After a number of surprises in the preliminary rounds, the start of the group stage in the Copa Libertadores promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The competition has seen Palmeiras lifting the title two years in a row, and fans will be eager to know if the Brazilian side led by Abel Ferreira will be capable of winning the title for a third time in a row, something no team in South America has been able to pull off since Independiente's run of four consecutive titles between 1972 and 1976.
Usually, teams from Argentina and Brazil are always considered as title contenders, and this year, the names of Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Vélez Sarsfield will be involved in the mix to become champions. As for Brazilian teams included in the tournament, Flamengo, Corinthians, and Atlético Mineiro all have to be named as potential contenders to lift the cup in October 2022.
Here is how the groups were determined by the draw that took place on March 25, 2022.
The competition will begin on Tuesday, April 5, with six games being played on that day. Out of those matches, the Paraguayan clash between Olimpia and Cerro Porteño may be one of the top games to watch, while the debuts of Boca Juniors (vs Deportivo Cali) and Flamengo (against Sporting Cristal) will also attract quite a bit of attention
Wednesday will be the busiest day of the week with seven games. Out of those, Palmeiras' debut against Deportivo Táchira will be the game to watch, but Argentine football fans will also have something to keep an eye on when River Plate make it to Peru to face Alianza Lima.
The opening week of the 2022 Copa Libertadores will come to an end with three more games being played on Thursday. The game between Argentine foes Estudiantes and Vélez Sarsfield will be the most interesting of the bunch for Thursday.
Here are all the games for the opening week in this edition of the Copa Libertadores. More info on the tournament here.
