This Monday the draw for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores was announced and, in turn, Alianza Lima joins Group G alongside Atlético Paranense, Libertad, and Atlético Mineiro. In this note, find out how the rivals of the blanquiazul team arrive to face this international tournament where they carry the heavy burden of not being able to win for 29 matches.
Atlético Paranaense:
As the group leader, Atlético Paranaense is in first place in the Paranaense championship with 31 points, having won ten matches, drawn one, and without any defeats so far in that tournament. Likewise, its recent past in international tournaments is successful considering that it comes from being the champion of the Copa Sudamericana in 2021 and the runner-up of the Recopa Sudamericana and the Copa Libertadores in 2022.
It is worth remembering that Atlético Paranaense reached the final of the last edition of the Copa Libertadores in 2022 against Flamengo, a match in which they ended up losing 1-0 with a goal from Gabriel Barbosa ('Gabigol'). Likewise, in the Recopa Sudamericana, they lost 2-0 to Palmeiras with goals from Zé Rafael and Danilo. In both matches, the opponent of the blanquiazul team had good performances despite not winning both titles.
Libertad:
The team located in the second pot is Libertad from Paraguay, a team that is currently the leader in the first division of their country with 19 points in eight matches (six victories, one draw, and one defeat), two points ahead of Cerro Porteño in second place. As for their last international achievement, the Paraguayan team reached the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana in 2021.
Regarding their performance in the last Copa Libertadores in 2022, Libertad finished first in their group (10 points) alongside Atlético Paranense (10 points but with a lower goal difference), The Strongest (6 points), and Caracas (6 points).
Atlético Mineiro:
The last team to join 'blanquiazules' Group G is Atlético Mineiro, a team that has been competing in the Campeonato Mineiro and is currently in first place in Group A with 20 points in eight matches (six wins, two draws, and no defeats).
As for their recent international experience, Hulk's team reached the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores 2021 and the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores 2022, a stage in which they lost to Palmeiras on penalties (6-5) after drawing 2-2 in the aggregate score. Likewise, it is worth remembering that, of all the teams in Group G, Atlético Mineiro is the only one that has won the Copa Libertadores (2013).
Alianza Lima's Schedule in the Libertadores
Matchday 1: Alianza Lima vs Paranaense
Matchday 2: Libertad vs Alianza Lima
Matchday 3: Atlético Mineiro vs Alianza Lima
Matchday 4: Alianza Lima vs Libertad
Matchday 5: Alianza Lima vs Atlético Mineiro
Matchday 6: Paranaense vs Alianza Lima