Colo Colo Must Beat Atlas to Qualify.

By: Mauro | April 22nd, 2008

Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo vs. FC Atlas AC (Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago, Chile)
LIVE on Fox Sports Español @ 5pm PST.

In one of the tougher groups in this competition, Colo Colo have been on the outside looking in for a few rounds and for the first time, they are coming into this match on top of Boca in the standings and have one foot in the next round. I believe that Colo Colo’s big away win to UA Maracaibo in the 3rd week of competition was instrumental for them being in this position.

They face Atlas at home in this one and have everything in their favor to qualify. All they need to do is win and they are in the next round and don’t have to even think about the other decisive match taking place today. Uruguayan striker Gustavo Biscayzacú has scored some big goals for them and is the team’s leading goal scorer in the competition with 5. Cristóbal Jorquera is doubtful depending on an evaluation with the club’s doctors during the team’s final practice before game time. He was great against Boca in this same stadium in week 6 of the Libertadores.

Colo Colo has not had a good record against teams from Mexico. They’ve only won 1 out of 5 matches against Mexican opposition. Couple the poor record against the Mexicans with the loss of their coach (Claudio Bichi Borghi who has recently committed to a contract with Independiente of Argentina) amid a row between players and club directors and you could have a recipe for disaster and maybe even some good ‘ol fashioned fan violence in the stands.

Colo Colo are also on a bit of a slide here, no wins in their last three matches, since Borghi’s departure to be exact. Again, a draw could get them into the next round but they’d have to hope that UA Maracaibo have the game of their lives and hold Boca to a draw or even (gulp) beat them.

Atlas are the undisputed leader of this group with 10 points but face a tough Chilean side in Santiago for this match. Atlas are coming off a big home win against Boca at the Estadio Jalisco in the cup and another win against Mexican club Tigres at the weekend. Ulises Mendivil is back from injury and should be available for Tuesday’s big match and Bruno Marioni should also be available, he’s the club’s leading goal scorer with 5. Unfortunately, Jorge Achucarro will not be available since he is still injured. Away wins are tough as it is and at this stage of the competition it will be even tougher.

As strange as it might seem, should the results not go their way, Atlas could end up not qualifying. Should they lose to Colo Colo, and should Boca cover the goal difference, they could wind up on a long quiet flight back to Mexico. That would leave CF America as the only Mexican representative in the Copa Libertadores which has all sorts of ironic stories around it. Still Atlas is not coming to Santiago to defend or play 10 men behind the ball.

Bottom Line: Atlas are the visiting team and despite their good form, they still have their backs against the wall. Colo Colo are the home team and must win in order to qualify. My pick: I can’t see this one going Atlas’ way. Sorry. 2-0 to Colo Colo.

Check the CONMEBOL website for Group 3 standings and results.