William Batista on academy trio joining Corinthians first-team training

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Central do Timão

·8 de enero de 2026

William Batista on academy trio joining Corinthians first-team training

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians ended up with a goalless draw against Luverdense last Tuesday night (6th), at Estádio Zezinho Magalhães, in Jaú, during the second round of the group stage of the 2026 São Paulo Cup. The result placed the team in second position in Group 8 with four points, needing only a draw in the last round to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

The coach of Timãozinho, William Batista, gave an interview to Meu Timão right after the match ended and commented on the three absences he had for the match: right-back João Vitor ‘Jacaré’ (2007), midfielder Luiz Gustavo Bahia (2006), and midfielder Gui Amorim (2008), called by coach Dorival Júnior to join the main team's training sessions.

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Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

In their places, the Alvinegro called midfielder Lucca Caramicco and forwards Jonathan Domingues (Dodô) and Drude. The trio was already registered in the tournament but was not in Jaú with the Corinthians delegation for economic reasons, according to the board's statement to Meu Timão.

“We have to work for the main team. We are happy for the boys going to the main team again. They were already there. I think Corinthians did well last year, had a great opportunity to do this, turned difficulties into a great opportunity to reveal players, and managed to do so. The players delivered and are there. We are happy for this reason”, he began.

In the starting lineup for the game against Luverdense, the substitutes were right-back Guilherme Pellegrin, midfielder Caraguá, and midfielder Luiz Eduardo. The coach compared the characteristics of the two trios. Jacaré had been training with the professional squad in the second half of 2025, as well as Bahia. Gui Amorim, top scorer and standout of the Under-17 last year, was even listed for the last round of the Brasileirão and is being monitored by Dorival Júnior.

“Of course, within this, we tried to make the changes that we believed would have more effect regarding their departure. Caraguá provides a little more defensive support, a little more entry into the final third. Luiz Eduardo has similar characteristics to Amorim himself: he is a number 10, more about passing, more about possession as well. Pellegrin is a full-back who provides less strength than Jacaré but offers more attack from the inside and more association through passes. It's an opportunity for them. I think this is important because those who are having the opportunity, those who are staying here, are also having it”, he said.

In the first week of the Corinthians squad's return for 2026, which will have five competitions (Supercopa do Brasil, Paulistão, Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa do Brasil, and Conmebol Libertadores), coach Dorival Júnior is dealing with the following absences: midfielder José Martínez (bureaucratic issue with renewing his Italian passport), forward Yuri Alberto (in Italy for obtaining his Italian citizenship), as well as midfielder Raniele and forward Memphis Depay (both undergoing physical recovery work inside the Dr. Joaquim Grava Training Center).

Besides them, left-back Fabrizio Angileri (awaiting the outcome of contract renewal negotiations) and midfielder Maycon (end of loan contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine, and likely transfer to Atlético-MG, are absences). Defender Renato (developed in the Corinthians youth system and out of plans after returning from a loan at Atlético-GO), midfielder Alex Santana, and forward Héctor Hernández are sidelined and training separately from the squad.

In the São Paulo Cup, Corinthians returns to the field this Friday (9th), at 6:15 PM (Brasília time), at Estádio Zezinho Magalhães, in Jaú, for the third and final round of the group stage of the 2026 Copinha. The Alvinegro only needs a draw against the leader of Group 8, with six points and already qualified for the knockout stage, to advance.

Since the end of August 2025 at Corinthians, William Batista has accumulated seven games in charge of Timãozinho, with four wins, two draws, and one loss – a 67% success rate – nine goals scored and six conceded.

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