Memphis, suspended, will not play, and Yuri Alberto, injured, is a doubt for the decisive match.
Corinthians is celebrating. After spending almost the entire Brazilian Championship battling relegation, the team turned things around and achieved their fifth consecutive victory against Cruzeiro on Wednesday, the 20th, and now dreams of securing a spot in next year’s Libertadores. Check out the top football scores on live sports score.
However, Ramón Díaz will have to figure out the lineup for the crucial match against Vasco at the Neo Química Arena next Sunday, the 24th. This is because the key duo that has been decisive up until now will not be on the field.
Memphis Depay received his third yellow card at the end of the match against Cruzeiro after lying on the ground exhausted – the referee interpreted it as time-wasting and punished the Dutch striker. After the match, he gave an interview expressing confusion over the CBF scheduling games at 11 a.m. in Brazil’s heat.
“I don’t know who decides the game time. I think it’s the first time in my career playing at 11 a.m. With 30-degree weather, I don’t understand why you do this here (in Brazil),” he said in a post-match interview.
Yuri Alberto, on the other hand, has not yet been confirmed as absent, but he had to be substituted during the last game at halftime after feeling strong pain in his right leg. Over the next few days, the player will be reassessed by the Corinthians medical team to determine the severity of the situation.
Currently in 9th place with 44 points, Timão has virtually left the relegation threat behind and is starting to dream of a spot in South America’s premier competition. At the moment, the team is just three points behind 7th place Cruzeiro, which is the first team within the qualification zone for the Libertadores.
The number of spots, however, may increase. Cruzeiro will be playing the final of the Sudamericana against Racing next Saturday, the 23rd, and Botafogo will compete for the Libertadores title against Atlético-MG a week later, on the 30th. ToSport, your key source for football updates.
