First round of Conmebol Libertadores comes to an end with surprises and fierce dispute for the round of 16
The Libertadores, the biggest championship in America, had its first phase finished. Bringing at least surprising results to everyone. Since, teams that were expected to perform well and qualify for the round of 16 without many difficulties, are currently depending on the return victory to continue in the championship.
The only team that had a 100% success rate among the 32 clubs was Fluminense, owned by Fernando Diniz. In addition, one of the big surprises of that season was the 5-1 defeat of River Plate, with the right to a hat-trick by Germán Cano.
Situation of comfort and discomfort for the other teams in Libertadores
In addition to Fernando Diniz’s Tricolor, which leads the complicated group D, other teams have a more comfortable situation in the search for a place in the round of 16. Athletico-PR, Boca Juniors and Atlético Nacional are some examples.
On the other hand, some teams will have to chase the damage on the return. Atlético-MG, Corinthians and River Plate are some of the teams that need to improve their performances to qualify for the next phase.
Panorama of the groups with the end of the first round of the Libertadores
Check below a summary of the eight groups of Conmebol Libertadores after the end of the first phase and a summary of what the Brazilian teams need to do. The competition still has three more rounds to go, and the dispute promises to be fierce in almost all keys.
A group
Racing leads group G by drawing with Flamengo, in second place. Rubro-Negro failed to establish itself in this first phase, as it has only four points: a victory, a draw and a defeat.
Flamengo’s last two games will be at Maracanã, including against Racing, which gives hope to the Brazilian team to have a better return. On the other hand, Racing will play two of the three matches away from home. Aucas and Ñublense come up with three points each and continue to dream of surprising.
Group B
Internacional occupies the vice-leadership, behind Nacional-URU. The Brazilian team won only one victory against Metropolitanos in the bottom and tied with Nacional and Independiente Medelín, who are their direct competitors for the classification.
In addition, Inter plays two games away from home and will have to make an effort to achieve expressive results. The final confrontation will be in Beira-Rio against Medellín, and for that reason it is seen as decisive for the classification of the team from Rio Grande do Sul.
Group C
Bolívar is leader of the group with two victories behind him, including one against Palmeiras. The team will play the second round at home twice, with the advantage of altitude, to seek its place in the round of 16.
On the other hand, Palmeiras, glued to the top of the group, comes from two victories and plays two games at home at Allianz Parque to confirm its classification and, who knows, even seek the leadership (they will face Bolívar in the last round). With three points each, Barcelona-EQU and Cerro Porteño are still alive in the dispute.
Group D
Fluminense has been the big surprise so far. Since it has three wins in three games, including a historic thrashing of River Plate by 5-1, Tricolor is the only team in the group with 100% success rate.
To guarantee early classification, Fluminense needs to win one more match. In the next games, the team will face The Strongest and River Plate away from home, and will close the group stage against Sporting Cristal at home.
With three points each, Barcelona de Guayaquil, River Plate and The Strongest still have chances to advance in the competition. However, River Plate are at a disadvantage in the table due to their negative goal difference.
Group E
Corinthians are facing difficulties, as they only beat Liverpool-URU away from home and lost the other matches, including two at home. With the arrival of Vanderlei Luxemburgo as the new coach, Timão seeks recovery in the Libertadores.
At the head of the group is Argentino Juniors, with seven points, after stumbling over last placed Liverpool-URU. Independiente Del Valle is right behind with five points. The two teams have the advantage of playing two games at home, including the direct confrontation with Corinthians.
Group F
Boca Juniors are in a comfortable position in the group, having managed two wins after an early draw against Monagas. In the lead with seven points, the Argentine team still has two games at home, at La Bombonera.
Currently, there are three points of difference between Boca and their rivals, Deportivo Pereira and Colo-Colo, who fight for the other vacancy. Monagas is bottom of the group, with only one point conquered in the match against Boca.
Group G
With an important victory over Libertad, Athletico-PR remains in a comfortable position at the top of the group. The team from Paraná has seven points, three ahead of Alianza Lima, in second place, and four ahead