Hugo Souza does not blame congested calendar for Corinthians’ Paulista exit | OneFootball

Corinthians were beaten 1-0 by Novorizontino in the Paulista semi-final on Saturday, but goalkeeper Hugo Souza said the congested calendar was not an excuse for their exit.

According to Meu Timao, he suggested the club played around 10 matches in February and admitted the schedule is draining. He noted Dorival Júnior often rotates to keep players fresher, adding that the squad must adapt to this routine.

Brazil’s match calendar has long drawn complaints from coaches and players for its volume and minimal recovery time, and it has tightened year on year. In 2025, with the Club World Cup added, the domestic season ran to 21 December, something not seen in recent years except in 2020 when Covid-19 halted football. With a World Cup pause expected between June and July, further adjustments followed.

This season began earlier and, roughly six weeks in, Corinthians had already featured in three competitions, the Paulista, the Supercopa do Brasil and the Brasileiro. The tally reached 15 games, nine in February, averaging one every three days. Dorival Júnior has repeatedly altered his starting side to prioritise fitness.

Even so, Hugo Souza felt fatigue did not tip the semi-final. He said Novorizontino made the most of their big moment while Corinthians struggled to create and to convert.

Corinthians now have a 10-day break. They return on 11 March at the Neo Química Arena to face Coritiba in the Brasileiro’s fifth round.

Source: Meu Timao