Corinthians face Ponte Preta with long injury list in Paulistão opener

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Central do Timão

·10 January 2026

Corinthians face Ponte Preta with long injury list in Paulistão opener

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of this Sunday (11th), at 4 PM (Brasília time), Corinthians faces Ponte Preta at the Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the first round of the 2026 Paulista Championship. The Alvinegro, the biggest state champion with 31 titles, seeks consecutive back-to-back championships, having defeated Palmeiras in the 2025 final.

For the match, Dorival Júnior's coaching staff is expected to have a long list of absentees such as: the midfielder Raniele, who is undergoing physical reconditioning and has not yet trained with the ball after finishing the last season at the 'limit', as well as midfielder José Martínez, still in Venezuela trying to resolve his work visa issue – geopolitical issues with the United States.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

In addition to the two mentioned, forward Yuri Alberto, who missed most of the first week of preseason dealing with issues related to his Italian citizenship in Europe, is expected to be out. On Friday (9th) and this Saturday (10th), the number 9 only did running drills on the field, without training with the ball so far. Memphis Depay, also undergoing physical reconditioning after ending the last season in sacrifice, is also expected to be out for Dorival Júnior.

Midfielder Rodrigo Garro, who underwent surgery on his left wrist last Wednesday (7th), is another significant absence for the match. Left-back Fabrizio Angileri, with a stalled contract renewal – which ended on December 31st, has not yet returned and might not stay at the club due to this uncertainty. Defender Félix Torres, negotiating a loan with Internacional, is another confirmed absence.

Finally, defender Renato (2024 Copinha champion), midfielder Alex Santana, and forward Héctor Hernández – all out of the coaching staff's plans – are guaranteed absences, as they have been training separately from the squad while seeking resolutions for their respective futures.

The first two returned from loans at Atlético-GO and Grêmio, respectively, and have contracts ending in 2027. The Spanish center-forward, on the other hand, has been away from the squad since August 2025 and has a contract until December 2026.

Thus, Corinthians is expected to start the match against Ponte Preta with: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique, and Matheus Bidu (Hugo Farias); Charles, André Luiz, André Carrillo (Matheus Bidu), and Breno Bidon; Vitinho and Gui Negão.

After facing Ponte Preta at home for the state championship, Corinthians remains focused on the competition and returns to the field next Thursday (15th), at 7:30 PM (Brasília time). The Alvinegro will visit Red Bull Bragantino at the Cícero de Souza Marques Stadium for the second round of the Paulistão.

In addition to the Paulista Championship, Corinthians will participate in the following competitions in 2026: Supercopa do Brasil, Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro, and Conmebol Libertadores.

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