Corinthians turmoil and Cruzeiro rise since Copa do Brasil semi | OneFootball

Eight months after a Copa do Brasil semi-final, Corinthians host Cruzeiro at Neo Química Arena on Sunday at 19:30 in round 23, the sides on contrasting paths.

According to Meu Timao, Corinthians lost 2-1 on 14 December but advanced on penalties, then under Dorival Júnior beat Vasco 2-1 on aggregate to win the 2025 Copa do Brasil and later lifted the Supercopa with a 2-0 win at Flamengo.

A nine-match winless run and a Paulistão quarter-final exit saw Dorival dismissed on 5 April. Successor Fernando Diniz is 12-8-4, has Corinthians seventh, topped their Libertadores group and drew 0-0 at Rosario Central in the last 16, though Internacional ended their defence.

Memphis Depay’s contract expired on 31 July. Corinthians opted against renewing despite him accepting reduced terms and instalments on a debt above R$42 million, then reopened talks amid backlash. Fagner left for Cruzeiro, while Gabriel Paulista, Pedro Milans and Jesse Lingard arrived.

Injuries bite, with Yuri Alberto out, plus Pedro Raul, Hugo Farias and André Luiz sidelined, and Vitinho, Kayke and Zakaria Labyad ruled out for the season. Probable XI, Hugo Souza, Pedro Milans, André Ramalho, João Pedro, Fabrizio Angileri, Allan, Matheus Pereira, Breno Bidon, Dieguinho, Jesse Lingard and Gui Negão.

Cruzeiro, 2026 Campeonato Mineiro winners for the 39th time, sit fifth on 33 points, one above Corinthians, and remain in Copa do Brasil with Atlético-MG to come in the quarters. They were runners-up in their Libertadores group and drew 1-1 with Flamengo in the last 16, with Sinisterra injured.

Source: Meu Timao

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