The Corinthians is set to face Platense for the 6th round of the Libertadores, and one of the main news is the debut of Memphis Depay in the international competition in 2026. The Dutch player will start as a starter alongside Yuri Alberto, in a team that also features Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gabriel Paulista, Gustavo Henrique and Bidu in defense; Raniele, Allan, Breno Bidon and Rodrigo Garro in midfield. The match will be held at the Neo Química Arena, at 21:30, and marks Depay’s entry into a continental championship for Corinthians.
The inclusion of Memphis Depay in the starting lineup draws attention, mainly considering that he had only played for Corinthians in the Campeonato Paulista, Supercopa do Brasil and Série A do Brasileirão until then. His hiring and use reflect a strategy by coach Fernando Diniz, who chose to remove André and Lingard from the team that beat Atlético-MG last Sunday, giving way to Allan and Depay himself. This change may indicate a new approach by Corinthians for the remaining challenges of the season, especially in international competitions like the Libertadores. The expectation is that Depay, with his experience and skills, can significantly contribute to the team’s performance in the competition.
In terms of recent performance, Corinthians comes from an important victory over Atlético-MG, and seeks to maintain the pace in the championship. The Libertadores is a high-level tournament, and Depay’s presence can be an important factor for the team in the quest for a good placement in the group stage. With the match broadcast by the Metrópoles Esportes official channel on YouTube, fans will be able to closely follow another chapter of Corinthians’ journey in the Libertadores 2026. The scenario becomes even more interesting with the analysis of the team’s next steps, in the face of the challenges that are approaching in the season.
The championship context and Corinthians’ next steps will be crucial to evaluating the impact of Depay’s debut. With a tight schedule and the need for good results on all fronts, coach Fernando Diniz will have to make strategic decisions to keep the team competitive. The match against Platense is an important test, and the outcome may have direct implications for the group classification and Corinthians’ future in the Libertadores.
