Corinthians step up for Women’s Brasileirão final at training ground | OneFootball

Corinthians have entered the final stretch of preparation for the first Majestoso that will decide the 2026 Brazilian Women’s Championship. On Thursday morning (24), the squad held another session at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava, this time with part of the training open to the press.

Head coach Emily Lima and her staff used the session to work on fitness drills and ball exercises ahead of the clash with São Paulo. The first match of the final will take place this Saturday (26), at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena.

Photo: Maria Beatriz de Teves / Meu Timão

During the period observed by journalists, Gabi Zanotti was not on the pitch, while center-back Érika followed the activities from off the field. Ana Vitória, meanwhile, took another step in her recovery and trained separately, at the start of her transition back onto the pitch after an abdominal muscle injury.

Session featured intensity and ball work

Before the collective exercises began, the players had some lighter moments at the training center. Part of the squad took part in footvolley table matches, while other players chatted among themselves and with members of the coaching staff.

After that, the group began warming up on the pitch and gathered for a brief talk with the staff. The players also did a stretching session with resistance bands.

While the outfield players worked together, goalkeepers Nicole Ramos, Lelê and Rillary did specific drills in another area of the pitch.

The training then moved into a stage of greater physical intensity, with the squad split into groups for sprint series. Later, the staff divided the players into three teams and began working on ball situations in a reduced space.

One of the drills focused on building plays from the defensive third, while the other side had to apply high pressure to quickly regain possession. The activity is part of the final adjustments ahead of the first match of the national final.

Ana Vitória begins transition on the pitch

Recovering from an abdominal muscle injury, Ana Vitória did individualized work on one of the pitches at CT Joaquim Grava.

The midfielder is going through the transition process under the supervision of the physiotherapy department and has not yet taken part in the collective activities seen during the period open to the press. The work on the pitch, however, represents a new stage in her recovery.

Érika also did not train with the rest of her teammates during the period observed by journalists and remained off the field. Gabi Zanotti, in turn, was not present at the open session.

During this portion of training, Corinthians were also without Thaís Regina. The center-back is already a confirmed absentee for Saturday, as she was sent off in the second leg of the semifinal against Bahia and will have to serve a suspension.

Corinthians reach the final with four knockout wins

The Brabas secured their place in the final after a perfect campaign in the knockout rounds so far.

After finishing second in the first stage with 38 points from 17 matches, Corinthians began the knockout phase against Cruzeiro. In the first meeting, they won 1-0 at Arena Independência in Belo Horizonte. In the return leg, played at Canindé, they confirmed qualification with a 3-1 victory.

In the semifinal, the opponent was Bahia. Once again, the team won both away and at home. Timão won 1-0 at Arena Fonte Nova and repeated the score last Monday (21) at Neo Química Arena, with a goal from Jhonson.

With those four wins, Corinthians earned 12 points in the knockout stage and reached 50 points overall in the championship.

São Paulo, meanwhile, finished the qualifying stage in first place with 41 points. In the quarterfinals, they eliminated Grêmio after one draw and one win. Later, they won both semifinal matches against Flamengo. The rival collected ten points in the knockout rounds and has 51 in the competition overall.

Majestoso once again decides the national title

Corinthians and São Paulo will meet again in a Brasileirão final after two years. In 2024, the Brabas opened the final with a 3-1 win at Morumbis and beat their rival again at Neo Química Arena, this time 2-0, to win the title.

Now, the order of home advantage will be reversed. The first match takes place this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Itaquera. The title will be decided on October 3, also at 4:30 p.m., at Morumbis, as São Paulo had the better campaign in the first stage.

As the competition’s most successful club, Corinthians are chasing their eighth Brazilian Women’s Championship title and are appearing in the tournament’s tenth straight final. São Paulo will play in the final for the second time.

The Majestoso head-to-head record is also favorable to the Brabas. In 30 meetings, Corinthians have 18 wins, with five draws and seven São Paulo victories, with 51 goals scored by Timão and 33 conceded.

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