Real Cartagena — Tigres : Match Preview and Prediction for August 23,2025

Managerial Meltdown at Real Cartagena

A whirlwind of confusion currently engulfs Real Cartagena. Picture this: the club dismisses coach Martín Cardetti, secures a deal with the highly experienced Hernán Torres, only for the city mayor to personally call him on live television, pressuring him to announce his arrival date. Then, at the very last moment, Torres abandons them, opting instead for Millonarios.

Hasty Coaching Appointment

In a state of sheer panic, the management seized upon the first available specialist. That turned out to be Argentine Néstor Kraevotto, whose appointment was announced barely 24 hours before the match. To make matters worse, news reports explicitly state he isn’t expected in the city until the weekend. This means he won’t be preparing the team for the game, and might not even be present on the bench.

Kraevotto’s Dismal Past Record

Let’s take a closer look at Kraevotto himself. His most recent experience in Colombia was with Jaguares, where his statistics were nothing short of disastrous: zero wins, three draws, and two losses in five matches. His team failed to score a single goal. Is this the coach expected to instantly implement a winning strategy? Highly doubtful.

Misleading Recent Victory

Yes, in their last fixture, Cartagena convincingly defeated Leones 4-0. However, don’t be swayed by this result. Firstly, it was a game under an interim coach, fueled by an emotional surge following the previous manager’s dismissal. Secondly, Leones are genuine league outsiders. This victory is merely an anomaly against the backdrop of their overall form.

Home Defensive Vulnerabilities

The broader picture reveals Cartagena’s defensive frailties, especially on their home turf. Over their last five home matches, the club leads the league in goals conceded. Statistics don’t lie: in four of their previous five home games, the team failed to win by more than a single goal.

Tigres’ Solid Foundation

Against the backdrop of chaos at Cartagena, Tigres presents itself as a formidable opponent. This is a team that is exceedingly difficult to defeat convincingly. The dry statistics confirm this: in 11 of their last 12 matches, Tigres did not lose by a margin of more than one goal.

Robust Defensive Performance

The team knows how to defend. Tigres ranks second in the league for the fewest goals conceded over the past 10 rounds. They also perform cohesively on the road, holding the third position for defensive reliability in their last five away games.

Respectable Defeat

True, in their previous encounter, they lost to the league leaders Jaguares Cordoba. However, it was a hard-fought battle, ending 1-2. This was not a rout, but a respectable defeat against the strongest team in the league currently, and Tigres even managed to find the net.

Structured Preparation

While Cartagena grapples with its coaching staff, Tigres has been systematically preparing for this game. They possess a clear structure and an understanding of how to operate against a disorganized opponent. They won’t rush forward but will patiently await errors, of which the hosts are likely to provide plenty.