Coming off important big wins (away in Argentina, and at home to Chile), Brazil will not be the easiest opponent for Bolivia´s last home fixture for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Besides having to face the current 2009 Confederation Cup champions, Bolivia was close to canceling the upcoming matches with Brazil and Peru due to a players’ union strike having problems with the domestic game in Bolivia.
After no Bolivian players showed up to the first practice on Thursday, the demands of the union were addressed, and the team began practicing Saturday.
Coach Erwin Sanchez will have his work cut out for him if he is to do anything close to resembling the surprising 6-1 victory he had against Argentina 6 months ago.
Having won their last five games in World Cup qualifying, Brazil will try not to stumble in Bolivia knowing that the altitude of La Paz is an extremely tough environment to play in.
Coach Dunga seemingly has the answer for this.
"We called more players for that reason. We have two games ahead and the first one is very wearing, but we'll try to do our best in Bolivia," he said. "We will make a decision following the condition the players have at that point.
"Despite we have already qualified, we're Brazil and we have to win always. We try to keep the group and give chances to some new players."
