Piccinato takes blame after heavy Derby loss, reviews errors

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Central do Timão

·7 December 2025

Piccinato takes blame after heavy Derby loss, reviews errors

By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial Team

This Sunday (7), Corinthians suffered a 5-1 defeat to Palmeiras at Arena Barueri, in the first leg of the Paulista Women’s Championship final. After the match, coach Lucas Piccinato evaluated the team’s performance, acknowledged technical, mental, and defensive errors, and emphasized that the team needs to react in order to overturn the score in the return leg, which takes place on December 14, at 10 a.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena.

As he left the pitch, Piccinato gave an initial assessment of the result and mentioned the emotional impact of the defeat. According to him, the below-par performance involved several factors, including individual mistakes and a game plan that did not work against the opponent’s intensity.

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Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazzanel / Ag. Corinthians

“A feeling of shame, from everyone. A feeling of apologizing to the fans for the result, for the situation, for the circumstances. A game like this… There are many responsibilities for a score like that to happen. But naturally the greatest responsibility is mine, as I’m the head coach. Today the game plan didn’t work,” said the coach.

“We played a very poor defensive game and that, combined with a day when technically, individually, there were a lot of silly mistakes from our team, against a very strong team like Palmeiras, can lead to situations like this”, he added.

The coach also commented on statements made by defender Érika during the broadcast, who mentioned issues with information and commitment. He said he hadn’t yet seen her comments, but stressed that the result cannot be explained by just one factor.

“It’s very simple to put all the responsibility on me and that’s fine. But a game like this isn’t decided just by a wrong game plan. It’s decided by individual errors, by players who usually don’t make such big mistakes. We had a slip in the box for the first goal, a giveaway in midfield for the second goal, a rebound on the third, a set piece on the fourth. I have my responsibility and the group has theirs,” he added.

Regarding the criticism about lack of commitment mentioned by the defender, he emphasized that he respects the player’s opinion, but believes the scenario involves multiple factors.

“I think everyone has an opinion and we make it very easy for the players to express what they feel. It’s a hot head after the game. Just three days ago we pulled off a comeback at Neo Química where we played great football. There’s no way to explain it with just one reason. A result like this has several issues.”

Looking ahead to the return leg, the coach said the main work will be mental and emotional, though he recognizes the size of the challenge.

“The talk in the locker room is that we have to show up for the return leg with the desire to do things differently. As long as there’s a chance, we’ll give everything to pull off this comeback. It’s about trying to pick up the pieces. The defeat hurts a lot. A lot of criticism will come. It’s time to step away from social media a bit, shield ourselves and get ready.”

Piccinato also highlighted that the team’s lack of focus at the start of recent matches is something that needs to be fixed.

“We’ve been going into games waiting for things to happen so we can react. Today we were crushed by the opponent the moment they realized our intensity was very poor. We made tactical adjustments during the first half, but couldn’t fix it.”

Finally, Piccinato was asked if he would remain at the club after such a tough result. The coach said his continuity depends on the board’s assessment.

“My approach to being here has always been to give everything I can, and that will continue. If management thinks I’m the right person to be in charge, I’ll stay. If they think I’m not, I won’t stay. As for me, I’ll always give everything to defend the Corinthians shirt”, he concluded.

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