Emily Lima on Corinthians defeat to Cruzeiro and right-back issue | OneFootball

Corinthians were beaten 3-2 by Cruzeiro on the night of last Monday (18), at Arena do Jacaré, in Sete Lagoas, in the 11th round of the Brazilian Women’s Championship. Brabas’ goals were scored by Andressa Alves and Jaqueline.

After the final whistle, Emily Lima, in an interview with Rádio Coringão, commented on the tactical battle against coach Jonas Urias, and also spoke about the options used at right-back, the possible arrival of reinforcements, and the team’s current moment.

Photo: ©Cris Mattos / Ag. Corinthians

The coach began by highlighting the professional relationship she has with Cruzeiro’s manager and praised the level of the match.

“I think Jonas has been a colleague for years. We’ve faced each other a few times in São Paulo, when I worked at Juventus, when I worked at São José, when I worked at Santos. So, he’s a longtime colleague. I really admire Jonas’ work. I believe the game was exactly what it was expected to be. We’re talking about two great teams, and it couldn’t have been any different. He used the weapons and pieces he has, and we used the best we have within our reality. Unfortunately, in this battle, he ended up taking the three points.”

Emily also assessed Corinthians’ performance in the match and pointed out decisive details behind the negative result.

“I think now it’s about reflecting a little on the game itself. We didn’t play a bad match. I think there were specific moments that, in a game like this, you can’t leave any openings, because things will happen in ways you sometimes don’t expect. But I think it was really good, really positive. It’s interesting for him to make me think and for me to make him think, and that’s healthy.”

The coach also commented on Gi Fernandes’ absence from the match and explained the reasons behind the choices made during the game, including using Ivana and Juliete out of position in that area.

“I think it’s very clear what kind of player we need for the full-back position. Ivana, in the build-up to the goal, is the kind of full-back we are looking for. So, in short, that’s it. Ivana, in the build-up to the goal, is what we are looking for in a Corinthians full-back.”

Emily then detailed the profile she is looking for in that position.

“We can’t have a full-back who passes the ball backward, a full-back who doesn’t have the attitude to go after the game, on either side. On the left side, we’ve had very interesting competition between Juliete and Tamires. The numbers speak for themselves.”

The manager also praised the physical numbers Tamires has posted recently.

“I think Tamires, in the last game, had incredible GPS numbers, even breaking her own record for the year and for the club. So internally, we’re able to evaluate much more than just what the fans see while watching the match.”

Emily also explained Ivana’s use at full-back because of her physical strength and the offensive characteristics the player has shown.

“The choice of Ivana is because of her physical strength and because of what we look for in full-backs. Full-backs who provide depth, full-backs who have the strength to play wide and inside. She still has a lot of insecurity, but when she does what needs to be done, it produces the result we got in the situation of our goal.”

Asked about Antônia’s possible arrival at Corinthians, the coach avoided confirming negotiations, but said the player would add quality to the squad if she is signed.

“We work with the 32 players who are here at Corinthians today. If Antônia comes, she is always welcome. It’s something that ends up giving the team more strength, a player who can bring quality and what we are looking for there. But within what we have today, we focus on the 32 players and try to get the best out of them.”

On the game becoming more open in the second half after the changes, Emily said Corinthians needed to take risks in search of the win.

“I think we needed to go for the win. At 2-2, it was one point, and we controlled almost the entire game. They played in transition the whole time, and we were exposed because we kept going after the game the whole time. Unfortunately, we fell behind on the scoreboard and had to chase it for the full 90 minutes, always trying to level it and go ahead.”

The coach also defended the squad’s goalkeepers after being asked about criticism directed at Lelê and Rillary.

“We have full confidence in our goalkeepers. What the fans think is what the fans think, what the reporters think is what they think. We, on the coaching staff, have total confidence not only in the goalkeepers, but in all the players.”

Finally, Emily commented on the clash with Palmeiras in the Women’s Copa do Brasil, but stressed that the immediate focus is on the São Paulo derby.

“I think it’s a matchup we already know, but before that we have São Paulo now in the Paulista Championship, and that’s what we’re going to focus on.”

Next match

Brabas return to the pitch this Thursday (22) at 7:15 p.m. to face Santos at Fazendinha in the third round of the Paulista Women’s Championship.

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