Paulinho can be a starter at Corinthians after almost a year

Fernando Lazarotechnician of Corinthianshas not yet signaled who will assume ownership in place of Renato Augustoagainst Ituanofor the quarterfinals of the Paulistan. However, Paulinho is one of the likely names and could return to Timão’s starting 11 after almost a year.

In the match against HolyAndre, valid for the last round of Paulistão, Paulinho was chosen to replace Renato Augusto, who suffered a strain in the medial collateral ligament of his right knee. Therefore, there is a possibility that the coach will repeat this change. Even though he is a defensive midfielder, the 34-year-old player has been playing more advanced.

Since returning from injury, Paulinho has been gradually establishing his game and has yet to play in the starting line-up. There were seven matches, all coming off the bench, 214 minutes in total. On that return, the midfielder already scored a goal, precisely in the match against Santo André, when he replaced Renato Augusto.

Paulinho’s last match as a starter at Corinthians was on May 1, 2022, in the duel against Strength. In that match, the veteran suffered the knee injury that took him out of the rest of the season. If the title comes against Ituano, on Sunday, the 12th, the player will start a match after 315 days, more than ten months.

With the number 15 in the starting line-up, Fernando Lázaro will have to decide on the other players who will accompany Paulinho in midfield. One of the possibilities is to form a quartet together with roni, Giuliano It is Adson. The question would be about the positioning of each player, since they can play in more than one phase.