Corinthians on alert: key players at risk for Copa do Brasil semi-final | OneFootball

Corinthians is seeking a spot in the grand final of the Copa do Brasil this Sunday, when they host Cruzeiro in the second and decisive match of the semifinal. The ball starts rolling at 6:00 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo (SP).

Despite having the advantage on the scoreboard, Corinthians will need to be on high alert regarding the refereeing in the match at Neo Química Arena. That’s because Timão has a list of five starting players at risk of suspension who, if they receive a third yellow card, will have to serve a suspension in the first leg of the final if they qualify.

The list of Corinthians players at risk includes goalkeeper Hugo Souza, defender Gustavo Henrique, right-back Matheuzinho, midfielder Maycon, and attacking midfielder Rodrigo Garro.

From this list, the tendency is that four will be starters in the return leg of the Copa do Brasil semifinal against Cruzeiro. Garro, who recently recovered from injury, is still a doubt for the starting eleven. Nevertheless, the expectation is that the Argentine will get minutes again, either as a starter or coming off the bench.

Two players from the list were already at risk before the first leg, played last Wednesday: Matheuzinho and Garro. Both made it through unscathed, but still have two yellow cards. The Argentine picked up two yellows in the round of 16 against Palmeiras, while the right-back was booked in both matches against Athletico-PR in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Hugo Souza, Gustavo Henrique, and Maycon had only one yellow card each until last Wednesday’s match against Cruzeiro. However, the trio was booked by referee Anderson Daronco and are now at risk of suspension.

Another seven Timão players also have one yellow card in the Copa do Brasil and, if they pick up a second this Sunday, will be at risk for a potential final. They are: André Ramalho, Cacá, Angileri, Breno Bidon, Vitinho, Yuri Alberto, and Gui Negão.

Corinthians, therefore, will need to pay close attention to the refereeing, especially regarding the five players at risk, so as not to lose any important players in case they reach the final. It’s worth noting that yellow cards were only reset after the end of the second phase of the Copa do Brasil.

Situation of the matchup

Corinthians took the advantage in the first leg by beating Cruzeiro 1-0 at Mineirão. Memphis Depay, still in the first half, scored the goal that sealed the victory for the black and white team.

With this result, Timão only needs a draw in Itaquera to advance to the Copa do Brasil final. On the other hand, Cruzeiro needs a win by two or more goals. If the aggregate score is tied, the finalist will be decided by penalties.

Corinthians or Cruzeiro await the winner of the Rio de Janeiro derby between Vasco and Fluminense. In the first leg, Vasco took the lead with a 2-1 victory.

Next Corinthians match

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