Corinthians aim to end 14-year away hoodoo in the Copa Libertadores | OneFootball

Corinthians return to the pitch in the Copa Libertadores this Wednesday (9) at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time to face Estudiantes at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium in La Plata, in the first leg of the quarterfinals. In addition to seeking a good result to gain an edge in the tie, Timão will try to put an end to an uncomfortable taboo that has lasted 14 years.

Corinthians have not scored an away goal in Libertadores knockout matches since 2012, when Romarinho found the net against Boca Juniors at La Bombonera in the first leg of that year’s final. Since then, Timão have played seven away knockout matches without scoring.

Corinthians’ last away match in the Libertadores was against Rosario Central in Argentina. Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The streak, which had already reached six matches before the clash with Rosario Central, grew after the 0-0 draw at Gigante de Arroyito in August. On that occasion, Corinthians withstood the Argentine pressure and took the decision to Neo Química Arena, where they won 1-0 with a goal by Breno Bidon, securing qualification for the quarterfinals.

After Romarinho’s goal at La Bombonera, Corinthians again played Libertadores knockout ties away from home, but failed to score in any of those matches.

The first match in the run came against Boca Juniors in 2013. In the first leg of the round of 16, Timão lost 1-0 in Argentina. Two years later, the opponent was Paraguay’s Guaraní. Corinthians ended up losing 2-0 in the first leg of the round of 16.

In 2016, against Uruguay’s Nacional, Timão managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw away from home. The next season they played in the continental knockout stage, in 2018, the opponent was Chile’s Colo-Colo. Once again away from home, Corinthians lost 1-0.

The team returned to play a Libertadores knockout round away from home in 2022. In the round of 16, they faced Boca Juniors again and drew 0-0 once more at La Bombonera. Despite not scoring, Timão advanced on penalties 6-5. Still in that edition, Corinthians faced Flamengo in the quarterfinals. At the Maracanã, they were defeated 1-0.

The streak reached seven matches precisely in the clash with Rosario Central. At Gigante de Arroyito, Timão once again failed to score, but managed to leave the field with a goalless draw before deciding qualification in São Paulo.

Corinthians’ away record in Libertadores knockout matches since 2012:

Since then:

Thus, considering only away matches in Libertadores knockout rounds since that Romarinho goal at La Bombonera, Corinthians have gone seven matches without scoring.

This Wednesday, Corinthians will have another chance to end the streak in a major showdown. Estudiantes will be Timão’s first foreign opponent in the Libertadores quarterfinals. The club’s previous five appearances at this stage all came against Brazilian teams.

In addition, the clash brings back a positive memory for Corinthians. In 2023, also in La Plata, Timão eliminated Estudiantes in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana. After winning 1-0 in São Paulo and losing by the same score in Argentina, the team advanced on penalties.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.