Flamengo’s altitude plan pays off in Cusco as players use oxygen | OneFootball

Flamengo managed the 3,350m altitude in their Libertadores opener, winning 2-0 at Cusco FC as a carefully planned strategy took effect.

According to Globo.com, the club arrived 22 hours before kick-off, stayed overnight and chose a hotel with so-called pressurised rooms that increase oxygen flow, designed to reduce the altitude sensation by about 1,000m.

Those who slept in the rooms said they felt no difference, but the absence of any illness before or during the match was viewed internally as a success. Oxygen cylinders were placed in the dressing room, with some players using them at half-time as a precaution.

Léo Pereira said he also took oxygen and that players simply followed the medical plan. He felt the team stayed concentrated, played an intelligent game and tried to control rhythm, given how the altitude can bite when you push the tempo. He judged the outcome positive.

After the final whistle, the cold proved more testing than the height. With temperatures around 8C at the time of the match, players were angry about the lack of hot water in the showers and many waited to wash at the hotel.

There was hot water, but the heater took time to warm, and the first group turned off the supply, leaving cold water for those who followed. The squad then headed back to their nearby hotel, less than 10 minutes from Garcilaso de la Vega.

Source: Globo.com