Coritiba enter their final league fixture of June in desperate need of some points to put some distance between themselves and the relegation line as they head to Estadio Beira-Rio to face Internacional on Friday.
The side from Porto Alegre saw their 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end last weekend, losing 3-2 to Botafogo, while Coxa are just a point above relegation, having dropped their previous three league fixtures in the Brasileiro Serie A.
Match preview
Early on, it looked as though Colorado would cruise to a third straight domestic triumph on Sunday, leading Fogo 2-0 after 14 minutes.
Some uncharacteristic complacency after that cost them, as they conceded in the 19th minute and began to hang back, allowing six shots on target to a side who only had 22% of the possession.
Since the end of May, this group have looked laser-focused and ready from the opening whistle, scoring six goals in their last six games before the 25-minute mark.
They have not been shut out in 12 consecutive fixtures in all competitions, scoring the third-most goals in Serie A to this point of the season (18).
Their possession-based approach has helped create plenty of scoring opportunities, but they have not always put a match to bed when in command.
Mano Menezes has seen his side fire a combined 16 efforts on target in their previous two matches, scoring four times.
Coritiba held firm until the bitter end against Athletico Paranaense, conceding in the 10th minute of stoppage time to stretch their winless run to five straight games domestically.
Glorioso are hovering dangerously close to relegation after 13 league encounters, but one victory could change all of that as only three points currently separate them (15th) from Fluminense in sixth.
It has been nearly a decade since they defeated Coritiba in a competitive fixture back in 2012, blanking them at home by a 1-0 score.
In this campaign, we have seen Gustavo Morinigo implement a patient style, with his players biding their time before finding the right moment to strike, though that moment has often come too late.
Coxa have not tallied a first-half goal all month long, and by the time those breakthroughs have come recently, they have already been behind.
In their six league matches away from home this year, Coritiba have conceded multiple goals in five of those encounters.
- D
- W
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- L
Team News
Edenilson has goals in back-to-back games for Internacional, while Fabricio Bustos notched his first domestically in their defeat on Sunday, with Alan Patrick picking up his second assist.
Daniel has three clean sheets so far this season, with his last one coming in a 2-0 victory at the start of the month against Bragantino, while Carlos De Pena has chipped in with two goals and two assists.
Gabriel Mercado and David will each be suspended for this encounter after they were both issued red cards in their previous meeting, while Rene (thigh), Bruno Gomes (dislocated elbow) and Gabriel Boschilia are all out through injury.
Goalkeeper Alex Muralha has four clean sheets for Coritiba, while Igor Paixao and Leo Gamalho are tied for the team lead in goals with four.
Paixao, Fabricio Daniel and Egidio are in a three-way tie for first on this side in assists with two, while Adrian Martinez has three goals.
Warley and Diego Porfirio will both be unavailable because of suspensions, while Robinho has a problem with his thigh and Andrey is out for the season due to an ACL injury.
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Bustos, Vitao, Rocha, Moises; Gabriel; Edenilson, Dourado; Patrick; Moraes, Wanderson
Coritiba possible starting lineup:
Muralha; Alexandre, Henrique, Castan, Egidio; Farias, Galarza, Anderson; Regis; Manga, Martinez
We say: Internacional 2-0 Coritiba
Internacional can probably afford to take a few more chances in possession and push numbers forward against a Coritiba side who allow a lot through the middle and have struggled to maintain a solid defensive shape.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
