Corinthians midfielder rues key Brasileirão loss, eyes Libertadores | OneFootball

Throughout the night this Sunday (16), Corinthians hosted Cruzeiro at Neo Química Arena in a match valid for the 23rd round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship, and ended up being beaten 2-1. The result caused Alvinegro to drop to ninth place with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws, and seven losses — with 25 goals scored and 22 conceded.

Right after the final whistle, still on the pitch, midfielder Rodrigo Garro gave an exclusive interview to Amazon Prime Video and lamented the home defeat against a direct rival in the national competition. Before the match began, the Minas Gerais team had only a one-point advantage over Timão. In addition, the No. 8 already looked ahead to the second leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16 against Rosario Central-ARG, saying it is the ‘game of the year.’

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

“Yes, the fans are something we are very grateful for from the bottom of our hearts. We know their support, we know that when we need support they will be there. I’m sad because it was a direct game, a direct clash in the fight near the top of the table. Now, we need to rest because we have the game of the year on Thursday”, he concluded.

Garro, despite being Corinthians’ main provider this season with 11 assists, is going through an inconsistent spell. Signed in January 2024 after standing out for Argentina’s Talleres, the midfielder has totaled 18 goals and 33 assists in 142 matches (115 as a starter), with 62 wins, 40 draws, and 40 losses — a 53.1% success rate. For Timão, he has won: the Campeonato Paulista (2025), the Copa do Brasil (2025), and the Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively.

Now, after hosting Cruzeiro at home in the Brazilian Championship, Corinthians turn their focus back to the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores round of 16. That is because next Thursday (20), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), Alvinegro will face Rosario Central-ARG, also at Neo Química Arena. If there is another draw, the team that advances to the quarterfinals will be decided by a penalty shootout.

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