Ex-Corinthians player warns Fernando Diniz, wants calmer team | OneFootball

The expulsions of Corinthians players in the goalless draw against Palmeiras last Sunday, in the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship, at Neo Química Arena, are still causing repercussions. This time, the one to comment on the episode was Fábio Santos, former club full-back and current pundit, who warned coach Fernando Diniz about the need for emotional balance on the pitch.

In the former player’s view, Diniz tends to intensely fire up his teams, which can be positive, but it also requires control so as not to cross limits that harm the team during matches with unnecessary cards.

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“Diniz is a guy who really fires up the teams he works with, but he has to find that balance. You can’t have two players sent off, it’s taking too much risk against a great team. It’s something that needs to be discussed within the Corinthians squad, because you can’t have two players sent off in a derby. It can cost you very dearly in the end”, he said during an appearance on ESPN’s Resenha da Rodada program.

Still in the first half of the Derby, defensive midfielder André Luiz was sent off straight away. After being fouled in a challenge with Andreas Pereira, the 19-year-old player made an obscene gesture as he got up, which led referee Flávio Rodrigues de Souza to show the red card after a VAR review.

In the second half, the situation was repeated with Matheuzinho. The full-back punched Flaco López in the face and initially received a second yellow card. However, after another video review of the incident, the referee chose to change the decision and send him off straight away.

With the two dismissals, the players will be unavailable for the next round of the Brazilian Championship. Corinthians face Vitória on Saturday, April 18, at 8 p.m., at Barradão, in the 12th round. The team currently sits in 16th place with 11 points, just one above Cruzeiro, the first team in the relegation zone.

Before that, however, both can still be used by Fernando Diniz in the Copa Libertadores. Timão return to the pitch next Wednesday, when they host Colombia’s Independiente Santa Fe at 9:30 p.m. at Neo Química Arena, in the second round of Group E.

A club idol, Fábio Santos had two spells with Corinthians, between 2011 and 2015 and then from 2021 to 2023, when he retired. In total, he played 374 matches in the black-and-white shirt, totaling 185 wins, 113 draws and 76 defeats, as well as 32 goals and 17 assists. During that time, he won six titles, including the 2011 and 2015 Brazilian Championships, the 2012 Libertadores and Club World Cup, as well as the 2013 Paulista and South American Recopa.

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