DEBUT IN VENEZUELA: DEFENDING CHAMPIONS BOTAFOGO HEAD INTO UNCHARTED WATERS AGAINST CARABOBO

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May 6, 2025

Carabobo - Botafogo

Polideportivo de Valencia, Venezuela

Defending Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo from Brazil are preparing for a historic match. On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, they will make their first-ever appearance on Venezuelan soil, facing local side Carabobo FC in the group stage of South America's most prestigious club competition.

Carabobo have managed to keep only two clean sheets in their 11 Copa Libertadores matches to date. One of these instances occurred during the only time the Venezuelan team hosted a Brazilian opponent in this competition (0-0 against Atlético Mineiro in 2023).

Venezuelan teams have performed quite respectably in home games against Brazilian opponents in the Copa Libertadores - in the last 10 such matches, they have avoided defeat in more than half of the cases (1 win, 5 draws, 4 losses). The only Venezuelan victory during this period was recorded by Deportivo Táchira against Internacional in May 2021 (2-1).

For Botafogo, this will be an absolute premiere on Venezuelan soil in the Copa Libertadores. Venezuela is the only CONMEBOL member country that "Fogão" has not yet visited in this competition. The Brazilian club, which won its first-ever title in this tournament in 2024, will thus be aiming for a successful debut in the last unconquered territory.

An interesting fact about this year's Copa Libertadores is that all goals have been scored by players representing all 10 CONMEBOL member countries. The only Venezuelan goal was scored by Carabobo's Edson Tortolero.

Botafogo have scored just two goals in the current Copa Libertadores 2025 group stage, both in their home match against Carabobo in Rio de Janeiro - Patrick de Paula in the 88th minute and Matheus Martins in the 98th minute. Both Brazilian goals came after the 85th minute, suggesting the team's ability to decide matches in the closing minutes.

The first match between these teams in Brazil ended with a narrow 2-0 victory for Botafogo, but the trophy defenders struggled significantly against the resilient group underdog. Carabobo will want to leverage their home advantage and experience with Brazilian opponents to surprise the favored team and secure their first victory in this year's edition of South America's most prestigious club competition.

Photo: source XYZ

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data.

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