Corinthians could have up to six reinforcements for São Paulo derby | OneFootball

With the last FIFA date of the year coming to an end, the Brazilian Championship returns in full force. Already this Thursday, Corinthians will host São Paulo, starting at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, for the 34th round of the national tournament.

Corinthians needs to give a response to the Fiel Torcida after two consecutive defeats in the Brasileirão, and there’s nothing better than doing so in a derby against their rival. To pursue this goal, Timão is hoping to have up to six reinforcements for the Majestoso.

The main doubt for Dorival is regarding goalkeeper Hugo Souza. The number 1 has missed the last two Corinthians matches due to a trauma in his right thigh, suffered in the game against Grêmio. The player has been replaced by the young Felipe Longo, a product of the club’s youth academy.

The goalkeeper will still be evaluated during the last two training sessions to determine if he’ll be able to reinforce Corinthians in the Majestoso. Hugo Souza had recovered from a dislocated left shoulder and played against Atlético-MG and Grêmio, but felt the thigh problem against the Tricolor from Rio Grande do Sul.

Reinforced midfield

While waiting for Hugo, coach Dorival Júnior is also keeping an eye on reinforcements to bolster the black-and-white midfield. Defensive midfielders José Martínez and Charles, and attacking midfielder André Carrillo are available again after serving suspensions in the 1-0 defeat to Ceará in the last round.

In addition to the trio, midfielder André Luiz may also return to the squad. The youngster has recovered from a sprained right ankle and has been training normally with his teammates since Friday – as has forward Vitinho, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

With these returns, Corinthians’ midfield regains its strength. In the match against Ceará, for example, the only alternatives for the position on the bench were Ryan and Luiz Gustavo Bahia. Maycon, Bidon, Garro, and Dieguinho formed the starting quartet.

Memphis Depay, on duty with the Netherlands, should be available as usual. The forward played his last match with the national team last Monday and will have three days to return to Brazil and be available for the derby. There is still some doubt, however, whether he’ll be fit to start as a starter.

The Corinthians scenario is practically the opposite of São Paulo’s. The Tricolor currently has 12 players from its squad in the medical department. A recent tormentor of Corinthians, Lucas once again felt pain in his right knee and is doubtful for the Majestoso.

Absences for the derby

Despite the reinforcements, Corinthians will also have two key absences for the derby against São Paulo. The black-and-white team from São Paulo will be without midfielder Rodrigo Garro, suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and defensive midfielder Raniele, who is treating an adductor muscle injury in his right leg.

Curiously, Garro has played only two out of six Majestosos since he was announced by Corinthians. The Argentine missed four matches against São Paulo for different reasons. In January 2024, he wasn’t registered in time. In June, he was suspended. Meanwhile, in January this year, he was injured. Now, he serves another suspension.

Standings situation

Corinthians’ rise in the Brazilian Championship has been halted, and the team is coming off two consecutive defeats, the last one at home. The black-and-white team from São Paulo is in 12th place in the standings, with 42 points – nine fewer than Fluminense, the first team in the Libertadores qualification zone.

Upcoming Corinthians matches

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