Injuries and exits deepen Fernando Diniz's hunt for attacking solutions at Corinthians | OneFootball

Corinthians’ attack has become a puzzle for Fernando Diniz after the World Cup pause, with injuries and departures forcing constant tweaks. The manager has turned to Pedro Raul to steady a depleted frontline.

According to Globo.com, injuries to Yuri Alberto and Zakaria Labyad, the exit of Memphis Depay and the failed move for Wesley have come on top of long-term issues for Kayke and Vitinho.

Since arriving four months ago, Diniz rated the squad as strong, needing only a winger, so he immediately promoted academy forward Kayke. The youngster scored against Platense. Four matches later, he suffered a serious knee injury.

Without Kayke, Diniz first started Vitinho for one game, then handed Jesse Lingard a run of six consecutive starts. Previously out of favour, Labyad later earned more minutes and became the leading option to relieve Rodrigo Garro.

With the latest setbacks, Diniz backed the out-of-form Pedro Raul as his reference up front. Pedro Raul said he needed a run of games and that strikers live on goals. Diniz added that the forward has not forgotten how to play, hopes to rebuild his confidence and sees positive signs, while noting not everything is controllable.

Pedro Raul is expected to start again against Rosario Central in the Libertadores last-16 first leg on Thursday at 21:30, Brasília time, at Estádio Gigante de Arroyito.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”