Corinthians coach on defensive errors, eyes key Jaraguá clash

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·10. Dezember 2025

Corinthians coach on defensive errors, eyes key Jaraguá clash

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians hosted Jaraguá for the first match of the National Futsal League (LNF) final. The team led by Fernando Malafaia conceded two goals early on and had to fight back, but suffered a draw at the end. Now, they need to win away to be crowned champions before a possible overtime.

The coach even spoke about the goals at the beginning of the match. “First, I don't think the team switched off today. We are playing against a very strong team. We knew two things that led them to the final. It's the goalkeeper's game and the five-on-four game, without the flying goalkeeper. It was much more about their quality than a mistake by my defense. If you told me that against Magnus we had a lower performance, we did,” the coach began in the mixed zone after the final whistle.

OneFootball Videos

Photo: Fernando Carrijo/Ag. Corinthians

“But one day I'll tell you how resilient this group is because of everything that happened. And today was a well-played game. We went from 2-0 to 3-2. We could have made it 4-2 on the line to goal, but we weren't that good, and the defense did well. And now we conceded a goal. These decisive games, it's in this part of history that we see. If it's any team, from 2-0 they don't turn it around,” he added.

Corinthians was better in the match and, due to two mistakes, ended up conceding two goals one after the other. However, in the first half, Timão managed to equalize and continued to push for the comeback.

“Especially because the two goals were mistakes that cannot be made in a game of this magnitude. I always tell them, in a game of this nature, it's not who makes fewer mistakes, it's who gets more right due to the opponent's mistakes. We made two mistakes, and they scored two goals. But we've already fixed that. The defense stepped up today, as it hadn't in the two games against Magnus. But it's about overcoming. It leaves a very bitter taste. But man, we always have to look on the bright side. We got out of an adverse situation created by ourselves. The game didn't have an owner at that moment, and we offered it to them. And then we went after it. That's what's cool,” he said.

For the return match, Jaraguá will be without their starting goalkeeper, who was voted the best in the position in the entire National Futsal League. Besides defending well, the goalkeeper also stands out in the game with his feet.

“Look, the first thing that's not bad for us is that their advanced goalkeeper power won't exist. It will exist in passing and not in the figure of the goalkeeper, Nicolas, who has a strong drive and finish. And he has a good pass. Another one has a good pass, doesn't have the finish. He even does, but it's not what worries me. It will be a game like here. It will be a packed house. We have to have a little more serenity to play the game, emotional balance,” Malafaia commented.

Now, the teams will face each other for the second game of the National League final next Saturday at 7 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Jaraguá. In the first phase, the team from Santa Catarina was in fourth place, while Corinthians had the sixth-best campaign.

Check out other responses from Fernando Malafaia:

Is the schedule hindering Corinthians?

“Certainly it is, it's very difficult, man. You come every week, there are two decisive games. Quarterfinals, round of 16, quarterfinals. Then, in the middle of the quarterfinals, we had to play the Paulista semifinal against Pinda. Then, we had two consecutive games and two games against Coisa. Man, it's very tiring. You travel to Campo Mourão, come back. Two days later, you play against Pinda. Then you're in the final. Then you play the final game. There's no way to recover. But this is not a Corinthians issue. It's a calendar issue that we've been discussing a lot. And who needs to improve this situation is the federation. The federation championships, they have to end by the beginning of November, man. And that's it. Then it's the league. That's what we have to try to pursue. But it's something for the future,”

Team preparation for the decisive game

“Mentally, we are strong. Especially because of today's game. Because we didn't play two good games against Magnus. In the six games, in the six goals we conceded, all six goals were mistakes. Now mentally, we will be strong. Physically, man, there's nothing more to look at. There's only one game left in the season. Now, my brother, you have to hydrate. Eat right. Sleep a lot. And then, yes, go there to win and play. And then, yes, let go and think about something else,”

See more: