Botafogo seeks a spot in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.
Forwards Loco Abreu and Herrera, midfielders Maicosuel and Renato, and defender Antônio Carlos were not included in the squad; to qualify for the next phase, the team needs a win or a draw by two or more goals.
Before attempting to recover in the Brazilian Championship, Botafogo's players will have to face the Colombians of Independiente Santa Fé, this Tuesday at 10:10 PM (Brasilia time), in Bogotá, for the Copa Sudamericana. For the second leg of the round of 16 - the first leg, at Engenhão, ended in a 1-1 draw - coach Caio Júnior will field a mixed team.
Five starters were not included in the squad: forwards Loco Abreu and Herrera, midfielders Maicosuel and Renato, and defender Antônio Carlos. The players remained in Brazil training for the game against Cruzeiro next Saturday, for the 32nd round of the Brasileirão. The team wants to return to winning ways after last Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Avaí in Florianópolis.
Without their starting attacking duo, the front line will consist of Alex and Caio, who last played together in the 28th round against Bahia at São Januário. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with both scoring Botafogo's goals.
For Tuesday's match, striker Caio said he wasn't intimidated by Bogotá's altitude (2.640 meters). “I've never played a match at altitude and they say it's different. My friends say the fatigue is more psychological. But we'll see. I was curious and I'll be able to experience it. But the most important thing is to secure qualification,” he said.
The core of the Botafogo team should remain the same, with goalkeeper Jefferson, full-backs Lucas (right) and Cortês (left), center-back Fábio Ferreira, defensive midfielder Marcelo Mattos, and attacking midfielders Elkeson and Felipe Menezes. To qualify for the next phase, Botafogo needs a win or a draw by two or more goals.