Estudiantes rest stars, win in Argentina, focus on Corinthians | OneFootball

Corinthians’ opponent in the Libertadores quarterfinals, Estudiantes took the field in the Argentine Championship before traveling to Brazil to fight for a place in the continental tournament’s semifinals. With a lineup that rested some key players, the La Plata side beat Platense 2-1 this Saturday (12) at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium.

The ninth-round Clausura match took place between the two legs against Timão. After the 1-1 draw last Wednesday (9), also in La Plata, Estudiantes’ coach chose not to start this Saturday’s match with some of the squad’s main players.

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The same strategy was also used by Platense, who are involved in the Libertadores and will face Fluminense next. Even with the changes, Estudiantes managed to make the most of their home advantage and secured all three points with a goal deep into stoppage time.

Estudiantes seals win in the final minutes

The scoring was opened in the 19th minute of the first half. Adolfo Gaich scored for Estudiantes and put the home side ahead. Platense responded shortly after, in the 24th minute, when Guido Mainero leveled the match.

The tie remained for virtually the rest of the game. It was only in the 45th minute of the second half, already in stoppage time, that Estudiantes found the winning goal. Guido Carrillo, who started the match on the bench and came on during the game, scored La Plata’s second and sealed the 2-1 victory.

Carrillo was not the only more experienced player initially rested. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who started against Corinthians in the Libertadores, did not even begin the match, while Joaquín Correa was also used only during the game.

With the result, Estudiantes reached ten points in nine matches in Clausura Group A. The team sits in ninth place, outside the playoff qualification zone at the moment. Platense, in turn, remained on nine points.

Focus turns to Corinthians

With their national league match completed, Estudiantes can now turn their full attention back to the Libertadores. The Argentine side arrives in São Paulo with the tie against Corinthians completely open.

In the first quarterfinal meeting, played at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, the Argentines opened the scoring with Alexis Castro in the opening minutes. Timão responded in the second half and equalized through Kaio César after an assist from Rodrigo Garro, ending the match 1-1.

The place in the next round will be decided this Wednesday (16) at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at Neo Química Arena. Since the first match in Argentina ended in a draw, whoever wins in regulation will advance to the semifinals. Another draw will send the decision to penalties.

Before facing Estudiantes again, Corinthians still have a Brazilian Championship match to play. Fernando Diniz’s side take on Flamengo this Sunday (13) at 5:30 p.m. at the Maracanã in the 27th round of the national competition.

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