Matheus Bidu apologises to the Fiel, demands Libertadores response | OneFootball

Corinthians left Neo Química Arena under heavy criticism on Sunday night (6). After taking the lead, Timão conceded a comeback and lost 2-1 to Chapecoense in the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. Scorer of the team’s only goal in the match, Matheus Bidu spoke after the game, acknowledged the fans’ frustration, and apologized for the team’s current situation.

With the result, Corinthians suffered their fourth straight defeat in the Brasileirão, the third in a row at home. The team remained on 32 points and dropped to 11th place, with a record of eight wins, eight draws, and ten losses. They have scored 27 goals and conceded 27.

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In the mixed zone, Bidu said he understands the boos directed at the team and stressed that the squad will have little time to process the result. That is because the next match will be in the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals against Estudiantes in Argentina.

“We are fully aware of the result, which was negative once again today. The fans have every right to complain, they have every right. What we have to do is apologize to the fans. But unfortunately, the result is not what we expected. Right now, there’s not much to say. Tempers are high, so I think it’s about getting home and trying to clear our heads. The work has to be doubled in the coming days. We know we have an extremely important match in the Libertadores. That’s it, we have to stay focused, because we know the positive results will come.”

Bidu shares responsibility with Fernando Diniz

After the match, Fernando Diniz took responsibility for the result and tried to concentrate the criticism on himself regarding the team’s performance. Asked about the coach’s stance, Bidu said that victories and defeats must be shared by everyone in the squad.

“I think everyone is part of the whole. When we win, everyone wins. When we lose, everyone loses. Unfortunately, it was another negative result. There’s not much to say about it. Like I said, we just have to work twice as hard and keep quiet. I think this is the moment for us to try to work twice as hard and look to bring positive results on the pitch.”

The defeat also carried extra weight because of the opponent’s situation. Chapecoense were at the bottom of the Brasileirão table and had not yet won away from home in the competition. It was also the club from Santa Catarina’s first win over Corinthians at the Alvinegro side’s home ground.

Bidu stressed, however, the balance of the league and felt the team had chances to build a different result in the first half.

“We know that in the Brazilian Championship, regardless of the opponent, regardless of their place in the table, there are many quality teams. There are teams that go away from home and take points. Unfortunately, that happened today. We are fully aware of that and stay cautious in every game because of it. I believe that in the first half, we started well, consistently. We had plenty of chances. But unfortunately, because of a few mistakes, we ended up conceding the equalizer and the comeback goal. But, like I said, we have to be very careful. Regardless of the opponent, we know the Brazilian Championship is an extremely difficult competition.”

Full-back comments on insistence on aerial balls

With Corinthians trailing on the scoreboard, especially in the final minutes, the team began to rely frequently on crosses into Chapecoense’s box. Asked about the strategy, Bidu explained that the choice was a result of how the match unfolded.

“I believe we try to make plays according to what the game is asking for. Unfortunately, there was a moment near the end when the game was calling for aerial balls. Unfortunately, we weren’t successful. But I think we work hard every day. We know how much we give of ourselves to give our all during the match. Unfortunately, the positive results haven’t come. Now it’s about taking a hard look at ourselves, trying to rest tonight after the game, because it was an extremely difficult match. It’s a feeling we don’t like having. But that’s it. We have to work twice as hard and try to deliver the result on the pitch.”

The left-back was also asked about the weight of the defeat becoming historic as Corinthians’ first loss to Chapecoense at home. In his response, he again asked the fans to trust the team ahead of the continental clash.

“I think regarding that, as I said, in football, in the Brazilian Championship, regardless of the opponent, surprises can happen. And today, unfortunately, it was a negative surprise. As for the fans, what I have to say is that they can trust that we are working and giving our maximum. In this difficult moment, we hope for everyone’s support, because they are extremely important. And that’s it, I think we have to work twice as hard and try to bring positive results.”

Negative run at Neo Química Arena bothers the squad

Historically one of Corinthians’ main strengths since the inauguration of Neo Química Arena in 2014, the team’s home form has now become a concern. The loss to Chapecoense marked Timão’s third straight home defeat.

For Bidu, there is no other way to stop this negative spell except through hard work in the coming days.

“The way to turn this around is by working twice as hard. I think we are going through an extremely difficult moment. Obviously, we didn’t want this run of defeats. It bothers us a lot. But, like I said, now is the time to keep quiet and work harder.”

Bidu agrees with Memphis’ call for simpler play

Memphis Depay also spoke after the match and argued that Corinthians need to simplify certain plays and find spaces more calmly. Bidu partially agreed with the forward’s assessment.

“I believe that to a certain extent, yes. I think that in football, the hardest thing is to do the simple things. I believe that. But unfortunately, there are plays that just aren’t coming together. We try going down the flanks, we try playing through the middle. But unfortunately, we don’t know what is happening. We try to work twice as hard. We have been working twice as hard. We are giving our maximum. But unfortunately, as I said, football is not always the way we expect or the way we try to control it.”

The moment also halted an attempt to move closer to the top places. With four straight defeats, Corinthians returned to the middle of the Brazilian Championship standings.

Bidu acknowledged the squad’s frustration with repeatedly finishing far from the top positions in recent seasons and said he believes the group has what it takes to aim higher.

“It’s something that bothers us a lot, like you said. For some years now, we’ve been fighting around mid-table. It’s something that really bothers us. We know we can do more. We know we can fight for the top four. And, as I said, there’s not much to say. Unfortunately, these have been very difficult years for us.”

Defensive system going through a period of instability

Another point addressed after the match was the drop in defensive performance. The unit had previously been praised, but it has started making mistakes in succession in recent matches.

The full-back said that avoiding conceding goals remains one of the focuses of the daily work and once again stressed the need for collective improvement.

“I think that at this moment, there’s not much to say. We try to work twice as hard with the back four. The defensive line tries not to concede in matches, but unfortunately, as I said, not everything is under our control. Sometimes we end up conceding some unwanted goals. But I think we will try to work more, work twice as hard. We know it was another negative result. It bothers us a lot. That’s what we try to work on, going onto the pitch and not conceding. Unfortunately, it’s happening. And we will try to work in a better way to turn this around.”

Corinthians shift focus to the Libertadores

With little time to dwell on the result, Corinthians now turn their attention to one of the season’s most important matches. Next Wednesday (9), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, Timão visit Estudiantes of Argentina at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, the UNO, for the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals.

Between the two continental clashes, Corinthians will still have another Brazilian Championship match. Next Sunday (13), Alvinegro visit Flamengo at the Maracanã in the 27th round of the national competition.

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