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5 Reasons The 'Clásico Del Eje Cafetero' Between Deportivo Pereira And Once Caldas Will Define The 2025 Liga Dimayor Season

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The 'Clásico del Eje Cafetero' is more than just a football match; it is a fierce regional derby that pits two of Colombia’s coffee-growing region powerhouses, Deportivo Pereira and Once Caldas, against each other. As of today, December 21, 2025, the anticipation for their upcoming 2025 Liga BetPlay Dimayor clashes is reaching fever pitch, with both clubs looking to assert dominance in the new season and gain a crucial psychological edge over their bitter rivals.

This deep-seated rivalry, rooted in the cultural and geographical proximity of Pereira and Manizales, promises two of the most emotionally charged fixtures of the 2025 calendar. The results of these matches will not only impact the league standings but also determine local bragging rights for the entire year, making them essential viewing for any fan of Colombian football.

The 2025 Clásico del Eje Cafetero: Key Fixtures and Club Profiles

The 2025 Liga Dimayor season is set to feature two monumental battles between the Matecañas (Deportivo Pereira) and the Blanco Blanco (Once Caldas). These matches represent a crucial turning point for both clubs as they aim for a strong finish in the highly competitive Categoria Primera A.

  • Match 1 (Apertura): Deportivo Pereira vs. Once Caldas at Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas (Pereira) on March 23, 2025.
  • Match 2 (Finalización): Once Caldas vs. Deportivo Pereira at Estadio Palogrande (Manizales) on September 6, 2025.

Deportivo Pereira (The Matecañas) Club Profile

Deportivo Pereira, based in Pereira, Risaralda, plays its home games at the Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas. The club is fighting to establish consistency following recent managerial changes and key player movements. Their 2025 campaign is built on leveraging their home advantage, though they have struggled in recent H2H encounters against Once Caldas.

  • Home Stadium: Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas
  • Key 2025 Players: Salvador Ichazo (Goalkeeper), Franklin Mosquera, Julián Bazán (Centre-Back).
  • Coaching Staff: Rafael Dudamel (Manager, though his tenure is listed to end in early April 2025) with Cristian Galíndez and Álvaro López Bedoya serving in interim or assistant roles, highlighting potential instability.
  • 2025 Goal: Secure a spot in the Cuadrangulares Semifinales and win the Clásico.

Once Caldas (The Blanco Blanco) Club Profile

Once Caldas, hailing from Manizales, Caldas, is a club with continental pedigree, having famously won the Copa Libertadores in 2004. They host their matches at the Estadio Palogrande. The team entered the 2025 season with a more stable structure, aiming to climb the Liga Dimayor table and return to the top tier of Colombian football.

  • Home Stadium: Estadio Palogrande
  • Key 2025 Players: James Aguirre (Goalkeeper), Jerson Malagon, Kevin Zapata, Jorge Cardona.
  • Head Coach: Hernán Darío Herrera, a veteran Colombian coach known for his tactical discipline.
  • 2025 Standings Context: The team was recently noted to be around 9th place in the Primera A table, indicating a mid-table fight.

5 Reasons the Clásico del Eje Cafetero is a Must-Watch in 2025

The rivalry, often called the "Clásico Paisa del Eje Cafetero," is one of Colombia's most intense derbies. The upcoming 2025 fixtures are poised to be explosive for several compelling reasons, going far beyond simple league points.

1. The Battle for Regional Supremacy in the Coffee Axis

The Eje Cafetero (Coffee Axis) region is a geographical and cultural heartland of Colombia, encompassing the cities of Pereira and Manizales. The rivalry between Deportivo Pereira and Once Caldas is a microcosm of the competition between these two cities. The match is not just for three points in the Categoria Primera A; it is a battle for the title of the region's top team. The emotional intensity is palpable, with fans from both sides investing their civic pride into the result. This regional derby stands as a testament to the passion of Colombian football culture.

2. Once Caldas’ Dominant Head-to-Head (H2H) Edge

Historical statistics show that Once Caldas holds a significant psychological advantage over their rivals. In 49 total matches played, Once Caldas has secured 22 victories, compared to only 10 for Deportivo Pereira, with 17 draws. Even more recently, Once Caldas has maintained a strong momentum, winning three and drawing two of their last five encounters. This statistical dominance puts immense pressure on Deportivo Pereira to break the cycle in the 2025 season, particularly in the home fixture at the Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas in March. Any win for the Matecañas would be an emotional earthquake.

3. The Goalkeeper Showdown: Ichazo vs. Aguirre

A key focus for the 2025 Clásico will be the performance of the goalkeepers. Deportivo Pereira relies on the experience of Salvador Ichazo, while Once Caldas counters with James Aguirre. In tight derby matches, where goals are often scarce and the midfield battle is paramount, the goalkeepers become the most critical figures. Their ability to handle high-pressure situations, manage the defence, and pull off match-winning saves will be pivotal. The duel between these two veteran shot-stoppers will likely determine the margins of victory or defeat in both the Apertura and Finalización legs.

4. The Tactical Clash of Coaches Hernán Darío Herrera and Rafael Dudamel

The dugout battle between the coaches adds a fascinating layer of tactical intrigue. Once Caldas’ Hernán Darío Herrera is known for his pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive solidity and exploiting counter-attacking opportunities. Conversely, Deportivo Pereira’s situation, with Rafael Dudamel leading a team with recent interim changes, suggests a side potentially undergoing a tactical and personnel transition. The coach who can better manage the intense pressure and emotional volatility of the Clásico—Herrera’s stability versus Pereira’s need for a tactical spark—will likely guide their team to a crucial victory.

5. The Race to the Cuadrangulares Semifinales

The 2025 Liga BetPlay Dimayor structure means that every point is vital for securing a spot in the Cuadrangulares Semifinales (quadrangular semi-finals). Once Caldas's mid-table position (9th) suggests they are firmly in the fight for a playoff spot. The six-point swing available in the two Clásico fixtures could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing out entirely. For both clubs, a win against a direct regional rival is worth more than just three points; it is a six-point psychological boost that can fuel a successful run through the rest of the season. The March 23rd match, in particular, will set the tone for the Apertura tournament.

Analysis and Final Prediction

The Deportivo Pereira vs. Once Caldas rivalry is defined by passion, history, and a stark statistical imbalance. While Once Caldas holds the historical edge, the pressure of a home crowd at the Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas in March 2025 gives Deportivo Pereira a vital opportunity to reset the narrative. However, the stability under coach Hernán Darío Herrera and the slightly better league standing of Once Caldas positions them as marginal favorites going into the first clash.

The Clásico del Eje Cafetero is consistently one of the highest-stakes matches in the Liga Dimayor calendar. Expect both fixtures to be tight, low-scoring affairs, likely decided by a single goal or a moment of individual brilliance from key players like Jerson Malagon or Salvador Ichazo. The sheer emotional weight of the derby guarantees a spectacle that football fans should not miss. The results of these two games will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the 2025 season.

5 Reasons The 'Clásico del Eje Cafetero' Between Deportivo Pereira and Once Caldas Will Define the 2025 Liga Dimayor Season
deportivo pereira - once caldas
deportivo pereira - once caldas

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