Hugo Souza on Corinthians’ many mistakes and players wary of suspension

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·18 December 2025

Hugo Souza on Corinthians’ many mistakes and players wary of suspension

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians played below expectations and ended in a goalless draw against Vasco in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final. Although the visitors threatened to open the scoring, Hugo Souza was not really tested and spoke after the final whistle about the mistakes made by Timão during the 90 minutes.

“I think we played a game that was technically below what we’re used to. It was a match where we made a lot of passing errors, and that ended up, in some way, undermining our team and giving confidence to the opposition. But everything is still open, it’s zero to zero. And over there, it’s going to be a game just like it was here. Or better, I hope it’s a better game from our side,” the goalkeeper began.

OneFootball Videos

Photo: TV Central do Timão

For this match, Corinthians had eight players at risk of suspension, possibly missing the return leg if booked during the game. According to the goalkeeper, this caused some hesitation among the players to play more physically, giving Vasco some freedom at certain moments.

“I don’t think it was fear. Fear is not a word you can have at this moment. But of course, it does cause some hesitation. There were eight players at risk of suspension, with a chance of missing the second leg of the final. So, yes, that might have interfered a bit mentally, sometimes in a challenge, in a ball. When we needed to be stronger in a play that we needed to stop,” he commented.

“But now… It’s good that we didn’t lose any players. And we’re going to work so we can play a better game, because, after all, everything is still open. And, man, we’re going to chase this dream with our lives until the end,” added Hugo Souza.

Despite the mistakes, the goalkeeper did not see a lack of attitude from Timão on the field, highlighting the individual problems of the players during the match.

“I don’t think so. As I said, the mistakes ended up undermining our game a bit. We made a lot of technical errors that ended up getting in our way. So we know we can do much better than this. And I truly believe that by fixing these technical errors we had today, we’ll be much closer to playing a better game. And, God willing, come away with the title,” he stated.

Just like Corinthians, Vasco finished the Brasileirão at the bottom of the table and struggled to eliminate Fluminense in the semifinals. The Timão goalkeeper spoke about the changes made by coach Fernando Diniz and how that made it harder for the players to read the game.

“Actually, Vasco’s team is a quality side. They have very skilled and intense players from midfield forward. Their game plan is different from what we’re used to seeing from Diniz. And I think that messed with our heads a bit in terms of understanding the best way to play, understanding the best tactical approach. But we have to be ready to fix what needs to be fixed to play a better game there,” he concluded.

The second leg takes place on Sunday (21), starting at 6 p.m. (Brasília time). The match will be played at Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, the Maracanã.

See more: