São Paulo’s Neo Química Arena watched Corinthians stop one damaging run on Monday, but not the broader slide that has pulled the club towards Brazil’s relegation line. A 1-1 draw with Vitória ended eight straight league defeats, yet extended the side’s winless Campeonato Brasileiro sequence to nine matches as Clarence Seedorf observed from the stands before taking charge.
The news from the club
Seedorf, appointed after the dismissal of former Brazil coach Fernando Diniz, could not yet sit on the Corinthians bench because his documentation has not been completed. The former Real Madrid midfielder followed the final match of the 31st round from the tribune, awaiting his official debut with the first team.
His arrival has caught many Corinthians supporters by surprise. Seedorf has been away from coaching for seven years, and the appointment comes while the São Paulo club faces a mounting fight to remain in the top division.
Without the suspended Memphis Depay, Corinthians created enough to feel they should have won. Vitória’s goalkeeper made important saves, however, while the hosts again lacked precision when their attacks reached the final area.
Vitória took the lead through Renê in first-half stoppage time. Corinthians responded in the 66th minute, when Yuri Alberto converted a penalty. It was the forward’s first goal since late July, following a lengthy injury absence.
The point leaves Corinthians on 33, only one above Internacional of Porto Alegre, who occupy the first relegation position. Seven rounds remain, leaving Seedorf to inherit a club still without a league victory in nine attempts and with little distance between the arena in São Paulo and the drop into the second tier.
