Corinthians aim to end Palmeiras U20 hoodoo in Brasileirão | OneFootball

Corinthians visit Palmeiras this Thursday afternoon (16) at 3 p.m. (Brasília time) at Arena Barueri in the second leg of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship quarterfinals. In the first leg, played on the 8th, Timãozinho were beaten 1-0 by their archrivals at Estádio Alfredo Schürig, Fazendinha, in Parque São Jorge.

If they want to advance directly to the semifinals, they will have to beat their rivals by two goals. If they defeat Alviverde by a one-goal margin, qualification will be decided on penalties. The Sons of Terrão, if they want to move on to the next stage of the national competition, will have to end a long taboo against their rivals in this age group.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

Alvinegro’s last win in the Under-20 Derby came on September 25, 2019, when they beat their rivals 1-0 at Estádio Novelli Júnior, in Itu, with a goal from center-back Raul Gustavo, who the following year would become part of the senior squad, where he remained until mid-2024. He recorded six goals and three assists in 54 matches for Timão’s first team.

On that day, the then Under-20 coach Dyego Coelho, who had also played for Timão in the early 2000s, fielded the following lineup: Guilherme Castellani; Igor Formiga, Raul Gustavo and Lucas Piton; Roni, Madson, Ruan Oliveira, Léo Pereira and Nathan Palafoz. Of these, besides Raul Gustavo, Lucas Piton, Roni, Madson and Ruan Oliveira also got opportunities with the senior team.

Since then, there have been four draws and 11 defeats against the Barra Funda side. The win rate is just 8.89%, with eight goals scored and 29 conceded. According to figures from Meu Timão, since 2017 there have been 26 matches between the teams, with five Corinthians wins, six draws and 15 defeats — 22 goals scored and 44 conceded.

If they end the drought and qualify for the Brasileirão Under-20 semifinals, Corinthians will face Red Bull Bragantino or Athletico-PR. After this Thursday’s Derby, Timão will return to the pitch next Sunday (19) at 10 a.m. (Brasília time) to face Ponte Preta at Estádio Alfredo Schürig, Fazendinha, in the sixth round of the Campeonato Paulista Under-20 group stage. After five rounds, Alvinegro have four wins and one draw, with 13 points, sitting second in Group 1 with 13 points — six goals scored and none conceded.

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