After a long stop in football worldwide, the Copa Libertadores was finally back and full of emotions. With the matchday 4 of the group stage finished, the clubs are already thinking about the next step and the round of 16 starts to take shape.
For now, the only team that is already mathematically guaranteed in the knockout stage is Nacional, from Uruguay. However, there are other teams, including Brazilians, that are in good positions in their groups and could guarantee their qualification soon.
How it’s looking like for the Brazilians
The Brazilian club that is closest to getting a place in the knockout stage is Palmeiras, as they have 10 points and top of the Group B. The team could have secured their place in the round of 16 still in matchday 4, but they only drew against Guarani. However, they only need one point in the next two game days to confirm their qualification to the next round.
The Brazilian Football Club Flamengo is also close. After their heroic victory against Barcelona away from home, they regained confidence and showed their player’s strength. With the same 9 points as Independiente del Valle and the second place of group A, Flamengo has great chances of reaching the round of 16. The last 2 matches of group stage will be played in Rio, giving the team more comfort to search for the positive results.
Most of the other Brazilian teams are also in great positions to reach the next stage. Athletico are with 9 points, being the first place of Group C. Santos are basically in the same situation, with 10 points and the top of Group G.
In Group E, there are two Brazilian teams, and from the same state. Internacional and Gremio are the clubs to play the derby and they both are also close to guaranteeing their qualification, as both have 7 points with Inter being in first place due to goal difference.
However, there is one Brazilian club that is in a bad place right now. Sao Paulo lost their matchday 4 game against LDU Quito by 4-2 and saw the qualification to the round of 16 a little far. With only 4 points, which means three points behind the second place, the team will have to play the game of their lives on the next two match days and get the three points if they want to continue in the 2020 Copa Libertadores.
If they can do it, it is possible that we see all Brazilian clubs in the round of 16. There may even be matches between them, depending on their qualification in the group. However, if Sao Paulo remain in third place, they will go to the knockout stage of the South American Cup, joining some other Brazilian that are already in the competition.
Conclusion
In a few months time, we will know who will know which clubs will have reached the round of 16 and who they are playing against. Then, we will see if some big teams, like Flamengo and Palmeiras, will show their favoritism and keep on the fight for the Copa Libertadores 2020 title.