Dorival hails Gui Negão but urges patience: "Just a good start" | OneFootball

The young striker Gui Negão, once again, decided in favor of Corinthians. The 18-year-old player scored the winning goal for Timão against Athletico-PR, this Wednesday, in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil, and received praise from Dorival Júnior. However, the coach asks for patience with the boy.

In a press conference after the match at Ligga Arena, the coach highlighted Gui's commitment and dedication in training. However, he warns that the center forward is having "just a good start" and adopts caution with his rapid rise.

"He is being crowned for his beautiful work, for his dedication, his commitment. I ask that we be calm, patient. Let's hope that his development happens naturally, without forcing anything. He is a promising boy, but we have to be careful. He is just a promising boy who is beginning to find space. I hope he is very happy in his career, but understand that it is just a good start," said Dorival.

The experienced coach, accustomed to working with young people, is concerned about the possible consequences caused by a potential drop in the boy's performance. He had to accelerate the process of integrating these boys into the professional squad due to injuries and the absence of reinforcements.

"He is an 18-year-old player. Corinthians did not have a campaign that drew attention with these boys. All of them were and continue to be prepared. We have not finished training, he is just a boy. We had to speed up, we have been with some of them for two months. I am taking all possible care, although I like to work with the base. We have to be careful not to stumble along the way," he warned.

"He has quality, needs to improve in other aspects. He is interested, dedicating himself. It's a good start, largely due to his effort, but this is not always maintained. We have to provide conditions to sustain this, it will depend on his attitude from now on. That's why we have to be careful," he concluded.

Gui Negão overcame competition from Spanish Héctor Hernández and gained space in the absence of Yuri Alberto, handed over to the medical department. He has been a starter in the team's attack and has already scored three goals in eight games for Timão.

The Son of Terrão, by the way, is close to renewing his contract with the black and white club for another five years.

With the victory in Curitiba, Corinthians only needs a draw in the return to advance to the next phase of the Copa do Brasil. A defeat by one goal difference takes the match to penalties, while a loss by two or more goals eliminates the Paulistas. The winner of the match faces Cruzeiro or Atlético-MG in the semifinals.

The second meeting with Athletico-PR is scheduled for September 10, also at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena.

Before that, Corinthians has nothing more, nothing less than a Derby ahead. Dorival Júnior's team hosts Palmeiras this Sunday, in Itaquera, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. The classic will start at 6:30 pm.

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