-time defending champion Cruzeiro. São Paulo, Internacional, Corinthians and Atlético Mineiro, the top finishers behind Cruzeiro last year, are also in the knockout round of the tournament and most are expected to use weakened sides in the league’s first round. Marcelo Oliveira will rest his regular starters in Cruzeiro’s league opener against Corinthians on Sunday. São Paulo will open the Brazilian league against Flamengo at the Morumbi Stadium. Atlético Mineiro opens the Brazilian league at Palmeiras on Saturday and Inter plays at Atlético Paranaense on Sunday.
