Dorival Jr on new Corinthians midfielder: “I don’t know him well”

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Central do Timão

·9 February 2026

Dorival Jr on new Corinthians midfielder: “I don’t know him well”

By Henrique Vigliotti/Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians was defeated 1-0 by Palmeiras in a match valid for the seventh round of the 2026 Campeonato Paulista at the Neo Química Arena, and after the game, coach Dorival Jr gave a press conference.

Regarding the signing of Labyad, Dorival Jr confirmed that the player was not requested by him and that he knows little about the player's characteristics: “Regarding Zakaria, it was not my request. But I am here to coach the team. And whatever team is handed to me, I will work with it. I know little about the player, I got some information from Memphis. But let him come, let him add to the team, he will be treated very well like all the other players. There’s no problem that he wasn’t recommended by me. He will be an important player and I hope he has the best conditions to do his job and fight for his place.”

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

Dorival also commented on the return of Fabrizio Angileri, the Argentine left-back who returns to the club after a long period of contract renewal negotiations: “We already know Angileri, welcome back, may he continue to develop his work.”

When asked if he was satisfied with the number of reinforcements after signing Labyad and Angileri, Dorival Jr said he still needs at least four more reinforcements: “I’m planning for more reinforcements, I’d like three or four more, that’s our goal. We need a stronger team. The president knows this, I talk to Marcelo (Paz) every day.”

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