The Paulistão derby four months ago was the coach’s best game in charge of the Timão, but the relationship has worn thin since then and his work is causing frustration at the club.
From heaven to hell. The cliché used to describe life’s ups and downs fits António Oliveira’s situation between Corinthians’ games against Palmeiras this season.
The Portuguese coach’s current situation at the club is very different from the Feb. 12 derby, when António was coaching only his third game for Corinthians and came out of it much stronger.
Hired to replace Mano Menezes and riding two straight wins, António Oliveira reached his peak at Corinthians after just nine days on the job.
Palmeiras went up by two goals, had the game under control and looked set to win another derby with ease. Down to nine men, with a center back filling in as goalkeeper and a stunning free kick in stoppage time, Corinthians left the field at Arena Barueri celebrating the 2-2 draw more than Palmeiras did.
The derby draw even softened the blow of the early group-stage exit from the state championship that was confirmed soon after, boosting confidence in António’s work for the rest of the season. And the coach backed that up by reaching the round of 16 in both the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Sudamericana.
But the relationship has changed and become very strained in recent weeks. A dreadful start to the Brasileirão turned hope into doubt about António’s ability to lead Corinthians away from last year’s scenario, when the club fought relegation until the final rounds.
With nine points from 12 rounds, the Timão have won only once in the Brasileirão and have the second-worst attack among the 20 clubs. A points percentage of just 25% has put the coach’s future at the club in question.
Departures and a collision course
António Oliveira leads a Corinthians side missing five players who were in the squad for February’s Paulistão derby. Cássio, Carlos Miguel, Raul Gustavo, Fausto Vera and Matías Rojas have left the club, as has Paulinho, who was recovering from injury at the time.
From that day’s starting lineup, the coach will also be without Fagner, who is injured, on Monday, as well as Félix Torres and Romero, who are playing in the Copa América for Ecuador and Paraguay, respectively.
The overhaul, made against his wishes in the middle of the season with no chance to bring in replacements, has left António Oliveira deeply frustrated, and he has made public statements showing his displeasure.
Corinthians will only be able to add players from July 10, when the transfer window opens. In the middle of all this, the coach has seen performances collapse and poor results increase the pressure on his work.
Winless in eight games with Corinthians, António Oliveira could lose his job with a loss, or even a draw, against Palmeiras on Monday. The team’s performance and attitude in the derby will be decisive in whether the coach stays at the club.
Palmeiras and Corinthians meet at 7 p.m. ET (8 p.m. Brasília time) on Monday at Allianz Parque in Round 13 of the Campeonato Brasileiro. In Brazil, the game airs live on Premiere.
Palmeiras were riding their best run of the Brasileirão, with five straight wins, until losing 3-0 to Fortaleza last round, the club’s heaviest defeat since November of last year, when they lost to Flamengo by the same score. They are looking to bounce back.
Corinthians, meanwhile, have gone eight rounds without a win and are sinking deeper into the relegation zone. With just one win and the second-worst attack in the competition, the Timão are trying to start their recovery against their biggest rival and buy coach António Oliveira some time.
Probable lineups
Palmeiras – head coach: Abel Ferreira
More changes will be needed in the Palmeiras lineup. Defensive midfielder Aníbal Moreno and striker Rony are suspended after picking up a third yellow card and are expected to be replaced by Fabinho and Flaco López, respectively.
At the same time, there are still doubts about center back Murilo, who will be reassessed before the game after spraining his left ankle. If he is out, he is expected to be replaced by Rocha, playing out of position, or by academy product Vitor Reis, who recently made his first-team debut.
Probable lineup: Weverton; Mayke, Naves, Murilo (Rocha or Vitor Reis) and Piquerez; Fabinho, Zé Rafael, Raphael Veiga and Gabriel Menino; Estêvão and Flaco López.
Out: Bruno Rodrigues (right knee surgery), Lázaro (thigh injury), Rômulo (thigh injury), Gómez, Richard Rios and Endrick (at the Copa América). Aníbal Moreno and Rony suspended.
One yellow from suspension: Gabriel Menino, Zé Rafael and Piquerez.
Corinthians – head coach: António Oliveira
Under pressure, António Oliveira could make up to three changes from the Corinthians side that lost to Cuiabá last round. The coach is expected to bring Matheuzinho back at right back and may opt for Gustavo Henrique’s experience in defense alongside Cacá.
Another possible change is Gustavo Mosquito coming in for Igor Coronado, but the coach is more likely to keep a crowded midfield.
António Oliveira will again have forward Pedro Henrique available after he recovered from a thigh muscle injury. Pedro Raul, who did well off the bench against Cuiabá, could get another chance in place of Wesley, changing the shape of the Corinthians attack.
Probable lineup: Matheus Donelli; Matheuzinho, Cacá, Caetano (Gustavo Henrique) and Hugo; Raniele, Breno Bidon and Rodrigo Garro; Igor Coronado (Gustavo Mosquito), Wesley (Pedro Raul) and Yuri Alberto.
Out: Fagner (physical recovery); Félix Torres and Romero (Copa América); Ruan Oliveira (knee surgery) and Diego Palacios (surgery to repair a cartilage injury).
One yellow from suspension: Breno Bidon, Romero, Matheuzinho and Wesley.
Officials
Referee: Anderson Daronco (FIFA)/RS
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Junior de Sousa Oliveira (FIFA)/CE
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael da Silva Alves (FIFA)/RS
Fourth Official: Vinicius Goncalves Dias Araujo/SP
Video Assistant Referee: Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (VAR-FIFA)/SP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: Ilbert Estevam da Silva/SP
