- Estudiantes have conceded just seven goals in eleven matches in the current CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign and have kept clean sheets in three of their last four knockout-stage ties.
- With a range of players stepping up and alternatives delivering in the face of absences, the Argentine side have built one of the main foundations of their ongoing continental dream on defensive strength.
The Pincha's mystique in the CONMEBOL Libertadores finds one of its strongest sources of protection in home advantage. But on a collective level, Alexander Medina's side have also built their campaign on a defensive structure that combines resilience, depth and adaptability.
A back line built from different pieces
The León have taken a winding route to the semi-finals of the continent's most prestigious club competition. Their most recent defensive line-up has changed, but the team have remained true to the same ideas, organisation and competitive approach. Estudiantes therefore went into their tie against reigning champions Flamengo having allowed just 132 opposition touches inside their penalty area — an average of 13.2 per match, the third-lowest figure since the group stage began. At home, at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, that average fell to eight.
Gastón Benedetti is the second most frequently used player in the current edition, with nine appearances. His continued presence on the left flank has been a constant throughout the campaign, in which fellow Argentine Eric Meza also played an important role, featuring in ten matches before losing his starting place to Eros Mancuso for the second leg of the round of 16 against Universidad Católica. Since coming into the side, the full-back has provided two assists: one in the 3-0 win over the Chilean outfit and another in the 1-1 first-leg draw against Corinthians.
Santiago Núñez, Leandro González Pírez and Tomás Palacios have each made eight appearances. Palacios, who operated at left-back in the second leg against Timão, provided the assist for Alexis Castro's goal at the Neo Química Arena.
Núñez, one of the standout performers in the first leg of the semi-final against Flamengo, found his place in Medina's system in the fifth round, when he started against Mengão in Rio de Janeiro. He has not been left out of the starting line-up since.
Experience, depth and alternatives
Ramiro Funes Mori, who won the CONMEBOL Libertadores with River Plate in 2015, emerged as an experienced option over the last two matches, featuring against Corinthians and helping hold the defence together against Leonardo Jardim's side. Even young Valentín Pierani, a centre-back developed through the club's youth academy, made his international debut in the 3-0 victory over Universidad Católica.
Santiago Arzamendia also deserves a mention after recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee that he suffered last December. The right-back was a regular starter in the 2025 edition, which ended with elimination at the hands of Fla in the quarter-finals. After completing his recovery, he was named among the substitutes for the first leg of the semi-finals.
The defensive unit is one of the fundamental pillars of the fortress Estudiantes have built in La Plata. The Pincha have every reason to dream, thanks to a back line that delivers answers, provides alternatives and makes defensive solidity one of their calling cards across the continent.
