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Bolivian side Nacional Potosí will look to make the most of its home advantage at more than 3,380 meters above sea level when it hosts Brazil’s Botafogo on Wednesday in the first leg of Phase 2 of the Copa Libertadores, a matchup between two teams in urgent need of a victory.

The match is scheduled for 8:30 PM local time (00:30 GMT Thursday) at Estadio Víctor Agustín Ugarte, which will host a continental competition game for the first time in 14 years. Ecuadorian referee Augusto Aragón Bautista will officiate the encounter.

In 2023, the “Banda Roja” club debuted in the Copa Libertadores preliminary round but had to play in La Paz because its stadium was not approved for international fixtures.

Nacional Potosí, champions of Bolivia’s 2026 league tournament, enter the international clash after being eliminated from the summer competition by traditional rival Real Potosí, which returned to the country’s top division this year.

Head coach Leonardo Égüez and his squad know they must turn the page quickly, start strong, and secure a goal advantage that would allow them to approach the second leg in Brazil with greater confidence.

The Bolivian side reinforced its attack with Argentine forward Óscar Damián Villalba, the 2025 Bolivian Professional Division top scorer with 31 goals while playing for Independiente Petrolero. New additions Maicon Solís and Leandro Ortormín also strengthen the front line alongside established attackers Tommy Tobar and Maximiliano Núñez.

Meanwhile, Botafogo, coached by Argentine manager Martín Anselmi, was recently eliminated in the Campeonato Carioca quarterfinals after a 2-1 home loss to Flamengo.

The Fogão has not won since late January and has since suffered five defeats: three in the Campeonato Carioca and two in Brazil’s national competition.

To prepare for the altitude challenge, Botafogo sent nine youth players to Potosí on Saturday to acclimate and train. The remainder of the squad arrived Monday to complete preparations.

One of the team’s main concerns is midfielder Danilo, who suffered an injury against Flamengo and will be evaluated until the last moment to determine whether he can start in Bolivia.

The series will be decided in the second leg next Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro.

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