World Cup Qualifiers: Bolivia vs Brazil! Doping Tested! Does Bolivia Still Have a Chance?

Today’s first topic isthe World Cup qualifier: Bolivia vs Brazil!

Why is it that sometimes a team’smore luxurious lineup results in poorer performance?

This time Bolivia’s homeadvantage is particularly strong—what kind of “secret technology” do they have?

We will mainly discuss these two points in this match.

The gap in this game is clearly hugewith a player value difference exceeding fifty times—it’s basically like night and day!

Brazil’s team, although declining in recent years, still shines with stars, mostly from top clubs.

A large value gap usually means a significant difference in individual ability.

Look at Brazil’s last game against Chile,where Chile’s 1-on-1 defense was almost impossible, 2-on-1 was tough, and even 3-on-1 sometimes failed—this isn’t about tactics, it’s pure individual skill overwhelming the opponent.

However, what makes or breaks is also individual skill.

Indeed, Brazilian players are very strong in dribbling and quick changes of direction.

But what if the game is played at high altitude? At the 4088-meter El Alto Municipal Stadium? Can world-class individual skills still shine?

I don’t think so.

At over 4000 meters altitude,the air contains about 40% less oxygen than the plains where Brazilian players are used to.

This causes obvious oxygen deficiency, greatly increasing anaerobic metabolism and accelerating lactic acid buildup.

As a result, running distance, sprinting ability, strength actions, and concentration all decline significantly—this is a physical law, not something that can be overcome just by strong will.

Moreover, the Brazilian stars’ motivation might not be very high.

First, they have already qualified early, so they can relax a bit.

Also, keep in mind,many of their stars come from world-class top clubs.

These clubs face brutal schedules ahead—not even mentioning Newcastle’s 7 matches in 23 days,there are four clubs with 7 matches in just 22 days.

Given the extreme fatigue and importance of many upcoming games, do players really need to risk everything at this high-altitude away match? I seriously doubt it—it seems counterproductive.

In fact,Brazil has often struggled at 3600 meters in La Paz, and now at even higher El Alto, it will probably be even tougher.

El Alto is one of Bolivia’s “secret weapons” in this qualifier.

This home stadium was previously banned by CONMEBOL, for example, the club owning this stadium called “Always Ready” was not allowed to use it during the Copa Libertadores against Boca Juniors, and had to play at Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz instead, because CONMEBOL considered this stadium harmful to players’ health.

But due to various reasons we’ve discussed before, this time an exception was made, allowing Bolivia to use this home ground, increasing their home advantage significantly.

Furthermore, Bolivia is not content with just this advantage,as some players have been found using doping to counteract altitude sickness,with suspended midfielder Céspedes even claiming the team doctor gave him the drugs.

I think they are truly desperate to qualify for the World Cup finals.

With hopes still alive for a playoff spot today, they might go all out.

Here is a key point—Bolivia might be betting everything on this match.

Why did we feel Bolivia was doomed in their last game against Colombia?

Because it didn’t seem like they wanted to fight Colombia; the match was held in the plains city of Barranquilla,but Bolivia trained before the match in high-altitude La Paz, which looks less like preparing to fight Colombia and more like preparing to challenge Brazil at home! So I’m reluctant to underestimate them.

Although the value gap of over fifty times is huge and Brazil comfortably crushed Bolivia at home last time,

given today’s circumstances, can Bolivia satisfy their fans? What do you think? I hope they can hold on for a draw or even snatch a win!

Alright, for other matches today, I will still share my written insights tonight. If anything is unclear, feel free to ask me. “Watch the game clearly,” see you then!

If you like this, please tap to follow and like!