Corinthians nick it late at home to Atlético-MG, climb the table | OneFootball

On Sunday night (24), Corinthians faced Atlético-MG at Neo Química Arena in a match valid for the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship and won 1-0. Corinthians’ goal was scored by midfielder Zakaria Labyad late in the second half. With the result, Corinthians move up to 15th place with 21 points — five wins, six draws and six losses — with 15 goals scored and 18 conceded.

Corinthians’ coaching staff had four absences for the match: center-back João Pedro Tchoca (recovering from inguinal hernia surgery), left-back Hugo Farias (recovering from arthroscopy on his right knee), as well as forwards Vitinho (pain in his right hip) and Kayke (surgical procedure on the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)).

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

With that, coach Fernando Diniz started the match with: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gabriel Paulista, Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu; Raniele (Allan), André Luiz (Memphis Depay), Breno Bidon (André Carrillo) and Rodrigo Garro (Zakaria Labyad); Jesse Lingard (Kaio César) and Yuri Alberto.

The bench options were: Kauê Camargo, André Ramalho, Pedro Milans, Fabrizio Angileri, Allan, Charles, André Carrillo, Alex Santana, Matheus Pereira, Dieguinho, Zakaria Labyad, Kaio César, Memphis Depay and Pedro Raul.

Atlético-MG lineup

Argentine coach Eduardo Dominguez chose to start the match with the following players: Everson; Natanael, Ruan Tressoldi, Junior Alonso and Renan Lodi; Alan Franco, Maycon, Victor Hugo and Bernard; Tomás Cuello and Cassierra.

The substitutes were: Gabriel Delfim, Preciado, Lyanco, Vitor Hugo, Pascini, Alexsander, Perez, Cissé, Reinier, A. Minda, Cauã Soares and Dudu.

Officiating

The referee was Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS), assisted by Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) and Anne Kesy Gomes de Sá (AM). The fourth official and VAR were, respectively, Gustavo Ervino Bauermann (SC) and Paulo Renato Moreira da Silva Coelho (RJ).

Next match

After facing Atlético-MG at home in the Brazilian Championship, Corinthians turn their attention back to the sixth and final round of the Conmebol Libertadores group stage. Next Wednesday (27), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), Timão will host Argentina’s Platense, also at Neo Química Arena.

Already guaranteed a place in the round of 16 and sitting top of Group E with 11 points — three wins and two draws, with eight goals scored and two conceded — Corinthians go into the final round aiming to secure the best overall record in the group stage. If they do, they will be able to play all of their knockout matches at home in Itaquera through the semifinals, since the final is played as a single match at a neutral venue.

First half

The opening minutes between Corinthians and Atlético-MG saw the home side trying to press the opponent’s buildup after a long ball from Hugo Souza. Two minutes in, Atlético-MG played out from the back and Júnior Alonso tried to send Cuello down the right flank, but Bidu tracked back and let the ball run out.

Right after that, Jesse Lingard combined with Rodrigo Garro on the left. Wearing No. 8, Garro made an individual play and was fouled near the sideline. He took the set piece himself and sent it into the box, but Atlético-MG’s defense cleared it. In the fourth minute, after picking up the loose ball, Matheuzinho crossed, André Luiz laid it off first time to Yuri Alberto, and Gustavo Henrique, inside the box, hit a low shot wide! Timão’s first big chance of the match!

After that, Atlético-MG tried to respond on the counter through Cuello, but Raniele came in strongly to win the ball back. In the fifth minute, Matheuzinho switched play beautifully to Matheus Bidu on the left. The No. 21, unmarked, crossed into the area, but Atlético’s defense cleared again. Right after, the visitors answered with another counterattack through Cassierra. He found Victor Hugo near the byline, and Raniele, once again, slid in to block and came away with the ball.

Later, Yuri Alberto was sent through down the left, held the ball up and drove toward the byline, where his cross was blocked by midfielder Maycon. After the corner, following a scramble inside the area, the opposing defense cleared. In the ninth minute, Garro tried to launch a counterattack but misplaced his pass, which was intercepted by Cuello. The No. 28 surged forward and was fouled by the Argentine in midfield. From the free kick, No. 28 shot over Hugo Souza’s goal.

At the 10-minute mark, Jesse Lingard won the ball high up the pitch and spotted Rodrigo Garro making a run toward the byline. The Englishman played the pass, but the No. 8 got tangled up and carried the ball out of play. Two minutes later, Garro handled the ball after a challenge with Bernard. From the free kick, Atlético’s No. 11 took the shot and Corinthians’ defense cleared.

In the 14th minute, Atlético-MG played out from the back and Maycon switched play well to Renan Lodi on the left wing. The No. 16 reached the byline and crossed for Alan Franco, who was dispossessed by center-back Gabriel Paulista. A minute later, Bernard crossed from right to left, Lodi won the duel and, just as he was about to shoot, Matheuzinho came in to block and Hugo Souza gathered the ball.

Next, Lodi received the ball free on the left and, as he went to shoot, Breno Bidon slid in to block. On the rebound, Bernard crossed and Hugo Souza punched it away! Then Atlético-MG’s left-back lofted another ball into the area, Corinthians’ goalkeeper let it go, and Cuello almost managed to turn it into the net.

In the 18th minute, Atlético-MG built from deep, Cuello received on the right, cut inside and, when trying an individual move, was tackled by the Corinthians midfield. Three minutes later, the Minas Gerais side, in a move switched to the right, found Cuello free on the opposite side. The No. 28 burst forward and whipped in a cross that went straight out of play.

After starting the match at a better pace, Atlético-MG looked slightly superior by the midway point of the first half. Both teams had attacking volume, but lacked precision in the final third. In the 22nd minute, Timão threatened again. In a move built down the left, Matheus Bidu received the ball, drove forward and spotted Breno Bidon alone at the edge of the box, but the No. 7 shot straight wide!

In the next play, Atlético-MG responded again through Cuello. The No. 28 switched sides and was found on the left. He received it, shifted onto his right foot and, trying to cross toward Victor Hugo, sent the ball straight out for a goal kick. In the 25th minute, after a midfield duel, Maycon tried to play Bernard in behind Matheuzinho, but Hugo Souza came off his line quickly to collect the ball.

In the 27th minute, Atlético-MG played out down the left side of defense, Renan Lodi carried it forward on the left and, seeing Hugo Souza off his line, tried to surprise him, but the No. 1 gathered the ball without trouble. A minute later, Jesse Lingard received the ball in midfield and shot, with a deflection, out for a corner. Garro delivered it to the near post and Atlético’s defense cleared the danger.

In the 30th minute, Natanael found Victor Hugo near the right touchline, in behind Matheus Bidu, but midfielder Raniele dispossessed No. 30 and even won a goal kick. Shortly after, Corinthians tried to build down the left with Garro, but he was tackled. On the loose ball, André Luiz was about to shoot, but Bernard won it back.

In the following move, Atlético-MG responded down the left. Renan Lodi crossed toward Matheuzinho’s side and Cuello turned it into the back of the net. The goal, however, was ruled out because No. 28 was offside. In the 36th minute, Corinthians, with possession on the left, saw Matheus Bidu fouled hard by Cuello. Rodrigo Garro delivered a wide free kick and André Luiz headed wide!

At the 40-minute mark, midfielder Raniele received the ball in the center and tried to send Yuri Alberto through down the left, but Atlético-MG’s defense cleared. Two minutes later, Corinthians built a move down the right and found Garro through the middle. When the No. 8 went to shoot from midfield range, his effort was blocked. In the 44th minute, André Luiz received the ball with his back to goal at the edge of the box and laid it off for Garro, whose low shot went straight into Everson’s hands.

When the clock hit 45 minutes, two more were added. At 47, the first half ended. Score: Corinthians 0-0 Atlético-MG. The first half saw Corinthians impose themselves in the opening minutes, but as the game developed, the team from Minas Gerais spent more time in the attacking third, creating some chances and controlling Corinthians’ rhythm.

Second half

To begin the second half, coach Fernando Diniz made one substitution, Timão’s first of the match. Forward Kaio César replaced midfielder Jesse Lingard. The opening minutes of the second half saw the Black-and-White side trying to exploit balls in behind, while the team from Minas Gerais adopted a compact shape in its own half.

In the second minute, Kaio César received the ball on the right wing, took on his marker, tried to get past Renan Lodi, but was dispossessed and appealed for a foul, which the referee did not give. Right after, Yuri Alberto was found near the byline on the left and sent in a low cross, but Maycon cleared. Timão started the second half on the front foot and trying to push the opposition back.

In the fourth minute, Corinthians built through the middle with Matheus Bidu. The No. 21 found Yuri Alberto, but No. 9 was dispossessed by Natanael, who kicked the ball off the striker to win a goal kick. In the fifth minute, Timão moved the ball from side to side until it reached Matheuzinho. The No. 2 crossed into the area, the ball passed everyone and dropped on the left. Bidon and Garro tried to combine and, when the ball reached the byline, the opposing defense blocked it and earned a goal kick.

Soon after, the Black-and-White side tried to counter down the left with Yuri Alberto. The No. 9 received it, drove inside and found Garro. The No. 8 tried to flick it with his heel for someone arriving on the right, but Atlético-MG’s defense intervened and the ball ended up in Everson’s hands, and he played it out with Bernard.

In the ninth minute, Atlético-MG built a move down the right. Victor Hugo made an individual run, got past Raniele, and No. 30 sent in a low cross toward striker Cassierra, but Gustavo Henrique cleared the danger. In the 11th minute, Raniele fouled an opponent in the right midfield area. Bernard’s free kick hit Kaio César.

In the 13th minute, Corinthians tried to counter down the left with Raniele and Kaio César. No. 37 set himself and blasted it over. Two minutes later, two more changes for Timão: midfielder Allan and forward Memphis Depay came on for Raniele and André Luiz, respectively. The Dutchman returned to the pitch after more than two months.

In the 18th minute, Corinthians built through the middle with Matheus Bidu, Matheuzinho, Rodrigo Garro and Breno Bidon, until the ball reached Memphis Depay. The No. 10 received it and drove toward the byline on the right, but his cross was blocked by midfielder Maycon. From the right-side corner, Rodrigo Garro delivered it straight into Everson’s hands.

By the midway point of the second half, the match lacked inspiration from both sides in terms of creating clear chances. In the 23rd minute, Cassierra was played through on the right, but Hugo Souza anticipated well and came off his line to claim the ball! A minute later, Breno Bidon and Kaio César worked a move down the left. No. 37 made an individual play, shifted onto his left foot and shot straight into Everson’s hands!

Next, the team from Minas Gerais tried to counter with Alan Minda, but Gustavo Henrique won the ball back in midfield. Then Cuello made an individual play down the left, left Matheus Bidu behind and crossed for Cassierra, who miskicked it, and the ball ended up in Hugo Souza’s hands. Right after, Galo built another attack down the left, Renan Lodi crossed and Bernard headed wide.

In the 28th minute, Kaio César cut onto his left foot and crossed, but Yuri Alberto failed to control it and Memphis Depay lost his duel at the edge of the box. Moments later, Garro overhit a cross straight out of play. Two minutes later, Timão made their fourth change: midfielder Rodrigo Garro left the pitch and Zakaria Labyad came on.

Then Kaio César made an individual run down the right and was hit by a hard foul. Matheuzinho sent the free kick in wide, Memphis failed to get his header away, and Atlético’s defense tried to clear. At the 30-minute mark, Atlético-MG tried to threaten through the middle, but Matheuzinho covered well and Hugo Souza gathered the ball and played it out.

In the 35th minute, Corinthians made their final substitution: midfielder Breno Bidon left the pitch and André Carrillo came on. Three minutes later, Matheus Bidu was dispossessed in attack and Allan Minda tried to launch a counterattack, but Gustavo Henrique won it back in midfield! In the 40th minute, Corinthians built from the back, Matheuzinho received the ball, cut inside and hit a left-footed shot that Everson saved!

At 42, Allan found Memphis through the middle, No. 10 tried to set it up, but Atlético’s defense cleared. One minute later, Corinthians’ opening goal! Kaio César found Matheuzinho on the right, No. 2 crossed, and Labyad hit it first time to open the scoring! When the clock reached 45 minutes, five more were added.

At 46, Yuri received the ball in behind and tried to pick out Memphis Depay at the edge of the box, but Atlético-MG’s defense cleared. At 50 minutes, full-time: Corinthians 1-0 Atlético-MG!

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