Opinion – PVC: Corinthians deciphers, but does not devour, Internacional de Mano

Vítor Pereira and Mano Menezes studied together, in one of the modules of the courses for UEFA coaches, taught in Portugal. Abel Ferreira also went through the same room as Mano:

“I’m going to tell you a secret. In my course, in Fátima, my current partner was the current Internacional coach, Mano Menezes, who sometimes taught us.”

Mano says that it is more difficult to understand and determine, with certainty, which is the tactical system of the teams that play high-level games in the world.

A lot of people don’t understand how Internacional plays.

With two steering wheels, they will say.

But Johnny occupies the right side of the four-man midfield line.

With two attackers, someone will say. But Wanderson, the second man in front, closes the left side and frees Maurício to touch Alemão, as the second forward. It’s a 4-4-2, two lines of four. Important to understand the roles and not the positions of each player

Vítor Pereira deciphered it, but did not devour it. When he found the antidote, he turned a game that started losing at 48 seconds, Gil’s failure, goal by the German striker.

From there until the departures of Giuliano and Ramiro, in the 55th minute, Corinthians performed well.

It had already been like that in the victory against Bragantino, with pressure and ball recoveries close to the opponents’ penalty area and intense pace as never seen before while Vítor Pereira was forced to play three competitions simultaneously.

A time when Vítor Pereira celebrated being alive in three matches, he rotated the squad, did not define the tactical system and contradicted himself, because his speech of pressure on the rival field contrasted with long periods just defending himself – against Boca, for example.

Corinthians improved when they started to train more.

Roger Guedes has never looked so happy, installed on his left wing.

Against Internacional, Corinthians only dropped production due to the entries of Cantillo and Roni. So he allowed Internacional to take the reins.

Also due to Mano Menezes’ positioning changes. The entry of Alan Patrick, as a midfielder, with free movement through the attack, moved Maurício to the right wing and Johnny to the central lane, then as a second midfielder, alongside Gabriel.

Later, Edenílson took the place of Johnny and Pedro Henrique took the place of Maurício.

With the same tactical design, 4-4-2, Inter became more aggressive. He pushed Corinthians back, reached the tie in a good move by Alan Patrick, with the collaboration of Gil, who took three steps back, while the midfielder adjusted his body for the kick.

In the final fifteen minutes, Internacional had a chance to win, a result that would take them to second place. It would be good for the championship, taking into account that Mano Menezes’ team will have a direct confrontation with Palmeiras, in the last round, in Beira Rio.

Corinthians came close to reaching second place, but the draw kept Flamengo as the most direct pursuer of the leader, Palmeiras.

Vítor Pereira sees his team oscillate within the ninety minutes, but his best moments give optimism about the Copa do Brasil.

On the other hand, there is no sign of fighting for the Brasileirão. Palmeiras remains the favorite.

Abel’s plan

Palmeiras drew in Bragança Paulista and was lucky that Flamengo also drew with Ceará. It was a risk, not a mistake, to scale eight reserves. Abel hadn’t done that since April. It would also be risky to wear out the holders. Palmeiras fluctuates, like everyone else. Keep going strong.

Felipe

The Libertadores clash will be very difficult. Felipão does not scale the team with three midfielders, but with Alex Santana in the midfield role, to mark the opponent’s departure and take up space for creation. At 73 years old, he is confident in everything he has learned and could reach his fourth continental final.