Millonarios will square off against Once Caldas on March 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM at the Estadio Palogrande in Manizales. This single-elimination match for the Copa Sudamericana is deemed the most important of the semester for Millonarios, as the winner will qualify for the group stage of this significant continental tournament and secure substantial financial rewards.
The anticipation for this match is palpable, especially with Millonarios boasting key players like Falcao García, Sänder Navarro, and Leonardo Castro, among others. The team has arrived with the advantage of several days of rest, thanks to coach David González rotating his squad during the previous encounter against Deportes Tolima, which they won 2-0. Notably, Jader Valencia netted the opening goal at minute 7, followed by Jhon Emerson Córdoba sealing the victory with another goal at the 88th minute.
Adding to the excitement, Millonarios' midfielder Daniel Cataño, who had previously missed the game against Tolima, was confirmed as available for selection by the club through their social media channels. "Cataño is available for the match against Once Caldas," the announcement read, alleviating concerns about his fitness and potentially enhancing Millonarios' playoff ambitions.
On the opposing side, Once Caldas enters this match following their recent performance, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Alianza FC de Valledupar on March 2, 2025, just days before the highly-anticipated showdown with Millonarios. Despite the loss, Once Caldas remains competitive within the Liga BetPlay, as they are currently positioned among the top eight teams. The goals for them came from Luis Palacios just before halftime, but it wasn't enough to secure the victory. The defeat prompted Once Caldas coach Hernán Darío Herrera to rest key players for the imminent continental clash.
Once Caldas’ recent form presents mixed results, with their last five matches showcasing various performances. Prior to the loss to Alianza FC, they secured victories against Deportivo Pereira and Atlético Bucaramanga, illustrating their capability to compete under pressure. This match against Millonarios marks another opportunity for the team, as they seek to clinch their chance at the Copa Sudamericana group stage.
Historically, the meetings between these two sides have been intense. Their last encounter occurred on September 8, 2024, where the game ended level at 1-1—a sports rivalry embedded with competitive spirit. Daniel Cataño was the scorer for Millonarios during this match, whereas Jeider Riquett equalized for Once Caldas shortly before the break. Such recent history adds layers of intrigue to this matchup, as both teams vie for supremacy.
Once Caldas has not participated successfully in the Copa Sudamericana since 2019, when they lost to Deportivo Santaní during the tournament’s first phase, prompting questions about their ability to seize this opportunity. Conversely, Millonarios last lived the middle stages of this tournament back in the 2023 edition, impressively drawing with teams such as Peñarol and progressing through the group stages before narrowly missing out on advancement.
The Copa Sudamericana serves as not just competition but also hope for both teams—the aspirations for glory and the accompanying financial gains muddlers both the teams' motivations entering this clash. Tickets for the match are highly sought after, and fans are expected to fill the stands, creating an electric atmosphere.
Millonarios arrives with momentum and confidence, having established themselves as formidable contenders within Colombian football. Meanwhile, Once Caldas aims to utilize their home advantage and push past the psychological barrier of recent disappointments to turn the tide in their favor with victory on March 5.
Given the stakes, both teams are set to deliver their best performances. Whether Millonarios' attacking prowess outshines Once Caldas’ resilience will unravel as the match kicks off, making it compelling to follow.