Alan Varela fought for the ball with Willian from Corinthians. Now revenge is at play. Photo: AP
The Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana entered the definition zone this week. The fifth date of both competitions were played and Argentina’s teams are divided between the illusion of advancing to the round of 16 and the frustration of falling on the side of the road earlier than thought in sports, and above all economic, injury, that is. But better go in parts.
In sixteen games, the Libertadores will continue from this Tuesday, with Palmeiras and Estudiantes de La Plata already guaranteed a place in the group of 16 best.
The current two-time champion has a perfect score in Group A with 12 points and 20 goals in favor. He is the only one to win all four of his games and also has the top scorer in the tournament so far: Rafael Navarro, who has scored seven goals. This Wednesday he welcomes Emelec from Ecuador, his closest rival (5 points), who can no longer take him out of first place, as well as Deportivo Táchira (4) and Independiente Petrolero (1).
A different scenario will be experienced in Group B where the four teams are separated by three points. Libertad from Paraguay leads with 7 and visits under Paranaense with 4. Caracas and The Strongest are among the 5 -although there is a better difference for Bolivians- and they will face Venezuela.
Studentswhile, leading group C with 10 pointsfollowed by Brazilian Bragantino with 5, the Uruguayan Nacional with 4 and a almost removed Vélez Sarsfield. If Pincha can match his excursion through San Pablo -this Tuesday from 7:15 pm- first place in his area will also be guaranteed. And he will give a hand to Vélez, who will travel to Uruguay on Wednesday at 7:00 pm in his difficult effort to reach the round of 16.
And in Group D, where Atlético Mineiro (8), Deportes Tolima (7) and Independiente del Valle (5) are fighting for two passes in the Libertadores round of 16 and the consolation prize dropped in the round of 16 of the South American. Close to America de Minas Gerais, another Brazilian in the area.
A very close scenario was observed in Group E, which Corinthians (7) ordered, which this Tuesday will try to break away from Boca (6) on its visit to Bombonera. Deportivo Cali (5) is behind receiving Always Ready (4) in Colombia. A win against Timao will be key for Sebastián Battaglia’s team to drive away the ghosts, even if a defeat still won’t get them out of the race.
River Platewho should come out of the hole which means his early exit to the Professional League Cup, He was the F leader with 10 points and had one foot in the round of 16. He needs one point at six at stake to make the move. Will she get it on Thursday, from 9:00 pm, at Monumental against her escort Colo Colo (7)? From behind ran Fortaleza (4) and Alianza Lima (1) who collided on Wednesday at 11pm in Peru.
In Group G there are two leaders Cerro Porteño and Colón, both with 7 units. And this Tuesday and Wednesday they can seal their pass in the next round as they will face Peñarol (3) and Olimpia (5), respectively. Paraguayans must go to Montevideo and Julio Falcioni’s will be local to the Cemetery of the Elephants.
Another step from the promotion is Flamengo, first in H with 10 units, followed by Talleres (7), Universidad Católica de Chile (4) and Sporting Cristal (1). The Cariocas need a point from their tour of Santiago to get into the round of 16 and Pedro Caixinha’s staff have some combinations in their favor, although a win will allow for them to move on. in the race.
The South American Cup
With the San Pablo giant on the threshold of round 16, the fifth date of the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana will outline this week the holders of eight tickets to the next roundwhere only the winners of each of the keys have access, as the third place in the Copa Libertadores will complete the other eight quotas.
Three-time Libertadores champion (1992, 1993 and 2005) and monarch of South American in 2012, San Pablo cut his clean march on the fourth date with a 0-0 win over Everton in Chile, but guaranteed his passing to the second round if he beat the lowest team Jorge Wilstermann on Thursday in Morumbí.
Of the remaining seven groups, the doors to round 16 are open for a good number of clubs, and it will depend on the results they achieve this week whether they remain open or permanently closed.
This is the case of Group A, where Lanús leads with 8 points, followed by Barcelona from Ecuador with 7. Uruguayan Wanderers (4) will judge ‘Granate’ on Thursday in Buenos Aires, while the bottom part of the Metropolitans (2) host the Guayaquil team on the same day. Jorge Almirón’s team will win the key pass if it wins in front of the public and Barcelona leaves Venezuela to lose. A positive result from Ecuadorians will extend the resolution until the sixth and final date.
Melgar and Racing Club, first and second in Group B with 9 points, were involved in a real head-up battle for passing to eighth. On Wednesday the faces will be seen in Buenos Aires, while Cuiabá and the Uruguayan River Plate, both with 3 units, will meet in Montevideo.
More couples are the situation in Group Cwhere Chilean Union La Calera leads with 8 points and goes to ‘Vila Belmiro’ on Wednesday to face Santos, his escort with 7. Banfield (3), on the day of Darío Cvitanich’s retirement and Claudio Vivas ’debut as DT, could enter the fray if he defeats Católica of Ecuador (4) on Tuesday in Buenos Aires and with a draw in Brazil.
Another particular rivalry is the one taking place in Group G, where Ceará from Brazil with 12 points leads, though Independiente is breathing down the neck of the moderate team from the northeast of Brazil with 9. Ceará on Tuesday will host the visiting Paraguayan General Caballero (1), while ‘Diablo de Avellaneda’ will be local on Thursday against also bottom -line Deportivo La Guaira (1).
Both key pointers shouldn’t have problems with their respective games, so the definition will move to next week when they meet in Buenos Aires on the final date. The difference of purpose, of course, will play a transcendental role.
The realities are more complicated in Group E, where four clubs have a chance to come first.
And in F, where the deleted Defense and Justice have no chance, and Goianiense and Liga de Quito are fighting for a single ticket with head-ups included on the final date.
Finally, in Group H, Union de Santa Fe leads with 8 points, followed by Junior and Fluminense, both with 7. Oriente Petrolero has zero accounts. Everything seems to have been decided on the last day. Gustavo Munúa’s team hosts Fluminense this Thursday and will close out in Barranquilla. It’s not easy for him, but he’s starting well in this final sprint.
Source: Clarin
