The 3-0 loss in Ibagué against Tolima became a difficult task for Deportivo Cali in the Copa Suramericana. Not only the bulky dashboard, but also the quality of the rival, foreshadowed that the series was almost defined and maybe that’s why coach Alfredo Arias, despite playing on his stadium, decided to use an alternative formation, in which some players youth who have a few minutes in professionalism.
It is true that the green and white team had possession, but it was too flat and could not find the formula to unbalance the line of three in defense and the spinal block that Hernán Torres mounted. Juan Camilo Angulo received a right-footed shot from the right, and Gastón Rodríguez was intercepted by the keeper.
Arias tried to change the team’s face with the entry of Jhon Vásquez and Gastón Rodríguez, but failed in front of a defense that was very well guarded by goalkeeper Álvaro Montero. But Tolima also approached in a risky way.
The side appearances were insufficient, as Tolima never suffered the game and settled down after the minutes, even leading to two dangerous shots with Jáminton Campaz, his stellar midfielder who moves like a fish in water in Torres’ scheme.
From one moment to the next, the ease that Cali showed at the beginning of the season to generate play collapsed and the lamentations from the departure of Agustín Palavecino did not stop. The five goals in the league match against Equidad improved the average score, but against Tolima he showed again that his attack is too predictable and that he had no choice but to score at least one goal and feed the illusion that he could go higher far away.
Eliminated in the first phase of the continental competition, which was one of the goals of the year, now he only has to get a place in the quarterfinals of the BetPlay League I-2021 and win the title. For this, he will have to defeat Nacional on Saturday (20:00) in Palmaseca and accumulate 31 units and, depending on the duels between direct rivals, he will suddenly add one last point in his visit to Millonarios in El Campín.
Alfredo Arias remains convinced of the potential of his players and hopes that these days will be effective to recover what was lost.
Marco Antonio Garcés
Futbolred Cali correspondent
On twitter: @marquitosgarces