With a date for the end of the free-for-all phase of the League, the “magic number” is more unstable than ever. It is 32, but it is a false 32, misleading, because the goal difference will be decisive. Alone Golden Eagles you can shout with certainty that you are already qualified. The others wait. An oversight is enough for someone, even millionaires -incredible-, to be excluded. And an impulse is enough for others to get involved. The final date will be a worship of prayer, camándulas and arithmetic.
The date 19 did not leave great certainties, on the contrary, it left many questions. With gold victories like those of Bucaramanga, America and Santa Fe; threatening defeats like that of millionaires, and dangerous draws, like that of Medellín with Jaguares, that of Pereira with Nacional and that of Once Caldas with Alianza. The certainty is that between the second and the 12th there are only 3 points of difference, that is an away match, that is the remaining date.
Eagles, that of Leonel Álvarezhe beat Envigado 1-0 and was the first to reach 32 points, his place in the home runs is assured, the math is already allowing him to shout for victory, thanks to the results, especially the draw from Caldas.
There were other big beneficiaries, like Santa Fe, roaring amidst lightning and sparks falling in El Campín. His 1-0 win over Cali, heart-pounding as usual in this Alfredo Arias team, was pure gold. He has reached 31 points and has one game left at home against Once Caldas, a direct rival. America also reached that threshold of 31, one of those teams that had the urgent push to reach home runs. He beat with the authority of someone who deserves to qualify, 4-1 against Pasto, which however continues to rise, also with 31 points.
Meanwhile, there is one that has stagnated, which is going through a dangerous losing streak, and it is Millonarios, with 6 straight games without a win. He went from being the super leader to the super threatened. His savings could be his salvation, he also misses two games: Medellín and Alianza. It does not seem likely that the blue team will be excluded, however Gamero dusted off his calculator and had to start doing the math. Yesterday he finished in seventh position. an accident
The fundamental result was that of Bucaramanga, who put more than one to suffer: he lost as a guest against Patriotas and recovered 3-4 at 30 points, resumed the fight for the standings and beat the ambassadors.
There were others who missed the golden opportunity, like Medellín, who failed to beat Jaguares at Athanasius Girardot on Saturday. It was a 0-0 which could mean his doom.
Jaiver Nieto / TIME
Even if in this League of the improbable nothing can be confirmed. Another risky draw was the 1-1 draw between Pereira and Nacional, it was one of the key games and neither was able to take advantage of it. So both, at 29, continue to suffer.
Caldas also failed to win at home and gave up. Unión paid dearly for their 4-1 defeat to La Equidad. With 28 points he will fight, but he has given an advantage. While La Equidad received a drop of water, although with 27 points it is still a long way off. Junior, for his part, has taken another step towards the miracle. He beat Cortuluá 2-1 and dreams of 28 points.
A date left. 11 teams fight for 7 places.
The League can still reserve many surprises.
PAOLO ROMERO
Publisher of IL TEMPO
