Corinthians draws in Argentina and gets complicated in Libertadores

Corinthians drew with Argentino Juniors, at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, in Argentina, and will not have an easy time in the next round of the 2023 Libertadores. Independiente Del Vale, in Group E. The Argentine practically has a guaranteed spot for the next phase, of the qualifying knockout matches.

In the game, Corinthians repeated the good performance in its defensive system, from the match against Flamengo, for the Brasileiro. In attack, again, Luxemburgo did not find a solution, with Roger Guedes and Yuri Alberto failing to retain the ball in the opponent’s field. The only clear chance to score was a first-rate flat ball, by defender Murillo, in the 16th minute, at the top of Martin Arias’s goal. Timão’s attack duo, again, neither pressed nor scored goals.

The few chances of attack came from wingers Bruno Méndez and Matheus Bidú. In the half, the game was well marked, by Timão, with Fausto Vera and Paulinho, well positioned, until at 26, the Alvinegro midfielder sprained his knee, the same one that Paulinho operated on in 2022, leaving the match, well shaken. Luxemburgo put Roni in his place. Before that, in a mess, inside the area, Matheus Bidú kicked against Murillo and the ball hit goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, who defended in pure reflex. It was the greatest opportunity for the Argentine team in the match. In the second stage, Timão continued investing in counterattacks, missing many passes in the connection. Argentinos Juniors, supported by their fans, pressed and made it difficult for goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, who replaced Cássio, with tonsillitis, who traveled, but did not play.

In a clumsy move in the second stage, midfielder Nuss, from Argentina, in a disputed ball with Roni, elbowed the Brazilian, which opened a cut on the Corinthian’s face. The referee gave a yellow card, at first, but the VAR said something into the phone and he reversed the first card, expelling the player from Argentino Juniors. Even with numerical superiority, Corinthians did not take advantage of the spaces and the match continued, until the end, without goals.

Corinthians’ next challenge in the Brasileirão is against Fluminense, at the Neoquímica Arena, next Sunday (28).

Featured Photo Corinthians have a complicated situation in Libertadores 2023. Source/Reproduction BOL-UOL