Angileri eyes derby start in natural role for Corinthians | OneFootball

Argentine Fabrizio Angileri, from Corinthians, sees the derby against Santos as a good opportunity to return to his original role: left back. The ball rolls this Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Vila Belmiro, for the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship.

With Matheus Bidu suspended, Angileri is expected to start the game in the position, ahead of Hugo in the race for the spot. In the previous match, against Mirassol, the Argentine played less than ten minutes in the role, precisely when he replaced the No. 21.

Signed to strengthen the left side of the defense, Angileri went through a tactical adaptation under Dorival Júnior, playing in more defensive roles to give greater balance to Corinthians’ system, which was experiencing a period of instability.

The Argentine’s last match as a starter at left back was the 1–1 draw with Palmeiras on August 31, in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão, at Neo Química Arena.

New role under Dorival

Since the end of the penultimate FIFA Date, in September, the Argentine left back Angileri has been used by Corinthians in a role different from the one he was signed for: as a third center-back.

In the four matches played by Timão during this period – against Athletico-PR, Fluminense, Sport and Internacional – the player, who has always operated at left back, was lined up as a central piece in defense within Dorival Júnior’s 3-5-2 system.

The coach’s choice stands out, especially in the last two fixtures. Even with Cacá, Félix Torres and João Pedro Tchoca available on the bench and fit to play, Dorival chose to improvise Angileri in the third spot in defense.

Accustomed to attacking and supporting the offensive sector, the Argentine had to adapt to a more centralized role, with distinct defensive responsibilities, including direct marking, cover, and a safer ball exit.

In the 3-5-2 setup, the fullback moves closer to the center of defense, freeing the wingbacks to push up while maintaining the back line’s compactness. The Argentine’s movements, therefore, are not limited to containment but also support in the build-up, facilitating quick transitions to attack. Angileri’s adaptation has a direct impact on Corinthians’ dynamics.

While it strengthens defensive consistency, especially against teams that exploit spaces between the lines, the improvisation also requires the rest of the team to stay alert to compensate for potential imbalances on the flank.

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