Atletico Mineiro rode on goals by Luan and Datolo to take 2-0 lead over local rivals Cruzeiro after the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final at the Independencia stadium here.
"It was an important result. We will have to defend well in the second leg, which will suit our counterattacking style," Atletico forward Diego Tardelli was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Cruzeiro's mid-fielder Everton Ribeiro rued his team's lack of competitive spirit.
"We lacked aggression. Now we have to concentrate on the league and then make sure we are more aggressive in the next match," Ribeiro said. "We can turn it around."
The second leg will be played at the Mineirao stadium Nov 26.