Ariel Godoi hails Emily Lima's trust, new phase after Mixto rout | OneFootball

Corinthians defeated Mixto 4-1 on the night of last Monday (25), at Canindé, in the 12th round of the Brazilian Women’s Championship. One of the standout players in the match was Ariel Godoi, who came off the bench and scored the Brabas’ fourth goal.

After the match, the forward spoke about her current moment at the club, commented on her run of opportunities under Emily Lima, and analyzed the rotation system adopted by the coaching staff this season. In an interview with Rádio Coringão, Ariel celebrated the goal she scored against Mixto and highlighted the work she has been putting in during training to earn her place in the team: “It’s a very important goal for me. I’ve been working really hard to earn my place, and I know that at the right moment, at the right time, things happen. I’m very happy and I’ll keep working so I can get on the pitch more.”

Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazzanel / Ag. Corinthians

The forward also spoke about her current phase at Corinthians and recalled the period when she received criticism from the fans. According to Ariel, the process of adapting to the club and the run of opportunities have helped her grow within the team.

“I think criticism… we know where we play and we know how much the fans demand. So I think I also adapted to that, I came to understand it. I understood that it comes in phases — sometimes I’ll be doing well, other times I won’t — and that happens. But I believe that when we start getting opportunities, things happen more naturally. So I’m preparing myself a lot to make the most of those opportunities, embrace them, and show my work.”

Asked about the derby against Palmeiras in the Women’s Copa do Brasil, Ariel said she believes it will be a different scenario from the one in Emily Lima’s debut, when Corinthians gave up the lead after going ahead on the scoreboard.

“I believe the game will be very different. I think there were different moments in that last game, which I believe was Emily’s first game. She was just arriving with a different kind of work, so she was showing a little bit of what her work is like. I think we’ll be very well prepared for this match and, God willing, we’ll change the outcome of these games we’ve been losing to Palmeiras. But I have a lot of faith in the squad and in her work.”

The black-and-white shirt also spoke about the rotation system used by coach Emily Lima between the Brazilian Championship and the Paulista Championship. For Ariel, the squad’s depth allows Corinthians to maintain a competitive level in both competitions.

“Corinthians’ squad is a very competitive squad. There are a lot of very good girls in every position. I think that’s Corinthians’ difference — it’s the only team with a really strong squad. I think everyone is prepared to play both the Brazilian Championship and the Paulista. I think that’s why the team is so competitive, because having two competitions helps a lot. So I think we’re handling it really well, and it’s good because whoever is ready to play in the Paulista will also be ready to play in the Brazilian Championship.”

Next, Ariel said that the Paulista has served as a showcase for players to earn space in the team’s other competitions this season.

“I think for me the Paulista was the main thing. I did well against Red Bull, and there I was able to show who I am, Ariel the player, and I think that’s also where I earned my place and the opportunity to play in the Brazilian Championship. And I think it’ll be the same for the other girls too — being able to show themselves in the Paulista to earn the chance to play in the Brazilian Championship. She’s the one giving us that confidence to play in the Paulista and have opportunities in the Brazilian Championship or the Copa do Brasil. I think she’s managing to balance things and give everyone opportunities.”

Even with the win, Ariel acknowledged that the team’s defensive performance in the second half remains a point of attention for Emily Lima’s side.

“That has really been bothering us, just like it has Emily. I think it’s something we need to improve in our second half performances, because we’ve been dropping off a lot. I think this break will be crucial for us to improve, to see what’s happening so it stops happening, because against Palmeiras that will show a lot too. I think the second half decides a lot of things, but I believe it’s just a small detail that’s missing so we don’t suffer in the second half. And my job is this: if I need to track back and defend, I’ll help.”

Finally, the forward commented on the condition of the Canindé pitch and the differences compared to Fazendinha, the Brabas’ usual home ground.

“The pitch was really beaten up, the ball was bouncing a lot, but we don’t get to choose the stage. No matter where we play, we have to work and perform well. But today it was really poor, so we struggled a little because the ball doesn’t roll, it bounces more. In the second half especially, in the box, it was pure mud. But our home is Fazendinha, we know that — still, we move on, there’s nothing we can do.”

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