Diniz faces Almirón again as Corinthians bank on Libertadores record to reach last eight | OneFootball

Corinthians, led by Fernando Diniz, visit Rosario Central on Thursday night for the Copa Libertadores last-16 first leg at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. Diniz meets Jorge Almirón once more and looks to keep a perfect round-of-16 record.

Transfermarkt reports that the 52-year-old has overseen 34 Libertadores matches, delivering 18 wins, eight draws, eight defeats and one title. He lifted the trophy in 2023 with Fluminense after a 2-1 win over Boca Juniors at the Maracanã, when Almirón was in the opposite dugout.

Diniz also holds the competition’s longest unbeaten run, 19 matches, 14 with Fluminense and five with Corinthians. The streak was set with a 1-1 draw at Peñarol on 21 May at the Estadio Campeón del Siglo in Montevideo, and comprised 12 wins and seven draws.

In the round of 16, he advanced in both previous attempts with Fluminense. In 2023 they beat Argentinos Juniors 3-1 on aggregate, then in 2024 eliminated Grêmio on penalties.

This season Corinthians posted three wins, two draws and one defeat in the group stage, topping Group E to secure the second leg at home. The return is on 20 August in Itaquera at 21:30. If the aggregate score is level, penalties will decide the tie.

Source: Meu Timao

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