Corinthians Faces Winless Streak But Eyes Copa Libertadores Success
Corinthians extends winless streak in domestic league but remains confident ahead of the Copa Libertadores group stage.
- • Corinthians drew 0-0 with Chapecoense, extending their winless streak to six games and sitting 9th in the league.
- • The team faces Group E opponents Peñarol, Santa Fe, and Platense in the Copa Libertadores.
- • Marcelo Paz expressed confidence in Corinthians' strength and emphasized the importance of group stage performance for Libertadores success.
- • Despite domestic struggles, the club draws on past Libertadores triumph and aims to leverage Brazilian football's current dominance.
Key details
Corinthians recently extended a troubling winless run in the Campeonato Brasileiro, drawing 0-0 against Chapecoense at Arena Condá. This result marks the team's sixth game without a victory, including four draws and two losses, leaving Corinthians in 9th place with 9 points in the league standings. The match saw missed chances from both sides, with Corinthians' Garro hitting the crossbar on a free kick and Chapecoense's Marcinho also missing a key opportunity late in the first half. While the domestic campaign struggles continue, the team remains focused on their ambitions in the Copa Libertadores.
In the continental competition, Corinthians has been drawn into Group E alongside Peñarol from Uruguay, Santa Fe from Colombia, and Argentine side Platense. Club football executive Marcelo Paz highlighted the club's strength and reputation, stating that "Corinthians is extremely respected, admired, and feared by opponents". Paz emphasized the importance of performing well in the group stage to pave the way for success in the knockout phases, urging players to maintain focus and dedication. He recalled the 2012 Libertadores triumph as inspiration and conveyed optimism about Brazilian football's current dominance in South America.
The first Copa Libertadores match for Corinthians will be against Platense, a key moment for the team to regain momentum. Marcelo Paz acknowledged the competitive advantage gained from recent matches against strong Brazilian rivals Flamengo and Palmeiras, reinforcing that hard work will be essential to achieve their goals in the tournament. Despite current challenges in the league, the club’s leadership and supporters remain eager for a successful Libertadores campaign, seeing it as an opportunity to reaffirm Corinthians' status on the continental stage.
Meanwhile, other league developments include Grêmio's recent 2-0 victory over Vitória, moving Grêmio up to 7th place with 11 points, highlighting the competitive nature of the domestic season as Corinthians struggles to find consistent form.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
