Santa Fe and Fortaleza are set to face off in a critical matchup as both teams seek redemption after disappointing starts in the Liga BetPlay playoffs. Both clubs fell to defeat in their opening games of Group B, and both are now eager for a win at El Campín in this second round.
Santa Fe, the reigning champions, suffered a 1-0 loss against Bucaramanga, who managed to hold on for the win despite playing with ten men, courtesy of a goal from Luciano Pons. On the other hand, Fortaleza, which had a strong run during the regular season, unexpectedly lost its home match to Tolima, also finishing 0-1, with Adrián Parra scoring the decisive goal.
As the teams prepare for this crucial encounter, Santa Fe’s coach Pacho López will be making several adjustments to the lineup. New faces include Jhon Meléndez, Yeicar Perlaza, Marlon Balanta, and Jorge Ramos, while Jeison Angulo, Marcelo Meli, Ángel Mora, and Ángelo Rodríguez will not be part of the squad. Omar Fernández Frasica remains unavailable for selection.
Fortaleza, coached by Sebastián Oliveros, is looking to bounce back after its own underwhelming debut in the playoffs. Despite not achieving the desired results against Tolima, the team aims to capitalize on its earlier regular-season victory over Santa Fe, where they secured a 2-0 win with goals from Jonathan Marulanda and Sebastián Valencia.
In this high-stakes match, both teams will be determined to secure their first points of the playoffs, making it a must-watch battle in the Liga BetPlay as they vie for a stronger position in their quest for the championship.