The group stage of the world's second-most prestigious club soccer tournament - CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores - kicks off on Tuesday, with Neymar and defending champions Santos (Brazil) looking to claim the club's fourth continential championship. Should they do so, Santos will have navigated one of the tougher fields in recent memory, with a full complement of Brazilian giants joined by resurgent Boca Juniors (Argentina), 2011 finalists Penarol (Uruguay) and a Universidad de Chile side that seekings to become the first Chilean team to win South America's greatest prize.
Thanks to the team from SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk ( Anthony Wright, Nicholas Rosano, Brian Maxwell, James Walker-Roberts and FOX Soccer's own Rupert Fryer) we know which of the tournament's 32 remaining clubs can be expected to be around come May's knockout rounds. Here they start with Groups 1 and 2:
| Snapshots | Groups 1-2 | Groups 3-4 | Groups 5-6 | Groups 7-8 |
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Not only is Group 1 the draw's only quartet with two Brazilian teams, those teams happen to be the last two Libertadores champions - teams also having the last two South American Players of the Year.
Santos
Country: Brazil Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 1962, 1964 and 2011 Key Player: Neymar Expectations: One of the tournament favorites FOX Soccer prediction: Group winner
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk:
Santos are desperate to successfully defend their title. In
Neymar, they boast the best player on the continent, and if they
can not only keep playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso but get the
youngster to rediscover his form, then Santos will undoubtedly be
among the favorites to win the tournament. The capture of full-back
Jorge Fucile from FC Porto also looks a very smart signing.
Internacional
Country: Brazil Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 2006, 2010 Key Player: Andres D'Alessandro Expectations: Quarterfinals are a must FOX Soccer prediction: Second place
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Inter are
back in the hunt for silverware this year. Not only have they held
on to striker Leandro Damiao but they have added former Manchester
City striker Jo and Dagoberto from Sao Paulo. to their squad. Jesus
Datolo arrives from Espanyol and could provide important
Libertadores experience (he was part of the Boca side that won the
title in 2007). Their success could well depend on the talismanic
D'Alessandro, who recently turned down an extremely lucrative
contract in China to keep the captain’s armband for another
year.
Juan Aurich
Country: Peru Best Finish(es): Group stage 1969, 2010 and 2012 Key Player: Luis Tejada Expectations: Hard to have many in this group FOX Soccer prediction: Distant fourth place
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Juan Aurich
registered their berth in the Copa Libertadores by winning an
enthralling three-legged play-off against Alianza Lima on penalties
– the tie went to a third leg after the first two legs
finished 2-2 – to win the Peruvian championship for the first
time in their history. They've never played Brazilian opposition
and will need to display more defensive discipline and ruthlessness
in front of goal.
The Strongest
Country: Bolivia Best Finish(es): Second round 1990 and 1994 Key Player: Ernesto Cristaldo Expectations: One of the tournament favorites FOX Soccer prediction: Third place
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk:
The eight-time Bolivian champions were the first side from
their country to win an away match in the competition, way back in
1965. This year will be their 18th Libertadores appearance, though
it remains unlikely their campaign will last long. Mauricio
Soria’s team will have to draw on all their strength if they
hope to compete in a difficult group.
| Snapshots | Groups 1-2 | Groups 3-4 | Groups 5-6 | Groups 7-8 |
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Group 2 should lay out much more balanced than Group 1, though there is a clear favorite. Whether it be from an all-out fight for second or via the crumbling of an embattled Fla, any club from this group could advance.
Flamengo
Country: Brazil Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 1981 Key Player: Vagner Love Expectations: Get their act together and make a deep run FOX Soccer prediction: Group winner
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: This
time in 2011, Flamengo were rejoicing in the signing of Ronaldinho
and celebrating as the former Barcelona man led them to the top of
the Brazilian Championship. But a 10-match winless run soon put
paid to their title hopes. News then emerged that players had not
been paid for months. All of which means whoever comes in to
replace ex-coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who was sacked after the
nervy win over Real Potosi in the Libertadores qualifier, has a
huge job on his hands. Thiago Neves’ decision not to return
to the Engenhao and instead join Fluminense has been offset by the
signing of Vagner Love from CSKA Moscow.
Lanus
Country: Argentina Best Finish(es): Made the last 16 in 2008 Key Player: Santiago Salcedo Expectations: Advance and be pesky in the round of 16 FOX Soccer prediction: Second place
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Lanus have
managed to keep hold of their strongest players, including Mariano
Pavone, Mauricio Caranta, Silvio Romero, Diego Valeri and World Cup
winner Mauro Camoranesi, though news that the latter will miss at
least the opening match with injury is a blow. His absence will be
a worry for coach Gabriel Schurrer, although he has added striker
Santiago Salcedo and right-sided player Gaston Diaz.
Emelec
Country: Ecuador Best Finish(es): Semifinalists in 1995 Key Player: Luciano Figueroa Expectations: Challenge Lanus for second place FOX Soccer prediction: Close, but third place
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Emelec are
desperate for a successful 2012 and have strengthened over the
winter in a bid to aid their cause. Former Villarreal striker
Luciano Figueroa is the marquee signing, and while he will take
some time to get back to full fitness, he could prove vital.
Defender Mariano Mina returns, and talented 20-year-old striker
Marlon De Jesus has joined the club after a short spell with
Maccabi Haifa. With the exciting duo of Eddy Corozo and Dennys
Hurtado, Emelec have the potential to cause an upset in Group
Two.
Olimpia
Country: Paraguay Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 1979, 1990, 2002 Key Player: Pablo Zeballos Expectations: Make it out of group FOX Soccer prediction: Also close, but fourth place
Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk:
The only Paraguayan team to have ever won the Libertadores,
Olimpia received a boost with the news that striker Pablo Zeballos,
top scorer in both the Apertura and Clausura, would stay with the
club. Although currently injured, Zeballos will be key to their
hopes of qualifying from a tough group. Olimpia have also bolstered
their squad with the loan signing of Peru international Renzo
Revoredo from Sporting Cristal and forward Arnaldo Castorino, who
returns to the club after scoring nine times for 3 de Febrero in
the Clausura.
For more on this year's Copa Libertadores as well as the rest of South American soccer, please visit SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk.
| Snapshots | Groups 1-2 | Groups 3-4 | Groups 5-6 | Groups 7-8 |
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