The South American Cup returns: this is how Inter and Sao Paulo arrive, the difficult obstacles of Colo Colo and UC

The time has come. International tournaments are back and the surviving Chilean representatives are in the Copa Sudamericana. The draw, a priori, was not benevolent with Colo Colo and Universidad Católica, since they will have to face two renowned Brazilian clubs: Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo International, respectively. Although these casts are not in the front line of the South American giant, which is currently occupied by the powerful Flamengo, Palmeiras and Atlético Mineiro, they are equally powerful teams, both sportingly and economically. There is no comparison with the Chilean reality.

Both those of Gustavo Quinteros and those of Ariel Holan go with the illusion of improving the pale face of Creole football in the continental arena. This is how their rivals from the round of 16 arrive.

This Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Colo Colo receives Internacional de Porto Alegre, a cast that has improved since taking over as coach Hand Menezes , who replaced the Uruguayan Alexander Medina, today in Vélez. The former Brazil manager arrived in April after a 1-1 draw with Paraguayans Guaireña for the South American group stage. Since then, O Colorado he has only lost once: 3-2 with Botafogo, on June 19, for the championship. In their closest precedent on Friday, they beat Coritiba 3-0, moving into fourth place for Brasileirao with 24 points after 14 games.

Unlike other clubs, Inter don’t have a big star in their squad, like Andrés D’Alessandro or Paolo Guerrero once did. They are the seventh team with the highest market value in Brazil, valued at 83.45 million euros according to Transfermarkt data, more than four times the valuation of Colo Colo, the highest in Chilean football (18.65 million euros). .

“The team behaved well because it already has a structure. This is my biggest concern. Keep as much structure as possible. As players come in and respond, it’s because everyone thinks our way of playing is very clear,” Mano Menezes said after Friday’s win over Coritiba. In effect, Tactically, the Rio de Janeiro team evolves (as has happened in recent games) between a 4-4-1-1 and a 4-2-3-1, with Alan Patrick (10) in creation, behind the centre-forward. (Alemao or David). A 31-year-old midfielder, he returned to Brazil this year after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine following the conflict with Russia. He emerges as one of the great threats to Colo Colo.

Inter have an important piece discarded to travel to Santiago. This is the Argentinian right side Fabricio Bustos, who suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh and has at least a week off. He’s a relevant player for the team, so much so that he’s played 26 straight games as a starter. On the other hand, he has the trans-Andean Gabriel Mercado, the same multichampion with River Plate, who could replace him.

The winner between albos and gaúchos will face, in the quarterfinals, the winner between Deportivo Cali and Melgar.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Universidad Católica take on Sao Paulo, repeating the 1993 Libertadores final, in which the notable cast of Telê Santana prevailed. Unlike what happens at Internacional, the Tricolor Paulista has had more ups and downs during his campaign, thanks to a history of his colors. Rogerio Ceni, the club’s legendary goalkeeper, the most successful goalkeeper in history, is the coach.

Last Thursday’s victory over Palmeiras, for the Brazilian Cup, came to attenuate the noise generated by the two consecutive defeats in the league, one of which was precisely against Verdao. Sao Paulo appears in eighth place in the local championship, with 19 points. Yesterday they barely drew with Juventude, in Morumbí. A weak performance if you consider that it is the sixth most valued club in Brazil, with 86.8 million euros, almost five times the value of UC (18.2 million). euros).

Sao Paulo has several proper names in their squad. Starting from behind, highlights the presence of joao miranda , 37-year-old defender, who served his time at Atlético de Madrid. Another longevity is the side Rafina former Bayern Munich, who came to the Gremio club, currently in Serie B. In attack, he appears Eder Italian nationalized striker, who was selected in the Azzura, former Inter Milan. Today the most prominent is the Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri , the team’s goalkeeper. He is nothing less than Brasileirao’s striker, with nine goals.

Tactically, Rogerio Ceni used a line of three in the background. For this desire, it has a very hard bass. This is the Ecuadorian Robert Arboleda (the libero), victim of a torn ligament in his left ankle, who will miss the rest of the season and, most certainly, the World Cup with the Guayas team. The defender has already had surgery.

The winner of the key between crusaders and paulistas will find themselves, in the quarter-finals, against The Strongest or Ceará.