Cruzeiro’s chances in the 2004 Copa Libertadores So we all know that Cruzeiro is leading the Brazilian premiership comfortably. It has played efficient, highly tactical, attractive, and WINNING soccer all year. It won the Copa do Brasil and might become the first team to win Brasil’s two biggest titles in the same season. It defeated Santos, the defending champion and another excellent team, rather easily recently and also earlier in the season. This shows that Vanderlei Luxemburgo is a truly great coach. I supported him when he coached Brasil’s NT but we know what happened. Still, his qualities as a coach were never in doubt. Now, with a 2004 return to international club competition already scheduled, I wish to discuss how well this team may do next year. Santos, with a highly talented but relatively inexperienced squad, went all the way to the final this year. Let us remember that Santos won the Brazilian title last year, but that it was a tournament decided on playoffs. This year, it’s accrued points and Cruzeiro might well win the title before the final round. We know that every season, every club loses and gains players. But I believe that if Cruzeiro retains its core and keeps playing this well, consistently, until the Libertadores, it stands a chance to win it all. We will have to wait several months before Cruzeiro learns who are its 1st round opponents… but what other team in South America has been this good, and this consistently, like Cruzeiro? Other than Boca Juniors, no other team comes to mind. If my SPFC doesn’t make it to the Libertadores (I hope they do!) I will support Cruzeiro enthusiastically in the Libertadores of 2004.
Cruzeiro lost Sorin, Luisão and more recently Deivid, but I don't see many more core players moving out soon. I do think Santos has better quality in their depth though. Hopefully they would not meet until the semis or even the final if both were to make it that far next year. Santos would be my favorite if Diego, Renato, Leo and Elano are still around.
Cruzeiro, frequently, have great results in international competitions (won two Libertadores and three Supercopas). Its became an kind of Cruzeiro´s tradition. In my opinion, Cruzeiro will do a very good campaign and I think (and hope) will win its third Libertadores.
Brazilian teams in Copa Libertadores 2004 So far have already confirmed their presence in next year Copa Libertadores: Cruzeiro, Santos, São Paulo. With 2 remaining spots (I guess) to fill the Brazilian berths in the South-American competition, let's discuss which clubs can still qualify and what are the Brazilian teams' chances in one of the most difficult tournaments of the world. Err...any chance that Flamengo can still earn one of the spots for being Copa do Brasil vice-champions this year? Remember that Cruzeiro who won it is also champion of Brasileirão 2003.
4. Inter 71 pts. 18 wins 5. São Caetano 71 pts. 18 wins 6. Coritiba 69 pts. 20 wins 7. Atlético-MG 66 pts. 17 wins Those are the ones who have chances to get one of the 2 places left. There are 2 games to go. in the next round: Inter hosts São Paulo(77), who might be thinking about holidays by now, as far as they already qualified for the Libertadores cup. São Caetano plays away against the desperate Juventude(50 pts), who needs points to leave the dangerous relegation area. Coritiba, after some losses, visits Fortaleza(48), whose on the edge of the dangerous zone. Atlético has a small chance, but I don´t see them qualified. Last Round: São caetano x Inter - can decide who is in/out. If coritiba loses his first game, a tie can be interesting for both. Coritiba x Criciúma - might be easy for Coritiba As you see, it´s still open for the 3. Guess the next round will tell it.
I don't think Coritiba has ever played in the Libertadores. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I also think Sao Caetano will qualify. They have a solid group of player, though they may not be flashy. I saw them during a Copa Sudamericana match against Palmeiras and they outclassed them.
Coritiba played it in 1986, after winning the 1985 Brazilian Championship. I think São caetano will go for it to. But, if we talk about tradition, São caetano played the 1st division for the first time in 2001.
São Caetando and Coritiba São Caetano and Coritiba are the final 2 teams qualified for Libertadores 2004. So all the 5 Brazilian clubs that will play next year are: Cruzeiro Santos São Paulo São Caetano Coritiba
Cool. I had thought that only four teams go next year but then I remembered that the Copa Do Brasil counts as one of five spots.
2004 Libertadores Groups Here are the drawings for the 04 Libertadores. The ones that list the country followed by a number is because the local championship hasn't ended. Grupo 1 São Caetano, México (2), Peñarol (Uruguai) e The Strongest (Bolívia) Grupo 2 Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina), Onde Caldas (Colômbia), Uruguai (3) e Maracaíbo (Venezuela) Grupo 3 Cruzeiro, México (1), Universidad de Concepcíon (Chile) e Cararas (Venezuela) Grupo 4 São Paulo, Liga Deportiva Universitária (Equador), Cobreloa (Chile) e Alianza Lima (Peru) Grupo 5 Independente (Argentina), El Nacional (Equador), Nacional (Uruguai) e Peru (3) Grupo 6 River Plate (Argentina), Colômbia (2), Libertad (Paraguai) e Deportivo Tachira (Venezuela) Grupo 7 Santos, Barcelona (Equador), Guarani (Paraguai) e Jorge Wilstermann (Bolívia) Grupo 8 Boca Juniors (Argentina), Colômbia (3), Colo Colo (Chile) e Bolívar (Bolívia) Grupo 9 Coritiba, Rosário Central (Argentina), Olímpia (Paraguai) e Sporting Cristal (Peru) http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2003/12/17/ult59u78474.jhtm
Damn, 36 teams make the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. Does anyone feel that is too many, especially considering there are only 10 countries in South America(11 including Mexico)?
Libertadores del America Lottery En una galana ceremonia, se realizó el Sorteo de la 45a. edición de la Copa Toyota Libertadores de América, que por primera vez en su historia contará con 36 representantes. El evento tuvo lugar en los jardines de la Sede de la CONMEBOL, en Asunción. RESULTADOS DEL SORTEO Grupo 1: São Caetano (BRA), México 2, Peñarol (URU) y The Strongest (BOL). Grupo 2: Vélez Sarsfield (ARG), Once Caldas (COL), Uruguay 3 y Unión Atlético Maracaibo (VEN). Grupo 3: CRUZEIRO (BRA), México 1, Universidad de Concepción (CHI) y Caracas FC (VEN). Grupo 4: São Paulo FC (BRA), LDU-Quito (ECU), Cobreloa (CHI) y Alianza Lima (PER). Grupo 5: Independiente (ARG), El Nacional (ECU), Nacional (URU) y Perú 3. Grupo 6: River Plate (ARG), Colombia 2, Libertad (PAR) y Deportivo Táchira (VEN). Grupo 7: Santos FC (BRA), Barcelona SC (ECU), Guaraní (PAR) y Jorge Wilstermann (BOL). Grupo 8: Boca Juniors (ARG), Colombia 3, Colo Colo (CHI) y Bolívar (BOL). Grupo 9: Coritiba FC (BRA), Rosario Central (ARG), Olimpia (PAR) y Sporting Cristal (PER). OCTAVOS DE FINAL Ganador 7º8º mejores 2dos.(local) vs. 1º Grupo 1 A Ganador 6º9º mejores 2dos.(local) vs. 1º Grupo 2 B 5º mejor 2do. (local) vs. 1º Grupo 3 C 4º mejor 2do. (local) vs. 1º Grupo 4 D 3er. mejor 2do. (local) vs. 1º Grupo 5 E 2do. mejor 2do. (local) vs. 1º Grupo 6 F 1er. mejor 2do. (local) vs. 1º Grupo 7 G 1º Grupo 9 (local) vs. 1º Grupo 8 H CUARTOS DE FINAL ganador A (local) vs. ganador H S1 ganador G (local) vs. ganador B S2 ganador F (local) vs. ganador C S3 ganador D (local) vs. ganador E S4 SEMIFINALES ganador S1 (local) vs. ganador S3 F1 ganador S4 (local) vs. ganador S2 F2 FINALES ganador F1 (local) vs. ganador F2
**threads merged** I have merged the threads since they are about the same topic that is the Libertadores 2004 draw. Carry on.
Hey no problem! I'm usually the guy who gives these newsfresh here, but I was not aware the draw was today. Thanks for the initiative. About the groups, I like the ones that Cruzeiro and Santos got. I think they will have no problem advancing to the 2nd phase. Coritiba on the other hand got a quite difficult one.
I agree - too many teams sort of takes away some of the exclusiveness of the tournament. I think some peple may say its great initially but really I will want to see the later stages instead.
Why only MExican teams? put the MLS champion in there.... let them experience playing in South America's soccer meccas!
Agreed... they probably would get destroyed by many of the other teams, but I doubt they would finish dead last.
Now we know all the teams that will take part of Libertadores 2004 and the complete table can be found here: http://www.conmebol.com/scripts/runisa.dll?S7:gp:272180:71185+/gl/compet+1081+2004+S These are the groups that concern to the Brazilian teams: Group 1: Peñarol São Caetano The Strongest CF América Group 3: Cruzeiro Santos Laguna Caracas FC Univ. de Concepción Cruzeiro couldn't have asked for an easier group or what? Group 4: Cobreloa São Paulo FC Liga Dep. Universitaria Alianza Lima Group 7: Guaraní Barcelona Jorge Wilstermann Santos FC Group 9: Coritiba FC Olimpia Sporting Cristal Rosario Central The championship will start in the 3rd of February.
The first Brazilian team to start in Libertadores 2004 is Cruzeiro, who will face Caracas FC from Venezuela today at home in Mineirão.
Cruzeiro / Libertadores Cruzeiro EC x Caracas FC (Mineirão - Belo Horizonte) 9:40 pm (Brasília) And I will be there... with Máfia Azul...
Who? But, with this team: Gomes, Maurinho, Cris, Edu Dracena, Leandro, Maldonado, Felipe Melo, Wendell, Alex, Rivaldo and Guilherme. Can anyone defeat Cruzeiro? I think, maybe El Boca...