The slightest misstep can be fatal in the group stage. Reigning champion Internacional wants to connect its first victory in the tournament this season.
The first round of this year's edition of the Copa Libertadores brought many surprises to the followers of the American football. Internacional de Porto Alegre's debut in the Libertadores was far from satisfying, since Celso Roth's Colorados were unable to rescue more than one point against Emelec.
Squads from Argentina and Brazil have always been the favorites to lift this American title. It doesn't look like this fact will change in 2011, as Cruzeiro, Godoy Cruz among others showed to be fair candidates to advance to the latter stages of America's most coveted title.
Watch out for young Argentinean promise Juan Manuel Iturbe, who after a fabulous performance for Argentina's U-21 National Football Team, caught once again the attention of the audience by scoring a double to secure Cerro Porteño's sound victory 5-2 over Colo Colo.
Cruzeiro wants to take advantage of the massive momentum generated by last Wednesday's sound victory 5-0 over Estudiantes and prepares to lock horns with Guarani on Tuesday's night. The visitors lost their first game against Deportivo Tolima and are forced to return home with a positive result to remain competitive in the fight for qualification.
"The balance from last week's visit to Colombia is positive, though we didn't get the result we wanted. Let's not forget we played againt a strong rival with lots of experience" said Guarani's captain Julian Benitez. "Cruzeiro is a rival that deserves respect, but we won't give in without a fight" added Guarani's most dangerous striker. Bugre's coach José Luiz Carbone will have to do without Fabio Escobar, as the midfielder struggles to recover from an injury. Osvaldo Hobecker returns to the starting eleven, eager to give Guarani more security in the midfield.
Cruzeiro's Walter Montillo and Wallyson are in excellent form, providing a major boost to Raposa's attack. Their offensive prowess doomed Estudiantes to a sound defeat, and they'll be looking forward to improve their score as Guarani visits the Mineirao. "Guarani will try to keep the ball, defend and rescue a point. We'll have to be extra-patient, we'll have to be extremely careful and explore all the areas on the field to score a goal as soon as possible" said Cruzeiro's midfielder Roger.
Cruzeiro's coach decided to give his top players a chance to rest during the weekend to secure the top of the Libertadores group. Will this be enough to defeat Guarani?
Emelec showed strong credentials last week in Brazil by rescuing an important point against Internacional -Fernando Gimenez scored an agonic goal in the last minute of the game- and must now prepare to receive Bolivia's Jorge Wilstermann on Tuesday's night. Emelec's coach Omar Asad will have to do without Pedro Quiñónez and winger Marcelo Fleitas, both struggling with injuries, while Luis Zapata and Cristian Machado might not be able to perform for the Bolivian squad, experiencing intense muscular pain.
Wilstermann's captain Juan Ignacio Brawn believes Emelec is a dynamic squad with two powerful strikers (Menendez and Eial Strahman). They pressure from the middle of the field onwards and become even stronger when playing at home" he said. The Bolivians invested heavily in the transfer market to return to the Primera Division, and the 13 foreign players that joined the squad speak for themselves.
A victory will be essential for Emelec, as this will provide a major morale boost, and perhaps this will be enough to defy reigning champion Internacional leadership of the group, for it looks like Jaguar's leadership with perfect scoring will be short-lived.
Polo Wila and Eduardo Morante will be given a shot to show their worth for Emelec, taking over Quiñonez's and Fleitas' place. Will they manage to bag the full scoring at home?
Mexicans and Peruvians take one on each other this Tuesday eager to take one step ahead in the fight for the qualification to the next stage. Los Santos are comfortable, having already celebrated a victory in their first match away, while the Mexicans are eager to return home victorious after two consecutive defeats (Libertad for the Libertadores and Pumas for the Mexican league).
San Luis' striker Miguel Cavalho has a deep understanding of the Peruvian football, due to his time playing for Cienciano. "Our rival is in excellent form, they started the tournament with a victory, but our objective is clear: we need the three points" he said. Team's coach will have to find the right partner for Cavalho as team's top striker Daniel Alcantara will most likely be ruled out due to injuries.
Things seem to be running smoothly for the hosts. an alternate squad defeated Cesar Vallejo for their domestic league, In less than seven years, Universidad San Martin has grown to be one of the deadliest Peruvian squads, and much of this has to do with team's coach, Uruguayan Anibal Ruiz. The last time San Martin received a Mexican visitor at the Miguel Grau del Callao, the hosts celebrated a victory by the minimum difference.
An important clash that will have a major impact on the development of Group 1. Who'll claim the three points?
Leading the Colombian league with a seven-point advantage from the second candidate, Once Caldas' debut game in this year's edition of the Copa Libertadores left a bitter aftertaste as they failed to defeat Universidad San Martin, and now a victory is mandatory to remain competitive in the fight for one of the two places for the Round of Sixteen.
Last week's victory over Millonarios let Once Caldas recovers its self-confidence. Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio believes this will be a defining game for his team. "Libertad will play just like San Martin did, they'll wait for us. They know we move fast from defense to offense, and so they'll bet on holding off the ball, which is one of their main virtues" he said.
Libertad's striker Nicolas Pavlovich and Rodolfo Gamarra will be responsible for breaking through Once Caldas' defense. Their wide international experience leans the game on Gumarelos' side, especially considering Colombian defender Pedro Portocarrero will be providing additional security to Libertad's back line. Libertad wants to improve last year's performance in the Libertadores, when the Paraguayans made it to the quarter-finals.
Two strong American contenders lock horns with each other to claim group's first position. Who'll succeed?
Jaguares visits Brazil to lock horns with reigning champion Internacional. The Mexicans are aware much more than three points at stake, as the winner will automatically become Group 6's leader. The hosts repeat the same formation that failed to defeat Emelec away, while Jose Guadalupe Cruz is likely to introduce a few modifications on his scheme, keeping in mind his Jaguares lost the last five Mexican League games.
Luckily for Jaguares, they keep a perfect record in the Libertadores so far this season, with three consecutive victories. It won't be easy to keep such performance in Brazil, as the hosts are familiar with Mexican visitors after facing Chivas in the final of last year's Libertadores.
The Brazilians are known by their ability to dominate the flow of the ball. Pablo Guiñazu, Mario Bolatti and Andres D'Alessandro give Internacional complete control over the midfield, but they need to work harder in the aerial play not to suffer in the last minute as they did one week ago, when Fernando Gimenez found the equalizer with a last-minute header.
The hosts will be a tough nut to crack, especially considering Jaguares could not score a single goal in the last three matches away. Team's top striker Jackson Martinez will be leading the attack, will he succeed?
Brazilians and Uruguayans want to leave behind the bitterness of the debut game, as the Brazilian League reigning champion tied with Argentinos Juniors in Argentina (they could not take advantage of the two-goal lead Rafael Moura gave them) and Nacional was left empty-handed by America in Mexico.
The Brazilians were eliminated from the Regional league by Boavista, a competitor from the minor Taça Guanabara league. Only the sweetness of a victory will help Muricy Ramalho's boys recover their self-confidence, essential to remain competitive in the American fight.
Tricolores' coach Juan Ramón Carrasco repeats the same classic 4-3-3 formation, with a few variations on the attack, as Santiago Garcia makes way for Bruno Fornaroli in the final meters of the field. Mauricio Pereyra returns to the starting eleven recovered from his injuries.
There will be many absentees in the Fluzao's squad, for Deco, Fred, Emerson and Rodriguinho are all ruled out due to injuries. Team's top striker Rafael Moura experiences intense muscular pain, but it's expected he'll be fully fit for the clash.
Fluminense's coach prepares a formation with strong presence on the wings, will this scheme work out as expected at the Manuel Schwartz?
Estudiantes needs a victory badly to recover from last week's visit to Belo Horizonte. Pincha's coach Eduardo Berizzo prepares a defensive modification as winger German Re (injured) makes way for Facundo Roncaglia in the back line.
"We need to deal with the anxiety: we don't have to win from the first minute on" said Estudiantes' defender Gabriel Mercado, who score the winning goal in the last victory over Quilmes for the Clausura. "We must play well and balanced" he added.
Juan Sebastian Veron, Gaston Fernandez and Rodrigo Braña were given a chance to rest during the weekend, as another defeat could jeopardize Estudiantes' future in the Libertadores Cup.
Tolima's coach Hernan Torres repeats the same formation, as he's confident the same eleven players that defeated Guarani last week will pose a serious threat to the Argentinean squad.
Rojiblancos' defenders should keep Pijao's Danny Santoya under a close watch: having scored the winning goal in the last Libertadores match and a double in the weekend. "They'll try to find redemption against us after last week's public humiliation. We're ready to deal with this and defeat Estudiantes" said Santoya's offensive partner, Elkin Murillo.
A decisive match for Tolima to better understand where they're standing in this year's American fight. Will they return home victorious from La Plata?
Independiente managed to qualify for the Copa Libertadores by lifting last year's Copa Sudamericana, and they need to take advantage of this opportunity to advance to the latter stages of America's most coveted title, something impossible in the last years thanks to their poor form in the Argentinean league.
Independiente and Peñarol have played 13 Libertadores games so far, with six victories for the Argentinean squad and 5 for the Uruguayans. This is Aurinegros' golden opportunity to even the score, but it'll be increasingly difficult playing in Avellaneda.
"I'll be comfortable if we come back with a point, I'll be extremely happy if we bag the three points" said Peñarol's coach Diego Aguirre. He recovers important players for this game, as Alejandro González and Paraguayan midfielder Edison Torres are ready to join the starting eleven once again.
Independiente's coach, Antonio Mohammed, prepares an offensive 3-4-1-2 formation as he needs to overcome the absence of key players as team's captain Carlos Matheu, Roberto Battión, Hernán Fredes and Nestor Silvera, though the latter might recover in time to lead the attack.
Former Lanus' winger Maximiliano Velazquez and Cristian Pellerano will try to overwhelm from the wings, while Leonel Galeano replaces Matheu in the back line.
Two American legends lock horns with each other, who'll be victorious?
Current Argentina's Clausura champion Argentinos wants to celebrate its first victory in the competition as the Aztec squad visits La Paternal. Los Bichitos Colorados showed their strengths by coming back from a two-goals partial defeat against reigning champion Internacional last week.
Argentinos' coach will have to do without midfielder Juan Mercier, who struggles with a left arm injury. Pablo Hernandez appears to be his natural replacement as main driver in the squad.
Aguilas' coach Carlos Reinoso looks forward to celebrate a second consecutive victory in the Libertadores. It's expected he chooses the same eleven players that granted him the first position of the group, though it's also possible he goes for a more defensive scheme not to be overwhelmed by the hosts.
America's Uruguayan striker Vicente Sánchez score his first goal this season after seven games. Team's lack of efficiency in the last meters is Reinoso's main concern. He'll also have to come up with an idea to replace Israel Martínez, who'll be sidelined at least for two more weeks.
A vital clash for both Argentinos and America, who'll succeed?
Gremio is determined to lift the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history this year, but a step should be walked at a time. The Brazilians look forward to celebrate a third consecutive sound victory (3-0 against Oriente Petrolero in their debut in the Libertadores, 5-0 against Ypiranga for their domestic league").
"Gremio is a major rival, and it doesn't matter whether we play at home or not, we'll always have to keep in mind our objective is the full scoring. That's what I want to teach to my players" said Gremio's coach Renato Portaluppi.
Gremio's last acquisition, midfielder Carlos Alberto might be given once again the opportunity to join Borges and Andre Lima on the attack. Fabio Rochemback gives the needed security in the midfield, able to assist both in the defense and the attack.
Carlos Bacca and Jhon Viafara gave Junior a comfortable victory last week over Leon Huanaco. It was Oscar Hector's third consecutive victory (two for Liga Portobon, one for the Libertadores) and the hosts should take advantage of their momentum to stop Gremio from claiming the three points
Squads from Argentina and Brazil have always been the favorites to lift this American title. It doesn't look like this fact will change in 2011, as Cruzeiro, Godoy Cruz among others showed to be fair candidates to advance to the latter stages of America's most coveted title.
Watch out for young Argentinean promise Juan Manuel Iturbe, who after a fabulous performance for Argentina's U-21 National Football Team, caught once again the attention of the audience by scoring a double to secure Cerro Porteño's sound victory 5-2 over Colo Colo.
Cruzeiro wants to take advantage of the massive momentum generated by last Wednesday's sound victory 5-0 over Estudiantes and prepares to lock horns with Guarani on Tuesday's night. The visitors lost their first game against Deportivo Tolima and are forced to return home with a positive result to remain competitive in the fight for qualification.
"The balance from last week's visit to Colombia is positive, though we didn't get the result we wanted. Let's not forget we played againt a strong rival with lots of experience" said Guarani's captain Julian Benitez. "Cruzeiro is a rival that deserves respect, but we won't give in without a fight" added Guarani's most dangerous striker. Bugre's coach José Luiz Carbone will have to do without Fabio Escobar, as the midfielder struggles to recover from an injury. Osvaldo Hobecker returns to the starting eleven, eager to give Guarani more security in the midfield.
Cruzeiro's Walter Montillo and Wallyson are in excellent form, providing a major boost to Raposa's attack. Their offensive prowess doomed Estudiantes to a sound defeat, and they'll be looking forward to improve their score as Guarani visits the Mineirao. "Guarani will try to keep the ball, defend and rescue a point. We'll have to be extra-patient, we'll have to be extremely careful and explore all the areas on the field to score a goal as soon as possible" said Cruzeiro's midfielder Roger.
Cruzeiro's coach decided to give his top players a chance to rest during the weekend to secure the top of the Libertadores group. Will this be enough to defeat Guarani?
Emelec showed strong credentials last week in Brazil by rescuing an important point against Internacional -Fernando Gimenez scored an agonic goal in the last minute of the game- and must now prepare to receive Bolivia's Jorge Wilstermann on Tuesday's night. Emelec's coach Omar Asad will have to do without Pedro Quiñónez and winger Marcelo Fleitas, both struggling with injuries, while Luis Zapata and Cristian Machado might not be able to perform for the Bolivian squad, experiencing intense muscular pain.
Wilstermann's captain Juan Ignacio Brawn believes Emelec is a dynamic squad with two powerful strikers (Menendez and Eial Strahman). They pressure from the middle of the field onwards and become even stronger when playing at home" he said. The Bolivians invested heavily in the transfer market to return to the Primera Division, and the 13 foreign players that joined the squad speak for themselves.
A victory will be essential for Emelec, as this will provide a major morale boost, and perhaps this will be enough to defy reigning champion Internacional leadership of the group, for it looks like Jaguar's leadership with perfect scoring will be short-lived.
Polo Wila and Eduardo Morante will be given a shot to show their worth for Emelec, taking over Quiñonez's and Fleitas' place. Will they manage to bag the full scoring at home?
Mexicans and Peruvians take one on each other this Tuesday eager to take one step ahead in the fight for the qualification to the next stage. Los Santos are comfortable, having already celebrated a victory in their first match away, while the Mexicans are eager to return home victorious after two consecutive defeats (Libertad for the Libertadores and Pumas for the Mexican league).
San Luis' striker Miguel Cavalho has a deep understanding of the Peruvian football, due to his time playing for Cienciano. "Our rival is in excellent form, they started the tournament with a victory, but our objective is clear: we need the three points" he said. Team's coach will have to find the right partner for Cavalho as team's top striker Daniel Alcantara will most likely be ruled out due to injuries.
Things seem to be running smoothly for the hosts. an alternate squad defeated Cesar Vallejo for their domestic league, In less than seven years, Universidad San Martin has grown to be one of the deadliest Peruvian squads, and much of this has to do with team's coach, Uruguayan Anibal Ruiz. The last time San Martin received a Mexican visitor at the Miguel Grau del Callao, the hosts celebrated a victory by the minimum difference.
An important clash that will have a major impact on the development of Group 1. Who'll claim the three points?
Leading the Colombian league with a seven-point advantage from the second candidate, Once Caldas' debut game in this year's edition of the Copa Libertadores left a bitter aftertaste as they failed to defeat Universidad San Martin, and now a victory is mandatory to remain competitive in the fight for one of the two places for the Round of Sixteen.
Last week's victory over Millonarios let Once Caldas recovers its self-confidence. Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio believes this will be a defining game for his team. "Libertad will play just like San Martin did, they'll wait for us. They know we move fast from defense to offense, and so they'll bet on holding off the ball, which is one of their main virtues" he said.
Libertad's striker Nicolas Pavlovich and Rodolfo Gamarra will be responsible for breaking through Once Caldas' defense. Their wide international experience leans the game on Gumarelos' side, especially considering Colombian defender Pedro Portocarrero will be providing additional security to Libertad's back line. Libertad wants to improve last year's performance in the Libertadores, when the Paraguayans made it to the quarter-finals.
Two strong American contenders lock horns with each other to claim group's first position. Who'll succeed?
Jaguares visits Brazil to lock horns with reigning champion Internacional. The Mexicans are aware much more than three points at stake, as the winner will automatically become Group 6's leader. The hosts repeat the same formation that failed to defeat Emelec away, while Jose Guadalupe Cruz is likely to introduce a few modifications on his scheme, keeping in mind his Jaguares lost the last five Mexican League games.
Luckily for Jaguares, they keep a perfect record in the Libertadores so far this season, with three consecutive victories. It won't be easy to keep such performance in Brazil, as the hosts are familiar with Mexican visitors after facing Chivas in the final of last year's Libertadores.
The Brazilians are known by their ability to dominate the flow of the ball. Pablo Guiñazu, Mario Bolatti and Andres D'Alessandro give Internacional complete control over the midfield, but they need to work harder in the aerial play not to suffer in the last minute as they did one week ago, when Fernando Gimenez found the equalizer with a last-minute header.
The hosts will be a tough nut to crack, especially considering Jaguares could not score a single goal in the last three matches away. Team's top striker Jackson Martinez will be leading the attack, will he succeed?
Brazilians and Uruguayans want to leave behind the bitterness of the debut game, as the Brazilian League reigning champion tied with Argentinos Juniors in Argentina (they could not take advantage of the two-goal lead Rafael Moura gave them) and Nacional was left empty-handed by America in Mexico.
The Brazilians were eliminated from the Regional league by Boavista, a competitor from the minor Taça Guanabara league. Only the sweetness of a victory will help Muricy Ramalho's boys recover their self-confidence, essential to remain competitive in the American fight.
Tricolores' coach Juan Ramón Carrasco repeats the same classic 4-3-3 formation, with a few variations on the attack, as Santiago Garcia makes way for Bruno Fornaroli in the final meters of the field. Mauricio Pereyra returns to the starting eleven recovered from his injuries.
There will be many absentees in the Fluzao's squad, for Deco, Fred, Emerson and Rodriguinho are all ruled out due to injuries. Team's top striker Rafael Moura experiences intense muscular pain, but it's expected he'll be fully fit for the clash.
Fluminense's coach prepares a formation with strong presence on the wings, will this scheme work out as expected at the Manuel Schwartz?
Estudiantes needs a victory badly to recover from last week's visit to Belo Horizonte. Pincha's coach Eduardo Berizzo prepares a defensive modification as winger German Re (injured) makes way for Facundo Roncaglia in the back line.
"We need to deal with the anxiety: we don't have to win from the first minute on" said Estudiantes' defender Gabriel Mercado, who score the winning goal in the last victory over Quilmes for the Clausura. "We must play well and balanced" he added.
Juan Sebastian Veron, Gaston Fernandez and Rodrigo Braña were given a chance to rest during the weekend, as another defeat could jeopardize Estudiantes' future in the Libertadores Cup.
Tolima's coach Hernan Torres repeats the same formation, as he's confident the same eleven players that defeated Guarani last week will pose a serious threat to the Argentinean squad.
Rojiblancos' defenders should keep Pijao's Danny Santoya under a close watch: having scored the winning goal in the last Libertadores match and a double in the weekend. "They'll try to find redemption against us after last week's public humiliation. We're ready to deal with this and defeat Estudiantes" said Santoya's offensive partner, Elkin Murillo.
A decisive match for Tolima to better understand where they're standing in this year's American fight. Will they return home victorious from La Plata?
Independiente managed to qualify for the Copa Libertadores by lifting last year's Copa Sudamericana, and they need to take advantage of this opportunity to advance to the latter stages of America's most coveted title, something impossible in the last years thanks to their poor form in the Argentinean league.
Independiente and Peñarol have played 13 Libertadores games so far, with six victories for the Argentinean squad and 5 for the Uruguayans. This is Aurinegros' golden opportunity to even the score, but it'll be increasingly difficult playing in Avellaneda.
"I'll be comfortable if we come back with a point, I'll be extremely happy if we bag the three points" said Peñarol's coach Diego Aguirre. He recovers important players for this game, as Alejandro González and Paraguayan midfielder Edison Torres are ready to join the starting eleven once again.
Independiente's coach, Antonio Mohammed, prepares an offensive 3-4-1-2 formation as he needs to overcome the absence of key players as team's captain Carlos Matheu, Roberto Battión, Hernán Fredes and Nestor Silvera, though the latter might recover in time to lead the attack.
Former Lanus' winger Maximiliano Velazquez and Cristian Pellerano will try to overwhelm from the wings, while Leonel Galeano replaces Matheu in the back line.
Two American legends lock horns with each other, who'll be victorious?
Current Argentina's Clausura champion Argentinos wants to celebrate its first victory in the competition as the Aztec squad visits La Paternal. Los Bichitos Colorados showed their strengths by coming back from a two-goals partial defeat against reigning champion Internacional last week.
Argentinos' coach will have to do without midfielder Juan Mercier, who struggles with a left arm injury. Pablo Hernandez appears to be his natural replacement as main driver in the squad.
Aguilas' coach Carlos Reinoso looks forward to celebrate a second consecutive victory in the Libertadores. It's expected he chooses the same eleven players that granted him the first position of the group, though it's also possible he goes for a more defensive scheme not to be overwhelmed by the hosts.
America's Uruguayan striker Vicente Sánchez score his first goal this season after seven games. Team's lack of efficiency in the last meters is Reinoso's main concern. He'll also have to come up with an idea to replace Israel Martínez, who'll be sidelined at least for two more weeks.
A vital clash for both Argentinos and America, who'll succeed?
Gremio is determined to lift the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history this year, but a step should be walked at a time. The Brazilians look forward to celebrate a third consecutive sound victory (3-0 against Oriente Petrolero in their debut in the Libertadores, 5-0 against Ypiranga for their domestic league").
"Gremio is a major rival, and it doesn't matter whether we play at home or not, we'll always have to keep in mind our objective is the full scoring. That's what I want to teach to my players" said Gremio's coach Renato Portaluppi.
Gremio's last acquisition, midfielder Carlos Alberto might be given once again the opportunity to join Borges and Andre Lima on the attack. Fabio Rochemback gives the needed security in the midfield, able to assist both in the defense and the attack.
Carlos Bacca and Jhon Viafara gave Junior a comfortable victory last week over Leon Huanaco. It was Oscar Hector's third consecutive victory (two for Liga Portobon, one for the Libertadores) and the hosts should take advantage of their momentum to stop Gremio from claiming the three points
