Millonarios kicks off Gamero's return in Pereira with Contreras back from injury

A change of scenery for Millonarios and an urgent need for Pereira. That's the quick summary of what's coming this Sunday, September 6, at Hernán Ramírez Villegas Stadium, where Deportivo Pereira hosts the Embajadores for matchday 9 of the 2026-II BetPlay League. Kickoff is at 6:10 p.m. (Colombia time), and anyone looking to watch live can catch it on WIN+.

There's something that makes this match special beyond the three points at stake: it marks Alberto Gamero's return to the Millonarios bench. Following Fabián Bustos's departure, the club decided to put its trust back in the coach who delivered the most titles in recent years, and this debut of his second stint comes with extra motivation. A win in Pereira would provisionally lift the team into third place in the standings, which would serve as an ideal calling card for the new cycle.

But it's not just about the coaching change. A key attacking piece is also back: Rodrigo Contreras, the Argentine forward who has recovered from injury and is, without exaggeration, one of the most feared attackers in Colombian soccer when he's at his best. His return gives Gamero a different option up top, right at a moment when Millonarios needs to get back on track after a stumble that stung.

How the two teams arrive

The standings tell a very different story for each side. Millonarios sits in fifth place with 11 points, but arrives bruised after a 3-2 road loss to Santa Fe, a result that left a bitter taste right before the coaching change. On the other side, the outlook is tougher: Pereira is 16th with just 5 points and comes off a home loss to Independiente Medellín. For the team from the matecaña region, winning isn't optional, it's nearly a must if they want to keep any hope alive of reaching the top eight and advancing to the semifinal group stage.

One name worth watching on Pereira's side is Jhon Largacha. The winger has already scored against Deportivo Pasto and has a habit of testing his luck from mid and long range, something that could break open a tight match.

The recent head to head, though, clearly favors the Bogota side. The last meeting between the two came in February 2026, when Millonarios routed Pereira 5-1 at El Campín, with goals from Valencia, García, Castro, Sarabia and Beckham. It's a result Pereira will be eager to erase as soon as possible, especially playing at home and with the urgent need to pick up all three points.