Atlético Mineiro midfielder Bernard has stated that banned Ronaldinho will be sorely missed during the club"s game with Internacional.
The 32-year-old has been handed a one match ban after a video review panel found him guilty of raising his foot in a tackle on Grêmio"s Kleber last month.
Atlético Mineiro will now have to face Internacional tomorrow without their star player, who scored a stunning hat-trick against Figueirense on Saturday.
Bernard believes that the former Seleção player, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, will leave a void in the team.
He said: “With him out, the spotlight falls a little bit more on the other players.
“He is a player who always draws the markers, leaving room for other players. He is going to be sorely missed.
“But if he does not play, Cuca [Atlético Mineiro coach] will think of another player who will help us a lot."
However, Bernard also believes that both teams will head into the game at the Estádio Beira-Rio as equals due to lengthy injury lists.
Inter will be without Victor, Réver and Leandro Donizete for the game, whilst Atlético are missing Luiz Eduardo, Serginho, and most likely Ronaldinho.
Bernard added: “It is going to be a tough game. The game there is always complicated and hard.
“It’s going to be bad for both sides, but we have to be greater. We have players who can come in and do a job."
Tomorrow"s game between second-placed Atlético Mineiro and sixth-placed Internacional, in the 29th round of the Brasileirão, kicks off at 02:00 BST.
