Cali’s red was overtaken by a Santa Fe that needed to win to inhale the championship.
In what was the weakest presentation of the semester so far, América de Cali succumbed to Independiente Santa Fe in Bogotá, falling 0-2 and losing positions in the table now led by Águilas Doradas. The mission was to recapture the lead, but the job fell short.
The Cardenal made the devil see the Scarlet very early in the game, the product of two transcendental factors: a Santa Fe revitalized by the South American Cup standings and a team committed to the cause, led by Harold Rivera who knew how to raise the game with ambition, touch and attack to surprise the visitor. And the other factor, an America that failed to sync its pieces, looked erratic and outplayed emotionally and footballingly for much of the game.
The reaction, lateness and result of the spaces left by Santa Fe in an attempt to increase the score in their favor was on display after the 60th minute, when Ramos and Sarmiento came in to try and give the offense more potential. But Sarmiento barely got a shot off the post and Ramos was seen off the circuit. More possession was of little use to Valle del Cauca, as his rival was the one with clear intentions, shots on target and goals.
Has the forced break in the championship affected America? It could be. He came in with a good rhythm and wins, but the break for not playing against Junior on the previously set date seems to have affected his performance. They will have three “home games” – if you want to count the classic against Cali in Palmaseca – to show that this setback in El Campín was just that and that they are able to resume the path of victory and leadership.
Source: Goal