Labyad impresses at Corinthians, set for Brasileirão debut | OneFootball

The Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad has caught the attention of Corinthians' coaching staff due to his performance in training sessions held at CT Joaquim Grava. According to ge.globo, the player has been nicknamed “Zaka” internally and is already being prepared to be available for the match against Coritiba, scheduled for next Wednesday.

When he joined the club, the initial idea was for Labyad to undergo a sort of individual pre-season before being fully integrated into the squad. The player hadn't played since November of last year, and there was some caution regarding his physical condition, especially since he had recently played in Chinese football, which is considered less demanding compared to Brazilian football.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

As soon as he received clearance from the physical preparation team to start ball work, the attacking midfielder pleasantly surprised everyone, including coach Dorival Júnior. During this adaptation period, to facilitate communication within the club, the athlete began to be called “Zaka.”

In training, Labyad has been used as a speed option in the offensive midfield sector. The coaching staff has been testing the player operating closer to the forwards than the defensive midfielders, participating in playmaking, infiltrating the opponent's area, and also finishing when the opportunity arises.

This role on the field differs from the role played by Argentine Rodrigo Garro, for example, who usually acts as a more classic organizer for the team. While Garro stands out for his passing and game distribution, the new Corinthians signing showcases characteristics geared towards dribbling in tight spaces and quick connections between offensive sectors.

With good physical condition and satisfactory performance in recent activities, Labyad is expected to be listed for the match next Wednesday (11) against Coritiba, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena. The tendency is for the Moroccan to start the match as an option on the bench and, depending on the course of the game, have the chance to make his debut wearing the Corinthians jersey.

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