Platense will face one of the biggest challenges in club history when it takes on Fluminense in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores quarterfinals. The Calamar, making its first-ever appearance in a CONMEBOL competition, has already reached the final eight in South America and will now meet the 2023 Libertadores champion. The tie also comes during a period of recovery for the Vicente López club, whose results have improved considerably since Walter Zunino’s departure and the appointment of Martín Palermo.
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Platense dreaming against Fluminense: Palermo’s experience and the Calamar’s turnaround
Platense is enjoying one of the most significant moments in club history. Results have improved following Walter Zunino’s departure and Martín Palermo’s arrival, and the coach will now face a Brazilian opponent connected to some memorable chapters of his career as a player.
A clear improvement after Zunino’s departure
Zunino left his position by mutual agreement on August 4 following a 4-0 defeat to Talleres. Platense had endured a difficult start to the 2026 Torneo Clausura, drawing 2-2 with Unión before losing 2-1 to Instituto and then suffering the heavy defeat against Talleres. The team had collected only one point from the first nine available.
Palermo took charge the following day and results quickly improved. In his first four league games, the Calamar collected seven points: a 1-0 victory over Independiente in Avellaneda, a 1-1 draw with Boca Juniors, a 2-1 away win against Barracas Central and a 1-0 defeat to Defensa y Justicia.
The improvement also carried into the Libertadores. In the Round of 16, Platense drew 1-1 with Coquimbo Unido in Vicente López, followed that with a 0-0 draw in Chile and advanced 7-6 in the penalty shootout, with Juan Pablo Cozzani playing a decisive role.
Palermo: history as a player, a new challenge as a coach
Palermo’s history against Brazilian clubs in the Libertadores belongs primarily to his playing career with Boca Juniors. In the 2000 final against Palmeiras, he played in both legs and converted his penalty in the shootout that the Xeneize won 4-2 at the Morumbí.
He lifted the trophy again as a player in 2007 after Boca Juniors defeated Grêmio 5-0 on aggregate in the final. One year later, he came up against Fluminense. Palermo scored the opening goal in the second leg of the 2008 semifinals at the Maracanã, although the Brazilian side recovered to win 3-1 and advance to the final.
This time the situation is different: Palermo will face Fluminense from the touchline as Platense’s head coach.
A historic challenge for Platense
The first leg will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. local time at the Maracanã, with the return scheduled for Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López.
Platense has already become the first Argentine club since Banfield in 2005 to reach the Libertadores quarterfinals on its competition debut. The Calamar will now try to extend its recent turnaround and reach the first international semifinal in club history.
