América Faces Huracán Amid Streak of Poor Performance

Buenos Aires, Argentina  — América de Cali will face Huracán on April 23, 2025, at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó in their third group stage match of the continental tournament. The Colombian club arrives with a five-game winless streak, including three draws and two losses. Their last victory came against Racing de Montevideo in the same tournament.

América will make several changes to its starting lineup, most notably the absence of Duván Vergara. He could not travel with the team due to bacterial pharyngotonsillitis. A statement from the club confirmed that Vergara is currently undergoing treatment with antibiotics and analgesics.

With Vergara’s absence, the offensive responsibility will now fall on midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero, who missed the last two Colombian league matches due to suspension. Quintero’s return is crucial, but coach Da Silva will need to find a replacement for Vergara’s position on the left flank.

In the recent match against La Equidad, Da Silva tested Cristian Barrios in Vergara’s usual position. The 26-year-old did not particularly impress, but he remains the top option, having alternated positions with Vergara throughout the season.

Barrios previously played on the left against Llaneros during the opening match of the Colombian Apertura Tournament. Despite his natural position on the left, he is versatile and can play anywhere on the field.

Should Da Silva opt for Barrios on the left, he may position Jan Franc Lucumí on the right. Lucumí was a starter in the last match against La Equidad. An alternative could be Felipe Gómez, who has had a good performance, scoring two goals in 12 league matches this year.

Another strategy under consideration involves using Luis Ramos and Rodrigo Holgado at the front, which could allow for the option of moving one of the forwards to the wings or playing them both centrally.

América’s match against Huracán kicks off at 19:00 (ARG/URU), 18:00 (CHI), and 17:00 (COL/PER/ECU).