Corinthians suffered a defeat on Sunday night as the Brazilian league resumed. After the lost match against Bragantino, the main focus was on the situation of Memphis Depay, who skipped a training session last week due to unpaid wages.
Corinthians fell to a 1-2 home defeat against Bragantino on Sunday night as the Brazilian league resumed after the break, further deepening the club’s ongoing struggles in the domestic competition.
This latest loss extended their winless streak to four matches, raising concerns among supporters who had hoped the pause in the league schedule would reset the team’s form. But while the result itself was troubling, much of the post-match discourse was overshadowed by the ongoing controversy involving Memphis Depay a situation that has become a symbol of deeper issues within the club.
Earlier in the week, Memphis had made headlines not for his on-field exploits but for his decision to skip a scheduled training session without authorization from the club. The Dutch forward, reportedly frustrated by delayed wage payments, took matters into his own hands by staging a form of protest, a move that did not sit well with Corinthians' management nor with the Brazilian media. His absence was quickly met with a formal reprimand from the club, as officials sought to maintain discipline within the squad. In Brazil, where club-player relationships are closely scrutinized by passionate fans and an intense press, Memphis’ act was seen by some as unprofessional and by others as a symptom of administrative failings.
Realizing the weight of his actions, Memphis returned to training the following day. Before rejoining the session, he stood before his teammates to offer an apology a gesture that, according to reports, was received with understanding but also with a clear message that unity is paramount during such a delicate phase of the season. The 31-year-old was subsequently restored to the starting eleven for Sunday’s match, marking his first club appearance since June 13, when he had been away on international duty.
For the Netherlands, Memphis had been in prolific form, scoring three goals against Finland and Malta during the World Cup qualifiers. These performances allowed him to equal Robin van Persie’s record as the all-time top scorer for the Dutch national team, a remarkable milestone that had reignited discussions about his enduring quality on the international stage. That form, however, did not carry over to his return with Corinthians, where the realities of a struggling side quickly set in.
Against Bragantino, Memphis tried to influence the game but found himself often isolated and without the usual support needed to make a difference in the final third. The visitors took the lead after half an hour when Eduardo Sasha converted a penalty following a foul by defender Cacá a decision that sparked protest from Corinthians players but stood after VAR review. Determined to atone for his error, Cacá redeemed himself shortly after halftime, heading home an equalizer from a well-delivered corner by Memphis. The stadium erupted, sensing a comeback, but that optimism was short-lived.
Corinthians pressed on for a winning goal, but Bragantino’s goalkeeper Lucão put on an inspired performance, making a series of critical saves that kept his side in the contest. As the game ticked into stoppage time, it was Bragantino who struck decisively through Thiago Borbas, whose late goal stunned the home crowd and handed Corinthians yet another painful defeat.
The fallout was immediate, with questions swirling about the team’s form, internal harmony, and the club's ability to manage both sporting and financial matters. Defender Cacá, addressing the press post-match, was quick to dismiss any direct link between Memphis’ wage dispute and the team’s results. “We know we earn good salaries, and sometimes it can take a bit longer for the payments to come through. On the pitch, the results haven’t come, and off the pitch there have been some issues, but there’s no connection between the two,” he insisted, seeking to downplay any suggestion of a fractured squad.
Matheus Bidu, another voice from the locker room, reinforced this message of unity. “There are no problems within the group. We are all together, working hard to turn things around. What happened with Memphis is resolved, and our focus is solely on improving our performance,” he said, reflecting a collective effort to keep the team’s morale intact despite growing external pressure.
Coach Dorival Júnior, a seasoned figure in Brazilian football and former head coach of the national team, also addressed the issue head-on. “This incident is in the past and has nothing to do with the match. Everything is sorted now. Everyone knows what the problem was. We talked about it, and it’s resolved. We have to move forward and start collecting points again,” Dorival stated, making it clear that internal discussions had settled the matter. He acknowledged, however, that while the team is showing signs of improvement in their play, the lack of goals remains a glaring weakness. “Our football is improving with every match, but we need to score more goals,” he admitted.
Dorival also hinted at potential reinforcements during the transfer window, suggesting that the club’s leadership is actively exploring options to strengthen the squad. “We have to see what’s possible to further strengthen this group. The demands of the league and the expectations from our supporters require us to evaluate the market and bring in players who can help us be more effective.”
For now, Corinthians find themselves in eleventh place, a position that falls far below the ambitions of a club with their stature and history. With a restless fan base, a star player embroiled in recent controversy, and a league campaign at risk of derailing, the coming weeks will be crucial. The club must not only address its on-pitch deficiencies but also ensure that off-pitch issues particularly regarding finances and player relations do not further destabilize what has already become a tense season.
