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As soon as Deportivo Pereira qualified for the 2023 Copa Libertadores, I knew I had to get tickets to see them play at least one game.
What I wasn’t expecting was a group stage draw featuring Boca Juniors, one of the most successful and historic teams in South America. The Argentina-based side always has a squad full of good players, and this year was no different. I was excited at the chance to see players like Darío Benedetto, Luis Advincula, Sergio Romero, and Colombians Frank Fabra and Sebastián Villa. Also, having visited La Bombonera, their stadium in Buenos Aires, and following the team for several years, it was another reason not to miss a possible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them play in my home city in Colombia.
Pregame
Tickets went on sale five days before the game, and we bought them almost immediately. When it was time to go to the game, we hopped in the car and took the 90-minute drive to Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas in Pereira. We parked the car and walked to the stadium, got some snacks outside, and waited in line to enter.
The stadium was packed, and since there was no assigned seating, we had trouble finding any seats at all. Lots of people flocked to the stadium early to save the best seats. Luckily, there was a man in the corner who had a few extra seats next to him.
The atmosphere was insane from well before kickoff. The fans in the south section, know as the Banda del Lobo (Wolf Pack), were chanting at the top of their lungs. This would continue throughout the entire game. These are some of the most rabid fans (pun intended) I’ve ever seen at a game.
When it was time for the players to enter the field for pregame ceremonies, there was a mix of boos for Boca Juniors and cheers for Deportivo Pereira. The Banda del Lobo continued their chanting even through the playing of the Colombian national anthem.
As the players were taking team photos and beginning their final warmups, we were treated to a small fireworks display behind the south stands.
First Half
Finally, it was time for kickoff. Pereira started the game aggressively pressing the Xeneize into making several mistakes, and they dominated possession for most of the half. There was also lots of tension with a few rough tackles and players constantly jawing at each other. It was a sign of things to come in the second half.
As the half progressed, the fans got louder and more vulgar. Deportivo Pereira had a few decent chances but choked. As far as Boca Juniors, they simply couldn’t get anything going. The first half ended scoreless.
Second Half
The second half got off to a decent start. Boca Juniors played with a little bit more control, but Deportivo Pereira quickly found their rhythm again. The fans grew louder and even more vulgar than in the first half.
Things between the two sides got a little fiery with a very hard tackle. Sergio Romero left his goal and came all the way up to the halfway line during the arguments. In the end, four players (two players on each team) received yellow cards during a span of four minutes.
Deportivo Pereira had one of their best chances of the game around the 75th minute. Ángelo Rodríguez had a clean breakaway towards the goal and was brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, giving the home team an incredible opportunity to take the lead. Juan Zuluaga lined up take the penalty but Sergio Romero made the save. At that moment, a collective groan emerged from the crowd.
Less than a minute later, however, Zuluaga would be redeemed. Johan Bocanegra launched the ball into the box, where Arley Rodríguez, who came on as a substitute just 20 minutes earlier for Danilo Santacruz, pounded it past Romero with a beautiful header. The stadium erupted in pandemonium.
Pereira held things together defensively until the 90 minute mark, then the public address announcer informed the crowd about stoppage time. There were plenty of boos and insults towards the officials when everyone learned that their team would have to hold on for an additional eight minutes. Boca Juniors tried to press forward but couldn’t get anything together until a foul deep in Pereira territory gave them a great opportunity. The free kick failed, and moments later, the crowd erupted in both relief and joy as the final whistle blew.
Celebrations
The crowd cheered on their heroes, briefly stopping to jeer Boca Juniors as they saluted their fans who made the trek all the way from Argentina. The players congratulated each other, then headed straight for the south stands to celebrate with the Banda del Lobo.
My Thoughts
This was my first game watching Deportivo Pereira in person and also the first for Marisol. Our toddler also got to experience his first ever professional football game. The atmosphere was incredible, the result unbelievable, and the entire experience memorable. It was a near perfect evening and I know I’ll get tickets next time there’s a big game in town.
Here are the highlights from the game:
