(Spanish CNN) — One-on-one duels are what give any competition that special spice. This is where Competitiveness acquires more drama, passion in its supporters and it is seen what the teams that aspire to stay with the maximum sporting glory are made of.
The draw for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores 2023 took place this Wednesday, with which the matches of the first knockout phase of the tournament and the keys to the final, which will be played in Brazil, were defined.
Palmeiras and Flamengo start as big favorites to stay with “La Gloria Eterna”, Conmebol’s motto for the 2023 Copa Libertadores. They have won supremacy through the hierarchy in their performers, brilliance in their game, mystique and for having won, between the two, the last four editions of this competition. Below are top teams such as River Plate, Fluminense, Atlético Paranaense and Atlético Mineiro.
The round of 16 of the LXIV (64) edition of the Copa Libertadores produced some fascinating crosses. Let’s see what these challenges of the top 16 teams in Conmebol’s biggest competition are made of.
Atlético Mineiro (Brazil) vs. Palmeiras (Brazil)
The monumental collision of these two Brazilian teams is unmissable for those who love good football and especially for the “torcedores” – fans – of football in Brazil. Palmeiras were the best team in the first phase. They have won five of the six matches, finishing in the highest place in their group, and thus revalidating themselves, since they have won two of the last four editions of the competition. Their rival started the group stage with a different pace, losing the first two games, but went on to win three games in a row and improve their performance considerably. Early final with favoritism for the TRUE (Palmeiras).
Deyverson of Palmeiras. (Credit: Buddha Mendes/Getty Images)
River Plate (Argentina) vs. Porto Alegre International (Brazil)
Another duel of the highest caliber is the one that River Plate will play against Internacional de Porto Alegre. He millionaire He went from less to more in the contest. His performance and result weren’t there, but he finished his performance in the group stage, with the high-level allure that is known from the majestic Argentinian side who want to return to continental glory. To do this, they must overcome the great team of Porto Alegre. Team with the typically Brazilian pace of play. Solid, with a high-ranking gait and the courage of a gaúcho team (southern Brazil). He finished first and undefeated in his group. Duel of great parity and reserved prognosis.
Flamengo (Brazil) vs. Olympia (Paraguay)
Flamengo, the last champion, finished second in their group. They haven’t won any away matches. However, he showed flashes of his plasticity in this sport which he practices like few others. It warms up the engines as the competition progresses. This is how he has traveled his route in the last four editions of this competition, reaching three finals and being crowned in two of them. As formidable as it is admirable. Olympia is a giant of the continent. He finished first in his group and also undefeated. Temperance, character and the strong team she possesses will have to revalidate them without flinching to climb Everest, which means having the formidable team of Rio “face to face”. He Florida is favorite to pass the key.
Atletico Nacional (Colombia) vs. Racing Club (Argentina)
Atlético Nacional finished second in their group. He went from oldest to youngest. They won three of the initial four games. Then they lost their last two games, perhaps the weakest group in the tournament. You will have to raise your level if you want to have a chance of qualifying against the team academic (RacingClub). The Argentinian team was one of the great sensations of the group stage. He finished first in the initial phase of the contest, over a colossus like Flamengo, whom he beat in one of the duels. Hierarchy, a lot of character and a thirst for glory are his references. Same duel with slight favoritism for the Argentine team.
Boca Juniors striker Luis Vazquez celebrates after scoring during the Copa Libertadores group stage second leg match between Boca Juniors’ Argentina and Monagas’ Venezuela at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on June 29, 2023 (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Boca Juniors (Argentina) vs. National (Uruguay)
He xeneize he finished first in his group. He won four duels in a contest in which he began to show a better face than the Argentine national tournament. Players with a great hierarchy, a lot of personality and a mystique make them a cautious team. You will need to improve if you want to increase your chances of advancing in the tournament. Nacional is a typical Uruguayan team. A lot of temperament, tactical and he plays head to head with any rival he has in front of him. He finished second in his group. He equalized as a visitor to Internacional de Porto Alegre, as a team appearance that shows this is not a formation to be underestimated. Closed duel and a lot of parity.
Bolivar (Bolivia) vs. Athletico Paranaense (Brazil)
Bolívar was one of the revelations of the first phase. They finished second in their group, winning four games including a resounding victory against Palmeiras themselves at home. Then he was beaten up as a visitor by the TRUE (Palmeiras) but in the six games they showed boldness, ease in their game and at home they are a very complex team. He will have an extremely difficult duel. The Curitiba team finished first in their group. Play soccer like few others in this contest. He has brightness, self-confidence and an air in his top team game. Clear favorite of the Brazilian team.
Argentinian Juniors (Argentina) vs. Fluminense (Brazil)
He parenting bug (Argentinas) went from high to low in the contest. In the last match (they lost to Independiente del Valle, as visitors), the first place in their group eluded them. His ID card shows him with a squad that stood up as equals, in front of anyone and anywhere. He showed great resources and will have to recover the memory of the first matches. It is measured by a staff of great excellence. He Floo He has players of enormous individual brilliance. Former Real Madrid player Marcelo is a real crackwhich shows the validity and increases the thickness of a scratch fantastic. The cariocas are the favorites to pass the phase.
Deportivo Pereira (Colombia) vs. Valley Independent (Ecuador)
The Colombian is a team with a lot of tactical order. He has good players, a good reading of how to play depending on the challenge his opponent entails. He finished second in his group in which he did not shine, it was very difficult for him to qualify, even if nobody gave him anything. He values his resources very well. A formation that can give more than it has shown. The Ecuadorian team finished first in their group, although they lost two games. Both as a visitor. He will need to even out his swinging productions better if he is to have any chance of staying alive. Extreme parity duel.
If there is a tie, it goes directly to penalties, the VAR continues and the grand final will take place in November
Recall that in this case of playoffs, which will be played from August 2 to 9, the Video Referee Referee (VAR) will continue to be used. If the teams do not differentiate between them, the definition of who passes the phase will be done via shots from the penalty spot. There will only be a 30-minute overtime in the very final, which will be played in a single match, on November 4 at the mythical Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, which will receive the big event as it happened in 2020.
