The change of venue for the Copa Libertadores quarter-final second leg has caused frustration among local fans and created a new logistical scenario for Flamengo.
Flamengo will face a significant logistical shift for their decisive Copa Libertadores quarter-final match against Independiente del Valle. Because their home ground, Banco Guayaquil, does not meet CONMEBOL’s minimum requirements, the Ecuadorian club was barred from using it and must move the match to Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa on September 10th.
The news was not well received by the Ecuadorian club’s supporters. Shortly after the official announcement on the club’s social media channels, a wave of criticism took over the comments section, with many fans questioning the choice of Atahualpa and lamenting the loss of their true home-field advantage, which is considered a strategic asset for the local squad.
CONMEBOL Requirements
The reason for the stadium change is strictly regulatory. For the quarter-final stages of the Libertadores, the South American football governing body requires venues to have a minimum capacity of 20,000 spectators. Banco Guayaquil, Del Valle’s usual home, holds only 12,000 people, making it unsuitable for this stage of the tournament. In contrast, Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa has room for 35,000 spectators, thus fulfilling the required protocols.
Altitude and History at Atahualpa
Although the change of venue takes Del Valle away from their home, Flamengo will still face the challenge of the altitude in Quito, which sits 2,850 meters above sea level. However, the Rubro-Negro’s record at Atahualpa is positive. The Rio de Janeiro side has never been defeated at this stadium, recording a victory in 1952 and a 2-2 draw against Independiente del Valle themselves during the 2020 Recopa Sudamericana. On that occasion, Bruno Henrique and Pedro, both still on the current roster, found the back of the net.
Regarding the impact of the change, the M360 Team assesses the situation as an opportunity for the Brazilian club:
“It’s a slight advantage, perhaps. The players are used to Banco Guayaquil. It’s as if Flamengo couldn’t play at Maracanã and had to host a match in Brasília, for example. It’s not the same thing. Hopefully, the Rubro-Negro will maintain their unbeaten record at Atahualpa.”
With the venue now set, Flamengo continues its preparation, focused on securing a spot in the semi-finals. The focus now shifts to how Tite’s team will handle the nuances of the new pitch and the psychological impact of the opposing fans, who appear dissatisfied with the mandatory move to a larger stadium that is considered less welcoming for the hosts.
