Bolívar Aims for Strong Home Advantage Against Gremio in Copa Sudamericana Playoff

Bolívar is set to host Gremio on Thursday at the Hernando Siles stadium in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana playoff tie. The Bolivian club aims to establish a strong home advantage, ideally with a substantial goal difference, to improve their chances of advancing to the round of 16.

The team plans to "suffocate" Gremio with their high-altitude playing conditions, a factor known to challenge visiting Brazilian teams. Goalkeeper Carlos Lampe expressed confidence, stating, "The advantage we have is that we play first at home with our people and climate. We are confident that we will arrive at the match in good condition." He also noted Bolívar's financial and squad strength as factors enabling them to potentially eliminate a Brazilian powerhouse.

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The advantage we have is that we play first at home with our people and climate. We are confident that we will arrive at the match in good condition. Bolívar is the only, or one of the few (in Bolivia) that can eliminate a Brazilian team due to their economic power and long squad.

Teammate Patricio Rodríguez echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the team's strategy: "Achieving a good advantage at home and being strong away is the premise the squad has." This approach is informed by past experiences in both the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa Libertadores.

A potential lineup for Bolívar includes Carlos Lampe in goal, with a defense of Jesús Sagredo, Santiago Echavarría, Xavier Arreaga, and José Sagredo. The midfield is expected to feature Leonel Justiniano, Robson Matheus, and Antonio Melgar, supporting forwards Dorny Romero, Martín Cauteruccio, and Patricio Rodríguez. The team is finalizing its preparations at its training facility outside La Paz. The return leg is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, in Porto Alegre.

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Achieving a good advantage at home and being strong away is the premise the squad has, taking into account previous experiences in this tournament and the Copa Libertadores de América.