Millonarios Faces Key Challenges Ahead of Tolima Clash

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Millonarios FC is set to host Deportes Tolima this Sunday at Estadio El Campín for the seventh round of the Liga BetPlay 2025-I. The match comes at a critical time for Millonarios, who are looking to bounce back after recent losses to Deportivo Cali and Independiente Medellín.

Head coach David González will face significant challenges, as several key players are sidelined due to injuries, including Helibelton Palacios, Nicolás Giraldo, and Daniel Cataño. Additionally, forward Neiser Villarreal is in contract renewal discussions, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s lineup. Despite these setbacks, there is renewed hope for Millonarios with the expected return of leading scorer Leonardo Castro, who missed the last two matches due to precautionary reasons.

The stakes are high not only for Millonarios, who sit in seventh place with 10 points, but also for Deportes Tolima, currently ninth with 9 points. Tolima is desperate for a win to recover from a recent streak of poor performances, including two consecutive losses in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, which has left them without a victory in four matches.

The last encounter between Millonarios and Tolima took place last August, with Millonarios securing a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Andrés Llinás. Both teams will be eager to secure points as the league progresses.

“This match is special for me,” González said, reflecting on facing his former team Tolima, where he once led the squad to a league final. “We need to regain our form and confidence as we prepare for the Sudamericana,” he added, referring to the upcoming CONMEBOL Sudamericana clash against Once Caldas.

In the unfolding match, possible starting lineups include: for Millonarios – Álvaro Montero; Sander Navarro, Andrés Llinás, Juan Pablo Vargas, Danovis Banguero; Juan Carlos Pereira, Stiven Vega, Daniel Ruiz; Jhon Émerson Córdoba, Daniel Mantilla, and Leonardo Castro. Team Tolima might line up with William Cuesta; Cristian Arrieta, Marlon Torres, Julián Quiñones, Samuel Velásquez; Cristian Trujillo, Andrés Arroyo, Juan Pablo Nieto; Jersson González, Luis Miranda, and Éver Valencia.

Fans will be watching closely as Millonarios aims to put their recent struggles behind them and focus on achieving a victory that will revitalize their season.