# Vitinho Gains Momentum Under Seedorf at Corinthians The forward surpasses his previous five-month playing time following Rodrigo Garro's injury. - **Source:** [GE Globo – Futebol](https://ge.globo.com/futebol) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/947846a4-5abb-4361-90a1-164fc9d0fcd3 ## Strategic Shift in Personnel Forward Vitinho has secured a significant role in the Corinthians squad under new manager Clarence Seedorf. This tactical pivot follows the unfortunate knee injury sustained by playmaker Rodrigo Garro. With Memphis Depay also managing his physical condition, the coaching staff is relying on Vitinho to provide necessary depth in upcoming Brasileirão matches. ## Quantifying the Playing Time Since Seedorf took charge, Vitinho has accumulated 150 minutes of competitive action across three matches. He played 70 minutes against Vitória, 18 against Mirassol, and 62 in the recent classic against São Paulo. This active participation marks a stark contrast to his previous usage, where he struggled to find consistent time on the field. ## Comparison to Previous Months The recent surge in activity is highlighted by a comparison with his performance over the preceding five months. Between April 26 and October 11, Vitinho logged only 130 minutes of play. He has now surpassed that total in just a few weeks under Seedorf, demonstrating a clear change in the team's internal hierarchy. ## Historical Professional Connection The relationship between Vitinho and Seedorf dates back to their time at Botafogo between 2012 and 2013. During that period, Seedorf was nearing the conclusion of his illustrious playing career, while Vitinho was an emerging talent taking his first professional steps. This shared history likely influences the current trust shown by the manager. ## Impact of Garro's Injury Rodrigo Garro left the field during the first half of the match against São Paulo due to right knee pain. As of now, there is no official timeline for his return to the pitch. His absence creates a void in the midfield and attack, forcing the technical staff to re-evaluate their offensive options. ## Player Profile and Statistics At 33 years old, Vitinho has accumulated 43 appearances for Corinthians throughout his tenure with the club. He has started 14 of those matches, contributing six assists and scoring one goal. His experience is now being leveraged to maintain offensive momentum while the team navigates a challenging period of player availability issues. ## Broader Squad Challenges Corinthians faces additional complications beyond the injury to Garro. Reports indicate that striker Yuri Alberto could face a suspension of up to 12 matches, further thinning the squad's attacking depth. These combined factors make the emergence of reliable rotation players like Vitinho essential for the team's performance in the remaining league fixtures. ## Future Outlook for Corinthians The upcoming rounds of the Brasileirão will test the squad's resilience under Seedorf's leadership. With key players sidelined, the reliance on established veterans who have a deep understanding of the manager's philosophy becomes paramount. Vitinho's ability to maintain his current form will be critical for the team's stability in the final season stretch. ## Sources covering this story - https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2026/11/06/vitinho-ganha-espaco-com-seedorf-no-corinthians-e-supera-minutos-dos-cinco-meses-anteriores.ghtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._