With eyes on Cruzeiro, Corinthians set out strategy for Brasileirão run-in | OneFootball

The Corinthians is facing a dilemma for the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship. With the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil approaching, coach Dorival Júnior is considering whether to use the full strength or rest players in the last two rounds of Serie A to have the squad in the best physical condition possible for the clash with Cruzeiro.

Dorival's goal is to have the entire squad available for the decisive stretch of the Copa do Brasil. Therefore, the team, which no longer has major aspirations in the Brasileirão, might undergo some changes in the last two games against Fortaleza and Juventude.

“We will do everything to arrive in the best conditions. We will have to vary the team, modify it in some way. Mathematically, I still see perhaps a small percentage of the teams fighting at the bottom. We have to be attentive, but we understand that we have a decision ahead. We need to focus on recovery to play the best possible games in the semi-final,” said the coach in a press conference after the draw with Botafogo.

“That is the intention. To have all players in condition. From there, we will define the best possible team for the matches,” he added.

Medical Department Situation

Currently, Corinthians has only one player in the medical department: Memphis Depay. The Dutch forward is recovering from a bone edema in his left knee.

On the other hand, Dorival Júnior has a new concern. Forward Yuri Alberto left limping with groin pain after the match with Botafogo and will be evaluated.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Hugo Souza, midfielder Maycon, and full-back Matheus Bidu, who were sidelined due to physical issues, returned to the squad for the match against Botafogo.

Eyeing the Eighth Place

With the 2-2 draw, Corinthians moved up to ninth place in the standings, with 46 points, two points behind eighth-placed São Paulo. With no chance for G7, Dorival Júnior's team aims for at least the eighth position to secure a spot in the Libertadores in case of failure in the Copa do Brasil.

Next Corinthians Match

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