Atlético Nacional vs. Fortaleza: Ospina out, first 20 named, and Chicho Arango debut on hold

Atlético Nacional welcomes Fortaleza to the Atanasio Girardot on Feb. 12 (ET) for Matchday 6 of the Liga BetPlay Apertura, riding the boost of a comeback win and unveiling its first 20-player list of the season without David Ospina. The long-anticipated debut of Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango will also wait at least one more game.

What’s at stake in Matchday 6

Nacional enters the fixture with momentum after a 2-1 victory over América de Cali at the Atanasio, a result that steadied early-season nerves. The team has three league games still pending and has only played twice, adding urgency to capitalize on home field and bank points quickly. Fortaleza, for its part, arrives from a draw at home with Independiente Santa Fe and needs to respond away from Bogotá to keep pace in the table.

Ospina sidelined, recovery enters final phase

David Ospina will not feature. The goalkeeper is progressing through a readaptation phase on the field after a low-grade muscle injury in his right leg. He felt discomfort during a recent friendly and was substituted at halftime as a precaution. He subsequently missed the win over América de Cali and remains out for Fortaleza, with staff prioritizing a full return to competitive fitness. Harlen Castillo, who stepped in during that friendly and has been active in recent sessions, is poised to continue guarding the net until Ospina is cleared.

First 20 called by Diego Arias

Head coach Diego Arias named his first 20-player squad of the campaign for the clash at the Atanasio Girardot. The list features a strong defensive core and multiple attacking options as Nacional looks to tilt the balance early at home.

Defenders: William Tesillo, Sergio García, Felipe Aguilar Haydar, Cristian Uribe, Andrés Román, Milton Casco.

Midfielders: Jhonny Zapata, Jorman Campuzano, Claudio Echeverri Bauzá, Juan Manuel Rengifo, Andrés Uribe, Edwin Cardona.

Forwards: Édier Ossa Rosa, Yerson Sarmiento, Emilio Moreno, Robert Mejía Rodríguez, Óscar Perea Asprilla, Alfredo Morelos.

Two goalkeepers complete the 20, with Ospina excluded due to injury. The mix signals intent: stability at the back, ball-winning and distribution in the middle, and multiple profiles up front to vary the attack.

No debut yet for ‘Chicho’ Arango

While his international paperwork is in order, Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango is not part of the matchday group. The decision is framed around optimizing his physical condition after intermittent minutes in recent weeks. The staff is managing his integration to mitigate any risk and target an introduction when he reaches peak readiness. Internally, the plan is to circle the next league outing away from home as a more realistic window for his first minutes. In his absence, Alfredo Morelos, already included in the call-up, is positioned to lead the line and shoulder the finishing responsibilities.

Fortaleza’s form and the challenge ahead

Fortaleza’s draw against Santa Fe left the capital side ruing missed points at home, and that raises the stakes for their visit to Medellín. Expect a compact structure out of possession, with calculated surges in transition and set-piece threats. Their away objective is clear: disrupt Nacional’s rhythm, keep the crowd at bay, and force the hosts into low-percentage crosses rather than clean central entries.

Key battles and what to watch

Nacional’s fullbacks will be central to the script. Casco, fresh off a decisive goal in the América win, adds width and late-arriving danger, while Román’s overlaps can pin back Fortaleza’s wingers. In midfield, Jorman Campuzano’s balance next to a ball-progressor—either Zapata or Cardona stepping between lines—should dictate where the game is played. The creative spark from Cardona, if selected from the start, could be the difference in unlocking a compact block. Up top, Morelos’s hold-up play and penalty-area instincts will test Fortaleza’s center-backs, with Rengifo’s timing and Sarmiento’s directness offering complementary threats.

With kickoff set for Feb. 12 (ET) in Medellín, the immediate objectives for the hosts are clear: extend the winning feeling from the América result, manage minutes prudently with Ospina still in recovery and Arango nearing his first appearance, and bank a home victory before the congested slate of make-up matches begins to bite.