Corinthians pair defensive solidity with poor attack in 2026's first half | OneFootball

The first half of 2026 ended with a mixed picture for Corinthians. While the defensive system posted its best numbers in recent years, the team’s attacking performance fell short of what had been recorded in recent seasons. The data reflects the club’s campaign up to the break for the World Cup, a period in which the team played 37 matches across the Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Brasileiro, and Conmebol Libertadores.

Over the course of those fixtures, Corinthians scored 41 goals and conceded 31. The defensive performance resulted in an average of 0.84 goals conceded per game, the club’s best mark since the 2022 season. On the other hand, the average of 1.11 goals scored per match represents the lowest attacking rate of the last five years.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The difference between the two areas helps explain the team’s path in the first half of the year. Despite advancing to the Libertadores round of 16 as group winners, Corinthians faced difficulties in other competitions. The team was eliminated by Novorizontino in the Campeonato Paulista semifinal and spent much of the Brasileirão near the lower end of the table.

Defensively, the numbers show improvement compared to recent seasons. Since 2023, Corinthians had been ending its years with averages above one goal conceded per game. In 2026, the team managed to reduce that rate, supported mainly by its performances in knockout competitions and the consistency shown during part of its continental campaign.

Considering only the first 37 matches of each of the last five seasons, the current defensive performance is surpassed only by the one recorded in 2022. That year, Corinthians conceded 27 goals in the same number of matches, an average of 0.73 per game. In 2026, the team conceded 31 goals, keeping it among the best defenses of the period analyzed.

On the other hand, the attacking output is a warning sign. The 41 goals scored in 37 matches represent the club’s lowest average since 2022. In previous seasons, Corinthians surpassed the 50-goal mark in its first 37 fixtures, reaching rates higher than those recorded this year.

The numbers show that the attacking difficulties were more evident in the Campeonato Brasileiro. In 18 rounds played, the team found the net only 18 times, maintaining an average of one goal per game. In the Libertadores, however, the return was better, with eight goals scored in six matches. In the Campeonato Paulista, the attack also delivered a modest performance compared to recent years.

Corinthians’ last match before the break took place on May 30, when it beat Grêmio 3-1 in Porto Alegre. The result helped improve the team’s attacking numbers and brought the half of the season to a positive close.

Now, during the mid-season break, the coaching staff led by Fernando Diniz will have the opportunity to work on adjustments before competitions resume. The challenge for the second half of the year will be to maintain the defensive consistency shown so far and improve attacking efficiency so that Corinthians can compete for bigger goals in the remaining competitions of the season.

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