Matheuzinho on Corinthians win, STJD ban and Diniz impact | OneFootball

After Corinthians’ 1-0 win over Barra-SC on Tuesday night (21), in the first leg of the fifth round of the Copa do Brasil, right-back Matheuzinho gave an interview and commented on the result, the team’s current moment, and adapting to coach Fernando Diniz’s work.

The player highlighted the importance of the away win and Timão’s positive defensive run, as the team reached five consecutive matches without conceding a goal.

Photo: Isabela Silva/Agência Corinthians

“I don’t think it’s pressure, I think it’s something that helps us go onto the field and defend the title we won in the past. But, like I said, that stays in the past — now we’re thinking about the future. We knew we were going to face a team that isn’t nationally known, but they are the Santa Catarina state champions. And it was going to be a very difficult match, so we came in with the mindset to win and not concede, and that’s what happened. So it was a very important victory, and now we’ve gone five games without conceding, which is very important for us defenders. And it’s important for the team too, right? The fewer goals we concede, the closer we are to winning”, he said.

Matheuzinho also commented on the punishment handed down by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) after his sending-off in the derby against Palmeiras, and revealed how he took the decision.

“Man, I was upset, right? Because it was the first red card of my career, and I’ll have to serve it, that’s part of it. So now it’s about waiting, right? Seeing what Corinthians can do, and there’s nothing else to do, right? Serve these four games and, in the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil matches, I’ll be ready, I’ll be prepared to play. And when I’m able to return in the Brasileirão, I’ll be ready,” he said.

When asked whether the punishment was fair, the full-back took a cautious tone.

“Man, I don’t know. Since it was my first time being sent off, I don’t know how this punishment issue works. So if they decided it was four games, then that was their decision”, he added.

On the field, the No. 2 also analyzed the tactical changes promoted by Fernando Diniz, especially using attacking players in wider positions, which directly impacts his role on the right side.

“Man, I like it. I like it because I was a player who, in the youth ranks, always played with a winger on my side; even at Flamengo, I always played with a winger. So when that changed and there wasn’t a winger in front of me, I had to adapt. So it’s easier for me when I have a winger there helping me, we have a really good connection. And that’s the case with Dieguinho, with Vitinho, even Kaio, who came on there in the second half. So I feel good, and I hope I can help them with goals,” he explained.

The full-back also highlighted the day-to-day work with the coach and the main points emphasized by the technical staff.

“I’m enjoying it. It’s a different way of working, and it’s very good, because you get a lot of information on the field. And he makes it very clear that we’re there to try, make mistakes, and try again. But one thing he demands a lot from everyone, and for me it’s making a huge difference, is marking. And I think that if we focus 100% on our defending this year, we’ll tend not to concede goals, just like we’ve been doing in this run. So we’ll be closer to achieving great things”, he said.

Finally, Matheuzinho commented on the adjustments made at halftime that contributed to an improvement in the team’s performance in the second half.

“At halftime, he emphasized our attitude a lot, us wanting to speed up the game, because we were being a little too passive, but still trying to get forward maybe in any way possible. He wanted that change in attitude, the idea of being quicker and more effective. And that’s what happened — we managed to move the ball faster, switch play. And because of that, we gave Barra fewer counterattacks. So, one way or another, that makes things a little easier for our defense, which isn’t left so exposed. So I think that was the change in the second half, so we could have more attacking momentum”, he concluded.

With the win, Corinthians took the advantage in the tie and will decide qualification at home. Before that, the team returns to the field in the Brazilian Championship this Sunday (26), at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), against Vasco at Neo Química Arena.

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