In the first test of the year, Atlético Nacional made its debut in the Jorge Almirón era. The 'verdolaga' team faced Atlético Mineiro on Sunday at the Spectrum Stadium in the framework of the first round of the Florida Cup. The match was favorable for the 'verdolagas', who were tactically superior.
Atlético Nacional, without being the champion team of the Copa Libertadores, was superior to Atlético Mineiro, who was overwhelmed by the tactical strength of the Colombian team, under the command of Jorge Almirón, who is aiming for a recovery of power in America.
At the 38th minute, Rentería scored the first goal after a good pass from Lucumí, one of the best players of the match against Mineiro. The controlled shot from the Colombian was enough to surpass Rodrigao and Donato.
Atlético Nacional controlled the match and the first half ended that way, with no more goals. In the second half, Lucumí confirmed a great performance with a goal that revealed the lack of character of Atlético Mineiro.
Atlético Nacional vs. Atlético Mineiro: confirmed lineups
Atlético Nacional: Vargas; Montaño, Henríquez, Aguilar, Mafla; Loaiza, Leao Ramírez, Torres, Lucumí; Torres, Rentería.
Atlético Mineiro: Cleiton; Adson, Rodrigao, Donato; Mansur, Adilson, Lorran, Ralph, Xavier; Thalis, Pablo.
With an assist from Gustavo Torres, Andrés Rentería scores a goal and gives the victory 1x0 to Club Atlético Nacional, who is receiving Atlético Mineiro for the Florida Cup. pic.twitter.com/Q0UdQxEbpQ
| PAÍS | HORARIO |
| Mexico | 12:00 |
| Peru | 13:00 |
| Colombia | 13:00 |
| Ecuador | 13:00 |
| Chile | 15:00 |
| Argentina | 15:00 |
| Brazil | 15:00 |
The match tomorrow against the Brazilians will serve the coaching staff of Almirón to continue adjusting the lineup that will allow them to reach the best level in the Liga Águila 2018-1 and the Copa Libertadores, where they share a group with Bolívar, Colo Colo, and Delfín.
Nacional faces the beginning of this year with many doubts, amid the lack of reinforcements, with many young players and with the departure of some referents, the latest being goalkeeper Franco Armani, who went to River Plate.
In addition, their great figure from the previous season, Dayro Moreno, has not yet renewed his contract. In fact, he did not travel to the United States at the start of the preseason.
Atlético Mineiro, on the other hand, comes from losing by the minimum difference against Rangers, for the Florida Cup, last Friday and will seek to earn their first points against Nacional. The 'Galo' finished in ninth position in the Brasileirao in 2017, a position that allowed them to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, where they will face San Lorenzo, in one of the most difficult and even ties of the tournament.
But before that, the team led by Oswaldo de Oliveira will seek to start the Copa Brasil on the right foot.
Let's remember that Atlético Nacional faced Atlético Mineiro in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores 2014. In the first leg played in Medellín, the 'verdolagas' won 1-0 with a goal from Sherman Cárdenas, while in Belo Horizonte, a 1-1 draw secured the qualification for the Colombians in the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Defensor Sporting.