Brazil Maintains Dominance in the Copa Libertadores – Brazilian Serie A Brazil Maintains Dominance in the Copa Libertadores – Brazilian Serie A
Brazil Maintains Dominance in the Copa Libertadores – Brazilian Serie A

September 16, 2024

Brazil Maintains Dominance in the Copa Libertadores – Brazilian Serie A

Credits to Brazilian Serie A Image Gallery

AND THEN there were eight. The Copa Libertadores has now progressed to the quarter-final stage, with Brazil again showcasing its dominance by having five clubs in the mix. This guarantees that at least two semi-finalists will come from Brazil, and the odds strongly favor a third. The frontrunners in the competition include Flamengo, with Botafogo and River Plate also considered strong contenders. The remaining eight teams have lifted the trophy 18 times, with Uruguay’s Peñarol boasting a remarkable record of participating in 10 finals, securing victory in five.

Among these eight clubs, only Botafogo has yet to claim the coveted Libertadores title, and they face a challenging task against fellow Brazilian side São Paulo to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Currently leading Série A, Botafogo sits three points ahead of Palmeiras, positioning themselves favorably to make amends for a disappointing 2023 season. Last year, they squandered a significant lead at the top of the table, winning only two of their previous 17 matches and failing to secure a victory in their final 11 games, ultimately finishing in fifth place. This dramatic collapse has been a source of mockery for rival fans throughout the year. As part of John Textor’s multi-club ownership model, Botafogo represents one of the few Brazilian clubs that have adopted a new business strategy. This was highlighted by their acquisitions of Luiz Henrique from Real Betis for $16 million and Thiago Almada from Atlanta United for $21 million, who is just 23 years old. They finished second in their group, trailing behind Colombian club Junior.

Like many Brazilian clubs, Botafogo heavily relies on selling talent to European teams, and their upcoming opponents, São Paulo, have also been active in this market. This year, they sold Lucas Beraldo to Paris Saint-Germain for R$ 64.2 million and Diego Barbosa to Krasnodar for R$ 44.7 million. Before the transfer window closed, Southampton from the Premier League was reportedly interested in acquiring several of their young talents. São Paulo currently holds fifth place in the league and recently secured an impressive 1-0 victory against Cruzeiro in their latest match. However, they faced an early exit from the Copa do Brasil, getting knocked out in the quarter-finals by Atlético Mineiro.

São Paulo advanced through the group stage of the Copa Libertadores by finishing at the top of their group, which featured Talleres from Argentina, Cobresal from Chile, and Ecuador’s Barcelona. In the Round of 16, they triumphed over the Uruguayan powerhouse Nacional. Botafogo and São Paulo have faced each other in the league this season, playing to a 2-2 draw at the Estádio do Morumbi, where an impressive crowd of approximately 60,000 is expected for the second leg of their quarter-final match on September 25.

The other all-Brazilian clash in the quarter-finals pits Fluminense against Atlético Mineiro. As the defending champions, Fluminense have experienced a tumultuous league campaign this season despite the arrival of veteran defender Thiago Silva from Chelsea. However, they have shown marked improvement since mid-July, winning six of their last nine matches, including a recent 2-0 victory against Atlético in Belo Horizonte. Fluminense topped their group, including Colo-Colo, finishing unbeaten all six fixtures. Atlético Mineiro secured five wins in their group but defeated fellow quarter-finalist Peñarol. Like Fluminense, their league form has been inconsistent, leaving them mid-table. Both teams advanced to the quarter-finals by overcoming Grêmio and San Lorenzo in the previous Round.

Colo-Colo, the only Chilean team to have ever won the competition, is returning to the quarter-finals for the first time in six years. They are managed by Jorge Almirón, an experienced Argentine coach who has led teams in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain, including Boca Juniors, Atlas, Independiente, and San Lorenzo. Colo-Colo is in second place in the Chilean league, trailing their Santiago rivals Universidad de Chile by seven points. However, they received disappointing news ahead of their Libertadores clash with River Plate, as midfielder Vicente Pizarro suffered a broken jaw while playing for Chile against Bolivia. In the group phase, Colo-Colo finished behind Fluminense, winning just one of their matches, but they successfully eliminated Junior from Colombia in the Round of 16.

River Plate’s season has been somewhat unpredictable, but they are seasoned contenders in the Libertadores and represent Argentina’s most vital chance of challenging the Brazilian clubs. Marcelo Gallardo has returned as head coach, and while they seldom suffer defeats, they have drawn nearly half of their matches this season. They recently achieved their best league result by defeating title challengers Atlético Tucumán 4-1. River Plate topped their group and overcame fellow Argentinians Talleres in the knockout stage. While formidable at home, they have struggled to secure wins away.

Flamengo, who faced challenges during the group stage and in their Round of 16 tie against Bolivar, are determined to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2022. They are also in pursuit of the Brazilian league title and have reached the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil, indicating a potentially remarkable season for the Rubro-Negro. The squad boasts several high-profile players, such as David Luiz and Alex Sandro, both of whom bring veteran experience. Additionally, they have Gabriel Barbosa, their 27-year-old striker, who is back in form with 26 goals this season, and Pedro, the league’s leading scorer.

Flamengo is set to face Uruguay’s Peñarol, a club renowned as South America’s team of the 20th century. The Carboneros have claimed the Uruguayan championship title an impressive 51 times, and in 2024, they have only suffered one defeat across three different tournaments: the Apertura, Intermediate, and Clausura. Historically, Uruguayan clubs have struggled to progress to the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores, with only three instances in the last decade. Nacional is the only other team to achieve this feat.

In recent years, the Copa Libertadores has seen a significant rise in its profile, and CONMEBOL has enhanced its financial rewards for participating clubs. Each team receives an upfront payment of US$3 million, along with an additional US$317,000 for every match they win. The tournament champions stand to gain a substantial US$22.7 million. This financial influx considerably boosts clubs and confers certain competitive advantages. The 2024 final, scheduled for November 30, will occur in Buenos Aires.

With five clubs in the running, Brazil’s tradition of success in the tournament appears likely to continue. The prospect of a Fla-Flu derby in the final remains possible. Such a match-up would undoubtedly capture the attention of football fans in Brazil and around the world.

Help lift up your favorite player! Head to our site to show them you’re rooting for them.

Football News Today | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A | Brazilian Serie A News


author
Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.