The group stage begins today with Inter and Athletico-PR on the pitch; national football has made the last three decisions and won the last four titles
The group stage of Copa Libertadores 2023 starts today with two Brazilians on the pitch, Athletico-PR e International, which together with the other five teams – Palmeiras, Corinthians, Flamengo, Fluminense and Atlético-MG – will try to maintain the supremacy that the country’s clubs have had in the tournament. In the last four editions there have been four titles, as well as three all-Brazilian finals.
Palmeiras and Flamengo were responsible for these four cups. The alviverde team won in 2020 and 2021, beating Santos and Flamengo in the decision respectively. The Rossoneri from Rio celebrated in 2019, when they defeated River Plate (the last non-Brazilian to arrive in the title dispute) in the final, beating Athletico-PR in the 2h22. This was an undefeated result, with 12 wins and 1 draw.
In this first round, only one of the Brazilians plays at home. It is Atlético-MG, who receive the Paraguayan Libertad on Thursday. Today, Athletico Paranaense visits Alianza Lima in Peru and Internacional travels to Colombia to make its debut against Independiente Medellín.
1st ROUND
04/04 (Tuesday)
- 19:00 – Alianza Lima x Athletico-PR – ESPN and Star+
- 21:00 – Independiente Medellín vs Internacional – Paramount+
05/04 (Wednesday)
- 19:00 – Aucas vs Flamengo – ESPN and Star+
- 9:30pm – Bolivar vs Palmeiras – Globo, ESPN and Star+
- 21:30 – Sporting Cristal x Fluminense – Globe and Paramount+
06/04 (Thursday)
- 7.00pm – Liverpool v Corinthians – Paramount+
- 19:00 – Atlético-MG vs Libertad – ESPN and Star+
DOUBLE PAULIST
From São Paulo, Palmeiras climbs the slope to face Bolívar at an altitude of 3,600 meters in La Paz and Corinthians goes to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, to reach Liverpool.
Palmeiras play tomorrow and, given that they will have their second match of the decider against Água Santa on Sunday and will enter the field with the disadvantage of having lost the first match 2-1, coach Abel Ferreira should choose a side with more substitutes.
What is certain is that left-back Piquerez is out. He sprained his right knee on Sunday and will be out for some time. But Abel will have at his disposal the newly signed Richard Ríos and Artur.
Corinthians will have the return of Renato Augusto against Liverpool. But by sending Conmebol the entry list for the tournament, the club clarified that Luan’s days are numbered. He does not appear in the list of 50 players.
Of the locals from Rio who play for the Libertadores – and who are deciding on the state title -, tomorrow in Quito Flamengo will have a mixed team against the Ecuadorian Aucas and Fluminense, despite being at a disadvantage in the home duel with their rival, should rise to maximum strength against the Sporting Crystal in Peru. It is possible that Marcelo will debut.
This stage, in which the 32 clubs are divided into eight groups, six of which include Brazilians, will last until 29 June. The competition, however, is long and lasts until the final on 11 November, scheduled at the Maracanã.
Before the round of 16, which will bring together the first two of each group, Conmebol will hold a new draw to define the ranking up to the decision. The teams that will obtain the best championships will play at home in the return games. In the knockout stage there is no advantage for goals scored as guests. In case of a tie, the duel will decide the winner on penalties.
GREASE AWARD
With a bigger prize pool than last year, in the group stage Conmebol will pay $3 million (R$15.2 million) to each of the participants, plus $300,000 (R$1.52 million) for winning. The round of 16 is worth US$1.25 million (R$6.3 million), the quarter-final US$1.7 million (R$8.6 million) and the semi-final US$2.3 million (R$11. 6 million).
The runner-up will take home US$7 million (R$35.5 million) and the champion will receive US$18 million (R$91.2 million). Games will be broadcast on Globo (open TV), ESPN (closed TV), Star+ and Paramount+ (streaming).
Source: Terra
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