Memphis Depay’s Corinthians face an almost impossible task to stay alive in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. On Thursday night, the Brazilian side suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Barcelona SC from Ecuador. One week from now, Memphis and his teammates will have to try and turn things around at their own Neo Química Arena.
There were high hopes and cautious optimism across Brazil in the buildup to Corinthians’ Copa Libertadores clash against Barcelona SC, with many analysts believing the Ecuadorian side was far from the toughest possible opponent at this stage.
ESPN Brazil even described Barcelona SC as "the perfect opponent," highlighting their recent inconsistencies and suggesting that Corinthians, with their star-studded squad led by Memphis Depay, had every chance to take control of the tie.
However, just ninety minutes later, that optimism was completely shattered. Barcelona SC dominated from start to finish, exposing every defensive weakness in the Corinthians lineup and running out comfortable 3-0 winners. The same ESPN Brazil that predicted smooth sailing for Corinthians was left speechless, calling the Brazilian side’s performance a "total blackout" a complete collapse in every department.
Janner Corozo opened the scoring early, capitalizing on hesitant defending and poor positioning at the back. Corinthians never recovered their composure, and before they could even settle into the match, Corozo struck again, doubling Barcelona’s lead. When Octavio Rivero added a third, the damage was beyond repair. It wasn’t just the goals that hurt Corinthians it was the sheer ease with which Barcelona tore them apart. Memphis Depay, brought in to add European pedigree to the squad, cut an isolated and frustrated figure up front, starved of service and visibly unhappy with the team’s inability to keep possession.
But the disaster for Corinthians didn’t begin when the whistle blew it started long before kickoff. Their pre-match preparations descended into chaos when they arrived at the Estadio Monumental and discovered their dressing room had been flooded. With the floor covered in water, Corinthians were forced to abandon the usual pre-game routine and change into their kits in the press room a cramped, uncomfortable space that lacked the usual facilities players rely on to focus and prepare.
Whether the disrupted preparation directly impacted the performance is impossible to say, but combined with the intensity of Barcelona’s start, it set the tone for one of the worst nights in Corinthians’ recent Libertadores history. By halftime, they were already staring at elimination unless they could mount an unlikely comeback in São Paulo.
In the aftermath, Corinthians icon and club legend Craque Neto was one of the most vocal critics. Speaking on Brazilian radio, the former playmaker didn’t mince his words. "3-0 is actually flattering," Neto said bluntly. "It could have easily been 4-0 or 5-0. This was a tactical disaster, from start to finish. Barcelona tore through us like we weren’t even there. The defensive organization was non-existent, and the players just didn’t seem to understand the game plan. It’s embarrassing."
Midfielder Maycon Barberan was equally scathing in his post-match interview. "What we showed today is a disgrace," Maycon admitted. "This cannot happen not in a knockout match in the Libertadores. We worked so hard to get here, and then we go and embarrass ourselves like this. I’m ashamed. As a player, there’s nothing worse than feeling this kind of shame."
Not everyone in the squad shared that level of despair, though. Goalkeeper Hugo Souza took a more defiant stance. "We know what we have to do next week," he said. "We need to play our football keep the ball, attack, and score goals. That’s what we’re good at. If we do that, we can still turn this around." Despite the magnitude of the defeat, Souza insisted the tie was not over. "In this shirt, nothing is impossible," he added, referring to the club’s proud history of comebacks on the continental stage.
The humiliation in Guayaquil didn’t just make headlines in Brazil it sent shockwaves across the football world. In Spain, AS reacted with the headline: "Madness in Guayaquil! Barcelona tear Corinthians to pieces." Meanwhile, in Argentina, the press took a more humorous and brutal approach, focusing not just on the scoreline, but on the sartorial choices of Barcelona SC coach Segundo Castillo.
Castillo, dressed in a striking white tuxedo with a bow tie, became an unexpected star of the evening. Argentine sports daily Olé couldn’t resist mocking the flamboyant touchline attire, writing: "Why so elegant, Castillo? Tonight’s the night to dance to Brazilian music, my friend." The joke was as cutting as it was playful, rubbing salt in the already gaping wounds of Corinthians and their suffering fans.
For Corinthians, the second leg at the Neo Química Arena is now more than just a football match it’s a test of character, pride, and resilience. Overturning a 3-0 deficit is a daunting task under any circumstances, but to do it in the Libertadores, under the weight of intense media scrutiny and fan frustration, makes it a near-mission impossible. Memphis Depay, the marquee signing expected to lead the club on nights like this, will be under particular pressure to deliver something extraordinary.
Next week’s return leg will kick off with Corinthians knowing that only a perfect performance will keep their continental dream alive. Anything less, and this embarrassing chapter in the club’s Libertadores history will be sealed.
