Technical reinforcements for the Bolivian national team

Paraguayan-Bolivian Pablo 'Pájaro' Escobar, Venezuelan Pedro Depablos, and Argentine Alejandro Foglia have been presented as technical reinforcements in La Paz by Farías and the president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), César Salinas.

Farías explained to the media that his plan from the beginning was to have a team that plays matches at the 3,600 meters of altitude in La Paz, the home of the national team, and another one that prepares for away matches.

However, that "required a larger number of people for the coaching staff", an idea that is not new but could now be achieved after talking with Bolivian leaders, highlighted the coach.

Farías indicated that the professionals joining the coaching staff are fully trusted because they were former players, have knowledge of the environment, and have received training as coaches.

Technical reinforcements

The coach commented that he "always" wanted to have "an icon of Bolivian football within the national team" and considered several names, including Escobar, who could not join the squad before because he was involved in other projects.

"Today it happened, fortunately at the time when we need it the most, and I know the great support he (Escobar) can be for our players because he experienced it, he felt it, and because he can bring balance to the coaching staff," highlighted Farías.

Referring to Foglia, he emphasized that he knows the Bolivian players, while Depablos "is a very trusted man who has been training for a long time."

They will be joined by Carlos Rosales, absent at the presentation.

The technical reinforcement also aims to strengthen the youth teams, added Farías.

Matches and background

In the first round of the South American qualifiers, Bolivia will visit the five-time world champion Brazil on March 27, and four days later, they will receive Argentina at the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz in the second match.

According to the schedule released this week by the Bolivian federation, Farías is expected to announce the list of players called up for the first two matches next Monday.

A group of players is scheduled to start training on March 12 in Santa Cruz, 400 meters above sea level, while a second group will train from the 15th in La Paz, according to the same source.

The Verde currently occupies the 75th position in the latest FIFA rankings, while Brazil is in third place and Argentina in ninth.

Bolivia finished second to last in the South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

The national team qualified for a World Cup only once, the one in the United States in 1994, with a squad led by Spanish Xabier Azkargorta.