Corinthians U20 coach on team’s form and Copinha knockout spot

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Central do Timão

·11 January 2026

Corinthians U20 coach on team’s form and Copinha knockout spot

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the evening of last Friday (9th), Corinthians faced XV de Jaú at Zezinho Magalhães Stadium, in the interior of São Paulo, for the third and final round of the group stage of the 2026 São Paulo Cup and won 3-2. The goals for the Alvinegro were scored by Guilherme Pires, Luiz Fábio ‘Favela’, and Luizinho. With this result, Timãozinho qualified for the knockout stage of the Copinha as the leader of Group 8 with seven points – four goals scored and one conceded.

Moments after the final whistle, coach William Batista gave an interview to Meu Timão, analyzed the victory, and spoke about qualifying for the second phase of the most important youth tournament in the country. The coach praised the team's efficiency in the offensive sector by recalling the plays that led to each of the goals by the Sons of Terrão.

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Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

“I think we were more clear-headed when we recovered the ball to launch counterattacks. We also managed to be a bit more generous in passing the ball to each other, which is something that had been happening less than we would like. I think, in the offensive phase, through the plays we created, we got to the end line and played the ball into the box. The second goal was like that. I think that really determines the game. The game is decided in the opponent's box and in ours. I think, in the opponent's box, we were very competent in converting,” he began.

Next, the Corinthians U-20 coach commented on his work since arriving at the club, regarding mentality and highlighting the team's ‘soul’ and ‘resilience’. Hired at the end of August 2025, so far, he has five wins, two draws, and one loss in eight matches – 12 goals scored and seven conceded.

“Our work is that we've been training to win for four months. I think, since I arrived at the club, our team's mentality has been to always work to be the protagonist of the game, to win matches, to be aggressive, and to represent Corinthians in all its greatness. Obviously, sometimes the circumstances of the game and the adversity imposed by the opponent get in our way a bit. But this team has shown that it has soul, it has resilience,” he continued.

Later, the coach highlighted the pressure on the team in the event of a negative result, since the team had beaten Trindade, from Goiás, 1-0 in the first round, and was coming off a goalless draw against Luverdense (Mato Grosso), which could have eliminated the team early from the competition. The team from the Midwest was eliminated from the tournament, as they finished with four points, in third place in the group.

“It's a tough game, because, in fact, the pressure was on us. Regardless of whether we lost the game, we would have been out, and Corinthians has to advance in the São Paulo Cup. I think the players showed great resilience and were very strong mentally to get through the match, convincing with the way they played,” he added.

He also stated that the team could have avoided the two goals conceded and, regarding the substitutions, explained that they were mostly due to physical reasons: “Today, the changes were almost all physical. It's hard to make a tactical substitution in the game. In today's football, it's hard to make a technical or tactical change; it's mostly physical. Bringing fresh blood onto the field to sustain our game plan, to keep being intense and pressing high.”

“I think the players who came in did well. We could have avoided the two goals we conceded: one from a throw-in and another from a penalty, which are avoidable goals. But I'm also happy because we didn't concede a goal from defensive organization. These are details that are easier to fix in the next two days,” he said.

Finally, he praised the team's mental and collective aspects, naming them as key factors for qualifying for the second phase of the 2026 São Paulo Junior Football Cup: “We've been talking a lot about this, about the mental aspects of the game. I think this is built day by day, from way back. It wasn't built in the last two days because we needed a draw or a win to qualify. This team has been resilient day by day, has been hardworking day by day.”

“I think, if there's one thing I can say is the strength of this team, more than any individual, it's the strength of the collective, the strength of their determination and will. They have an immense desire to represent Corinthians. I think, as far as the team's and the club's tradition goes, that's it: a lot of grit and determination”, he concluded.

Timãozinho will return to the pitch next Monday (12th), at 9:20 p.m. (Brasília time), at Zezinho Magalhães Stadium, in Jaú, to face Guarani in the second phase of the Copinha. The team from Campinas qualified as runner-up of Group 7 – based in Assis – with six points, one behind Athletic.

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