The only thing you need to do is be first in the group to guarantee your place in the next round. That is the difficulty that the Copa Sudamericana imposes and having averaged half of the group stage, the Brazilian teams are in very different positions to reach that goal.
One of those that cannot find its way is Cruzeiro, with three draws in the three games played. With a change of coach in the middle after the dismissal of Nicolás Larcamón and the arrival of Fernando Seabra, the Belo Horizonte team no longer has room for error in Group B.
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Internacional was in the same position, until it reacted on this last day by beating Delfín (Ecuador) as a visitor with the expected debut in the nets for Rafael Santos Borré. They finished second in Group C, but only by goal difference, since they have five points like the leader Belgrano (Argentina).
The best score goes to Fortaleza, who are all smiles after beating Boca Juniors at home. The last runner-up of this tournament won all three matches and is on track to win Group D.
📊 ¡Las posiciones de los 8 grupos de la CONMEBOL #Sudamericana tras la fecha 3!
🤔 ¿Quiénes avanzarán a los Octavos de Final?
🏆 #LaGranConquista pic.twitter.com/LXJuPCtsnJ
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) April 26, 2024
Also very notable is Athletico Paranense, another of those that retains 100% effectiveness. They lead Group E and are already five points ahead of their two followers: Sportivo Ameliano (Paraguay) and Danubio (Uruguay).
Complicated, but not impossible, is the outlook for Corinthians after achieving a draw, a win and a defeat. They have just lost to Argentinos Juniors in Buenos Aires and are in third place in Group F, behind the Argentine team and Racing de Montevideo.
Cuaiba is in a similar situation, second in Group G after two draws and one victory. His great adversary in the search for the only place that guarantees classification seems to be Lanús (Argentina), which for the moment is two points ahead of him.
Bragantino also has a clear rival in the fight for the leadership of Group H: Racing. Their fall against the Argentine team left them in second place and will be key when they meet again in Brazil on May 9.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
The first three episodes are available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for the upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
