Grêmio’s place in the Copa Libertadores group stage has created an unusual knock-on effect in the Brazilian league. Because Palmeiras reached the Copa do Brasil final, Grêmio’s Libertadores spot from the national cup now goes to the Brasileirão, and the league table could grow the number of Libertadores qualifiers even further.
How the Copa do Brasil changes the picture
Palmeiras’ progress to the Copa do Brasil final handed Grêmio a group-stage berth in the Libertadores. The place that the national tournament normally distributes to the preliminary stage therefore passes to the Brasileirão, giving the league its first extra slot.
Relegation could add another spot
Grêmio’s league position also matters. The Libertadores rules exclude clubs from the second tier of any participating country. If Grêmio goes down, it would not play in the competition, and its direct group-stage place would also go to the Brasileirão, which would open a G-7.
Grêmio are 18th with 37 points, one behind Inter and Vitória, who are the first clubs outside the relegation zone. Corinthians also have 37 points but sit above Grêmio on goal difference, so the bottom of the table remains tight.
The possible scenarios
If Grêmio stay up, the league would send six clubs to Libertadores, with the fifth and sixth-placed teams going to the qualifying phase. Should Palmeiras win the Libertadores and Atlético-MG win the Copa Sudamericana while finishing in the top places of the Série A, the picture could expand to G-8 or even G-9. In that case, the eighth and ninth-placed clubs would also reach the continental qualifiers, with Red Bull Bragantino and Santos currently in those positions.
São Paulo are three points behind Santos and could also dream of a spot if the league provides G-9. The figures show how a single relegation or a continental title can change the number of Brazilian representatives, and the final table will decide which clubs benefit.
Source: ge.globo.com
