Botafogo enters the field on Wednesday night, February 25, 2026, focused on reversing the advantage built by Nacional Potosí in the first leg of the second phase of the pre-Libertadores. The decisive match takes place at Estádio Nilton Santos, at Rio of Janeiro, starting at 9:30 pm local time, promising a full house to support the Rio club in its quest to qualify.
After the 1-0 defeat at Bolivian altitude, the team led by Martín Anselmi needs to win by two or more goals to advance directly to the third phase of the continental competition. Caso or
For fans who want to follow the duel, transmission options include digital platforms and subscription channels that hold the rights to the tournament. Confira the main logistical and sporting details for the clash:
- Time: 9:30 pm (Brasília time).
- Location: Estádio Nilton Santos, Rio of Janeiro (RJ).
- Broadcast: ge tv, ESPN and Globoplay.
- Arbitration: Piero Maza (Chile) with the assistance of Juan Lara in the VAR.
LIBERTADORES DAY AT NILTON SANTOS! LET’S GO WITH EVERYTHING, BOTAFOGO FAMILY! IT’S DECISION! 🔥🌎#DIADEFOGO pic.twitter.com/hwMrWMGW48
—Botafogo F.R. (@Botafogo)February 25, 2026
Alvinegra preparation and return of important parts
Coach Martín Anselmi has significant reinforcements to assemble the starting team that will seek the historic turnaround in Rio of Janeiro. Arthur Cabral and Joaquín Correa are once again available to the coaching staff, offering weighty options for the offensive sector that needs to be efficient from the opening minutes.
The big doubt in the lineup lies in the physical condition of midfielder Danilo, who showed muscle wear in the last state match against Boavista. The player must go to the game even without being in ideal conditions, but Wallace Davi remains on standby to form the containment sector alongside Newton if the starter cannot withstand the intensity at the start of the match.
The defensive system must be maintained with the goalkeeper Léo Linck and the line composed of Mateo Ponte, Bastos and Alexander Barboza, aiming for stability against Bolivian counterattacks. Nas full-backs, Vitinho and Alex Telles play a fundamental role in the offensive transition and supplying the attackers
Nacional Potosí strategy to maintain the advantage
Nacional Potosí arrives at Brasil with the peace of mind of not having played official matches since the first meeting between the teams, prioritizing rest and tactical preparation. Coach Leonardo Eguez publicly expressed his desire to maintain an aggressive but orderly stance, without limiting himself to just defending the result obtained at home.
The Bolivian team has no absences due to injury or suspension, allowing maximum strength to be used on the Nilton Santos synthetic pitch. The main strategy involves managing ball possession and exploiting Botafogo’s anxiety, using Willan Álvarez’s speed in command of the attack to surprise the black and white rearguard.
Probable lineups and match details
Botafogo must start the confrontation with Léo Linck in goal, protected by defenders Mateo Ponte, Bastos and Alexander Barboza. In midfield, the configuration tends to be Vitinho, Newton, Danilo (or Wallace Davi) and Alex Telles, while the attack should be formed by Barrera,
Nacional Potosí will probably come to the field with Galindo in goal, with the defensive line consisting of Baldomar, Restrepo, Amarilla, Demiquel and Torrico. The creation and containment sector will have Guerra, Arce, Azogue and Rojas, serving the center forward
The Chilean refereeing will be led by Piero Maza, an experienced referee in Conmebol competitions, accompanied by assistants José Retamal and Miguel Rocha. Video technology (VAR) will be under the responsibility of
Botafogo arrives motivated by the recent victory in the regional championship, which brought confidence to the squad after the setback in Potosí. The presence of names like Alex Telles and Bastos gives them the necessary experience to deal with the pressure of an Libertadores knockout game at home.
The stadium is expected to receive a large audience, as black and white fans have been mobilizing on social media to create an environment of pressure on their opponents. The logistics of access to Nilton Santos will be reinforced by Polícia Militar, ensuring the safety of fans attending the sporting event.
Recent history and team performance
In recent weeks, Botafogo demonstrated tactical fluctuations, but the arrival of Martín Anselmi began to implement a game model based on ball possession and high pressing. Esse style will be tested to the maximum against a team that must position itself compactly to protect the area and waste time whenever possible.
Nacional Potosí, although less traditional on the continental scene than their Brazilian opponent, showed in the first game that they have a defensive organization capable of neutralizing rushed attacks. The team made good use of the climatic and geographical conditions in their country, but now faces the challenge of operating at sea level and in intense heat.
Statistics show that Botafogo has been strong at home, converting the majority of chances created in knockout games in the last two years. The total focus on Libertadores is evident, as the club prioritizes returning to the group stage to ensure financial stability and sporting prestige in the 2026 season.
Determining factors for Rio’s classification
Efficiency in finishing will be the key point for Alvinegro, who created chances in Bolívia, but failed to find the net. Matheus Martins and Montoro need fine tuning to overcome the block imposed by Eguez, especially in the baseline plays provided by Vitinho.
Another relevant factor is emotional control, since Nacional Potosí must use game delay tactics to irritate Botafogo athletes. Manter remaining calm and following Anselmi’s tactical plan will be essential for the goals to come naturally throughout the ninety minutes of regulation.
Additional information about embezzlement and options
The Botafogo medical department continues to work on the recovery of important athletes who remain out of action for this specific duel. Allan, Chris Ramos, Kaio Pantaleão, Marçal and
On the bench, the coach still has names like Wallace Davi and Joaquín Correa, who can come in to change the dynamics of the match depending on the score. The depth of the squad will be tested, requiring substitutes to maintain the level of intensity required by the most important continental club competition in the América of the Sul.
Nacional Potosí, on the other hand, sees this match as the most important in its recent history, aiming to eliminate a Brazilian giant in the middle of Rio of Janeiro. The Bolivian delegation carried out recognition and adaptation training to the pitch, focusing especially on defensive set pieces to avoid surprises in Botafogo’s aerial plays.