Without Memphis, Yuri Alberto and Rodrigo Garro, Dorival used the best he had at his disposal and got the result
started the season with a quiet victory at home. The current champion started in Paulistão with a 3-0 victory over Ponte Preta this Sunday afternoon. Defenders Gustavo Henrique and André Ramalho and the young midfielder André scored the goals that guaranteed the victorious debut at Neo Química Arena. Both found the net in the second half, a period in which the home team played best.
The black and white team played their first match of the year without most of their main stars and with zero reinforcements, a situation that should change in the coming days after the transfer ban at FIFA was lifted. Defender Gabriel Paulista will be the first signing announced. He watched the match in one of the arena’s boxes.
Without Memphis, Yuri Alberto and Rodrigo Garro, Dorival used the best he had at his disposal. He took to the field, for example, midfielder Breno Bidon, coveted by teams in Brazil and abroad. Created from the base, he is considered the club’s main asset and can earn a significant amount.
Corinthians were far superior to Ponte in both halves and achieved the result with confident performance. He was little bothered, dominated the actions and, if he didn’t have the three attacking stars, the way was to find the net with his two central defenders and one of the defensive midfielders.
Gustavo Henrique rose above everyone to open the scoring with a header, at eight. At 17, André, 19, almost accidentally scored the second goal in the Corinthian arena. Matheuzinho finished powerfully from inside the area. Goalkeeper Diogo Silva palmed it, but the ball, unfortunately for him, hit André and went in.
In extra time, André Ramalho scored what must be one of the most beautiful goals of the championship. From a long distance, the defender hit a violent shot into the right corner to seal the resounding victory.
Corinthians has three points, like Santos and Palmeiras, who also won their games. Paulistão’s dispute formula has changed. The clubs face eight opponents divided into pots. The eight best placed qualify for the quarter-finals, which continue in a single game, as well as the semi-final, led by the team with the best campaign.
Corinthians’ next rival is Red Bull Bragantino, Thursday, at 7:30 pm, in Bragança Paulista. On Wednesday, at 9pm, Ponte Preta faces Velo Clube at home, at Moisés Lucarelli.
Technical sheet
CORINTHIANS 3 X 0 PONTE PRETA
CORINTHIANS: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho (Jacaré), Gustavo Henrique, André Ramalho and Matheus Bidu; Charles, André (Ryan), Carrillo (Dieguinho), Breno Bidon and Vitinho (Pedro Raul); Gui Negão (Kayke). Coach: Dorival Júnior.
PONTE PRETA: Diogo Silva; Pacheco, Saimon, Diego Leão and João Gabriel; Rodrigo Souza, Gustavo Teles (Nikolas) and Élvis; Diego Tavares (Serginho), Bruno Lopes and Jeh (Damião). Coach: Marcelo Fernandes.
GOALS: Gustavo Henrique, at 8, André, at 16, and André Ramalho, at 48 in the second half.
REFEREE: Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos.
YELLOW CARDS: Gustavo Teles, Pacheco.
AUDIENCE: 37,089 fans.
INCOME: R$ 2,482,182.90.
LOCATION: Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
