Corinthians return to Maracanã after Copa do Brasil win amid shake-up and cautious rebuild | OneFootball

Corinthians visit the Maracanã on Wednesday at 21:30 to face Fluminense in round nine, their first game there since December’s Copa do Brasil triumph. The return comes after months of upheaval on and off the pitch.

According to Meu Timao, Fabinho Soldado left as football executive soon after the 21 December win, with Marcelo Paz arriving later that month and taking charge in early January. He moved to stabilise finances, clearing debts to lift FIFA’s transfer ban. A CAS ruling also requires about R$ 7.2m to Shakhtar Donetsk over Maycon’s loan within 45 days.

The squad has been trimmed, with 11 departures easing the wage bill by about R$ 1.5m a month. Héctor Hernández and Fagner agreed terminations, while Félix Torres left on loan to Internacional. They also declined to renew Maycon, Talles Magno and Ángel Romero.

José Martínez returned over a month late with a right ACL injury, then left amicably in late February, with Corinthians to fund surgery and 30% of his salary from February to December.

Seven signings arrived, four on frees including Gabriel Paulista and Jesse Lingard, plus loans for Allan, Matheus Pereira and Kaio César from Al-Hilal, all with options to buy. Only Gabriel Paulista has become a regular, Kaio César has been injured, and Lingard could debut on Wednesday.

Academy midfielder André Luiz has played in 16 of 19 matches with two goals, and Milan’s 17 million euros bid was rejected by president Osmar Stabile, as Corinthians look for a reset at the Maracanã.

Source: Meu Timao