Platense vs. Corinthians – News and Probable Lineups

Corinthians are set to embark on their 2026 Copa Libertadores journey, facing Platense in Argentina amidst a serious internal crisis. This fixture will take place at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López on Thursday, April 9.

Group E promises to be highly competitive, with Independiente Santa Fe and Peñarol also vying for supremacy. The Brazilian squad will be keen to claim all three points away from home as they aim for a spot in the round of 16.

Match overview

Fans of Platense are in for a memorable evening when referee Piero Maza blows the whistle to kick off the match. This will mark the club’s inaugural appearance in South America’s top club competition.

Their qualification was secured on June 1, 2025, when they triumphed in the Torneo Apertura, clinching the first top-tier Argentine title in their 120-year history.

To prepare for this significant event, the club undertook various renovations to their stadium to meet CONMEBOL standards. However, their Libertadores debut occurs during a tumultuous period for the team.

Platense has not won in their last six matches, with four draws and two losses. Their latest match saw them held to a 0-0 stalemate against Lanús on Wednesday, April 1. With three wins, six draws, and three defeats, they currently occupy the tenth position in Group A of the Apertura with 15 points.

The head coach guiding Platense through 2026 is Walter Zunino, who has been with the club as an assistant manager since 2024. He was appointed on a permanent basis at the beginning of the season and has been attempting to instil his tactical approach in a modest squad.

As they make their debut in this competition, Platense is determined to make an impact, providing their fans with a night to cheer about. They aim to kick off their Libertadores campaign on a positive note, although given the strength of their group-stage opponents, they are viewed as underdogs for a place in the knockout rounds.

Corinthians arrive in Argentina facing their own challenges, having recently experienced a managerial change. Dorival Júnior was relieved of his duties after a streak of nine matches without a win. His exit was marked by a defeat against Internacional last Sunday at the Neo Química Arena, where they lost 1-0.

The board acted promptly, appointing Fernando Diniz as the new head coach until the end of 2026. The 52-year-old had previously been without a club since leaving Vasco, and his attacking mindset and availability played a crucial role in his quick appointment.

Diniz’s primary task is to rebuild the team’s morale. Beyond the disappointing results, Corinthians currently sit 16th in the Brasileirão, having only won two of their first matches. The offensive line is an area in urgent need of improvement, with the team averaging just 0.8 goals per game through the first ten rounds of the season.

As Copa do Brasil champions, Corinthians had been absent from the Libertadores for two years. In 2023, they were ousted in the group stage, finishing third in Group E. Now, with a more robust squad that includes players such as Memphis Depay, Yuri Alberto, and Breno Bidon, expectations are high for a place in the knockout stages.

This match also provides Corinthians with a chance to end a disappointing run away from home, with their last victory on the road occurring on February 19, when they managed a 1-0 win over Athletico Paranaense at the Arena da Baixada.

Team News

Platense begins their Libertadores journey with six players sidelined due to injuries. Gonzalo Goñi, Agustín Ocampos, Franco Mineva, Santiago Quirós, Héctor Bobadilla, and Marco Portillo are all unavailable, meaning they will not participate against Corinthians.

Defender Ignácio Vázquez encountered a thigh issue ahead of the scoreless encounter with Lanús. He is receiving treatment and will be evaluated on match day. If he is unable to recover on time, Eugenio Raggio is likely to step in as his replacement.

Given the limited training opportunities, Fernando Diniz is expected to maintain the bulk of the starting lineup from previous fixtures. The new manager will be missing Memphis Depay, Kaio César, Hugo, and Gui Negão, all of whom are out due to injuries for his debut match in charge.

The main uncertainty revolves around the forward partnership alongside Yuri Alberto. Jesse Lingard made his first start for the club last time out but might be rotated due to concerns over his match fitness as he works towards full readiness.

Platense probable starting XI:

Matías Borgogno; Juan Ignacio Saborido, Víctor Cuesta, Eugenio Raggio (Ignácio Vázquez), Tomás Silva; Pablo Ferreira, Iván Gómez; Juan Gauto, Martín Barrios, Guido Mainero; Gonzalo Lencina. Manager: Walter Zunino.

Corinthians probable starting XI:

Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Paulista, Fabrizio Angileri; Raniele, Matheus Pereira, Breno Bidon, André Luiz; Jesse Lingard (Vitinho), Yuri Alberto. Manager: Fernando Diniz.

Both teams have faced challenges in scoring recently, with many of their matches producing fewer than 2.5 goals. In Diniz’s opening match, Corinthians may exhibit signs of attacking inconsistency, particularly in the final third.

Platense has seen nine of their recent matches finish with under three goals, including four matches that ended in goalless draws. Given this trend, a scoreless draw appears to be a possible outcome.