Atlético Nacional travels to América de Cali for the eighth date of the BetPlay League, in the Colombian professional football clásico. Coach Javier Gandolfi has already named the starting XI, with one notable development: Edwin Cardona will not start and will wait on the substitutes bench.
Why Edwin Cardona isn’t playing against América de Cali
Cardona’s absence is described as a technical decision by Gandolfi. The Colombian midfielder had been one of the players under heavy fan scrutiny after his red card against Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16. That red card drew widespread criticism, and Gandolfi has chosen to leave Cardona on the bench for this league clash.
Details of the match
The match is a marquee eighth-round fixture in the BetPlay Liga, pitting two traditional clubs against one another as Nacional seeks a results boost on the road.
What this means and a hopeful take
– This change gives other players on the Nacional squad a chance to shine and demonstrate depth in a high-stakes environment.
– The tone of the Clasico remains competitive and focused, with Gandolfi prioritizing a balanced approach for a big match.
– For Nacional fans, the bench option provides tactical flexibility as the game unfolds.
Summary
Edwin Cardona will miss from the starting lineup in the Clasico against América de Cali due to a technical decision by coach Javier Gandolfi, following fan criticism sparked by his red card in the Libertadores. The match represents a key moment to test Nacional’s squad depth and tactical approach in a high-profile league fixture.