Flamengo's Strategy to Face Bolívar

 The Brazilian team reported that due to the technical committee's planning, several starting players will not travel to La Paz. Two of them will be absent due to medical issues.

Flamengo is avoiding the altitude of La Paz. They had to endure it in Bogotá and ended up suffering. The Brazilian team brought several oxygen tanks to assist their players. Now, for the third match of the Copa Libertadores against Bolívar, the club revealed its planning prior to the trip.

According to Flamengo's social media posts, 7 players who are usually starters will not be present in La Paz. Two of them due to medical issues and the other 5 due to a planning "always guided by science in the pursuit of maximum performance."

"Flamengo reports that athletes Allan, who shows sickle cell traits that could impair performance at altitude, and Léo Pereira, with a viral illness, will not travel to Bolivia. Athletes Varela, Ayrton Lucas, Erick, Arrascaeta, and Pedro will also not be on the list according to the technical committee's planning, always guided by science in the pursuit of maximum performance," the club highlighted on its X account.

O Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informa que os atletas Allan, que apresenta traços falcêmicos que podem prejudicar a alta performance em altitude, e Léo Pereira, com quadro viral, não viajarão para a Bolívia. Já os atletas Varela, Ayrton Lucas, Erick, Arrascaeta e Pedro também não…

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) April 23, 2024

Planning that would harm Millonarios

Bolívar celebrates that Flamengo won't go with their starters. Flavio Robatto did it when he found out that Millonarios wouldn't have Mackalister Silva, now he would do it with the important starters of the Brazilian club. The Bolivian team is leading Group E with 6 points after the victory against Palestino in Chile and the triumph against the ambassadors in Bolivia.

Flamengo will have to go to take points away, Millonarios would also need the Bolivian club not to add more points. However, the first thing the blues have to do is win in Chile against Palestino, then they will face Bolívar in El Campín and there could be some difference.

Marcelo Robledo in Brazil: "We are a very humble team (...) We don't even have a field".

 Independiente's technical director spoke after the loss to Palmeiras 

The Bolivian champion Independiente had a night of terror on Tuesday at the Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, where they were beaten 8-1 by Palmeiras of Brazil in the second round of the Copa Libertadores.

El Matador started winning with a goal by Erik Correa 6 minutes into the match, but could not sustain the difference in the scoreboard and was overwhelmed by a Brazilian team superior in all aspects.

This was confirmed by Independiente's technical director, Marcelo Robledo, at the press conference after the match.

He emphasized that the first half of the team from Chuquisaca was "the best in our history", highlighting that this is "a new team and we are facing the champion (of America)".

    "It wasn't in the plans such a tremendous thrashing," acknowledged Robledo, also emphasizing the experience and talent of the Brazilian players. "They are all a machine," he added.

For Robledo, the Independiente team had "neither the intelligence nor the capacity" to sustain at least the draw and the goal at the beginning of the second half ended up derailing everything that had been planned.

    "We are a very humble team, we are looking for a field to be able to train on a daily basis, we don't even have a field (...) We had talked about it that if we found ourselves with this possibility (of taking the lead), we had to defend it to the maximum", said the coach.

Thus, Robledo analyzed Independiente's defeat and then returned to the country to face their next match, on Saturday, against Always Ready, in El Alto. For the Copa Libertadores they will play again on Tuesday, April 26, against Deportivo Táchira of Venezuela, at the Patria stadium in Sucre.

Libertadores: Tigre goes against Brazilians, Paraguayans and Venezuelans; Always will be Boca's rival

  Bolivian clubs Independiente, The Strongest and Always Ready already know their opponents in the group stage of Copa Libertadores 2022, where the visits to the country of Palmeiras, Athletico Paranaense and Boca Juniors stand out.

According to Friday's draw in Luque, Conmebol's headquarters, Bolivian champion Independiente de Sucre found out that it will be in group "A" along with reigning two-time champion Palmeiras, Ecuador's Emelec and Venezuela's Deportivo Táchira.

Meanwhile, The Strongest entered group "B", where Athletico Paranaense, reigning champion of the Copa Sudamericana 2021, will return to the country. They will be joined by Libertad of Paraguay and Caracas FC of Venezuela.

Finally, Always Ready was paired in group "E", where Argentina's Boca Juniors leads the series, which is also completed by Brazil's Corinthians and Colombia's Deportivo Cali.

The following is a list of the groups of the Copa Libertadores, which will be played in the first week of April:

Conmebol Libertadores: The Strongest 2 - 1 Universidad Catolica de Ecuador, The Strongest Qualifies

 With a saving goal by Uruguayan Rodrigo Amaral, The Strongest advanced to the group stage of the 2022 Copa Libertadores by beating Ecuador's Universidad Católica 2-1 in La Paz, in the second leg of the third round of the continental tournament.

Enrique Triverio opened the scoring for the home side after 2 minutes and Ismael Díaz equalized for Católica after 7 minutes in a match played at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz. The talented Rodrigo Amaral gave the victory to the 'Tigre de Achumani' in the 83rd minute.

The series ended 2-1 in favor of The Strongest, as the first leg was a scoreless draw in Quito. Universidad Católica of Ecuador will go on to play in the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana.

The match kicked off for The Strongest with a goal scored by Enrique Triverio after connecting with a rebound in the Ecuadorian box following a cross from the right.

The home side's goal was a spur for the visitors to raise their game based on speed. The match gained in intensity. So much so that in the seventh minute, Panama's Ismael Diaz took advantage of a lapse of concentration by the Bolivian defense to score the equalizer.

The game became back and forth and both teams began to reach the opponent's goal with a permanent sense of danger. Before the 20th minute, the two scorers again had opportunities to increase the score.

The Ecuadorians were more ductile in the management of the soccer circuits, which provided greater depth to their game, particularly when the attackers established partnerships. In contrast, the Aurinegros relied more on the performance of individuals such as Henry Vaca, who did not shine tonight.

As the minutes passed, the Ecuadorians lost precision, leaving the locals to re-establish a modest dominance and appeal to long distance shots.

The ball moved away from the goals and play became centralized in the midfield. In the 40th minute, Triverio again had another chance to score, but it was well saved by goalkeeper José Cárdenas.

The second half repeated the concepts of intensity and balance between the two teams, although with the lively desire to avoid the penalty spot.

The 'camarata' showed their experience in the defensive arts and managed to box in the locals, who appeared to be short of ideas. With the clock running down, The Strongest insisted with long distance shots.

Gradually, the Ecuadorians were losing lucidity to reach Guillermo Vizcarra's goal.

Although in a disorganized way, The Strongest looked for the victory and when the match was entering the final stretch, Rodrigo Amaral scored the celebrated goal in the 83rd minute that gave the popular team from La Paz the qualification. 

El Tigre goes for the group stage and US$ 3 MM in "the match of the year".

 The atigrados have the advantage of the 0-0 draw they achieved in the first leg in Quito. Despite this, the coaches agreed that the key is open. The Catholics closed practice in Tembladerani yesterday.

The Strongest players described tonight's match against Universidad Católica of Ecuador at the Hernando Siles stadium as "the match of the year" (20:30), in which the Achumani team will be looking for the three million dollar prize for entering the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.

To achieve their objective, the atigrados need a victory, no matter the score, after the first leg, played last week in Quito, they drew 0-0.

The Ecuadorians have the same chances, as they are obliged to win, since a draw will force the match to be decided by penalty kicks.

The Achumani tigers assured that they are focused on the duel despite the defeat in the local tournament against Bolívar, their traditional rival, and are only thinking about getting the three points.

Coach Cristian Díaz will not be able to count on two important players, Cristian Esparza and Martín Prost, both due to expulsion. Their replacements will be Henry Vaca and Jaime Arrascaita. In addition, according to what was seen at the end of training sessions, Diego Wayar will be used as right fullback, as he did in the rematch of the previous phase against Plaza Colonia.

"The key is open... We know their strengths and weaknesses, so we will try to play a great game in search of qualification. We are facing a great team, we must not get our message and our emotional preparation wrong," said the Argentine coach at a press conference yesterday.

He pointed out that his side has to keep its feet on the ground. "We are facing a very good and very nice opportunity for the club in the institutional and economic issue," he remarked.

The paceños are concentrated in their complex in the South zone of La Paz and the day before they closed their preparations. 

The Catholic team arrived in the country on Monday night and the day before had the opportunity to work at the Bolivar club's field in Tembladerani.

"A couple of players have yet to be defined.... We have seen the classic and the matches played against Plaza Colonia. We know that it will be a difficult match against a quality team", said coach Miguel Rondelli.

He considers that in spite of the casualties that the atigrados suffered, the local team has a team to respect.

"We will play our game, the key is open. I don't think they will attack from the start because they know that we are dangerous on the counter-attack", said the coach from Rio de Janeiro.

The Ecuadorian absentees are Darwin Cuero and José Carabalí, both ended up with injuries after the duel at the Atahualpa stadium, but the goalkeeper arrived in Bolivia. 

Club Bolivar - International Achievements

Bolívar currently ranks ninth in the Copa Libertadores historical ranking, behind only Nacional, River Plate, Peñarol, Boca Juniors, Olimpia, Cerro Porteño, América de Cali and Colo-Colo.

Bolívar is the first Bolivian team to make an international tour. In December 1930 and January 1931, Club Bolívar played five matches in Chile, becoming the first Bolivian team to play outside Bolivia.

Bolívar is the best placed Bolivian team in the historical table of the Copa Libertadores de América, appearing in ninth position.

Bolívar is the only Bolivian club to reach an international final.

Bolívar is the only Bolivian team to be semifinalists in the Copa Libertadores de América in its current format (knockout rounds from the round of 16).

It is also the Bolivian team with the most participations in international tournaments, with 28 Libertadores Cups, 6 South American Cups and one Conmebol Cup.

Bolivar had a good international representation as it is currently ranked 8th (out of 196 clubs) in the Copa Libertadores ranking since its creation in 1960 until the end of the Copa Libertadores 2013 edition.

Bolivar is the 5th team in the Americas with the most participations in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores with a total of 11 participations.

It also ranks 17th (out of 25) in the 12 editions from 2002 to 2013 of the Copa Sudamericana.

In the 1991 Copa Libertadores, Bolívar defeated Argentinean teams Boca Juniors and River Plate at home, with Paraguayan Miguel Ángel Sanabria, who played for the Bolivian club that year, as a star player.

Bolívar is currently ranked 21st in CONMEBOL's Official Club Ranking, followed by big clubs in the Americas such as Colo-Colo, Racing Club, Club Atlético River Plate, Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas.

America's Libertadores Cup

1986

América de Cali and Olimpia of Paraguay played against them in the semifinal. In La Paz they clearly defeated América by 2 to 0. The match that broke the Celestial options was played in Cali. Bolívar started winning with a great goal by the great left striker of the Peruvian national team, Jorge "Coqui" Hirano, right at the beginning of the second half. The sky-blue team, with gritted teeth, held on to the victory until the 30th minute, when the locals managed to equalize. In the 39th minute, Ricardo Gareca scored the winner for América. The last match in La Paz still gave the Academy a chance, but Olimpia opened the account and Abdeneve tied it at 27 minutes of the second half. Time was not enough. América achieved 5 points, Olimpia 4 and Bolívar 3. In the total table of that tournament, with its 12 points, Bolívar was behind River and América managed to occupy the third place.

South American Cup

2004

In the final, they played against Boca Juniors from Argentina. The Bolivian club played the first leg at the Hernando Siles Stadium, defeating the Argentinean club by the minimum difference, thanks to Horacio Chiorazzo's goal in the 75th minute. In the second leg, played in Buenos Aires at La Bombonera, the Bolivian team led by Bolivian international Vladimir Soria, lost 2-0 due to goals by Martín Palermo and Carlos Tévez, in the 14th and 28th minutes respectively, and thus the Bolivian club, was runner-up in the continental competition.

Bolivar ended 2004 in 32nd place in the world club ranking, ahead of several traditional clubs, such as Bayern Munich (39th), Cruzeiro de Belho Horizonte (44th), América de México (52nd) and Cerro Porteño (68th), among other clubs.

America's Libertadores Cup
2014

Bolivar reached the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores for the second time in its history, this time in the 2014 edition. During this instance, the Academy defeated León, Emelec and Flamengo in the group stage. They then defeated León again in the round of 16, while in the quarterfinals they beat Lanús from Argentina (after a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires and a 1-0 win in La Paz). However, in the semifinals they lost to San Lorenzo de Almagro (with a 5-0 defeat in Buenos Aires and a 1-0 win in La Paz) and were eliminated from the competition.

Club Bolivar - International participation

 1960 a 2014

In 1967 Bolívar participated for the first time in the Copa Libertadores de América. It was the beginning of a brilliant history of the light blue academics and the most complete participation of a Bolivian team.

It participated 26 times in the Copa Libertadores de América, followed by The Strongest. Its best participations were in 1986, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2014, reaching the semifinals and/or the third phase of the competition. It is the eighth team with the highest number of points in the history of the competition out of almost 200 teams that have participated in it since 1960.

1960 a 2014

In 1967 Bolívar participated for the first time in the Copa Libertadores de América. It was the beginning of a brilliant history of the light blue academics and the most complete participation of a Bolivian team.

It participated 26 times in the Copa Libertadores de América, followed by The Strongest. Its best participations were in 1986, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2014, reaching the semifinals and/or the third phase of the competition. It is the eighth team with the highest number of points in the history of the competition out of almost 200 teams that have participated in it since 1960.

Claure arrives and the Academy wants more capacity for the Cup

 The president of Bolívar, Marcelo Claure, announced from the United States that he will arrive in the country to see the return match for the Libertadores against Deportivo Lara, on Wednesday (18:15). The leadership aspires to have greater capacity and fill the stadium.

His vice president stated that they will make arrangements for the authorities to authorize 75% capacity, today what is allowed for this type of event is 50%.

“The capacity is at 50% but we are going to try to make it 75 so that we have a full stadium next Wednesday. We want to see the Siles full after time, hopefully we get the authorization”, said Jorge del Solar.

On the arrival of Claure, the leader informed that he will have a busy schedule in La Paz but that the main objective of his visit is to share with the people, players and witness the international match.

Marcelo Claure was in November in Santa Cruz and La Paz. On that occasion he came to present the progress of the club's centennial project that includes the construction of a stadium, a High Performance Center and the development of its training academies. He also attended the classic La Paz.

“On Wednesday I will be in Bolivia and I hope to see the Hernando Siles stadium full. Step by step we are moving towards the centenary Bolívar ”, Claure wrote on his social networks after the triumph of his team in Venezuela.

The Academy will receive Lara on Wednesday the 16th of this year at the Hernando Siles stadium. It reaches a tie to qualify for the second phase of the continental contest.

Contento con la victoria de visitante de @Bolivar_Oficial. Es importante comenzar nuestra participación en @Libertadores ganando.Bien la delantera, hay que mejorar atrás. El miércoles estaré en #Bolivia y espero ver el Siles lleno. Paso a paso avanzamos #bolivarcentenario 🇧🇴 pic.twitter.com/Wt5NWRa8Kx

— Marcelo Claure (@marceloclaure) February 10, 2022

Conmebol Libertadores, First Phase: Deportivo Lara 2 - 3 Bolivar

 Bolívar starred this Wednesday in his first victory in the 63rd edition of the Copa Libertadores de América, beating the Venezuelan Deportivo Lara (2-3) as a visitor and beyond the transcendent for maintaining an unbeaten record of almost 28 years on Venezuelan soil, he added three invaluable points, which now leave him well placed for the rematch in La Paz and seek the ticket to the second phase.

The national team was down on the scoreboard twice, reacted at the right time and came from behind to win in a match that at times went back and forth with five goals.

The start was turbulent for the national credit, he endured a locker room goal before five minutes, equalized and conceded again minutes later. Then his forcefulness in attack and his Brazilian army shone, which gave the stature on the field of Agustín Tovar.

The merit of the Bolivian team was overcoming the adversity of losing and responding with well-strung attacks between their midfielders and their forwards.

Bruno Sávio and Francisco da Costa converted the sky-blue goals, the latter scoring a brace, but both were also a nightmare for the local defense.

The defensive line was the weak point of the Academy that had serious problems when his opponent attacked him with long balls and plays through the air. The absence of defender César Martins was noted in the La Paz squad, lacking order in its last line.

Rodney Chirinos opened the account for the 'rojinegro' two minutes into the first half, the midfielder received the ball at the entrance of the area and took a powerful right-handed shot to the angle, which beat Rubén Cordano.

Bolívar took center stage after the hot flash. He found parity through Bruno Sávio. He headed in a cross from Gabriel Villamil that left goalkeeper Luis Curiel without a chance in the 20th minute.

The joy did not last long, seven minutes later the llanero defender Diego Meleán also responded by way of the area, he rose higher than the sky-blue central defenders and hit a header that defeated the goalkeeper.

From then on, the sky blue dominated the actions at the impulse of his Brazilian duet. At 33 Da Costa cushioned the ball with his chest, settled down and finished off with force, his shot was not well contained by the rival goalkeeper and nested at the bottom of the net.

Da Costa himself closed figures in minute 39. Rodríguez, Sávio and the center forward joined forces and found space and executed a low shot, unattainable for Curiel.

In the complement the pace of the game slowed down, the Bolivian handed over the initiative to his antagonist and went on a counterattack. Lara had chances to equalize but missed on the final stitch. The Academy was saved in the final stretch and wasted a couple of offensives that were well conjured up by Curiel.

The rematch is next Wednesday (18:15) in La Paz, Bolívar is enough with a tie to register his name in the next phase where the Ecuadorian Universidad Católica awaits.

DATA

The Academy remains undefeated in four games without losing on Venezuelan soil for the Copa Libertadores, winning two and drawing two away

The sky-blue from La Paz played his 242nd match in the Libertadores, won 95 matches, equaled 53 and lost 94 times.

The light blue midfielder Leonel Justiniano played his 25th match in the Libertadores. He disputed seven times defending Wilstermann's currency and 18 with Bolívar's.

THE FIGURE: DA COSTA

The Brazilian striker contributed two goals to his team but he was also a persevering and participative striker, a nightmare for the rival defense.

THE REFEREE: GOOD

Paraguayan Eber Aquino closely followed the actions and charged according to the regulations. He disallowed a goal for each team due to obvious lead positions.

Bolívar visits Deportivo Lara in the first cup round

 Academia will seek a victory in the plains, where it already won in 1994. It comes on stage in its 242nd match in the Libertadores, a tournament it is attending for the 36th time.

This Wednesday Bolívar debuts in the 63rd edition of the Copa Libertadores against Deportivo Lara from Venezuela for the first leg of phase 1. An unprecedented rival who will try from 6:15 p.m. to give the first blow in the key against a Bolivian team that aims to add units to settle the series as a local next week.

The Academy landed yesterday in Barinas after noon and trained in the afternoon at the Zamora club grounds, the eleventh is practically defined with the only doubt in defense, César Martins or Alberto Guitián as libero in the line of three defenders.

Regarding the team that coach Antonio Carlos Zago tried against Blooming last Sunday (7-0), another variant appears, that of midfielder Carlos Antonio Melgar in midfield instead of the youthful Lucas Chávez.

On offense he will line up his offensive trident made up of Brazilians Bruno Sávio, Francisco da Costa and Argentine Patricio Rodríguez.

The sky-blue comes on stage in his 242nd match in the Libertadores, a tournament he is attending for the 36th time. In the history he achieved 94 wins, 53 draws and 94 losses. As a visitor, he played 121 games with a balance of 15 wins, 27 equal games and 79 losses.

“Deportivo Lara is a good team, otherwise they wouldn't be playing in the Libertadores, we have to respect it but play our game and seek victory. There are no favorites in the Cup, but we are in Bolívar and we always have to go out and win”, pointed out Sávio.

The Academy did well against visiting llaneros teams, in three confrontations they tied two games and won another. They met twice with Minervén in 1994 and 1997, both 1-1, and beat Marítimo 2-0 in 1994.

HISTORY WITH VENEZUELANS

The last precedent against a Venezuelan credit dates back to April 23, 1997 when he equaled one goal per side with Minervén in Puerto Ordaz. Ramiro Castillo (+) scored the sky-blue goal and Alexis Chirinos converted for the local team at the Polideportivo Cachamay stadium.

Deportivo Lara is a club founded in 2009, participating for the fifth time in international competition. His best appearances were when he reached the group stage in 2013, 2018 and 2019. For these events he played 20 games. He won four, matched four and fell 12 times.

The llanero cast has not had official activity since last year, it was reinforced with Aristóteles Romero, Johan Moreno, Henri Pernía and the Panamanian Jhamal Rodríguez. He will not officiate as a local in his own redoubt as he is not in conditions, he chose Barinas for this occasion.

The duel between 'rojinegros' and 'academicians' is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at the Agustín Tovar stadium, better known as La Carolina. On that court, the Bolivian team fell on February 28 to its pair from Venezuela for Qualifiers.

Bolívar jumps on the scene at the start of the Copa Libertadores

 The 2022 Copa Libertadores will begin this week with the dispute of its first phase 1 matches, an instance in which the Bolívar club will be the first national team to compete in official Conmebol competitions.

His official debut will be tomorrow (18:15 HB) when he visits Venezuelan Deportivo Lara, at the Agustín Tovar stadium in Barinas.

In the same scenario where Bolivia fell 4-1 to Venezuela, for matchday 15 of the South American qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Celeste will seek to strike the first blow against a rival that little by little took center stage this season.

Bolívar, who in 2019 was left out of phase 1 at the hands of Defensor Sporting from Uruguay (global 5-6), in the 2020 edition had a revenge in phase 2 (to which he entered directly) after eliminating Montevideo Wanderers (global 5-1), but was eliminated in phase 3 against Junior de Barranquilla (2-4).

Seeking to be the second Bolivian team to enter the group zone from the previous phases -The Strongest is the only one that did so in the 2015 and 2017 editions- the Academy led by Antonio Carlos Zago bet big.

With the hiring of the Brazilians Bruno Savio, Francisco da Costa and the Argentine Patricio Rodríguez, in addition to the national Carlos Antonio Melgar, Bolívar wants to hit the table against Deportivo Lara.

The second leg will be on Wednesday, February 16 (18:15 HB) at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz.

Torque and Barcelona play today (20:30)

The Uruguayan Montevideo City Torque and the Ecuadorian Barcelona will take their first step today (20:30 HB) seeking access to a group stage of the Copa Libertadores soccer that, for the moment, remains distant for both.

Montevideo's Centenario stadium will witness one of the three crosses that the first round of the continental tournament will have at the club level, which will be closely watched by those who await the winner in the second round: Universitario (PER). Cesar Vallejo (PER) vs. Olimpia (PAR) play tomorrow (20:30 HB).

Coach of Lara: I have experience at height, we can give a big surprise

 Four years ago he was at Deportivo Cuenca, which left Wilster in Cochabamba on the way. He anticipates that his cast will have a lot of ball possession in the two games against the Academy.

Deportivo Lara's coach, Jorge Durán, knows Bolívar perfectly, who will be his team's rival this Wednesday, in the match to be played in Barinas, for Phase 1 of the Copa Libertadores.

Four years ago he was part of the coaching staff of Deportivo Cuenca, which he left Wilstermann on the way. Now, as coach of the Venezuelan team, his goal is to eliminate the Academy.

What background does Jorge Durán have as a coach?

It is 25 years that he has been in football uninterruptedly. I started in 1996 as a physical trainer for Mineros de Guyana, then I went to Minervén and also assumed that role in the minor teams of Venezuela. Professor Richard Páez took me to support Vinotinto, in Alianza Lima and Millonarios. Today it's my turn to take over officially at Deportivo Lara and I have the training to take on that responsibility.

Which Deportivo Lara are we going to see against Bolívar?

The idea is to have a lot of ball possession. We have players with good footing to fulfill that characteristic. We will try to meet that requirement of facing a great team like Bolívar.

What do you know about Bolívar, have you done any monitoring?

I watched a lot of games from last semester, where I saw that they make a line of five at the back, other times they play with four at the back, they have wingers with quick starts and I know that they have incorporated new players and that they have height in some positions, such as defense. The nine with which they have been reinforced (Francisco da Costa) also has that characteristic. I like (Erwin) Saavedra, which is unbalanced, but they informed me that they sold it. Bolívar has players with good footing and they handle the ball very well, you have to respect that.

Is Bolívar the favorite for the key they are going to play?

Bolívar is a great team in Bolivia, but in the international context the games have to be played. Football is an apprenticeship and we are aiming to face this key with humility and competitive responsibility.

The president of Lara, Daniel Villasmil, acknowledged Bolívar's story, but clarified that he did not play, what do you think?

I think the same, each team has an important representation in their country and internationally, but history must be faced by building and that is what we are doing.

In these 180-minute games, will keeping a clean sheet in the first leg be key?

Having an undefeated arc is a psychological component of the game, since it gives you confidence and handling of the situations of a match. For us, having the goal at zero will be very safe for the group, especially for the rematch.

Are they forced to look for a good goal difference to come to La Paz?

I'm not talking about the goal difference, but rather having a positive result to know how to handle it at home and away.

Does Bolívar have an advantage for deciding the key at home and at height?

I worked at altitude with Millonarios and Cuenca from Ecuador, and we went to Cochabamba with Wilstermann, which we declassified, that's why I say that this international experience that I have has given me the confidence that if the games are played with attitude, we can give a big surprise.

Many teams and selections have won in La Paz, don't you think that the issue of altitude is psychological?

It is psychological and physiological, because the adaptations do not take place in the time that one requires in football. It is very difficult to adapt players to heights like 3,600 meters, each one has a different physiological adaptation. Theories say that it takes 21 days, I consider it to be 30 and it could be a great advantage for the teams that play in La Paz.

But days ago the players of the Bolivian national team felt the heat of Barinas...

It is true, luckily it was played at six in the afternoon, because at four it is with 34 degrees of temperature. Bolívar is going to play in a city that is not normal for a team that comes from altitude. They are natural conditions that each team and selection try to take advantage of that favors them.