Deportivo Independiente Medellín, already secured a spot in the Liga BetPlay 2025-I final, will visit América de Cali this Thursday. A victory for Medellín could set the stage for them to clinch their first title of the year at home.
To achieve this, the team, led by Alejandro Restrepo, must win at Pascual Guerrero and rely on a draw or a Santa Fe victory in the Bogotá classic. A draw would pit them against Millonarios, while a Santa Fe win would lead to a red-team showdown for the title.
If Millonarios wins the capital derby, they will qualify from group B, leading to the final being played at El Campín. Although Dimayor has yet to announce the dates, the first leg is anticipated to be on either June 23 or June 24, with the return leg on Saturday, June 28.
Medellín secured their place in the final with a dramatic 2-1 win against Deportes Tolima, thanks to a last-minute goal from Juan David Arizala. While they currently hold a strong position in the overall standings, Restrepo has opted to leave most of the starting lineup in Medellín, featuring only three regulars: Baldomero Perlaza, Homer Martínez, and Yeferson Rodallega.
On the other hand, América de Cali finds itself in a challenging situation. Coach Jorge ‘Polilla’ da Silva announced he will step down after the current quadrangular phase, citing a mutual decision with his coaching staff. There are also reports suggesting that Juan Fernando Quintero requested not to be considered for the match, although the club has stated his absence is due to physical issues.
This match is crucial not only for Medellín’s aspirations but also for América’s potential turnaround under new leadership. As both teams prepare for the clash, excitement builds among fans eager to see who will advance to compete for the Liga BetPlay crown.