Frustration erupts at Corinthians as home crowd demands answers | OneFootball

Corinthians were unable to convert possession into points at the Neo Química Arena on Sunday evening, as a goalless draw against Vitória left the home crowd frustrated and the squad under renewed scrutiny. With 44,579 supporters in attendance—including new Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti watching from the stands—the home side pushed for a breakthrough but could not break down Vitória’s rigid defensive shape in this eleventh round Brasileiro fixture.

Dorival Júnior’s team started brightly and created a handful of promising openings in the first half. Early on, Talles Magno went down in the area after contact but had penalty appeals waved away. Memphis Depay forced the best save of the opening period, firing a powerful volley that Vitória keeper Lucas Arcanjo blocked with his face. Matheus Bidu and Héctor Hernández also threatened, but the final touch consistently evaded the Corinthians attack.

Vitória, battling to escape the relegation zone, offered little offensively in the first half but nearly surprised the hosts before the break, when Renato Kayzer tested Hugo Souza with a sharp turn and shot inside the area.

The game became more open after the interval, with Corinthians increasing the pressure but still struggling to find the finishing touch. Breno Bidon drilled a shot just wide, and Talles Magno found the netting with an effort that was chalked off for offside. The closest moment came from a Rodrigo Garro free kick, which Arcanjo tipped onto the post late in the second half. Vitória nearly punished Corinthians on the break, as Kayzer again forced Hugo Souza into a vital save.

Defensively, Corinthians remained secure, achieving a sixth clean sheet in ten games—a point highlighted by Dorival Júnior post-match. “We’re improving, especially at the back. Six games without conceding shows clear progress. The detail missing is in attack—we need to improve there, but I’m confident that with the full squad, things will click,” the manager said. Dorival also referenced ongoing injury problems, noting that key creative pieces like Garro, Memphis, and the absent Yuri Alberto have rarely been available together.

Midfielder Maycon echoed the sense of frustration shared by fans: “We committed, we created chances, but the goal just didn’t come. The fans have every right to protest. We need to keep working; it’s the only way out.”

Corinthians’ night was further dampened by injury to midfielder Raniele, who was forced off in the first half with a hamstring issue and is set for further assessment. He joins a growing list of absentees, further complicating squad selection ahead of the break for the FIFA Club World Cup.

The draw sees Corinthians slip to 11th in the table with 15 points, missing a chance to temporarily enter the G6. Vitória, meanwhile, climb out of the relegation places. Post-match, numerous home supporters voiced their displeasure, directing chants of protest towards the players as they left the pitch.

Corinthians now have eleven days to regroup before visiting Grêmio—their last outing before the league pauses for international commitments.

Source: UOL, Globo