Gio Moreno successful return to Atlético Nacional

In Atlético Nacional's most recent engagement, an experienced Giovanni Moreno reminded his fans why he was one of the best footballers to wear his team's jersey in recent decades. The purdolaga team won their engagement against Independiente Santa Fe, for the 13th date of the 2022 BetPlay League Apertura Tournament. The match ended 2-1 and the goals were scored by Dorlan Pabón and Andrés Andrade. The cardinals' goal was the work of José Ortiz.

The green of Antioquia is among the best teams in the championship and in their most recent presentation, in addition to adding three points, they won the first place in the standings that, until this week, belonged to Millonarios. The purslane are leaders with 27 units, while the blue team occupies second place with one less unit.

At minute 5 of the game, Dorlan Pabón shot into the goal with his right leg. One of those powerful rights that have made him so dangerous for rivals throughout his career. Goalkeeper Leandro Castellanos couldn't contain it. The football went to the upper left corner of the goal. Quickly, the reds settled and, at minute 7, in the middle distance, Jose Ortiz tied with a powerful shot that beat Kevin Mier. Ten minutes later, at the 17th, Dorlan Pabón puts a deep pass for Andrés Andrade to face the cardinal goalkeeper. The 10 of the purdolagas receives the ball, eludes Castellanos and defines coldly in the face of an empty arc.

After the goal, Nacional continued to insist on expanding the score, but Santa Fe placed well and complicated the game on several occasions. However, the attack of the Greens was superior. In the 24th minute of the second half, the referee entered Danovis Banguero and Yeison Guzmán, instead of Juan David Cabal and Daniel Mantilla. Santa Fe were still on the lookout for the draw goal, but Nacional was firm in his game, waiting and fighting back. In the 29th minute, Gio Moreno scored a crossover shot that ended in goal, a goal that would have been the most beautiful of the date, but the referee sentenced the misplaced and canceled the goal on the talented wheel that, with the running of the matches, he regained his confidence and consolidated in the team.

Since his return to Colombian professional football, Giovanni Moreno has been the subject of criticism from his fans due to his poor performance. Many rebuked him, and this also included certain sectors of the press, his decision to return only to retire, but the player has responded in a good way, game by game, making it clear that he has not come to retire, at least not yet, nor has he lost his good game. In the match against Santa Fe he showed that magic that in his best years allowed him to be at the top of the local league and make the leap to Argentine football. Six minutes before the end, coach Carlos Restrepo decided to replace him, allowing the player, wearing the number 70 number, to receive the applause of the 25,504 fans who attended Atanasio Girardot that night.

The steering wheel was chosen as the figure of the match. He controlled the times and spaces as he pleased and, whenever he could, he dazzled everyone with his fantasy in the passes. Gio adds 9 games out of 12 possible so far this season. He received two yellow cards and scored two goals. At 35 years old, from Shanghai Shenhua Liansheng, the Segovian-born is today one of the leaders of the FPC. Idol in Argentina and much remembered in the Chinese league, Gio Moreno debuted in 2006 with Envigado F.C. His good performances led him to join the ranks of Atlético Nacional, in 2008. He was with purdolagas until 2010 and quickly became an idol of the institution. His good performance led him to wear the Colombia national team jersey, with which he has performed intermittently due to the high competition in his position. For Nacional he played 81 games and scored 44 goals.

Teams such as River Plate and Racing Club became interested in it. Avellaneda's team would end up signing him for $4.3 million. His performance with the Argentine club would be enormous, especially during the first season. With the change of coaches and the injuries that did not stop coming, Gio added 50 matches in 2 years. He scored 12 goals and at the time was one of the team's figures. I would have continued in the institution, but after the departure of Teófilo Gutiérrez and the poor results in the last season, a section of the fans began to be aggressive towards some of the players. A meeting of the footballer with armed fans who get into his car and intimidate him by pointing a revolver at his knee, ends up sentencing his departure from Argentine football.

At the age of 26, the player joins Shanghai Shenhua, where he shares a dressing room with players such as Didier Drogba and Nicolás Anelka. Although he signed a one-year contract, with the aim of jumping into European football, Gio Moreno ends up staying with the Chinese team and consolidates himself as one of the top figures in the league. Already established as captain, he will later share a dressing room with his compatriot Freddy Guarín, who arrived from Inter Milan, being one of his most important players. Then, Carlos Tévez, after a brief stint at Boca Juniors, would join the team. The South American trident would give a different aroma to his club's football, allowing his squad to become one of the best in its history.

In 2022, after 9 years in Chinese football, Gio Moreno returns to Atlético Nacional, having been close to rejoining in 2018. He scored his first goal on the return on February 15, against his former team, Envigado. Little by little, his magic returns. Will it be enough for him to achieve his long-awaited title with purslane?

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