Last Saturday, Corinthians beat Atlético-MG 1-0 in the 14th round of the Brazilian Championship. For the match, Vanderlei Luxemburgo changed the tactical scheme and chose three defenders in Corinth’s defensive line. At the press conference, the alvinegro coach explained the change and revealed that he had the same intention of organizing the team as it was in the return match of the Copa do Brasil round of 16, when Timão beat Minas Gerais by 2-0 and qualified on penalties.
“Three defenders is not new, we know how to do it. I made the three defenders because we couldn’t play with Fábio and Fagner weak, they (Atlético-MG) have a very strong side of the field. The other time we played here, they practically won the game on the sidelines. When I played there (at Neo Química Arena), 2-0, I closed the field and we managed to achieve a great result”, explained Luxa.
“In the first half, a little more protection was needed, because Fagner played on the wing, for Murillo to go out a little more to cover Fábio in the two-on-one, for Bruno to close a little more and Fagner to play from side. I think it worked. Man, it’s Atlético, with good players, marking Paulinho is difficult, great player, fast, looking for the goal, diagonal all the time. I think it worked, we attacked the space a lot, we were forceful, we had the attitude of playing the game, knowing that it was a difficult game. In our situation we had to compete and have an attitude”, he added.
Still at the press conference, the Corinthian coach was asked if he should keep the same team he played on Saturday or if he should go with an alternative team for the clash of Sudamericana, against Universitario, from Peru, next Tuesday. When answering, Luxemburgo was mysterious and did not define the team that will start playing.
“We haven’t celebrated a victory away from home for a while. Let’s celebrate the victory, then you’ll see what we’re going to do (laughs). Let’s enjoy this victory. Starting tomorrow we start preparing for the University and we’ll see what we’re going to do”, concluded the coach.
It is worth remembering that after the game against Liverpool, from Uruguay, for the Libertadores, which defined the vacancy in the Sul-Americana, Luxemburgo stated that the continental tournament will not be a priority for Corinthians. With a focus on the Brasileirão, the team seeks to recover on the table and get closer and closer to the Z4. On the other hand, if Timão advances to the round of 16 of the competition, it will meet the budget target for continental tournaments for 2023.
Thus, the initial 11 against the Peruvians is in doubt. Luxemburgo and company welcome us to the Neo Química Arena next Tuesday, the 11th, at 9.30 pm. The return game takes place on the 18th, under the command of the opponent.
See more at: Corinthians x Atlético-MG, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Brazilian Championship and Corinthians lineup.
2023-07-09 14:37:00
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