Pair could return to Corinthians starting XI after long spell | OneFootball

On Tuesday night (21), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), Corinthians face Barra, from Santa Catarina, in a match valid for the fifth round of the 2026 Copa do Brasil. The clash takes place at Ressacada, Avaí’s stadium, since Timão’s opponent’s ground does not meet the requirements of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). It is worth remembering that Alvinegro are the reigning champions and have won the competition four times (1995, 2002, 2009 and 2025).

For the match, Central do Timão has learned that two players who have not been getting many minutes will start among the first eleven. They are: midfielder Dieguinho and striker Pedro Raul. The first has one goal and one assist in 11 matches this season. The last time he started among the eleven was on January 15 this year, in Corinthians’ 3-0 away defeat to RB Bragantino, in the first round of the Paulista Championship. On that occasion, he played the full 90 minutes.

Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Artwork: Central do Timão

Since being promoted to Corinthians’ first-team squad in mid-2025, Dieguinho has recorded one goal and two assists in 25 matches (five as a starter), taking part in the club’s Copa do Brasil and Supercopa do Brasil triumphs against Vasco da Gama and Flamengo, respectively. He stands out for his ability in short dribbles and when operating in tight spaces on the pitch.

Pedro Raul, meanwhile, has not started a match for Corinthians since February 25, when he played 78 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro at Mineirão, in the fourth round of the Brazilian Championship. That day, he was substituted by Memphis Depay. In 2026, he has made 15 appearances, with just one assist and no goals.

The center-forward returned to Corinthians after spending most of 2025 on loan at Ceará, where he was the team’s top scorer that year with 17 goals in just over 40 matches. At Alvinegro, Pedro Raul has been since January 2024, when he was signed for five million dollars (R$ 25 million at the time) from Toluca of Mexico. Wearing the Corinthians shirt, he has four goals and three assists in 54 matches (16 as a starter), as well as winning the 2026 Supercopa do Brasil.

Central do Timão reports that Corinthians should take the field tonight with: Kauê; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique and Fabrizio Angileri; Allan, Matheus Pereira, Jesse Lingard and Dieguinho; Kayke and Pedro Raul.

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