Raniele on Majestoso goal, Ronaldo and error: “I’ve courage to spare” | OneFootball

Raniele was one of the standout players in Corinthians’ 3-2 win over São Paulo last Sunday (10) at Neo Química Arena, in the 15th round of the Brasileirão. The midfielder opened the scoring for Timão, netted the first goal in the club’s new black-and-white kit, and also drew attention with a celebration inspired by Ronaldo Fenômeno.

After the match, the No. 14 spoke in the mixed zone and celebrated the result in the Majestoso. The player highlighted the importance of taking all three points in a derby and emphasized the job done at home.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians Agency

“I’m very happy, very happy about the goal, about us doing our job at home. It could have been less nerve-racking, right, but I think when it comes to Corinthians, there are no circumstances. We have to win, especially in a game that carries weight, which is a Majestoso. Happy to score, happy to have brought the three points to our team and our fans.”

The midfielder also explained the celebration in tribute to Ronaldo. Raniele revealed that he had already planned the gesture during the team’s pre-match hotel stay and got an extra bit of encouragement before kickoff.

“It was already planned. Yesterday I was watching some videos while we were in camp and a video of the Majestoso where he scored came up. Then I thought to myself: ‘Damn, if I score tomorrow, I think I’m going to do that.’ A little before the game started, Coca, our photographer, came up to me and said: ‘If you score, do this here,’ and made the sign. Then I said: ‘Damn, I already had that in my head.’ He came over and said it too, kind of reinforced it, and when I scored, it immediately came to mind to make the gesture. Happy to bring back the memory of an important game for Corinthians, which was the Majestoso, and of a player who made history here. Happy about that, I hope he’s happy too.”

The midfielder also commented on the refereeing in the derby, especially the Bobadilla incident, in which a red card was overturned after a VAR review. Raniele compared the episode to recent dismissals involving Corinthians players.

“I think one word really sums it up, right, ‘almost.’ I think from the moment they sent off André and Allan, they opened the door to a huge amount of interpretation. So what Bobadilla did was an almost sending-off. It’s like I was almost going to punch someone. Because, come on, you can brush your hand against someone, but you can’t grab them. So what is it then? What’s the rule? You interpret it every which way, but we’re already tired of talking about this, already tired of talking about refereeing.”

Even with the criticism, Raniele preferred to focus on Corinthians’ win and the team’s performance on the pitch.

“I think it’s important to focus on the game, focus on the three points we got. I’m happy because it didn’t affect the result that much. We managed to come away with the three points. But it’s there, I think it’s important to review this, to see what really is a sending-off and what isn’t, and for everyone to get on the same page, because it’s a bit confusing.”

The midfielder also complained about another incident involving Enzo Díaz and Breno Bidon late in the derby. In Raniele’s view, there was a lack of consistency in the use of cards.

“I have no idea, brother, because it was the same play, the same thing. I don’t think Bidon can be punished for playing football. Bidon didn’t do anything outside the rules, and Enzo did. He shoved him in the first play, which I even think caught him in the face, if I’m not mistaken, and in the second play he did the same thing. So he got a yellow card for the first one and, on the second, nothing. I think the guys get scared of inflaming things, of causing something, but if you’ve applied the standard, stick to your criteria. But anyway, beyond the refereeing, I think it’s important to look at the solid game we played and be happy about that.”

Raniele was also asked about comparisons made by fans with Ralf, a historic Timão idol. The midfielder said he was happy with the affection but treated the matter cautiously.

“I think it’s still a long way off, still a long way off. Ralf is a guy I admire a lot, I have enormous admiration for him. Even before I arrived at Corinthians, he was someone I identified with a lot. After I got here, I started building my own small steps. People have been saying it a lot, but I think Ralf has his place in history, he has many titles, I think he has three times as many games as I do.”

After that, the No. 14 stressed that he is not thinking about surpassing anyone, but admitted that the comparison sounds like recognition of his current form.

“Not that this is my life goal, wanting to surpass someone, but if one day I do reach his level, it’ll still take a long time. I’m happy about the comparison from the fans, obviously, because it ends up sounding like praise, being compared to a club idol. But it’s not something that’s in my head, wanting to be bigger than anyone. I think it’s really cool to keep admiring his story. I’m happy about the comments, but I think he’s still on a much higher level. Hopefully one day, who knows, I can reach a level close to his.”

Raniele also made it clear that he wants to keep playing through the rest of the season, despite the physical wear and tear and the possibility of Fernando Diniz rotating the squad.

“Only if Diniz wants otherwise, because I want to play. I think the fewer minutes I give to whoever is competing with me, the better. So I think it’s important to be on the field, I like playing, I like being there at the Arena. I hope he keeps the team. If he doesn’t, if he thinks the best decision is to use other players so they can get some rhythm or to rest us, we’ll understand, obviously. But my desire is to play.”

The midfielder took responsibility for the mistake in buildup play that led to São Paulo’s equalizer. Raniele said the team will keep taking risks whenever that is Diniz’s instruction.

“We joke around and everything, but we know the responsibility that comes with it. Today, I’m happy we came away with the three points. But like I always say, we’re there for that, to make mistakes and to get things right. Diniz tells us to take risks, and maybe you won’t like it, maybe the fans won’t like it, but we’re going to keep taking risks, brother. Because we think that’s the best way to get to the opponent’s goal, to draw them in so we can play shorter and have more space in the final third.”

Raniele also said he understands the fans’ reaction after the mistake, but stressed the need for personality to play for Corinthians.

“I think judging is the fans’ role, and they’re right. Just as they celebrated when I scored, they had every right to curse me when I made a mistake. So there’s no problem at all, that’s what I’m here for. It’s normal, but we have to put ourselves on the line, because this is a huge club and it needs brave players. I’ve got courage to spare, and you can be sure that even after the mistake, everyone came over to support me.”

The midfielder also revealed that he got backing from Diniz at halftime and highlighted the group’s response after his individual mistake.

“Diniz came and spoke at halftime too: ‘Who gives a fuck if you gifted them a goal, keep playing.’ I think that was important, and I also think it’s important to highlight the team. Everyone, even with the individual mistake, managed to run for me, managed to turn the result around, and I’m very happy we came away with the three points. But I’ll tell you right now that if Diniz thinks this is the best way, that we’re going to play like that, then I’ll be there to do it. When he thinks I can’t do it, he’ll sub me off, and that happens. That’s what we’re here for.”

Raniele also linked the team’s attitude to Corinthians’ spirit and its bond with the fans.

“Man, we’ve got brave players here, and we’ve got fans who prove their worth at every moment. For example, to mention the most recent case, I think that match in Santa Catarina, everyone knows what happened there for the fans to make it to the stadium. The fans are always going through things like that, so this is already a club that comes with this suffering, everyone against us, I think everyone is already used to suffering. So I think it’s important for us, the players too, to embody that spirit and know that, even with an adverse result, you have to believe until the final minute. That’s how it was today, we won and I’m happy about that.”

When assessing Timão’s performance, the midfielder preferred to leave the analysis of whether it was the best game of the Diniz era to the press, but highlighted some positive aspects of the team.

“I don’t know, maybe it was. I think in terms of commitment, the draw with Palmeiras was sensational, the game against Vasco was very good, very well played. The first half against Peñarol was also sensational. Today São Paulo scored two goals from two mistakes by us, so I don’t think that exists in football, ‘apart from the two goals.’ But I think it was a game where we managed to impose ourselves well, managed to play out from the back several times, and that was important. As for whether it was the best game, I’ll leave that to you guys.”

Raniele again spoke about the individual mistake and said that Diniz did not bring it up in the locker room at halftime.

“Man, in the locker room he didn’t even bring it up at halftime. After the game he came over and said to me: ‘You gifted them a goal.’ And I said: ‘It happens, fuck it.’ I think the fact he didn’t talk about it in the locker room already shows that, for him, what matters is this, it’s nothing. So I think he’s going to keep supporting us. He knows it was just a moment. I do that in training too, and out of every ten passes like that I make in training, I get nine right. Unfortunately I got it wrong today, but that’s what happens, and I’m happy we recovered the result.”

The midfielder also pointed out that the team’s more daring style has benefited not only Garro, but Corinthians’ entire attacking unit.

“Yes, no doubt. I think not just Garro, everyone. Bidon is putting in great performances, Carrillo came on today and did very well, our two full-backs, Jesse has just come into the team and has been playing really well. Garro has been getting on the ball much more often and, not only much more often, much more often in situations where he can find someone, provide an assist, do something. So I think it’s important for us to do that too, to play that worker role there, so that he, who’s an outstanding player, can show his football.”

The first player to score in Corinthians’ new kit, Raniele also commented on taking part in the shirt launch and picked his favorite version.

“It was awesome, it was awesome, it was awesome. I’m happy to have scored that first goal too, I hadn’t thought about that. The media day was really cool, even because the girls were there too. It was really nice bringing the two teams together. I think I like the black one better, I think that striped black one turned out really nice.”

The player also took the chance to wish the Brabas good luck in their derby against São Paulo in the Women’s Brasileirão.

“Hopefully they repeat our result, with a bit more breathing room, right? I’m rooting for that. When it comes to Corinthians, we’ll always be cheering. I hope they can set a good tempo and come away with the three points.”

Lastly, Raniele explained how Corinthians managed to control important stretches of the Majestoso and impose their rhythm in buildup play.

“I don’t think there was one specific moment, but sometimes we drew São Paulo to one side to play through the other. Sometimes they pressed high with four, five, six players trying to close us down, and we ended up finding a pass in behind them. So the game unfolds that way. We keep trying, that’s what there is to do.”

The midfielder wrapped up by talking about the idea of drawing the opponent in and escaping pressure with short passes.

“In a football game, of course, you can win in any way, but I think this is the easiest way: testing the opponent to see how they react. It’s much easier to get the ball and hit it long, fight for the second ball, but it’s not as effective. When you draw the opponent in, you can tell how many players they’re pressing with and how we’re getting out of the pressure, whether it’s with a first-time pass, second man, third man, different dynamics. So it becomes easier. I don’t know if there was one moment, but I think every move we made, drawing them in and getting out of the pressure, made it clearer that we could impose our rhythm and play a good game.”

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