There is simply no tournament in world football quite like the Copa Libertadores. From the grueling long journeys, the passionate supporters, the occasional dog on the pitch and some of the biggest clubs on the planet.

This year is no different in that regard but where some of South America’s relative minnows have reached the latter stages in recent editions, 2018 is a clash of the titans.

Specifically a clash of Brazil versus Argentina – six clubs from each country make up 12 of the last 16 and only Libertad, Cerro Porteño and Atlético Tucumán haven’t got their hands on the famous trophy before.

Any path to potentially lifting the Libertadores is a tough one and here are the first tasks for the 16 remaining candidates.

Boca Juniors v Libertad

Boca may have done just enough to qualify from their group, just as they did to win the Superliga, but there is no doubting that Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side warrant their billing among the favourites.

A summary of Boca’s transfer window:

In my opinion, this has been one of the better transfer windows in recent time. This administration is really pushing for the Libertadores title.

📸@flor_laass pic.twitter.com/8DOTs9rWkY

— Boca in English 🏆🏆 (@CABJ_English) August 3, 2018

An already stacked squad has managed to hold onto stars like Cristian Pavón, has players like Darío Benedetto coming back from injury and added talents like Mauro Zárate leaving Boca with a formidable starting eleven.

Paraguayan club Libertad topped their group and were outstanding in Asunción so Boca cannot afford a slow start to the season after their winter break.

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