Part second, the Pereirans will meet Boca Juniors and Colo Colo head-to-head for a decisive place in the standings, facing a pivotal stretch that could redefine their Libertadores campaign. The Copa Libertadores 2023 posed a formidable challenge for Deportivo Pereira as they stepped into the competition for the first time, carrying the weight of history and the hopes of a club that dreams big. Their aim is clear: secure a historical qualification to the round of 16 by navigating a group that pairs a rising South American contender with two traditional powerhouses like Boca Juniors and Colo Colo.
Matecaña entered the group phase with four points after three matches, a ledger earned through a tense draw with Cacique, a hard-fought defeat at La Bombonera, and a convincing victory over Monagas at the Hernán Ramírez Villegas stadium. That mix of results places Pereira just outside the top two, yet firmly in the race for progression, as the cross-border journey continues to unfold at a demanding pace and every remaining fixture carries weight for the team and its supporters.
Deportivo Pereira’s group in the Copa Libertadores 2023: rivals, fixtures, fixtures, results and standings
How many points does Deportivo Pereira need to qualify for the Copa Libertadores?
On the fourth match date, the atmosphere will shift when Pereira hosts Boca Juniors, coached by Jorge Almirón, at a venue that could become a launchpad for their ambitions. A victory would not only lift them in the standings but also tighten the neck-and-neck battle for a knockout stage berth, especially if other results in the group go their way. After that home date, the Pereirans are scheduled to travel to Monagas, a trip that tests endurance and tactical resilience, before closing the group stage with a potentially decisive duel against Colo Colo in Santiago. That final chapter promises to be a high-stakes showdown that could seal or shatter their continental hopes depending on the points gained and the goal difference accrued along the journey.
Conmebol Libertadores
With six to seven points still within reach from the remaining fixtures, Restrepo’s squad must maximize every opportunity and keep a tight balance at the back while sharpening attacking efficiency. In practical terms, the mathematics demand not only consistent results but also a strong goal-difference edge to tilt the tiebreakers in their favor should the group standings tighten. If Pereira can harness momentum and limit goals conceded while converting chances at a higher rate, their chances of advancing to the top 16 of the continent will stay alive until the final whistle of the group phase.
Note: The journey reflects a club that has embraced a continental stage with poise and ambition, aiming to turn a historic debut into a memorable campaign that echoes through Pereira’s football community for years to come.