For Remo, this is not just another league match. It is the kind of night that can either steady a season or drag it deeper into danger, and the return of Duplexe Tchamba gives the squad a timely boost before Cruzeiro Vs Remo at Mineirão.
Tchamba had been out with a muscular problem after returning from Cameroon duties, and his absence left Remo without one of the players expected to strengthen the back line. Now, after rejoining the delegation in Belo Horizonte on Thursday, October 22, he is back in contention and expected to start on Friday, October 23 at 20h. For a team sitting in 19th place with 26 points and without a win in 11 games, that matters.
The timing is important because Remo are not simply chasing a result; they are trying to interrupt a run that has made every point feel urgent. Their last match before Tchamba’s absence was the 2-1 loss to Santos on September 19 in the 25th round, and since then the pressure has only grown. Against a Cruzeiro side that arrives in fourth place after a 4-2 win over Grêmio, the margin for error is thin.
Tchamba’s return adds more than just depth
Tchamba made clear he feels ready to help. He said the team had worked well during the week, with confidence and good vision, and that he was happy to be back and prepared to contribute. He also stressed the collective responsibility inside the squad, saying the players are there to compete together for the same objective.
That message matters because Remo need more than an individual comeback. They need stability, especially in a match where Cruzeiro’s quality is obvious and where defensive organization could decide whether the trip to Belo Horizonte becomes a step forward or another frustration. Tchamba’s return does not solve everything, but it gives Remo a better chance to handle a side that comes in with momentum.
There was also a clear note of respect in his comments about Zé Ivaldo and Marllon. Tchamba said he would support them if they play, because everything the squad does is for Remo. That kind of message is useful in a dressing room under pressure: it keeps the focus on the collective, not the noise around an individual selection.
For Remo, the broader picture remains simple. They need a result to stop the slide, and they need it against a team that has recently shown it can score in bunches. Tchamba’s return does not change the table by itself, but it does give Remo something they have lacked during this winless stretch: a more complete defensive option at exactly the moment the season is becoming harder to manage.
