Nicole hails Corinthians fightback in Brasileirão Feminino, eyes Bahia | OneFootball

Corinthians are once again among the top four teams in the Brazilian Women’s Championship. Last Monday, the Brabas beat Cruzeiro 3-1 at Canindé and secured qualification for the semifinals of the competition. After a 1-0 win in the first leg in Minas Gerais, Timão closed the tie with a 4-1 aggregate score and reached their tenth consecutive semifinal.

After the match, goalkeeper Nicole gave a press conference and mainly highlighted the team’s change in attitude in recent games. Corinthians started using a formation with three center-backs, but for the number 1, the chosen system is not the main reason for the team’s improvement.

Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazzanel / Ag. Corinthians

Nicole explained that the tactical change was naturally accepted by the squad and recalled that the players had already worked with a similar formation before. For her, the most important thing was the team’s ability to adapt and, above all, the collective commitment to making the model work.

“I think the change has nothing to do with being more defensive or not. We tried something new, maybe seeing that the diamond wasn’t working, so they tried something new. I think that transition was smooth because we had already done this with previous coaches, so I don’t think there was a problem. It was more about adaptation, right? There’s the system, but everyone has their own particularities within it. But I think the improvement in performance says a lot about our attitude, right? I think a change in attitude says a lot,” Nicole began in the interview.

In the goalkeeper’s view, regardless of the formation chosen by the coaching staff, Corinthians need to step onto the field willing to carry out what was planned. According to Nicole, it was precisely that commitment that made the difference in the team’s response and recent results.

“For me, the system doesn’t matter. What matters is how committed we are to making the system work. And I think in these last few games we’ve been very committed, regardless of the formation we had on the field, and I think that showed in our improved performance,” the player pointed out.

Corinthians needed to show resilience against Cruzeiro. The team from Minas took the lead at Canindé, but the Brabas responded in the first half and built the 3-1 victory. For Nicole, the way the team reacted after conceding was one of the main positives of qualification. The goalkeeper stressed that the squad did not abandon the game plan and stayed confident even in a difficult moment.

“I think we’re always very convinced about what we want, we really believe in the game plan and in the potential this team has. Today it was a silly mistake, right? We ended up unlucky there, the play didn’t even really develop, the girl just came at me face to face, we’ll need to review it. But I think it’s about keeping our heads steady on our objective, not letting ourselves get shaken. Today we conceded, but at no point were we rattled, that’s why we kept taking the initiative. We really believed we could play a great game and rely on our squad. And I think that’s the most important thing, as I mentioned before, the attitude we had,” she said.

“It’s not easy to concede, but I think our reaction was the most important thing at that moment. We stuck to the plan, kept an attacking attitude, and I think that was the key today,” Nicole continued.

In the semifinal, Corinthians will face Bahia, who eliminated Palmeiras in the quarterfinals. The clash will be played over two legs on September 13 and 20, with the venue details and kickoff times still awaiting confirmation from the CBF. Nicole expects a balanced matchup and stressed that Corinthians will need to show a different approach from the one they displayed in the teams’ previous meeting.

“I think they’re a very difficult opponent, especially at this stage. I don’t think there’s any difference at this point, everyone comes in on equal footing. Every match is very hard, very complicated. The context turns it into a very difficult game to play. I think Bahia are a great team, we faced them recently and saw how hard it was to play against them. I think it’s worth analyzing what wasn’t good. I think that game was far below what we’re capable of against them. But, going back to what I said before, I think it depends a lot on our attitude and how we approach the game as well,” the goalkeeper commented.

Before reaching the semifinal, Corinthians had to overcome the frustration of being eliminated by Ferroviária in another competition. Nicole said that episode served for the group to reinforce the need to be more connected during matches.

“I keep coming back to the point about attitude. I think we understood that we needed to do some things differently. I think we improved a lot in that connection we had. We talked a lot about connection this week. I think it improved a lot, especially because we were missing too many chances and suffering because of it. And today we see a more connected team, more cohesive up front, and at the back too. I think we understood that we needed one another—not that we weren’t already doing that, but just how impactful that is on the field,” she said.

“So I think the lesson was more about that. We created a lot, we also played good games against Ferroviária, but we didn’t convert our chances. We got together and said we needed to improve, connect more, be closer in that regard. And I think that also showed on the field,” she added.

Now, Corinthians will face Bahia

in the semifinals of the Brazilian Women’s Championship, with the first and second legs scheduled for September 13 and 20, after eliminating Cruzeiro in the quarterfinals. The CBF will still define the exact times and venues of the matches, which are for a place in the final against the winner of São Paulo and Flamengo.

Check out Nicole’s other answers in the press conference after Corinthians vs Cruzeiro:

Late payments

“We try not to let it interfere, right? We always love Corinthians, we put the work above everything, but we’re human beings too, right? And I think, one way or another, being a little more up to date with payments helps a lot. We play with a little more peace of mind, a little more relaxed, thinking that money isn’t everything, but it is important to us as human beings. So I think it eases the pressure a little and leaves us a bit calmer to play as well.”

Differences between playing at Canindé and Neo Química Arena

“I think the Arena itself encourages the fans to be there. I really think it makes a difference, more people go to the Arena. But I think those are decisions above us. Us advancing is the most important thing to really make it appealing for the fans to be here. But those are decisions above us. We also prefer to play at the Arena, but we can’t go against bigger decisions and we’ll play wherever is proposed to us.”

“But yes, the Arena is different for us to play there. The atmosphere too, but today was really nice. The fans showed up, they were here supporting us, making noise. So I think regardless of where we play, when the fans are with us we feel that energy, that atmosphere is different.”

Growth of women’s football

“Yes, there’s a phrase I really like: getting to the top is hard, but staying there is even harder. It’s a phrase I carry with me, and when I got here I had the same question. And I think it’s a lot about the internal environment, you know? We have great athletes, but we push ourselves every day for this badge.”

“I think we always put that above everything. We fight among ourselves there, but always in a good way, wanting to take Corinthians to the finals. So I think that demand, that desire that the girls—and I include myself—have had since I arrived here is what makes the difference. Anyway, there are many situations that happen internally, but always for the good of Corinthians. I think that’s what is reflected in us reaching finals and always having good results.”

More teams from outside São Paulo in the final stages of the Brazilian Women’s Championship

“I see it positively. Last year I got a similar question in the Cruzeiro final, and I think it’s really good, because in women’s football the main teams were always here in São Paulo, and it was very limited to that. I think having other teams from outside São Paulo reaching the final stages says a lot about investment, about improvement, about how important this growth of other teams outside São Paulo has also been.”

“So I think it’s really nice. For me it’s a sign that other teams are also investing outside São Paulo, they’re paying attention to women’s football, so for me, I always see it positively.”

Corinthians’ winning environment

“I keep coming back to the environment. I don’t know, every time we step out there, representing this badge feels different. In the women’s team, we always talk about how important it is to represent Corinthians, and how important our history in women’s football is, and we close ranks, we embrace each other. I think now in the semifinals it becomes very clear just how important this winning environment is.”

“I think a lot of it is mentality. Like I said, ever since I got here, I’ve learned a lot. I arrived here, and now I’m here, being greatly transformed by the energy of the girls, and I think that’s what makes all the difference. Of course, we also have a sensational squad, but the mentality and desire to win here are enormous, and I think that’s why we’re always there fighting for titles.”

Relationship with Ana Morganti, young Corinthians goalkeeper

“It’s really nice. I have enormous affection for Morganti. I tell her every day that at her age I was very bad, and she’s very good, and that she’s the future of the country, the future of Corinthians. I’m very happy to be able to share everyday life with her. I think she’s an incredible goalkeeper, very hardworking, and a great person too. I want to tell her that I admire her a lot, and that she’ll reap great rewards from what she’s doing.”

Leadership and communication

“First, I get labeled as annoying, and now I lose my voice for the press conference. But I always talk about how important our view is from back there, and how important it is to also have a tactical understanding of what was proposed. So we see some details that maybe go unnoticed, sometimes a forward pulling a center-back out to open space, and we try to guide things that way.”

“There’s also the encouragement side, which I think is very important. When it’s time to set the line, we work with a higher line, we defend zonally on corners, so I think in those moments we’re very important. Sometimes the girls are caught up in the heat of the game and they forget, and in those set-piece moments it’s all about details.”

“One little step into the box, for example, makes a difference. A mistimed challenge makes a difference. So I think at that moment it’s time for us to step in, really show that we’re in the game and help them, and I think it is important for them. And I’m happy to be a leader, I think it’s very important for me to be able to help them, and later I’m going to ask them to help out the speech therapist with my voice too.”

Yane, the goalkeeper who stood out in Bahia’s qualification, Corinthians’ next opponent

“I think it’s really cool, we’re football addicts, we watch everything, and in these moments I see how important it is to have good goalkeepers, how much of a difference they make, how much it was criticized before, and now how important it is to have good goalkeepers in these knockout games.”

“So I see it positively, I’m very happy to have a great goalkeeper—well, not too happy, because I hope she’s not as good as us—but I think it enriches women’s football overall. I think it’s always important to keep talking about goalkeepers, goalkeepers, goalkeepers. So I think in this moment, yes, the goalkeepers were crucial, and it’s important to have good goalkeepers. I hope we can have a good duel, and that I shine more than she does.”

Personal development at Corinthians

“Yes, I think the fact of competing with such good girls makes us better. It’s very hard to train at Corinthians because the girls are so good, you can’t make mistakes, and from day one I tried to absorb as much as possible from everyone, from the outfield players, from the goalkeepers. I learned a lot from Lelê, I think from all the goalkeepers who are there, our goalkeeper coaches, Hilary, Morganti, Jô and Lucas, and I think it has been very important to share a high-level day-to-day.”

“I think that’s what makes a big difference for good results here. I always say that I’m there representing a body of work, but we have four great goalkeepers who are just as good as I am to be there representing the team. So I think sharing that day-to-day has been very important, I’ve grown a lot, they’re girls who are there all the time helping you, supporting you, and they passed that confidence on to me.”

“I feel that since I arrived here at Corinthians I’ve improved a lot, precisely because the team trusts me and gives me that sense of security. So I’m very happy to be able to represent the work, but that work is always surrounded by great people behind it, and I think I’m just representing work that is very well done by the entire goalkeeping department.”

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