Dorival admits difficulty over Corinthians’ 2026 priorities amid fixture pile-up | OneFootball

Dorival Júnior admitted it is hard to set competition priorities amid a relentless schedule, with short turnarounds and injuries complicating choices as Corinthians head into midweek action.

According to Meu Timao, Corinthians have played 13 games in a little over 40 days since the opener, seven of them in 22 days, roughly a three-day gap. Two more follow this month, Cruzeiro on 25 in the Brasileiro and Novorizontino on 28.

Corinthians are on their longest consecutive away run since 2024, having beaten São Bernardo 1-0 and Athletico Paranaense 1-0, then edged Portuguesa on penalties. That sequence continues with a semifinal away from home, after a 2-0 home win over Red Bull Bragantino on the 12th in the Brasileirão.

Dorival said choices are not easy and that they want to fight for the league title if circumstances allow and a full squad is available, but recovery time has been very short and some players are with the medical department. He welcomed Breno Bidon’s return, noted André Luiz had also been sidelined, and hopes to have Yuri Alberto and Kaio César back soon. He added pre-season began on 3 January after the 21 December cup win and, after 10 to 12 days off, they were quickly back into big games.

Corinthians visit Cruzeiro at Mineirão at 20:00 on Wednesday in the fourth round of the league. In 2026 they have already won the Supercopa do Brasil and will play the Libertadores group stage and the Copa do Brasil fifth phase.

Source: Meu Timao