Corinthians likely absentees, players at risk v Estudiantes-ARG | OneFootball

On the night of this Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, Corinthians take the field at Neo Química Arena to face Argentina’s Estudiantes in the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals. In the first leg, on the 9th in La Plata, the teams drew 1-1. If there is another draw, the team that advances will be decided on penalties.

The Corinthians coaching staff is expected to have the following absences for the decisive match in the international competition: center-back André Ramalho (partial work with the group after a bout of labyrinthitis), defensive midfielder Raniele (suspended), midfielder Zakaria Labyad (recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee), as well as forwards Yuri Alberto (recovering from fibrosis resulting from a grade 2B muscle injury in his thigh) and Kayke Ferrari (recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee).

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

On the other hand, the main piece of news is the return of 20-year-old defensive midfielder André Luiz, who is expected to at least be on the bench after recovering from a muscle injury. He has not played since August 6. Therefore, Corinthians, managed by head coach Fernando Diniz, should begin the match with the following lineup:

Corinthians will also have to keep an eye on the situation of two players who are one booking away from suspension, with two yellow cards each. If they receive a third, they will not be able to play in a potential first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores semifinals should Corinthians qualify. They are: right-back Matheuzinho and midfielder Breno Bidon. If they advance, Timão will face Flamengo or Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle. The Rio side won the first match 2-0.

This is Corinthians’ sixth appearance in the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals. In 2000 and 2012, against Atlético-MG and Vasco da Gama, Alvinegro advanced. On the other hand, in the 1996, 1999, and 2022 seasons, the club from Parque São Jorge was eliminated by Grêmio, Palmeiras, and Flamengo, respectively.

Since winning the tournament for the first time in 2012, unbeaten, Timão have not enjoyed much success in the competition — in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018, they were knocked out in the round of 16. In 2022, they fell in the quarterfinals. Finally, in 2020 and 2025, they exited the Libertadores in the preliminary stage. Alvinegro are seeking their third semifinal in the tournament’s history. The other two came in 2000 and 2012.

Libertadores campaign so far and prize money earned

In the group stage, Alvinegro advanced as leaders of Group E with 11 points — three wins, two draws, and one defeat — scoring eight goals and conceding four. In the round of 16, they got past Rosario Central-ARG by winning 1-0 on aggregate — 0-0 in the first leg (Argentina) and 1-0 in the second leg (Neo Química Arena).

So far, they have four wins, one draw, and one defeat — 10 goals scored and five conceded — as well as R$ 25.9 million accumulated in prize money in the competition. If they qualify for the semifinals, Timão will earn another US$ 2.3 million (about R$ 11.85 million at the current exchange rate).

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