The first leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-final between Fluminense and Corinthians, at Maracanã, seemed to have started very badly for the Parque São Jorge team. Fagner saved the penalty in the first 25 seconds of the game, before any Corinthians player had even touched the ball. This could be an indication that things are not going well.However, after the initial shock, the team regained its breath and confidence and, in the 23rd minute of the first half, star Renato Augusto put the ball in the net and equalized.
At the end of the second half the situation became more complicated, and at the beginning of the last phase Fluminense regained the advantage. Corinthians only managed to equalize in the 45th minute of the second half through Roger Guedes with great determination and determination.
Despite the lack of organization in Vitor Pereira's team, the players were very committed. Goalkeeper Cássio also contributed to the result with great saves. Therefore, Fluminense will have to win at the Neo Química Arena, on September 15th, to advance to the final of the Copa do Brasil.
Without a doubt, Corinthians will be the favorite for the match and anyone looking at the bookmakers will be able to check the odds and bet on this favoritism. Or take more risks and bet on the Rio team.
It won't be an easy game, even with Corinthians fans filling the Arena, as both clubs need not only the title, but also the money, as the winner of the competition will receive up to R$60 million in prize money.
The Copa do Brasil is Timão's old friend. It is worth mentioning that Corinthians are already three-time champions of the competition (1995, 2002 and 2009), and Fluminense celebrated only once, in 2007. Timão's most representative victory in the Copa do Brasil. It is undoubtedly 2009, with the presence of Ronald Fenômen in the team.
It was Corinthians' first year back after playing in Série B in 2008. They qualified for the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil after beating Fluminense with a goal from Dentinho, drawing 2-2 in the return game. In the semi-finals, they celebrated again in the first game, against Vasco da Gama, with another goal from Dentinho, and in the return game they drew 0-0.
He qualified for the grand final against Internacional at the Pacaembu Stadium and with goals from Jorge Henrique and Ronald Fenômen he went to Porto Alegre and after a draw with Corinthians, he became three-time champion of the Copa do Brasil.
Several reinforcements arrived at the helm for 2022, with president Duílio Monteiro Alves seeking to bring in quality players, one of them being midfielder Paulinho, who despite arriving in December 2021 was signed for the current season.
The athlete started very well, but his performance worsened until a serious ligament injury forced him to leave the team. Yuri Alberto, Bruno Melo, Balbuena, Maycon, Rafael Ramos, Ivan, Junior Moraes and Fausto Vera also attended.
Corinthians performed well in the Brazilian Championship, leading the competition in several rounds. However, as its competitors increased production and Timão suffered some losses, it began to fall down the table.
Today they are in 4th place with 42 points after the victory over RB Bragantino, but they are still 8 points behind leader Palmeiras, which means that the champions' chances are minimal. Therefore, the Copa do Brasil is the expected crown of an expensive team that is increasingly growing in the competition.
It is worth remembering that Timão won at home after losing to Atlético-GO, in the center-west of the country. Against Santos, in the previous phase, the 4-0 result was perhaps the team's best performance this year. In other words, there are reasons to be excited about the return game in São Paulo while it remains on land.