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The Maracanã will be dressed for the occasion this Thursday to host the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals between Flamengo and Estudiantes de La Plata. Two continental giants meet in very different situations: while the Brazilian side is enjoying a dominant run both domestically and in the Libertadores, the Argentine team arrives with doubts and key absences.

Flamengo, solid and boosted by key reinforcements

The team led by Filipe Luís comes in as the favorite. Leaders of the Brazilian Championship, they have suffered only two defeats in 22 rounds and haven’t lost since July 31, when they were eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by Atlético Mineiro. Since then, “Fla” has shown consistency, authority, and a squad with plenty of resources.

In the Libertadores round of 16, the Rio side convincingly eliminated Internacional de Porto Alegre, and for this tie they recover key players. Léo Ortiz, a guaranteed starter in defense, returns after serving a suspension, while Bruno Henrique has overcome physical issues and is available to reinforce the attack. Uruguayan full-back Guillermo Varela has also rejoined training and could get minutes.

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The only concern is midfielder Jorginho, the team’s playmaker, who remains doubtful due to discomfort, while Alex Sandro is a confirmed absence with a muscle injury.

Estudiantes, missing players and searching for answers

The outlook is less encouraging for Estudiantes de La Plata. Eduardo Domínguez’s team struggled in the round of 16 to get past Cerro Porteño, and now faces one of the most complete squads on the continent.

In the Argentine league, they are in poor form: just one win in their last five matches and two straight defeats, the most recent against River Plate (1-2). That game also added two major setbacks: defender Leandro González Pírez, sidelined for at least a month, and Colombian winger Edwuin Cetré, who may only return for the second leg.

Despite the challenges, Domínguez remains confident in his squad: “It won’t be easy, but I believe the team is ready,” he said before the game, expressing his hope to push Flamengo into “uncomfortable zones” of play.

A clash of giants with contrasting realities

While Flamengo will look to take full advantage of their home ground at the Maracanã to travel to La Plata with the upper hand, Estudiantes will aim to resist intelligently and keep the tie alive for the decisive match at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium.

The winner of this tie will face the victor of the matchup between River Plate and Palmeiras, paving the way for more thrilling clashes in the final stretch of South America’s most prestigious tournament.

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