chapecoense vs atlético mineiro is on the clock Thursday at Arena Condá, with both teams arriving in difficult runs and needing points when the Brasileirão resumes after the FIFA international break. Chapecoense host the ninth-round match while sitting 16th with seven points, and Atlético Mineiro start the day 14th with eight points. Kickoff is set for Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 6: 00 PM ET (7: 00 PM Brasília time).
Match urgency: both teams searching for traction
Chapecoense come back to league action aiming to halt a stretch of six rounds without a win, still searching for only their second Série A victory this campaign. Their eight-round record stands at one win, four draws, and two defeats, with nine goals scored and 11 conceded, leaving a minus-two goal difference and a game in hand against Bahia after a postponement tied to Bahia’s Copa Libertadores pre-qualifying schedule.
Atlético Mineiro’s campaign has been inconsistent as well: two wins, two draws, and four defeats from eight rounds, eight goals scored, 11 conceded, and a minus-three goal difference. They enter 14th, and the trip to Arena Condá comes with added edge: Atlético have failed to win any of their last three meetings with Chapecoense, with two draws and one defeat in that span, and only two wins in the last 10 encounters overall.
Team news and selections: injuries, returns, and enforced changes
Chapecoense head coach Gilmar Dal Pozzo has multiple selection concerns. Maurício Garcia is sidelined by a thigh injury, while Robert Santos and Bruno Matias are recovering from knee ligament issues. Right-back Everton is suspended after a red card against Internacional, making Marcos Vinicius the most likely replacement in the starting lineup. Dal Pozzo also has Kevin Ramírez available, a signing from the last transfer window who is expected to begin on the bench.
Off the pitch, Chapecoense have added ex-Concordia forward Da Silva, who is eligible to make his debut. The club has also undergone a boardroom reshuffle: executive Joao Carlos Maringa has departed, and Rafael Lima has stepped into the role.
Atlético Mineiro head coach Eduardo Domínguez has confirmed absences as well. Midfielder Maycon is ruled out with a calf injury and is described as being in the final stage of recovery, while Guinean forward Mamadi Sisse is recovering from a foot problem. In addition, Júnior Alonso, Preciado, Cissé, and Alan Minda are out after representing their national teams during the FIFA international break, while Iván Román and Alan Franco are available options for the match.
Domínguez also welcomes reinforcements: Vitor Hugo has recovered from a calf injury, and Alexsander has returned to training with the group after tearing a knee ligament. Patrick, however, remains unfit this season due to trauma to his right knee. Atlético are set to start Lyanco in a formation with two center-backs.
Immediate reactions: clubs confirm squads and availability
Atlético Mineiro confirmed the traveling group for Thursday’s match and signaled a mix of absences and returning options as the international window closes. Within Chapecoense’s camp, Gilmar Dal Pozzo has been using recent matches to tune his approach: during the break, Chapecoense stayed active in the Copa Sul-Sudeste, beating Sao Bernardo 2-1 at home before a 1-0 defeat away to Volta Redonda, with Dal Pozzo using the fixtures to test tactical variations.
Atlético, meanwhile, continue internal discussions about defender Ruan Tressoldi’s future following his loan from Sassuolo, with the club weighing whether to activate a purchase option after he earned increased playing time and gained the coaching staff’s trust.
Quick context: lower-half pressure with a clear target
This is a lower-half meeting in the ninth round, with Chapecoense 16th on seven points and Atlético Mineiro 14th on eight. Chapecoense are unbeaten at home, but with only one win, and have conceded eight goals in four home matches.
What’s next: a pivotal night before the table tightens
The next developments will come fast once the whistle goes at 6: 00 PM ET: both teams have framed this as a moment to stop their uneven form and bank points early in the round. For Chapecoense, the focus is on turning home resilience into wins despite absences; for Atlético, the task is to show progress on the road and steady a campaign still searching for consistency. When chapecoense vs atlético mineiro kicks off at Arena Condá, the immediate answers will be on the field.
