- The striker joined Platense after scoring four goals in his final matches for Banfield and establishing himself as one of the leading scorers in the opening rounds of Argentina’s Torneo Clausura.
- Signed to cover for the injured Luciano Giménez, Sepúlveda will be one of the ‘Calamar’s’ main attacking weapons as they look to overturn the tie against Fluminense.
Bruno Sepúlveda changed shirts at one of the best moments of his career. After emerging as one of the leading scorers in Argentina’s Torneo Clausura with Banfield, the striker joined Platense to strengthen an attacking department affected by Luciano Giménez’s injury and to take on one of the biggest challenges in the club’s history: the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarter-finals.
The forward had scored four goals in the opening seven rounds of the league campaign. He found the net against Sarmiento and Newell’s before bringing his spell with ‘El Taladro’ to an end with a brace in a 3-2 defeat to River Plate. He then terminated his contract and signed with Platense until December 2027. In total, he left Banfield with 16 goals and seven assists in 64 appearances.
Platense, in pursuit of ‘La Gloria Eterna’, officially announced his arrival on 2 September: “At 33 years of age, he joins Platense to provide experience and goals across the three competitions the Calamar still have ahead of them as they look to close out a historic 2026.”
His arrival was prompted by a specific need. Luciano Giménez, one of the forwards signed by the Vicente López side for the second half of the season and who had established himself as the team’s main focal point in attack, suffered a dislocated shoulder during a Copa Argentina match and was ruled out of the first leg against Fluminense. His absence forced Martín Palermo to quickly look for a new attacking reference.
Sepúlveda did not need much time to adapt before getting his first opportunity. Just a few days after joining the club, he started at the Maracanã, partnering Nicolás Retamar in attack in the 2-0 defeat. His contribution was mainly linked to pressing and battling with the Brazilian side’s defenders, although Platense were unable to turn their reaction into clear goalscoring opportunities.
The second leg will demand a different attacking performance from Platense. The ‘Calamar’ will need to win by two goals to take the tie to penalties, or by three to qualify directly for the Semi-finals. Fluminense, meanwhile, will arrive in Vicente López with the opportunity to manage the 2-0 advantage built through goals from Nonato and Hulk.
In that context, Sepúlveda’s contribution could prove crucial. Standing 1.88 metres tall, the striker gives Platense a focal point inside the penalty area, an ability to compete in the air and the physical presence to occupy opposing defenders. He could also play an important role in turning crosses, rebounds and second balls into dangerous situations if Palermo’s side manage to establish themselves close to the Brazilian goal.
Platense will need to take the initiative as they look to write another epic chapter against one of the CONMEBOL Libertadores champions. Increasing their attacking output will be essential and, above all, they will need to be clinical. In that context, Sepúlveda will have the opportunity to transfer to the continental stage the finishing ability he showed in his final appearances for Banfield.
