Hugo Souza hails Corinthians' defence, praises teamwork with Diniz | OneFootball

Goalkeeper Hugo Souza commented on Corinthians’ defensive form after the 2-0 win over Peñarol at Neo Química Arena in the third round of the Copa Libertadores group stage. With the result, the black-and-white team reached seven consecutive matches without conceding a goal, matching a historic club record.

In an interview after the match, the keeper highlighted the collective work as the key factor behind the positive run under Fernando Diniz. “I think everyone deserves congratulations, right? Not just the defensive line, not just the goalkeepers — because it wasn’t only me who played — but the whole team. Everyone who has stepped onto the field has given their best, has run their hearts out. When we lose the ball, everyone tracks back. When we miss a pass, everyone runs toward the ball to press and win it back again. And I think that’s the most important thing. When all eleven are committed to defending, my job and the defensive line’s job become much easier. And I think that’s what the result has been: seven matches without conceding. We’re very happy with that result,” began the number 1.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Besides the defensive consistency, Hugo also spoke about the intense run of matches and assessed the squad’s physical condition for the upcoming commitments this season.

“We’re good, we’re doing very well. I think it’s part of our schedule. In the last two months, if I’m not mistaken, we’ve had and will have a total of eighteen or nineteen matches. That’s a lot of games, we know that. We’re going to have to make that sacrifice in every part of our lives so that we can be at the highest level possible. I ended up being one of the guys who felt this run of matches a little, but thank God I’m fine, I’ve recovered. And the coach will make the best decisions when he has to rest someone or hold someone back. But everyone is very prepared so that we can give our best in every match. And, well, we’re still alive in every competition and we want to give our best in all of them.”

The goalkeeper also praised the performances of his fellow players in the position, especially Kauê and Felipe Longo, and called for greater recognition of the athletes developed at the club.

“I think I try to do everything I can to lift them up. I’ve always given my opinion, I’ve always said Corinthians didn’t need to go after another goalkeeper, or, if they wanted to bring one in, fine, but I’ve never thought it was necessary. Because every time Longo plays, every time Kauê plays, they do very well. And I’m very happy about that. Honestly, people can’t imagine how happy I am when I see Longo and Kauê playing well. Exactly because I’ve seen how many people pushed so hard to sign a goalkeeper, wanting so badly to bring someone from outside... value the people who are already here, man. Value the homegrown players, value the ones who are going to bring money to the club, value these kids who are unbelievably talented in day-to-day training.”

“They raise my level. If I have to play out of my mind every day, it’s their fault. Because if I let my guard down, they’ll run right past me. So I think the club has to value the players it already has, and they’ve been showing their quality every day. I’m very happy to be able to watch them grow, to see them playing like this. And I have to work harder and harder not to give them any opening. But I’m sure they have a brilliant future ahead of them,” he added.

Regarding Fernando Diniz’s work, Hugo highlighted the team’s collective improvement and its adaptation to the style of play proposed by the coach.

“Man, actually I think coach Diniz has a whole tactical approach, and we know he’s a different kind of guy, someone who likes a different kind of game. And we’ve been able to bring that onto the field. I think he’s been able to get the best out of each player. Our team has a lot of technical quality, so when we stay close to one another, we’re able to keep the ball and pull the opponent around. I think he’s been able to get the best out of everyone within the characteristics we have. And seeing from today’s match, and also from the other matches, that we’ve been able to put onto the field what he asks for, I think that’s important.”

In the Libertadores, the goalkeeper reinforced the squad’s focus on putting together a solid campaign and advancing in the competition.

“It motivates us a lot. We have clear objectives in this competition, we’re very focused on what we want. I think today’s match shows that clearly, not just this one but all the others too, which have put us in a very interesting position. We’re going to fight to have the best campaign, we’re going to fight to win every game, to show people that we’re strong, that we really want to go far in this competition, maybe even win a title. And we’re going to do everything possible to make that dream come true.”

Finally, Hugo commented on the impact of the run without conceding goals on his personal objectives, including the dream of playing in a World Cup.

“Its importance couldn’t be greater. Seven matches without conceding, and I hope we keep increasing those numbers. For me individually, it’s very good, because I have a dream of being at the World Cup, so I think this helps. These are numbers that strengthen my case. I don’t have the exact figures, but I think today was my 114th or 115th match, I don’t remember, and, if I’m not mistaken, I already have more than 50 clean sheets wearing the Corinthians shirt. Those are significant, important numbers, almost 50% of my matches without conceding. And we’re going to fight very hard to keep going like this, because with the quality we have, we know that at any moment we can decide a game. And everyone helps defensively — Yuri, Garro, Lingard and Memphis — that makes our work easier and helps me stay close to that dream,” he concluded.

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