The group stage of the 2021 Copa Libertadores will kick off in the fourth month of the year for the first time in history, and it will begin with quite a few games to keep an eye on.
The draw for this stage took place a couple of weeks ago, and there are some interesting games that fans will want to add to their calendar. For example, Group A will feature defending champions Palmeiras and Copa Sudamericana winners Defensa y Justicia, in what will be a re-edition of the Recopa Sudamericana. Meanwhile, Olimpia and Internacional will kick the group stage off as favorites to win Group B.
Group C will have two of the favorites to win the tournament: Boca Juniors and Santos, who finished last year's group stage as two of the best teams in the competition. As for Group D, River Plate will face some stiff competition from Fluminense to win the group.
Group E seems to be open for any club to win it, but Sao Paulo and Racing seem to be the would-be favorites. In Group F, Nacional and Universidad Católica will battle for the top spot against Argentinos Juniors and 2016 winners Atlético Nacional.
Group G will have a host of former winners, as 2019 champions Flamengo take on 2008 winners Liga de Quito and 1994 champions Vélez Sarsfield, making this a potential "Group of Death. Finally, in Group H, Atlético Mineiro, Cerro Porteño, and América de Cali will fight for the two top spots.
There will be six games being played on April 20 to kick off the tournament, leaving seven more to be disputed on Wednesday. Last, but not least, there will be three more being played on Thursday to end Matchday 1. Follow the links below for further details on all games.
