This Saturday Atlético Nacional returns to action in the 2023-II League. The Verdolaga team is coming off a big win against Águilas Doradas in the Colombian Cup, but the memory of their loss to América de Cali is still fresh.
Now Nacional has a great opportunity to bounce back when they face the bottom-placed Envigado in the standings. The Naranjas have only 8 points in 14 matches played, while the Verdolagas are fourth with 24 points.
Atanasio Girardot Stadium is undoubtedly one of the strengths of this Atlético Nacional team led by Brazilian coach William Amaral. The Antioquian team is the best home team of the season and will now seek a new victory at home in the 15th round. In their own stadium, the green team has a perfect record, having won 18 out of 18 possible points and going thirteen games unbeaten.
Nacional is looking for a win that would bring them one step closer to qualifying for the semifinals and also keep them near the top of the points table. The club is aiming to secure a spot in the Conmebol Libertadores through any remaining route.
In this match, Dayron Pérez will officially make his debut as the new coach of Envigado, ending Andrés Orozco's interim tenure. Envigado comes from a 1-2 defeat at home to Millonarios and is still in danger of relegation.
The last two times these teams faced each other, the matches ended in a draw, so it doesn't seem entirely easy for Atlético Nacional to face the Naranja side.
It will be a special match for Dorlan Pabón, who has played 200 matches for Atlético Nacional and now faces Envigado, the club that gave him his professional debut back in 2008.
Possible lineups
Atlético Nacional: Mier, Ocampo, Arias, Castro, Velásquez, Duque, Mejía, Moreno, Palacios, Pabón, and Duque.
Envigado: Parra, Rodallega, Cadavid, Mosquera, Cuervo, Jaramillo, Palacios, Zapata, Arcila, Díaz, and Garcés.