Former Corinthians striker Carlos Tevez has warned the club to expect a hostile atmosphere when they face Rosario Central in the Copa Libertadores, according to ESPN Brasil. Tevez compared the venue to Boca Juniors' famed Bombonera stadium, saying it could be even more intimidating.
The warning comes ahead of Corinthians' knockout-stage match against Rosario Central in Argentina. Tevez, who played for both Corinthians and Boca Juniors during his career, told ESPN Brasil that the Rosario crowd creates a "caldeirão" — a cauldron-like environment — that visiting teams must be prepared to handle.
Corinthians will stay in a hotel located within a complex that includes a casino and previously hosted Lionel Messi's wedding, according to Brazilian outlet ge. The team's travel arrangements place them close to the stadium, but Tevez's comments suggest the real challenge will come from the supporters.
The match is part of the Libertadores knockout round, with VEJA reporting broadcast details and expected lineups for the fixture. Corinthians captain has said the squad is ready for the pressure of the away tie, according to meutimao.com.br.
However, CNN Brasil notes a troubling trend for the Brazilian club: Corinthians have not scored a goal in a Libertadores knockout match since 2018. That drought adds extra weight to the upcoming fixture, as the team will need to break that streak to advance.
Tevez's assessment of the atmosphere underscores the difficulty of the task. The former striker knows both clubs well and his comments suggest Corinthians cannot afford to be intimidated by the crowd if they hope to progress in the competition.
The match is scheduled to take place in Rosario, with Corinthians needing to overcome both the hostile environment and their recent scoring struggles in knockout rounds.
