Corinthians women’s U20 coach eyes Copinha challenge | OneFootball

On the night of last Wednesday (23), Corinthians learned who their opponents will be in the group stage of the 2026 Women’s Copa São Paulo. The event took place at the headquarters of the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF), located in the western part of São Paulo. After the draw, Timão’s women’s Under-20 head coach spoke to the press in the mixed zone, emphasizing the importance of the tournament in the development process of young athletes, while also looking ahead to the competition.

“I believe it is the only bubble-style competition in the Under-20 category. So, I see that as a very positive factor, because you are with them 24 hours a day. Beyond the matches, you build an incredible relationship and connection with them. There’s a saying that when you travel with someone, you get to know that person. So, that relationship also develops among them. I really like that connection with them. I think an athlete has to perform happily. We know the pressure it brings,” she began.

Photo: Edu Andrade/Staff Images/CBF

Next, the Brabinhas coach highlighted how the interaction among the players during the tournament can strengthen their bonds. Júlia Passero believes this close environment contributes to the players’ development and is an integral part of building the squad.

“It’s also something I see as a challenge: the media aspect. So, among the Paulista, the Brazilian Championship, and the Copinha, this is the competition with the most coverage. That will be extremely important for them, because they will experience it. I hope they experience this when they are adults,” she added.

Later, the coach also pointed out the opportunity Copinha provides young players in terms of visibility, helping them aim higher in the possible construction of a solid professional career. She says that contact with journalists and media outlets is important for the athletes.

“For us as coaches too, right? We are also developing. So, dealing with the press, with pre-match and post-match interviews, sometimes you come out of it with emotions running high, right. And how important that will be in their development,” she continued.

Finally, Júlia Passero revealed that her coaching staff plans to work on and improve specific aspects of the team during preparations for Copinha. In addition to sporting matters, the idea is to promote team-bonding dynamics during the trip, the relationship with the press, and the overall experience off the field.

“For this Copinha preparation, we are even thinking about carrying out activities so that they are prepared not only for what happens on the pitch, but also beyond it. Hotel life, interaction with society, and with the press as well. So, it is something we will plan with the entire staff, and with Corinthians’ communications department too, so we can do our best to make sure they arrive as prepared as possible to face Copinha,” she concluded.

Last year, Júlia Passero was in charge of Corinthians’ women’s Under-17 team and won the Brazilian Championship in that category by beating Grêmio in the final. This season, she took over the Under-20 side after Bia Vaz left for the Brazil Women’s Under-15 National Team. Meanwhile, Igor Freire replaced Passero in the younger age group.

Combining her time with Alvinegro’s women’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams, she has the following numbers: 28 wins, eight draws, and four losses — a 77% success rate, with 142 goals scored and 28 conceded.

The details of the Women’s Copinha

The Brabinhas, who are seeded, make up Group B alongside Ação-MT, Atlético-MG, and Red Bull Bragantino. The competition is scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 12, with the final set to be played at Canindé, Portuguesa’s stadium. As in the men’s Copinha, each group has a pre-defined venue in reference to historical points in the city of São Paulo. In Timão’s case, it will be Estádio Nicolau Alayon, in Barra Funda. The match dates and kickoff times should be announced soon by the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF).

Timão heads into Copinha looking to go beyond the quarterfinals. In 2024 and 2025, they were eliminated by Santos and Internacional, respectively, losing 1–0 and 4–1. In the first edition, in 2023, they were knocked out in the group stage.

In last year’s Women’s Copinha, Corinthians were in Group A (Pau-Brasil) and advanced to the knockout stage as the best second-place team. The group winner on that occasion was Flamengo. In this year’s tournament, the Brabinhas will be coached by Júlia Passero, from the Under-20 team, who last season won the Brazilian Women’s Under-17 Championship by defeating Grêmio in the final.

Before taking part in the Women’s Copinha, Corinthians still have the decisive stages of the Paulista Women’s Under-17 and Under-20 Championships to play. In the younger age group, Timão will face Sfera in two quarterfinal matches on October 3 and 31. In the older category, Alvinegro will take on Red Bull Bragantino in the same round, but the dates and kickoff times of those matches have not yet been announced by the São Paulo Football Federation.

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