Junior from Barranquilla scored 3-0 against Atlético Nacional on Tuesday night, at the Romelio Martínez stadium. The result gave the home team a good advantage in the first leg of the BetPlay 2026-I League final. The team led by Alfredo Arias dominated the actions and took advantage of the spaces left by the Verdolaga defense.
Diego Arias, coach of Atlético Nacional, saw the team overcome in all sectors. The defeat exposed weaknesses that the squad had not demonstrated so clearly in previous stages. Verdolaga reached the final as one of the favorites, but were unable to impose their pace on Barranquilla.
Goleada exposes weaknesses of Atlético Nacional
Junior opened the scoring in the first half and extended the lead before the break. In the second half, Luis Fernando Muriel closed the score with the third goal. Atlético Nacional had few clear chances to score and suffered from the speed of the local attackers.
The performance was below expectations for a team competing for the title. Individual Erros and lack of compression allowed Junior to construct plays with ease. The result left Atlético Nacional in a complicated situation for the return game, scheduled for Atanasio Girardot.
- Junior made good use of set pieces
- The Verdolaga defense failed to score individual goals
- The midfield failed to create consistent chances
- Muriel coolly decided the match at the end
Debate over Diego Arias replacement gains traction
The heavy defeat accelerated internal discussions about technical command. Diego Arias took over Atlético Nacional in 2025 and has accumulated 45 games, with 29 wins, 7 draws and 9 losses. Apesar’s positive numbers, elimination in Copa Sul-Americana and performance in the final put his future in question.
Fontes close to the club indicate that the coach must leave his position after the end of the final, regardless of the result of the return. The board is looking for a name with experience to reorganize the cast.
Candidatos to the position are already covered by the press
The Colombian media points to three main names for Banco Verdolaga. Juan Carlos Osorio appears as a strong candidate, with successful spells at the club in the past. Martín Palermo appears as an offensive and charismatic profile option. Eduardo ‘Kily’ González is also on the list of interested parties.
Outros names were mentioned, such as Ariel Holan, who withdrew from the dispute, and Leonel Álvarez, who signed with Cerro Porteño. The choice should take place in the coming weeks. Atlético Nacional plans to overhaul the squad, with the departure of players who did not live up to expectations.
Juan Manuel Rengifo is one of those who must leave the club. The board intends to assemble a competitive team for the second semester.
Estatísticas from Diego Arias in verdolaga command
Diego Arias joined Atlético Nacional in 2025. Ele led the team in 45 official matches. The record shows 29 wins, seven draws and nine defeats. The coach was close to winning another title with Verdolaga.
The 3-0 defeat against Junior marked one of the team’s worst performances of the season. Atlético Nacional will have the opportunity to try the comeback at home, but the focus is already divided between the decisive game and future planning.
What to expect for the return game on Atanasio Girardot
Atlético Nacional needs to win by at least three goals to force the decision on penalties. The fans must fill the stadium to support the team. Junior arrives with a comfortable advantage and should adopt a more cautious stance.
The return match promises high excitement. The result of the first leg changed the scenario of the final. Atlético Nacional seeks reaction on the field while organizing the future of the football department.