Corinthians continue to drop points without holidaymaker Memphis

Corinthians' struggles in the Brazilian Série A continued on Saturday as they failed to capitalize on their final league fixture before the mid-season break for the Club World Cup.

A 1-1 draw away at Grêmio means the São Paulo-based side have now gone four straight games without a win in the league, casting further doubt over their consistency in what has been an underwhelming campaign so far.

The absence of star forward Memphis Depay was keenly felt. The 31-year-old Dutchman had featured earlier in the week for the Netherlands in their 4-0 win over Malta and was granted a short holiday by the club to recover and recharge ahead of a busy second half of the season. Watching from a distance, Memphis saw a familiar face strike first in Porto Alegre his former Barcelona teammate Martin Braithwaite opened the scoring for Grêmio, finishing a well-worked team move midway through the first half that exposed defensive gaps in the Corinthians backline.

Corinthians responded with more intensity after the break and were eventually rewarded for their efforts. The equalizer came from 20-year-old midfielder Breno Bidon, who has become one of the bright spots in an otherwise inconsistent season. His composed finish in the 67th minute after capitalizing on a loose ball in the box ensured that the visitors avoided defeat, but it was far from the uplifting result coach António Oliveira would have hoped for going into the international pause.

This latest draw adds to a worrying trend. Corinthians have now drawn three matches in a row and haven’t picked up three points since May 18, when Yuri Alberto who also missed the Grêmio clash due to rest scored the only goal in a narrow win over Santos. That victory remains their only triumph in the last six games. As a result, Corinthians are currently drifting in mid-table, struggling to find the rhythm that saw them briefly flirt with the top six earlier in the campaign.

Memphis Depay’s impact since arriving in Brazil has been undeniable. With three goals and three assists in just eight Série A appearances, the Dutch international has brought flair, experience, and attacking intelligence to the Corinthians front line. His link-up play with Yuri Alberto and Wesley has been particularly effective, and fans will be eager to see the trio reunited when domestic action resumes after the Club World Cup break.

Depay’s arrival at Corinthians earlier this year was a major coup for the club, and his decision to embrace a new challenge in South America was seen as a bold move. Having already played for elite clubs such as PSV, Manchester United, Lyon, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona, the forward joined the São Paulo giants with a view to adding leadership and quality to a team undergoing transition. His contract runs until December 31, 2026, and he has quickly become a fan favorite not only for his performances but also for his professionalism and engagement with the local culture and supporters.

While Depay’s form has been encouraging, the team around him has lacked consistency. Defensive lapses, a midfield lacking cohesion, and an overreliance on moments of individual brilliance have limited Corinthians’ progress. The temporary break from league action could provide a crucial window for Oliveira to reassess tactics, integrate younger talent like Bidon more effectively, and reignite a campaign that still holds potential particularly with the club’s qualification for the upcoming Club World Cup.

The fixture list after the international break doesn’t get any easier, with Corinthians set to face several top-half rivals in quick succession. If they are to push for continental qualification and make a deeper run in the Club World Cup later this year, they’ll need their key players especially Memphis to return refreshed and firing.

For now, though, it’s a case of regrouping, reflecting, and preparing. With stars like Memphis Depay and Yuri Alberto expected to return from their brief absences, Corinthians will be hoping to hit the reset button and mount a more consistent push in the second half of the season.