Corinthians shake up boardroom as injury crisis hits before derby | OneFootball

Corinthians have turned their attention squarely to preparations for the upcoming Clássico Alvinegro, with the club seeking to stabilize both their on-field performances and operations off the pitch amid a demanding stretch of the season. Training resumed at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava as the squad regrouped, intent on correcting recent inconsistencies and addressing injury absences.

Dorival Júnior’s side face mounting selection headaches before facing Santos. Memphis Depay, a pivotal figure in attack and the side’s leading creator, remains out with an ankle injury. Defensive regulars Raniele and Félix Torres are also sidelined, forcing the coaching staff to rely on academy talents and the return of recently fit José Martínez in midfield. With several key players missing, the likes of Igor Coronado, Talles Magno, and Ángel Romero are expected to shoulder greater attacking and creative responsibilities.

Despite these challenges, Corinthians maintain a businesslike approach. Veteran forward Vagner Love has publicly called for focus, reminding teammates that the championship is not yet won and urging them to avoid distractions as the campaign enters a decisive phase. “We need to stay very focused,” Love emphasized, a sentiment echoed by the squad’s leadership as both performance and consistency remain key targets.

In the boardroom, Corinthians are undergoing significant changes. President Augusto Melo is reshaping the club’s governance, introducing a new, specialized board structure with fresh appointments for finance, marketing, and administration. This restructuring reflects a broader push for transparency, accountability, and professionalization behind the scenes as the club seeks to build lasting stability.

Transfer activity has mirrored this cautious optimism. While the arrival of Memphis Depay has paid on-field dividends, other additions—including full-back Fabrizio Angileri and the returning Maycon—underscore a strategy built around fiscal discipline and addressing immediate squad needs. The departures of high-earning or underused players have created further flexibility, but the squad still lacks ideal depth, particularly in defensive and wide positions. The search for a left-footed centre-back and a pacey winger continues, even as tax and wage management remain priorities.

Santos, set to visit the Neo Química Arena for the derby, bring their own selection issues and pressure of adapting to top-flight competition. For Corinthians, the immediate goal is clear: use this high-profile fixture to re-establish defensive organization, harness the hunger of fringe and academy players, and signal to supporters that both their football and their future are moving in a more stable direction.

With the Clássico Alvinegro approaching, all eyes are on Dorival and his team’s response—a test not just of squad depth, but of the unified focus and discipline that players and executives have publicly pledged.

Source: corinthians.com.br