Sports
•
Once Caldas Kicks Off Copa Sudamericana 2024
Once Caldas Begins Copa Sudamericana 2024 Campaign Against Fluminense
Manizales, Colombia – Once Caldas kicks off its Copa Sudamericana 2024 campaign on Tuesday, April 1st, hosting Brazilian giants Fluminense at the Estadio Palogrande. The match, Once Caldas's first against Fluminense and their 17th against a Brazilian club, begins at 7:30 PM local time (19:30 COL, ECU, PER; 21:30 ARG, CHI, URU) and will be broadcast live on Disney+ in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
This marks Once Caldas's return to the Copa Sudamericana after a six-year absence, their last appearance ending in a first-round elimination against Deportivo Santaní of Paraguay. The team, currently 10th in the Colombian league with 16 points after 11 matches, enters the competition having snapped a four-game winless streak and a two-game home losing streak. Coach Hernán Darío Herrera, who recently suffered from a cold, highlighted the team's preparations, emphasizing strategic substitutions made to secure a recent victory and maintain player fitness. He noted that while planned substitutions were implemented, some were necessitated by illness or the need for rest.
In contrast, Fluminense arrives in Manizales struggling for form. They've lost four consecutive matches, including their Brasileirao debut against Fortaleza (0-2) and the final of the Carioca Championship against Flamengo (1-2). Their poor performance led to the dismissal of manager Mano Menezes, with Marcão taking over as interim coach.
Despite Fluminense’s struggles, they boast a strong squad featuring highly valued players. Jhon Arias, a Colombian international, is the team's most valuable player, valued at $16 million according to Transfermarkt, ranking ninth on a list of the team's most valuable players, topped by Estêvão at $55 million. Fluminense's squad also includes Thiago Silva and Germán Ezequiel Cano. Meanwhile, Once Caldas will be without Colombian defender Gabriel Fuentes due to a hamstring injury.
Adding intrigue to the match is the presence of Dayro Moreno, one of the highest-scoring players in Colombian professional football history (351 goals), who aims for his first Copa Sudamericana goal. All 12 of his international goals have come in the Copa Libertadores, five with Once Caldas.
Prior to the match, Once Caldas organized a meeting between the current squad and several players and coaches from their 2004 Copa Libertadores-winning team. This event aimed to inspire the current generation and share the experience and legacy of past successes. The 2004 team members in attendance included Juan Carlos Henao, Elkin Soto, Edwin García, Rolando Ramírez, Diego Arango, Juan Carlos Guzmán, José Miguel Rodas, César Hernández, and Carlos Alberto Osorio. The meeting was seen as a way to connect generations and instill a sense of pride and legacy within the team. This will be Once Caldas's 13th international tournament. The Sudamericana rules dictate that group winners advance directly to the Round of 16, while second-place teams face third-place teams from the Copa Libertadores for a spot in the next round.
Manizales, Colombia – Once Caldas kicks off its Copa Sudamericana 2024 campaign on Tuesday, April 1st, hosting Brazilian giants Fluminense at the Estadio Palogrande. The match, Once Caldas's first against Fluminense and their 17th against a Brazilian club, begins at 7:30 PM local time (19:30 COL, ECU, PER; 21:30 ARG, CHI, URU) and will be broadcast live on Disney+ in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
This marks Once Caldas's return to the Copa Sudamericana after a six-year absence, their last appearance ending in a first-round elimination against Deportivo Santaní of Paraguay. The team, currently 10th in the Colombian league with 16 points after 11 matches, enters the competition having snapped a four-game winless streak and a two-game home losing streak. Coach Hernán Darío Herrera, who recently suffered from a cold, highlighted the team's preparations, emphasizing strategic substitutions made to secure a recent victory and maintain player fitness. He noted that while planned substitutions were implemented, some were necessitated by illness or the need for rest.
In contrast, Fluminense arrives in Manizales struggling for form. They've lost four consecutive matches, including their Brasileirao debut against Fortaleza (0-2) and the final of the Carioca Championship against Flamengo (1-2). Their poor performance led to the dismissal of manager Mano Menezes, with Marcão taking over as interim coach.
Despite Fluminense’s struggles, they boast a strong squad featuring highly valued players. Jhon Arias, a Colombian international, is the team's most valuable player, valued at $16 million according to Transfermarkt, ranking ninth on a list of the team's most valuable players, topped by Estêvão at $55 million. Fluminense's squad also includes Thiago Silva and Germán Ezequiel Cano. Meanwhile, Once Caldas will be without Colombian defender Gabriel Fuentes due to a hamstring injury.
Adding intrigue to the match is the presence of Dayro Moreno, one of the highest-scoring players in Colombian professional football history (351 goals), who aims for his first Copa Sudamericana goal. All 12 of his international goals have come in the Copa Libertadores, five with Once Caldas.
Prior to the match, Once Caldas organized a meeting between the current squad and several players and coaches from their 2004 Copa Libertadores-winning team. This event aimed to inspire the current generation and share the experience and legacy of past successes. The 2004 team members in attendance included Juan Carlos Henao, Elkin Soto, Edwin García, Rolando Ramírez, Diego Arango, Juan Carlos Guzmán, José Miguel Rodas, César Hernández, and Carlos Alberto Osorio. The meeting was seen as a way to connect generations and instill a sense of pride and legacy within the team. This will be Once Caldas's 13th international tournament. The Sudamericana rules dictate that group winners advance directly to the Round of 16, while second-place teams face third-place teams from the Copa Libertadores for a spot in the next round.
