Corinthians finish preparations to face Santos in the Brasileirão | OneFootball

Corinthians’ squad wrapped up training on Saturday morning (29) ahead of the Clássico Alvinegro against Santos. The teams face off this Sunday afternoon (30) at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship.

The session began with a guidance video presentation in the Flexform Briefing Room. Afterwards, the players did strength exercises in the gym and warmed up on the pitch before Fernando Diniz led tactical drills. The preparation also included specific set-piece work and penalty kicks, closing out the final training session before the clash in Itaquera.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

One of the main new developments in the team should be Memphis Depay. For the first time since renewing his contract, the Dutch forward has a strong chance of starting a match in the lineup. He played 20 minutes in the match against Rosario Central last week and featured for 45 minutes against Coritiba last Sunday.

Thus, Corinthians could take the field with Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gabriel Paulista, Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu; Raniele, Allan, André Carrillo (Jesse Lingard) and Rodrigo Garro; Memphis and Kaio César.

Even with the possibility of Memphis returning to the starting team, Fernando Diniz still has to deal with a number of absences. In defense, André Ramalho remains under treatment after suffering from vertigo. The midfield also has absences. André Luiz is recovering from a grade 2 muscle injury in his right thigh, while Zakaria Labyad suffered a serious injury to his left knee and is not expected to play again this season.

In attack, Yuri Alberto remains under the care of the medical department due to a grade 2 injury to his right thigh. Despite showing progress in physical work and training, the striker will not be used in the derby and will continue to be rested. Vitinho also remains out after undergoing surgery on the meniscus in his left knee. Kayke, meanwhile, will not play again in 2026 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Among the called-up players, the main new face is 19-year-old forward Luiz Fernando. According to information published by Meu Timão, the team’s top scorer at Under-20 level this season was included by Fernando Diniz in the squad list for the derby against Santos.

In the Brazilian Championship table, Corinthians begin the round in 10th place with 32 points. Santos, in turn, sit 14th, having collected 26 points so far. If they win the derby, Timão could climb as many as two places in the standings. To do so, in addition to beating their rivals, the team would need Atlético Mineiro and Coritiba to slip up.

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