Liga Postobon - Round 3
1 August 2010
Santa Fe and Cucuta continued their perfect starts to the season with victories over Cortulua and Equidad respectively.
The match that attracted most interest, however, kicked off at 6:30 on Saturday evening. Atletico Nacional of Medellin began their campaign with an away trip to Deportivo Cali. It would be their first game without wonderkid Giovanni Moreno (photo, right) who recently signed for Argentian club Racing. Colombian football, as in all South American leagues, is subject to the effects of the globalisation of the game. The big clubs of world football have such huge scouting networks that many of the continents brightest stars leave their country of birth without so much as kicking a professional ball in their home league. Radamel Falcao, now with Portuguese side Porto, is a good example. He was plucked from the Millonarios youth team when he was just 15 years old by Argentinian giants River Plate. Argentina's Lionel Messi was playing youth football at Barcelona before his 14th birthday.
So when Giovanni Moreno's transfer was finally agreed in June there was no supporter resentment toward the young number 10, simply gratitude for the two years of fine service he had given.
Nacional will now have to wait until the next Giovanni Moreno comes along, but in the meantime they have to arm a league campaign to satisfy an increasingly frustrated fanbase at the Atanasio Giradot stadium.
It is now three years since they last claimed the title and haven't appeared in a final since then. Three years might not seem like a long time, but for "El Rey de Copas" (The King of Cups) it has seemed like an eternity.
Nacional post-Giovanni couldn't have got off to a worse start on Saturday evening away at Deportivo Cali. The local side hit the woodwork twice inside the first ten minutes and eventually ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, Nacional snatching a consolation in injury time.
Atletico Nacional will be boosted by the return of several players from injuries and under-20 international duty, but they will need three points next weekend at home to a Quindio side that are proving difficult to beat despite teetering on the edge of relegation.
Cali, will look to build on a fine display against Nacional, as they host Nacional's local rivals Independiente Medellin.
Cali's overall team performance at the weekend was excellent, but one player stood out from the crowd. Fabian Castillo tormented the Nacional defence all night with his mazy runs and trickery. And he rounded it all off with a second half wonder goal reminiscent of Ricky Villa's famous 1980 cup final goal.
A few more similar performances and Fabian Castillo may well be a name that attracts attention from across the Atlantic. For now though, Deportivo Cali will look to make the most of his impressive talents.
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