Key Points
- Two center backs and a 19-year-old midfielder scored in a 3–0 opener despite several missing stars.
- Corinthians controlled the match: 73.9% possession, 20–4 shots (10–1 on target), 10–5 corners, plus two disallowed goals.
- A lifted FIFA registration ban reopened transfers, but costly financial fixes are shaping what happens next.
Corinthians began their state-league campaign with a calm 3–0 win over Ponte Preta at Neo Química Arena, watched by 37,089 fans (36,802 paid).
The gate was R$2,482,182.90 ($460,000). Dorival Júnior had to work without Yuri Alberto, Memphis Depay, Rodrigo Garro, José Martínez, and Raniele, and still produced a performance that kept Ponte at arm’s length.
The goals arrived after halftime. Gustavo Henrique broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, heading in from a corner. In the 63rd, Matheuzinho struck from inside the area, the goalkeeper parried, and the rebound struck 19-year-old defensive midfielder André and went in.
In stoppage time, André Ramalho finished the afternoon with a long-range shot into the top corner—an instant highlight that spread quickly on X and Instagram accounts.
Corinthians strong start amid financial pressure
Reports also noted two additional Corinthians goals were ruled out, one for offside and another for a foul on the goalkeeper, reinforcing how firmly the home side took control once the game opened up.
Garro’s absence has a clear reason: he is recovering after surgery on his left wrist following a fracture suffered in the Copa do Brasil final.
The Paulistão’s revised format makes fast starts more valuable: eight first-phase matches, top eight to the quarterfinals, bottom two relegated, and a calendar running from January 10 to March 8.
Corinthians next travel to Red Bull Bragantino on Thursday, January 15; Ponte Preta host Velo Clube on Wednesday, January 14. Off the pitch, Corinthians are also living with hard constraints.
The arithmetic leaves little room for populist narratives. A FIFA registration ban was lifted after a payment of R$41.6 million ($7.7 million), and the club faced a separate settlement involving Matías Rojas of R$41.2 million ($7.6 million).
With that backdrop, Lazio’s reported €22 million bid for Yuri Alberto—about R$140 million ($26 million)—captures the tension between balancing accounts and resisting short-term, easy-answer pressure.
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