Junior will face Deportes Tolima on Thursday at 4 p.m. local time at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium in Ibagué for the last match of the semifinal round A of Liga I. However, they will be competing without some key players due to injuries and suspensions.
The team will be missing its usual central defenders, Paraguayan Javier Báez, who is out with an injury, and Harold Rivera, who could not play due to illness after traveling to Ibagué. Additionally, Edwin Herrera and Guillermo Paiva are suspended because of accumulated yellow cards.
In response to these challenges, José Cuenú will take Báez’s place in defense, while Fabián Ángel, usually a central midfielder, will step in to replace Rivera. Jhon Navia will fill in for Herrera, and ‘Tití’ Rodríguez will take Paiva’s position in the attacking lineup.
The full lineup for Junior is set as follows: Jefferson Martínez; Jhomier Guerrero, Fabián Ángel, José Cuenú, Jhon Navia; Didier Moreno, Yani Quintero, and Yimmi Chará; Jordan Barrera, Bryan Castrillón, and Andrés Steven Rodríguez. The substitutes will include Jaime Acosta, Yéferson Moreno, José Caicedo, Jhon Vélez, Joel Canchimbo, and Miller Bacca.
Despite the challenges of missing key players, Junior will aim to secure a win to bolster their position in the championship. The team’s perseverance in facing adversities could instill a sense of hope among fans as they approach this critical match.