Alexandre Kalil, ex-President of Atlético Mineiro, has become the latest figure to criticise the importance given to the state championships in the Brazilian football calendar.
Atlético could only draw with minnows Caldense in the first-leg of the Minas Gerais championship final on Sunday, while Cruzeiro were knocked out by Kalil’s former club at the semi-final stage, but Kalil is unsurprised that the Minas big two are not taking their local competition as seriously as they might.
"In the Mineiro [state championship] it is worth remembering that Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro are both in the Libertadores, focused on something else," Kalil told Bate Bola. "This year they are not giving the smallest importance to the Mineiro. State championships are something for Rio de Janeiro football, that is who gives them importance.
And Kalil does not believe it would be a big problem for Galo should they lose in the second-leg at Caldense this Sunday, especially given Caldense’s unbeaten record during the round robin stage of the competition.
"To be eliminated in the semi-final against Cruzeiro would be a tragedy, but I think that losing the final would not break anyone’s heart," he added. "If Caldense were to be champions it would be indisputable. A team undefeated in a league with Atletico-MG and Cruzeiro is an indisputable champion."
