Four draws in a row are a good reason for Deportivo Cali to look for victory tonight (8:00 pm). Extending the unbeaten run and staying in the lead of the Colombian League is another …
And what could be more motivating for America than a victory that brings it closer to the group of eight? Or take the streak of good results to your eternal rival at home …
The ingredients are left over. But the most important thing, aside from what’s at stake, is that the classics are there to beat them. And this will be the bet, tonight, of Deportivo Cali and America at the sugar stadium.
As if something was needed to give more flavor to the vallecaucano duel, the green set-recovers Guillermo de Amors, the bolt in the arc; Juan Camilo Angulo, his captain and examérica; and Jhon Vásquez, the most dangerous man in the attack.
The ‘Devils’ will also have news: none other than Adrián Ramos and Duván Vergara, the couple that scares rivals.
What will happen tonight in Palmaseca? El País spoke with retired strikers Armando Carrillo, of green heart, and Julián Vásquez, of red heart, who analyzed the classic 292 of the League.
The team that wins the duel will take more than 3 points.
“Vásquez is the leap in quality”: Armando Carrillo
Armando Carrillo, former player of Cali.
Design: The Country
In recent games, Cali has lacked strength. He comes from four draws in a row, but remains the leader. We must not forget that he has had important casualties, such as Juan Camilo Angulo and Jhon Vásquez, who fortunately have recovered and will be for the classic.
We must be aware that the team has not had the same volume of attack that showed in the early days, but with the reappearance of Vásquez will surely improve this aspect. Jhon is what makes this leap in quality when it comes to deepening the game, gives you variants of being able to stick inwards, overflow on the outside, stop the strikers from scoring and even score himself.
The match against America, which is the two-time champion of Colombia and rival of the court, must be a motivation for Ángelo Rodríguez and Marc Pérez, so that at once they are uncovered with goals. Forwards always have good and bad streaks. When scorers can’t score, this despairs not only them, but the fans. Then the classic will be a beautiful setting to get back to the goal.
All matches are important, but the classics have a special taste. While Cali wants to emerge victorious to stay at the top of the league and get in the mood for the game for South America against Tolima, America urges 3 points to try to get to the eight, and what better than do it with a win that takes away the unbeaten from your opponent at home. It promises to be a good classic.
There is an additional ingredient that is the presence of Juan Camilo Angulo, who had a good career in America and will now have the opportunity to face it again. He, more than anyone, will want to play this game and stay with the victory.
And finally, we must highlight the guarantee that Cali has in the arc. Fortunately, the expulsion of the Uruguayan Guillermo de Amores only represented a date of sanction and may be in this important duel. It is the least beaten fence and has been key in the campaign.
Too bad there is no public, which leaves a slight advantage to Cali. Because playing with the public is important in football. I see a balanced duel. And more if Adrián Ramos and Duván Vergara return to America.
“Having Ramos and Duván is key”: Julián Vásquez
Julián Vásquez had a fleeting step as director of America.
The classics will always be separate games, so it sounds like a drawer phrase. The classics are to win them and so both Cali and America have to go out on the court.
For America to take the three points of Palmaseca must assert one of its main strengths which is the attack, where there are experienced players, unbalanced, with game variables, such as Duván Vergara and Adrián Ramos, who already they were qualified for the classic after the injuries they had.
Having these two players will be key for America and hopefully they can be at a good level, but above all, with a goal, which is one of the factors in which the team must have more force. America generates goal options, but sometimes there is a lack of peace of mind to make them happen.
Anxiety plays an important role in all matches and all the more so in the classics. So, the work that the strikers do during the week in training must give results in matches and what better way than to do it in a classic against Deportivo Cali, to get the unbeaten and at home.
One of the things that worries me is that in recent games the Venezuelan archer Joel Graterol has been featured. It is essential for all teams to have a good goalkeeper and Graterol has proven to be, but that does not mean that the goalkeeper has to get as many chances and as easily as it happens to the team. Balance in football means attacking well and defending well.
It is key to highlight the work that Yesus Cabrera has been doing in this America, he is the best level player, with more regularity throughout the tournament and the one who is scoring goals, to the point that he is the top scorer with four goals. Jesus has been decisive in important matches.
Cali has a favoritism because it has not lost, it is the leader, it is at home, but the classics, I insist, are separate games, different, and America urges the three points to get closer to the standings.
What must America do to win? Pressing up on Cali, not letting him out because they know how to play and when they attack him in America, they complicate it, especially if the local has recovered a player like Jhon Vásquez.