Corinthians challenges Boca at Libertadores quarterfinals

One day after celebrating the tenth anniversary of the first Libertadores conquest, Corinthians will decide its future in this year's edition of the South American tournament against the same rival during the cup in 2012, when the Brazilian team became champion. This Tuesday (Jul. 5), at 9:30 pm (Brasilia local time), Corinthians will play against Boca Juniors at Bombonera, in Buenos Aires (Argentina), in the return duel in the round of 16.

The teams drew goalless in the first leg, a week ago, at Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. In the event of another tie, the decision will be on penalties. A simple victory is enough for the teams to classify in normal time.

It is the fourth time that Corinthians and Boca will be face to face in this Libertadores. The teams participated in the same group in the first phase, with Corinthians winning in São Paulo (2-0) and tying at Bombonera (1-1).

Coach Vitor Pereira has several problems to choose the players. Six of them cannot play due to injury (side player Fagner, midfielders Maycon, Paulinho, and Renato Augusto, and strikers Gustavo Mosquito and Júnior Moraes), in addition to midfielder Adson, who tested positive for COVID-19.

Midfielder Du Queiroz and striker Willian are in their last phase of treatment, so they traveled with the group but they are not sure whether they will be able to play.

After sparing most of the starting players in the 4-0 defeat to Fluminense, on Saturday (2), at Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro, during the Brazilian Championship, the Portuguese coach should start the team with: Cássio, Rafael Ramos, João Victor, Raul Gustavo and Fábio Santos; Roni (Du Queiroz), Víctor Cantillo and Giuliano; Gustavo Mantuan, Lucas Piton (Willian) and Róger Guedes.

Regarding the first leg game, Frank Fabra - who had been suspended - will replace left sider Agustín Sandez. Boca´s lineup shall have: Agustín Rossi, Luís Adlink, Marcos Rojo, Carlos Izquierdoz and Frank Fabra; Pol Fernandez, Alan Varela and Óscar Romero; Exequiel Zeballos, Sebastián Villa and Darío Benedetto.

Whoever wins will face either Flamengo or Tolima (Colombia) in the quarterfinals. Flamengo won the first leg, last Wednesday (Jun. 29) by 1-0, at Manuel Murillo Toro stadium, in the Colombian city of Ibagué. The return duel will take place this Wednesday (6), at 9:30 p.m., at Maracanã. A tie would be enough for the Brazilian team to win.