Corinthians vs Coritiba: Team News, Lingard Debut & Injury Updates
SÃO PAULO – Corinthians will welcome Jesse Lingard to the Neo Química Arena on Thursday, despite the English midfielder not yet being eligible to play. Lingard, who joined the Brazilian club in , is still awaiting registration with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and will watch from the sidelines as Corinthians face Coritiba.
The 33-year-old Lingard, a former Manchester United and West Ham United player, signed a deal with Corinthians until the finish of the season after being a free agent since the start of . He will be presented to the fans during halftime of the match against Coritiba, offering supporters a first glimpse of their new signing.
Corinthians coach António Oliveira will be without several key players for the match. Yuri Alberto and Kaio César are in the final stages of their physical rehabilitation and have been rested for this fixture. Goalkeeper Felipe Longo, left-back Hugo and midfielder Matheus Pereira remain sidelined due to injuries.
Despite the absences, Corinthians will field a strong lineup, with Gui Negão and Memphis Depay expected to feature. The team is looking to build momentum after a challenging start to the season.
Coritiba, meanwhile, will have Josué available after the club successfully appealed a two-match suspension stemming from a red card received in the first round of the Brazilian Championship against Red Bull Bragantino. Sebastián Gómez also returns to the squad after recovering from a muscle injury.
However, Coritiba will be without goalkeeper Pedro Morisco, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Benassi is also unavailable due to injury, along with Tinga and Rodrigo Rodrigues. Pedro Rangel will start in goal for Coritiba in Morisco’s absence.
The match presents a significant opportunity for both teams. Corinthians will aim to secure a victory in front of their home crowd and integrate Lingard into the squad as soon as he is eligible. Coritiba, bolstered by the return of key players, will look to climb the league table and build on their recent performances.
The confirmed starting lineup for Coritiba is: Pedro Rangel; JP Chermont, Maicon, Jacy and Bruno Melo; Walisson, Sebastián Gómez and Josué; Lucas Ronier, Pedro Rocha and Breno Lopes. The team is under the direction of coach Fernando Seabra.
Lingard’s arrival at Corinthians has generated considerable excitement among fans, and his presence is expected to boost the team’s attacking options. While he won’t be on the pitch Thursday, his introduction represents a significant investment by the club and a statement of intent for the remainder of the season.
The match against Coritiba will be a test of Corinthians’ depth and resilience in the face of several key injuries. Coach Oliveira will require to rely on his remaining players to deliver a positive result and maintain the team’s momentum.
For Coritiba, the return of Josué and Sebastián Gómez provides a much-needed boost in midfield. The team will be hoping that their key players can inspire a strong performance and secure a valuable away victory.
The game promises to be a competitive encounter, with both teams eager to claim all three points. Corinthians will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage, while Coritiba will aim to disrupt their opponents and showcase their own attacking prowess.