Each year in Colombia, two teams are relegated from the top division based on a points average calculated over several seasons. Recently, Dimayor has decided that teams promoted from the second division will not inherit the record of past clubs, allowing them to establish their own averages.
As a result, in 2024, teams like Patriotas de Boyacá and Fortaleza Ceif will face a crucial battle in every match of the Colombian football league. This concern extends to clubs such as Jaguares de Córdoba, Deportivo Cali, and Envigado. The past performances from 2021 to 2023 leave them in the relegation zone.
Fans are particularly anxious about the upcoming second half of the season due to the relegation threat. The two teams at the bottom of the average table in 2025 will drop to the second division, and Deportivo Cali is one of those in jeopardy.
On July 22, Deportivo Cali secured a vital 1-0 victory against Alianza FC, allowing them to create a slight buffer from Jaguares de Córdoba, who faced La Equidad shortly after.
The list of teams in the relegation zone shows that Patriotas currently holds a precarious position at the bottom with an average of only 0.80 points. Jaguares de Córdoba follows closely, with a 1.03 average. Notably, Deportivo Cali sits at 18th place with a slightly better average of 1.08.
Patriotas and Fortaleza, being new arrivals in the first division, have a unique situation. While good performance can improve their standing and keep them safe, a series of defeats will quickly drop their average without any historical cushion from previous seasons.
Jaguares de Córdoba has struggled in recent years but has managed to stay afloat until now. However, with the expiration of their prior performance advantages, they find themselves in a critical position on the average table. Seeking to improve, they hired Huber Bodhert, a coach familiar with the club and past efforts to salvage their status.
Boyacá Chico, after narrowly escaping relegation in 2023, must now prove their mettle and distance themselves from the teams below. However, they made a significant change in 2024, parting ways with their coach, Miguel Caneo, highlighting their desperation to retain their spot in the top division.
Other teams facing relegation challenges include Envigado, Once Caldas, Alianza FC, and Deportivo Pereira. They would need an extensive losing streak to fall into the most vulnerable positions.
Deportivo Cali’s situation is particularly alarming due to their storied history and the pressure from their fanbase. After winning the championship in the second half of 2021, a string of disappointing seasons has led them to the brink of relegation.
In Colombian football, the league operates two tournaments each year, and a separate table tracks the overall performance across both seasons. This ranking system, known as reclassification, helps determine spots for international competitions at the year’s end and is distinct from the relegation table.
The reclassification for 2024 promises two slots for the Copa Libertadores 2025 and three for the Copa Sudamericana 2025, adding yet another layer of competition for the teams involved.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/deportes/2024/07/23/asi-esta-la-tabla-del-descenso-en-colombia-cali-volvio-a-la-victoria-y-se-aleja-de-jaguares/
