Diniz turns to fringe players to broaden Corinthians options | OneFootball

Without the possibility of seeking reinforcements on the market and dealing with key absences in the squad, Fernando Diniz has adopted an internal strategy to increase his options at Corinthians. The coach is trying to rebuild the confidence of players who had been getting few opportunities or facing greater resistance from the fans.

According to a report by UOL, the coaching staff understands that the current scenario requires making better use of the players available at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava. For that reason, Diniz has been giving space and support to athletes who were outside the group considered the main core, in an attempt to turn them into reliable options for different moments of matches.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians Agency

The need has become even greater given the limitations Corinthians are facing. In addition to injuries and call-ups, the club reached the close of the transfer window unable to register reinforcements due to debts that resulted in transfer bans.

Quartet gets space against Estudiantes

A snapshot of the strategy could be seen in the 1-1 draw with Estudiantes last Wednesday (9) in La Plata, in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

Allan was chosen by Diniz to start the match and stayed on the field until the final whistle. During the second half, Charles, Matheus Pereira, and Pedro Raul were also brought on. As a result, Corinthians finished the match in Argentina with all four players on the field.

The players are not among the most highly regarded names by the fans, but they have been prepared by the coaching staff to take on responsibilities when needed. As reported by UOL, there is an internal understanding that the coach needs to find solutions from within the squad itself, given the impossibility of making new signings.

The idea is not limited to giving them minutes. The work also involves boosting the players’ confidence and getting them ready for situations in which changes to the team are necessary, whether for fitness issues, suspensions, or tactical choice.

Labyad and Kayke are cited as examples

Two previous cases are used by the coaching staff as examples that the strategy can produce new alternatives. Also according to UOL, Zakaria Labyad and Kayke had little space before receiving opportunities under Fernando Diniz.

The duo managed to increase their involvement and came to be considered options for the team. Their run, however, was interrupted by serious physical problems. Both suffered knee injuries and will not be able to play again this season.

The absences increased the need to recover other pieces. André Luiz and Yuri Alberto also spent about 40 days sidelined with physical problems, although, unlike Labyad and Kayke, they have not been ruled out for the rest of the year.

With fewer players available, the coaching staff began to see the technical recovery and renewed confidence of players within the group itself as one of the main ways to expand the range of possibilities for the rest of the season.

Financial situation limits options in the market

The strategy is also directly related to Corinthians’ off-field situation. The club remained unable to sign players during the transfer window because of debts with other teams. The period for new registrations ended this Friday (11).

In addition to the market restrictions, Alvinegro is also dealing with outstanding issues with the squad itself. According to the report, salaries for August had not been deposited by the fifth business day of September. There are also overdue amounts related to image rights and bonuses.

Given this context, the coaching staff is working with the players already available in the squad to get through a stretch that simultaneously involves the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores.

Diniz retains support in the football department

Recent results have increased the pressure on Fernando Diniz. Corinthians have suffered four consecutive defeats in the Brasileirão, a scenario that has raised questions about the coach’s work, especially in the political backstage of Parque São Jorge.

In the football department, however, the coach still has support. According to UOL’s reporting, the difficulties involved in building and maintaining the squad are taken into account internally when evaluating his performance.

Since his arrival, Corinthians have posted approximately a 46% success rate under Diniz. According to the survey presented by UOL, that percentage would correspond, in a comparison with the Brazilian Championship table, to a campaign close to ninth place.

Before the defeat to Chapecoense, the coach had recorded 13 wins, seven draws, and eight losses in 28 matches, with a 55% success rate. The negative run in the national tournament brought those numbers down and increased the pressure.

Even so, the coaching staff’s understanding is that expanding the number of players capable of contributing could be decisive in the coming months. In this process, names such as Allan, Charles, Matheus Pereira, and Pedro Raul are receiving special attention so that Corinthians can have more alternatives in a squad affected by injuries, call-ups, and the impossibility of turning to the market.

The next match will be this Sunday (13) at 5:30 p.m. against Flamengo at the Maracanã, in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. On Wednesday (16) at 9:30 p.m., Timão host Estudiantes at Neo Química Arena to decide a place in the Libertadores semifinals.

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