Cruzeiro needs to combine results in the South American Championship; see scenarios

With the Universidad Católica’s rout against Unión La CaleraCruzeiro will have to win the next two games and “dry” the Ecuadorians to be leader of Group B of the Copa Sudamericana.

As only the first placed teams in each group advance directly to the round of 16 of the Sudamericana, the best second-placed teams compete in a playoff against the worst third-placed teams in the Copa Libertadores group stage.

After four games, Cruzeiro is second in the group, with 6 points, behind Universidad Católica, with 10. Brazilians and Ecuadorians will still face each other at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte, in the 6th round. However, in the next duel, the Quito team will host the already eliminated Alianza and, if they win, they will be guaranteed in the round of 16. The result would only give Fernando Seabra’s team the possibility of competing in the playoff.

Who could Cruzeiro face in the playoff?

With just three teams classified in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores (Talleres, São Paulo and Atlético), Cruzeiro could face, in a possible playoff, some giants from South America.

After four matches in the Libertadores, Colo-Colo, Barcelona de Guayaquil, Estudiantes, Universitario, Flamengo, San Lorenzo, Rosario Central and Libertad occupy third place in each group.

Despite not yet being mathematically classified, Fluminense, Bolívar, Palmeiras and River Plate lead their groups and are close to securing their respective places.

How is each Libertadores group doing?

Group A: Fluminense (classification forwarded to the round of 16), Cerro Porteño, Colo-Colo (current 3rd place) or Alianza Lima
Group B: Barcelona de Guayaquil (currently 3rd place) or Cobresal – Talleres and São Paulo are classified in the round of 16
Group C: The Strongest, Huachipato, Estudiantes (current 3rd place) or Grêmio
Group D: Junior Barranquilla, Botafogo, Universitario (3rd place) or LDU
Group E: Bolívar (classification forwarded to the round of 16), Palestino, Flamengo (current 3rd place) or Millonarios
Group F: Palmeiras (classification forward to the round of 16), Independiente del Valle, San Lorenzo (current 3rd place) or Liverpool
Group G: Peñarol, Rosario (current 3rd place) or Caracas – Atlético is classified in the round of 16
Group H: River Plate (classification forward to the round of 16), Nacional, Libertad (current 3rd place) or Deportivo Táchira