Corinthians boss: Memphis benched for Majestoso, on Hugo Souza

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Central do Timão

·21 November 2025

Corinthians boss: Memphis benched for Majestoso, on Hugo Souza

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians, with two goals from Yuri Alberto and Memphis Depay, defeated São Paulo 3-1 on the night of last Thursday (20th), at the Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the 34th round of the Brazilian Championship. The victory placed the Alvinegro in tenth position with 45 points (12 wins, nine draws, and 13 losses – 38 goals scored and 39 conceded).

Coach Dorival Júnior gave a press conference right after the match and was initially asked about the fact that forward Memphis Depay started the Majestoso on the bench. The number 10, it is worth remembering, played 90 minutes against Poland and 63 against Lithuania, in the last two rounds of the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup – the last FIFA Date of the year – and, due to the short recovery time, was preserved as a precaution.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

After the FIFA Date at the end of August and beginning of September, Memphis Depay started the return match of the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals, against Athletico-PR, in Itaquera, as a starter and was substituted in the added time of the first half with muscle pain in the thigh.

In his response, the Corinthians coach revealed that he chose not to start the match with the number 10 after a dialogue with the Netherlands medical department, which warned that the player was feeling discomfort. After exams, it was decided to preserve the player.

“Well, first, we had a similar situation upon his return in the previous FIFA date. And he ended up feeling the injury due to the strain he had. He left that last match around 58, 68 minutes, if I’m not mistaken. Something similar. And he came advised by the Dutch National Team Medical Department about a discomfort he was having. With that, it was discussed with our medical department yesterday, the necessary exams were done. And there, within our team's reach, an ultrasound and a tomography. These two exams were done, they provided assurance so that he could be at ease regarding what he was reporting, it was discussed with the athlete, he didn’t feel confident, nor did he train yesterday.”

He continued: “So, we had no way to make a different decision. We respected what the medical department positioned us, what was said by the Dutch national team medical department, and what the player himself reported to us. We had no way to do it differently. What do we have to think? That we have a final of a competition and, above all, a very important decision (of the Copa do Brasil) ahead. And I hope, this time, to have all the players available, in at least physical and clinical conditions, to do our best,” he began.

Memphis Depay has 10 goals and 10 assists for Corinthians in 46 matches with the Corinthians shirt this season, being the second top scorer and the great assist provider of the Alvinegro squad.

He was then asked about the situation of goalkeeper Hugo Souza. According to Central do Timão, the number 1 is unlikely to be available for the match against Cruzeiro, this Sunday (23rd), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time), at Mineirão, for the 35th round of the national competition. On the other hand, there is an expectation that midfielders Raniele (recovering from a thigh muscle injury) and Maycon (tendinopathy in the right knee) may return to the field, perhaps this weekend.

Hugo Souza suffered two injuries in recent weeks. The goalkeeper was absent from Corinthians in the victory over Vitória, on the last October 25th at Barradão, for the 30th round of the Brasileirão, due to a left shoulder injury. Subsequently, on the 2nd, he returned to play against Grêmio, in the 31st round, in Itaquera, but after the match, he felt muscle discomfort. Since then, he has been absent in the last three matches of the national tournament (RB Bragantino, Ceará, and São Paulo).

“He is being monitored, he is evolving in his work, but there is still no way to put him on the field. It requires a little more time, it was not a simple injury. So much so that it took him out of the call-up, despite his effort and desire to be present, he couldn’t, we are monitoring his situation, following and seeing the evolution he is presenting. I don’t believe he will be in condition for the next match. Maybe a little further ahead,” said the coach.

Raniele and Maycon spoke with Corinthians TV before the Majestoso:

Injury recovery

Raniele: “I’m feeling good, I think we could even make an effort for this one, but I only had two, three days of transition and it would be very premature to be on the field today, but I believe that for the next one everything will be fine. I think what we do in these last five games will reflect a lot on what we can achieve in the Copa do Brasil. I think it’s very important for us to go to an eliminatory like it is in the Copa do Brasil, if God wills it with positive results. I think the mood would be much greater to reach this moment with these results. So I think it will reflect a lot on what will happen in the Copa do Brasil with these results.”

Maycon: “I think it’s step by step, right? I think I had an inflammation that bothered me a lot in the last games mainly, this aggravated a little, but I think step by step, day by day we will see how my improvement goes so that we can return safely and finish well in the championship and mainly focus on the Copa do Brasil which is also important for us.”

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