Corinthians face eight absences for Copa do Brasil opener at Barra | OneFootball

Corinthians open their Copa do Brasil campaign on Tuesday at 21:30 in Florianópolis, visiting Barra at the Ressacada for the first leg of the fifth phase. Fernando Diniz must handle a stretched squad.

According to Meu Timao, the club have eight absentees through injuries and illness. In defence, goalkeeper Hugo Souza felt muscular pain and did not travel, centre-back João Pedro Tchoca remains out with pain in the pubis, and left-back Hugo Farias is recovering from arthroscopy on his right knee.

In midfield, Charles continues treatment on a heel injury and André Luiz is sidelined by flu. Alex Santana, reintegrated last week and registered, is omitted by technical choice as he works on conditioning.

Up front, Memphis Depay has a right thigh muscle injury and teenager Gui Negão is returning from a grade 2 strain. Punishments issued by the STJD to Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho and André Luiz apply only to the Brasileiro and do not bar them from the cup. The goalkeeper and the midfielder stayed in São Paulo, while the right-back travelled.

This is the club’s 11th match in 41 days, a run likely to prompt Diniz to rotate for the first time since taking over. Despite the tie’s importance, an alternative side is expected. The clubs meet for the first time, with the return set for 14 May at 19:30 at Neo Química Arena to decide the last 16 place.

Source: Meu Timao