Nacional Seeks Redemption Against Alianza in Colombian League Clash

MEDELLÍN, Colombia — Atlético Nacional will host Alianza on Sunday, February 23, in the sixth round of the 2025-II Liga Colombiana, aiming to reclaim the top spot in the league standings.

Currently, Nacional sits in second place with 10 points from four matches, just behind Medellín, which leads with 11 points from five games. The Verdolagas (the Greens) hope to build on their impressive offensive record, boasting the best goal difference in the league at +8.

After a two-week hiatus due to the postponement of their previous match against Tolima, Nacional is eager to resume play. The team, under the guidance of coach Javier Gandolfi, has shown a potent attack, netting 10 goals so far this season. Key players such as Andrés Román, Marino Hinestroza, and Alfredo Morelos pose a significant threat to their opponents.

Nacional’s unbeaten streak has reached 13 games, with their last loss occurring in November against Millonarios. “We are focused and ready to maintain our momentum,” Gandolfi stated in a pre-match interview.

On the opposing side, Alianza struggles at the lower end of the table, currently occupying the 16th position with only 3 points. The team will need to find their footing to avoid further slipping down the rankings.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Nacional will be without several players, including David Ospina, who has received medical clearance but remains sidelined, as well as Mateus Uribe, Andrés Sarmiento, Simón García, and Billy Arce due to injury.

The last encounter between these two teams was in September 2024, which saw Nacional emerge victorious with a scoreline of 2-1 at Estadio Atanasio Girardot.

Projected lineups for the match are as follows:

Alianza: Juan Camilo Chaverra; Yilson Rosales, Pedro Franco, John García, Leonardo Saldaña; Luis Felipe Pérez, Diego Mendoza; Edwin Torres, Jesús Muñoz, Wiston Fernández, and Misael Martínez.

Atlético Nacional: Harlen Castillo; Andrés Román, Felipe Aguirre, William Tesillo, Andrés Salazar; Camilo Cándido, Juan Zapata, Matheus Uribe, Marino Hinestroza, Edwin Cardona, and Alfredo Morelos.