Why Memphis skipped Corinthians training before Copa do Brasil final | OneFootball

The absence of Memphis Depay from Corinthians' training sessions before the first game of the Copa do Brasil final drew attention and gained traction after the goalless draw against Vasco at the Neo Química Arena. The situation gained even more spotlight after the striker's reaction of dissatisfaction when he was substituted in the second half of the match.

According to ge, the Dutch striker did not suffer any new injury. The decision to rest him was made jointly by the coaching staff and the physical preparation department as part of a load management strategy, aiming to avoid greater fatigue before the decisive match on Sunday (21) at Maracanã.

In a press conference after the first leg, coach Dorival Júnior explained Memphis's substitution at the 38th minute of the second half, highlighting concerns about the player's physical condition.

— Memphis was substituted with ten minutes left in the game to prevent further fatigue. If he suffers an injury, we wouldn't have him on Sunday. He will have 90 minutes to help us — stated Dorival.

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Memphis Depay on the field for Corinthians in the Copa do Brasil final against Vasco — Photo: Marcos Ribolli

Recent history and physical strain

Memphis is recovering from a bone edema in his left knee, an issue that sidelined him from three matches in the Brazilian Championship. The striker recently returned, coming on in the second half of the match against Juventude.

In the Copa do Brasil semifinal against Cruzeiro, he started in the first leg but was substituted before the final whistle. In the return match, he played the full 90 minutes, plus extra time and the penalty shootout. Against Vasco, he showed irritation when leaving the field at the end of the second half.

Besides the knee issue, the Dutchman suffered five other injuries throughout the 2025 season. Even so, by playing in the final, he will reach 51 matches in the season, equaling the highest number of games played in a single year in his career — a feat achieved in 2017/2018 when he played for Lyon, France.

Heavy schedule and squad at the limit

The tight schedule of 2025 directly impacted the physical performance of the Corinthians squad. The sequence of four decisive Copa do Brasil matches in just 11 days pushed the group to its limit.

Other key players, such as Raniele, Rodrigo Garro, and Yuri Alberto, also faced muscle problems in recent weeks and did not arrive in full physical condition for the final.

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Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco.

— We did everything possible to seek recovery. Evaluations, conversations, and precautions to avoid a lack of energy on the field. Even so, many athletes were not in their best condition — explained Dorival.

Season numbers

With the Copa do Brasil final at Maracanã, Corinthians will end the season with 74 matches played, matching the years 2012 and 2019 as the most demanding in the club's recent history.

So far, Timão has 34 wins, 19 draws, and 20 losses, with a success rate of 55.25%. In 2025, the club participated in five competitions: won the Paulista Championship, was eliminated in the group stage of the South American Cup, fell in the pre-Libertadores, finished the Brasileirão in 13th place, and reached the Copa do Brasil final.

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