Corinthians seek solid defence v Botafogo before Copa do Brasil semis

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Central do Timão

·29 November 2025

Corinthians seek solid defence v Botafogo before Copa do Brasil semis

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of this Sunday (30th), at 4 pm (Brasília time), Corinthians will host Botafogo at Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the 36th round of the Brazilian Championship. The Alvinegro currently occupies the 12th position with 45 points (12 wins, nine draws, and 14 losses – 38 goals scored and 42 conceded), and could rise to eighth place in case of a victory.

Against the team from Rio, Corinthians will seek to regain greater defensive stability already aiming for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, against Cruzeiro, on December 10 (Wednesday – Mineirão) and December 14 (Sunday – Neo Química Arena). In the last four rounds of the Brazilian Championship, the club from Parque São Jorge conceded seven goals, with an average of 1.75 goals conceded per game.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

For comparison, since the arrival of coach Dorival Júnior, at the end of April, Corinthians has played 36 matches, and in 17 of these games, they were not breached, conceding only 31 goals – which represents an average of 0.86 goals conceded per game. Thus, it can be concluded that the Alvinegro conceded '0.89 goals less' compared to the last four matches.

On the other hand, Corinthians will face a powerful attack – the sixth best in this edition of Serie A -, with 50 goals scored in 36 games. Of this total, 13 were scored in the last seven matches – two against Ceará and Santos, and three against Vasco, Sport, and Grêmio. The team from Rio won all these games.

The three points are crucial for Corinthians to at least reach the eighth place in the Brazilian Championship, which could grant a spot in the preliminary phase of the Conmebol Libertadores, should Cruzeiro or Fluminense win the Copa do Brasil – they are in the G7 of the Brasileirão and already guaranteed in the next edition of the international tournament. The Alvinegro will only qualify for the group stage of the competition if they win the Copa do Brasil.

Check out Corinthians' defensive performance in the last four rounds of the Brasileirão:

1) Red Bull Bragantino 2 x 1 Corinthians – 11/05/2025 – 32nd round of the Brasileirão

2) Corinthians 0 x 1 Ceará – 11/09/2025 – 33rd round of the Brasileirão

3) Corinthians 3 x 1 São Paulo – 11/20/2025 – 34th round of the Brasileirão

4) Cruzeiro 3 x 0 Corinthians – 11/23/2025 – 35th round of the Brasileirão

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