Atletico in Libertadores: The group stage will have a long journey between the decision and the reunion

Hey Atletico is in Group G of the Copa Libertadores. Gallo faces Peñarol from Uruguay, Rosario Central from Argentina, and Caracas from Venezuela. a Itataia Now break down Alvinegro's encounters for the Continental Championship.

Caracas, Venezuela

It is Gallo's first opponent in the Copa Libertadores. The Venezuelan team did not have a good start in the Venezuelan championship, as it achieved two wins, three draws, and two defeats. The team ranks eighth in the tournament.

Among Caracas' most notable players are defender Rene Rivas and attacking midfielder Bryant Ortega. The two were called up by coach Fernando Batista to defend the Venezuelan national team in Data FIFA.

Atletico will make the long journey between the two decisive matches in the Mineiro tournament, against Cruzeiro, initially scheduled for March 30 and April 6. The match against Caracas will be held from April 2 to 4.

The distance from Belo Horizonte to the capital of Venezuela is 6151.9 km. Alvinegro will prepare the logistics in the next few days so as not to suffer wear and tear before the cup duel against his biggest rival.

Rosario Central – Argentina

The Argentine team will be the opponents in Atletico's first match at Arena MRV For the Copa Libertadores Championship. The confrontation against Rosario Central is scheduled to take place between April 9 and 11, immediately after the end of the Minero Championship.

Rosario Central reached the Libertadores after defeating River Plate and winning the Copa Argentina title last year.

The team includes two star brothers from the English Premier League, the most valuable national championship in the world. Midfielder Francisco Lo Celso, 24, is the brother of Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso. Midfielder Francis McAllister, 28, is the older brother of Alexis McAllister, the Liverpool star and 2022 world champion.

Rosario also has three players who have played for the Brazilian football giants: midfielder Jonathan Gomez, a former São Paulo player, and strikers Jaminton Campaz, a former Gremio player, and Abel Hernandez, a former Internacional player.

Peñarol-URU

The main president of the group, Peñarol will be Atletico's last competitor in the Libertadores round. The Uruguayan team started the season well, recording seven wins in seven matches in the Uruguay Cup and the Uruguay Championship.

The Uruguay national team is led by coach Diego Aguirre. The coach played with Atletico in 2016 and the fans did not miss him. He was runner-up in Minas Gerais after losing the final to América and ended up being sent off after being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, against São Paulo.

Gallo will meet again in the clash with Peñarol: left-back Lucas Hernandez. The player was bought by Alvinegro in 2019 for around R$12 million. He played seven matches and failed to impress. He was still on loan to Club Sport and Cuiaba until his contract was terminated at the beginning of 2023.

Penarol also have two players relegated with América to the Brazilian Segunda Division in 2023: goalkeeper Washington Aguirre and midfielder Javier Mendes. The team also includes striker Matheus Pape, a former Botafogo and Atletico PR player.

Atletico's schedule in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores

• Round 1: From April 2 to 4 – Caracas (VEN) x Atletico
• Round 2: From April 9 to 11 – Atletico x Rosario Central (ARG)
• Round 3: April 23 to 25 – Atletico x Peñarol (URU)
• Round 4: From 7 to 9 May – Rosario Central (Argentina) x Atletico
• Round 5: From May 14 to 16 – Peñarol (URU) x Atletico
• Round 6: From May 28 to 30 – Atletico vs. Caracas (VEN)