The squad led by Gustavo Quinteros secured a place in Group F and is set to clash with Boca Juniors, Monagas, and Deportivo Pereira in the Libertadores Cup 2023, the continent’s premier club competition. This marks a pivotal chapter for a tournament that brings together the best teams from South America and beyond, underlining the competitive spirit that defines continental football.
On Monday, March 27, the group stage draw for the 64th edition of the Libertadores Cup was conducted, shaping the path for clubs across the Americas as they vie for the prestigious title. After three knockout rounds, the competition features 32 clubs contending for the crown, with Colo Colo stepping onto the stage as the reigning Chilean champions from the 2022 National Championship.
Colo Colo will aim to surpass their performance from the previous edition, where they finished third in Group F behind Fortaleza and River Plate, accumulating seven points through two wins, one draw, and three losses. That outing left room for improvement and added motivation to make a stronger run in the current campaign.
Chile’s other representative in the tournament is Ñublense, the side that clinched second place in the home league and earned qualification. Curicó Unido and Magallanes exited earlier, narrowing the Chilean presence to Colo Colo and Ñublense as the country’s flags flew high in the continental field.
As usual, the qualified teams were divided into four pots based on the CONMEBOL ranking as of December 9, 2022. Colo Colo, coached by Quinteros, found itself in Pot 2, which set up a potential path that avoided the top seeds from facing Inter Milan de Porto Alegre, Corinthians or Fluminense of Brazil, Racing of Argentina, Barcelona de Ecuador, Libertad of Paraguay, and Atlético Nacional of Colombia. The pot allocation also opened up a broader landscape of rivals, offering a balance between tough traditional powers and emerging squads.
With this draw, Colo Colo sets out on its 36th Libertadores campaign since the tournament began in 1961. The club’s best ever showing arrived in 1991 when they claimed the title after beating Olimpia 3-0, a memorable triumph fueled by two goals from Luis Pérez and another from Leonel Herrera under mentor Mirko Jozić. That victory remains a landmark achievement for Chilean football within the competition.
SIGN TEAMS AND DRAW OVERVIEW
The lottery, held in Luque, Paraguay, confirmed Colo Colo’s placement in Group F and outlined the following continental adversaries: Boca Juniors, Monagas SC, and Deportivo Pereira. The matchup with Boca Juniors rekindles a familiar rivalry, one that has produced memorable battles over the years and adds a familiar edge to the group stage as both teams chase crucial group points.
- Boca Juniors
- Monagas SC
- Deportivo Pereira
Historically, Colo Colo and Boca Juniors have clashed several times in international competition, with a record that includes wins, losses, and draws for both sides. Their most recent encounter in the modern era occurred before a group-stage fixture set more than a decade ago, and any renewed meeting in this edition carries the weight of past clashes and the hunger for fresh results. The narrative between these two clubs adds depth to Group F and raises the level of anticipation among fans across the continent.
Colo Colo vs Boca: History, Stats, and Finals Qualities
The continental calendar for the group phase kicks off in early April and runs through late June, with the knockout rounds taking shape thereafter. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 16, while the third-placed team faces a path through the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, creating a dynamic route to continued continental competition for every participant. The structure ensures every match holds significance as clubs chase both prestige and progression.
In addition to the on-field drama, the Libertadores Cup carries a rich cultural and historical resonance for clubs and fans alike. For Colo Colo and its supporters, the aspiration is not only to advance but also to capture glory that echoes the club’s legacy and Chilean football pride on a grand stage. The competition remains a test of depth, tactical discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure across varied opponents and venues.
As the season unfolds, Colo Colo will rely on a blend of experienced midfield leadership, defensive resilience, and attacking intent to compete against the varied tactical approaches of Boca Juniors, Monagas, and Deportivo Pereira. The group format demands consistency, with each match offering an opportunity to accumulate points, shape qualification outcomes, and write new chapters in the club’s Libertadores history.
Note: Details reflect the official competition format and the known group composition. The evolving nature of the tournament means standings and match results will determine the final narrative for the group and the broader knockout stages.
Source: Goal