Seven Colombians set to debut this week in the Europa League league phase

Seven Colombian flags are ready to fly in the league phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League. Starting this Wednesday, the tournament kicks off with a schedule that splits the Colombian players between Wednesday and Thursday, and Thursday is shaping up to be the big day for the Colombian community on the continent.

The list is made up of Juan David Cabal, Jhon Janer Lucumí, Jhon Jader Durán, Camilo Durán, Gustavo Puerta, Juan Andrés Balanta and Juan Perea. All of them already know their first opponents, and every single one will make his debut in this edition of the tournament between September 16 and 17.

The first to take the field will be Balanta. The defender and his club, Ararat-Armenia, will host Sparta Prague this Wednesday, September 16, starting at 11:45 a.m. Colombia time. It's no ordinary match for the Armenian club: it will mark their first ever appearance in the Europa League's league phase.

Wednesday afternoon will keep the Colombian schedule busy. Jhon Jader Durán will play his first European match wearing the Benfica jersey, as the club visits AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. At that same time, Gustavo Puerta will make his debut in European competition with Olympiacos, who will host Poland's Jagiellonia at home.

Thursday, the day with the biggest Colombian presence

If Wednesday gets things warmed up, Thursday, September 17 brings together the largest number of Colombian players in action. It all starts at 11:45 a.m., when Juan Perea and his club, Levski Sofia, host Austria's Salzburg.

Then, starting at 2:00 p.m., four matches with Colombian flavor will be played at the same time. Juventus will host the Netherlands' N.E.C. with Juan David Cabal and Jhon Janer Lucumí sharing a roster at the Turin club. At the same time, Celtic will host Hungary's Ferencváros with Camilo Durán among those called up for the competition.

To sum up: Balanta opens the way on Wednesday, followed by Jhon Jader Durán and Puerta later that same day. On Thursday, Perea takes over in the first slot, and starting at 2:00 p.m., Cabal, Lucumí and Camilo Durán all take the field, each with his own club.

Not every familiar name from the national team made this list. Jefferson Lerma, Joel Romero and Luis Quintero were left off the squad lists their clubs submitted for this league phase. UEFA confirmed the registered rosters of the 36 teams taking part in the tournament on September 4, sealing that trio's absence from the competition.