Atlético Nacional Reaches Semifinals Without Chicho Arango and With Kevin Peres' Debut. Atlético Nacional has announced its squad for the second-leg semifinal match against Deportes Tolima. The list features debutant Kevin Peres and three absentees. The club is counting on a narrow advantage from the first leg.
Atlético Nacional has announced its squad for the second semifinal match of the BetPlay League playoffs against Deportes Tolima. The Medellín club goes into the decisive game with a narrow lead following their victory in Ibagué but will have to do without a number of key players. Simón García, Dairon Asprilla, and Milton Casco are missing from the list—all three have not recovered in time for the match, as reported by the medical staff.
The main surprise was the call-up of 17-year-old Kevin Pérez, who is included in the first team's lineup for the first time. According to the club, Pérez is a forward born in 2007, known for his ability to find space, play with his back to goal, and contest in the air. His inclusion is due to Chicho Arango's suspension: the striker was sent off in the first leg and will miss the return match because of it.
Coach Diego Arias will have all the other regular players at his disposal. The goalkeeping options are Ospina and Castillo, while Haidar, Tesillo, Román, Velásquez, and Parra will play in defense. The midfield features Campusano, Zapata, Rengifo, Cardona, Uribe, Marín, and Ríos. In attack, alongside Pérez, Morelos, Moreno, Bello, Sarmiento, and Rodríguez may also feature.
The match will take place on Saturday, May 23, at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellín. Kick-off is at 18:00 local Colombian time. The winner will advance to the final of Colombia’s first-half championship. Last season, the Champions League final also drew interest from the Spanish audience: Arsenal and PSG played in Budapest, with details of that match available at this link.
For reference: Atlético Nacional is one of the most decorated clubs in Colombia, regularly participating in international tournaments. In recent years, Deportes Tolima has also consistently ranked among the leaders of the national championship. For the 2026 season, the BetPlay League retains its playoff format, with two-legged semifinals. If the aggregate score is tied, the winner is determined by additional criteria.
