Tchoca on Corinthians defenders’ form, reacts to Minas draw

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Central do Timão

·27 February 2026

Tchoca on Corinthians defenders’ form, reacts to Minas draw

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the night of last Wednesday (25), Corinthians visited Cruzeiro at the Mineirão Stadium, in a match valid for the fourth round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship, and ended in a 1-1 draw. The tie left the Corinthians team in third place in the national competition with seven points – two wins, one draw, and one loss – five goals scored and three conceded.

Moments after the final whistle, center-back João Pedro Tchoca, who scored Corinthians’ goal with a header – in the 35th minute of the second half after a corner kick from midfielder Rodrigo Garro – gave an interview to the press in the mixed zone and commented on the goal-scoring phase of the Alvinegro defenders. This season, Gabriel Paulista has already scored two goals, while André Ramalho and Gustavo Henrique have each found the net once.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“Yeah, since last year, Corinthians has been very good at set pieces and we even had an inside joke that my goal was the only one missing among the defenders, since all the others had already scored, and everyone celebrated a lot. Gustavo (Henrique), Gabriel (Paulista), André (Ramalho), they congratulated me and that’s what it’s about, the strength of the group is what’s making us have great performances, great matches and we’re still going after titles this year,” he began.

He later analyzed the draw against Cruzeiro. Corinthians’ number 4 said the team already expected the opponent’s offensive approach, but highlighted the fact that the team was ‘tough’ enough to fight for the draw, even while facing difficulties in the match.

“We knew they would come at us, unfortunately in the first half we couldn’t impose 100% of what was prepared. But, since this team is very tough, very determined, we weren’t going to give up no matter what. So much so that we came back in the second half much better, very well organized, we managed to equalize and even had a chance to turn it around, but it was a very important point away from home,” he continued.

Finally, he spoke again about the failed negotiation for his transfer to Torino, in Italy, where he ended up failing the medical exams and, consequently, was reintegrated into the squad led by Dorival Júnior.

“To be honest, I didn’t even have much time to feel sorry or think negative things. Because I arrived on Saturday and, for me, we were winning the Supercopa. So, I was already celebrating, I was already happy for the group and that’s it, the group welcomed me very well when I arrived at the training center, there were even some jokes and that’s it, I’m very happy. I’m grateful to have God in my life and He has done wonderful things, so I just have to give thanks and it was His will that I stayed,” he concluded.

After earning an important point away from home in the Brasileirão, Corinthians now turns its focus to the Campeonato Paulista. Next Saturday (28), the Alvinegro will visit Novorizontino at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Jorge Ismael de Biasi Stadium, in the semifinals of the state championship. A draw in regular time will take the decision to penalties.

João Pedro Tchoca’s Journey at Corinthians

The defender arrived at Parque São Jorge in 2019 after standing out at Desportivo Brasil. In 2024, he formed a defensive partnership with Renato during the title-winning campaign of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup, won against Cruzeiro, 1-0, in Itaquera. Soon after, he was promoted to the professional Corinthians squad – having aged out of the youth category.

Initially, he didn’t get much playing time under the Alvinegro coaches at the time, first Antônio Oliveira and then Ramón Díaz, and was loaned to Ceará in the second half of that year. At the northeastern club, he was a starter in the final stretch of the campaign that secured promotion to Serie A last year. At the start of 2025, he was reintegrated into the Corinthians squad and began to get opportunities and become an important part of the team.

The number 4 was part of the campaigns that won the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil titles, against Vasco da Gama and Palmeiras, respectively. In total, he has played 36 matches for Corinthians (29 as a starter), with 19 wins, 11 draws, and six losses – a 62.96% success rate – with two goals scored and one assist provided.

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