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| Tite says that episode with Jorge Henrique will not influence the team (Photo: Rodrigo Faber) |
The removal of Jorge Henrique on the eve of the first game of the final of the Paulista Championship, against Santos, divided the attentions of Corinthians before the team started a decisive game line. The technician Tite, which was consulted by the Alvinegra board before the measure involving the attacker was taken, it was said, above all, upset with the event. Still, he made it clear: the club's interests will always be above any player.
After the training last Thursday, the day the Corinthian dome announced that Jorge Henrique would be removed indefinitely, Tite met the player in the parking lot of CT Joaquim Grava. He heard a number of apologies from him, but responded forcefully: he asked Jorge to rethink his attitudes to conduct his career intelligently from now on.
– I'm sad, and I have no pleasure in doing that. His career is in his hands... The professional sequence, the course he's going to take. Jorge's life doesn't depend on Tite, the Corinthians, the direction. It depends on him, fundamentally – he summarized, in a press conference late this Friday afternoon.
The alvinegro commander stressed the need not to deviate from the focus of the match against Santos, this Sunday, at 16h ( Brasilia time), Pacaembu. Aware that any slip at home can be critical to the game back in a week's time at Vila Belmiro, Tite assured that the problem with the player was left aside at this time, giving way to the desire to win another title at the beginning of the season.
– What we have now are two decisive games by Paulista and Liberators to decide. All work done at Corinthians is more important than anything. The decision on Jorge was not made in isolation. Everything happened together with the direction and the club – completed.
Between the two games of the final against Santos, the Corinthians will have ahead Boca Juniors on Wednesday. After losing 1–0 in Buenos Aires, Timão must win by two goals of difference to advance to the quarterfinals of the Libertadors Cup of America. It will be three games in eight days, but Tite has already made it clear that he will not spare players on any of them. The team will have maximum strength in both competitions, although the search for the bi of the continent will be a priority.
The board side
The announcement that Jorge Henrique would be removed at the Corinthians was made by the club's deputy director, Duílio Monteiro Alves. This Friday, who attended CT Joaquim Grava was President Mário Gobbi. Without giving clues about the case, the agent stressed the unpleasant context that involved the problem with the player, but said that, above all, the attacker himself needs to rethink his attitudes.
– I think it's clear that it's not a comfortable situation, but we don't need to treat it publicly. These issues are internal, for everyone's sake. Jorge Henrique's moment is of reflection, of thinking about his life and career. Things will clear up naturally. We have to give time – he said.
A member of the high summit of Alvinegro confirmed to GLOBOESPORTE.COM that Jorge Henrique will no longer wear Timão's shirt. The board and coach Tite considered as the last straw the act of indiscipline that resulted in the removal of the player indefinitely. The club only awaits the passage of the finals of the Paulista Championship and the eighths of the Libertadores Cup to officialize the athlete's departure.
