After two wins in two matches, Corinthians were already qualified to the next stage of Copinha and came to the last match of the group stage with an alternative squad. Besides not playing their first team, Diogo Siston played some very interesting players with great potential. Shaped in a 4-4-2 formation, Corinthians managed to have a good match, and some talents were able to give us a taste of their potential.
Youth Ratings
1 – Ready for the first team
2 – Good, potential to be first team
3 – Decent, could make first team squad
4 – Decent potential, unlikely to make it to first team
5 – Unlikely to make first team
Daniel Marcos
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 20/10/2001
- Current club: Corinthians
- Career: Corinthians
- Position: Right-Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Daniel Marcos used to be a regular starter in Corinthians U20 side in 2020, but a serious knee injury made him lose his place to Leo Maná, another great right-back. Last night, he showed some of his best attributes: physical strength, passes and good performance on 1v1 defensive situations. He was one of the most dangerous players on Corinthians side, since they mostly used the right side to attack. Daniel Marcos managed to get into the opponents’ box a couple of times and did a great job at finding the right midfielder, Arthur, in good situations. If Daniel can stay fit, he can be a decent player for a number of Brazilian teams, especially considering the fact that he was born in 2001 and has played at U20 level for a good time now. He’s a very mature player. Now, it is time for a bigger step in his career, and Daniel’s performance last night showed some of his best strengths.
Rating – 4
Vitor
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 02/09/2002
- Current club: Corinthians
- Career: Globo FC
- Position: Center Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Playing alongside Lucas Belezi, Vitor was on the right side of the back four. He really took advantage of playing on natural foot, with great progressions and vertical passes. He was probably the most positive thing on Corinthians’ side during the first half. His long balls and progressive passes could find Daniel Marcos and Arthur, both playing on the right side, in good 1v1 positions, some of them with good crossing opportunities. A great part of Corinthians’ best chances in the match started with his passes, Vitor was really sharp about the right timing to pass the ball, making São José’s midfielders confused whether to press or cover their back. He knew the right time to get rid of the ball. Vitor is a player who can also play as a defensive midfielder but didn’t play that much in the last few months. Showing great skills building from the back, Vitor can become an interesting centre back to watch, and I hope to see more about him during this season.
Rating – 4
Ryan
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 15/07/2003
- Current club: Corinthians
- Career: Corinthians
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
Last night, Ryan played in a double-pivot alongside Riquelme. Ryan was simply an engine. High pressing level during all his game time, gaining possession several times and managing to get some good passes finding the two advanced midfielders, often dropping alongside the centre backs, often receiving the ball in the centre circle. Ryan is a player who reminds me a little bit of Manchester United midfielder Fred. He is always close to the ball, seems like he never gets tired, he is fast, wins possession during the whole match… The 18-year-old can really be a team player. And last but not less important he can find good passes in the centre circle area. From my point of view, Ryan could aggregate more to the first team than Riquelme, who started the first match. He is a player who presses a lot, has good off the ball movement and gets good moments on the ball, especially on control and passing.
Rating – 3
Pedro
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 15
- Date of birth: 05/02/2006
- Current club: Corinthians
- Career: Corinthians
- Position: Left Winger
- Preferred foot: Ambidextrous
Pedro is one of the most exciting talents to show up in the Corinthians academy in the last few years. At 15 years old playing against people up to 5 years older than him, he gave us a little taste of how complete he is. On the U15, he played as an attacking midfielder and in both wings. Last night, mostly on the left. Pedro managed to complete dribbles both on the right and left-wing, good crosses (including set pieces) and got to combine passes with his teammates. Unfortunately, he was wide on the left side for a great part of the match, so didn’t get ball contact as much as we wanted to see. In the other hand, everytime he did, we could felt something special. He deservedly got his first U20 goal last night, which opened the scoresheet for Corinthians. Pedro is a generational talent, and besides being only 15, we are talking about a player who will probably feature in professional football earlier than normal. Fast, strong, ambidextrous, great finishing and passing. Just ahead of his age.
Rating – 2
Lucas Belezi also left good impressions in the left side of the back pair, as long as Rodrigo Varanda, who already played in professional level and is trying to get back to his best at this years Copinha. Always aggressive.