Cruzeiro in the South American Championship: understand playoffs and possible opponents

To escape the playoffs and guarantee group leadership in the Copa Sudamericana, the Cruzeiro will have to win the next two games and “dry” Universidad Católica. On Thursday night (9), the Ecuadorian team thrashed Unión La Calera, 4-0, in Quito, and forwarded the first place of the key.

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

Playoff dates

According to the Conmebol calendar, the playoffs will be played between the 16th and 25th of July.

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