Author: Vishwajit Sawant
In their 2-0 defeat to Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil
Corinthians had only 30% possession and failed to get a shot on goal against Everson. However, Vanderlei Luxemburgo justified the team’s strategy of calling Galo into attack and betting on counter-attacks, praising the team’s attitude for much of the match.
Luxemburgo highlighted the team’s effective strategy in the first half and at the start of the second half. He made tactical adjustments, putting Maycon in support of Fábio Santos and Róger on Mariano’s side to neutralize Atlético’s strong attacking presence. However, after Maycon received a yellow card and was substituted, Atlético scored the first goal, making the situation challenging for Corinthians. Despite the disappointing result, Luxemburgo emphasized that it’s a back and forth game and that there’s still a chance to turn the match around.
The Corinthians coach regretted Fausto Vera’s missed opportunity at the start of the second half, when the match was still tied. He also praised the performance of Paulinho, who played as a holding midfielder and made significant contributions on the pitch.
Luxemburgo acknowledged that Corinthians’ winless run, consisting of three defeats and two draws, had affected the team’s morale. However, he firmly believes that a single victory can completely change the spirit of the team and give it the boost it needs.
Looking ahead, Corinthians face a challenging schedule. The team will face Flamengo in their next game in the Brasileirão, followed by a crucial clash against Argentinos Juniors in the Libertadores, where their survival in the competition is at stake. Both matches will be played away from home, which adds even more complexity to the team’s already demanding circumstances.
Despite the current difficulties, Luxemburgo remains hopeful and determined to lead Corinthians to better results, recognizing that a single victory has the potential to transform the general atmosphere and help the team regain confidence.