Hugo Souza on Corinthians’ new approach in cups: “It gives us confidence”

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Central do Timão

·9 December 2025

Hugo Souza on Corinthians’ new approach in cups: “It gives us confidence”

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians started the week focused on preparing to face Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil semifinal. Despite the negative campaign in the Brasileirão, the People's Team is betting on the performance shown throughout the knockout tournament, as highlighted by Hugo Souza.

“Our approach in Cup games is completely different — perhaps wrongly on our part, but it is the reality. This brings great security, at least for me, because we know that in these games it's a zero-error mentality. If it happens, we are prepared to overcome it, because here everyone is together. If I make a mistake, Maycon will cover for me; if he makes a mistake, I'll cover for him. It has always been like this. It won't change. The mentality is the best possible because we know we have all the conditions to compete in this final and win this title,” said the goalkeeper in a press conference.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

The team led by Dorival Júnior, despite having one of the largest payrolls in Brazil, ended up as the worst Paulista in the Brasileirão. Hugo Souza avoided commenting on the performance in the championship and emphasized focusing on the Copa do Brasil, while also keeping an eye on the next season.

“Actually, I think, to be honest, everything we had to say about the Brasileirão we have already said. It wasn't the way we wanted, obviously. It wasn't the way we wanted. We know we needed to and have to push ourselves to have a better season than this one, so we can fight for the Libertadores, fight for titles, because we have the conditions for that“

“But I think everything has already been said, and the focus now is different. I think that next year, when all this is over, we will think about the next Brasileirão, which starts in January. But, in fact, the focus now is entirely on the Copa do Brasil, so we can play two great games, perform our best football, everyone at the highest level, and pursue our dream, which is to give this title to the club and our fans,” commented the goalkeeper.

However, one of the points that were exposed during the Brasileirão was the goals conceded at the beginning of halves, which account for almost a third of the goals conceded under Dorival Júnior's command.

“About the goals we ended up conceding during these periods at the beginning of the first and second halves, it has always been a much-discussed topic. So much so that we started to increase our pressure in the locker room regarding this. I think it's much more a mental part of ours, knowing how to switch from the break to the second half, or from the beginning of the game, so we can improve on this. But I believe we won't make this mistake now. We are very focused on what we need to do, on what needs to be done on the field. Because these are details that make all the difference, and in games like this, which will be now, it can cost us our disqualification,” evaluated Hugo Souza.

The match against Cruzeiro takes place this Wednesday (10), at Mineirão. The ball starts rolling at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), for the first leg of the semifinal that grants a spot in the grand final of the Copa do Brasil.

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