Copa Libertadores - How to watch the first legs of the semi-finals

We are down to the last four teams in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, and all bets should go out the window when these four sides begin their quest to reach the final of the competition.

The only certainty ahead of these games is that there will be a Brazilian team in the title match, as three teams from that country are involved in the semis. To make things even more interesting, the most recent champions in the competition (Palmeiras and Flamengo) are aiming to reach the final if things go their way. The only surviving team from another country is Ecuador's Barcelona, who eliminated Fluminense in the quarterfinals thanks to the away goals rule. 

Let's have a closer look at this week's semi-finals, both of them taking place in Brazil.

Palmeiras vs Atlético Mineiro

The defending champions have collected an impressive record in the competition, winning eight of their ten matches so far. Their only loss in the tournament came during the group stage, and after eliminating Sao Paulo with an emphatic 4-1 aggregate, their chances of making back-to-back finals are looking good. To prevent that, Atlético Mineiro will have to put their unbeaten record on the line after dismissing tournament titans such as Boca Juniors and River Plate in the Round of 16 and in the Quarterfinals, respectively. Atlético Mineiro have only conceded twice in five away games, which means that Palmeiras will have to use all their resources to try and get the lead before the second leg.

Flamengo vs Barcelona

The 2019 champions are looking better than ever, and this time, Renato Portaluppi will want to earn a convincing lead prior to the second leg. Flamengo made it to this stage by defeating Olimpia with a 9-2 aggregate, which may see some of their supporters believing they can take the title home once again. On the other side of the pitch, the surprising team from Ecuador will want to keep their fairy-tale run in the competition going, although that might be easier said than done. The Guayaquil-based team has last three games in the tournament, all of them away from home, and if they want to keep their chances of making the final alive, they will have to make an effort to go back home unscathed.

Broadcast info - Copa Libertadores semi-finals (1st leg)