Snak

Gareca cree que Domínguez se queda

BUENOS AIRES -- El DT de Vélez Sarsfield, Ricardo Gareca, expresó hoy en el regreso de su equipo a los entrenamientos, que su presentimiento es que el defensor Sebastián Domínguez continuará en el club, a pesar del interés de Boca por contratarlo.

"Todavía no hablé con él, voy a hacerlo, pero tengo el presentimiento que se va a quedar en Vélez", expresó Gareca en conferencia de prensa.

Gareca desconoció si los dirigentes de Boca se comunicaron con el ex defensor de Newell`s Old Boys, pero en caso de que hubiese sucedido manifestó que no es "para tomarlo a la tremenda".

Y reveló: "Bianchi me llamó para preguntarme por (Fernando) Gago, pero de Domínguez no me dijo nada".

Sobre Gago, actual mediocampista de Valencia de España, el `Tigre` señaló que habló con el jugador y éste le expresó sus deseos de continuar en Vélez, pero remarcó que cuando Boca muestra interés por repatriarlo se hace "complicado".

El entrenador del equipo que obtuvo la copa Superfinal 2012/2013 señaló además que se reactivó la posible venta del lateral Gino Peruzzi a Sunderland de Inglaterra.

En ese sentido, el jugador no había aceptado su contrato, a pesar de que la comisión directiva de Vélez había aprobado su venta por 5 millones de dólares.

Sobre esa cuestión, Gareca opinó que si los directivos del club le solicitan que no utilice al jugador, lo considera "razonable" porque se trata de un patrimonio de Vélez: "los dirigentes defienden los intereses de Vélez, pero es una decisión de Peruzzi".

A su vez, el ex DT de Talleres de Córdoba e Independiente apuntó que el delantero Facundo Ferreyra está en Ucrania para cerrar su transferencia a Shakhtar Donetsk: "es una venta que a Vélez le queda el 50% de 9 millones de dólares (la otra mitad es de Banfield)".

Desde su punto de vista, con la probable partida de Ferreyra, goleador del torneo Inicial 2012, Vélez perderá "un jugador de área", pero aseguró que tiene al juveniel Ezequiel Rescaldani para reemplazarlo.

En cuanto a la situación del volante Franco Razzotti, Gareca admitió que existe la posibilidad de que sea transferido. El equipo que estaría interesado en contratarlo sería Independiente, que jugará por primera vez en su historia en la B Nacional.

Por último, el entrenador aceptó que la dirigencia está trabajando para concretar el regreso del atacante Mauro Zárate y apuntó que hasta el momento, el reemplazante del arquero Germán Montoya, transferido a Colón de Santa Fe, es Alan Aguirre.

Por otra parte, Gareca afirmó que su equipo apuntará "a todo" con vistas a la próxima temporada donde disputará tres competencias: Copa Sudamericana, Torneo Inicial 2013 y Supercopa Argentina.

El plantel de Vélez se entrenó hoy en la Villa Olímpica de Ituzaingó, donde no asistieron Ferreyra, Gago, y los transferidos Mariano Bíttolo (a Colón de Santa fe), Juan Sills (a Universidad de Chile), Gastón Díaz (a Gimnasia La Plata) y Federico Freire (a Catania de Italia).

El grupo de jugadores que dirige Ricardo Gareca se entrenará mañana en la Villa Olímpica, en horario matutino, y quedarán concentrados hasta el sábado, como parte de la pretemporada que incluye partidos amistosos ante Defensa y Justicia, Almirante Brown, Atlanta e Independiente.

Alcaraz es el 2º refuerzo del Everton

MADRID -- El Everton hizo el martes oficial, a través de un comunicado en su página web, el fichaje para las dos próximas temporadas del internacional paraguayo Antolín Alcaraz como segunda incorporación de la temporada.
Tras la llegada de Arouna Koné, el defensa central de 30 años de edad concluyó su contrato con el Wigan al final de la temporada pasada. Antolín llega de la mano del entrenador del Everton, el español Roberto Martínez, quien le conoce muy bien tras su paso por el Wigan.

Alcaraz es internacional desde 2008 y jugó en la Copa Mundial de 2010 y la final de la Copa América 2011. Ganó con el Wigan la Copa inglesa y disputó un total de 68 partidos en tres años, aunque se perdió gran parte de la campaña 2012/13 por una lesión muscular.

Honduras tops Haiti for quick Group B start

HARRISON, N.J. -- Honduras soaked up the pressure and when it mattered most took its chances well to defeat Haiti, 2-0, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday.

The win propelled the Catrachos (1-0-0, 3 points) to the top of Group B ahead of El Salvador (0-1-0, 1 pt.) and Trinidad & Tobago (0-1-0, 1 pt.), who played to a draw 2-2 earlier in evening. The Haitians (0-0-1) have no points.

Rony Martinez scored his first international goal in the first half and second-half substitute Marvin Chavez added an insurance goal before a sold-out Red Bull Arena.

The Hondurans took the lead in the third minute. Mario Martinez kept his composure in the midfield after a tough tackle and passed to a surging Rony Martinez, who hammered the ball past goalkeeper Frandy Montrevil.

Haiti almost pulled one back three minutes later, but a well struck free kick from Jeff Louis was tucked over the goal post by goalkeeper Donis Escober. In the 20th minute, Louis set up Leonel Saint-Preux, who shot over the goal from inside the six-yard box.

After the break, the Haitians continued to press hard for the equalizer. They came close on several occasions, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Honduras put the game out of reach in the 77th minute, when Brayan Beckeles charged down the right flank and delivered a precise pass to a waiting Chavez. The San Jose Earthquakes star left no doubt with his shot to make the score 2-0.

Honduras, which won for the first time in four Gold Cup games, will next face rival El Salvador on Friday in the nightcap of a doubleheader at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. In the opener, Haiti will look to bounce back against Trinidad & Tobago.

Cuba poised to make Gold Cup impact

PORTLAND, Oregon – Known for its boxers and cigars, Cuba has made great strides as a footballing nation of late.

The senior national team captured its first Caribbean Cup title in December and the Under-20 squad just competed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

The next step, according to coach Walter Benitez, is success in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. And then, he hopes, the country’s first bid to the World Cup since 1938.

“We came to give a really good show,” Benitez said Monday before the team’s training session at JELD-WED Field. “We know that wasn’t the case the last Gold Cup. We lost all the three games by a big number of goals. Our objective this time around is to get past the group phase and move onto the next phase. If we’re able to do that, we’ll be very happy.”

While the objective is clear, reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2003 will not be easy. Drawn into Group C, Cuba opens the Gold Cup Tuesday night against powerhouse Costa Rica and faces the United States at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, July 13.

“It’s a great opportunity to be playing at this tournament,” Cuban captain Jorge Luis Clavelo said. “I’m looking forward to showing what the team has to offer.”

The Cubans third match could prove critical to its possible advancement to the quarterfinals. With the United States and Costa Rica viewed as the favorites in the group, Cuba and Belize could battle for third and a berth into the knockout stage.

“The United States and Costa Rica are basically the teams to beat in this group, therefore the third game is going to be a decisive game,” Benitez said. “But it also depends on the prior two games on how well we do.”

History isn’t on Cuba’s side, especially in the Gold Cup. In 2011 the nations also met in the first game of the Group Stage and Costa Rica went on to win, 5-0. The Lions of the Caribbean lost by the same scoreline against Mexico and were drubbed by El Salvador, 6-1, in its final match.

This, according to Benitez, is a different Cuban team. He hopes that is proven on the field come Tuesday.

“The only way of changing history is not passing that information along to our players and leaving the past where it belongs, in the past,” Benitez added. “First and foremost, this is a different team with a different mentality. We are convinced we can come out with a good result, a tie or possibly a victory.”

Belize and Mork grow together, face U.S. test

PORTLAND, OR – Belize coach Ian Mork has already graduated college, but his coaching education continues with his stiffest test yet – facing the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup at JELD-WEN Field on Tuesday night.

“I’m continuing my education in many ways with an opportunity like this and I’m trying to improve my own coaching philosophy and style all the time,” Mork said. “But more importantly than that is for the team. It’s a big step, a bigger stage for us. Obviously we’re playing one of the top teams in the world. We’re kind of looking at it as we’re all going to be improving after this experience no matter what happens.”

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Mork returns to the States as the man who is guiding Belize in its first Gold Cup appearance. It is a historic moment for the small Central American nation, one the coach is soaking in.

“For me, it´s the team I’m with and I’m more connected to the team I’m with than any other emotions of where I’m from,” Mork said. “I’m really focused on the Belize team right now. That’s where my heart is.”

Mork’s introduction to Belize came innocently enough. His roommate at Sangamon State (now University of Illinois at Springfield) Rene Montero, is from Belize. When Mork, who played for the indoor soccer for the Wichita Wings, was looking to make the next move in his professional playing career, he was thinking Costa Rica.

Montero, though, guided him to Belize.

There he was a player-coach and in 2004 became the federation’s technical director and coach of the Belize youth teams, including many of the players who comprise the Gold Cup team.

When the Under-21 squad defeated El Salvador in the Central American Games, it was the first time Belize had won a game in a sanctioned international tournament.

Mork had a brief stint as the interim national team coach in 2008, when he replaced Jose Palmiro Salas during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

He said the biggest difference from five years ago is this Belize team is playing better. A fourth-place finish in the 2013 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana, achieved under then head coach Leroy Sherrier Lewis, booked the Jaguars a Gold Cup berth.

“Now the team is at a much higher level,” he said. “They have more experience and the unity is really impressive within this group. It’s like a family. They really battle for each other and they support each other on and off the field.”

Mork knows the odds are stacked against his team, but upsets happen. After all, on the opening day of the Gold Cup, Martinique knocked off Canada and Panama defeated two-time defending champion Mexico.

“On any given day, the David vs. Goliath story can happen and it’s 11 vs. 11 on the field,” Mork said. “But we also see it as that one in 10 time that maybe this is our moment. Belize football is starting to take some big steps and there’s going to be a point where there’s an era of footballers like we have here who really set an example for the future. It feels like this is the moment when that’s going to happen.”

Win, lose or draw, Mork said he’s hoping the first match against the United States isn’t the last.

“We’re hoping we’re going to be in the Gold Cup every time there’s a Gold Cup,” Mork said. “We’re thinking of it as this isn’t the last time we play the U.S. ... I think you’re going to see very soon, in the near future, Belize really put a mark on world football. I’m hoping it is this tournament, though.”

Costa Rica hopes to turn its latest success into gold

PORTLAND, Ore. – With huge, passionate crowds at JELD-WEN Field, Portland has earned the reputation as “Soccer City USA.”

No one knows that better than midfielder Rodney Wallace, who plays for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.

When he arrives at his home stadium Tuesday night for Costa Rica’s CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Cuba, Wallace will do so as a member of the Ticos, who hope the Timbers faithful will adopt Costa Rica in the Group C match.

“On our way here we saw some fans approach him and praise him for how well he’s doing here with the Portland Timbers,” defender Michael Umaña, 30, said. “Hopefully they’ll come here and through their support of Rodney, support us and it will help us.”

It remains to be seen just how much help Costa Rica will need. The national team is second in the final round of World Cup Qualifying for Brazil 2014 and has a five-game unbeaten streak dating back to a 1-0 loss to the United States in the snow of Commerce City, Colorado, earlier this year. That setback is the lone blemish on its record over a 15 match span in all competitions.

The Ticos, however, have never won the Gold Cup. And while they can practically taste another World Cup berth, the focus has shifted to this competition over the next three weeks.

“It is true we have had some success, but we want to take this opportunity right now to give the option to other players who have not the chance to play minutes, to develop other players that could have a chance to play on the national team,” Costa Rican coach Jorge Luis Pinto said. “That doesn’t mean we’re not going to give our best in this Gold Cup. We’re here to compete and that’s what we’re going to do.”

While Pinto is likely to roll out a first-choice selection for Costa Rica’s opening game of the tournament, he said he also was going to rotate his roster, giving a chance to players like defender Juan Diego Madrigal, midfielders Oscar Esteban Granados, Osvaldo Rodriguez and Mauricio Castillo, as well as forwards Kenny Cunningham and Yendrick Ruiz – all of whom have 10 or less caps.

“This tournament is very important,” Umaña added. “We really want to show the coach we’re here to do well for the national team. We want to show him who will be better for the national team and this is actually a great opportunity as a player. We just want to perform well.

That task begins with Tuesday’s contest against a confident Cuban side that won its first Caribbean Cup in December. As upsets abound just two days into the Gold Cup, Costa Rica is careful not to underestimate its opponents.

“We need to focus on tomorrow’s game,” commented Umaña. “We know the distances in soccer are now not that big. There’s more parity in competition with other teams. We are well aware of that and the results are showing exactly that.”

In the 2009 Gold Cup, Costa Rica was eliminated by eventual champion Mexico on penalty kicks in the semifinals and there seemed to be a hangover into the final round of World Cup Qualifying. The Ticos finished fourth, losing narrowly in a playoff to Uruguay.

Umaña, who has played in a World Cup (2006) and an Olympic Games (2004), is confident this year’s squad is determined not to repeat the past.

“We are putting aside what happened four years ago and moving forward. We are actually looking at this as an opportunity to show what we have and how we can play,” Umana said. “It’s not going to affect us at all in the second half of the qualifiers.”

Colombia´s 100 million Euro men: Did James and Falcao meet expectations?

It was the first big transfer coup of the summer window, and by far the biggest deal in Colombian football history. Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, the Cafeteros´ brightest stars, agreed terms to sign with Ligue 1 new boys Monaco within days of each other. The transfer, as estimated by Goal.com, will cost the French side a staggering €105 million—60 shelled out for the former Atletico Madrid man while James earned Porto €45m.

On Friday night in the Monumental, we had the first chance since confirmation of the transfer to see what the pair could offer Monaco. Based on this first showing, more will be necessary should the club wish to topple Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1.

First signs were encouraging. Rodriguez slotted into the Colombia side in a traditional No. 10 position as they took on Argentina in an away World Cup qualifier, dictating play in the opening minutes and impressing even Albiceleste fans with his accomplished footwork. He tended to veer towards the left, playing more than one pass in behind Pablo Zabaleta to feed winger Pablo Armero in a move that left Argentina looking narrow and limited at the back.

Early in the match, the ex-Banfield wonderkid thought he had earned Colombia a dream lead. A wonderful ball released Jackson Martinez down the middle, who finished with class; but the linesman´s flag was already up, and his former Porto teammate was deprived of the type of assist he has thrived on all year from the 21-year-old star.

Falcao, meanwhile, took up his habitual post in the penalty area, trying to feed off the likes of Rodriguez, Armero and Jackson Martinez. There were few clear chances, an early header that shot wide when he really should have hit the target stood out, but the Monaco pair´s presence was a key factor nonetheless in making the opening half hour an all-action, gripping game of football.

Approaching the 30-minute mark, however, all was to change. Gonzalo Higuain went in rather heavy on David Ospina chasing a ball destined to end with the keeper—who upon physical contact threw himself to the ground. Cristian Zapata confronted the Real Madrid man, and a kick on each side meant there was little choice for the referee than to send both players off. With 10 men playing 10, the competitive edge left the game and each team focused more on kicking their opposition than beating them in the traditional manner on a football pitch.

The final nail in the coffin for Colombia, and indeed Falcao, came just minutes later. Rodriguez went down clutching his left calf and was stretchered off and while the long-term damage for Monaco, according to Inside Futbol, is yet to be determined, the impact for the visitors was almost instant. The spark went out of the Colombia game. Replacement Juan Cuadradro provided plenty of zip down the flanks, but at the expense of Rodriguez´s more cerebral, measured passing game. Falcao was the principal victim as he cut an increasingly forlorn figure upfront.

Further defensive changes from Jose Pekerman added to the now-lone striker´s frustration, as the few instances of possession that came his way were squandered on the way to a 0-0 draw.

Monaco observers, and especially their accountants, will wait with anxiety for the verdict on Rodriguez´s injury—while they will not be worried about one of the poorest performances from El Tigre in recent years. When talking about a player who has blasted over 100 goals in the last three seasons alone, an off-day against one of the world´s best international teams is hardly cause for concern.

Even so, it was an inauspicious start to their partnership for the €100 boys.

United States vs. Mexico: Which National Squad Is Stronger Now, and Why?

The rivalry between the United States men’s national team and the Mexican national team is undoubtedly the greatest rivalry in the CONCACAF region. In terms of the collective passion of their fans, it could be considered one of the greatest in world football. The rivalry is also the subject of a recent cult film, Gringos at the Gate.

Coming off the United States´ humiliating 4-2 loss at the hands of Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup final, there was little doubt that Mexico was the dominant team in CONCACAF, but two long years have passed and the paradigm has since changed significantly.

So, which nation currently holds the edge in this rivalry?

Coaching

Both U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann and Mexico manager Jose Manuel de la Torre (better known as "Chepo") have had their fair share of ups and downs.

Klinsmann is currently 17-8-6 (win-loss-draw format) as manager of the U.S. national team while Chepo is 14-6-10 as Mexico’s manager over that same time period.

Klinsmann got off to a slow start with the USMNT, going 1-4-1 in his first six games in charge. He had some scary moments in the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying in 2012, heading into the last game of the round needing a win to guarantee advancement.

Chepo, on the other hand, was 12-3-2 between the Gold Cup final in 2011 and the end of 2012, going unbeaten and untied in the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying and picking up a nice win over Brazil in a friendly.

However, in 2013, the fortunes of these two managers have been completely different. While Klinsmann has the USMNT on a five-game unbeaten streak, Chepo and Mexico have struggled in 2013 with an overall record of 2-3-8.

Many fans of El Tri are now calling for Chepo to be fired, while Klinsmann has never enjoyed more support from U.S. fans.

To be sure, fans in both countries are finicky—when Klinsmann was struggling for results, he was widely questioned, even when the U.S. earned wins in friendlies over Italy, Mexico and Germany. Now that Chepo is struggling to find wins with a talented player pool and the team is working its way through an insufferable string of ties, there have been widespread inquiries into Chepo’s tactics and lineup choices.

Current Advantage: U.S.

Youth Development

In terms of youth development, there really isn’t much of an argument.

Mexico is the current world champion at the U-17 level, winning the U-17 World Cup in 2011. They also won the tournament in 2005. By comparison, the U.S. lost 4-0 in the round of 16 of the 2011 tournament and lost in the quarterfinals, 2-0, in the 2005 tournament.

Mexico placed third at the 2011 U-20 World Cup, a tournament the U.S. did not qualify for after losing to Guatemala in the quarterfinals of CONCACAF qualifying. In this summer’s U-20 World Cup, Spain knocked Mexico out of the tournament, 2-1, in the round of 16. By comparison, the U.S. did not advance out of their group and lost to the same Spain side 4-1.

Mexico is also the current Olympic champion, a competition which is primarily contested by each nation’s U-23 squad. By comparison, the U.S. did not even qualify for the Olympic tournament. They didn´t even advance out of the group stage in CONCACAF qualifiers after losing to Canada and tying El Salvador.

Finally, many American youth of Mexican heritage go to Liga MX teams for their development. Some prominent current examples include Benji Joya, Daniel Cuevas, Alonso Hernandez and Juan Pablo Ocegueda. All four were members of the team that represented the U.S. this past month at the U-20 World Cup. When comparing the U-20 rosters of each country, it is also noteworthy that 19 of Mexico’s 21 players currently play in Liga MX. By comparison, only 14 of the 21 U.S. players currently play in Major League Soccer.

Current Advantage: Mexico

Domestic Leagues

As in youth development, there really isn’t much of a debate when it comes to who has a better domestic league. While MLS is rapidly improving, Liga MX has a clear advantage.

Mexican sides have won the CONCACAF Champions League (formerly known as the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup) 12 times since MLS teams entered the competition. MLS sides, by contrast, have only won the tournament twice and never in its current format. Furthermore, on eight occasions since MLS entered the competition, the final has been an all-Mexico affair.

Comparing the U.S. and Mexico’s recent national team rosters also shows Mexico’s dominance in this regard. While 17 of Mexico’s 23 players on its Confederations Cup roster play in Liga MX, only eight of the 23 U.S. players rostered for its last World Cup qualifier play in MLS.

The recent U.S. rosters also include many individuals who play professionally in Liga MX, including Edgar Castillo, Herculez Gomez, DaMarcus Beasley, Joe Corona and Michael Orozco Fiscal.

By comparison, none of Mexico’s recent call-ups play in MLS.

Current Advantage: Mexico

Current Form

Based on current form, the U.S. holds the advantage. In the Jurgen Klinsmann era, the U.S. is 1-0-2 head-to-head against Mexico, including both a win and a tie at Estadio Azteca, the once impenetrable fortress of Mexican football.

The U.S. has also enjoyed a better run of form in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, most commonly known as “The Hex." The U.S. is 4-1-1 in The Hex and has not lost since its first game. Mexico, on the other hand, is 1-0-5. The U.S. holds a five-point advantage in the standings with only four games to go.

Mexico has also struggled in its other games in 2013, tying all three friendlies this year, going 1-2 in the Confederations Cup and losing its Gold Cup opener to Panama on Sunday. Meanwhile, the U.S. is 2-1-1 in friendlies in 2013, including a win over Germany and a 6-0 thrashing of Guatemala on Friday night.

While it would be foolish for Americans to think that they have established a dominance over Mexico—Mexico simply has too much talent at all levels to continue their current dreadful run—the U.S. fields the stronger national squad right now.

Current Advantage: U.S.

Gold Cup 2013: Mexico Desperately Needs to Improve After Opening Loss

As international competitions go, this year´s Gold Cup isn´t exactly high up on the order of relevance.

Teams like the United States that are embroiled in World Cup qualifying haven´t brought their "A-squads," while the winner of the tournament won´t even be guaranteed a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup. Instead, they´ll play the winner of the 2015 Gold Cup to determine which team earns that spot.

But for Mexico, you get the impression that this year´s Gold Cup is pretty dire.

El Tri´s A-listers have struggled in the hexagonal stage of World Cup qualifying, winning just one game, drawing five and scoring a paltry three goals in the process. With eight points, Mexico is currently in third place behind the United States (13) and Costa Rica (11).

And Mexico´s U-20 squad disappointed at the U-20 World Cup, bowing out in the round of 16 after coming in as one of the tournament´s favorites. There´s been a lot of disappointment for El Tri since winning Olympic gold in London last summer.

Meanwhile, doubts about whether Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre is really the man for the manager´s role with the World Cup a year away have crept to the surface. After Sunday night´s 2-1 loss to Panama, chants of "Fuera Chepo" (rough translation: Out with Chepo) could be heard throughout the stadium.

And that´s why this team must recover from the opening loss to Panama and come out of this tournament with positives to take away from the experience.

For one, at this point Chepo is close to managing for his job, if it hasn´t already reached that point. Mexico has won the last two Gold Cups and, before Sunday evening, had never lost an opening game at the tournament.

Expectations for this tournament are fairly high, and El Tri is already disappointing. If they do the unthinkable and fail to advance to the knockout stage, calls for Chepo´s head may be taken seriously.

But there are also players competing for Mexico in this tournament that could help the A-listers and are fighting for a chance to do so.

Players like Marco Fabian, for instance—who was one of the bright spots against Panama—must show up in a big way. Once considered a star with a trajectory that would rival that of Javier Hernandez´s, injuries have derailed a promising career.

But at the Gold Cup, he has the chance to prove he belongs on the World Cup squad next year. And after scoring a goal in the first game, he´s off to a fine start.

Same for a player like Raul Jimenez, who is hoping to pair with Hernandez next summer at forward. Mexico needs these young players to shine and hopefully inject some life into the A-squad.

At the end of the day, that is what this tournament is really about, giving Mexico something positive to build on with four more qualifying matches. Remember, Mexico is just a point ahead of Honduras and two above Panama in the Hex.

El Tri´s place in Brazil is far from secure.

In other words, the country needs some good news. It needs something positive to build from. It needs this Gold Cup squad to restore hope in its manager. It needs them to do far, far better than the 2-1 loss to Panama.

And it needs them to do it quickly.

Plantel de Newell´s viajó a Brasil

ROSARIO -- El plantel de Newell´s Old Boys viajó el martes a la ciudad de Belo Horizonte, en Brasil, para jugar el miércoles la revancha ante el Atlético Mineiro, en busca de conseguir el pasaporte a la final de la Copa Libertadores de América 2013, luego del triunfo 2 a 0 conseguido en la ida.

La partida del avión de la delegación argentina se demoró hasta las 15.30, por las malas condiciones climáticas en Rosario.

Antes del vuelo, el plantel practicó por la mañana del martes en el predio de Bella Vista a puertas cerradas y almorzó en el restaurante habitual, para luego partir en micro hasta el aeropuerto internacional de Fisherton, donde un grupo de hinchas con banderas esperaba para despedir a los jugadores leprosos.

Newell´s no hará reconocimiento del campo de juego en Brasil, según había manifestado el entrenador Gerardo Martino.

"No vamos a reconocer la cancha, porque después tienen noventa minutos para hacerlo los jugadores. Aparte, evitamos la fricción, cuanto más escondido en el hotel estemos menos cuenta se dan de que estamos en Brasil. En una de esas, piensan que no llegamos", había ironizado el técnico leproso.