Matheus Bidu's stand-ins have under 1,000 minutes for Corinthians in 2026 | OneFootball

Matheus Bidu’s physical condition could force Corinthians to look for alternatives at left-back during the final stretch of the season. However, the club’s two other players in the position, Fabrizio Angileri and Hugo Farias, have had little playing time throughout 2026. Together, the backups have totaled just 994 minutes in official matches, according to data from oGol.

The gap compared to the starter is significant. Angileri has been on the field for 800 minutes, while Hugo has logged only 194. Bidu, on the other hand, has accumulated 3,666 minutes and ranks fourth in minutes played among Corinthians’ squad in official matches, behind only Hugo Souza, Gustavo Henrique, and Matheuzinho.

That means the combined time on the field of the two challengers amounts to approximately 27.1% of Matheus Bidu’s total minutes this season.

The difference becomes more relevant because the No. 21 has been dealing with pain in the pubic area since July. The possibility of surgery is being evaluated by the medical department, although the current plan, if the procedure proves necessary, is to carry it out only after the season ends.

Angileri emerges as the first alternative

Among the available options to replace Bidu, Fabrizio Angileri has been the one given the most opportunities in 2026. The Argentine has played in 14 matches, nine of them as a starter, and scored one goal.

Even so, his use declined during the second half of the season. Angileri featured in three matches in that period, against Bahia, Coritiba, and Flamengo. Against the Rio club, on September 13, in the Brazilian Championship, he started the match.

The full-back’s contract situation is also something Corinthians still need to define. At 32, Angileri is under contract only until the end of 2026. The Argentine had already gone through a period of uncertainty between the end of last season and the start of this year before agreeing to stay at the club in February.

With 800 minutes played, he accounts for more than 80% of all the minutes logged by the reserve left-back options this season.

Hugo has not played since February

Hugo Farias’ situation is even further removed from the pitch. The 29-year-old full-back has played in only three matches in 2026, all as a starter, totaling 194 minutes.

His last appearance came on February 5, in Corinthians’ win over Capivariano in the Paulista Championship. In that match, Hugo stayed on the field for only 36 minutes before suffering an injury to his right knee.

The diagnosis revealed a torn lateral meniscus, and the player had to undergo surgery. The recovery kept him out for approximately six months, until he returned to the squad list in early August.

Since then, Hugo has appeared on the bench on four occasions, but has still not been given any minutes under Fernando Diniz. As a result, the full-back has yet to take the field at any point in the second half of the season.

Bidu’s situation raises concern over the position

The limited use of the backups takes on greater weight given Matheus Bidu’s physical condition. According to information first published by ESPN and later confirmed by Meu Timão, the full-back has been feeling pain in the pubic area since July.

There is internal concern that the issue may be related to an inguinal hernia, a situation that could lead to the need for surgery. The club, however, is working to avoid losing the player during the decisive part of the calendar.

The estimated recovery time after any such procedure ranges from four to eight weeks. For that reason, the intention is to postpone a possible surgery until after the end of the season, as long as his clinical condition allows it.

Despite the physical problem, Bidu has remained a frequent presence throughout the year. The full-back has played 45 matches, with six goals and three assists. In addition, his 3,666 minutes show just how far ahead he is of the other names available in the position.

Corinthians prepare to face Internacional

For now, Matheus Bidu remains one of Fernando Diniz’s options for the resumption of the Brazilian Championship. Corinthians return to action next Wednesday (7) at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) against Internacional at Beira-Rio in the 29th round of the competition.

While monitoring the starter’s condition, the coaching staff have Angileri and Hugo as alternatives for the role. The difference lies mainly in competitive rhythm: while Bidu is approaching four thousand minutes this season, his two backups do not even reach one thousand combined.

If the No. 21 needs to be rested or sidelined during the final stretch of 2026, Fernando Diniz will have to turn to players who have had considerably less involvement throughout the calendar.

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