Fernando Diniz rues Memphis exit, praises Corinthians before draw | OneFootball

Corinthians drew 0-0 with Rosario Central on the night of last Thursday (13) at the Gigante de Arroyito Stadium in Argentina, in the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16. After the match, head coach Fernando Diniz gave a press conference and spoke about the result, the strategy used, and, above all, the departure of Memphis Depay.

In addition to the situation involving the number 10, Diniz explained that the news was felt by the football department and the squad, but said the group managed to turn the frustration into motivation for the clash in Argentina. The coach also commented on his choices during the match and looked ahead to Corinthians’ upcoming fixtures.

Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The coach showed frustration with how the talks over the striker’s stay ended. According to Diniz, internally, the Dutchman’s continuation was treated as virtually settled, with only small details left before the player could return to working with the squad. The manager also revealed that he had high expectations of working with Memphis and building a long-term project alongside the player.

Asked about the negotiations that ended without Memphis Depay staying, Diniz admitted he was disappointed. The coach said he expected to count on the forward and that, inside the training center, the renewal was seen as being on track.

“First of all, good evening. I was very sad about the outcome. He is a player I really wanted the chance to work with, and my contacts with him, especially from the very first one, were very high-quality contacts, with mutual understanding that we could do something very good together. And I was, in fact, very sad and disappointed with the outcome, because it was something I expected.

For me, at the stage it was at, it seemed impossible for it not to happen and, from the point of view inside the training center, it was something that, for us, was done. It was only a matter of sorting out small details so he could report and train with us. It’s a shame for me, for Corinthians, for the Corinthians fans, not to be able to count on him. I would have really enjoyed working with Memphis. I think we could have formed a very interesting duo; it was something I really wanted. Unfortunately, it wasn’t this time.”

Next, the coach was asked whether the situation involving the Dutchman interfered with the preparation to face Rosario Central and whether it influenced the decision to make few changes during the match. Diniz separated the two situations and explained that he kept the same setup because he felt the team was performing well.

“For me, there was sadness about not being able to count on him, but I won’t say it affected today’s game. I don’t even know whether Memphis would have been fit to play. It’s something that goes far beyond today’s match; it transcends the game. A two-year stay, for a project that I believed would bear a lot of fruit. So, for today’s game, the option not to make changes was because the team was playing well, we were managing to defend very well, and bringing on a cold player, under those conditions, I didn’t see it leading to an improved spell, it wasn’t what the game was asking for. So I decided to keep the structure almost the entire time, without making changes.”

Squad felt the departure, but turned frustration into motivation

The news about Memphis also had an impact among the players. Diniz acknowledged that different members of the football department were affected by the decision, especially because of the relationships the striker built during his time at Parque São Jorge.

According to the coach, there had even been an expectation that Memphis might join the traveling party. After his departure was confirmed, however, the group sought to come together before the decisive Libertadores match.

“I think everyone who was here in the Football Department felt it, from Marcelo, who is our director, Júlio and all the players, because Memphis spent two years here. In addition to the titles, he built relationships with everyone, and everyone was kind of expecting and convinced that, maybe, he would even come on the trip.

So there was frustration, but at the same time, when something happens that is beyond our control, we had to come together even more in order to play the game we played. The players were, once again, outstanding, as they have been with me in the vast majority of matches, in terms of commitment and sacrifice, and they managed to turn a sad event into motivation to give even more. And they did it; nothing is over yet, but we got a good result here.”

Diniz was also asked about any possible chance of a turnaround in the striker’s situation. The coach said he had received no new information, but made it clear that he would like to count on Memphis if a new possibility were to arise.

“No, I don’t have any news about that, but depending on how things go, if he could come, that would be great. Regarding Allan, I still actually don’t know what I’m going to do in the second leg yet. There are some possibilities and I’m already also thinking about Sunday’s game, actually, because we have a tough game on Sunday against Cruzeiro.”

Diniz still evaluating team for Cruzeiro clash

Before returning to the field in the Libertadores, Corinthians will have an important Brazilian Championship match. Given the short gap between matches, Diniz was asked about the possibility of resting starters against Cruzeiro with the continental decider in mind. The coach avoided revealing his choice in advance and said different scenarios would be evaluated by the staff.

“I’m thinking about everything. Since the moment the game ended—I just spoke in the locker room—I still don’t have a definition of what to do, but there are many possibilities. It’s about thinking carefully and trying to do what’s best for Corinthians.”

Coach praises team’s attitude in Argentina

When analyzing the performance at the Gigante de Arroyito, Diniz also made a comparison with the elimination against Internacional in the Copa do Brasil. For the coach, the problem on that occasion was not related to strategy, but to the team’s behavior.

The manager highlighted the commitment shown afterward against Internacional itself, against Red Bull Bragantino, and now against Rosario Central.

“So, unlike the Inter game, for me it wasn’t a strategic mistake against Inter. We went there and we failed in terms of behavior against Inter. I think what was missing was what we had in the return game against Inter, what we had there in Bragança, what we had today: an almost absolute commitment to defend well and, when we had the ball, to speed up the game well. So that’s what was missing. It was more of a behavioral issue; it wasn’t a strategic mistake, in my opinion, there in Porto Alegre. I think the team knew how to learn from that. It was a very painful defeat, which ended up costing us qualification in the Copa do Brasil.”

Finally, Fernando Diniz praised the support of the Corinthians fans who were present in Argentina and looked ahead to another Neo Química Arena packed with the Fiel for the decisive round-of-16 clash.

“And from the fans, we are more grateful than expectant. Those who came here today also put on a show. We are already grateful for what happened today, we are grateful for what they have done for the team, and I am sure they will motivate us from the beginning to the end of the game there on Thursday.”

Before facing Rosario Central again, Corinthians now turn their attention to the Brazilian Championship. This Sunday (16), at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time, the team hosts Cruzeiro at Neo Química Arena in the 23rd round. Timão sit seventh in the table with 32 points, with eight wins, eight draws and six defeats, as well as 24 goals scored and 20 conceded.

Then, on Thursday, the black-and-white club will face Rosario Central again, this time in Itaquera, to decide a place in the Libertadores quarterfinals.

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