The mountain’s green waits, July drawing the line on who will face it in the next phase.
The 2023 Libertadores Cup campaign for Nacional Athletics has been notably strong. The squad has posted four unbeaten matches and sits atop Group H, becoming the first team in this edition to secure a spot in the round of 16. A disciplined defense, combined with a sharp attacking edge, has given the team led by Paulo Autuori a clear path toward the knockout rounds and the chance to set up a high-stakes showdown in the next phase.
With Dorlan Pabón delivering goals and becoming a standout figure, the team has built a solid framework around him. Nacional’s brand of football—structured, compact, and purposeful—has allowed them to navigate the group stage with confidence and to press toward the first objective: advancing to the round of 16 where an opponent waits in eager anticipation.
Who could Nacional face in the Libertadores 2023 round of 16?
With two matchdays remaining in the group stage, the Antioqueños hold the leadership position in their section with 10 points. Olimpia sits second on 8 points, while Patronato trails with 3. This setup places Nacional in a strong position to clinch first place, which would secure a favorable draw for the round of 16, scheduled for the week of July 21. If Nacional finishes first in their group, they would be placed in pot 1 alongside the other group winners, currently including Racing, Internacional, Bolívar, Fluminense, Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, and Athletico Paranaense.
The potential opponent would emerge from pot 2, which at this stage would feature Flamengo, Independiente Medellín, Palmeiras, The Strongest, Independiente del Valle, Deportivo Pereira, Atlético Mineiro, and Olimpia. There is no explicit restriction preventing teams from the same country or teams that shared a group from facing each other in this round, but the positions could shift dramatically as the remaining group matches unfold.
One constant to remember is that the group leaders will enjoy home advantage in the round of 16 knockouts. The two-leg series are slated for the weeks beginning August 2 and August 8, offering Nacional a home leg that could be pivotal in their bid to advance deeper into the tournament.
As always in continental competition, the exact pairing hinges on the final group results and the draw, which means a few volatile days ahead where expectations and strategies must adapt quickly. The narrative of Nacional’s Libertadores campaign remains clear: maintain momentum in the group, secure first place if possible, and prepare for a knockout phase that could define the season.
As reported by Goal