Seven teams struggle to claim the last places for the knockouts. Only the fittest will make it to the round of sixteen.
Groups 2, 4, 7 and 8 are already defined, and the eight places for the next round are already occupied by the leaders. Libertad is the unchallenged leader of the first group. Caracas, Universidad San Martin and San Luis could join the Paraguayans, depending on their performance this week.
The future of the last three groups is uncertain. Internacional, Colo Colo and America stand at the top of their respective groups, but a defeat might keep them from reaching the round of sixteen.
Argentinos Juniors wants to join Estudiantes and Velez Sarsfield to the next round in his return to the Libertadores after 25 years. Pedro Troglio's Bichitos Colorados host Fluminense on Wednesday in one of the hottest matches of the week.
Only the fittest will make it to the knockouts. Follow all Copa Libertadores action and much more on LiveSoccerTV.com
The American reigning champion must stop Emelec from claiming the three points in Belo Horizonte to secure its presence in the knockouts.
Emelec's coach Omar Asad recovers Eduardo Morante, Marcelo Fleitas and David Quiroz, whose presence in the midfield will be essential for the Ecuadorian squad to keep up with the wits and the speed of the Brazilian midfielders.
Argentinean playmaker Andres D'Alessandro showed to be in excellent form last weekend, playing a major role as the leader of the attack. Both D'Alessandro and his fellow countryman Pablo Guiñazu have just extended their contract with Internacional for three more years.
The Champion could be kept from advancing to the knockouts if Emelec returns home victorious and Jaguares triumphs in Cochabamba. The Brazilians celebrated a major victory 6-2 against Canoas, in which Argentinean striker Fernando Cavenaghi score his first goal with Internacional after 68 days in Brazil.
The last game of the group stage will decide the future of both Inter and Emelec, who'll succeed in Belo Horizonte?
Jorge Wistermann wants to say goodbye to the Copa Libertadores celebrating their first victory in Cochabamba, that could keep Jaguares from advancing to the knockouts. The visitors defeated group leader and reigning champion Internacional two weeks ago, and depend only on themselves to claim their place among America's best sixteen.
Jaguares visits Cochabamba with an alternate squad. "It is not that we're taking the Bolivians for granted, we're doing what we're doing because Emelec has a tough nut to crack in Brazil" said Jorge Wilstermann's boss Jose Guadalupe Cruz
Jaguares' coach chances his arm as the Mexican squad visits Bolivia, for their success in the Libertadores is paired with a mediocre performance in the Mexican league, occupying the bottom position with eleven points after 15 games.
Antonio Michael Pedroza and Julio Daniel Frías will be leading Jaguares' attack, will they manage to break the Bolivian defense and gain the opportunity to show their worth in the round of sixteen?
Group leader Libertad receives San Luis this Tuesday, eager to maintain their unbeaten record and deny their visitors an opportunity to advance to the next round, though San Luis must not only defeat Libertad but wait for Once Caldas to stop Universidad San Martin from celebrating another victory.
San Luis' coach Nacho Ambriz knows only a miracle can take the Bolivian squad to the next stage. To make things even more difficult, San Luis will have to do without Otoniel Arce, Luis Omar Hernández and Ignacio Torres, three vital players for his scheme.
The performance of the Paraguayan squad during the last few weeks has been rather disappointing, but their superior form in the Libertadores has balanced so far their spirit. The hosts must improve their playing a lot to survive in the round of sixteen, where they could be facing Pedro Troglio's Argentinos Juniors.
Nothing can stop Libertad from claiming the top of the group, can San Luis join the Paraguayans to the next stage?
It's been five weeks since Cerro Porteño lastly celebrated a victory in the Paraguayan league, but luckily for them their impressive performance in the Libertadores has kept the spirit of the players intact.
The Paraguayan squad must defeat Colo Colo in Chilean ground to secure its ticket to the knockouts, though a draw could be enough if Santos fails to defeat basement boys Deportivo Tachira in Brazil.
Colo Colo's midfielders Rodrigo Millar and Nelson Cabrera finished the last Libertadores games experiencing intense muscular pain, and so team's coach Americo Gallego decided to give them an opportunity to rest during the weekend, when Colo Colo tied with Universidad Catolica 1-1.
Esteban Paredes, on the other hand, is likely to return to the starting eleven, already recovered from a leg injury that stopped him from playing the full game against Deportivo Tachira.
"We're optimistic. Our boys have shown many times who's in charge in the field. I know what I have to do to succeed" said Americo Gallego. Who'll advance to the next round this Wednesday?
Already eliminated from the Libertadores, Deportivo Tachira must lock horns with Santos, a dangerous rival in great need of a victory to leapfrog either Colo Colo or Cerro Porteño and secure one of the two qualifying places.
Deportivo Tachira was close from writing history as Edgar Perez scored the opener against Colo Colo, but the Chilean squad was superior and thanks to 17-years old Diego Rubio's double took a decisive step towards qualification.
Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto used a 3-5-2 formation that worked out extraordinary well for the first fifteen minutes, but eventually their lack of offense turned against them.
The Brazilian squad might recover Neymar, Elano and Ze Eduardo, who missed the last game due to injuries. Their presence could seriously boost Santos' attack, are they ready to grab the bull by its horns and claim their place among America's best sixteen?
The Uruguayans look forward to ambush America and claim the top of the group for their own. Standing at the third position with seven points, a draw could grant Nacional the qualification as long as Fluminense defeats Argentinos Juniors by the minimum difference.
Nacional's coach Juan Ramón Carrasco has confirmed former River Plate's playmaker Marcelo Gallardo will be among the starting eleven. The Argentinean midfielder will be responsible for feeding Nacional's attacking trident, Tabaré Viudez, Santiago Garcia (whose absence greatly undermined Nacional's attack last weekend against River) and Horacio Peralta.
America advanced to the quarter-finals in the Mexican League thanks to Angel Reyna, who scored a double that sealed a major victory against Estudiantes Tecos. Reyna became the top striker of the league, with 11 goals.
The Eagles are the favorites, as they are among the few teams that have not yet been beaten in the American tournament. Three times had America advanced to the semi-finals of the Libertadores, in 2000, 2002 and 2008, but they could never reach the final.
The third group is open, and whoever wins at the Gran Parque Central advances to the knockouts, who will it be?
Argentinos Juniors lost its unbeaten record in the Clausura as they visited San Luis to take on Godoy Cruz. Pedro Troglio's Bichitos Colorados missed Franco Niell and Miguel Torren greatly, leaving Ciro Rius unable to find his place on the general scheme of the team.
Argentinos Juniors prepares to receive Fluminense in La Paternal. A victory will be enough for the Argentinean squad to advance to the next round, while the Brazilians depend on Nacional's performance against America to be eligible for qualification.
Fluminense defeated Nova Iguazu by the minimum difference thanks to Fred's goal, and will be facing its eternal rival, Flamengo, in the semifinals of the Carioca tournament.
When Argentinos visited Rio de Janeiro for the debut match back in February 9th, with Franco Niell and Rafael Moura sharing doubles for a 2-2 tie. Now they meet once again on the fields, and qualification itself is at stake.
The future of the last three groups is uncertain. Internacional, Colo Colo and America stand at the top of their respective groups, but a defeat might keep them from reaching the round of sixteen.
Argentinos Juniors wants to join Estudiantes and Velez Sarsfield to the next round in his return to the Libertadores after 25 years. Pedro Troglio's Bichitos Colorados host Fluminense on Wednesday in one of the hottest matches of the week.
Only the fittest will make it to the knockouts. Follow all Copa Libertadores action and much more on LiveSoccerTV.com
The American reigning champion must stop Emelec from claiming the three points in Belo Horizonte to secure its presence in the knockouts.
Emelec's coach Omar Asad recovers Eduardo Morante, Marcelo Fleitas and David Quiroz, whose presence in the midfield will be essential for the Ecuadorian squad to keep up with the wits and the speed of the Brazilian midfielders.
Argentinean playmaker Andres D'Alessandro showed to be in excellent form last weekend, playing a major role as the leader of the attack. Both D'Alessandro and his fellow countryman Pablo Guiñazu have just extended their contract with Internacional for three more years.
The Champion could be kept from advancing to the knockouts if Emelec returns home victorious and Jaguares triumphs in Cochabamba. The Brazilians celebrated a major victory 6-2 against Canoas, in which Argentinean striker Fernando Cavenaghi score his first goal with Internacional after 68 days in Brazil.
The last game of the group stage will decide the future of both Inter and Emelec, who'll succeed in Belo Horizonte?
Jorge Wistermann wants to say goodbye to the Copa Libertadores celebrating their first victory in Cochabamba, that could keep Jaguares from advancing to the knockouts. The visitors defeated group leader and reigning champion Internacional two weeks ago, and depend only on themselves to claim their place among America's best sixteen.
Jaguares visits Cochabamba with an alternate squad. "It is not that we're taking the Bolivians for granted, we're doing what we're doing because Emelec has a tough nut to crack in Brazil" said Jorge Wilstermann's boss Jose Guadalupe Cruz
Jaguares' coach chances his arm as the Mexican squad visits Bolivia, for their success in the Libertadores is paired with a mediocre performance in the Mexican league, occupying the bottom position with eleven points after 15 games.
Antonio Michael Pedroza and Julio Daniel Frías will be leading Jaguares' attack, will they manage to break the Bolivian defense and gain the opportunity to show their worth in the round of sixteen?
Group leader Libertad receives San Luis this Tuesday, eager to maintain their unbeaten record and deny their visitors an opportunity to advance to the next round, though San Luis must not only defeat Libertad but wait for Once Caldas to stop Universidad San Martin from celebrating another victory.
San Luis' coach Nacho Ambriz knows only a miracle can take the Bolivian squad to the next stage. To make things even more difficult, San Luis will have to do without Otoniel Arce, Luis Omar Hernández and Ignacio Torres, three vital players for his scheme.
The performance of the Paraguayan squad during the last few weeks has been rather disappointing, but their superior form in the Libertadores has balanced so far their spirit. The hosts must improve their playing a lot to survive in the round of sixteen, where they could be facing Pedro Troglio's Argentinos Juniors.
Nothing can stop Libertad from claiming the top of the group, can San Luis join the Paraguayans to the next stage?
It's been five weeks since Cerro Porteño lastly celebrated a victory in the Paraguayan league, but luckily for them their impressive performance in the Libertadores has kept the spirit of the players intact.
The Paraguayan squad must defeat Colo Colo in Chilean ground to secure its ticket to the knockouts, though a draw could be enough if Santos fails to defeat basement boys Deportivo Tachira in Brazil.
Colo Colo's midfielders Rodrigo Millar and Nelson Cabrera finished the last Libertadores games experiencing intense muscular pain, and so team's coach Americo Gallego decided to give them an opportunity to rest during the weekend, when Colo Colo tied with Universidad Catolica 1-1.
Esteban Paredes, on the other hand, is likely to return to the starting eleven, already recovered from a leg injury that stopped him from playing the full game against Deportivo Tachira.
"We're optimistic. Our boys have shown many times who's in charge in the field. I know what I have to do to succeed" said Americo Gallego. Who'll advance to the next round this Wednesday?
Already eliminated from the Libertadores, Deportivo Tachira must lock horns with Santos, a dangerous rival in great need of a victory to leapfrog either Colo Colo or Cerro Porteño and secure one of the two qualifying places.
Deportivo Tachira was close from writing history as Edgar Perez scored the opener against Colo Colo, but the Chilean squad was superior and thanks to 17-years old Diego Rubio's double took a decisive step towards qualification.
Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto used a 3-5-2 formation that worked out extraordinary well for the first fifteen minutes, but eventually their lack of offense turned against them.
The Brazilian squad might recover Neymar, Elano and Ze Eduardo, who missed the last game due to injuries. Their presence could seriously boost Santos' attack, are they ready to grab the bull by its horns and claim their place among America's best sixteen?
The Uruguayans look forward to ambush America and claim the top of the group for their own. Standing at the third position with seven points, a draw could grant Nacional the qualification as long as Fluminense defeats Argentinos Juniors by the minimum difference.
Nacional's coach Juan Ramón Carrasco has confirmed former River Plate's playmaker Marcelo Gallardo will be among the starting eleven. The Argentinean midfielder will be responsible for feeding Nacional's attacking trident, Tabaré Viudez, Santiago Garcia (whose absence greatly undermined Nacional's attack last weekend against River) and Horacio Peralta.
America advanced to the quarter-finals in the Mexican League thanks to Angel Reyna, who scored a double that sealed a major victory against Estudiantes Tecos. Reyna became the top striker of the league, with 11 goals.
The Eagles are the favorites, as they are among the few teams that have not yet been beaten in the American tournament. Three times had America advanced to the semi-finals of the Libertadores, in 2000, 2002 and 2008, but they could never reach the final.
The third group is open, and whoever wins at the Gran Parque Central advances to the knockouts, who will it be?
Argentinos Juniors lost its unbeaten record in the Clausura as they visited San Luis to take on Godoy Cruz. Pedro Troglio's Bichitos Colorados missed Franco Niell and Miguel Torren greatly, leaving Ciro Rius unable to find his place on the general scheme of the team.
Argentinos Juniors prepares to receive Fluminense in La Paternal. A victory will be enough for the Argentinean squad to advance to the next round, while the Brazilians depend on Nacional's performance against America to be eligible for qualification.
Fluminense defeated Nova Iguazu by the minimum difference thanks to Fred's goal, and will be facing its eternal rival, Flamengo, in the semifinals of the Carioca tournament.
When Argentinos visited Rio de Janeiro for the debut match back in February 9th, with Franco Niell and Rafael Moura sharing doubles for a 2-2 tie. Now they meet once again on the fields, and qualification itself is at stake.
