Flamengo set for blockbuster Libertadores draw shake-up | OneFootball

The Copa Libertadores round of 16 draw, set for Monday at CONMEBOL's headquarters, presents several compelling scenarios for Flamengo and other Brazilian clubs. After closing the group stage in second place, Flamengo join Botafogo and Fortaleza in Pot 2, meaning they can only be drawn against one of the group winners from Pot 1.

The field is stacked with familiar rivals. Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Internacional all topped their groups and are potential opponents for Flamengo in the next round. The structure of the draw allows for the possibility of up to three all-Brazilian matchups, with nine different combinations possible involving teams from Brazil. For Flamengo, this means potential meetings against Palmeiras, São Paulo, or Internacional—all ties with recent history or high competitive stakes. However, classic derbies like Botafogo versus Flamengo cannot happen at this stage due to the seeding system.

On the Argentine side, Estudiantes, River Plate, Racing, and Vélez Sarsfield also finished as group leaders and are in Pot 1, so Flamengo could also get paired with any one of these sides. The only group winner outside Brazil or Argentina is Ecuador's LDU, representing another possible destination for Flamengo.

There are no restrictions preventing teams from facing sides that qualified from the same group or even their own country, which increases the unpredictability of the draw. Teams that finished second may meet former group-stage adversaries again.

Once the pairings are set, the matches are due to be played over consecutive weeks in mid-August. The competition will pause beforehand to accommodate the expanded FIFA Club World Cup schedule, so the return of continental action will be highly anticipated in Brazil.

The potency of Brazilian clubs entering the knockout rounds remains clear, as six have advanced from the group stage, with Bahia the only casualty, dropping to the Copa Sudamericana playoff route. For Flamengo specifically, the draw could produce a renewal of recent continental contests—most notably, finals against both River Plate (2019, won by Flamengo) and Palmeiras (2021, won by Palmeiras).

Palmeiras enters the next stage off a 100% group-stage record, marking them as one of the favorites and a difficult task should Flamengo be drawn against them. The entire bracket through to the final, set for late November in Lima, will also be revealed on draw day, giving clubs a look at their potential knockout paths.

With draw day approaching, fans can expect a nerve-wracking reveal as Flamengo learns which South American powerhouse or Brazilian rival awaits them in the Libertadores' crucial knockout phase.

Source: UOL, Lance