Corinthians target Itaquera win to avoid worst home run since 2024 | OneFootball

Corinthians host Rosario Central on Thursday in the Copa Libertadores last 16 second leg at Neo Química Arena, aiming to return to winning ways in Itaquera and avoid their worst home run since 2024. Meu Timao notes the stakes for Fernando Diniz's side.

Corinthians slipped at home last Sunday, losing 2-1 to Cruzeiro in the 23rd round of the Brasileiro. Gustavo Henrique scored for the hosts, with Bruno Rodrigues and Wanderson on target for the visitors.

Defeat to the Argentines would end their campaign and mark Corinthians' poorest sequence at the Arena for more than two years. The last time they suffered back-to-back home losses there was between 30 January and 4 February 2024 in the Paulista, against São Paulo, 2-1, and Novorizontino, 3-1.

If the match is drawn, the tie will be settled on penalties, and a draw would also restart a home winless run after four months. The previous barren spell in Itaquera came in March and April, with draws against Flamengo, 1-1, and Palmeiras, 0-0, plus defeats to Coritiba, 2-0, and Internacional, 1-0. The Internacional loss led to the dismissal of manager Dorival Júnior.

To finish the job in normal time, Corinthians must overturn a modest home record against Argentine clubs in continental competitions. Since the Arena opened in 2014, they have played 13 such games, with four wins, five draws and four defeats, a 43.59% points return.

After a goalless first leg at Estádio Gigante de Arroyito, any win will take Corinthians into the quarter-finals. The winners will meet Estudiantes in the next round.

Source: Meu Timao

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