Corinthians has been doing well on the field, even with the political turmoil behind the scenes, and will have the chance to enter the G-5 of the Brasileirão, if they beat Cruzeiro at the Neo Química Arena, at 7:30 pm this Sunday. The attention, however, is divided with the dispute in the round of 16 of the Libertadores, with Rosario Central, whose return round is scheduled for 9:30 pm on Thursday, after a goalless draw in Argentina.
Corinthians fight for G-5 of the Brazilian Championship with Cruzeiro before the decision in the Libertadores
Corinthians has been doing well on the field, even with the political turmoil behind the scenes, and will have the chance to enter the G-5 of the Brasileirão, if they beat Cruzeiro at the Neo Química Arena, at 7:30 pm this Sunday. The...
The mid-week result was important for the growth of the crisis experienced in Parque São Jorge to be contained. However, there is still a lot of dissatisfaction among fans regarding the decision made by president Osmar Stábile not to renew the contract of Dutch striker Memphis Depay.
- It is possible that there will be demonstrations about the case in the stands, as it will be the first home game after the negotiation ends.
- Even Stábile's house was the target of protests.
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The mid-week result was important for the growth of the crisis experienced in Parque São Jorge to be contained. However, there is still a lot of dissatisfaction among fans regarding the decision made by president Osmar Stábile not to renew the contract of Dutch striker Memphis Depay.
It is possible that there will be demonstrations about the case in the stands, as it will be the first home game after the negotiation ends. Even Stábile's house was the target of protests. "Rats out" and "Peace is over" were some of the messages written on banners placed in front of the leader's residence.
Even the squad was affected by the situation, since the renewal was underway and the turnaround only reached the players - including Memphis himself - when the club published a note on social media.
"It was frustrating, but, as it is beyond our control, it ended up bringing the players closer together. It was a sad event, but it served as motivation to commit more and, in this way, achieve a good result here in Argentina", commented coach Fernando Diniz after the draw with Rosario Central.
In the same press conference, the coach left open possibilities on how to line up the team against Cruzeiro, following an international trip, with little rest time. "It's about thinking carefully and trying to do the best for Corinthians," said the coach.
Diniz is not always a fan of the culture of sparing athletes before important games, but this time, he can send an alternative team to the field. The problem is that he has few offensive options due to Yuri Alberto's muscle injury still being treated and his departure from Memphis. Also remaining is midfielder André, one of the pillars of the black and white midfield, who is recovering from a grade two injury to the back of his right thigh.
The black and white team has 32 points against Cruzeiro's 33, and whoever wins is guaranteed to be among the top five in the championship. For the Corinthians, this also depends on a stumble from Bahia, who are also 33 and play against Chapecoense, at 11 am this Sunday, at Arena Condá.
The Cruzeirenses are in a similar situation to Corinthians, after all they drew 1-1 with Flamengo in the first game of the round of 16 of the Libertadores. The difference is that they played at home, at Mineirão, and will have to surprise the Flamengo fans at Maracanã on Wednesday, at 9:30 pm.
Cruzeiro therefore has a sequence of two games as a visitor, as they face the São Paulo team in Itaquera. Faced with a scenario in which he needs to decide whether to spare some players, coach Artur Jorge guarantees that his team does not lose its main characteristics even when it undergoes major changes.
"Identity will never change. We have to change the starting 11 a few times. We are one of the few teams that will play, starting from the game against Corinthians, four matches with an interval of two days. Understand what this represents in terms of physical demands for the squad. The group is fully identified with the idea of ??the game so that we can save our main values ??against whoever," he stated.
The Portuguese coach is without striker Kaique Kenji, suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Cássio, Corinthians idol, is still recovering from a serious multiligament injury to his left knee and remains in the medical department, as are Gabriel Pec, Luis Sinisterra and Villarreal.
Wesley, a striker trained at Corinthians and recently signed by Cruzeiro after playing for Al-Nasser, in Saudi Arabia, is expected to meet the black and white fans again in Itaquera, now as an opponent. He even opened talks to wear the Corinthians shirt again, but the negotiations did not progress because the club is prevented from registering new players, with three active transfer bans.
TECHNICAL SHEET
CORINTHIANS X CRUZEIRO
CORINTHIANS - Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique and Angileri; Allan, Matheus Pereira, André Carrilo and Breno Bidon; Lingard and Gui Negão. Coach: Fernando Diniz.
CRUZEIRO - Otávio; Fagner (William), Fabrício Bruno, Villalba and Gabriel Rojas; Lucas Romero (Zé Lucas), Gerson (Matheus Henrique) and Matheus Pereira; Arroyo, Kaio Jorge (Lucho Rodriguez) and Wesley.
REFEREE - Davi De Oliveira Lacerda (ES).
TIME - 7:30 pm.
LOCATION - Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo (SP).
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