Bottom of Group C, Fluminense travel to the 3,367 metres above sea level of Estadio Hernando Siles to face Bolívar on Thursday, April 30, in the third round of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.
Both sides still dey search for first win for the group, as dem don take one point each from their opening two matches.
Tipped to progress as group winners, Fluminense don make an underwhelming start with setbacks against Deportivo La Guaira and Independiente Rivadavia, including a home defeat at the Maracanã Stadium.
Bolívar, meanwhile, go hope to use the demands of altitude to trouble the visitors as both teams battle for a place for the knockout stages.
Historically, Bolívar know the importance of home advantage for their pursuit of qualification from the group stage.
For 40 appearances for the competition, the Bolivian side get a 67 per cent home record — 90 wins for 135 matches at the Hernando Siles.
That return na 27 per cent higher than the team’s overall record (home and away) for the continental competition.
However, their opening fixture at home for this edition produce another stumble, a 1-1 draw against Deportivo La Guaira for the second round.
The context for seeking a victory against the Brazilians, however, no dey encouraging: the draw with the Venezuelans and the defeat to Independiente Petrolero last week culminate for the resignation of Flávio Robatto.
The coach don dey for charge since 2024 and don accumulate 73 wins for 117 matches at the club.
Against the Tricolor, the board officially announce for a statement say Vladimir Soria go dey on the touchline as dem seek their first win for the Libertadores.
The interim coach make his debut last weekend for a 6-0 thrashing of Real Tomayapo for the Bolivian Championship.
To try to minimise the effects of altitude, Fluminense don opt to arrive as close as possible to kick-off.
The match na one of extreme pressure as the side must avoid falling further behind the top two.
The situation become complicated after the setback for the last round to debutants Independiente Rivadavia — a victory wey the Argentinian press describe as a “new Maracanazo” for the post-match coverage.
The Cariocas don take the lead through Guilherme Arana, but Fabrizio Sartori and Alex Arce turn the scoreline around.
After that setback — wey leave the Tricolor at the bottom of the group — Luís Zubeldía‘s side don recover during the season, with two wins for the Brasileirão (3-2 against Santos and 2-1 against Chapecoense) and a 0-0 draw with Operário-PR for the Copa do Brasil.
The results don leave the Cariocas for contention for the Brasileirão title, on 26 points and six behind leaders Palmeiras.
The run don bring calm to the coaching staff, wey don previously go four matches without a win, including a defeat for the Fla-Flu.
Fluminense head up to Bolivian altitude hoping to deliver a good performance for their second away match for the tournament.
For the first, against La Guaira, their lack of attacking output produce an uninspiring 0-0.
Bolivar Copa Libertadores form: D L
Bolivar form (all competitions): W L W D L W
Fluminense Copa Libertadores form: D L
Fluminense form (all competitions): D L L W D W
Vladimir Soria’s debut feature a core of starters wey the coach fit field against Fluminense on Thursday.
The good news na the clearance from CONMEBOL for defender José Sagredo, wey receive only a one-match ban for his sending-off for the team’s opening fixture.
Robson and Patrício Rodríguez don get recent injuries and dey work their way back with the medical staff.
Dem go reassess for Wednesday’s training and, if available, fit include dem for the match.
The main absence on the Fluminense side na midfielder Martinelli, wey suffer a grade-three thigh oedema and go dey out until the World Cup.
In addition, Soteldo, Lucho Acosta and Cano dey with the medical department and dem confirm absentees.
The coaching staff dey explore the possible return of midfielder Nonato, wey don sideline for two months.
Finally, after a blow to the face, John Kennedy set to start against Bolívar, given say he be the Tricolor’s top scorer for the Brasileirão.
Bolivar possible starting lineup: Carlos Lampe; Jesús Sagredo, Xavier Arreaga, Santiago Echeverría, Erwin Saavedra; Leonel Justiniano, Carlos Melgar; Brian Oyola, Dorny Romero, Christian Alemán; Martín Cauteruccio. Coach: Vladimir Soria.
Fluminense possible starting lineup: Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Jemmes, Freytes, Guilherme Arana; Facundo Bernal, Hércules; Jefferson Savarino, Kevin Serna, Canobbio; John Kennedy. Coach: Luís Zubeldía.
Despite sitting third for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Fluminense don struggle to create clear openings against more compact defensive setups, wey help explain their setbacks for the opening two rounds of the Copa Libertadores.
The conditions at altitude fit favour a level scoreline for the first half, while corners fit also prove significant, with long-range efforts expected to become an important attacking route for both sides.
Fluminense board a flight on Wednesday afternoon (29) to Bolivia to face Club Bolívar for the third round of the Copa Libertadores group stage, but the main absence from the traveling squad na midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso.
The medical department advise against exposing the player to the altitude of La Paz, where the match go play at more than 3,600 meters above sea level.
The condition require extreme caution, as the environment place significant cardiovascular strain on the body, wey fit put the player at risk.
In addition to Ganso, Fluminense go also without midfielder Nonato, wey still dey for the physical transition process and remain for Rio de Janeiro.
Off the field, president Mário Bittencourt no travel with the squad either.
The executive stay for Brazil to deal with internal matters, including a scheduled meeting with lawyer Marisa Alija, wey dey handle negotiations involving striker Hulk.
On the other hand, full-back Guga, wey leave the last match for pain, travel with the group and should dey available for the game, indicating he no be a concern for the clash.
The Tricolor delegation go follow the strategy of arriving for La Paz only on matchday, for an attempt to minimise the effects of the altitude.
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