Raniele exposed the major flaw of teams coached by Fernando Diniz.
Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians
Corinthians dominated São Paulo.
They were winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Raniele yesterday in Itaquera.
Roger Machado knew what every coach facing Fernando Diniz knows.
Every goal kick is an invitation.
Diniz believes that by breaking through the opponent’s first line of defense, it becomes much easier to attack.
All you have to do is push the pressure forward.
And the struggle begins.
That’s what São Paulo’s attack did.
They pressured the build-up.
Until Raniele himself made a mistake.
Bobadilla took the ball and passed it to Luciano, who equalized.
A childish goal given away by Corinthians.
The victory came 3-2, but the club could have won by a landslide.
Naturally, Fernando Diniz was questioned.
He swore he wouldn’t change Corinthians’ strategy.
He will continue with build-up from the back, starting from goal kicks.
“To never make a mistake, we’d have to do nothing. It was Raniele’s mistake, but not one I condemn.
“I condemn the lack of will, which Raniele never lacks. He was brave to try. It’s a mistake he learns from,” Diniz said.
On the play leading to São Paulo’s equalizer, there were five Corinthians players pushed forward, knowing the team would try to pass out from the back.
Bobadilla watched Raniele closely. The Colombian took the ball and set up Luciano for the equalizer.
And those who criticize ‘Dinizism’ gained strong arguments.
Diniz highlights the team’s courage to take risks in the Majestoso derby.
“I encouraged the team to play. We had a great first half. He had never made that mistake in training or games. It’s a tough situation for the ball to come inside.
“We talk about making that forward pass with a high safety margin.
“When these errors occur, I think the confidence to try and the courage matter more.
“For my part, it’s knowing how to handle it. That goal we conceded was an extra motivation not to shy away, and to play with the confidence and courage we have in training,” Diniz emphasized again.
Diniz knows he was inspired by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
But he never had players with the same conviction and technique as that Catalan side.
Sensing the journalists’ pressure on the topic, Diniz tried to change the subject.
“The main idea is commitment and desire. Sweating blood to win games. That connects strongly with Corinthians’ fans.
“Then the rest of the tactical side—obviously, training continues, and things happen…
“You (journalists) know I stay on the field for many hours. The trend is tactical evolution, improving more and more, mastering the phases of the game, for both defending and attacking.”
The derby victory pulled Corinthians out of the relegation zone.
But it also put the spotlight on Diniz’s weak point, which has been heavily criticized.
And that his opponents have always exploited.
Corinthians pinned São Paulo back.
They had 15 shots on goal.
Against just six from their rivals.
3-2 was far too slim, a surreal scoreline.
Thanks to Raniele’s mistake and Matheuzinho’s own goal.
Two goals ‘gifted’ by Corinthians…