Corinthians boss on Supercopa win: Praises team’s game plan

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Central do Timão

·3 février 2026

Corinthians boss on Supercopa win: Praises team’s game plan

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of last Sunday (1), Corinthians faced Flamengo at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília, in a match valid for the final of the Supercopa do Brasil, and ended up winning by a score of 2-0. The goals for the Alvinegro were scored by Gabriel Paulista and Yuri Alberto. The result meant the team won the competition for the second time in its history, the first being in 1991, also against the same opponent, by 1-0 at Morumbi Stadium.

In a press conference moments after Corinthians secured the title, coach Dorival Júnior spoke to journalists at Mané Garrincha and was asked about comparisons between the Corinthians squad and the Flamengo team. The coach, aware of the differences between the two, praised the collective performance of the Alvinegro team, highlighting the game plan followed as expected and, consequently, neutralizing the opponent’s best aspects.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“Well, the comparisons are real, we have to be aware of that and work so that one day we can have a squad. Compared to this Flamengo squad, in every aspect, it is very well assembled. I think we had a great deal of determination. We followed a well-defined game plan, the players believed in what they were doing on the field. All the instructions we gave, I think, were fundamental for us to press and mark Flamengo’s ball exit at all times, which is a highly positive point of the opposing team. I believe we had some very good moments throughout the 90 minutes, because we alternated movements, changed our style of play, and with the substitutions we also sought to neutralize what Flamengo always does best.”

“I think today Flamengo found a lot of difficulties in their short passing game, which is usually very impressive. I think we had patience and composure. We executed a rehearsed play, exhaustively repeated, which paid off and was fundamental for the outcome. I think, respecting the opposing team a lot, we left here today with a result built by our own ability. First, by understanding and respecting the opponent, believing in a game plan that was developed, studied, passed on and believed in by them so that we could have the performance we had,” he began.

He then praised all the work off the field that has been done by Corinthians in recent months. Even in the face of administrative difficulties, three titles were won in just under a year (Paulistão and Copa do Brasil in 2025, and the Supercopa at the start of 2026). Dorival also emphasized the need to understand the institution’s moment of transition and, at the same time, the creation of a new identity/mentality so that the club from Parque São Jorge continues to achieve success on the field.

“I think it’s a team effort, not a solitary job. It’s work where everyone gave their all, we have a very competent team behind the scenes. We have a group of analysts who are already focused on our next opponent. I think this is a very important fact, they provide us with information at all times so we can adjust and move the pieces in our training, seeking alternative plays that can provide us with positive situations during a match. We studied the entire Flamengo team a lot. Not just for this match, but in the previous match as well. We had already taken the initiative to be a pressing team at all times.”

“And that’s what led us to inhibit many of the actions the opposing team presented. I think it’s an important moment for Corinthians, a search for a new identity, a reaffirmation throughout the process. That’s what I hope happens from now on. That we don’t just stand still celebrating these two achievements, but above all keep moving at all times so that we can, once again, find the best possible condition and make 2026 a very important year for the complete restructuring of the team, naturally, also hoping for the reality and rebuilding of the club,” he continued.

He then recalled his arrival at Corinthians, at the end of April, when the club had just won the state championship and was about to undergo an impeachment process against then-president Augusto Melo. The coach also mentioned, at the time, the various negative news stories coming out in different media outlets. Internally, he highlighted the need to ‘stop’ things that could tarnish the club’s institutional image.

“I think there’s a lot of work involved. A lot of work from many people. It’s not the coaching staff’s work, nor Dorival’s. It’s very serious work, a restructuring. I think from the first day I arrived here, it bothered me to hear negative news every week. And not just about Corinthians, but in general. I even said this to the previous president who was here. And I thank him for giving me the opportunity to be in charge of Corinthians, and then to president Osmar. We needed to turn around these bad, negative stories that were happening all the time within the club. We needed something new, a new situation, a new moment. We needed to work harder so we could find a cleaner path, so we could focus only on our daily training, thinking solely and exclusively about the best possible condition for the athletes.”

He also mentioned the team’s fourth Copa do Brasil title (1995, 2002, 2009, and 2025), won by defeating Vasco da Gama at Maracanã Stadium. During the campaign, the Alvinegro knocked out teams considered favorites (Palmeiras and Cruzeiro) and, in theory, superior, with greater capacity for large investments and a better financial situation. The Corinthians coach also mentioned the team’s campaign in the last Brasileirão, where the club from Parque São Jorge finished only mid-table, with 47 points, often playing well—but not translating performances into positive results due to factors such as lack of efficiency and a high number of absences.

“They also understood that they would have a huge responsibility ahead. I think winning the Copa do Brasil is not a random title the way it happened. A team conceding only, I think, three goals in the competition. Achieving very interesting results, all of them away from home, beating all the teams on the road, against great opponents, opponents that were much more established than us at that time. So I think it’s a sum of everything that was developed last year. That’s why I told you, within the Brazilian championship itself, the results don’t reflect what Corinthians was doing. Corinthians played good matches, dominated their games, sometimes conceded a goal, suffered incredible defeats, won games but couldn’t extend the lead, and ended up losing. So, we saw good things happening.“

“Now, we had countless difficulties last year that greatly compromised our team’s progress throughout the process. But overall, I’m very happy to have helped and participated in a moment of recovery for a club that no one believed could reach a competition final. The players were very faithful to what was proposed, to the understanding they had, to their dedication and commitment. I feel proud to be in charge of a squad that was willing to go after it. Even if perhaps not receiving the recognition that many had. That wasn’t our case. But even so, I think we created a situation where we deserved it. That’s what’s important now”, he added.

Dorival Júnior analyzed the development process of midfielders André Luiz and Breno Bidon, aged 19 and 20 respectively, both products of the Corinthians youth academy. The first was promoted during the second half of last year and, despite little professional experience, has caught the fans’ attention with his physical presence and ability to break up play and reach the box. Number 7, on the other hand, has been in the first team since early 2024, when he was named the star of Timãozinho’s campaign in the Copa São Paulo. In just over 100 games with the professional squad, he has three goals and three assists, as well as three other titles—starting in all of them: Paulistão (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa (2026).

“I think it’s gratifying to be able to follow the growth of a player like this. I’ve always believed that a player reaches a certain maturity once he completes 70 to 120 games for his club. Naturally, this varies, except for those who are world-class and reach this stage a little earlier. But these are two players of excellent quality, they’ve shown that, and that’s why they earned a starting spot in the team. Players who are preparing themselves a lot, giving us a very important response, and we’re watching Bidon’s growth at every moment. It’s satisfying to see the evolution of an athlete like him. And I hope he stays here. There are no limits to what he can achieve throughout his career”, he said.

Finally, he was asked about the ‘secrets’ of Corinthians in knockout tournaments, where the team often performs above expectations and faces supposedly superior opponents on equal footing. In his answer, he cited as an example the difficulty of repeating the starting lineup on many occasions last year due to injuries and suspensions.

“I don’t think it’s just that. I think we had a breakdown throughout the entire Brazilian championship. That cost us dearly. I don’t remember having, for example, Carrillo, Garro, Memphis, and Yuri together more than six or seven times, counting the time. Eight, ten times, counting the Copa do Brasil matches. All of them available for me to choose whether to use all four or not. So, I think that really affected the performance of a group, of a team that sees these players as references, who are very important for our formation.”

“With them, I think our team gets much stronger and everyone starts to believe even more. When we’re missing them, our difficulties increase. So for me, that was a point that really unbalanced things last year. That’s why I’m working a lot with Marcelo, the president, so that we can have a slightly more homogeneous squad, a little closer to what we need, understanding our reality, but within the conditions we need, so we can have a more consistent championship. next year, or rather, within this year,” he concluded.

After almost a year at Corinthians, Dorival Jr already has two titles with the club: Copa do Brasil (2025) and Supercopa do Brasil (2026). In 51 matches in charge of the Alvinegro, there have been 21 wins, 14 draws, and 16 losses—56 goals scored and 49 conceded—a 51% success rate.

After winning the Supercopa do Brasil, beating Flamengo convincingly, the club from Parque São Jorge will return to the pitch this Thursday (5), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Capivariano at Neo Química Arena, for the sixth round of the first phase of the Campeonato Paulista.

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