Corinthians split squad after Libertadores, prep for Flamengo | OneFootball

After their Libertadores match, Corinthians returned to CT Dr. Joaquim Grava on Friday morning (11) and began preparations for the next stretch of the Brazilian Championship. Their next challenge will be against Flamengo on Sunday (13), at the Maracanã, in the 27th round of the national competition.

At the team’s return, the coaching staff adopted different schedules depending on the players’ minutes in the 1-1 draw with Estudiantes last Wednesday (9), in La Plata, in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians Agency

The players who stayed on the field for more than 45 minutes in Argentina remained indoors at the training center and took part in recovery activities. The measure is part of the physical recovery process given the short gap between matches.

Diniz leads tactical session at the training center

The rest of the squad began the schedule with strength exercises in the gym and then headed to the pitch. Under Fernando Diniz’s guidance, the players took part in a ten-versus-ten tactical session.

With only one more session before the interstate clash, the coach will have little time to decide the lineup he will use at the Maracanã. The final training session is scheduled for Saturday morning (12), again at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava.

The match also comes amid an important stretch for Corinthians. Just a few days after visiting Flamengo, Timão will have another Libertadores commitment. On Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m., they host Estudiantes at Neo Química Arena to decide a place in the continental semifinal.

After the 1-1 draw in Argentina, a win by any score sends Corinthians through to the next round. Another draw will take the decision to a penalty shootout.

Corinthians still unbeaten against Flamengo in 2026

The meeting at the Maracanã will be the third between Corinthians and Flamengo this season. In the previous two, Alvinegro recorded one win and one draw.

The first meeting took place in February, when the clubs contested the Supercopa Rei at Arena Mané Garrincha, in Brasília. Corinthians won 2-0, with goals from Gabriel Paulista and Yuri Alberto, and lifted the trophy.

A little more than a month later, the teams met again, this time in the first half of the Brazilian Championship. At Neo Química Arena, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Yuri Alberto scoring Corinthians’ goal.

Now, Timão will try to maintain their unbeaten run against the Rio-based opponent in 2026 while seeking to recover in the Brasileirão. The match at the Maracanã will be the last before the decisive Libertadores clash against Estudiantes.

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