Dorival on Copa do Brasil pressure: lessons from Corinthians' form | OneFootball

The Brazilian Championship came to an end last Sunday. Corinthians now faces the Brazilian Cup semifinal against Cruzeiro. A possible Brazilian Cup title could define the course of Timão's season, which won the Paulista Championship but finished 13th with an inconsistent campaign in Serie A.

The Corinthians fans have also highlighted the importance of the matches against Cruzeiro. Before and after the draw against Juventude last Sunday, the fans chanted: “Wednesday is war!”. Coach Dorival Júnior assessed how the decisive scenario could impact the squad but rejected the notion that the pressure has increased, emphasizing that the club has experienced this scenario throughout the season.

As revealed by Gazeta Esportiva in recent days, the Brazilian Cup has gained extra weight for Dorival Júnior's permanence as the head of Corinthians. The coach could be dismissed depending on what happens in the final stretch of the tournament. His contract with Timão is valid until the end of 2026.

The Corinthians board, presided over by Osmar Stabile, does not rule out the possibility of hiring Tite, who is available on the market, for 2026. The top management is waiting for the outcome of the current season to make a decision.

What to take from the last two Brasileirão games?

Already focusing on the Brazilian Cup semifinal, Corinthians rested its main players in the last two rounds of the Brazilian Championship. Against Fortaleza, Dorival fielded a mixed team. Against Juventude, the reserves with less playing time – such as Romero, Talles Magno, Félix Torres, and Hugo – were given a new opportunity in the starting 11.

Many fans might think there's nothing to take from the two games, either due to the level of the opponents or the alternative lineups. However, Dorival Júnior stated that the technical staff doesn't leave anything to chance. The main goal was to give all players in the squad some game rhythm for the first leg, which was achieved.

“Everything is connected. We had two matches with a high volume of play, creating many opportunities, but not getting the results we imagined. In terms of tactical and technical gains, the games were important. The opportunity for other players who weren't playing as frequently to show their worth was what we wanted. We will arrive on Wednesday with all players in condition. That's the most important thing. From there, we will try to be assertive in the lineup and the way we approach the two games,” explained the coach.

What can the fans expect from Corinthians in the semifinal?

Amid the defensive fluctuations and negative results of Corinthians, which hasn't won in four matches, Dorival was asked what the Timão fans can expect for the semifinal against Cruzeiro and was emphatic in his response: a lot of commitment in the quest for qualification.

“What they have seen in all the recent games we've played. A commitment in search of results, wanting the best for the club, giving everything we can on the field. That's what we will repeat in these two games against Cruzeiro. I have no doubt about that. We have achieved important qualifications against powerful teams throughout this competition, and we will do our best in search of a spot in the final of the championship, which has inestimable value for our club,” concluded the coach.

Corinthians finished the Brasileirão campaign in 13th place, with 47 points, securing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana. Now, the alvinegra team shifts its focus to the Brazilian Cup in search of a place in the final. The first match takes place this Wednesday, hosted by Cruzeiro, while the second is scheduled for Sunday at Neo Química Arena.

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