Copa Libertadores preview: Atletico Nacional seek to kickstart title defense

Defending Copa Libertadores champions Atletico Nacional will be hoping to break a sequence of six international matches without a victory when they host Brazil's Botafogo in South America's top club competition on Thursday.

The Colombian side have struggled to fill the void left by the recent departures of Davinson Sanchez, Sebastian Perez, Alejandro Guerra, Marlos Moreno, Miguel Borja, Jonathan Copete and Orlando Berrio.

"We are still trying to assemble our team," Nacional coach Reinaldo Rueda said. "It's a process that is working in some of our matches but we are still waiting to get results in the Copa Libertadores."

Nacional are currently third in Group A, having lost their only match so far to Barcelona de Guayaquil.

In the past six months, the Medellin outfit have lost three and drawn three of their six international fixtures across three competitions: the Copa Sudamericana, FIFA Club World Cup and Recopa Sudamericana.

Also aiming to end a winless run are Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo, who will host fellow Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday.

Flamengo have failed to win in their past four matches in all competitions and were eliminated from the Rio de Janeiro Cup on Saturday after a 0-0 draw with Vasco da Gama.

"It's uncomfortable, any sequence of matches without winning is undesirable for a club like ours," coach Ze Ricardo told reporters.

"But the Copa Libertadores is another matter. We know we have to win, especially at home. Atletico Paranaense have been playing well in the competition and over the next few days we'll be studying the way they play.

"We know we'll have our fans behind us and they can expect to see a team that is well organized and competitive."

Flamengo are third in Group D with three points from two matches while Atletico Paranaense are second with four points.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Serie A champions Palmeiras are set to be boosted by the return of former Brazil international defender Jean for their Group E match against Penarol on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old right-back has not played since suffering a fractured bone in his right foot during his team's 2-1 victory over local rivals Santos last month.

Palmeiras coach Eduardo Baptista confirmed Jean has returned to full training and that he is likely to replace Fabiano for the clash against the Uruguayan outfit at Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo.

The nine-time Brazilian top-flight champions lead the group with four points from their opening two matches while Penarol are third with three points.

This week's Copa Libertadores fixtures:

Tuesday

Jorge Wilstermann - Atletico Tucuman

Estudiantes La Plata - Barcelona de Guayaquil

Libertad - Godoy Cruz

Gremio - Deportes Iquique

Wednesday

Universidad Catolica - Lorenzo

Flamengo - Atletico Paranaense

Palmeiras Penarol

Club Guarani - Zamora

Thursday

Atletico Nacional - Botafogo

Emelec - Independiente Medellin

River Plate - Melgar

Atletico Mineiro - Sport Boys Warnes

Endit