Estudiantes hosts Corinthians in Copa Libertadores quarterfinals

The "Pincha" has an important date at Estadio UNO. This Wednesday, September 9, Estudiantes de La Plata hosts Corinthians in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, with one clear goal: build an advantage at home before heading to Brazil for the second leg.

Kickoff is set for 9:30 PM in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile (7:30 PM in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador), and fans looking to watch live can do so through Disney+'s Premium Plan, available only in South America.

Why does this match deserve attention? Because it's no ordinary clash. Estudiantes needs to assert itself at home against an opponent loaded with star power, and any positive result tonight would completely change the outlook for the return leg in Brazil.

How the teams arrive

Alexander Medina's side isn't going through its best week: it comes off a 1-0 road loss to Velez in the Torneo Clausura. In the Libertadores, though, the team has shown a different face, knocking out Universidad Catolica de Chile in the round of 16. Up front, hopes rest on Guido Carrillo, Joaquin Correa, Joaquin Tobio Burgos and Ezequiel Correa, key pieces for holding serve at home.

Corinthians, for its part, isn't riding high either: it fell 2-1 to Chapecoense at home in the Brasileirao. In the Cup, though, it's shown a different version of itself after eliminating Rosario Central in the previous round. Fernando Diniz has a squad with real international pedigree, led by Memphis Depay, Rodrigo Garro, Kaio Cesar and Jesse Lingard, four players capable of deciding a match at any moment.

A history that inspires hope

The last time these two sides met was on August 29, 2023, also in La Plata, and the result is still etched in the memory of Estudiantes fans: a 1-0 win with a goal from Mauro Mendez, followed by a penalty-shootout advance in that Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal. That memory, even if from a different competition, serves as extra motivation for the "Pincha" ahead of this new continental test.

With home advantage as its main asset and the need to avoid arriving in Brazil in trouble, Estudiantes will go for the game from the opening whistle. Corinthians, banking on the experience of its stars, will look to strike early and secure a slim lead that lets it settle the series on its own turf.