Corinthians pick XI for Rosario Central-ARG in ‘game of the year’ | OneFootball

Corinthians host Rosario Central-ARG on Thursday night (20) at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores Round of 16. In the first leg, played in Argentina exactly one week ago, the two teams drew 0-0. If the match ends level again, the decision will go to a penalty shootout. If they advance to the next round, they will face Estudiantes-ARG, who eliminated Universidad Católica-CHI.

The Corinthians coaching staff, led by Fernando Diniz, cannot count on the following players for the match: center-back André Ramalho (recovering from labyrinthitis), defensive midfielders Allan (serving a suspension) and André Luiz (a grade 2 injury to the back of his right thigh), midfielders Vitinho (recovering from surgery on the meniscus in his left knee), Jesse Lingard (ankle sprain), and Zakaria Labyad (recovering from surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee), as well as forwards Kayke Ferrari (recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee) and Yuri Alberto (being treated for a grade 2 injury to the back of his right thigh).

Photo: Gustavo Vasco/Agência Corinthians

With that, Corinthians started the match with the following lineup: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gabriel Paulista, Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu; Raniele, André Carrillo, Breno Bidon and Rodrigo Garro; Kaio César and Pedro Raul.

The substitutes available are: Kauê Camargo, Pedro Milans, Fabrizio Angileri, Iago Machado, João Pedro Tchoca, Charles, Alex Santana, Matheus Pereira, Luiz Gustavo Bahia, Dieguinho, Gui Negão and Memphis Depay.

If they eliminate the Argentine side, Corinthians will earn $1.7 million (R$ 9 million) for a place in the quarterfinals, in addition to the just over R$ 16 million already accumulated in prize money from the earlier stages of the international tournament. In the group stage, the club from Parque São Jorge topped Group E with 11 points — three wins, two draws and one defeat — with eight goals scored and four conceded. Rosario, in turn, finished second in Group H with 13 points.

Corinthians are chasing their second title in the tournament after their historic unbeaten triumph in 2012 against Argentina’s Boca Juniors. Since then, the club from Parque São Jorge’s best campaign in the competition came in 2022, when they were knocked out by Flamengo in the quarterfinals.

In 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, they were eliminated in the Round of 16. In 2020 and 2025, they were knocked out in the preliminary stage. On the continental stage, Corinthians’ last title came in mid-2013. That year, Timão beat São Paulo 4-1 on aggregate in the Recopa Sudamericana final.

After facing Rosario Central in the second leg of the Libertadores Round of 16, Corinthians will turn their focus back to the Brazilian Championship. Next Sunday (23), at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), Alvinegro will visit Coritiba at Couto Pereira Stadium for the 24th round of the national tournament. At the moment, Timão sit ninth with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws and seven defeats — with 25 goals scored and 22 conceded.

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