Millonarios Faces Union Magdalena in Suspended Match Amid Player Injuries

SANTA MARTA, Colombia — Millonarios will face Union Magdalena this Thursday in a match originally scheduled for the first round of the Liga BetPlay 2025-I, which was postponed due to violent incidents that injured several Millonarios players. The game is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. local time at the Sierra Nevada Stadium.

Millonarios’ head coach David González has confirmed his squad amid several key absences. The team aims to rebound from a prior loss to Independiente Medellín and reclaim valuable points.

“We are looking to reset after the previous match,” González said. “We know the significance of this game, not only for league standings but for our morale.”

Millonarios will be without key players Mackalister Silva and Leo Castro due to injuries, while Juan Pablo Vargas serves a suspension. Silva injured his right knee during training, which led to his exclusion from the lineup. Castro, who has scored two goals this season, will also miss the match for precautionary reasons.

In their absence, Jader Valencia will step in, having not played since the opening match. The defense will also see the return of Jorge Arias, who replaces the suspended Vargas. The team is likely to return to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Radamel Falcao leading the attack.

The projected lineup for Millonarios includes Álvaro Montero in goal; defenders Palacios, Arias, Llinás, and Banguero; midfielders Cataño, Ruiz, Pereira, and Vega; and forwards Falcao and Valencia.

Union Magdalena is keen to dismiss recent events and focus on achieving their own goals. The team’s head coach, Jorge Luis Pinto, is preparing his squad to take advantage of the home-field advantage.

The matchup marks the debut for Millonarios in the Liga BetPlay this season and holds immense significance, particularly given the history of both teams. In their last meeting in October 2023, the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Overall, in 165 previous encounters, Millonarios holds a significant lead with 84 wins over Union Magdalena’s 33.

“We know they are a strong team with rich history, but we are ready to compete fiercely,” said Pinto. “Our goal remains clear: to secure points to aid our positioning in the league.”

The intense rivalry between the two teams is expected to draw considerable attention, as both squads will aim for victory to build momentum in their seasons.