Hugo Souza hails Corinthians grit, hits Rosario Central over racism | OneFootball

Corinthians secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores on Thursday night (20). At Neo Química Arena, Timão beat Rosario Central-ARG 1-0 in the second leg of the round of 16. Breno Bidon scored the only goal of the match and confirmed the black-and-white side’s qualification to face Estudiantes, also from Argentina, in the next round.

After the match, goalkeeper Hugo Souza stopped by the mixed zone at Neo Química Arena and spoke with reporters. Among the topics discussed, the No. 1 commented on the team’s collective improvement, Corinthians’ ability to perform in situations of numerical disadvantage, and the squad’s confidence in the pursuit of the continental title.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians

Asked about the significance of Corinthians still not having won a Libertadores round-of-16 match at Neo Química Arena, Hugo said the squad tries not to carry negative marks from the past and emphasized the group’s growing strength.

“No, we try to block out bad news at times like this and hold on to what we have that’s good, hold on to what we want to do. I think this squad knows very well what it wants. It’s a squad that has grown stronger and stronger, regardless of wins and losses, we’ve become stronger and stronger, we’re more and more united. And for moments like these, I think that’s what matters most. We knew how to play the game today, and things went really well for us. And we have this objective very clear in our minds, we really want this dream, and we’re going to fight for it until the end.”

Hugo Souza highlights Corinthians’ defensive solidity

Qualification also required a strong response from Alvinegro after Raniele was sent off. When analyzing the team’s psychological side in once again dealing with having one player fewer, Hugo highlighted the organization the team has built and cited the defensive numbers posted throughout the season.

“To be honest, our team has become more and more solid. And I think the numbers don’t lie. I may even be wrong, but I think we are the team with… I, personally, am among the goalkeepers who have conceded the fewest goals, with the most clean sheets in the entire season. And I think that reflects a little of how solid our team has become, and regardless of whether we have 11, 10 or even 9 men, as has already happened, we know exactly what to do on the pitch.”

“The coach makes us feel very comfortable and makes everything very clear so we can do what has to be done. And we stay calm, because we know where each person has to be on the pitch, what attitude to take, when to press, when to hold, when to drop the line, when to push the line up. And that’s very clear. I think when things are clearer like that, it becomes easy, and we’ve shown that with the desire we have, the dedication we have and the willingness to run, we’re always going to be helping the club. One of the main things is not conceding goals. And we’ve done well with that.”

Goalkeeper criticizes Rosario Central’s stance

Another topic addressed in the mixed zone was the racism incident reported by Hugo Souza in the first leg, played in Argentina. The goalkeeper was asked about a statement released by Rosario Central regarding the case and revealed that a formal notice involving Corinthians and the player himself was being prepared.

“Actually, it’s already being done, if it hasn’t been done yet, a notice from the club, which I was also part of. With all due respect, what they did was ridiculous. The players apologized, the journalists heard what they said, and the club, given Rosario’s stature, took a stance that diminished the club a little. I think it’s a very big club for the attitude they took.”

“The players on the pitch apologized for the act. And then the club, I don’t know who did it, the board or the media department, I don’t know, but they took a ridiculous stance. Olavo is here, our communications advisor, and as soon as I saw the statement, it was, I don’t know, one in the morning, and I texted him furious. I said: ‘Man, this doesn’t exist.’ It’s a club that is very big and took a very small attitude, I think somewhat tarnishing what they’ve done throughout their history. And it was a ridiculous attitude, I hope it doesn’t happen again. And I hope someone does something about it, because what we can do, I think we’re already doing. But what they did was very ugly.”

Then, when speaking about the possibility of facing similar situations in future matches played in Argentina, the goalkeeper said he intends to maintain the same stance if a new incident happens.

“There are things we can’t control. It’s a place where, whenever we go, it happens. We hope it doesn’t happen. We work on our minds as best we can so it doesn’t affect us, and so we can deliver our best on the pitch, so I can do my best on the pitch. I don’t want it to affect me, but I’ll also never stop standing up to it. If it happens again, my attitude will be the same, I think that’s what we have to do. But the focus is on giving our best on the pitch.”

Return of Memphis Depay

Hugo Souza also commented on Memphis Depay staying at Corinthians. The Dutchman was directly involved in the goal that sealed qualification when he took the free kick that ended with Breno Bidon’s touch into the back of the net.

“And today he showed that he is very important to the group. I think he has already shown countless times how important he is to the group, to the club. And how much he has already helped us, the stature he has, the player he is, and we’re very happy to have him with us again.”

“He was a guy who made an effort for this to happen, we, as a squad, wanted this, the coach wanted this, and we’re very happy about his return. I think there are people in life who are blessed, who are different. I think he’s a guy like that, and today, from a free kick he took, we scored a goal. And we’re happy to have him back and I hope he still helps us a lot.”

Finally, the goalkeeper was asked directly whether he considers the current squad capable of winning the Libertadores. Hugo did not hide his confidence and reinforced that the continental title is one of the group’s objectives.

“For sure, for sure. Especially because it’s a cup competition, a competition of details, a competition where a few details decide everything. And I think that, the more united we are, the more focused we are, the more locked in we are on this, which is our dream, the better our chances are, yes. And we’re going to give our best so that, God willing, we can make this dream come true for ourselves and for our fans too.”

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