Erika slams Corinthians, demands improvement and transparency in women's team

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Central do Timão

·22 February 2026

Erika slams Corinthians, demands improvement and transparency in women's team

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The backstage of Corinthians women's football remains busy after the 2-2 draw with Fluminense at the Neo Química Arena, in the second round of the Women's Brasileirão. The result, suffered in the final minutes, led to the dismissal of coach Lucas Piccinato and exposed a series of discomforts on and off the field.

After the match, defender Erika gave an interview in the mixed zone and analyzed the team's performance, pointing out difficulties in breaking through the opponent's defensive block and acknowledging that the team was technically below par.

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Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazzanel / Ag. Corinthians

“If you really look at the game, they played very defensively, only on the counterattack. This was from the beginning. Sometimes they pushed up a bit, and as soon as they did, we managed to work better, place the ball between the lines, which is what we like. Even so, we didn't have many chances, and when we did, we couldn't finish on goal. When a team plays lower, we have to work much faster, moving the ball, trying to anticipate the steps, doing one-twos, making the ball circulate more, to catch the team off guard. And we're not doing that. Then you ask me why? I don't know”, she commented.

Corinthians started better and opened 2-0 with goals from Belén Aquino and Jaqueline. Still in the first half, Patrícia Sochor reduced the score for Fluminense. In the second half, even with one player more after Karina's expulsion, the Brabas conceded the equalizer in injury time, when Bruna Pelé took advantage of an error in goalkeeper Rillary's control to level the score. For Erika, the draw was also due to the anxiety to extend the lead and the lack of technical precision.

“We know we have to do this, but maybe it's the anxiety of wanting to score all the time. There comes a time when we need to put our heads in place, stop and understand where the space is and where it isn't. So, I think it's this anxiety of wanting to score all the time and it's not working. When the team drops more, we have this difficulty. And technically, it was a terrible game for us: in passes, controls, finishes. And that's not good. We demand a lot from ourselves in this regard. It's kind of difficult when we draw because it feels like a loss, right? For us, it's not something common. I will always say this because I'm really not used to it, and neither are the girls. Corinthians is not used to this, right? The women's team. But we need to put this ball in the goal, we need to score goals, we need to have much more desire. Say: 'I want to win the match.' And I think that's what's missing in our team. We know this”, she analyzed.

The result extended the team's irregular moment at the start of the season. In five games, there are two wins, two draws, and one loss, the latter in the Champions Cup final against Arsenal. One of the draws occurred in the classic against Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, in the Supercup decision, which ended with a penalty shootout loss. Erika acknowledged the troubled scenario and reinforced the need for internal pressure.

“We are demanding of ourselves on the field in this regard, in training. Unfortunately, I think it's not working yet, but it's the beginning of the year. I know that in 20 days, we have already had finals in two championships, but it's little by little. We are working towards this and need to demand more from ourselves because it makes a difference. It makes a difference when the ball hits the post, it makes a difference to move a little more, it makes a difference to ask, to take responsibility. And when it comes to Corinthians, I think we owe a lot. But, little by little, we are working on this. We don't like to leave with a result like this, you can be sure. We don't like to lose. I only like to win, I only want to win. But we need to put our heads in place and demand a little more from ourselves”, she reported.

With 150 matches for the club since 2018, 13 titles won, and a widely successful history, the defender also made a point of supporting the young goalkeeper Rillary after the mistake that led to the equalizing goal.

“I think it all comes down to: anxiety, desire, lack of beating the chest and taking responsibility for what you do on the field. What we do off the field, in relation to the coaching staff and among us, players, is a bit of everything. When you lose, everyone loses. When you win, everyone wins. When there are individual mistakes, like today, we will not judge Rillary at any time. On the contrary, we will support her. How many times have I slipped? How many times have I scored an own goal? How many times have I missed a penalty? It happens. I am an experienced player and I know that. It's not because she's 19 that we will demand differently. No. We could have done much more on the field so that this wouldn't have happened. She works very well with her feet, has personality, is an excellent player, an excellent goalkeeper. There's nothing to say. But, little by little, we will work on this. And we will have to demand more from ourselves”, she concluded.

In addition to the technical issues and the coaching staff, Erika also expressed discomfort with the lack of internal communication about the Brabas' home matches. According to the defender, the group learned they would play in Itaquera through the press.

“To be completely honest, this is very annoying for us. We are left in uncertainty with each training session, each game. And, unfortunately, we know that the women's team is not a priority at the club. This is normal. We already know. But I didn't want it to be normal, I didn't want it to be this way”, she began.

“So, when you told me we would play at the Neo Química, I thought: 'Wow, how cool, how great!' But I didn't know that. Still, unfortunately, we are not a priority, and the information doesn't reach us as we would like”, she added.

Currently, the Brabas cannot host night matches at Estádio Alfredo Schürig, Fazendinha, which has been banned since May 2025 due to lighting system issues. President Osmar Stabile stated that the adjustment would require an investment of over R$ 10 million, and the club is seeking partners to make the work feasible.

Meanwhile, Corinthians has alternated its home games between different stadiums, such as Canindé, Pacaembu, Neo Química Arena, and José Liberatti. However, the management has indicated a preference for using the Arena more frequently.

After the break for the FIFA Date, the Brabas return to the field on March 13, when they face Palmeiras at Arena Barueri, in the third round of the Women's Brasileirão, in a classic that could be worth the leadership of the competition.

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