Corinthians boss on Vasco loss: what went wrong, fan row explained

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Central do Timão

·18 de diciembre de 2025

Corinthians boss on Vasco loss: what went wrong, fan row explained

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the evening of last Wednesday (17), Corinthians hosted Vasco da Gama at the Neo Química Arena for the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final and ended up drawing 0-0. In case of another draw in regular time next Sunday (21) at 6 PM (Brasília time) at Maracanã, the match will be decided by penalty shootout.

Coach Dorival Júnior gave a press conference right after the final whistle and was asked about what Corinthians lacked to overcome Vasco da Gama's strategy for the first leg. In his response, the coach praised the way the Rio team advanced their marking and made it difficult for the Corinthians team to play.

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“It's not a matter of merit or demerit. They advanced their marking very well, managed to press at some moments. We had an exit corridor, we didn't take advantage of it, we were being sluggish in our passing, which was making it difficult for us to exit, freeing players in the midfield, who were sometimes unmarked but didn't receive the ball, precisely because of this somewhat sluggish exchange we were making.”

“All this made it difficult and over time it was irritating both teams, Vasco naturally having a slightly more balanced game, Corinthians needing to speed up and not having that possibility, we ourselves made it difficult for what could have been a slightly more lively game, a bit more dynamic. We lacked a lot of that,” he began.

Later, the coach was asked about a discussion he had with a Corinthians fan who was in the Lower West sector when he was leaving the field after the end of the game. The Corinthians coach, after hearing insults, shouted a “son of a b*tch” towards the fan.

“It's very simple, I have the utmost respect for the fans and understand any reaction at any time, in any circumstance. Now this guy frequently does the same thing, both with the players and with the technical staff members. Today he needed to hear a response from someone, that's all. But it's the same as always, who has been frequenting that sector for a long time. He has every right to say what he wants, but saying the things he said, being offensive as he was, he will hear back, because no one has the patience of a saint,” he continued.

Finally, Dorival Júnior justified the substitution of Memphis Depay at the 38th minute of the second half for the entry of midfielder Dieguinho, a Corinthians youth product. In the current season, the number 10 has 11 goals and 10 assists in 55 games. He is the team's second top scorer and top assist provider of the year.

The coach explained that it was an option to preserve the athlete for the second game and then listed aspects that the fans should believe in the team for the return match of the decision next Sunday.

“He had a problem and was in the medical department, so he couldn't train. When a player is out for a while, it's natural for him to feel the moment of the match a bit. And to avoid any situation, at that moment, I preferred a substitution.”

“I think the fans have already realized within the Copa do Brasil that they have reasons to trust this team. Just look at all the results we've had. I trust a lot. It's a decision. Anything can happen. Nothing is resolved until this moment. Even if we had left here today with a victory, I would be cautious. I have no doubts we will have a different game at Maracanã and certainly with difficulties, both on one side and the other,” he concluded.

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