Jorge downplays fatigue as Botafogo take on Pachuca in high-stakes Derby of the Americas

Doha, Qatar: Brazil s Botafogo clinched the Campeonato Brasileiro title on Sunday, celebrating their first league triumph in 29 years with fans before...

Doha, Qatar: Brazil’s Botafogo clinched the Campeonato Brasileiro title on Sunday, celebrating their first league triumph in 29 years with fans before embarking on a long journey to Doha. The Copa Libertadores winners had just one day to adjust to the time zone and conditions, but coach Artur Jorge remains optimistic that fatigue will have minimal impact on his team’s resolve.

Speaking after his team’s only training session at Stadium 974 ahead of today’s Derby of the Americas clash – equivalent to a quarter-final tie – against Mexico’s Pachuca, Jorge said his team is focused on adding more titles, having already secured two trophies in a short span.

The high-stakes match offers a prestigious trophy and a spot in the FIFA Challenger Cup against Egypt’s Al Ahly on December 14, with a potential FIFA Intercontinental Cup showdown against the mighty Real Madrid on December 18.

“The desire to win titles will overcome fatigue. We only had one day of work here and need to adapt to the schedule. But the team is determined,” Jorge told a pre-match press conference yesterday.