Corinthians forced into striker shake-up amid mounting pressure | OneFootball

Corinthians are facing a significant selection challenge as they prepare for Sunday’s meeting with Vitória, with Yuri Alberto set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing one of his vertebrae. The striker’s absence leaves manager Dorival Júnior with limited natural centre-forward options, a concern magnified by the team’s current need for results after a disappointing exit from the Copa Sudamericana and growing off-field turbulence.

Yuri Alberto has been the club’s main attacking threat this season, logging 35 appearances in 38 matches and starting 26 of those contests. He leads the team with 13 goals and one assist in 2025—numbers that put him well ahead of Memphis Depay, the squad’s second-best scorer with six goals.

Dorival Júnior’s immediate solution within the squad is Spanish striker Héctor Hernández, the only other true number nine in the current squad. However, Hernández’s limited involvement to date suggests the coaching staff have reservations about throwing him straight into the starting lineup for such a crucial fixture.

Given this lack of depth, Dorival is also weighing the possibility of using Ángel Romero or Memphis Depay in the centre-forward role. While both have featured there before—Romero occasionally for club and country, Depay during spells in European football—it is not their preferred position. Their versatility could provide a workaround, but it does not address the need for a specialist presence in the penalty area.

Recognizing the thinness of his senior options, Dorival has turned to the club’s youth ranks. This week, Under-20s striker Gui Negão was brought up to train with the first team at the CT Dr. Joaquim Grava. While a professional debut may be unlikely in the short term, his presence underscores the depth of the void left by Yuri’s injury.

Corinthians’ attacking concerns come at a time when performances and morale are under the microscope, both among the fanbase and in the dressing room. With the ongoing absence of president Augusto Melo adding to instability behind the scenes, on-pitch results have added significance.

The matchup with Vitória at Neo Química Arena, part of the 11th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, is shaping up as a test of both Dorival’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s ability to cope without their leading marksman.

Source: UOL