Six years ago, Philippe Coutinho won, at the Maracanã, one of his main titles with the national team: the 2019 Copa América. Five seasons earlier, Memphis Depay toured Brazil with the Dutch team which would finish third in the 2014 World Cup. Memphis Corinthians.
International stars, the Brazilian and the Dutchman have extensive CVs. Coutinho, 33, has played for major European clubs and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich. He returned last year to Vasco, where he is idolized, and has in the Copa do Brasil the best chance, with a title, to make history once and for all.
Memphis was also a multi-champion on the Old Continent. At 31, he agreed to build at Corinthians, since last September, a trajectory that seemed unthinkable. In Brazil, he discovered the culture, learned Portuguese and was at the center of financial controversies. He also dealt with injuries until he changed a streak of matches – like Coutinho, in fact. But little by little, he adapted. Today, he is the technical and creative link in the offensive duo with Yuri Alberto.
The Dutchman has already won Paulista with Corinthians, but ending 2025 with a major trophy after a turbulent year on and off the pitch would provide an epic ending to an ‘alternative’ episode of Brazilian football.
Coutinho and Depay have appeared in three World Cups. The Vasco player was in 2018, while the Corinthians player participated in the 2014 and 2022 World Cups (the Netherlands were excluded from the 2018 edition).
The Brazilian came to live the wait for a chance in the national team with coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Dutchman, his country’s top scorer, is fighting to reach the third World Cup next year.
The protagonists have respectful partners
Coutinho and Memphis played 15 matches together in Barcelona’s 2021/22 season. During the period, the Brazilian scored two goals and the Dutchman five. They have also been opponents in Europe on four occasions, with Coutinho’s side winning three and drawing one.
However, none of that is on the field today and the stars are getting luxury support. Alongside Coutinho, attackers Rayan and Andrés Gómez are having a great time. As for Corinthians, the bet is on the trio with Memphis, Yuri and midfielder Breno Bidon.
Despite the load control which limited the Dutchman’s activities in training, both teams will be almost at full strength for the decision. But Vasco – who would no longer have left-back Lucas Piton – lost reserve midfielder Mateus Cocão on Friday, who tore a ligament in his left knee.
After the 0-0 draw in the first leg, whoever wins tonight’s match will guarantee the title. A new draw will result in penalties.
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