Corinthians icon on Fernando Diniz’s style and what he can bring | OneFootball

Fernando Diniz’s possible debut in charge of Corinthians could happen as early as this Thursday at 9 p.m., against Platense, in Buenos Aires, in the Copa Libertadores. With the coach’s first match approaching, former full-back and black-and-white idol Fábio Santos spoke about the impact of the new manager’s arrival and highlighted points he sees as positive in the squad for this new chapter.

“(Diniz) is really going to maximize both full-backs, who are technical players, who like having the ball and, above all, know how to play with their back to goal, and that’s difficult. I was a full-back who struggled to play with my back to goal, I didn’t like it. In Diniz’s team, Bidu, who is technically very good, and who we demand a lot from defensively, I think he’s going to maximize his game. André and Bidon, I think they can grow a lot under Diniz. Allan played with him at Fluminense, he was one of the key outlets for that holding midfielder who likes the ball. Raniele will probably become a center-back, because he already did that with Thiago Santos and Felipe Melo”, Fábio Santos said on ESPN’s Resenha da Rodada.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

He then expanded on his analysis and pointed to other squad members who could improve under the new coach, especially those whose performances have recently dropped off.

“So, I think there are players who can grow a lot under him, players who really dropped off a lot. Maybe Garro can go back to being that Garro again. (Carrillo) also fits that profile. They are players with technical quality and courage. To play in Diniz’s team, you have to be brave. And Carrillo has shown that. He’s a brave guy, who seems like he doesn’t care about anything. I even joke that it seems like every game, for Carrillo, is a charity match. He’s also a player who delivers for you, a guy who slowed down a little, who can get back to playing very well with Diniz”, he added.

Known for adopting an attacking approach, Diniz has a style very different from that of the Corinthians side that won in 2012, which Fábio Santos was part of and which was marked by strong defensive consistency. Even so, the former full-back showed confidence in the new philosophy and believes the fans should support the change.

“They (the fans) have already been through scares for quite a while now, right? That’s the reality. It’s going to be something new for everyone. Corinthians really has never had a coach with this profile of taking risks in the buildup. My team, which was successful, defended very well, managed to kill off games, but won 1-0 countless times. It was very solid defensively, and that’s a game model Diniz doesn’t show as much, defensive security, right? That’s the big issue with Diniz’s work. So, I think it’s going to be something new. But, like I told you, I’m very confident in that sense, in giving Diniz this vote of confidence. I think it’s a new, different style of play. I think the Corinthians fans, because of everything they’ve been through lately, will give him that vote of confidence and are also curious to see how it will work on the pitch”, he concluded.

At 52, Fernando Diniz signed a contract with Corinthians through the end of 2026. He arrives alongside assistant coach Léo Porto, fitness coach Wagner Berteli, and analyst Lucas Vergne. According to ESPN, assistant coach Bruno Lazaroni chose not to accept the invitation for personal reasons.

Diniz had been the board’s top target since the beginning of the search for a replacement for Dorival Júnior. Talks gained momentum on Sunday night at Neo Química Arena and moved quickly after a meeting held on Monday, when the sides aligned the details and finalized the agreement.

If his paperwork is completed in time, the coach is expected to lead the team in the opening match of the 2026 Libertadores group stage against Platense on Thursday the 9th at Vicente López Stadium in Buenos Aires. After that, Corinthians return to action on Sunday the 12th at 6:30 p.m. to face Palmeiras at Neo Química Arena in the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.