Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores’ last 16 is packed with familiar faces
Four of South America’s ten countries bade farewell to the Copa Libertadores at the end of the group phase: Peru (for the seventh straight year), Venezuela (the fourth, and the tenth in the last eleven), Chile (for the fifth year in six) and Colombia (for the third time in four).
The latter is the most surprising. Since Atletico Nacional won the title in 2016, only one Colombian side has made it to the knockout rounds – all the more disappointing given that Ecuador, its much smaller neighbour, has three teams in the last 16.
The two Quito-based clubs – 2008 champions LDU and reigning Sudamericana holders Independiente del Valle – have been strong recent performers, aided by the altitude of their city. The shock was Delfin, from the coastal city of Manta, who booked their place with an away win against Olimpia of Paraguay.
The other final-week upset was the surprise qualification of Bolivia’s Jorge Wilstermann. They took part in the first ever Libertadores match in 1960, a 7-1 defeat to Penarol of Uruguay. Now they took delightful revenge. The Uruguayans
came from behind to beat Athletico Paranaense 3-2 in their final match, and it seemed to be enough – until the Bolivians snatched qualification with a late goal away to Chile’s Colo-Colo.
But the main attractions are the teams from Brazil and Argentina, who on a six/three split provide nine of the last 16 clubs. Between them, the two giants have supplied the winners in all but two of the last fifteen versions of the Libertadores.
There is high drama in this round because all three Argentine clubs have been drawn against Brazilian opposition.
Last year’s beaten finalists River Plate will be the favourites against Athletico Paranaense. They ended the group stage in fine style under the seemingly eternal Marcelo Gallardo, who has reinvented his side once again in his sixth year as coach, finding space for highly-promising striker Julian Alvarez in a 4-3-3. Athletico, meanwhile, are on their third coach since returning from lockdown.
Defending champions Flamengo would seem to have the edge against Racing, but this one looks tighter and more intriguing. The Brazilians have a deep squad and a wide attacking repertoire. But their defence is not as solid as last year – sorely missing Pablo Mari who joined Arsenal last January – and they’ve now sacked coach Domenec Torrent. Racing, in the high-intensity style of coach Sebastian Beccacece, will seek to put them under pressure – which could prove a high-risk strategy, but one that makes for two fascinating matches.
And it is hard to pick a favourite between Internacional and Boca Juniors. Inter, under Argentine coach Eduardo Coudet, are making steady progress and putting in a challenge for the Brazilian title. Boca are coached by Miguel Angel Russo, who took them to their last Libertadores triumph in 2007.
Russo has managed to rejuvenate Carlos Tevez, who is in his best form for years and is combining well with Eduardo Salvio. At the other end, Boca only conceded one goal in the group phase. Inter, though, have the resources to test their defence in what could be the tie of the round.
There are two Brazil-Ecuador confrontations. Santos, in financial turmoil, face tricky opponents in LDU, or Liga of Quito. Santos will hope for the continued good form of wingers Marinho and the Venezuelan Yeferson Soteldo. Palmeiras, meanwhile, have no money worries but are nonetheless going through a difficult phase. Their problem is how to respond to Flamengo, who won the domestic and continental titles last year in swashbuckling style. Failing to live up to expectations cost veteran coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo his job, and his replacement, the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, barely has time to find his feet. Even so, Palmeiras are firm favourites against Delfin.
The remaining Brazilian club are Gremio. Still under Renato Portaluppi, they have so far been unable to find the form that took them to Copa glory in 2017. They are up against modest but interesting opposition in Guarani of Paraguay, who under Gustavo Costas have fought their way all through the qualifying rounds, acquiring confidence and strengthening the team along the way. They should not be underestimated.
The other Ecuadorians are Independiente del Valle, a superbly run small club that specialises in player development. Well coached by the Spaniard Miguel Angel Ramirez, they will widely be considered the favourites to overcome Nacional of Uruguay, who have just changed their coach.
And in the most low-profile tie of the round, Jorge Wilstermann are up against Libertad of Paraguay, providing the guarantee that in a field that still contains ten former champions, at least one quarter-finalist will be dreaming of lifting the trophy for the first time.
The main attractions are the teams from Brazil and Argentina, who on a six/three split provide nine of the last 16 clubs