Belén Aquino eyes São Paulo final, hails Corinthians derby lessons | OneFootball

Corinthians secured a place in its tenth consecutive final of the Brazilian Women’s Championship and is already turning its attention to the two Majestosos that will decide the national title. After the 1-0 win over Bahia last Monday (21) at Neo Química Arena, Belén Aquino spoke about her expectations for her first final in the competition with the club, assessed previous clashes with São Paulo, commented on the growth of women’s football, and highlighted the adjustments the team still needs to make in this final stretch.

The Brabas reached the final after winning both semifinal matches against Bahia, closing the tie with a 2-0 aggregate score. The first match against São Paulo will take place this Saturday (26) at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Neo Química Arena. The return leg will be played on October 3, at the same time, at Morumbis.

Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazznel / Ag. Corinthians

For the first time in its ten consecutive Women’s Brasileirão finals, Corinthians will play the second match of the final away from home. For Belén, the situation represents a new challenge, but it does not change the squad’s immediate priority: making the most of the next few days to fix aspects of their game and arrive prepared for the first clash.

“Obviously, it’s a very special number for us, for the club, for the fans, and of course for the girls who have been here for a long time already, building what has been built. Playing the second leg of the final away is a challenge. We’re ready for everything that’s going to happen, both in the first game and in the second. Obviously, starting tomorrow, our focus is on the first game at home. We know there will be a lot of emotions. The important thing is to work well in these days, adjust the things we need to do well, and go into the finals. In football, anything can happen, but I’m calm about giving everything and fighting for one more title.”

Belén mentions previous derbies and calls for respect for São Paulo

Corinthians and São Paulo have already faced each other on different occasions this season, and Belén believes those previous matches can serve as lessons for the final. The Uruguayan acknowledged that not all the derbies matched the level expected by the Brabas and stressed the need to correct the mistakes shown in those encounters.

The forward also praised the season their opponents have had and pointed to emotional control as one of the factors that could make the difference in a final.

“Obviously, looking back at all the derbies we played, in some we did well, but in most we didn’t. So we have to learn from the mistakes we made and from the things we didn’t do. Doing our job, playing our game, will be important. And imposing our work, our game, will make the difference. Obviously, while respecting the opponent, respecting São Paulo, who are having a great season. But, as I said, there will be emotions, and controlling that while imposing our game will be important in this first match. And doing more things to win. We know finals are decided in the details, and we’re going to work a lot on that.”

Besides the Brasileirão, Corinthians still have other major goals for the rest of the season, including the Women’s Libertadores. Even with the possibility of winning more titles, Belén stressed that anxiety has to be managed individually and that the focus is on the next challenge.

“Anxiety is managed day by day, but also in the moment. I really think each person has their own emotions. I have mine, the girls have theirs. But always knowing that things depend on us. We know we have to play a good game, both here and there, to have this chance to fight for a title until the end. Every story has a different chapter. As I just said, we’re prepared for everything that’s coming, emotionally, in football, tactically. We’re going to work now and arrive in good shape. We know we don’t have many days ahead, but it will be important in these days to adjust things and go into the first final.”

Forward assesses Neo Química Arena’s new pitch

The return to Neo Química Arena also brought the pitch into the press conference discussion. The field underwent work during the World Cup period, and Belén was asked about the conditions she found in the semifinal.

Wearing number 25, she said she felt the pitch was a bit harder at the start of the match, but believed the conditions were better than some earlier assessments had suggested. The forward also highlighted the fast nature of the field at the House of the People.

“Personally, I felt it was a little hard at the beginning, but we know the Neo Química pitch has always been fast, so we knew we had to play balls into space to make the most of our teammates’ speed. I believe it’s better than what was said. It could be better, there are still some areas of the field that are not ideal, but I think that with time it will improve, and we hope that by then it will be better.”

Corinthians will return to the stadium just a few days after the semifinal. This time, Neo Química Arena will host the first of the two matches that will decide the Brazilian champion.

For Belén, playing there carries special meaning, especially because of the fans’ presence. The Uruguayan explained, however, that preparation does not change much compared to matches played at other stadiums.

“Playing at Neo Química is always special. We know that wherever we play, the fans will show up. But we also know that anywhere, we have to respond, do our job, play, and win. Practically speaking, our week would be almost the same. Obviously, every week is different, and we push each other to train well, arrive in good shape, and represent our fans on the pitch. We knew they would be here today and we knew the kind of game we had to play to win. We had difficulties, not badly, but we managed to overcome them, with their support from the stands as well, of course. That motivated us to fight for every ball, and that was important.”

Belén sees the Brasileirão as more competitive since her arrival in the country

The difficulty Corinthians faced against Bahia also led Belén to analyze the development of the sport in Brazil. The Brabas won both semifinal matches 1-0, in a tie marked by balance.

In the Uruguayan’s view, this edition of the Brasileirão has been the most competitive since her arrival in Brazilian football. For her, the growth of rival teams also demands constant improvement from Corinthians themselves.

“Well, I think that since the year I came here to Brazil to play, this year has been the most competitive Brazil has had. From the start until the last game of the first stage, every match was contested, with teams fighting for qualification until the end. So I think it was the most competitive year Brazil has had. That’s important. We know that every year teams improve, they grow. And I think that has also pushed us to be better, to improve in every aspect. And regarding the Libertadores, we know it’s going to be very difficult. It’s very difficult for our group as well. But there is time to work on that and arrive at the Libertadores in good shape, have a good competition, and go all the way to the final.”

The continental competition will be one of the Brabas’ next major commitments after the Brasileirão is decided. Before that, however, the squad is fully focused on trying to win another national title.

New role requires adjustments from Belén Aquino

The Uruguayan also commented on her adaptation within the playing model used by Emily Lima. Belén has been given different responsibilities and acknowledged that she still needs to improve, especially in positioning and marking.

The forward highlighted her willingness to take guidance from the coaching staff and work daily on the aspects needed to perform the role.

“Improving and being willing to correct things. Obviously, it’s a position I’m somewhat used to, but I know I can perform this role. Many times I may make a lot of mistakes in positioning and marking, but that’s something you work on day by day. I understand that I’ve been improving in that too, and I hope to keep evolving so that when it’s time to play, I can be in good shape and do my best.”

With little time between qualification and the start of the final, Corinthians are wrapping up preparations to host São Paulo this Saturday (26) at 4:30 p.m. at Neo Química Arena. The second and decisive match will be played a week later, on October 3, also at 4:30 p.m., at Morumbis.

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