Atlético Nacional’s next league step was about more than just another fixture. After the Tuesday meeting with Cúcuta Deportivo in Norte de Santander, the club named its squad for October 22 against Deportivo Pasto, and the big headline was simple: James Rodríguez was left out. Three other players who had featured against Cúcuta also did not make the list, a reminder that Lucas González was already making choices with the broader title race in mind.
The timing mattered. Atlético Nacional entered the 15th round with a chance to reach the top of the Liga Betplay table, and that changes how every selection is read. When a team is within striking distance of first place, even one rotation decision can feel like a statement. Leaving out James after the Cúcuta Deportivo match was not just a personnel note; it was evidence that Nacional were balancing immediate ambition against the need to manage the squad.
That context becomes even sharper against the opponent. Deportivo Pasto arrived at the Atanasio Girardot on Thursday, October 22 at 8:00 p.m. as the bottom team in the championship and on a run of losses, while Nacional had remained unbeaten at home in the tournament. On paper, the matchup offered Nacional a chance to press its advantage, but the squad list suggested that the coaching staff was not treating the game as a simple formality.
A selection that says plenty
Diego Merino had debuted on the Pasto bench on October 19, so both teams approached the night with fresh details around them. For Nacional, though, the most important detail was who was not included. James Rodríguez’s omission stood out because of his profile and because he had just been part of the squad against Cúcuta Deportivo. The same was true for three other starters from that match, although the club’s decision pointed more toward rotation than panic.
That is the real takeaway from the squad announcement. Atlético Nacional were not only chasing three points; they were trying to stay in the best possible position for the weeks ahead. The unbeaten home record at the Atanasio Girardot gave them room to be selective, and the table gave them a reason to be careful. If the result went their way, the choice would look prudent. If it did not, the absence of James would inevitably become part of the discussion.
Either way, the message was clear. With the top of the table in sight, Nacional were treating October 22 as a test of depth, not just star power.
