O achieved an important victory on Wednesday night (10), defeating O 1-0, in Belo Horizonte, in the first game of the semi-final. Corinthians’ winning goal was scored by even in the first half, breaking an 11-year fast without triumphs for the São Paulo team against the Minas Gerais club in games at Mineirão.
Dorival Júnior’s team entered the field with a more aggressive and competitive stance than in the last matches of the Brazilian Championship, when their performance left something to be desired. Although the construction of offensive plays was limited, Corinthians knew how to manage the score and control the psychology of the game in the second half of the final stage, guaranteeing the advantage.
The decision will be defined in the return game, scheduled for Sunday (14), at Neo Química Arena, at 6pm (Brasília time). In the other semi-final, Vasco will face Fluminense on Thursday, with the second game scheduled for Sunday, at 8:30 pm.
The game
The start of the match was marked by pressure from Corinthians, who, although they persisted with crosses, were unable to establish a more varied rhythm of play. In the 5th minute, Cássio was required after a corner deflection taken by Memphis. Cruzeiro, in turn, balanced their actions soon after, betting on quick passes to Arroyo and Kaio Jorge, who infiltrated the Corinthians defense. The team from Minas Gerais also threatened with Matheus Pereira, who forced Hugo Souza to make an important save.
However, it was in one of Corinthians’ rare moments of offensive clarity that the goal came. On a cross from Carillo, Yuri Alberto deflected the ball towards Memphis, who, with a weak header, completed the play with his left foot and put the São Paulo team ahead on the scoreboard.
The second half was more intense, with Cruzeiro looking for a goal at all costs. Paulo Pezzolano’s team put pressure on the São Paulo team and had good opportunities, such as in the 15th minute, when Hugo Souza made a great save and the Corinthians defenders prevented a series of shots from the home team.
Despite the pressure, Corinthians closed down, adopting a more defensive posture. The laziness of some players and the slowness of replacements helped to wear down the pace of the game and frustrate Cruzeiro’s attacks. Dorival Júnior’s changes, such as Garro’s entry, also gave the team more balance and destabilized Cruzeiro, who appeared apathetic in the final stretch of the match.
In the final minutes, Cruzeiro attempted one last push, but the lack of precision in finishing and Corinthians’ good marking prevented the Minas Gerais team from creating clear scoring chances.
