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Tabárez: "Reencontramos el camino"

MONTEVIDEO -- El seleccionador de fútbol de Uruguay, Oscar Washington Tabárez, dijo este lunes que está tranquilo porque en la Copa Confederaciones su equipo recupero el nivel de cara a las últimas y decisivas jornadas de las eliminatorias sudamericanas del Mundial del 2014.

El seleccionador uruguayo llegó conforme a su país
"No digo que cambiamos totalmente pero sí encontramos el camino de jugar de tú a tú contra cualquier equipo", dijo Tabárez.

"Respetamos mucho a Perú, Colombia, Ecuador y Argentina pero se me antoja que lo que hicimos contra Brasil podemos hacerlo contra ellos aunque sea en condición de visitante", agregó el entrenador uruguayo a la llegada de la selección al aeropuerto de Montevideo.

La selección uruguaya perdió por 1-2 ante la de Brasil en las semifinales de la Copa Confederaciones y el domingo cayó por 2-3 ante Italia en una tanda de penaltis del partido por el tercer puesto.

En las eliminatorias del Mundial la Celeste ganó solo cuatro de los últimos veintiún puntos que disputó y por ello ha comprometido su clasificación a Brasil 2014.

"Estamos más tranquilos y más esperanzados para lo que viene", agregó Tabárez en referencia al rendimiento de tuvieron sus dirigidos en la Copa Confederaciones.

"Perdimos feo en algunos de los últimos partidos de las eliminatorias pero ahora parece que reencontramos el camino", dijo.

La selección uruguaya visitará a la de Perú el 8 de septiembre y recibirá a la de Colombia el día 10 en dos encuentros claves para su futuro en las eliminatorias.

Los celestes ocupan el quinto lugar en la clasificación con 16 puntos, los mismos que los venezolanos pero con mejor saldo de goles, y por encima también de Perú, Bolivia y Paraguay.

Nicolás Spolli y el interés de Boca

BUENOS AIRES -- El ex defensor de Newell´s Nicolás Spolli, actualmente en el Catania de Italia, admitió este lunes que se enteró del interés de Boca por los medios y que "no está" en sus planes regresar al país, aunque reconoció que siempre "seduce" un club de la magnitud del xeneize.

"Me quedan dos años de contrato y en Catania soy titular y por el momento no tengo en mis planes volver, pero también es cierto que es Boca, con todo lo que eso significa y lo que seduce, por ahora puedo decir solo eso", dijo Spolli en una entrevista con ESPN Radio en Rivadavia.

El zaguero surgido en Newell´s contó que se enteró "del interés de Boca por los diarios" y que no habló del tema con su representante, pero "Boca es muy importante" y de volver lo haría "por lo deportivo".

"Hoy es difícil hablar desde donde me toca y en Catania me siento muy querido, Boca es muy importante y quizás uno vendría por lo deportivo, por lo que significa Boca más allá de lo económico. Jugar en Boca hoy te abre muchas puertas, inclusive hasta la selección", explicó Spolli.

El defensor apareció en el radar de Boca a partir de la complicación para concretar el regreso de Daniel "Cata" Díaz, aunque no hubo un ofrecimiento formal del club xeneize al Catania.

San Lorenzo: Rodriguez sueña volver

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor argentino Gonzalo Rodríguez admitió este lunes que sueña con "volver a jugar a San Lorenzo", club en el que se formó, pero lo considera difícil en lo inmediato porque tiene "dos años más de contrato con Fiorentina" de Italia.

"Creo que seguro jugaré unos años mas ahí (en Fiorentina) pero la ilusión de volver siempre la tengo", explicó Rodríguez en una entrevista televisiva.

Y sobre esa posibilidad precisó: "Tengo dos años más en contrato con Fiorentina, pero mi sueño es volver a jugar a San Lorenzo".

Rodríguez, con pasado en el Villarreal de España y también en el seleccionado argentino, contó que en enero "tenía los pasajes para volver" y ponerse la camiseta del ciclón, pero una negociación entre Fiorentina y Villarreal se lo impidió.

San Lorenzo, que tiene todo acordado para comprar el 50 por ciento del pase del mediocampista ofensivo de Quilmes Fernando Elizari, aguarda por la respuesta de Unión de Santa Fe por el juvenil Juan Ignacio Cavallaro, y la de Atlético de Rafaela por Fabricio Fontanini.

Peru Primera Division: Leon down leaders

Sporting Cristal and Real Garcilaso have missed the chance to lead the Primera Division after leaders Universitario lost 2-0 to Leon de Huanuco.

Diego Manicero´s long-range strike and Carlos Solis´ second-half penalty gave Leon a shock victory over Universitario but Cristal and Garcilaso were unable to overhaul the Peruvian league leaders after failing to win over the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/w…ewGQpy1PmzY

Cristal were held to a scoreless draw by Inti Gas, while UTC Cajamarca defeated Garcilaso 1-0, leaving Universitario top of the Primera Division on 38 points.

http://www.youtube.com/w…CxuMqzT8LEI


Universitario have a one-point gap on second-placed Cristal, while Garcilaso, who have two games in hand, also have 37 points but sit third on goal difference.

In Huanuco on Sunday, Manicero opened the scoring for the hosts in the ninth minute, firing the ball into the bottom corner from 25 metres.

Universitario had not lost in nine matches but their chances of a comeback were dealt a severe blow when John Galliquio was sent off for a second bookable offence, while Leon effectively ended the visitors´ unbeaten run six minutes later.

Visiting defender Nestor Duarte was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and Solis made no mistake from the spot.

But thanks to earlier results from the weekend, Universitario remained top of the league with Cristal losing Irven Avila and Renzo Revoredo to red cards either side of half-time during their 0-0 draw away to Inti Gas, while a smart header from Victor Guaza gave Cajamarca victory against Garcilaso.

In other Primera Division results, fourth-placed Alianza Lima were held to a 1-1 draw by Union Comercio, Cienciano defeated Cesar Vallejo 2-1, Juan Aurich scored in the last 15 minutes to clinch a 3-1 win over Jose Galvez, while Pacifico and Melgar´s fixture finished 0-0.

http://www.youtube.com/w…HSGCZ0jdIRM

http://www.youtube.com/w…w7kiVxNWE_U

http://www.youtube.com/w…Vxsbpn2xuNk

Brazil on the verge of greatness

Forget history and superstition. You have to be pretty twisted to believe that because Brazil won the Confederations Cup in 1997 and 2005 and 2009 and then failed to win the big one the following year, beating Spain and lifting the trophy at the Maracana was anything but a good thing.

Anyone who witnessed the performance against Spain, who felt the goose bumps from the Torcida, who saw Fred, then Neymar, then Oscar, then just about every member of the Selecao vault the pitch-side barriers and celebrate with the supporters will know just how important this was.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s “message” had been delivered even before the final. But this took things to another level. The combination of athleticism, stamina and quality that Brazil displayed go beyond missive into the realm of warning.

“Now we can continue on our journey with more confidence,” Scolari said. “We weren’t supposed to win this, but having done so, we press on with the whole nation believing in us.”

He’s right. There’s a psychological intangible that comes from winning games like the one against Spain. Games where you dominate physically as well as technically, where everything goes your way.

Neymar will grab the headlines as well he should. He was the oustanding player of the tournament and the scary bit is that, with his skill set and at his age, unless his desire flags, he’ll only get better.

But this was also a triumph of physicality, preparation and athleticism. Except for Paulinho, who made way for Hernanes against Italy, Scolari named the same starting XI in every single game. Playing five times in 15 days is a huge ask at this level. It requires not just good fortune -- avoiding injuries and suspensions -- but also the right frame of mind. To then go and play with the speed and intensity that Brazil showed in the first 20-25 minutes borders on the otherworldly.

Credit for that must go to Scolari and Carlos Alberto Parreira, the unofficial team “psychologist,” as well as whoever is responsible for keeping these guys fit.

And, make no mistake about it, so many of these players were coming off difficult seasons. Marcelo and Thiago Silva missed a chunk of their club campaigns through injury. Julio Cesar was relegated with QPR. Hulk endured a disappointing year at Zenit.

“Maybe that’s why we wanted to make this count,” said Thiago Silva. “And in that sense, Scolari is one of the best at pulling us all together. You can see his influence in everything we do.”

The right things happened at the right time against Spain. The early goal. David Luiz’s clearance. The body blow of Neymar’s strike just before halftime. But when you do things right, you often get the breaks.

The reality is that Brazil aren’t going to play this well all the time. There will be pauses, moments when, rather than the collective effort, they’ll need something else to pull them through. And that means either individuals coming to the fore or developing a more coherent and effective style of play.

In terms of individuals, they obviously have one nailed-on difference-maker, Neymar. Oscar, who was below par -- based on his ability -- for much of this tournament, could develop into another. Beyond that, one of Paulinho or Hernanes could step up, possibly Lucas Moura, if he’s given the chance to show what he can do. But in terms of depth and quality, this is not a Brazil side packed with superstars, certainly not at the offensive end of the pitch.

And so Scolari will have to work to help this team grow as a unit. Take Fred, he’s not the heir to the great continuum of Brazilian strikers that goes from Ronaldo to Romario to Careca to Pele all the way back to Altafini, Leonidas and Friedenreich. He’s a guy who will convert chances into goals if he gets service. He’s supply-dependent. Right now, Brazil don’t yet have a natural way of playing to keep that supply steady. That will need to change.

Equally, in midfield, Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo remain, primarily, destroyers, especially the latter. You can see the logic in setting the Selecao up this way at the Confederations Cup. Scolari needed results, he didn’t have much time to work with the group tactically, the priority as is often the case with him, was building a strong defence (which he did). But Paulinho can be much more than what we’ve seen, he can take on greater playmaking duties, make further forays into the opposing third. And Luiz Gustavo, the defensive specialist, can provide natural cover for David Luiz when he advances up the pitch, creating mismatches and wreaking havoc.

All this can come, in time. But had this Confederations Cup ended as badly as some critics thought it might, had Scolari found himself questioned at every turn, had Neymar stumbled on the big stage... well, growing into the kind of team that can win the World Cup was going to be a far greater task.

Brazil are on the verge of being such a team. And the performance against Spain, just as Scolari indicated, provides the conditions to become such a team.

With no qualifying matches on their schedule, the Selecao’s next competitive match will be some time in June, in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, where the margin of error will be close to zero. That’s why these past two weeks were so important for Scolari and Brazil. They can now work toward that target with confidence.

And ignore the superstition.

Mjaeh ved ikke, manden har talent og kvalitet nok til at spille for en større klub...men det er fine penge....

Chorando, Paulinho se despede do Timão e avisa: ´Daqui a pouco volto´

Volante se despede rumo ao Tottenham, da Inglaterra. Ele não estará
em campo pelo nas finais da Recopa Sul-Americana, contra o São Paulo

Após pouco mais de três anos, chegou ao fim o ciclo de Paulinho no Corinthians. Recém-campeão da Copa das Confederações com o Brasil, o volante desembarcou em São Paulo e foi ao CT Joaquim Grava anunciar sua transferência para o Tottenham, da Inglaterra. O clube inglês pagará o valor referente à rescisão de contrato – € 20 milhões, aproximadamente R$ 59 milhões.

- É difícil falar num momento como esse (longa pausa). Mas tenho certeza de que foram três anos maravilhosos na minha carreira, de conquistas, de trabalhar com pessoas corretas, coerentes, que sempre me ajudaram. O que tenho para falar do Corinthians é até logo. Daqui a pouco eu volto. Por tudo que vocês fizeram por mim - declarou o jogador, chorando muito.
Apesar da expectativa corintiana de ver o volante em campo nas finais da Recopa Sul-Americana, contra o rival São Paulo, Paulinho descartou a possibilidade de fazer uma despedida com a camisa alvinegra.

- Não vou jogar a Recopa, não vou atuar pelo Corinthians porque há exigências contratuais do Tottenham. Não tem o que ser discutido. Foi uma decisão que todos nós respeitamos. Claro que eu tinha uma vontade enorme e gigante de ganhar mais um título, mas tem de respeitar - completou.

Com a eliminação nas oitavas de final da Taça Libertadores para o Boca Juniors, a saída de Paulinho era dada como certa pela direção corintiana. O jogador vinha sendo bastante assediado desde o ano passado, quando brilhou na ótima temporada alvinegra. O Inter de Milão, da Itália, era visto como um dos grandes favoritos a contratá-lo, desde 2012, mas o Tottenham, dirigido pelo técnico português André Villas-Boas, agiu rápido e fechou com o volante durante a disputa da Copa das Confederações.

- A única proposta que colocamos foi da Inter de Milão, mas agora não veio nenhuma, só a do Tottenham. A proposta veio, sentei, analisei e resolvi. Tenho certeza de que tomei uma grande decisão, vou pra um grande clube também. Chega um certo momento em que você precisa de novos desafios - analisou o volante, eleito o terceiro melhor jogador da Copa das Confederações.

Do dinheiro desembolsado pelos ingleses, o Corinthians ficará com metade (cerca de R$ 26,5 milhões), já que possuí 50% dos direitos econômicos. O restante será do Audax-SP, clube formador do jogador.

- Quero aproveitar para dar nossos imensos agradecimentos ao Paulinho, por tudo que ele fez pelo Corinthians. Jamais será esquecido por todos nós. A grande pessoa que ele é, muito merecido o título pela Seleção. O Corinthians se orgulha muito de ter no seu elenco um jogador como ele, nada mais justo do que ele seguir a vida num clube inglês, conhecer uma cultura nova - disse Roberto de Andrade, diretor de futebol do clube.

Contratado do Bragantino após o Paulistão de 2010, Paulinho virou uma das estrelas do Timão ao fazer gols em jogos decisivos e ser fundamental no esquema do técnico Tite. Ele conquistou o Brasileirão de 2011, a Libertadores e o Mundial de 2012 e o Paulistão de 2013. Em 167 partidas com a camisa alvinegra, fez 34 gols.

Com a iminente saída, a diretoria corintiana se antecipou e contratou Ibson, do Flamengo, além de Jocinei, revelação do Rio Claro. O elenco ainda conta com Guilherme e Edenílson para a mesma posição.

Fluminense dismiss Fred to Manchester City reports

Fluminense have dismisses reports linking star striker Fred with a move to Premier League outfit Manchester City.

Fred has impressed whilst on international duty and with reports of a €2 million release clause inserted into his contract, he has been linked with a move abroad.

But director of football Rodrigo Caetano has scotched such reports and claims Fred is happy to stay at Fluminense.

"Fred is under contract with Fluminense, he is very happy at the club and we are very satisfied with him," Caetano told ESPN Brazil.

The striker, who returned to his homeland from Ligue 1 side Lyon in 2009, would only have his head turned by ´a really great offer´.

"I am doing great at Fluminense and I will only leave the club if there is a really great offer," Fred declared.

PSG must strengthen says Lucas Moura

PSG´s Lucas Moura believes that the club must strengthen even more this summer in order to maintain their dominance.

The Parisien giants face competition from big-spending Monaco next season and Lucas says it is imperative to add more faces to the squad.

"PSG are already a great team, but with new players we will be even stronger," he told Le10Sport.

"The goal is to be champions again and go further in the Champions League than we did last season."

Meanwhile, the Brazil international has reflected on his move to Europe from Sao Paolo in January and, while the 20-year-old admits a degree of homesickness, Lucas insists he is "very happy" with European football.

"I am very happy to have discovered European football. I have already won a title and I´m adapting very quickly," he said.

"The club and supporters are fantastic but it is not always easy. I miss my country and family, but I feel really good in Paris."

Maradona: Brazil would not have won Confederations Cup on neutral ground

Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes Spain would have won the Confederations Cup had it been held on neutral ground.

Maradona insists that Brazil had the advantage of playing on home soil and having the majority of the support at the final.

"Spain were unlucky that the tournament was being played in Brazil. They looked promising. Brazil wouldn´t have beaten them had the game been played on neutral ground," he told reporters.

The Napoli icon then went on to praise Lionel Messi and stressed that the Barcelona star is still a cut above Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Messi remains the best in the world. He is still a better player than Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo."

Maradona also had his say on the 2014 World Cup and he is hopeful that Argentina can emerge victorious in Brazil.

"Next year´s World Cup belongs to South Americans. I hope Argentina will be crowned champions," he added.

"The Argentine Football Association is being run by an incompetent person, though. That´s what Argentine football has had to deal with recently.

Cavani agent ´in PSG talks´

Edinson Cavani´s agent met with Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo in Paris on Monday night to discuss a potential €63 million move for the in-demand Napoli striker, French media are reporting.

Under the headline, ´Cavani, PSG´s number one target´, Le Parisien claimed the Uruguay international’s representative, Pierpaolo Triulzi, jetted into the French capital on Monday morning for an evening meeting with Leonardo.

Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Triulzi, who was in London reportedly for talks with Chelsea just over a week ago, is due in Naples on Tuesday to discuss the situation with Napoli.

Le Parisien also claimed that Leonardo spoke with Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis about a potential PSG move for Cavani, even before Laurent Blanc was appointed coach at the Parc des Princes last week.

The French champions would have to meet, or come close to paying, the €63 million fee which would trigger the release clause in the striker’s contract, which runs until 2017.

His arrival would give Blanc greater options in attack with neither Ezequiel Lavezzi, picked up from Napoli last summer, nor Kevin Gameiro proving adequate foil for Zlatan Ibrahimovic last season.

The prolific Cavani, 26, who scored 29 times in 33 Serie A appearances last term, joined his family for a holiday after scoring twice in his country´s third-place play-off defeat to Italy in the Confederations Cup last weekend.

He told media following Uruguay´s penalty shoot-out loss: "I´m going on holiday with my family, then I´ll return to Italy to look at the whole situation."