Cruzeiro pays for dismantling title-winning team

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 20 (Reuters) -- Brazilian champions Cruzeiro dropped to 13th in the table after a 4-2 home defeat to Atletico Paranaense as they pay the price for dismantling last year's all-conquering team.

The Foxes, who also won the Copa Brasil last year, have turned success into mid-table mediocrity with astonishing speed, changing coaches three times since the start of the year and selling off players.

Of the 11 players who began Sunday's match, only three -- midfielders Augusto Recife, Claudio Maldonado and Wendell -- were regulars last year.

The match against Atletico Paranaense was intended to mark a triumphant return for Argentina international Juan Pablo Sorin, who was making his home debut after joining Cruzeiro for a second stint.

Instead, Sorin was sent off and gave away a penalty as the champions slumped to their third heavy home defeat this season following a 3-0 loss to Coritiba and 4-1 drubbing by Parana.

Club directors were apparently hoping that Sorin's signing would make supporters forget that, since the end of last year, they have offloaded goalkeeper Gomes, central defender Cris, midfielders Alex and strikers Vitor Aristizabal and Marcio Nobre.

In addition coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who built the team, was fired in February, prompting Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo to walk out in solidarity after only 50 days at the club.

TOUGH APPROACH

Luxemburgo, now with Brazilian championship leaders Santos, was succeeded by his assistant Paulo Cesar Gusmao but he was also sacked two months later following a penalty shootout defeat against Colombia's Deportivo Cali in the last 16 of the Libertadores Cup.

Emerson Leao, who led Santos to the 2002 title, was brought in but resigned after 13 games because the squad did not like his tough approach to training.

Next came Marco Aurelio, who remains in the hot seat.

Bringing back Sorin, whose determination and work rate made him a hero with the supporters during his first spell with the Cruzeiro, seemed the perfect way for the club to dig themselves out of the hole.

But so far, the signing has merely succeeded in upsetting Leandro, who was asked to move from left-back to midfielder to accommodate the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player.

Leandro, who won his first international call-up last month, was afraid the change of position would harm his chances of keeping his place in the Brazil squad.

There was a further twist on Sunday when Sorin made his home debut and Leandro was left on the bench.

Having been given a rapturous reception, Sorin was sent off in the 45th minute for a second bookable offence after giving away a penalty.

Atletico, trailing 1-0 at the time, went on to run riot in the second half.

"It was a great let-down," said Sorin. "We began well but everything changed in a minute."

Coach Aurelio took the easy way out by blaming the referee.

"Cruzeiro were playing their best game in the Brazilian championship this year until the referee came on to the scene," he said.

"The sending-off was decisive."

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