On Thursday afternoon, the day after the 1-1 draw against Always Ready , from Bolivia, for the Copa Libertadores, coach Vítor Pereira gave a press conference at CT Joaquim Grava and clarified some doubts. Among the topics discussed, the Portuguese spoke about Fagner 's absence and the search for a replacement in the squad.
Diagnosed with a sprained right ankle , shirt 23 suffered the injury earlier this month, in a 0-0 draw against Deportivo Cali, in Colombia. Rafael Ramos and João Pedro, the veteran's replacements, were also not available in Timão's last commitment. Because of this, the Portuguese commander had to opt for Gustavo Mantuan to enter the position.
“He (Fagner) is an important player, it's easier to count on him, but João Pedro got injured at a time when Fagner was already injured. With Rafael (Ramos) we had an emotional problem against Internacional, which unbalanced the player. We already played with Piton on the right, we need this solution. We are trying to create the solution with Mantuan, and he has the physical capacity to help both offensively and defensively. He's not a right-back, but I need to find a solution, that's why the system change, '' explained Vítor Pereira.
''And it was this search for a solution that gave us some results at times, Bragantino and Fortaleza, for example. These are the solutions I came to do, not complain. I don't want expectations to be created, this is unfair, because the reality is different. We will try to be competitive in all competitions. Don't put us up there, let's work with reality. I'm not the person who sells illusion, I didn't come for this, to make promises I can't keep. What I can promise is that I will do my best, always. Don't raise your expectations and put the responsibility on me. We want to win everything, but we need to be down to earth."
Fagner is yet to join the Corinthians delegation in the clash against América-MG, this Sunday, at 6 pm, at Neo Química Arena. The greatest probability, according to Meu Timão , is that the veteran will return to play only next week, in the duel against Atlético Goianiense, in Goiânia, also for the national tournament.
Rafael Ramos, involved in controversy in the 2-2 draw with Internacional, for the 6th round of the Brasileirão, remains a doubt for this Sunday's confrontation. The Portuguese, it is important to note, was not registered by the club in Libertadores and could not play in the group stage of the competition.
João Pedro, in turn, has been training normally with the group after recovering from a discomfort in the posterior muscle of the right thigh and it may be the novelty of Corinthians against América-MG. The side has not played for Timão since the 3-1 victory of the club against Botafogo, on April 10, for the first round of the Brasileirão.