Garro apologises after defeat, still backs Corinthians comeback | OneFootball

Midfielder Rodrigo Garro faced the music after Corinthians’ 3-0 defeat to Cruzeiro last Sunday. A starter for Timão in the setback during the 35th round of the Brazilian Championship, the Argentine apologized to the fans after the poor performance at Mineirão, but said he believes the squad can turn things around.

“I know today’s game was below what we’re used to. I think apologizing is the only thing I can do, and work. I want to tell them that this is a tough moment, but to believe, just like they believed in us last year and we didn’t let them down. Support is also important. Today, I know how the fans feel... and I understand their reaction, being embarrassed by a game like this. As I said, we’re the first to hold ourselves accountable. But I really believe in the group and I know the turnaround we had last year will happen again,” Garro said in the mixed zone.

Rodrigo Garro acknowledged that he and his Corinthians teammates were a step behind Cruzeiro this Sunday. The number 8 played about 65 minutes but couldn’t create any clear chances, and the team didn’t manage a single shot on target. The defense, meanwhile, looked disorganized, conceding three goals.

“Playing a game like this... we’re embarrassed, right? Because of the shirt we represent and our situation. I think we’re the first to be held accountable, the group is very self-critical. We know the game was below our usual standard. We need to be self-critical and work,” said the player.

What to do differently in the Copa do Brasil?

This Sunday’s match was just a preview of the Copa do Brasil semifinals, where Corinthians and Cruzeiro will face off for a spot in the grand final. In Garro’s view, the black-and-white squad will need to learn from their mistakes for the two matches. The first leg, hosted by Raposa, takes place on December 10. The return leg, at Neo Química Arena, will be on the 14th of the same month.

“I am the first and biggest critic of Garro. I’m sad about the situation in the game, the instability we have in the league and my own performance. But we have to take this experience so it doesn’t happen again and arrive strong for the knockout stage. In this competition, we’re unbeaten and we can’t forget that. But we have to learn from our mistakes,” said the number 8.

“Anything I say today... there’s no excuse. In tough times, we have to keep our mouths shut, work, and take the hits. Because it’s a tough moment for the group, but we’ve been in worse situations and now it’s time for the squad to show the courage it has,” he added.

Garro also mentioned his confidence in a turnaround for the group and recalled Corinthians’ great run in the 2024 Brazilian Championship. On that occasion, with the brilliance of the GYM trio (Garro, Yuri, and Memphis), Timão strung together nine consecutive wins and left the relegation zone to reach the Pré-Libertadores.

“A result like this always hurts. A defeat in a tough moment, but I’m here talking, just like I talk when we win. Today, things didn’t go the way I wanted, the team didn’t play as it usually does. The group will never turn its back on the problem. This squad already turned things around last year, which was much harder, much worse than this year. I really believe in my teammates,” the player concluded.

Standings

With this result, Corinthians’ inconsistency in the Brasileirão continued and the dream of a spot in the Pré-Libertadores became more distant. The Alvinegro sits in tenth place, with 45 points, and can no longer reach the G7. The team is ten points behind Fluminense, currently in seventh place.

Upcoming Corinthians matches

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