Why did Corinthians do poorly in the Brasileirão and do well in the Copa do Brasil? Dorival explains

17 days ago, after the 3-0 defeat against Cruzeiro in the Brazilian Championship, the coach Dorival Junior promised a different Corinthians in the first match of the semi-final of the Brazilian Cup. Building on the 1-0 victory this Wednesday, the coach was proud, at a press conference, of the performance of the black and white team.

“We don’t sit on victories and regret defeats. We are aware of what we want, the work that is being done. You can learn from defeats and victories. In the next match we will have to have an even greater commitment to achieve the desired result,” said the Corinthians coach.

Dorival pointed to the lack of time to tactically improve the Corinthians team and the excess of injuries to explain the fact that the team did well in the Copa do Brasil and poorly in the Brazilian Championship.

“We didn’t have a squad built up. The team was formed a year ago and it’s still being formed. In a long championship, that makes a difference,” said the coach, citing the problems encountered by Yuri Alberto and Rodrigo Garro.

The coach was also keen to highlight the enthusiasm of the 3,200 Corinthians supporters present in Mineirão, who silenced the nearly 60,000 Cruzeirenses for most of the 90 minutes. “It is necessary to recognize, congratulate and thank all the supporters who were present and who did not stop encouraging the team, with above-normal affection throughout the match.”

Corinthians and Cruzeiro will play the return match on Sunday, at the Neo Química Arena, at 6 p.m. (Brasilia time). In the other semi-final, Vasco hosts Fluminense this Thursday. On Sunday, the teams will play another classic, in the round, at 8:30 p.m.