A fortnight of predictable Copa Libertadores prerequisite ties came to an end Thursday, and – as expected – all Brazilian and Argentine participants qualified for the highly contested second round.
The groups have all been set, and, although 32 clubs are in the hunt to be South American champions, it’s likely a Brazilian or Argentine club will be triumphant.
As this is well known around the world, Brazil and Argentina are the strongest soccer nations on the continent, but this does not just reflect on the success of their national teams, but also with the clubs.
Fans know they will be treated to top quality soccer for several months, but already a very familiar notion is hitting them, will there be any competition from the clubs of the less lucrative leagues?
For many, South American club competitions have become a battle between the continents of the two major rivals, while most of the clubs from the other nine nations are just there to make up the numbers. Statistics verify this; since the inauguration of the tournament back in 1960 they have dominated.
Apart from Uruguay, whose clubs have enjoyed eight titles; only on six occasions has a club from a remaining South American nation been victorious.
The recent downfall of Uruguayan soccer suggests that its clubs are unlikely to stake a claim in this year’s competition, and while some may hint out that Mexican or Colombian clubs are the next best thing, history doesn’t back them.
What this means is that Brazilian and Argentine clubs should have a relatively easy run right until the later stages of the competition, in which they are likely to run into each other.
Tradition completely backs the big two, as they have won a staggering 32 of the 46 competitions to date, and have won 12 of the last 14 tournaments. What has increased their probability in recent years is that over one-third of the clubs competing come from the two countries.
This year’s Brazilian representatives include the titanic trio; Sao Paulo, Corinthians and Palmeiras, as well as smaller clubs Internacional, Goias and Paulista. Making up the Argentine contingent is River Plate, Velez Sarsfield, Rosario Central, Newell’s Old Boys and Estudiantes de La Plata. (From the lot, the most likely clubs to triumph are Sao Paulo, Corinthians, River Plate and Velez Sarsfield. )
But why are clubs from the two major South American countries so superior when compared to the rest? This isn’t too hard to explain, nor to recognize, remembering that the two countries have won seven World Cups between them.
Both are soccer mad nations that excel through their outstanding youth programs, most notably those of Sao Paulo FC and River Plate, which are regarded as the pinnacle of soccer schools, after having produced a number of the world’s finest players.
Apart from Mexico, the two nations have the richest soccer leagues of the Americas, meaning that though they sell plenty of players abroad, they have the financial backing to sign high-quality replacements.
During most of the last decade, Argentina has consistently had the best and most attractive league on the continent. In recent years the Brasileirao has grown in prominence and now boasts high profile foreigners such as Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Diego Lugano and Carlos Gamarra, all whom will be featured in this year’s edition of the Copa Libertadores.
The Groups: Substantial Argentine Advantage
It seems that the Argentine clubs have a much easier passage to the knockout round when compared to their Brazilian counterparts, and all Argentine clubs should get beyond the second round, despite the absence of traditional Buenos Aires powers Boca Juniors, Independiente and Racing Club.
River Plate, which last won the Cup back in 1996, seems to have sufficiently reinforced its squad and looks to be a good bet to win the tournament, having come from an emphatic 8-0 aggregate victory over Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero in the first round. It’s expected that it will breeze past Libertad of Paraguay, El Nacional of Ecuador and Brazilian Second Division club Paulista on the way to the knockout round.
Like River, Velez Sarsfield should have no problem advancing to the next stage, being the clear favorite in a weak group that includes Liga Deportiva Universitaria of Ecuador, Universitario of Peru and Uruguayan newcomers Rocha FC.
Estudiantes de La Plata, which is a three-time Copa Libertadores champion (’68, ’69, and ’70) may not have experienced any recent glory, but it has a good possibility of advancing in what looks to be the weakest group. It will be up against Bolivar, Sporting Cristal, and Independiente Santa Fe, clubs that lack international pedigree.
Bitter rivals Newell’s Old Boys and Rosario Central have competed in a combined 13 Cups, but apart from Newell’s runner-up finish in ’88, they both have enjoyed relatively little international success. While the Lepra has a good chance of advancing, the Canalla may find it difficult in one of the most competitive groups of the competition, in which they will meet Edmundo’s Palmeiras.
Palmeiras breezed past Venezuelan club Deportivo Tachira in the first round, and should fight for top spot with Central, although Atletico Nacional and Cerro Porteno always are difficult opponents. The Verdao certainly will be candidates, but may be overshadowed by their more illustrious city rivals.
Corinthians, the champions of last season’s Brasileirao, is the favorite to win what has been labeled ‘The Group of Death’. Tevez’s side must be at its best if it wants to edge out Tigres, Universidad Catolica and Deportivo Cali for the top spot.
Holders São Paulo will be up against tough opposition in Chivas of Guadalajara and ’03 Copa Sudamericana champions Cienciano of Peru, but it is unlikely Venezuelan lightweights Caracas will put up a challenge. The depth and experience of the Tricolor should get them through a tricky group as they look to win back-to-back titles.
Southerners Internacional make a return to the elite of South American club competition after an absence of 13 years. A runner-up finish in last season’s Brasileirao can only mean one thing: it will be a serious candidate to win. But it first must get out of a tough group that includes strong sides in Pumas of Mexico and Nacional of Uruguay. Union Atletico Maracaibo is yet another Venezuelan club that is likely to struggle.
The remaining Brazilian clubs — Goias and Paulista — are unlikely to be title contenders, but they may be able to turn some heads with the usual Brazilian flair.
Some may think that it’s much too early to make such a prediction, but tradition say the Brazilian and Argentine clubs come into the tournament with the greatest possibilities of taking home the glory. Just everything is in their favor, and soccer, after all, is a simple game that boasts few surprises.
The Lineup
Group 1
Sao Paulo FC (Brazil), Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico), Cienciano (Peru), Caracas FC (Venezuela)
Group 2
Estudiantes de La Plata (Argentina), Bolivar (Bolivia), Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia), Sporting Cristal (Peru)
Group 3
Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina), Goias EC (Brazil), The Strongest (Bolivia), Union Espanola (Chile)
Group 4
Corinthians (Brazil), Tigres UANL (Mexico), Deportivo Cali (Colombia), Universidad Catolica (Chile)
Group 5
Velez Sarsfield (Argentina), Liga Deportiva Universitaria (Ecuador), Rocha FC (Uruguay), Universitario (Peru)
Group 6
Internacional (Brazil), Pumas UNAM (Mexico), Nacional (Uruguay), Union Atletico Maracaibo (Venezuela)
Group 7
Palmeiras (Brazil), Cerro Porteno (Paraguay), Rosario Central (Argentina), Atletico Nacional (Colombia)
Group 8
River Plate (Argentina), Libertad (Paraguay), El Nacional (Ecuador), Paulista FC (Brazil)
Gregory Sica
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