Gazeta Esportiva.com
·9 avril 2026
Matheus Pereira keen for Corinthians' Libertadores bow: “We’re focused”

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Yahoo sportsGazeta Esportiva.com
·9 avril 2026

This Thursday, Corinthians will make its debut in the Copa Libertadores. Timão will face Argentina’s Platense at 9 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López in Buenos Aires. In the midst of a 10-match winless streak, the São Paulo side is looking to end the run against the Argentinians. Matheus Pereira highlighted the positive expectations for the match and said the team is aiming to take all three points.
“Expectations couldn’t be better. We know how important this competition is for the club and for us. We are focused and hopeful of taking the three points,” he said.
The clash will not only mark Corinthians’ debut in the Libertadores, but also Fernando Diniz’s first match as Timão head coach. Announced last Monday, one day after Dorival Júnior was dismissed, the coach has already led training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday and will be on the touchline against Platense.
For the continental tournament opener, however, the coach will have some important absences: Kaio César (perifibrotic inflammation in the hamstring of the right thigh), Hugo (knee surgery), Memphis (strain in the front muscle of the right thigh), and Gui Negão (strain in the hamstring of the right thigh).
On the other hand, compared to the match against Internacional last Sunday, the team will have Allan and Matheus Nidu back after they served suspensions against Colorado.
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