Millonarios FC delivered a dominant 5-1 victory over Deportivo Pereira on Thursday, marking their third win under manager Fabián Bustos and providing a significant boost ahead of their Copa Sudamericana clash with Atlético Nacional.
The match, played at the Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín, saw Sebastián Valencia open the scoring in the 5th minute with a free kick. Mateo García extended the lead in the 30th minute, followed by goals from Leonardo Castro in the 42nd minute and Carlos Sarabia in the 45th minute, effectively sealing Pereira’s fate before halftime.
Beckham Castro added a fifth goal for Millonarios in the 58th minute, showcasing a strong individual performance that included two earlier assists. Deportivo Pereira managed to pull one back through a 66th-minute penalty converted by Marco Pérez, awarded after a handball decision following a VAR review.
The victory comes as Millonarios prepares to face Atlético Nacional on March 4th in the first round of the Copa Sudamericana, as reported by El Tiempo. Bustos has already begun analyzing Nacional’s strengths and strategies, aiming to approach the match as equals despite Nacional being considered the favorites, according to the same report.
According to Caracol, Millonarios’ performance was characterized by strong attacking play and a cohesive team effort. The team recorded 21 total shots, with 11 on target, demonstrating their offensive intent. Beckham Castro was highlighted as a key figure in the match, contributing both goals and assists.
Fabián Bustos expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance following the win against Pereira, as noted by Futbolred.com. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and preparing thoroughly for the upcoming match against Nacional.
The game as well saw tactical substitutions from both sides, with Stiven Vega replacing Rodrigo Ureña for Millonarios and Danovis Banguero and Darwin Quintero entering the game for Llinás and Mackalister, respectively. Pereira also made changes, but were unable to alter the course of the match.
