Flamengo fine-tunes final details in Quito for the Libertadores clash against Independiente del Valle, facing the challenge of altitude and local logistics.
Flamengo has arrived and settled in Quito, Ecuador, for the decisive stretch of the Copa Libertadores. With full focus on the first leg of the quarterfinals against Independiente del Valle, scheduled for this Thursday (10) at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), the Rubro-Negro coaching staff has defined a rigorous strategy to minimize the impacts of the climate and local logistics.
The squad arrived in the Ecuadorian capital on Monday evening (7), right after their victory over Remo in the Brazilian Serie A. To ensure the athletes’ rest, the club chose a luxury hotel in the Mariscal Sucre neighborhood. Despite the heavy traffic in the area, the isolated facility allows the squad to maintain the necessary concentration for the match, which will be broadcast exclusively on Disney+.
Logistics and Adaptation to Quito’s Climate
Physical preparation is key for coach Tite. The Estádio Olímpico Atahualpa, the venue for the duel, is situated 2,850 meters above sea level. Altitude is a known adversary, causing symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath, in addition to altering the ball’s aerodynamics during long-distance plays.
Training Routine at LDU’s Training Center
For training sessions, Flamengo has been using LDU’s training center. Although the distance between the hotel and the training center is approximately 27 kilometers — with travel time potentially reaching 50 minutes — the team has been following its schedule with the goal of adapting the players to the high-altitude environment before kickoff.
The M360 Team highlights:
The logistics were planned to mitigate fatigue. The hotel’s proximity to the Estádio Olímpico Atahualpa, just 4 kilometers away, is a positive factor in reducing exposure time to Quito’s traffic before the decisive match.
The expectation is for a high-intensity game, where energy management will be vital. After this first-leg commitment, the Rubro-Negro is already looking ahead to the next challenge in the Brazilian Serie A against Corinthians, before hosting Independiente del Valle in Rio de Janeiro for the return leg of the continental competition.
By M360 Team
