André Luiz matches second-half minutes mark on Corinthians return as starter in Fluminense defeat | OneFootball

Corinthians were beaten 3-1 by Fluminense at Neo Química Arena in the Campeonato Brasileiro. André Luiz started for the first time since injury and played 80 minutes, equalling his highest second-half-of-year tally.

He had last reached 80 minutes in July's 3-0 win over Remo, the club's first official game after the World Cup pause, when he started and went off at 35 minutes of the second half for Matheus Pereira. According to Meu Timao, he had been out for more than a month with a grade 2 injury to his right hamstring.

Since then, his nearest outing was 77 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Bahia. He also featured briefly against Athletico-PR and played in both Copa do Brasil ties with Internacional before injury.

He felt the issue in the second leg against Internacional, which kept him out of nine matches, six in the Brasileiro and three in the Libertadores.

He returned on Wednesday in the Libertadores quarter-final elimination to Estudiantes, coming on at 25 minutes of the second half for Carrillo. Four days later, Fernando Diniz restored him to the XI against Fluminense.

Against the Rio side, he formed midfield with Raniele, Rodrigo Garro and Breno Bidon. He departed on 35 minutes of the second half for Jesse Lingard, ending on 80 minutes.

He now has two weeks of FIFA dates to build fitness. Corinthians are next in action on 7 October away to Internacional at Beira-Rio in the 29th round of the Brasileiro.

Source: Meu Timao

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