After historic thrashing, what Fluminense need for Libertadores groups | OneFootball

The ruthless 6-0 thrashing of São Paulo, delivered this Thursday (28) at Maracanã, mathematically secured Fluminense's spot in the next edition of the Conmebol Libertadores. However, the spot secured so far is for the preliminary phase, the popular "Pré-Libertadores". The goal now is to seek direct qualification for the group stage, which ensures a lighter schedule and greater financial support.

To avoid relying on the results of other teams or cup titles, the mission for the Tricolor in the Brazilian Championship is to finish in fifth place. Currently, the club holds that position with 58 points.

The fifth place guarantees a direct spot in the group stage because the champion of the current edition of the Libertadores will be Brazilian (Flamengo or Palmeiras), automatically opening an extra spot beyond the traditional G4. In this final stretch, Fluminense needs to monitor direct competitors, Botafogo and Bahia, who still have matches to play in the round.

Direct Competitors' Matches

Besides the Brasileirão, there is the path of winning the Copa do Brasil. Fluminense will face Vasco in the semifinal and, if they lift the trophy, they will enter directly into the groups. However, since the finals of the knockout tournament occur after the end of the Brazilian Championship, the club remains focused on the league matches.

There is also a third scenario: if Fluminense finishes the Brasileirão in sixth place and is eliminated in the Copa do Brasil, they will depend on Cruzeiro, currently in 3rd, to win the Copa do Brasil. If the team from Minas Gerais wins the title, their spot via the national championship would be passed to the sixth-placed team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.