Despite the double consecutive defeat, 4-0 against Alianza Petrolera and 2-1 against Jaguares, Santa Fe is still in the fight to qualify for the semi-finals. The defeat of Unión Magdalena at the hands of La Equidad gave him a “push” and without having played he placed eighth. Now, against Deportivo Cali, who are undefeated in the Jorge Luis Pinto era, they will have to defend their place in the table.
Alfredo Arias’ team will have to go out and win in order not to complicate their classification. The good news is that this semester knows no defeat in El Campín, at least in the league. Their last five results were 2-1 against Patriotas and Pasto, 1-1 with Nacional, 1-0 against Envigado and 3-2 against Millonarios. Precisely, his last victory at home was in the classic, starring in an impressive comeback.
In Bogotá, Santa Fe has not achieved good results against the sugar team since 2017. That last time they won, they did so 2-0, with goals from Baldomero Perlaza and Ánderson Plata. After that he has conceded three defeats and a draw. The last time they met at El Campín, León lost 1-2 (goals by Jhon Vásquez and Kevin Balanta, for Cali. Kelvin Osorio discounted for Santa Fe).
Arias’ challenge will be to finish off the undefeated Jorge Luis Pinto, former Millonarios coach, who since his arrival in Cali has added a win and a draw. Only a win will keep them in the conversation without waiting for other results. Those from the visit, who have been eliminated for several dates, will not only go out to make Santa Fe’s classification bitter. They also need to add thinking about next year’s relegation, to which they will arrive committed.
This Saturday’s game will be special for the Cardinal fan. It will be the scene of a tribute to Yulián Anchico, one of the most beloved players in the recent history of Santa Fe, who played 376 games with the white shirt, with which he scored 23 goals and celebrated eight titles, including the South American Cup and the Suruga Bank. It will be the official farewell for Anchico and they wait for him not to be clouded by a defeat.
Santa Fe vs Deportivo Cali
Day: Saturday, October 22
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Stadium: El Campin
Referee: Eder Vergara
TV: Win Sports +
probable alignment
Jose Silva; Carlos Moreno, José Aja, Geisson Perea, Jonathan Herrera; Carlos Sanchez, Jhojan Torres; Wilfrido de la Rosa, Neyder Moreno, Matías Mier; Wilson Morelo.
