See main article: 2011 Copa Sudamericana.
The preliminary stages of the 2011 Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes consisted of two stages:[1]
The draw was made in Buenos Aires on June 28, 2011.[2] Sixteen teams (all from rest of South America) competed in the First Stage, where they were drawn into eight ties. The eight winners of the First Stage joined another twenty-two teams (six from Argentina, eight from Brazil, eight from rest of South America) to compete in the Second Stage, where they were drawn into fifteen ties.[3]
Teams played in two-legged ties on a home-away basis. Each team earned 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The following criteria were used for breaking ties on points:
The fifteen winners of the Second Stage advanced to the round of 16 to join the defending champion Independiente.
Team 1 played the second leg at home.
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----Nacional won on points 4–1.
----Santa Fe won on points 4–1.
----Universidad de Chile won on points 4–1.
----Tied on points 3–3, Deportivo Anzoátegui won on goal difference.
----Tied on points 3–3, Olimpia won on goal difference.
----La Equidad won on points 6–0.
----Universidad Católica won on points 4–1.
----LDU Quito won on points 4–1.
Team 1 played the second leg at home.
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----Vélez Sársfield won on points 4–1.
----Note: The second leg was suspended at the start of the second half by the referee after a projectile hit a linesman.[4]
Universidad de Chile won on points 6–0.
----Tied on points 3–3, Vasco da Gama won on away goals.
----Libertad won on points 6–0.
----Universitario won on points 6–0.
----Tied on points 3–3, Arsenal won on goal difference.
----Tied on points 2–2, Santa Fe won on penalties.
----Botafogo won on points 6–0.
----Note: The second leg was abandoned after 81 minutes by the referee due to objects thrown onto the field.[5]
Olimpia won on points 6–0.
----Tied on points 2–2, Godoy Cruz won on away goals.
----LDU Quito won on points 6–0.
----Tied on points 3–3, São Paulo won on goal difference.
----Aurora won on points 4–1.
----Flamengo won on points 6–0.
----Universidad Católica won on points 4–1.