André Carrillo starts three straight for Corinthians after six months | OneFootball

André Carrillo has once again put together a run in Corinthians’ starting lineup. By starting in the 2-1 loss to Coritiba on Sunday night (23) at Couto Pereira Stadium, the midfielder made it three straight games opening for Timão, something that had not happened since the start of the season.

The current run began on August 16 against Cruzeiro in the Brazilian Championship. Carrillo was chosen by Fernando Diniz to start the match at Neo Química Arena, which ended in a 2-1 Corinthians defeat. According to Sofascore, the Peruvian received a 7.2 rating in that match.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Four days later, the player remained in the starting team for one of the most important matches of the season. Corinthians hosted Rosario Central-ARG in the second leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16 and won 1-0, securing qualification for the quarterfinals. Carrillo was again among the starting 11 and finished the match with a 6.6 rating on Sofascore.

The streak was extended this Sunday. Even with changes made by Fernando Diniz to face Coritiba, the Peruvian kept his place in the starting lineup and formed the midfield alongside Raniele, Allan, and Breno Bidon. Timão ended up losing 2-1, but Carrillo received a 7.1 rating on Sofascore.

That means Corinthians’ three most recent matches all featured the player among those chosen to start:

Last streak happened at the start of the season

Before these recent matches, Carrillo had not recorded a run of three games as a starter since the period between late January and February.

The streak began in Corinthians’ debut in the Brazilian Championship on January 28. On that occasion, the Peruvian started the 2-1 loss to Bahia at Vila Belmiro and received a 7.1 rating on Sofascore.

After that, Carrillo also appeared among the starters in the Supercopa do Brasil final on February 1. Corinthians beat Flamengo 2-0 at Mané Garrincha, won the title, and the midfielder finished the match with a 7.0 rating.

The third game in that run came against Red Bull Bragantino on February 12 in the Brasileirão. At Neo Química Arena, Timão won 2-0 and Carrillo received a 6.9 rating.

So, the last run of three matches in which the Peruvian appeared as a starter was made up of:

Carrillo gains ground under Fernando Diniz

The new streak represents a change in the role occupied by Carrillo since Fernando Diniz’s arrival. Despite being used frequently during matches, the Peruvian had been alternating between the bench and the starting team, unable to remain among the starters for several games in a row.

The situation began to change against Cruzeiro. On that occasion, Carrillo stayed on the field for 79 minutes before being replaced by Matheus Pereira. After that, he was kept in the team for a Libertadores knockout match and was again chosen to start the following Brasileirão fixture.

Against Rosario Central, Carrillo also had to play an important role after Raniele was sent off in the second half. With Corinthians down to 10 men, Fernando Diniz chose to preserve the midfield structure and kept the Peruvian on the field during the build-up to the 1-0 victory.

The coach himself highlighted Carrillo after the continental qualification. In the press conference, Diniz said he does not see the player simply as a bench option and indicated that the Peruvian is among the athletes who can regularly occupy a place in the starting lineup, although without guaranteeing a fixed run.

Corinthians return to action against Santos

Carrillo’s run of starts could be extended next weekend. Corinthians will have a week of preparation before hosting Santos next Sunday (30) at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at Neo Química Arena, in the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship.

For the derby, Fernando Diniz already knows he will be without Breno Bidon, suspended after receiving his third yellow card against Coritiba. On the other hand, Rodrigo Garro will be available again after serving an automatic suspension this Sunday. Corinthians head into the match in 10th place in the Brasileirão with 32 points. In 24 matches, Timão have eight wins, eight draws, and eight losses.

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