Estudiantes host Corinthians in Libertadores quarterfinal first leg

Estudiantes de La Plata welcome Corinthians on Wednesday for the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata, Argentina. Kick-off is set for 21:30 local time with a capacity of 32,530 spectators.

Both clubs enter the tie on poor domestic runs. Estudiantes sit 13th in Argentina's Clausura Group A with seven points from eight matches, having lost 1-0 to Vélez Sarsfield on Saturday. Corinthians have suffered four straight Brasileirão defeats, the latest a 2-1 home loss to bottom-placed Chapecoense.

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

Corinthians coach Fernando Diniz apologised after Sunday's defeat, saying he felt "ashamed, especially for the fans, who deserve more smiles." The pressure on the Brazilian manager has intensified despite a solid Libertadores campaign of four wins, three draws and one loss in eight games.

Estudiantes have mirrored that continental resilience with three wins, four draws and one defeat in eight Libertadores matches, eliminating Ecuador's Universidad Católica in the round of 16. The Argentine side's coach Alexander Medina confirmed Joaquín Correa and Leandro González Pírez are available despite knocks.

The teams have met only twice before, in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals. Corinthians advanced 3-2 on penalties after each side won its home leg. Wednesday's match will be broadcast on TV Globo, geTV YouTube and Paramount+ in Brazil, and on ESPN in Peru.