Winless run and push to qualify: how Platense face Corinthians | OneFootball

Corinthians host Platense of Argentina on Wednesday night (27) at Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the sixth and final round of the Copa Libertadores group stage. The Argentine side comes into the clash on a poor run and looking to secure its place in the knockout stage of the competition.

With seven points earned, Timão’s opponent sits in second place in Libertadores Group E, followed by Independiente Santa Fé of Colombia, who have five points. Therefore, only a win over the São Paulo black-and-white side guarantees the Argentines a place in the next round.

Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images

In the event of a draw, Platense will have to hope the Colombians do not beat Peñarol, the bottom side in the group, in a match played in Uruguay. If Santa Fé win and the match in Itaquera ends in a draw, the group’s second qualification spot would be decided based on tiebreaker criteria, which would depend on the number of goals scored in the two matches. If Corinthians, already qualified as group leaders, win, the Argentine club can only advance if there is a draw or a win for the Uruguayans in the other group match.

The Argentine side’s current form this season is not encouraging. Their last win came on April 29, in the fourth round of the Libertadores group stage, when they beat Independiente Santa Fé 2-1 at home. Since then, they have played four matches, with two draws and two defeats.

In addition, their campaign in the Argentine Championship also shows inconsistency. The current champions of the tournament, Platense sit only 12th in Group A of the Argentine League Apertura, with 16 points — three wins, seven draws, and six defeats — in 16 rounds played. In the competition, only the top eight teams in the group advance to the knockout stage.

The team coached by Walter Adrian Zunino also has important absences due to fitness issues, such as Franco Minerva, Gonzalo Goñi, Marcos Portillo, and Victor Cuesta, who will not be available for the match against Corinthians.

A likely lineup is: Matías Borgogno; Agustín Lagos, Ignacio Vázquez, Mateo Mendia and Tomás Silva; Ivan Gomez, Maximiliano Amarfil, Ferreira and Franco Zapiola; Guido Mainero and Gonzalo Lencina.

In the first meeting between the teams, in the opening round of the Libertadores, Corinthians were not intimidated by their opponents’ home advantage and won 2-0, with goals from Kayke and Yuri Alberto. Now, the São Paulo black-and-white side are looking to finish the group stage on a high note to remain unbeaten, while the Argentines fight for qualification.

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