Corinthians Women’s boss on rivals’ weakness, Duda Sampaio

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Central do Timão

·7 de octubre de 2025

Corinthians Women’s boss on rivals’ weakness, Duda Sampaio

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of last Sunday, October 5, Corinthians defeated Always Ready from Bolivia with a score of 11 x 0 at the Nuevo Francisco Urbano Stadium, in the second round of the group stage of the Conmebol Libertadores Feminina. The rout placed the Alvinegro in first place in Group A with four points.

Moments after the final whistle, coach Lucas Piccinato spoke with the press present in the mixed zone and was questioned about the decision to field a reserve team for the match, keeping only midfielder Dayana Rodríguez and forward Gisela Robledo among the starters of the Brabas. In his response, the coach mentioned the issue of "fatigue" and the short recovery time between games.

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Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

“The championship is very exhausting. And, when we analyzed the first match of Always Ready, we understood that, even though we didn't have a good result in the first match, it was an opponent that allowed us to give volume, give playtime to everyone. Besides, as I've said many times, we have a very strong group. Players who didn't play the first match, who came in today, would probably be starters in almost all teams in South America. So, I think the team managed to put on a good performance,” he began.

He then projected the match against Independiente Santa Fé from Colombia, scheduled for next Wednesday, October 8, at 8 PM (Brasília time), at the Florencio Sola Stadium, known as Lencho, in Buenos Aires, for the third and final round of the group stage of the international tournament.

“Good effort generated many goal-scoring chances and we managed to compete well to achieve the result we needed. Now, rest, because it's a championship that punishes a lot in terms of being a game right after another, because in the next round we have a big game, which was the last final, against the legs (fatigue), the team that will bring a lot of difficulty, we need to win to finish first and enter the knockout stage well,” he continued.

The Colombian team is in third place in the group and defeated the same opponent in the debut by 7 x 0. Given this, Piccinato also commented on the importance of building a significant goal difference aiming for the group leadership.

“An important victory to change a bit of the confidence, give confidence to the group. We knew about the opponent's fragility and that the goal difference could be decisive within the group. So, the first objective, obviously, was to surpass the number of goals that Santa Fé had scored, so that we could, regardless of what happened in this game, play the last match with the possibility, of course, of seeking victory. But, having the draw result as a possibility for qualification, we will work hard to reach the last game with the confidence to win the match, because it puts us in first place, which is one of the objectives. But, happy for the game, happy for the group having, even with the team changed, managed to achieve a great score.”

“We wanted to win the game by more than eight, so that we wouldn't be totally dependent on anything in this game (between Santa Fe and Del Valle), so that we can go with the tranquility of being in a good position in the group. I think it will be a very tough, very competitive game. Thinking about group leadership, obviously, a draw means that neither of the two opponents scores much and surpasses, but honestly, I don't have much to choose from.”

Finally, he was questioned about the situation of midfielder Duda Sampaio. At 43 minutes of the second half, the number 27 left the field with pain in her left ankle after a challenge with Bolivian Mayli Miranda. Duda had to leave the field by the Corinthians medical department after three minutes of treatment.

“She suffered a foot sprain. It's too early to talk about any expectations. Since the game was already resolved, there was no need to force a return, especially because she was in a lot of pain. We will reassess the situation and check if any imaging tests are necessary for a clearer diagnosis. Since she was in a lot of pain, I can't predict if she will be fit for the next match,” he concluded.

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