Corinthians and Athletico-PR will meet on Thursday at 19:30 at Neo Química Arena, with the 21st round of the Campeonato Brasileiro giving both teams a clear reason to treat the night as more than a routine fixture. ge will follow the match in real time, and the game is also listed for Premiere, Record and Cazé TV.
That is why the search around Corinthians Vs Athletico-PR is already centered on lineups, not just the schedule. Corinthians enters the round with 28 points after three wins and one draw in its last four matches, while Athletico-PR arrives with 36 points, a five-game unbeaten run and two straight away wins against São Paulo and Remo.
For Corinthians, the main question sits on the left side. Matheus Bidu still felt pain in his pubis and could be rested, which makes Pedro Milans the likely cover if the staff decides not to take a chance on him. The rest of the team should keep the 4-2-3-1 formation used by Fernando Diniz, with Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, Gabriel Paulista, Gustavo Henrique, Pedro Milans, Raniele, André, Breno Bidon, Rodrigo Garro, Kaio César and Yuri Alberto among the expected starters.
The absences around Corinthians also shape the picture. Vitinho is out with a left knee meniscus injury, Hugo remains in physical transition, Memphis Depay is away on vacation while negotiating a contract renewal, Fabrizio Angileri is suspended after his third yellow card and Kayke is recovering from surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the left knee. That leaves little room for adjustment if Bidu is not passed fit, especially with a strong run already built and a match that can test how far the current momentum really goes.
Athletico-PR has fewer doubts in the buildup, but there is still one clean break in the lineup. Odair Hellmann rested Esquivel and Luiz Gustavo for the trip to São Paulo, so Arthur Dias is expected to replace Esquivel and Portilla is set to start in Luiz Gustavo’s place. Zapelli and Felipinho are back on the bench after recovering, while the probable lineup also includes Santos, Terán, Aguirre, Arthur Dias, Gilberto, Jadson, Portilla, Claudinho, Leozinho, Viveros and Mendoza.
What gives the meeting extra weight is the setting itself. Athletico-PR has never beaten Corinthians at Neo Química Arena, and that history now travels into a match in which the visitors are trying to protect form while the home side tries to keep its upward run intact. Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva will referee the game, with Nailton Junior de Sousa Oliveira and Thiaggo Americano Labes as assistants, Emerson Souza Silva as fourth official and Paulo Renato Moreira da Silva Coelho on VAR. When the whistle goes on Thursday night, the first answer should come quickly: whether Corinthians trusts Bidu’s body or chooses the safer line with Pedro Milans.
