Despite the strength of the shirt, the budget, the size of the crowd and the history, Corinthians has become a customer of Red Bull Bragantino in recent years. The profile is embarrassing: in ten recent games, only two Corinthian victories, one draw, and seven triumphs for the team from the interior. Now 8. An absurd advantage, difficult to explain by chance alone. The most recent chapter in this story was written on Thursday night, in Bragança Paulista, and, this time, it is impossible to ignore that Corinthians directly contributed to yet another reversal in the Land of Linguiça.
The responsibility for the 3-0 defeat lies, first and foremost, with Dorival Júnior’s choices. Concerned about saving the starting team for the first classic of the year, Sunday, against São Paulo, the coach sent a hideous lineup onto the field, disfigured in defense, midfield and attack, with only goalkeeper Hugo among the players considered starting. The bet was too risky for an opponent that maintained last year’s base, plays with intensity and, historically, turns its home into a hostile environment for Corinthians.
The result was a ride. And the only reason it didn’t end in a rout in the first half was because Bragantino wasted a series of chances. The initial stage was simply terrible for Corinthians, unable to even take a shot at the goal. A slow, spaced out team, physically dominated and without any sign of imposition — exactly the opposite of what is expected from someone carrying a heavy shirt.
What is Matthew Bidu
“Despite the start of the season and the circumstances of the game, we cannot concede three goals like we did today” assessed Mateus Bidu, summing up the feeling of perplexity of all Corinthians fans. Almost a shame.
At half-time, already at a disadvantage, Dorival tried to correct the initial mistake with five substitutions: Matheuzinho, Bidu, Carrillo, Bidon and Yuri Alberto. But the script was already written. And the damage was already done. Even with the reinforcements, Corinthians still conceded two more goals and only confirmed what was evident throughout last season: the gap between starters and reserves is an abyss.
Did Dorival know his rival?
It’s hard to believe that Dorival himself really imagined that he could leave Bragança Paulista with a good result in these conditions. Too much optimism, perhaps. Or a misreading of the moment and the opponent. Every defeat brings lessons, and this one may have the merit of revealing something that Corinthians insists on pushing with its belly: some players simply are not capable of remaining in the squad.
Two, in particular, had a disastrous night and were directly involved in the three goals conceded. Cacá did poorly as a right-back and even worse as a defender. Hugo, in turn, continues without being a full-back, winger or anything close to that. Whenever he plays, he leaves Fiel missing Bidu. It’s not a pet peeve; It is a repeated observation. Other players also reveal a lack of quality, but are not marked by the fans.
In a short championship, with just eight qualifying rounds, any hesitation exacts a high price. After two rounds, Corinthians occupies ninth place overall and, today, would be out of the finals. The concern about sparing players at the start of the season is understandable, but let this chocolate serve as a warning: you cannot trust a squad that everyone knows is unbalanced.
SIGA THE FOOTBALL
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Recent retrospect only reinforces the argument. In the last 11 meetings, Bragantino won eight times. The physical imbalance between the teams and Corinthians’ lack of desire to impose themselves as the team with the biggest shirt was almost always evident. History repeated itself this Thursday. Braga won practically all the duels, took advantage of their opponent’s passivity and exploited a disinterested, sleepy and harmless Corinthians. A Corinthians who usually takes down a coach.
Open your eyes, Dorival!
