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Doctor’s Report in the Green
Atlético Nacional has confirmed that two of its key players, Juan Manuel Zapata and César Haydar, will not participate in the upcoming classic against Medellín due to injuries. This absence could significantly impact the team’s performance in this high-stakes match.
Colombia’s Performance in International Competitions
Struggles in the Libertadores and Sudamericana
Despite having the third-most clubs competing in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, Colombia has faced a dismal start this season. With none of its teams performing well on the first day, the overall success rate was below 30%.
Referee Team for the Classic Paisa
- Central Referee: Wilmar Roldan
- Assistant 1: William Crawford
- Assistant 2: Jesus Otero
- Fourth Official: John Reyes
- VAR: Leonard Mosquera
- AVAR: Brian Salazar
Possible Lineups for the Classic Paisa
Independiente Medellín: Chaux; Chaverra, Londono, Ortiz, Fabra; Mena, Perlaz, Serna, Montaño, F. Chaverra; Fydriszewski.
Atlético Nacional: Ospina; Román, Parra, Tesillo, Casco; Uribe, Cardona, Rengifo, Campuzano, Sarmiento; Morelos.
Recent Match Performance
Last Five Matches of Medellín
- April 8, 2026: Independiente Medellín 1 – 1 Estudiantes de La Plata (Copa Libertadores)
- April 2, 2026: Once Caldas 1 – 1 Independiente Medellín (BetPlay League)
- March 30, 2026: Independiente Medellín 2 – 1 América de Cali (BetPlay League)
- March 23, 2026: Independiente Santa Fe 2 – 1 América de Cali (BetPlay League)
- March 19, 2026: Independiente Medellín 2 – 0 Junior (BetPlay League)
Last Five Matches of Atlético Nacional
- April 6, 2026: Atlético Nacional 2 – 1 Jaguares de Córdoba (BetPlay League)
- April 1, 2026: Atlético Nacional 0 – 0 Cúcuta Deportivo (BetPlay League)
- March 29, 2026: Deportivo Pasto 1 – 2 Atlético Nacional (BetPlay League)
- March 25, 2026: Cruz Azul 3 – 0 Atlético Nacional (International Friendly)
- March 21, 2026: Atlético Nacional 3 – 0 Internacional de Bogotá (BetPlay League)
Challenges for the BetPlay League
Colombian soccer is struggling in comparison to South America’s top leagues, particularly in international competitions. Since the last championship in 2016, clubs have not managed to reach finals in either the Copa Libertadores or Copa Sudamericana. This highlights the financial and competitive disparities facing the BetPlay League.
Violence in Colombian Football
Recent matches, including those of Deportivo Pereira and Once Caldas, have been marred by violence, exemplifying broader issues within Colombian football. This not only impacts the safety of fans but also the integrity of games as violence continues to plague the league.