Fernando Diniz faces Flamengo again, winless since Maracanã title | OneFootball

Fernando Diniz will have a particular challenge beyond the three points at stake this Sunday (13). In charge of Corinthians, the coach will face Flamengo again at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship, trying to end a run of 11 matches without beating the Rio club.

Interestingly, Diniz’s last victory over Flamengo came precisely in one of the most remarkable moments of his spell at Fluminense. On April 9, 2023, Tricolor beat their rival 4-1 at the Maracanã in the Campeonato Carioca final, a result that secured that season’s state title.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians Agency

Since that thrashing, however, the picture has reversed. Fernando Diniz has faced Flamengo 11 more times, across different competitions and during his spells with Fluminense, Cruzeiro, and Vasco, without managing to earn another win.

Winless run began after title with Fluminense

After winning the 2023 state title, Diniz still faced Flamengo with Fluminense on different occasions. The run included the Copa do Brasil, Brasileirão, and Campeonato Carioca before continuing in his later jobs.

During this period, the coach also took on Rubro-Negro while in charge of Cruzeiro and Vasco. The most recent meeting took place on January 21, 2026, when he was managing the cross-maltino club and was beaten 1-0 by Flamengo in the Campeonato Carioca.

The overall record also shows a balanced history with a Flamengo edge. Over the course of his career, Diniz has faced Flamengo 26 times, with seven wins, eight draws, and 11 defeats. His teams have scored 25 goals and conceded 30.

The Brazilian Championship sample is smaller. There have been 11 meetings, with two wins for Diniz-led teams, five draws, and four defeats. The last time he beat Flamengo in the national competition was on September 18, 2022, when Fluminense won 2-1.

Corinthians also trying to end negative run

The coach’s personal taboo is mixed with Corinthians’ own current moment. Timão arrive at the Maracanã after four straight defeats in the Brasileirão, against Cruzeiro, Coritiba, Santos, and Chapecoense.

With 32 points from 26 matches, the black-and-white team sits in 13th place, with eight wins, eight draws, and ten defeats. They have scored 27 goals and conceded 27. A win over Flamengo would take Corinthians to 35 points and move the club closer to the top half of the table.

In addition to the national league commitment, Fernando Diniz is managing a decisive week. On Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m., Corinthians host Estudiantes at Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. After a 1-1 draw in Argentina, a simple win sends Timão to the semifinals.

Before that, Diniz will have at the Maracanã the chance to turn a stadium linked to his last victory over Flamengo into the stage for ending a drought that has already lasted more than three years.

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