The 2010 Liga Postobon I continues on Friday as Millonarios host Deportes Quindio in Bogota. The biggest clash of the week has America receive Independiente Medellin in Cali.
In focus: America – Medellin
Sunday’s match between America and Medellin features two of the best teams in recent Colombian soccer history.
America, however, are in very disappointing shape at the moment and earned only one point from their first two games of the season. Last week, the Red Devils from Cali lost 2-0 at Santa Fe in the capital city.
Medellin are much better off, having beaten arch rivals Nacional 2-1 last week. On Thursday, Leonel Alvarez’s men held Paraguayan outfit Cerro Porteño to a valuable 1-1 draw in the Copa Libertadores.
America are often the dominant side in direct encounters with Medellin, but could not prevent a 1-2 defeat when the two teams last met five months ago.
Pressure will mostly be on America, as another disappointing result would be a huge blow to their title aspirations.
Friday
Deportes Quindio lost both of their first two games, and their negative goal record currently leaves them at the bottom of the league table. The Armenia side need nothing less than a win at Millonarios in order to reinforce their campaign. Millonarios lost 4-1 to Deportivo Cali last week and it remains to be seen how that result will affect their confidence.
Saturday
Atletico Nacional host Deportivo Cali in the week’s other Medellin-Cali clash, and is certainly the biggest match on Saturday. All the pressure is on Nacional after the side lost their first two games of the season. Cali lost their first but went on to beat Millonarios 4-1 last weekend.
Deportes Tolima defend their top spot in a home match with Atletico Junior. Tolima won their first two games and are one of only two teams to do so. Junior are not far behind with four points from two games.
In Saturday’s remaining match, Boyaca Chico travel to face Envigado near the city of Medellin.
Sunday
Second-placed Real Cartagena, who apart from Tolima are the only team to have won both of their first two games, plays a home match against Atletico Huila who have yet to earn their first win after drawing their first two games this season.
Deportivo Pereira are currently in third place but face a tough challenge from Once Caldas, who showed to be in great shape with a 0-2 win at Paraguayan side Nacional earlier this week. Once Caldas will do everything they can to keep that form.
Fifth-placed Santa Fe play an away match to newly promoted Cortulua, who earned their first point of the season at Atletico Huila last week. Santa Fe have four points from their first two games and are looking to build on last season’s success.
In Sunday’s remaining match, La Equidad host Cucuta Deportivo at Bogota’s Techo stadium.
Schedule
February 12
8:00pm Millonarios – Quindio
February 13
6:20pm Nacional – Cali
8:30pm Envigado – Chico
8:30pm Tolima – Junior
February 14
3:30pm Cortulua – Santa Fe
3:30pm Cartagena – Huila
3:30pm Pereira – Once Caldas
3:30pm La Equidad – Cucuta
5:30pm America – Medellin
