New leadership and uneven months as Corinthians return to Maracanã after Copa do Brasil triumph | OneFootball

Corinthians face Fluminense at the Maracanã on Wednesday at 21:30 in the ninth round of the Brasileiro, their first visit since December’s Copa do Brasil crown. Meu Timao reports sweeping change since then on and off the pitch.

Executive Fabinho Soldado left on 23 December. Marcelo Paz arrived from Fortaleza’s SAF on 27 December, started in early January, and has prioritised finances, clearing the Santos Laguna debt in mid-January to lift a FIFA ban, while CAS ordered about R$7.2 million to Shakhtar within 45 days.

Eleven departures trimmed about R$1.5 million a month. Héctor Hernández, who joined Gil Vicente, and Fagner had contracts rescinded, others left on loan, and Maycon, Talles Magno and Ángel Romero were not renewed. José Martínez departed by mutual consent after a late return and an ACL injury, with Corinthians to pay part of his salary.

Once able to register again, Corinthians targeted low-cost deals, adding free agents Gabriel Paulista and Jesse Lingard and a series of loans, including Matheus Pereira. The only fee was R$1.8 million for Pereira’s loan. Paulista is a regular and Lingard could debut on Wednesday, while Milan’s €17 million offer for academy midfielder André Luiz was rejected.

They opened with a 3-0 win, lost to Bahia in their league opener, then beat Flamengo 2-0 to lift the Supercopa. Since beating Athletico-PR, a run of draws and defeats, including a Paulistão semi-final exit, leaves 19 matches at seven wins, seven draws, five losses, goals 20-15, making tonight a chance to reset.

Source: Meu Timao