Corinthians disappoints, is saved by Romero and wins a tense friendly against Londrina

The Corinthians fans who filled the stands of the Regional Olympic Stadium, in Cascavel, expected to celebrate more this Wednesday. The friendly with London gave an example of what Corinthians can offer with training weeks led by António Oliveira. In addition to the disproportionate nervousness, few athletes stood out. Angelo Romero he entered the final part, scored two goals and gave the victory to the Sao Paulo team 3 to 0.

The score, built in the last minutes, can highlight the weak points. It will be up to the coach to correct the errors, especially in attack, in time for the debut in the South American championship next week. No VAR, no electronic scoreboard, tractor-shaped stretcher: some more folkloric element took over behind the scenes of the clash. On all four lines, Corinthians’ starters lacked creativity and competence. Romero gave the push, but the prospects are not good for the Juventus team. Against a rival from the third national division, even though it is only a friendly match, the dominance should be absolute and the score built calmly. But that wasn’t what it looked like.

Now Corinthians is aiming for the start of the Copa Sudamericano. Next Tuesday the Juventus team will go to Montevideo to face Uruguayan Racing. The debut in the Brasileirão will only take place on 12 or 13 April, against Atlético-MG.

The first half fluctuates between balance and pressure from Corinthians in the offensive sector. Garro managed to emerge, but the offensive possession of the ball did not become a reflection of creativity and good plays. Londrina also occasionally arrived in the Juventus area.

Against a Serie C team, Corinthians should have shown more in the first half. Even though it was a friendly match, the players’ desire to win was clear. Ghana was not missing. In fact, quality and creativity were missing, characteristics that are difficult to build. António Oliveira’s work weeks show a more mobile team, but this mobility must be transformed into effectiveness.

When the break came again, the match didn’t look like a friendly at all. In the 5th minute Fagner and Iago Teles get into a shoving argument and end up being sent off. After the red cards were handed out, the tension in the match decreased. But it didn’t take long for another expulsion. Marthã received his second yellow card.

Among the 11 possible replacements, António Oliveira has decided to field midfielder Paulinho. The experienced 35-year-old returns from injury after 10 months. He tore a ligament in his left knee.

With another, Corinthians loosened up, broke out of inertia and attacked again. Whoever came off the bench was decisive for the Juventus team. Pedro Henrique made a beautiful shot, the goalkeeper rebounded and Ángel Romero seemed to put the ball in the net, in the 36th minute. The Paraguayan doesn’t joke and scores a great goal, in the 41st minute, with a well-aimed shot into the corner. There is still time for Giovane to close the score after going in front of goal and scoring another goal, in the 50th minute.

LONDRINA x CORINTHIANS

• LONDON:Arthur; Thiago Ennes, Davi, João Victor (Frazan) and Pedro Cacho; Rayan Ribeiro, Marthã and Riquelmy (Giancarlo); Iago Teles, Everton (Pablo Ruan) and Henrique Rafael (Maurício Mucuri). Technician: Emerson Avila.
• CORINTHIANS: Cassius (Carlos Miguel); Fágner, Cacá (João Pedro), Gustavo Henrique (Raul Gustavo) and Hugo (Matheus Bidu); Raniele (Matheus França), Garro (Biro) and Bruno Bidon (Paulinho); Wesley (Pedro Henrique), Yuri Alberto (Young) and Pedro Raul (Ángel Romero). Technician: Antonio Oliveira.
• GOALS: Ángel Romero, at 36 and 41, Youth, at 50 minutes of the 1st half.
• REFEREE: André Ricardo Martins (PR).
• YELLOW PAPERWORK: Davi, Thiago Ennes, Pedro Cacho, Gustavo Henrique, Raniele and António Oliveira.
• RED CARDS: Fagner, Marthã and Iago Teles.
• LOCAL: Regional Olympic Stadium, in Cascavel.