Already assured of a place in the Copa Libertadores knockout rounds, Atletico Mineiro welcome Caracas to Arena MRV for their closing Group G fixture on Tuesday evening. While the Brazilian outfit need just a point to seal top spot, their Venezuelan counterparts have just one point to their name and have been condemned to an early exit. © Reuters With former Barcelona centre-back Gabriel Milito in the manager's chair, Atletico Mineiro have enjoyed a near-flawless Copa Libertadores group-stage campaign and will be competing in the knockout phase of South America's premier tournament for the fourth year running.
From a possible 15 points against Caracas, Penarol and Rosario Central, Tuesday's hosts have accrued 12 to ensure their place in the last 16 with two games to spare; they prevailed in each of their first four battles before a largely inconsequential 2-0 loss to Penarol last time out. That reverse will not impact Mineiro's top-two standing, and they boast a three-point buffer over Penarol at the summit, so in spite of their slightly inferior goal difference, Milito's men only require a draw on the final matchday to confirm their status as Group G winners. However, after enjoying a solid streak of 12 matches without defeat across all competitions, Mineiro have fallen into a brief rut, following up their 2-0 Penarol loss with a 1-0 Copa do Brasil loss to Sport Recife, but their 2-0 success in the first leg of that third-round tie saved their bacon.
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