Botafogo’s struggle continued in the Libertadores as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Estudiantes on Wednesday night in La Plata. The reigning champions were lackluster throughout the game and failed to live up to their title. A huge mistake by goalkeeper John proved to be the turning point, sealing the loss for Botafogo.
A Mistake That Cost Them the Game
The match started with Estudiantes pushing forward, and while Botafogo tried to defend, they were unable to create much going forward. In the 36th minute, a harmless shot by Estudiantes’ Carrillo was deflected off Gregore and took a bounce that escaped John’s reach, giving the home team the lead. Despite some good defensive efforts, the Glorioso was unable to cope with the pressure and failed to make an impact in attack.
Second Half: Botafogo Struggles to Respond
Renato Paiva tried to shift the momentum in the second half, making attacking substitutions, but his side could not break through. The only real threat came from a counter-attack, where Savarino’s shot hit the crossbar. Estudiantes continued to dominate possession and looked more dangerous despite not creating many clear chances.
Botafogo’s Difficult Position in Group A
With this defeat, Botafogo now finds themselves in a tough spot in the Libertadores group stage, sitting third in Group A with only three points. Estudiantes leads the group with six points, while Universidad de Chile tops the table with seven. Botafogo’s next match will be away to Carabobo in Venezuela on May 6. However, before that, their attention turns back to the Brazilian league, where they will face Fluminense this Saturday at Nilton Santos.
Pressure Mounts on Coach Renato Paiva
Despite public backing from club president John Textor, the pressure on coach Renato Paiva is growing. With four losses, two draws, and only two wins from eight games, the team’s performance under Paiva has been underwhelming. Before the arrival of the Portuguese manager, Botafogo had already lost the Recopa, Supercopa, and failed to reach the final stages of the Carioca Championship. The fans’ patience is wearing thin as the team struggles to find form.
