Snak

Atlético Mineiro Bernard denies deal with Shakhtar

Atlético Mineiro´s Bernard has insisted that no deal has been struck as of yet with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Brazilian visited the club´s facilities on Monday but says there is no guarantee of a deal happening as negotiations continue between the two parties.

Atlético accepted Shakhtar´s offer of €25 million and Bernard is reportedly considering a move to the Ukraine.

He told TV Alterosa: "It´s just a visit, there won´t be any medical. Nothing is certain and I won´t sign any documents. I made it clear to them that I would only visit so that I could see their facilities."

Bernard has previously been linked with a move to England, with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal said to be keen, but Shakhtar are the only side to have met his asking price.

Speaking to Radio Itatiaia, Atlético president Alexandre Kalil said: "Tottenham made an offer of €18m for Bernard, but they withdrew.

"Arsenal told us that they would bid, but never did. So what we have now is a €25m bid from Shakhtar."

Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Three-way tie at the top

Libertad, Cerro Porteno and Deportivo Capiata are in a tie for the lead after two rounds of Paraguay´s Division Profesional.

All three clubs have a win and a draw from their opening two matches, and all three have a goal difference of +1.

Cerro Porteno enjoyed a 2-1 home victory over Cerro Porteno PF on Sunday, with second-half goals from Junior Alonso and Guillermo Beltran firing the home side to victory following Francisco Lopez Grance´s early opener for the visitors.

Libertad, meanwhile, played on Monday, and had a 37th-minute goal from Pedro Benitez to thank for their 1-0 home win over Olimpia, who are in fourth place.

Deportivo Capiata were the only one of the top three who failed to win over the weekend, being held to a 1-1 draw at home by General Diaz.

In other results, Sol de America enjoyed a 2-1 victory at Nacional Asuncion while Deportivo Carapegua were 1-0 victors over Sportivo Luqueno.

Guarani and Rubio Nu played out a 1-1 draw.

Soccer roundup: Católica gathers momentum in Chile’s Apertura

Goalkeeping valiance makes international headlines, while Española, Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile all fail to register a victory for the second week running.

Unión Española 0-1 Universidad Católica

The title holder played host to last season’s runner-up Sunday, and an away win further enhanced Católica’s credentials as a league favorite this year.

The scoreline largely flatters Española, who was lucky not to concede two or three more by the final whistle. Two posts and a pair of one-on-ones had Católica coach Martín Lasarte out of his seat both before and after striker Ismael Sosa’s 48th minute winner.

Española began the game strongest, pressing well and capitalizing on Católica’s nervy imprecision in midfield. There were flashes of the productive partnership shared last season between attackers Gustavo Canales and Sebastián Jaime, and the former was unlucky to see a well-struck volley hit the side-netting.

Two close calls gave the visitors the shot in the arm they needed. In the 16th minute, young Católica striker Álvaro Ramos pegged the crossbar and 15 minutes later Española was denied a penalty after Canales was deemed to have gone down too easily in the box.

Católica deadball specialist Matías Mier sent a pearler onto the post just before the half, and the goal came minutes after the restart. Española manager José Luis Sierra will no doubt have had words with Nicolás Mancilla after the defender air-kicked a routine clearance, allowing Sosa to slip in and net the game’s only goal.

Española went forward searching for the equalizer, and Católica duly retorted with some efficient counter attacking. Ramos twice found himself in one-on-ones with Diego Sanchez, though the Española keeper did well to stay on his feet and block in both instances.

Despite a good amount of possession, Española only created one major opportunity in the second half, when defender Sebastián Miranda had a firm volley from close range saved by Cristopher Toselli.

Nicolás Castillo spearheaded another Católica breakaway in the game´s final minutes and only some last ditch defending prevented the forward from doubling his team´s lead.

Católica fell apart at the end of last season, and will deflect any early plaudits. But after a solid Copa Chile group stage, a strutting opening day win and picking up three points at the home of the champion, the team is the early frontrunner.

Palestino 1-1 Universidad de Chile

After falling unexpectedly to Rangers in week one, “La U” dropped further points at Palestino on Saturday.

Chances went for both teams in the opening exchanges. “La U” midfield stalwart Charles Aránguiz went just wide of the post with a free kick, and a miraculous last-gasp lunge from defender Valber Huerta was all that prevented Palestino from going ahead in the first half hour.

Palestino would not be denied for long however, and striker Roberto Gutiérrez got a leg on the end of an inswinging corner to open the scoring in the 35th minute. “La U” has now conceded from set pieces in three consecutive games.

The visitors responded immediately. In a move of great pace and penetration, striker Isaac Díaz cut the Palestino backline open down the middle, finding midfield colleague Rubén Farfán who struck true with his left foot to score under pressure inside the box.

“La U” began the second half with urgency. Aránguiz drew an acrobatic save from Felipe Nuñoz with another well taken free kick, and midfielder Bryan Cortés lamented a woeful miss from an excellent position in the area.

Palestino could have won it however, if Roberto Gutiérrez’s volley had not taken a deflection off defender Juan Ignacio Sills.

At the final whistle, “La U’s” frustration manifested itself in Charles Aránguiz, who was given a red card for dissent. The Copa Chile holders will be bolstered in weeks to come with the arrival of Española striker Patricio Rubio, however petulance from first teamers like Aránguiz will do nothing to help the team’s title chances.

Colo Colo 0-1 Everton

Sunday’s result was desperately hard on a home team that dominated in all aspects of the game but the scoreboard. Everton was thankful for a man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper and captain Gustavo Dalsasso, crowned by a double save and a strong block on a thumping Felipe Flores strike in the first half.

Aside from a well-saved freekick in the opening half hour, Everton rarely threatened goal and the 68th minute winner was a surprise to all. Colo Colo gave the ball away easily in midfield and Juan Carlos Lescano was available in space. The attacker struck goalward, and defender Christián Vilches’ attempted block took the ball beyond his keeper into the net.

The most successful team in Chilean football history currently sits at rock bottom of the Apertura, having conceded five unreplied goals in two games.

Santiago Wanderers 0-0 Audax Italiano

In an otherwise routine encounter, the game between Wanderers and Italiano on Saturday received attention in the international media through the heroics of Wanderers goalkeeper Mauricio Viana.

Five minutes from time, Viana was caught in a nasty collision that was later proven to have perforated his intestine. The keeper played through the pain, and saved a last minute penalty, before being rushed to hospital after the final whistle. Viana received successful surgery, and is set to be out for up to four weeks while he recovers.

Prior to the dramatic finale, Wanderers had gone down to nine men after Gaston Cellerino and Mauricio Prieto received red cards.

O’Higgins 2-1 Antofagasta

A spirited contest saw O’Higgins clinch the win against Antofagasta on Sunday. The visitors came into the match off the back of a win over title holder Unión Española, and put up a fight against an O’Higgins side that now sits second in the table on goal difference.

Gonzalo Barriga Ahumada put O’Higgins ahead in the 16th minute with a beautiful, glancing header from long range. Soon after that, Antofagasta forward Javier Aníbal Elizondo lost his marker to head home from a speculative cross, tying up the game in the 33rd.

The visitors did all they could to weather a second half storm from O’Higgins, though eventually succumbed via a Francisco Pizarro Cartes strike in the 80th.

Rangers 1-0 Huachipato

After taking “La U’s” scalp on opening weekend, Rangers bagged all three points again Saturday against Huachipato.

In an unspectacular affair, a penalty converted by Pablo Vegetti on the hour mark was all it took to seal the win for the home team who now sits third in the table.

Ñublense 1-1 Cobreloa
Ñublense came from behind to hold Cobreloa in rainy Chillán on Sunday.

Long balls were the order of the day on a soggy pitch, and midfielder Pablo González Reyes nodded home a header in the 23rd minute to put Cobreloa in front. The visitors were punished in the second half for twice failing to clear the ball from the area, affording Sebastián Varas the chance to sneak in an equalizer.

Cobreloa travels to Uruguay on Thursday, to play in a Copa Sudamericana tournament that may prove tough on a thin squad.

Cobresal 0-0 Iquique

Cobresal registered a second consecutive draw Sunday, while Iquique managed to claim its first point of the Apertura.

Chances fell for both sides, though fine goalkeeping performances ensured the teams shared the spoils at the final whistle.

Note: The Universidad de Concepción vs. Unión La Calera game scheduled Sunday was suspended due to a waterlogged pitch. This fixture has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. on September 4.

Apertura upcoming fixtures

Aug. 9, 8 p.m: Universidad de Chile vs. Cobresal
Aug. 10, 12 p.m: Universidad Católica vs. Universidad de Concepción
Aug. 10, 3 p.m: Palestino vs. Santiago Wanderers
Aug. 10, 5:30 p.m: Everton vs. Rangers
Aug. 10, 8 p.m: Audax Italiano vs. O´Higgins
Aug. 11, 3:30 p.m: Antofagasta vs. Colo Colo
Aug. 11, 4 p.m: Unión La Calera vs. Ñublense
Aug. 11, 4 p.m: Unión Española vs. Iquique
Aug. 4, 6 p.m: Huachipato vs. Cobreloa


mål

http://www.cdf.cl/videos/

Quintero leads the competition as Porto regroup

There were, they said, just two places to play for in Coach Paulo Fonseca´s XI ahead of Saturday night´s Supertaca (Super Cup) encounter with Vitoria de Guimaraes. Yet what we expected to be 45 fairly sedate second-half minutes in a preseason Sunday were anything but, and it changed things. Certainly for now, and perhaps for FC Porto´s season as a whole.

When Napoli had given an authoritative display on Saturday in the Emirates Cup -- certainly for the first hour -- they had suggested that the considerable excitement surrounding their upcoming season post-Edinson Cavani was justified, as players old and new in Marek Hamsik, Goran Pandev and Jose Callejon shone. A day later, and it looked as if Porto had the deeper squad against possible future Champions League adversaries, despite Rafael Benitez´s enthusiastic restocking of the San Paolo dressing room, with new names pinning their metaphorical manifestos to Fonseca´s door.

The level of entertainment provided in an often-pedestrian competition wasn´t the only surprise. In a strong preseason, Fonseca had seemed to have merely tweaked the Portuguese champions´ 2012-13 recipe for success, and had only done that to cover the exits of James Rodriguez and midfield mastermind Joao Moutinho. Steven Defour had kept Fernando company in a midfield double pivot, while veteran captain Lucho Gonzalez had -- perhaps surprisingly -- been used as a number 10. Kelvin Mateus de Oliveira, the scorer of that memorable winning goal in the title crunch with Benfica in last season´s penultimate game, and Juan Manuel Iturbe had been coveting James´ spot.

It had looked like a plan. Lucho set up Jackson Martinez´s winner in the Dragao presentation game against Celta Vigo with a sublime through ball from just that spot. Iturbe had shone too, smashing in one absolute ripsnorter against Marseille. The only significant dent made by Kelvin may have been in Nolito´s leg against Celta, but his explosive style made (and continues to make) him an interesting option.

For the first half of Saturday´s game against a strong Galatasaray side, normal service appeared to be maintained. Lucho quickly carved an opening for Jackson, only for Fernando Muslera to race from his line and smother. Porto pinged the ball around with purpose and verve, created a number of chances and were often denied by the excellent Muslera. The goalkeeper´s stop to deny Jackson from the penalty spot -- an unhappy reminder of three crucial and potentially ruinous penalty misses by the Colombian in last season´s latter stages -- was one of the most routine ones.

Yet when the pace and movement of Silvestre Varela and full-back Alex Sandro left the field at halftime, so did Porto´s lungs and best ideas, it seemed. Fatih Terim´s side fought back strongly, and deserved the win authored by Felipe Melo´s successful spot kick. There was still time for Lucho himself to fritter away the chance to equalise with a third penalty of the afternoon, which didn´t even require Muslera to save.

On Sunday, new possibilities emerged. Jackson´s fill-in, the bustling Nabil Ghilas, caused Napoli plenty of problems and scored the goal that brought Porto level just into the second half. Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera was full of industry. Winger Ricardo -- signed from Saturday´s opponents, Guimaraes, and the scorer of the goal that beat Benfica in May´s Taca de Portugal final to win the club its first major silverware -- put in an eye-catching turn at right-back. "It´s something we´ve worked on in training," Fonseca said with some modesty.

The star of the show was, however, clear. The man wearing the No. 10 shirt -- rather than necessarily performing the role -- was Juan Fernando Quintero. The young Colombian had barely been training with his new club for a week, having had time off following his star participation at the Under-20 World Cup, but he didn´t look like he needed too much practice.

Quintero looked as irresistible at senior level as he had with the juniors, running with the ball with considerable authority and helping to create both Porto´s first two goals; a magnificent through ball for Ghilas for the first, before releasing Varela for the cross, which Federico Fernadez put in his own net for the second.

Sunday´s O Jogo suggested that this Sunday will provide Josue and Iturbe with their "last try" at staking a claim for the team´s "two places that are open" for the Super Cup match. Josue, such a key player for Fonseca at Pacos de Ferreira last season as the minnows improbably reached the Champions League playoffs, has already received a vote of confidence of a sort -- it is the 22-year-old who has inherited Moutinho´s No. 8 shirt.

Fonseca admitted that Josue has one definite advantage ("he knows my ideas very well," said the coach), even if Defour is expected to get the nod in the Super Cup. Iturbe´s case is a little more complex. He has returned from a good loan spell in his native Argentina at River Plate, and they would like to take him back -- but his promising preseason has left his future more up in the air than ever.

In the end, Iturbe was only given 18 supplementary minutes to press his case on Sunday, replacing Quintero -- who by that point had made all arguments of whether Kelvin or Iturbe should be picked simply academic for the moment. Short of rest or not, there is every sign that the young Colombian could be even more influential at the Dragao than James, either in his predecessor´s position or as a central playmaker.

There´s no question of Lucho not starting against Guimaraes -- either as a 10 or further back -- but this weekend showed that Porto are positively swimming in options, even post-James and Moutinho. Fonseca´s only problem for now is deciding which tools he will use to dismantle Guimaraes -- and who will stay this season, with some to be loaned.

"There aren´t any firm decisions at this moment," Fonseca said after the Napoli game. "But those [decisions] will appear, because we have too many players. Nobody will be leaving because they lack the quality to play for FC Porto, but only because it´s a question of quantity in certain areas."

Even after two such big sales, Porto are as strong as ever.

Coping with Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela has not ruled out a return for Mexico, but it looks unlikely with Jose Manuel de la Torre in charge.

Mexican forward Carlos Vela was recently disciplined by his coach, Real Sociedad´s Jagoba Arrasate, for complaining on the social media site, Twitter. Vela was clearly unhappy about the Spanish team´s pre-season friendly against Histon F.C., a semi-professional English club that had stepped in after Tottenham Hotspur had passed the opportunity to play Sociedad in favor of a friendly facing Monaco.

Real Sociedad won the match against Histon handily. Here is a rough translation of what Vela wrote on his account afterward: "Victory 8-1. With games like these it´s difficult to prepare for an important season." He added a frowning emoticon for emphasis.

Besides being an unsporting way to treat the competition, Vela´s message was clearly a public criticism of the team administrators who had arranged the match. It probably didn´t help team morale that so many people, including a fellow club player, Iñigo Martinez, retweeted Vela´s post. Granted, playing feeble opposition doesn´t build a team that much, but when players are just getting acquainted and learning to link up, it´s not the worst thing to have an easy match here and there.

Acting swiftly, Arrasate took the initiative to speak to his player about the inappropriateness of the post. Vela promptly rescinded the message, taking it down from his site. Real Sociedad will continue their preseason tour in England and generally, the matter of a young hot-headed player acting before thinking seems settled.

It is stark contrast, indeed, to how the Mexican national team have handled Carlos Vela, who has not appeared for his country in over two years.

The difference is more than the obvious one, that Real Sociedad know, that barring injury, they will have Vela primed and ready to start the season, while Mexico´s squad face Honduras in one of the most important games of the year next month without Vela as an important offensive weapon.

Neither Arrasate, or his club, seemed to think that much discipline, other than asking Vela to behave with more discretion, along with the post´s removal, was required. Vela was not forced into a humbling apology or asked to grovel as part of amending his ways.

Mexico´s coach, Jose Manuel ´Chepo´ de la Torre, finds himself in an unusual position when coping with Vela. De la Torre has to deal with a player who simply is not that impressed by the glory and honor of the national team. Many players are willing to tolerate even abuse from coaching staff in exchange for a chance on the international stage. Yet after his public falling out with the Mexican federation, Vela has turned down every request return to the squad. A public visit from De la Torre in May had many Mexico fans hoping for reconciliation, but it didn´t happen.

It´s not really in De la Torre´s nature to be cordial or charming, as many media members can attest. With Mexico´s poor results of late, De la Torre has a hard time being civil to the press. That´s completely forgivable to many, except that arrogance and defensiveness are difficult emotions to turn off suddenly in front of players. Though none have yet come out publicly against him, few players have performed well for him of late, which at the very least, suggests his leadership is uninspiring, if not downright insipid.

The idea that El Tri doesn´t need Vela is an old one, yet the facts are stark in contrast. Mexico has not defeated a single World Cup qualifying opponent in Azteca stadium this year. The team has struggled to score goals, even with Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez on the roster. The recent subpar Gold Cup Mexico performance did not yield much in the way of discovering alternate players who take some of the scoring burden off Hernandez, either.

Vela hasn´t rejected Mexico completely; in answer to a question of whether he would like to play in the upcoming 2014 World Cup, "First, I have to focus on my club and play well in order to get the attention of the team to be selected."

The striker, who scored 14 goals for his squad last season, was making his club an obvious priority. Yet his statements could have been a nod to the changing circumstances of Mexico´s team.

Vela added, "I´ve never closed the door to anything. Because of circumstances, or one reason or another, I haven´t been with the team, but I´ve never said no absolutely. If the situation came up, I´d think about it, and then see."

Vela never mentioned De la Torre by name. Currently, De la Torre has been given the vote of confidence by administration officials, but Vela may be patient enough to wait out the coach´s tenure.

Facundo Coria vuelve a Argentinos

BUENOS AIRES -- El mediocampista ofensivo Facundo Coria se convirtió el lunes en jugador de Argentinos Juniors, club al que arriba a préstamo por un año.

El futbolista, que se coronó campeón con el Bicho en 2010, se presentará el martes en el estadio Diego Armando Maradona para realizar su primera práctica y por la tarde firmará el contrato que lo ligará a la entidad de La Paternal.

Coria, de 26 años, llega procedente del Emelec de Ecuador, tras ser inscripto el pasado jueves en el cierre del libro de pases.

Cauteruccio mantiene el perfil bajo

BUENOS AIRES -- El delantero de San Lorenzo Martín Cauteruccio prefirió hoy mantener el perfil bajo pese a la importancia de haber ganado en el debut, y afirmó que "para hablar de ser candidatos" al título "hay que esperar".

El ex Quilmes, que fue el autor de los dos tantos con los que San Lorenzo le ganó agónicamente 2-1 a Olimpo de Bahía Blanca, en el Nuevo Gasómetro, destacó la importancia del triunfo pero remarcó que son "los resultados" los que determinarán cuáles serán los equipos que pelearán por la obtención del torneo.

"Para hablar de candidatos hay que esperar. Con el correr de las fechas y los resultados veremos para qué estamos. Hoy no podemos decir que seamos candidatos mas allá de que el equipo se haya reforzado bien", sostuvo Cauteruccio.

Sin embargo, el delantero del ciclón consideró que "varios equipos se han reforzado muy bien, pero Boca y River son candidatos siempre".

Al analizar el rendimiento del equipo en el debut, Cauteruccio señaló que "es importante buscar un buen fútbol" y que si están "convencidos de lo que" hacen "los resultados van a venir".

Tras vencer a Olimpo, quienes fueron titulares realizaron trabajos regenerativos y los suplentes jugaron un amistoso frente a Villa Dálmine, de la Primera B Metropolitana, al que le ganaron 2-1.

El equipo que paró Juan Antonio Pizzi formó con: Sebastián Torrico; Matías Catalán, Santiago Gentiletti, Valentín Perales, Tomás Cardona; Néstor Ortigoza, Enzo Kalinski; Alan Ruiz, Fernando Elizari, Ignacio Piatti; y Héctor Villalba. Los goles de San Lorenzo fueron convertidos por Ruíz y Kalinski

Pellegrino podría poner a 4 refuerzos

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Estudiantes de La Plata, Mauricio Pellegrino, evalúa incluir como titulares el miércoles ante All Boys a cuatro de los seis refuerzos que llegaron a la institución para el torneo Inicial.

Santiago Vergini, Matías Aguirregaray, Ernesto Goñi y Jorge Luna serían los nombres que por primera vez en forma oficial se pondrían la camiseta del elenco platense en la segunda fecha del campeonato.

Vergini, campeón con Newell´s en la temporada pasada, reemplazaría a Jonathan Shunke, en tanto Goñi, ex Quilmes, tiene chances de ingresar por el juvenil Jonathan Silva, suspendido.

Además, al uruguayo Aguirregaray, quien espera su habilitación, le dejaría su lugar el sancionado Leonardo Jara, y Joaquín Correa tiene posibilidades de salir de la formación inicial para permitir el ingreso de Luna.

El empate 1-1 con Arsenal del debut en el Inicial al parecer no dejó del todo conforme al entrenador, quien en el entrenamiento de hoy a puertas cerradas en City Bell también probó con Mariano González por Román Martínez.

El colombiano Duvan Zapata, goleador del Pincha, no participó del entrenamiento por una molestia muscular y le dejó su lugar a Guido Carrillo.

De esta manera, la probable formación de Estudiantes para recibir a All Boys es con Gerónimo Rulli; Aguirregaray, Vergini, Leandro Desábato, Goñi; Gastón Gil Romero, Juan Sebastián Verón; González, Carlos Auzqui, Luna; Carrillo. Esperan su habilitación y ponerse a punto físicamente los restantes dos refuerzos: Israel Damonte y Patricio Rodríguez.

Vélez entrenó pensando en Arsenal

BUENOS AIRES -- Vélez retomó este lunes los entrenamientos con la mira puesta en el partido del jueves frente a Arsenal, en el que el entrenador, Ricardo Gareca, podrá contar con el regreso de Fabián Cubero y espera por la habilitación de Mauro Zárate.

Tras la muy buena victoria en su visita a Tigre, Gareca dispuso hoy trabajos físicos y fútbol en espacios reducidos con la certeza de que Cubero será nuevamente titular y ocupará el lateral derecho, en el que tuvo que improvisar a Francisco Cerro.

De esta manera, el ex Quilmes retornaría al mediocampo y quien dejaría el equipo sería el colombiano Jonathan Copete.

La incógnita para Gareca es saber si finalmente podrá contar con Zárate, ya que aún no fue habilitado. De poder jugar, el ex Lazio italiano ocuparía el lugar de Ezequiel Rescaldani.

Por su parte, el defensor Sebastián Domínguez trabajó diferenciado debido a un fuerte estado gripal, aunque lo esperarán hasta último momento para saber si podrá jugar frente a Arsenal.

La buena noticia de la mañana para Gareca es que Fernando Tobio, quien se recupera de una lesión en el menisco interno en la rodilla izquierda, trabajó a la par del plantel y fue parte del fútbol reducido.

El posible equipo para recibir el jueves a Arsenal formaría con: Sebastián Sosa; Cubero, Juan Sabia, Sebastián Domínguez, Emiliano Papa; Cerro, Héctor Canteros, Ariel Cabral; Federico Insúa; Lucas Pratto y Zárate o Rescaldani.

Ariel Garcé se suma a Rafaela

RAFAELA -- El experimentado defensor Ariel Garcé se convirtió en nuevo refuerzo de Atlético de Rafaela y se sumó hoy a los entrenamientos del equipo dirigido por Jorge Burruchaga con miras al partido del jueves frente a Lanús, por la segunda fecha del Torneo Final.

Garcé, de 34 años, llega con el pase en su poder, luego de su paso por Argentinos Juniors, club del que fue marginado por el entrenador Ricardo Caruso Lombardi.

El defensor surgido en River se convirtió en el décimo refuerzo del conjunto santafesino, al que previamente se sumaron Gonzalo Marinelli, Andrés Rodales, Rodrigo Erramuspe, Esteban Espíndola López, Francisco Martínez, César Mansanelli, Adrián Bastía, Diego Ferreira y Marcos Figueroa.

Rafaela recibirá el jueves a Lanús, desde las 17 horas, con arbitraje de Juan Pablo Pompei.