After securing a 2-2 draw in the Maracanã, Corinthians hosted Fluminense for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-final. Unlike the other semi-final, between Flamengo and São Paulo, this was a competitive battle until the very end. Fluminense are currently one of the most tactically intriguing teams in the world, and contrastingly, Corinthians have been fairly inconsistent under Vitor Pereira this season. Nonetheless, this tie proved to be a fascinating tactical battle between two philosophically contrasting managers.
After an even first encounter, Corinthians were the superior team at the Neo Química Arena. Despite having much less of the ball, they were in control for most of the match. With a perfectly executed defensive strategy, Vitor Pereira was able to control the organised chaos famously created by Fernando Diniz. Offensively, Vitor Pereira successfully exploited Flu’s high defensive line in addition to slightly changing his tactics in possession.
In this tactical analysis, we will explore the tactics successfully deployed by Pereira in Corinthians’ 3-0 win over Fluminense. More specifically, this analysis will examine how the Portuguese manager found the antidote to Diniz’s dominating tactics.
Lineups
Before looking at the tactics in this second leg, it is important to understand how both teams came into this match. For Corinthians, Vitor Pereira deployed his usual 4-3-3 with a starting eleven he has recently grown fond of. With Cássio in goal, the backline consisted of Fagner, Gil, Fabián Balbuena, and Fábio Santos. In the midfield, Pereira has found a balanced trio in Fausto Vera, Du Queiroz, and Renato Augusto. Finally, in the attack, Róger Guedes operates on the left wing with Yuri Alberto centrally and Gustavo Mosquito on the right. In various senses, this starting eleven is extremely balanced.
For the Tricolor Carioca, Diniz had a few absent players. With Luiz Henrique leaving earlier this summer to La Liga side Real Betis and Nonato recently signing with Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Razgrad, Flu have lost some key players. Additionally, young star André Trindade, who is reportedly monitored by Liverpool and Barcelona, missed the match due to suspension.
At any rate, Diniz still deployed a strong side. In the back, Fábio, Samuel Xavier, Nino, Manoel, and Caio Paulista were all unsurprisingly selected. In the midfield, however, there were drastic changes. Wellington played alongside 20-year-old Matheus Martinelli; a duo rarely used by Diniz. Further ahead, Ganso was flanked by Jhon Arias and promising prospect Matheus Martins, while German Cano was the centre-forward.
