The Botafogo begins this Tuesday, February 17, 2026, its official movement towards the Bolívia for the first leg of the second phase of the Copa Libertadores of the América. The main delegation embarks for the city of Sucre, a strategic point chosen by the technical committee to minimize the physical impacts of high altitude. The logistical planning, structured over the last few weeks, aims to prepare the athletes for the challenge of performing at Estádio Víctor Agustín Ugarte, located approximately 4,000 meters above sea level.
Preparation for this event involved an in-depth analysis of the medical and football departments, with the direct support of John Textor, owner of the club’s SAF. The central objective is to reduce the exposure time of starting players to the rarefied air of Potosí, following scientific protocols that suggest staying at intermediate altitudes before the start of the match. The professional squad will remain at Sucre, located at 2,800 meters, until a few hours before kickoff, scheduled for 9:30 pm local Bolivian time.
- The club sent nine athletes from the youth categories a week in advance.
- Logistics include the use of 4×4 vehicles for the final land journey between cities.
- The under-20 coaching staff accompanies the youngsters to ensure they maintain their rhythm.
- The main team only travels 24 hours before the clash to avoid prolonged wear and tear.
Botafogo returns to the field this Wednesday to face Nacional Potosí (BOL) in the second phase of Libertadores! 🔥🇧🇴#Come onBOTAFOGO
—Botafogo F.R. (@Botafogo)February 16, 2026
Presented by SOLUTIONS Benefícios.pic.twitter.com/Ki6EeaQVhw
Anticipated logistics with base athletes
The Botafogo strategy presented an important innovation by sending a group of young talents to Bolívia seven days before the game. Esses players, identified by their physical vigor and ability to adapt quickly, arrived in the neighboring country on Friday to carry out a period of complete acclimatization in Potosí. The choice of these specific names underwent a careful evaluation after the classic against Fluminense, prioritizing athletes who can serve as immediate replacement parts if the starters’ performance is affected by atmospheric pressure.
Among those selected for this early internship are names like Christian Loor, Léo Linck and Bernardo Valim, who train under the command of Rodrigo Bellão, coach of the under-20 team. Estudos internal physiological tests at the club indicate that a period of five to six days at extreme altitudes is enough for the body to produce the necessary adjustments to withstand the lower supply of oxygen. Dessa way, the Alvinegro guarantees that you will have rested and fully adapted options to take the field during the second half or in medical emergency situations.
Land travel and use of special vehicles
The final journey to the departure location represents one of the biggest logistical challenges for the black and white board, given the topography of the Potosí region. Após landing in Sucre, the delegation will need to travel around 150 kilometers on roads that require robust vehicles and efficient traction to guarantee the safety and comfort of professionals. Botafogo chose to use a fleet of 4×4 cars to complete this route, repeating a successful model adopted by teams such as Fortaleza and Boca Juniors in previous seasons of continental competitions.
This land journey should last around three hours and will only be carried out on the day of the game, following the premise of “climb and play” to avoid severe altitude sickness. The club’s organization provided all the support infrastructure so that the athletes reach the locker room with the lowest level of stress possible. Late rise is a technique widely used by Brazilian clubs visiting Bolívia, as it delays the onset of symptoms such as headaches, nausea and extreme tiredness that usually appear after the first six hours of exposure.
Integration between medical and technical departments
The definition of each step of this journey was the result of a constant dialogue between experts in sports physiology and the main team coach. Concern for the players’ physical integrity is an absolute priority, especially at the start of the season where the competition calendar is extremely tight. The medical department monitors each athlete individually, collecting oxygen saturation and heart rate data to adjust the training load during their stay on foreign soil.
Technological support from John Textor allowed Botafogo to invest in portable recovery and supplemental oxygenation equipment to be used during the journey. Essa integration ensures that the coach has real-time information available about who is best suited to withstand 90 minutes of intense play. The decision to send young people early also serves as a maturity test for the base, integrating professional football processes with the club’s training of new talents.
Reinforcements and news in the Rio delegation
In addition to concerns about the climate and geography, Botafogo takes advantage of the registration period at Libertadores to integrate new names into its elite squad. The arrival of Edenilson to Rio from Janeiro to sign a contract brought extra excitement to the fans and could influence the planning of the next stages of the tournament. The club also maintains active negotiations on the international market, seeking athletes like Paulo Otávio to strengthen specific sectors that demand greater physical resistance in knockout games.
The total focus on continental competition occurs at a time of transition, where the team seeks to stabilize itself after irregular results in state competitions. By prioritizing the logistics of the Libertadores, the board signals that the South American tournament is the major sporting and financial objective for the first half of 2026. The presence of experienced players in the delegation traveling this Tuesday is seen as essential to lead the group in a hostile environment and guarantee a result that facilitates classification in the return game in the Rio of Janeiro.
History of clashes in elevated cities
Operating at altitudes above 3,500 meters has always been a historical obstacle for Brazilian football teams, requiring strategies that go beyond technical and tactical performance. Botafogo has previous records in South American competitions where physical preparation was crucial to winning points away from home in similar conditions. The choice of Potosí as the headquarters of Nacional requires that Alvinegro execute the flight and accommodation plan perfectly so as not to repeat past mistakes.
The Estádio Víctor Agustín Ugarte is known for being a “cauldron” where the rarefied air acts as a twelfth player for the home team, who are used to the speed of the ball and the pace of the local game. The players’ mental preparation is also being worked on, focusing on controlling ball possession and reducing unnecessary rushes to preserve energy throughout the match. With the transport logistics and acclimatization of young people, the club hopes to neutralize the opponent’s geographical advantage and return to Brasil with a favorable score.
Impact on the team’s tactical performance
- The speed of the ball at an altitude of Potosí increases significantly, altering the accuracy of long passes and shots.
- Goalkeepers and defenders received specific training to deal with the unpredictable trajectory of the ball in low-pressure environments.
- The coach plans a more cautious stance, prioritizing defensive compaction to avoid premature physical wear and tear.
- Strategic substitutions should occur earlier than usual, using already acclimatized youngsters to maintain intensity.
Final preparation in Bolivian territory
The last technical activity of Botafogo before definitively ascending to Potosí will take place in Sucre, where the climate is milder and training conditions are considered ideal. The local grass will be used for final positioning adjustments and set pieces, which are seen as crucial weapons to decide the game in a difficult breathing scenario. The delegation is isolated in a hotel that offers all the necessary nutritional structure to keep the athletes hydrated and with high levels of glycogen.
This Wednesday’s commitment represents not just a sporting challenge, but a silent war operation conducted behind the scenes of Rio’s Alvinegro. Cada detail, from the choice of 4×4 cars to meal times, was planned so that the club can resume its leading role on the international scene in a solid way. The return to Brasil is scheduled for shortly after the end of the match, ensuring that players begin the recovery process as quickly as possible for subsequent commitments on the national calendar.