Palmeiras face their traditional rivals and Corinthians face the champions of the Sudamericana; In Group G, Athletico-PR and Atlético-MG are opposed
Representatives of Brazil in Libertadores 2023Athletico Paranaense, Atlético-MG, Corinthians, Flamengo, Fluminense, Internacional e Palmeiras met their opponents in the first phase of the continental tournament on Monday evening, 27. conmebol, in Luque, Paraguay, placed the alviverde team in a group with traditional rivals. The alvinegro team will have the Ecuadorian as its main opponent Independent of Vallecurrent winner of the Sudamericana.
The current three-time champions, Palmeiras are the top seeds and fell to Group C. They will face Paraguayan Cerro Porteño, Barcelona, of Ecuador and Bolívar. He will soon have to face the attitude of La Paz, the Bolivian capital. Member of Group E, Corinthians should have difficulties against Independiente del Valle, who defeated São Paulo in the decision of the last Sudamericana. The other opponents are Argentinos Juniors, and modest Liverpool, from Uruguay.
There will be clashes between Brazilians in the initial phase of the tournament. In Group G, Atlético-PR, currently runners-up, are on the path of Atlético-MG, who entered the competition having come through two previous stages. Libertad, from Paraguay, and Allianza Lima, from Peru, are the other members of the group.
Current cup holders Flamengo are in a quiet group, in theory. He will duel with two rookies, the modest Aucas, from Ecuador, and Ñublense, from Chile. The strongest rival of the group is Racing, a traditional Argentine team.
Fluminense was perhaps the Brazilian with the most difficult course. In search of its first title, the Rio team, a member of Group D, will measure forces with the four-time champion River Plate and will have to play in the altitude of La Paz against The Strongest. Sporting Cristal, from Peru, completes the key.
In Group B, Inter will face traditional Nacional, from Uruguay, debutant Metropolitanos, from Venezuela, and Indpendiente Medellín, from Colombia.
The division of the polls took place on the basis of the positioning of the 32 classified in the Conmebol classification. The exception were teams from the pre-Libertadores, such as Atlético-MG, who were in pot 4. The only restrictive rule was that teams from the same country could not be placed in the same group unless one of these teams did not come from Pot 4.
According to the Conmebol calendar, the group stage will start at the beginning of April and finish at the end of June. The knockout begins in August. The decision is scheduled for November 11 at the Maracanã.
The country’s main stadium had already hosted the final of the 2020 edition, won by Palmeiras. That match, played in January 2021, had just 5,000 fans in the stands due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic. This year, therefore, for the first time, there will be a large crowd cheering for the cup to continue on national soil.
Overall, Conmebol will distribute $207.8 million among participating clubs in Libertadores 2023. This is $37.8 million more than in the 2022 edition, which represents a 21% increase. With the accumulation of prizes, the champion can earn up to US$ 28.05 million (approximately R$ 145 million at current prices).
Brazilian domain
As the final is decided in one match and on neutral venues, Brazil have always had a representative team lift the cup. There are four consecutive titles – two for Palmeiras (2020 and 2021) and two for Flamengo (2019 and 2022) and the country’s chance to achieve a feat unprecedented on the continent. Five titles in a row for teams from the same nation has never happened in the history of the biggest South American tournament.
The last success of a non-Brazilian team came in 2018, with River Plate beating Boca Juniors 3-1 at their stadium after a 2-2 draw at the Bombonera, when the champions went out after two games.
While they haven’t won the Libertadores since 2018, the Argentines are the biggest in the continental competition, with 25 cups. Brazil has 22 trophies and can consecrate the first Brazilian club four times champion. Palmeiras and Flamengo have this possibility, since Grêmio, São Paulo and Santos, the other three champions, are out of contention this year.
DISCOVER THE LIBERTADORS GROUPS:
- A group: Flamengo, Racing (ARG), Aucas (EQU), Ñublense (CHI);
- Group B: National (URU), International, Metropolitan (VEN), Independiente Medellín (COL);
- Group C: Palmeiras, Barcelona (EQU), Bolívar (BOL), Cerro Porteño (PAR);
- Group D: River Plate (ARG), Fluminense, The Strongest (BOL), Sporting Cristal (PER);
- Group E: Independiente del Valle (EQU), Corinthians, Argentinian Juniors (ARG), Liverpool (URU);
- Group F: Boca Juniors (ARG), Colo-Colo (CHI), Monagas (VEN), Deportivo Pereira (COL);
- Group G: Athletico-PR, Libertad (PAR), Alliance Lima (PER), Atlético-MG;
- Group H: Olimpia (PAR), Atlético Nacional (COL), Melgar (PER), Patronato (ARG).
Source: Terra
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