Copa Libertadores
Quarter-finals set to begin, with Brazilian clubs making up half of the final eight
The quarter-finalists of the Copa Libertadores were defined at a time that was extraordinarily favourable to the Brazilian teams: in mid-July, straight after the Copa America when everyone else was in or just coming out of pre-season, while the Brazilians were in full competitive flow. Absurdly, Brazilian football is being rewarded for having a calendar that pays no heed to FIFA dates.
Had Internacional not surprisingly fallen on penalties to Olimpia of Paraguay, then there could have been six Brazilians in the last eight. As it is, there are four and the near certainty of five – Fluminense’s second leg with Cerro Porteno of Paraguay was put back to August 3 after the tragic death of the son of the Paraguayans’ coach. But with Fluminense at home and with a two-goal advantage, they would seem to have a foot and a half in the quarter-finals.
Their opponents are the most exotic team left in the field – Barcelona of Ecuador, the lone representatives from the north of the continent. Under Fabian Bustos they are an attractive side that use the full dimensions of the pitch. Unlike other sides from that part of South America, they do not have the advantage of altitude – they are from the port of Guayaquil – yet have reached the last eight for the second time since the tournament changed to its year-long format in 2017 – the first team from outside Brazil and Argentina to do so. They have a fine recent record against Brazilian opposition too, beating Santos home and away in relative comfort in this year’s group phase. The key question will be whether they can defend against Fluminense in this meeting of the only teams left standing that have yet to win the competition.
In the same half of the draw are Fluminense’s historic rivals Flamengo, winners in 2019 and right among the favourites this time – especially in their match up with Olimpia. The
Paraguayans are resilient, especially since coach Sergio Orteman lowered the age of his side. Beaten 6-1 by Internacional in the group phase, they played out two goalless draws against the same opponents in the knockout stages, where they were the better side at home and hung on grimly away. But Flamengo give them much more to hang on against. Now coached by Renato Portaluppi, Flamengo have yet to find a satisfactory replacement for Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari, and can be vulnerable. But the depth of their attacking resources is frightening, and they should have too much for Olimpia.
The stand-out glamour tie is the Brazil-Argentina clash between Atletico Mineiro and River Plate. Atletico were deeply disappointing in their controversial elimination of Boca Juniors (on a penalty shootout after two goalless draws) but are flying in the Brazilian Championship, with Hulk re-inventing himself so well as a centre-forward that there have even been calls for him to be brought back to the national team.
As always in the seven-year reign of Marcelo Gallardo, River are easy on the eye and full of little variations, with striker Braian Romero an interesting new addition. And by mid-August they should have had the time to play themselves into form and full match fitness. Players have come and gone in Gallardo’s time in charge. But, with just ten goals in eight games in this year’s competition, there is one stalwart that they have struggled to replace: classy and intelligent left-footed
The stand-out glamour tie is the Brazil-Argentina clash between Atletico Mineiro and River Plate
playmaker Ignacio Fernandez, who left them at the start of the year – to join Atletico Mineiro. This move is emblematic of the financial firepower of the Brazilian clubs; with improved scouting they are buying in talent from around the continent.
In the all-Brazilian battle between local rivals Palmeiras and Sao Paulo, both coaches are imports. Reigning champions Palmeiras have Abel Ferreira from Portugal, while Sao Paulo are led by Argentina’s Hernan Crespo, who guided Defensa y Justicia to the Copa Sudamericana – South America’s secondary club competition – last season.
Earlier this year the sides met in the regional Sao Paulo final, with Crespo’s men coming out on top. As their first title in some years, that was an important moment for Sao Paulo. But the stakes are far higher now, and Palmeiras, with their relentless efficiency, will go into the clash as narrow favourites. Their triumphs in the 1990s mean that Sao Paulo have a special relationship with the Libertadores. But Palmeiras are the holders, and it will not be easy to rip the crown away from them. These matches may not be pretty, but they will surely be dramatic as the Libertadores moves towards the certainty of having at least one Brazilian semi-finalist – and the possibility of having all four.