Emily Lima on Corinthians final, Letícia absent: “Internal decisions” | OneFootball

Corinthians confirmed their place in yet another Brasileirão Feminino final on Monday night (21). After a 1-0 win over Bahia at Neo Química Arena, head coach Emily Lima spoke about the chance to play in her first final in charge of the Brabas, praised the fans’ support, and explained Letícia Monteiro’s recent absence.

Timão took the field with the advantage built in the first leg of the semifinal, when they also beat Bahia 1-0 at Arena Fonte Nova. In Itaquera, Jhonson found the net in the first half and secured another victory. As a result, Corinthians closed out the tie with a 2-0 aggregate score.

Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazzanel / Ag. Corinthians

Now, after beating Cruzeiro in the quarterfinals and Bahia in the semifinals, the Brabas will face São Paulo in the title decider. It will be a rematch of the 2024 final, when Corinthians got the better of their rival and lifted the trophy.

Emily Lima explains Letícia Monteiro’s situation

During the press conference, Emily Lima was asked about Letícia Monteiro. The No. 19 has not taken the field for around 40 days and was also left out of the squad for the decisive match against Bahia.

Without going into detail about any specific issue involving the player, the coach said the absence is the result of decisions made internally on a day-to-day basis. Emily also compared the process to situations previously experienced by Jhonson and Duda Mineira and said she hopes to have Letícia back soon.

“These are internal matters, which I wouldn’t even call a problem, but some things that happen day to day internally, and for the moment we are choosing to make and take this decision, just as we did before with Jhonson, before with Duda Mineira. And I don’t think there’s much more to say about this topic. These are decisions we understand to be what’s best for the moment, and I hope she’ll be back with us very soon, because the year is long, there is still competition ahead, and that she can be with us as soon as possible.”

First final in charge of the Brabas

The qualification also marks a special moment in Emily Lima’s journey. The coach took over Corinthians during the season and will now have the chance to contest her first final with the club.

Emily recalled that she had often been on the other side, facing Timão, and had also watched matches at Neo Química Arena before taking over the black-and-white side. For her, reaching the final is important, but the goal is to finish the campaign with the title.

“It’s a privilege for me to be playing in another final in my career, only now on this side. I played a lot against Corinthians and it’s a privilege to be here today. And many times I was up here watching the games. Today I told them in the team talk that it’s a privilege to be part of this story today. And I think it doesn’t end here, it’s not just about reaching the final, it’s about having the privilege of being champion with Corinthians.

We know the size and the history this club has in women’s football, the value the club has always given and always looked to women’s football with. And I believe we can bring out the best in each player at this moment. I’m telling my story, but there are many girls who, for the first time, are on this side too. So I think that’s a huge privilege, to be here today.”

Coach praises the support of the Fiel

Emily also devoted part of her answer to the fans’ presence at Neo Química Arena. Even with the match scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on a Monday, 9,755 people were at the stadium to watch the team clinch qualification.

That support became even more important in the second half. Thaís Regina was sent off, forcing Corinthians to play part of the match with one player fewer. For Emily, the backing from the stands helped the team manage that moment.

The coach also said she had followed Corinthians fans before, including during a spell in London, when she was taking part in a FIFA mentoring program for coaches.

“And about the fans, I don’t think we even need to talk about Corinthians fans. They really are a bunch of crazies. I always watched from up here and you get goosebumps seeing Corinthians’ supporters. It’s incredible. I was in London too. I was in my FIFA coaching mentorship process and had the privilege of being there. It’s something out of this world, and these girls are used to it and need these fans. So today it was really good to play here.

Regardless of the time, I think nearly 10,000 people came. And I think they are always the 12th player. And today it was crucial after Thaís Regina’s sending-off, with them encouraging and singing the whole time, and the players feel that. It’s really nice to be on this side, because we understand, in training and in the dressing room, how comfortable and confident they feel with these fans. So I think now, on Saturday, it’s up to us to play here again with these supporters and try to put in a good first game at home.”

Corinthians face São Paulo again in the final

The Brabas’ next commitment will be the first leg of the final itself. Corinthians and São Paulo face each other this Saturday (26) at 4:30 p.m. at Neo Química Arena. The return leg is scheduled for October 3, also at 4:30 p.m., at Morumbis.

São Paulo will have the right to decide the title at home because they had the better overall campaign. Their rival finished the first phase in first place, while Corinthians came second.

The biggest champion of the Brasileirão Feminino, Timão is chasing its eighth trophy. The previous seven titles came in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The qualification against Bahia also put the Brabas into their tenth consecutive final in the competition.

So for Emily Lima, a first title in charge of Corinthians now comes down to two Majestosos. The first of them will be in front of the Fiel, precisely the factor the coach made a point of highlighting after sealing a place in the final.

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