Dorival’s big test: can Corinthians reboot their attack during break? | OneFootball

After a frustrating goalless draw with Vitória, Corinthians’ squad immediately entered a planned break—two full days off—before returning to the training ground on Wednesday, as the league pauses for the June FIFA international window. Head coach Dorival Júnior now faces his first extended stretch without competitive fixtures since taking charge, offering rare time for recalibration following a series of matches where the team’s offensive inefficiency has been a persistent storyline.

The international break provides a ten-day window before the next Brasileiro outing, an away fixture against Grêmio on June 12. For Dorival, this period is a chance to address problems in attack and creativity that have dogged the side, even as defensive solidity—six clean sheets in ten games—remains a relative strength.

Preparation, though, will be complicated by international absences. Six Corinthians players have received national team call-ups and are expected to miss training throughout the break: goalkeeper Hugo Souza (Brazil), Memphis Depay (Netherlands), Ángel Romero (Paraguay), Félix Torres (Ecuador), José Martínez (Venezuela), and André Carrillo (Peru). Notably, Carrillo is still recovering from a hamstring injury in his left leg, but he has been retained in Peru’s squad pending further medical tests.

Injuries continue to shape Corinthians’ roster decisions. Forward Yuri Alberto is sidelined with a vertebral fracture, and central defender Gustavo Henrique is still on the mend after hernia surgery. Both are likely to remain unavailable for the Grêmio match, meaning Dorival will have to persist with makeshift solutions, particularly in attack where options are thin.

The delays caused by international matches and injuries combine with the pressure Dorival already faces to unlock greater attacking output. The recent home draw with Vitória saw Corinthians control possession and generate chances but ultimately fail to score—an all too familiar pattern this season. The hope is that extra training time allows tactical tweaks, integration of returning injured players, and, critically, a boost in attacking fluency.

Corinthians will return to action against Grêmio on June 12 at Arena do Grêmio, in the twelfth round of the Brasileiro. Until then, Dorival’s challenge lies in maximizing a depleted group’s preparation, hoping that the international break brings the reset needed to reignite their campaign.

Source: UOL