Palmeiras cautious in Quito for LDU decider and Libertadores semi-final spot | OneFootball

Palmeiras aim to finish the job in Quito on Wednesday, facing LDU at 19:00 Brasília time, 2,850 metres up, for a Conmebol Libertadores semi-final spot. They lead 1-0 from the first leg and advance with a draw. According to Globo.com, they arrive on high alert after last year's ordeal at the same venue.

Last season, against the same opponents in the semi-final, they lost the away first leg 3-0 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado, then won 4-0 at Nubank Parque to reach the final. The context is now reversed.

Bruno Fuchs said the side started unfocused and conceded three quick goals that night, improved after the interval, and now must learn from that error. He noted the advantage is small yet real and they need to be intelligent.

Under Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras had handled altitude well, winning four of five such matches before that defeat. The Portuguese had not faced these conditions in Europe and, before beating Independiente del Valle in Quito in 2021, shaped a plan with senior players to ease the strain. Staff believe they strayed from that cautious approach against LDU, which left them 3-0 down at half-time and unable to reduce the deficit.

As is customary at altitude, the squad travelled two days early and on Monday held a light session soon after landing. The aim was to adjust to the ball’s extra speed and the body’s response in thinner air. Specialist Leticia Villani says reduced oxygen speeds fatigue, limits repeated sprints and lengthens recovery.

Source: Globo.com

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