With Memphis Depay, Corinthians prep for key Libertadores tie | OneFootball

On the morning of this Tuesday (18), Corinthians returned to training at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava after the home defeat against Cruzeiro in the Brazilian Championship and began preparations for their next commitment of the season. This Thursday (20), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), the Alvinegro host Rosario Central-ARG in Itaquera for the second leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16.

The Corinthians squad began the day with strength work in the gym. Then, after a warm-up on the pitch, the players carried out a possession drill with crosses and finishing. After that, those who played more than 45 minutes against Cruzeiro last Sunday (16) returned to the indoor area of the training center for recovery work.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The rest of the group remained on one of the pitches for a tactical strategy session, as well as a small-sided match. It is worth noting that, at this moment, the following players are in the Alvinegro’s medical department: defensive midfielder André Luiz (grade 2 injury to the back of the right thigh), midfielders Vitinho (recovering from surgery on the meniscus in his left knee) and Zakaria Labyad (undergoing surgical recovery after a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee), as well as forwards Kayke Ferrari (recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee) and Yuri Alberto (being treated for a grade 2 injury to the back of the right thigh).

Against Rosario Central, Timão will try to match its best Libertadores campaign since winning the title in 2012. In 2022, the club from Parque São Jorge fell in the quarterfinals after being eliminated by Flamengo, losing 3-0 on aggregate over the two matches. In the first leg in Rosario last Thursday (13), the Alvinegro held on for a 0-0 draw. If the teams are level again, the tie will be decided on penalties.

Memphis Depay’s “return”

The main new development at the training center was the presence of forward Memphis Depay, whose contract renewal was made official and whose new deal was published in the Daily Information Bulletin (BID) of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Internally, the expectation, according to ge.globo and confirmed by Central do Timão, is that the number 10 could play between 30 and 45 minutes in the Libertadores clash against Rosario Central later this week.

Memphis Depay’s current moment

The number 10 is coming off a season below expectations. In 14 games for Timão in 2026 (11 as a starter), he has one goal and one assist. Between late March and the end of May, Memphis was sidelined as he recovered from a grade 2 muscle injury suffered in a match against Flamengo in Itaquera in the eighth round of the Brasileirão.

Between the injury diagnosis and the start of the World Cup, Memphis Depay played in only two matches for Corinthians, one coming off the bench (Atlético-MG – Brasileirão) and the other starting (Platense-ARG – Conmebol Libertadores), but he was substituted by Fernando Diniz right at halftime.

Memphis Depay’s numbers for Corinthians

Signed in September 2024 after not having his contract renewed by Atlético de Madrid of Spain, Memphis Depay arrived at Corinthians and immediately played a key role in the team’s surge in the previous Brazilian Championship edition (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores qualifying stage), scoring seven goals and providing one assist in 11 matches in the national tournament.

Last season and at the start of this one, he was decisive in the title-winning campaigns of the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), totaling two assists in those finals and playing an important role in the earlier knockout rounds. In a Corinthians shirt, he has 20 goals and 15 assists in 79 matches — 40 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses — a 58.23% success rate.

Before playing for Atlético de Madrid of Spain and Corinthians, he had spells at PSV of the Netherlands — where he came through the ranks — Manchester United (England), Lyon (France), and Barcelona (Spain). He is the fifth-highest foreign scorer in Timão’s history, behind only Romero (67), Guerrero (54), Tévez (46), and Herrera (22).

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