The 64th edition of the continent’s most important tournament features four representative coffee growers.
The Libertadores Cup 2023 has the participation of four coffee teamsthree of them with a long tradition as Atlético Nacional, Millionaires and Medellínto which was added a surprise Sports Pereira after winning the second semester competition.
Verdolagas and Matecañas secured their presence in the tournament from the group stage, which starts in April and the draw is expected the week of March 22.
For their part, Embajadores and Poderosos will start their participation in the repechage phases, so the competition will start much earlier, in February, once they have met their respective rivals in the draw that took place this Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at the conmebol headquarters.
For example, Colombian clubs play in the highest continental league.
NATIONAL ATHLETE
El Verdolaga got their place by declaring themselves the champions of the BetPlay 2022 I League and managed to gain direct access to the group stage. For the draw, which will take place in March, it will be placed in pot 2 along with Libertad, Inter, Fluminense, Barcelona, Racing, Corinthians and Colo Colo and can face a major rival from pot 1 such as Flamengo , Palmeiras, Boca or River, among others.
SPORT PEREIRA
The Matecañas achieved a historic ranking in the groups after winning their first star with the BetPlay 2022 II League. He will occupy pot 4 in the corresponding draw, joined by Uruguay’s Liverpool, Ñublense, Patronato and the four playoff qualifiers. You cannot share a group with Atlético Nacional, but you can share a group with Millonarios or Medellín if you are eligible.
millionaires
The Ambassador reached the Copa Libertadores by winning the 2022 BetPlay Cup, third in his record, earning him a place in Stage II of the playoffs. In the draw of these previous stages, he was in pot 1 together with Atlético Mineiro, Cerro Porteño, Sporting Cristal, Medellín, Huracán, Always Ready and Fortaleza.
His rival came from pot 2, the Catholic University of Ecuadoragainst whom he will play the first leg as a visitor in the week of February 22 and the return in Bogotá in the week of March 1.
When moving up, Albiazul faces the winner between Carabobo and Atlético Mineiro in Stage III.
INDEPENDENT MEDELLIN
For its part, the Powerful was the best placed in the total reclassification of 2022 to keep last place in the Libertadores and in this way, like Millionaires, to be placed in pot 1 of stage II of the playoffs, pending of a rival to the hype 2.
The Antioquia red corresponds to the winner of the E2 key of Stage I of the rematch, that is, Nacional Potosí of Bolivia or El Nacional of Ecuadorthe closing of the tap at the Atanasio Girardot the first week of March.
In the event of advancing, the Powerful will face the winner between Magallanes and Always Ready in Stage III.
Source: Goal