Estudiantes and Corinthians Meet in a Libertadores Quarterfinal Clash of Struggling Teams

Estudiantes de La Plata and Corinthians meet in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals with both clubs badly in need of a win. The Argentine side hosts the first leg on Wednesday while trying to recover from a difficult domestic campaign, and the Brazilian visitors arrive after another damaging league defeat.

Estudiantes have gone two matches without winning and sit at the bottom of Group A in Argentina’s Torneo Clausura. Their record stands at two wins, one draw and five defeats. They lost 1-0 away to Vélez on Saturday, although they had previously advanced in the Libertadores by beating Universidad Católica 3-0 in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie.

Coach Alexander “Cacique” Medina said Joaquín Correa and Leandro González Pírez could play despite ending the Vélez match with physical problems. He will need Estudiantes to improve a team performance that has recently shown sharp ups and downs. The Libertadores, along with the Copa Argentina, represents the club’s main objective for the remainder of 2026.

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I feel ashamed, especially for the fans, who deserve more smiles.

Corinthians are in an even more unstable position. Sunday’s 2-1 loss to last-place Chapecoense was their fourth consecutive defeat in the Brazilian championship. They sit 11th with 32 points from 26 matches, and the run has raised doubts about Diniz’s future. After the match, Diniz apologized to supporters, saying he felt ashamed because they deserved more smiles.

Memphis Depay said Corinthians began well, took the lead, then lost control, possession and discipline. “We have to learn to play like a great team, with more responsibility,” he told local media. Corinthians’ last victory came in the Libertadores round of 16, when they edged Rosario Central 1-0 to advance.

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We started well, opened the scoring, lost control, made mistakes and lost possession. We have to learn to play like a great team, with more responsibility.