The Libertadores, the premier tournament of the Americas, has had its groups defined, and in this article, we’ll analyze each group, present the favorites, and those clubs that could surprise.
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Index
2024 Libertadores Draw
Group A
Group A consists of Fluminense (Brazil), Cerro Porteño (Paraguay), Alianza Lima (Peru), and Colo-Colo (Chile).
Fluminense is the current Libertadores champion, having clinched their first title in 2023. Despite a season start below expectations, being eliminated in the semifinals of the Carioca Championship by Flamengo, Fernando Diniz’s side landed in a manageable group and is the clear favorite to claim the 1st position.
Cerro Porteño enters its 45th Libertadores participation but has never won the tournament, reaching the semifinals at best. Last year, they finished second in the Paraguayan Championship behind Libertad. Currently without a coach following Victor Bernay’s dismissal, Cerro is expected to vie with Colo-Colo for the second spot in the group.
As the second most successful national champion, Alianza Lima often appears in the Libertadores, though usually with lackluster campaigns. Last season, the team won its first Libertadores match in 11 years, and they are dark horses in the qualification battle.
Colo-Colo is the most traditional team in Chile, being the only Chilean side to win the Copa Libertadores. Presently, they are far from their glory days and are expected to compete for the second spot in the group with Cerro Porteño.
Photo: Reuters/Sergio Moraes
Group B
Group B comprises São Paulo (Brazil), Barcelona (Ecuador), Talleres (Argentina), and Cobresal (Chile).
São Paulo returns to the continental tournament after three years, boasting a rich history in the competition and being the first Brazilian team to win 3 Libertadores titles. After a strong finish in the 2023 season, clinching the Copa do Brasil, they had a promising start in 2024 under coach Thiago Carpini. However, they are currently struggling and were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paulista by Novorizontino.
Barcelona de Guayaquil has had an interesting recent record in the Libertadores, being the only team outside Brazil and Argentina to reach the semifinals since 2017, achieving this feat twice in 2017 and 2021.
Talleres will meet São Paulo again in the competition, having eliminated the Brazilian side in the 2019 Pre-Libertadores. Talleres is performing well in the Argentine league, currently sitting in third place in Group A with 19 points from 11 games. They were the Argentine league runners-up last year.
Cobresal plays in the midst of the Atacama Desert, about 2,3 thousand meters above sea level. In 2023, they were the runners-up in the Chilean league but have suffered three defeats and one draw in the current season.
São Paulo is the strongest team in the group, but the Libertadores can be unpredictable, and Barcelona and Talleres could surprise, as they have in previous editions. Cobresal is the weakest team in the group and should vie for third place, aiming for a spot in the Sudamericana.
Photo: Reginaldo Castro/Lancepress!
Group C
Group C is composed of Grêmio (Brazil), Estudiantes (Argentina), The Strongest (Bolivia), and Huachipato (Chile).
Grêmio is the current Brasileirão runner-up and will contend for the top spot with Estudiantes, who won the Copa Argentina in 2023. Together, the teams boast 7 Libertadores titles, 3 for the Brazilians and 4 for the Argentinians.
In 1983, the teams played a match that became historic in the competition, known as the “Battle of La Plata”. Grêmio and Estudiantes faced each other in the last game of the semifinal triangular of the Libertadores. Grêmio led 3-1 with 4 more players, but Estudiantes managed to draw 3-3. Grêmio went on to win that edition of the Libertadores.
The Strongest is the reigning Bolivian champion and the second most successful national champion behind Bolívar. They may pose challenges for their opponents as their stadium sits at an altitude of 3,650 meters.
Huachipato is the reigning Chilean champion but currently sits in 10th place with only seven points from five games in the current season.
Grêmio and Estudiantes will compete for the top two spots, while The Strongest and Huachipato fight for the third position, which leads to the Sudamericana.
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Photo: Lucas Uebel/DVG/Grêmio
Group D
Group D consists of LDU Quito (Ecuador), Junior Barranquilla (Colombia), Universitário (Peru), and Botafogo (Brazil).
LDU Quito is the reigning Sudamericana champion of 2023 and has won 1 Libertadores title in 2008, defeating Fluminense. Last season, they also won the Ecuadorian Championship.
Junior is the reigning Colombian champion, with their best Libertadores campaign in 1994, reaching the semifinals with Colombian star Carlos Valderrama.
Universitário has had a strong start to the season in the national championship, leading with 6 wins and 2 draws. They were the Peruvian champions in 2023.
Botafogo played in the Pre-Libertadores and defeated the strong Bragantino side. After a disastrous 2023, where they led the Brasileirão for 30 rounds only to finish 5th, the Glorioso is aiming for redemption this year.
LDU and Botafogo are the strongest teams in the group, but it’s a balanced group where Junior and Universitário, the reigning national champions, could surprise.
Photo: Arquivo L!
Group E
Group E comprises Flamengo (Brazil), Bolívar (Bolivia), Millonarios (Colombia), and Palestino (Chile).
Flamengo has won 3 Libertadores titles, boasts the best squad in the Americas, and is the clear favorite not only to top the group but also to have the best campaign in the group stage.
The year 2023 was disappointing for Flamengo fans as they failed to win any titles. However, with Tite’s work more consolidated in 2024, they are favorites to win every tournament they participate in.
Bolívar, the City Group-owned club, is the most successful Bolivian champion and plays at an altitude of 3,640 meters above sea level. Last year, they had a strong Libertadores campaign, reaching the quarterfinals, where they were defeated by Internacional.
Millonarios is experiencing an unstable season, sitting in 15th place in the national league with 12 points from 12 games – three wins, three draws, and six losses. Their stadium, El Campín, is located 2,640 meters above sea level.
Palestino qualified via penalties against Nacional from Paraguay in the Pre-Libertadores and faced Flamengo in the Sudamericana twice recently. In 2016, the Chileans eliminated Flamengo, but in 2017, Flamengo dominated, winning with scores of 5-2 and 5-0.
Flamengo dominates the group, while Bolívar, Millonarios, and Palestino have similar levels and vie to stand out.
Foto: Arthur Miranda/Pera Photo Press/Estadão Conteúdo
Group F
Group F consists of Palmeiras (Brazil), Independiente Del Valle (Ecuador), San Lorenzo (Argentina), and Liverpool (Uruguay).
Palmeiras is the reigning Brasileirão champion and the most consistent team in the Libertadores recently. Last season, they reached the remarkable milestone of 4 consecutive semifinals, matching River Plate. Led by Abel Ferreira, they are one of the favorites to clinch their fourth title.
Independiente Del Valle has had interesting recent international campaigns. The Ecuadorians reached the Libertadores final in 2016 and won the Sudamericana in 2019 and 2022.
San Lorenzo won its first and only Libertadores title in 2014 and is globally recognized for its illustrious supporter: Pope Francis. Last season, they finished third in the Argentine League.
Liverpool from Uruguay has a tradition spanning 109 years but won their first and only Uruguayan Championship in 2023, defeating Peñarol in the final. Last year, they participated in the Libertadores for the first time, finishing last in their group.
Palmeiras is the best team in the group and should secure the top spot as usual. Del Valle and San Lorenzo vie for the second spot, with a slight edge for the Ecuadorians, while Liverpool is the underdog.
Photo: JUAN MABROMATA (AFP)
Group G
Group G comprises Peñarol (Uruguay), Atlético-MG (Brazil), Rosario Central (Argentina), and Caracas (Venezuela).
Peñarol is the third most successful Libertadores champion, with 5 titles. Despite being the top seed due to their traditional history in the competition, they are seen as the third force in the group. They were runners-up in Uruguay in 2023.
Atlético-MG won their only Libertadores title in 2013 and has had a turbulent start to the season. However, the quality of their squad makes them the strong favorites to lead the group.
Rosario Central won the Argentine League Cup in 2023 and secured their qualification for the current edition. They are expected to compete with Peñarol for the second spot in the group.
Caracas was the Venezuelan runner-up last season and is the weakest team in the group.
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Photo: AFP
Group H
Group H consists of River Plate (Argentina), Libertad (Paraguay), Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela), and Nacional (Uruguay).
River Plate has 4 Libertadores titles and is the reigning Argentine champion. The Millonarios are one of the favorites to win the biggest competition in the Americas and consequently top the group.
Libertad won both the Apertura and Clausura in 2023 and is expected to vie for the second spot in the group with Nacional.
Deportivo Táchira was the Venezuelan champion in 2023 but is the weakest team in the group and a strong candidate for the group’s bottom spot.
Nacional advanced through the Pre-Libertadores via penalties against Always Ready and sits in 4th place in the Apertura with 8 points from 4 games. They are inferior to Libertad but superior to Táchira, so they should compete with the Paraguayans for the second spot.
Photo: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Written by Henry Miller.
