Corinthians enjoy best defensive run since November 2025

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·22 February 2026

Corinthians enjoy best defensive run since November 2025

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The Corinthians' defensive system is experiencing a special moment. In a solid start to the season, the defense assembled by Dorival Júnior and his coaching staff reached an important milestone in the 1-0 victory over Athletico-PR last Thursday (19).

The Alvinegro Paulista has now gone three consecutive matches without conceding a goal, something that hadn’t happened since November 2025. In addition to the match against Athletico-PR, Corinthians also kept a clean sheet in games against Red Bull Bragantino and São Bernardo. The last goal conceded was in the 1-0 defeat to Palmeiras on February 8, in the Paulistão.

OneFootball Videos

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/ Ag. Corinthians

The team last went three games without conceding a goal between October and November, when they beat Atlético-MG and Vitória, both by 1-0, and Grêmio by 2-0. On that occasion, Timão went back to conceding goals in the 2-1 defeat to Red Bull Bragantino on November 5.

Looking at the season as a whole, the defensive numbers are also positive for Alvinegro Paulista. The team has conceded goals in only five of the 12 matches played this season, and only one of those goals was conceded by the starting center-back duo: Gustavo Henrique and Gabriel Paulista. In total, the team has conceded eight goals this season.

In addition to the aforementioned duo, the Corinthians squad also includes André Ramalho and João Pedro Tchoca as center-backs. Cacá, who started the season still integrated with the squad, is close to being announced by Vitória. Other names like Angileri and Raniele have already played in the position in specific situations, even though it is not their original role.

Looking to extend their positive defensive streak, Corinthians take the field this Sunday (22), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), when they face Portuguesa at Canindé, in a match valid for the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paulista.

See more: