Santa Fe faces Tolima in a crucial Liga betplay clash on Friday, July 18th, at 8 PM in the Murillo Toro stadium. The match marks the second fixture of the league season for both Colombian clubs.
Santa Fe, under coach Jorge Bava, began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Deportivo Pereira. The team played with a rotated squad and managed to hold on despite the expulsion of goalkeeper Weimar Asprilla in the second half. Bava acknowledged the team’s struggle to maintain their attacking threat and defensive shape with ten players. The squad for the upcoming match includes midfielder Yairo Moreno, a new addition yet to make his debut in 2025. Notably, captain and leading scorer Hugo Rodallega will be sidelined after undergoing surgery for a nasal fracture. He will initially be on complete rest before rejoining team training.
Tolima, led by new coach Lucas González, suffered a 3-2 defeat in their opening match against Deportivo Pasto. They conceded a late goal in added time due to defensive lapses. González emphasized the need to evaluate the team’s performance in the initial games and quickly address specific aspects of their play as the players adapt to his tactical ideas. The club recently secured the signing of midfielder Sebastián Guzmán, who joins as a free agent from Nacional.
Possible Lineups:
- Tolima: Balanta; Hurtado, Angulo, Quiñones, Velásquez; Nieto, Rovira, Valencia, Quiñones, González; Parra.
- Santa Fe: Mosquera; Perlaza, Olivera, Scarpeta, Mafla; Torres, J. Torres, Fernández, Mosquera; rodríguez.
