Corinthians turn to academy, youngsters shine with tailored training | OneFootball

The coach Dorival Júnior had to find alternatives amidst the wave of injuries plaguing Corinthians since his arrival. The solution found by the coaching staff was to bet on the youngsters from the youth academy. The young players have been responding well, and Timão is reaping the rewards of the work done by the coach.

A recent example is the midfielder André, who scored his first professional goal last Saturday. He started the play for the third goal, followed the move, and reached the penalty area, striking accurately to score the last goal in the black-and-white victory over Mirassol at the Neo Química Arena, in the Brazilian Championship.

André made his debut for Corinthians in the 1-0 victory over Fluminense at Maracanã on September 13. He began to be included due to significant absences in the midfield. Against the Carioca Tricolor, for example, Dorival did not have Raniele, Charles, Carrillo, Rodrigo Garro, and José Martínez (injured), in addition to Breno Bidon (suspended).

Another merit of Dorival's coaching staff at Corinthians was believing in Gui Negão. The forward started getting opportunities while Yuri Alberto and Memphis Depay were recovering from their respective injuries. The coach could have opted for more experienced names like Romero and Talles Magno, but chose to build an attack focusing on youth, with Gui alongside Kayke.

While Kayke had more modest performances, Gui Negão went through an almost meteoric rise. The forward, for example, was the main figure in Corinthians' qualification over Athletico-PR, heading to the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil. He contributed with two goals and an assist in the knockout stage that ended with an aggregate score of 3-0 for Timão.

Gui Negão, in fact, promises to challenge the starting positions of the duo Yuri Alberto and Memphis Depay. The 19-year-old has five goals and an assist in 14 professional games this season and could give the coaching staff a ‘good headache’ in assembling Corinthians' starting attack.

Other names from the academy gaining space under Dorival's command are Dieguinho and Luiz Gustavo Bahia. Both have been used less than the other athletes mentioned but train daily with the professionals and are aiming for an opportunity in the main team.

Individualized Work

The coaching staff's work is not just about giving opportunities but believing that these youngsters, when called upon, can make a difference. At Corinthians, with the necessity aligned with Dorival Júnior's philosophy, this has been done. The solutions found are homegrown.

Not surprisingly, the coaching staff wishes to continue this work. Last week, two young prospects trained for the first time with the professionals: Guilherme Amorim, a standout midfielder from Timão's under-17 team, and Miguel Moscardo, a forward from the under-15 team.

“It's important to talk a bit more about the arrival of these boys. Both Gui Negão, now André, Dieguinho, [Luiz Gustavo] Bahia, Kayke who was already in the squad but now receiving a bit more playing time. Boys who are being prepared. Since we arrived here, we've been bringing some boys to the professional team. We are keeping an eye on others as well. Last week, we brought Gui Amorim [from the under-17] and Moscardinho [from the under-15]. We try to know as much as possible about the academy players so they can come. They are going through a process of adaptation,” stated assistant coach Lucas Silvestre.

Gui Amorim, a gem from the under-17 (Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians)

The Corinthians coaching staff has been doing individualized work with the academy boys. Due to the large number of absences, some processes were accelerated, but the young players responded well. The main focus has been on gaining mass for the players, with special care regarding the physical aspect.

“Today, André came in and played, we managed to give him a bit more playing time. We did the same process with Gui [Negão]. Dieguinho is also going through this process. So, we highlight the work of these boys. Not only of coach Dorival but the entire coaching staff. We have been doing [work] with them, the mass gain that the boys have been having in relation to the physical part. I need to value what the whole staff has been doing regarding the physical part, the individualized work that the analysts have been doing with these boys, so we can get these boys ready as quickly as possible. It's important to value all this work,” the professional concluded.

Corinthians' Situation in the Brasileirão

With the triumph over Mirassol, Corinthians returned to winning after three rounds in the Brazilian Championship. Timão occupies the 12th position in the standings, with 33 points, and has opened a larger gap from the relegation zone – it is eight points ahead of Vitória, the first team in the Z4.

Upcoming Corinthians Matches

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