The names of the last eight qualifiers will be known by Thursday and everything can happen upon this week's matches.
Only the fittest American squads make it to the Knockouts. Some of the candidates are leading their domestic leagues, but others have relegated much by focusing on chasing the American title. Defensor Sporting's historic victory 9-0 against Sports Huancayo secures their future in the competition. Estudiantes vs Newells and Emelec vs Deportivo San Martin will play the hottest matches of the week. There'll be no excuses for the losers, who else will follow Pablo Repetto's boys into the round of sixteen?
The Universitarians will be traveling to Paraguay this Tuesday to prolong their winning streak, for after defeating Cerro Porteño in Bolivia two weeks ago, Javier Vega's boys obtained another victory over Bolivar for Bolivia's domestic league and might have a shot to make it to the next Copa Libertadores. Cerro Porteño is going through an excellent moment, leading Paraguay's Clausura with 24 points in 10 matches. Universitario's coach will have to do without three important players -Getulio Vaca Diez, Gustavo Paz and Martín Michel- all struggling with injuries. Watch out for Roberto Galindo, scorer of the winning goal two weeks ago and whose offensive skills should surely come in handy to break the Paraguayan defense.
Cerro's coach Javier Torrente should opt for an offensive approach for this game, as they cannot concede a single goal if they don't want to struggle until the last minute for qualification. To broaden the points of attack Iván Torres might have a shot within the starting squad, as his speed could be decisive to feed team's powerful strikers. Universitario's strong aerial play might force Torrente to modify the defense, but the visitors themselves should have Roberto Nanni under close watch, as his expertise in the area cannot be ignored. Both teams have made enough merits to earn their place among America's best, who will make it this Tuesday?
The Manuel Murillo Toro will host another decisive clash this Tuesday when the Verdolagas visit Tolima in Colombian ground. The Bolivians obtained a victory by the minimum difference two weeks ago and will be looking forward to claiming their ticket for the knockouts against Hernan Torres' unexperienced squad. Tolima has given their best players a chance to rest during the weekend, and the players are fully fit for the American challenge waiting ahead. Jhon Freddy Hurtado, Rodrigo Marangoni, Wilder Medina and Fernando Cárdenas are the leaders of Tolima's midfield; An early goal will change the development of the game, but If they asphyxiate Cerro players and stop their advance, then the Paraguayans will have little to do to make it to the round of Sixteen.
Gustavo Quinteros looked cool, calm and collected prior to this game, as all his team needs is to wait for Tolima to make a mistake seal the game. He confirmed the same eleven players that already defeat the Colombians for this match, but both teams need to do more than simply qualifying,for Argentina's Banfield is waiting ahead after defeating Velez Sarsfield. Joselito Vaca and Mauricio Saucedo, nullified during the first match under tight personal mark, will have to find a way to lead the offense once again, as their interaction is the missing ingredient in Oriente Petrolero's explosive attack. Quinteros made the Sudamericana his top priority and his confidence will be heavily affected by an early elimination.
Nobody is personally responsible for Sport Huancayo's nightmare in Uruguay one week ago, but Cristóbal Cubilla had to pay for the performance of his players, losing his place as manager. "What happened in Uruguay has nothing to do with us.. It's Cubilla's full responsibility. He asked for reinforcements, we brought him five players he completely ignored. I present my condolences to every Peruvian" said team's president Édgar Araníbar as the Uruguayans will have to do things extremely bad not to make it to the round of sixteen. Rodrigo Mora became Sudamericana's top striker with five goals and he'll be looking forward to secure his leadership thanks to the fear he might arise in the defenders by shooting against Marcos Flores' goal.
Little is known about the formation of the local team for this match, as the new manager cannot risk by making radical changes in the scheme but he cannot ignore what happened in Montevideo. We can expect some modifications in the midfield to give more ball control to Huancayo and don't vulnerate their defense when attacking. Argentina's Independiente is waiting in the next round, and the Uruguayans know another feast can secure them an easier time against the Diablos.
Roberto Sensini's Leprosos have proven their worth during the last week, defeating Clausura's Champion Argentinos, Estudiantes and Apertura's leader River Plate, but all the effort will be worthless if they fall against Alejandro Sabella's Pinchas for more than one goal. Rolando Schiavi returns to the back line and his aerial expertise might give Newells against Estudiantes. Mauro Formica, Mauricio Sperduti and Ivan Borghello have overwhelmed Estudiantes last week and if they manage to score an early goal their attitude for the rest of the game will be completely different.
Newell's coach Sensini declared "this is a difficult game and the minimum advantage against a rival like Estudiantes grants nothing". As long as his teams keeps his own goal shut there'll be nothing for Estudiantes to do to make it to the next phase.
Estudiantes' captain Juan Sebastian Veron will be returning to the fields earlier than expected and will most likely be ready to lead the Pinchas on this decisive struggle at home. Veron was injured against All Boys two weeks ago and was supposed to be sidelined until October, but his ankle evolved perfectly and will be there for his team at a moment of great need. Leandro Desabato is back too, and this allows Sabella to go on full capacity for this clash, though he will be missing his best defensive player, Rodrigo Braña who experienced certain pain in his right leg during week's training and will be given a chance to rest. Estudiantes needs the qualification badly to maintain his place among America's best after some unsuccessful international presentations, will they survive against the Leprosos?
Atletico Huila visits Oruro this week knowing the Bolivians have grown stronger thanks to last week's draw in Colombia and for that reason Luis Guillermo Berrío is likely to adopt an offensive formation to break San Jose's defense early on for the game will become more and more difficult as the minutes go by, for at 3700 meters above sea level every movement requires additional effort. Jeison Quiñones, Víctor Guazá and Amílcar Henríquez will be Atletico's offensive trident, and they'll have to deal with a highly defensive team that relies heavily in the counter attack.
Marcos Ferrufino understands the inner workings of San Jose and for that reason last week's victory by one goal against Real Mamoré with an alternative squad was a successful experiment, as he's considering all the options to face Atletico with his fittest players. "Our players are enthusiastic for this game, as Saturdays' victory gave us even more confidence as we wait for our rival" he declared. Limbert Pizarro might be unable to perform, as he's struggling with injuries. Atletico Huila, on the other hand, will have to do without Nicolas Ayr and Ivan Velazquez, team's legendary striker. The winner will be facing either Estudiantes or Newells, who will claim its place within America's best?
The Santa Laura stadium will host Union San Felipe vs Guarani on Thursday night. Union San Felipe has won the last four matches of Chile's league, thanks to some tuning from the manager who injected some fresh blood on the right wing with Miguel Ángel González, who's taken over David Distéfano's place in the last 45 minutes of the first match offering multiplying the offensive perspectives. Esteban Carvajal is struggling with an injury on his right leg and won't be able to perform,making room for Jonathan Dominguez to join Ángel Vildozo on the attack. The Chilean striker score the equalizer in the last match one minute before the final whistle, and this time they'll be looking for a better beginning not to suffer for the last 45 minutes.
Guarani's striker Hugo Notario, who played for years in the Chilean league, declared during the week "We understood many things after the first match. We missed that triumph and we know our rival plays a fast, good quality football. We hope we can score early, this is of capital importance" he said. A goalless draw qualifies the local team, and for that reason team's coach Félix Darío León should focus on the offense and be aggressive to claim his team's ticket for the knockouts. Union San Felipe has never made it that far, will they write history upon this week's match?
Standing at the 4th position of the Ecuadorian league, Emelec will have to do things extremely well to revert their situation. Joao Rojas' goal in Peru allows Emelec to qualify if they defeat Deportivo by the minimum difference, as long as Anibal Ruiz's boys don't beat Emelec's goal. Gabriel Achilier and Mariano Mina will be unable to perform for the local team, and their absence greatly undermine Jorge Sampaoli's defense. This will be Emelec's first match at the George Capwell, and the crowds will be eagerly expecting the ticket for the next phase.
Deportivo San Martin is a specialist against Ecuadorians: They eliminated Deportivo Quito in the second phase and have already tasted Emelec's blood, but the situation will be different in Ecuador. The Albos are going through an excellent moment at the top of Peru's Primera Division and if they manage to qualify for the knockouts they'll be writing another page in Deportivo's history. On its sixth year of existence the Santos have everything in their favor to claim their place among America's best, will they be ready for the challenge?
Brazil's Atletico Mineiro will be paying special attention for this game, as the Brazilian giant defeated Gremio a few weeks ago and will be taking on the winner of this game. The Cardinals won the first game by minimum difference. Caracas' goal secures its qualification with a victory 1-0. Heatklif Castillo was the open that opened the score last week, but the Venezuelans could not maintain the leadership of the game. Independiente's confidence, on the other hand, received a huge boost when the Colombians defeated Millonario 2-0 at the derby. Dario Figueroa and Luis Vera are fully fit to return to Caracas' starting squad this Thursday and they will jeopardize Independiente's defense throughout the game.
Ceferino Bincomo has to solve many defensive issues to secure the ticket for the next stage. No spaces can be left behind for Independiente, as the Colombians would not forgive an opportunity to score. Jaime Bustamente's absence calls for a very careful defensive planning. Five times have these two teams faced each other and Caracas has never won. Will they be ready to claim their place as one of America's best sixteen?
The Universitarians will be traveling to Paraguay this Tuesday to prolong their winning streak, for after defeating Cerro Porteño in Bolivia two weeks ago, Javier Vega's boys obtained another victory over Bolivar for Bolivia's domestic league and might have a shot to make it to the next Copa Libertadores. Cerro Porteño is going through an excellent moment, leading Paraguay's Clausura with 24 points in 10 matches. Universitario's coach will have to do without three important players -Getulio Vaca Diez, Gustavo Paz and Martín Michel- all struggling with injuries. Watch out for Roberto Galindo, scorer of the winning goal two weeks ago and whose offensive skills should surely come in handy to break the Paraguayan defense.
Cerro's coach Javier Torrente should opt for an offensive approach for this game, as they cannot concede a single goal if they don't want to struggle until the last minute for qualification. To broaden the points of attack Iván Torres might have a shot within the starting squad, as his speed could be decisive to feed team's powerful strikers. Universitario's strong aerial play might force Torrente to modify the defense, but the visitors themselves should have Roberto Nanni under close watch, as his expertise in the area cannot be ignored. Both teams have made enough merits to earn their place among America's best, who will make it this Tuesday?
The Manuel Murillo Toro will host another decisive clash this Tuesday when the Verdolagas visit Tolima in Colombian ground. The Bolivians obtained a victory by the minimum difference two weeks ago and will be looking forward to claiming their ticket for the knockouts against Hernan Torres' unexperienced squad. Tolima has given their best players a chance to rest during the weekend, and the players are fully fit for the American challenge waiting ahead. Jhon Freddy Hurtado, Rodrigo Marangoni, Wilder Medina and Fernando Cárdenas are the leaders of Tolima's midfield; An early goal will change the development of the game, but If they asphyxiate Cerro players and stop their advance, then the Paraguayans will have little to do to make it to the round of Sixteen.
Gustavo Quinteros looked cool, calm and collected prior to this game, as all his team needs is to wait for Tolima to make a mistake seal the game. He confirmed the same eleven players that already defeat the Colombians for this match, but both teams need to do more than simply qualifying,for Argentina's Banfield is waiting ahead after defeating Velez Sarsfield. Joselito Vaca and Mauricio Saucedo, nullified during the first match under tight personal mark, will have to find a way to lead the offense once again, as their interaction is the missing ingredient in Oriente Petrolero's explosive attack. Quinteros made the Sudamericana his top priority and his confidence will be heavily affected by an early elimination.
Nobody is personally responsible for Sport Huancayo's nightmare in Uruguay one week ago, but Cristóbal Cubilla had to pay for the performance of his players, losing his place as manager. "What happened in Uruguay has nothing to do with us.. It's Cubilla's full responsibility. He asked for reinforcements, we brought him five players he completely ignored. I present my condolences to every Peruvian" said team's president Édgar Araníbar as the Uruguayans will have to do things extremely bad not to make it to the round of sixteen. Rodrigo Mora became Sudamericana's top striker with five goals and he'll be looking forward to secure his leadership thanks to the fear he might arise in the defenders by shooting against Marcos Flores' goal.
Little is known about the formation of the local team for this match, as the new manager cannot risk by making radical changes in the scheme but he cannot ignore what happened in Montevideo. We can expect some modifications in the midfield to give more ball control to Huancayo and don't vulnerate their defense when attacking. Argentina's Independiente is waiting in the next round, and the Uruguayans know another feast can secure them an easier time against the Diablos.
Roberto Sensini's Leprosos have proven their worth during the last week, defeating Clausura's Champion Argentinos, Estudiantes and Apertura's leader River Plate, but all the effort will be worthless if they fall against Alejandro Sabella's Pinchas for more than one goal. Rolando Schiavi returns to the back line and his aerial expertise might give Newells against Estudiantes. Mauro Formica, Mauricio Sperduti and Ivan Borghello have overwhelmed Estudiantes last week and if they manage to score an early goal their attitude for the rest of the game will be completely different.
Newell's coach Sensini declared "this is a difficult game and the minimum advantage against a rival like Estudiantes grants nothing". As long as his teams keeps his own goal shut there'll be nothing for Estudiantes to do to make it to the next phase.
Estudiantes' captain Juan Sebastian Veron will be returning to the fields earlier than expected and will most likely be ready to lead the Pinchas on this decisive struggle at home. Veron was injured against All Boys two weeks ago and was supposed to be sidelined until October, but his ankle evolved perfectly and will be there for his team at a moment of great need. Leandro Desabato is back too, and this allows Sabella to go on full capacity for this clash, though he will be missing his best defensive player, Rodrigo Braña who experienced certain pain in his right leg during week's training and will be given a chance to rest. Estudiantes needs the qualification badly to maintain his place among America's best after some unsuccessful international presentations, will they survive against the Leprosos?
Atletico Huila visits Oruro this week knowing the Bolivians have grown stronger thanks to last week's draw in Colombia and for that reason Luis Guillermo Berrío is likely to adopt an offensive formation to break San Jose's defense early on for the game will become more and more difficult as the minutes go by, for at 3700 meters above sea level every movement requires additional effort. Jeison Quiñones, Víctor Guazá and Amílcar Henríquez will be Atletico's offensive trident, and they'll have to deal with a highly defensive team that relies heavily in the counter attack.
Marcos Ferrufino understands the inner workings of San Jose and for that reason last week's victory by one goal against Real Mamoré with an alternative squad was a successful experiment, as he's considering all the options to face Atletico with his fittest players. "Our players are enthusiastic for this game, as Saturdays' victory gave us even more confidence as we wait for our rival" he declared. Limbert Pizarro might be unable to perform, as he's struggling with injuries. Atletico Huila, on the other hand, will have to do without Nicolas Ayr and Ivan Velazquez, team's legendary striker. The winner will be facing either Estudiantes or Newells, who will claim its place within America's best?
The Santa Laura stadium will host Union San Felipe vs Guarani on Thursday night. Union San Felipe has won the last four matches of Chile's league, thanks to some tuning from the manager who injected some fresh blood on the right wing with Miguel Ángel González, who's taken over David Distéfano's place in the last 45 minutes of the first match offering multiplying the offensive perspectives. Esteban Carvajal is struggling with an injury on his right leg and won't be able to perform,making room for Jonathan Dominguez to join Ángel Vildozo on the attack. The Chilean striker score the equalizer in the last match one minute before the final whistle, and this time they'll be looking for a better beginning not to suffer for the last 45 minutes.
Guarani's striker Hugo Notario, who played for years in the Chilean league, declared during the week "We understood many things after the first match. We missed that triumph and we know our rival plays a fast, good quality football. We hope we can score early, this is of capital importance" he said. A goalless draw qualifies the local team, and for that reason team's coach Félix Darío León should focus on the offense and be aggressive to claim his team's ticket for the knockouts. Union San Felipe has never made it that far, will they write history upon this week's match?
Standing at the 4th position of the Ecuadorian league, Emelec will have to do things extremely well to revert their situation. Joao Rojas' goal in Peru allows Emelec to qualify if they defeat Deportivo by the minimum difference, as long as Anibal Ruiz's boys don't beat Emelec's goal. Gabriel Achilier and Mariano Mina will be unable to perform for the local team, and their absence greatly undermine Jorge Sampaoli's defense. This will be Emelec's first match at the George Capwell, and the crowds will be eagerly expecting the ticket for the next phase.
Deportivo San Martin is a specialist against Ecuadorians: They eliminated Deportivo Quito in the second phase and have already tasted Emelec's blood, but the situation will be different in Ecuador. The Albos are going through an excellent moment at the top of Peru's Primera Division and if they manage to qualify for the knockouts they'll be writing another page in Deportivo's history. On its sixth year of existence the Santos have everything in their favor to claim their place among America's best, will they be ready for the challenge?
Brazil's Atletico Mineiro will be paying special attention for this game, as the Brazilian giant defeated Gremio a few weeks ago and will be taking on the winner of this game. The Cardinals won the first game by minimum difference. Caracas' goal secures its qualification with a victory 1-0. Heatklif Castillo was the open that opened the score last week, but the Venezuelans could not maintain the leadership of the game. Independiente's confidence, on the other hand, received a huge boost when the Colombians defeated Millonario 2-0 at the derby. Dario Figueroa and Luis Vera are fully fit to return to Caracas' starting squad this Thursday and they will jeopardize Independiente's defense throughout the game.
Ceferino Bincomo has to solve many defensive issues to secure the ticket for the next stage. No spaces can be left behind for Independiente, as the Colombians would not forgive an opportunity to score. Jaime Bustamente's absence calls for a very careful defensive planning. Five times have these two teams faced each other and Caracas has never won. Will they be ready to claim their place as one of America's best sixteen?
