São Paulo vs Bolívar: altitude and CFG challenge

Why is altitude such a threat at Estadio Hernando Siles?

São Paulo face one of South American football's most notorious challenges: the Estadio Hernando Siles sits at 3,637 metres above sea level in La Paz, Bolivia. The thin air cuts oxygen intake significantly, causing fatigue and breathlessness in players who haven't acclimatised. São Paulo's coaching staff has been working on logistical strategies to minimise these effects ahead of Tuesday's first leg.

What is São Paulo's historical record in Bolivia?

The Tricolor have never beaten Bolívar on Bolivian soil. In two previous meetings — both in the Copa Libertadores — São Paulo drew 1-1 in the 1992 group stage and lost 4-3 in the 2013 preliminary round, though they advanced on aggregate after winning 5-0 at home.

Is Hernando Siles still a fortress for Bolívar in 2025?

Surprisingly, no. During this season's Libertadores group stage, Bolívar dropped points at home, drawing 1-1 with Deportivo La Guaira and losing 3-1 to Independiente Rivadavia. That left them third in their group and dropped into the Copa Sudamericana. They did recover in the playoffs, beating Grêmio 3-2 in La Paz and 1-0 in Porto Alegre.

What is the City Football Group connection?

Founded in 1925, Bolívar is one of Bolivia's most decorated clubs with 31 national titles. Since 2021, the club has maintained a partnership with City Football Group — the conglomerate linked to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi's royal family and owner of Manchester City. Unlike Bahia, Bolívar is not owned by the group, but the partnership grants access to CFG's methodologies, technologies and practices. In 2023, the club opened a modern training centre spanning 7.8 hectares with three pitches. A new 20,000-capacity stadium in La Paz is also under construction, with completion expected in December this year.

What disrupted the Bolivian football calendar this season?

Bolívar have played only 22 official matches so far in 2025. The Bolivian championship only started in April after a major controversy: club Aurora was penalised with the loss of 33 points for ideological falsehood involving a player. Aurora appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and had the punishment overturned, forcing a reshuffle of the entire calendar.