Corinthians prep for weekend clash, striker shares Brasileirão hopes | OneFootball

After a break following the 1-0 victory over Fluminense away from home, Corinthians returned to training on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 16, at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava, and began preparations for the next Brasileirão match. Next Sunday, September 21, the Alvinegro will face Sport at 5:30 PM (Brasília time) at Ilha do Retiro, in a match for the 24th round of the national competition.

The Corinthians squad started the day with a strength activity in the gym. Later, after a warm-up with coordinated movements on the field, coach Dorival Júnior conducted a post-loss pressure dynamic and another of ball possession. Additionally, there was a confrontation game on a reduced field. Finally, a complement of running sprints was applied.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

After the end of the activity, forward Vitinho, who played his first match as a starter for Corinthians last Saturday (13) against Fluminense, where he played for 45 minutes, gave an interview to the club's official channels and talked about the team's atmosphere upon returning to training.

“The presentation was happy, after a positive result. We are evolving step by step, achieving the goals of scoring and not losing games. So, this brings a light and motivating atmosphere for the week and for the next challenge, which will be very difficult,” he began.

Later, he was asked about the expectations for the continuation of the Brazilian Championship and the need to keep scoring in the national tournament to continue climbing the table. The number 29 also mentioned the difficulties of the team's last match, as three days earlier Corinthians came from a tiring game in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

“At the moment, mission accomplished. We knew it was going to be a difficult game (against Fluminense). We came in the middle of the week from a heavy game as well. We knew the game was going to be very difficult in all aspects, but we overcame that, got the positive result, taking another positive step in the table, which is what we need to do right now. So, I think everything went well, even with the challenges, we came out victorious, which is the most important thing here.”

“I think the main thing is to think about our goal, which is to score. To continue our victories. So, regardless of what the opponent is going through, we have to focus on our goal, which is to prepare better, arrive better for the game, and achieve the goal, regardless of the situation. So, we will face opponents ahead of us and also below us, but the goal has to be the same, the mentality has to be the same, the main thing has to be the same, to seek victory and continue growing in the championship,” he concluded.

It is worth noting that, at the moment, in the medical department are: midfielders Raniele (muscle injury in the thigh), Charles (knee pain), and André Carrillo (recovering after ligament surgery on the left ankle), in addition to midfielder Rodrigo Garro (grade 2 calf injury) and Memphis Depay (thigh edema).

Currently, Corinthians occupies the ninth position in the Brazilian Championship with 29 points (seven wins, eight draws, and eight losses – 24 goals scored and 28 conceded) and seeks to get closer to the qualifying zone for the next edition of the Conmebol Libertadores. In the Copa do Brasil, the team is in its fourth consecutive semifinal, seeking its fourth title in the tournament, which they haven't won since 2009.

Dorival Júnior and Fabinho Soldado watch Corinthians' U-20 training

On the morning of this Tuesday, the 16th, coach Dorival Júnior and football executive Fabinho Soldado watched the U-20 team's training at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava. Given the financial difficulties faced by the club, the coach has been giving space to some younger players in the Corinthians squad.

Among them are: right-back João Vitor ‘Jacaré’, midfielders André, Luiz Gustavo Bahia, Dieguinho, and forwards Kayke Ferrari and Gui Negão.

Photo: Agência Corinthians

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