Emiliano Díaz on Corinthians’ 2025 Paulista title journey | OneFootball

One year after winning the 2025 Campeonato Paulista, former Corinthians assistant coach Emiliano Díaz recalled memorable moments from the final against Palmeiras. The title was sealed after a goalless draw at Neo Química Arena, a result that secured the trophy for Timão thanks to the 1-0 win in the first leg at Allianz Parque.

In an interview with GE, Emiliano spoke about the pressure surrounding the final and highlighted the emotional weight the clash carried for both the squad and the coaching staff.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Before recalling specific moments from the match, the former assistant explained the scale of the responsibility the group felt in playing the final against its biggest rival.

“The pressure was extreme. It was very painful because we knew we had no choice but to win. Our rival could not lift the trophy in our home. It was a matter of honor, the group understood that […] We won many titles (referring to Ramón Díaz’s coaching staff), but this one has a special flavor because it was with one of the biggest clubs we’ve worked for.”

Another moment Emiliano remembered was Rodrigo Garro’s physical condition in the week leading up to the final. The midfielder was dealing with knee pain and had the coaching staff worried. He had not played in the first leg of the final, and his participation in the decisive match was uncertain. According to Emiliano, the possibility of the Argentine being unavailable would have forced major changes to the team’s tactical system.

“Gordo (Garro) couldn’t move, couldn’t walk. We had to come up with another tactical plan, completely different. It’s hard to make that change because the system was built around a very classic attacking midfielder. If Gordo wasn’t there, we would have had to change the system. We were very worried. When Gordo left training, he told me: ‘Relax, I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.’ I knew he was going to play.”

The assistant also said that he received a call from the player on the morning of the match, confirming that he would be on the field even with physical limitations.

“In the morning, he called me at 9 a.m. and said: ‘I’m going to play even if it’s the last thing I do.’ When a player comes to you and says something like that, it’s impossible for it not to work out. If a player gives his life, puts his career on the line for one match, it can’t not work out. We were more at ease, Gordo got an injection, very painful. He played a fantastic match, we needed him.”

The final was also marked by a decisive moment in the second half, when Palmeiras were awarded a penalty. Hugo Souza saved Raphael Veiga’s spot kick and preserved the result that guaranteed Corinthians the title. For Emiliano, the goalkeeper had already inspired confidence in the coaching staff and the squad even before the kick was taken.

“Fate does things you can’t understand. We had a lot of confidence in Hugo Souza, we knew he was one of the best in Brazil. We didn’t want to go through that, it was Félix’s mistake, but it happened. We knew he would save it. He’s a guy destined to do great things. We didn’t like it, we didn’t want to suffer so much to win the title.”

Another point highlighted by the former assistant was the atmosphere created by the Corinthians fans at Neo Química Arena during the final stretch of the match. According to him, the crowd played an important role in pushing the team in the closing minutes of the final.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. There were 20 minutes left and the game was over. They (the fans) started celebrating as if to say: ‘The game is over.’ They infected everything from the outside in, and the team understood that the final was over. We started fighting, playing ugly, there were no more passes, it was just a battle. Football is like that sometimes. You have to adapt to the moment.”

Even with the aggregate lead, Emiliano said the tension on the bench continued until the final whistle.

“As a coach, I wasn’t happy. I wanted to win and do what we had trained for, which was to attack them. It was a desperate moment for them because they had to come at us, and we had to get the counterattacks right. We all got swept up in that wave of emotion and we also wanted to fight. They have a lot to do with this title, especially the final.”

For Emiliano, the achievement had special meaning, especially because it brought Corinthians a title again after a few years without lifting trophies. The assistant highlighted the club’s relationship with its fans and the impact the title had on Corinthians supporters.

“If you do a job for people who are suffering and have the chance to make them happy, that means being blessed. When the game ended, I thought: ‘Man, half the country is happy.’ We felt that Corinthians was back. It’s a club that always has to fight for titles, it’s the first or second biggest in Brazil. We wanted to break that so Corinthians could go back to being Corinthians. I think we left our grain of sand.”

During the interview, Emiliano also commented on the possibility of working at Corinthians again in the future. According to him, the bond created with the club and the fans means that possibility remains open.

“The only way that won’t happen is if I die. I’m sure this story isn’t over.”

Lastly, Emiliano also commented on the current state of South American football and spoke about Argentine opponents in continental competitions. While assessing the current situation of an Argentine team mentioned in the interview, the former assistant pointed out the difficulties of playing away from home, but said Corinthians have what it takes to advance.

“Today, Platense are not going through a good moment. It’s not the championship-winning team it was a year ago. Playing against Argentine sides in the Libertadores is always a battle, a fight. Quality has to impose itself. Today, Brazil is far bigger than Argentina at league level. Playing there is difficult, it’s a small, bad field. You have to adapt quickly because it won’t be easy. If Corinthians impose themselves in the battles, they will definitely win. If you’re a little off your game, you’ll suffer. I’m sure Corinthians have the team to get through and compete.”

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