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Copa Libertadores holders River to take on Internacional in 2019 group phase

After beating their Superclasico rivals to take the 2018 trophy, the Millonarios now await a Brazilian giant in next year's first round

An emotional potential homecoming for Andres D'Alessandro was one of the big stories from Monday's 2019 Copa Libertadores draw as the veteran Internacional star saw his team paired with holders River Plate.

River, who beat out Boca Juniors in December's Superclasico final, will take on the Porto Alegre giants, Peru's Alianza Lima and a qualifier from the competition's preliminary phases in Group A.

D'Alessandro, 35, began his career at the Monumental before moving to Europe, where he represented the likes of Wolfsburg, Portsmouth and Zaragoza.