Snak

Montenegro no se entrenó junto al grupo

BUENOS AIRES -- De cara al partido que Independiente disputará el próximo sábado ante Defensa y Justicia, el plantel realizó ejercicios físicos y trabajos con pelota y la gran novedad pasó por la ausencia de Daniel Gasón Montenegro.

El delantero realizó trabajos físicos en el gimnasio por una molestia en el talón que arrastra tras el triunfo ante Douglas Haig. El goleador de Independiente en el actual campeonato trabajará con precaución durante toda la semana con el objetivo de que llegue en condiciones ante Defensa y Justicia.

Por otro lado, Claudio Morel Rodríguez completó el entrenamiento con normalidad, ya recuperado del desgarro que lo hizo perderse los últimos siete partidos. Mientras tanto, Cristian Tula y Juan Manuel Trejo trabajaron diferenciado y no llegarían al sábado.

Recién en la jornada del jueves se comenzarán a ver indicios del probable equipo titular. Es una incógnita si Omar De Felippe decide preservar la misma formación que en los últimos dos partidos o si les devuelve a futbolistas considerados titulares como Lucas Villalba y Claudio Morel Rodríguez.

Tras el entrenamiento, el plantel mantuvo una reunión junto al presidente Javier Cantero en la sala donde habitualmente se llevan a cabo las conferencias de prensa. En la misma se trataron temas como las vacaciones, que comenzarán el 7 de diciembre tras el partido ante Patronato, y las deudas que la dirigencia mantiene con jugadores y cuerpo técnico.

Finalmente, se confirmó la renuncia de Manuel Magán como coordinador general de las inferiores del club. Dejará su trabajo el próximo 31 de diciembre.

Independiente tiene 31 puntos en el Torneo de la B Nacional, producto de ocho triunfos, siete empates y tres derrotas. Desde la llegada de Omar De Felippe, el equipo de Avellaneda cosechó el 69% de los puntos obtenidos, al conquistar de los 42 en juego (8 triunfos, 5 empates y 1 derrota). Además, acumula cinco partidos consecutivos sin recibir goles.

Ricardo Gareca: "Mauro Zárate tiene posibilidades de estar"

BUENOS AIRES -- El director técnico de Vélez Sarsfield, Ricardo Gareca, adelantó el miércoles que el delantero Mauro Zárate, quien se recupera de una lesión, "tiene posibilidades" de regresar a la titularidad el viernes ante Godoy Cruz de Mendoza, como local, por la 17ma fecha del torneo Inicial.
"Vamos a ir viendo cómo va evolucionando Mauro (Zárate). Hoy (miércoles) hizo fútbol y queremos verlo mañana (jueves) de nuevo para decidir. Está en el límite. Vamos a hablarlo y analizarlo. Hoy hizo fútbol y es un buen guiño. Tiene posibilidades de poder estar", manifestó Gareca, en conferencia de prensa.

Zárate se desgarró el pasado 31 de octubre en el duelo de ida por cuartos de final de la Copa Total Sudamericana y este miércoles participó de la práctica de fútbol, aunque para el equipo suplente.

"Es un jugador muy importante para nosotros por lo que nos estamos jugando y necesitamos contar con todos los muchachos. Tenemos la tranquilidad de que (Ramiro) Cáseres está en un gran momento, pero confiamos que Mauro nos puede dar mucho más", agregó el entrenador del Fortín.

De esta manera, el Tigre dejó en claro que si Zárate está en condiciones reemplazará al juvenil Cáseres, quien el pasado domingo convirtió tres goles en el triunfo ante Rosario Central en el estadio Gigante de Arroyito.

En consecuencia, con el regreso del capitán Fabián Cubero por Matías Pérez Acuña, el equipo sería Sebastián Sosa; Fabián Cubero, Fernando Tobio, Sebastián Domínguez y Emiliano Papa; Agustín Allione, Leandro Desábato, Ariel Cabral y Federico Insúa; Ramiro Cáseres ó Mauro árate y Lucas Pratto.

Vélez Sarsfield recibirá a Godoy Cruz de Mendoza el viernes desde las 21.20 en el estario José Amalfitani de Liniers en un partido válido por la 17ma. fecha que será arbitrado por Pablo Lunati.

Gago participó de la práctica de fútbol

BUENOS AIRES -- Justo en el día número 21 de recuperación, tras el desgarro sufrido en la previa al partido frente a San Lorenzo, Fernando Gago formó parte del equipo titular en el ensayo futbolístico que planteo Carlos Bianchi, de cara al partido del próximo domingo frente a All Boys.

El volante del seleccionado argentino ya se encuentra recuperado del desgarro en el bíceps femoral derecho y Bianchi evalúa si lo arriesgará el domingo, teniendo en cuenta que el Xeneize se juega un partido clave para mantenerse con vida en el Torneo Inicial.

Los otros cuatro cambios que introdujo Carlos Bianchi fueron los ingresos de Agustín Orión, Claudio Pérez, Federico Bravo y Juan Manuel Martínez. Salieron del equipo Emmanuel Trípodi, Daniel Díaz (5 amarillas), Matías Caruzzo, Pablo Ledesma (molestia en la pantorilla) y Claudio Riaño, respectivamente.

En definitiva, los once que se perfilan como titulares para el domingo son: Agustín Orión, Jesús Méndez, Ribair Rodríguez, Claudio Pérez, Nahuel Zárate; Fernando Gago, Federico Bravo o Pablo Ledesma, Cristian Erbes; Juan Román Riquelme; Juan Manuel Martínez o Claudio Riaño, Emmanuel Gigliotti.

La duda en la parte ofensiva se da debido a que Martínez finalizó la práctica con un esguince en el tobillo deercho y su presencia se determinará según el grado de la lesión.

Boca se juega ante All Boys la chance de seguir en carrera en la lucha por el título, El equipo de Bianchi se encuentra a tres puntos del líder, San Lorenzo. Cabe recordar que los dos rivales finales de Boca en el campeonato serán Lanús, como visitante, y Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, como local.

Lanús, listo para buscar la final de la Copa

BUENOS AIRES -- El plantel de Guillermo Barros Schelotto ya se encuentra en Asunción, a la espera al partido que Lanús disputará en la noche del jueves ante Libertad, en el marco del partido de ida de las semifinales de la Copa Total Sudamericana.

El entrenador dispuso trabajos en espacios reducidos, ejercicios sectorizados y ensayos de movimientos en pelota parada en el estadio principal.

Con respecto a los once que superaron a All Boys, el pasado sábado, se producirían cinco modificaciones. Ingresarán Maxi Velázquez, Diego González, Leandro Somoza, Jorge Ortiz y Lautaro Acosta por Luciano Balbi, Fernando Barrientos, Nicolás Pasquini, Víctor Ayala y Jorge Pereyra Dïaz, respectivamente.

En definitiva, los once que jugarán ante Libertad serán: Agustín Marchesín; Carlos Araujo, Paolo Goltz, Carlos Izquierdoz, Maxi Velázquez; Diego González, Leandro Somoza, Jorge Ortiz; Lucas Melano, Santiago Silva y Lautaro Acosta.

Lanús busca alcanzar su segunda final continental. El antecedente data de la Copa CONMEBOL 1996, cuando se consagró campeón al vencer en el partido decisivo a Independiente Santa Fe de Colombia. Cabe recordar que el conjunto del sur del Gran Buenos Aires también se mantiene en la lucha por el Torneo Inicial, al posicionarse a dos puntos de la cima del campeonato.

Russo espera por Delgado en Central

ROSARIO -- El DT de Rosario Central, Miguel Angel Russo, realizó el miércoles un cambio posicional en la formación, con enroque de laterales Paulo Ferrari y Lucas Lazo, mientras aguarda por recuperación de Rafael Delgado, de cara al partido ante Olimpo de Bahía Blanca por 17ma. fecha del Inicial.
Russo llevó a cabo un ensayo de fútbol en el predio de Arroyo Seco donde dispuso el retorno de Ferrari a su puesto habitual, como lateral por la derecha, en lugar de Lazo, quien pasó a la franja izquierda.

El ex-DT de Estudiantes La Plata, Boca Juniors, Vélez Sarsfield, Racing Club y San Lorenzo de Almagro repetería en nombres la formación que perdió 3-2, de local, ante Vélez, en caso que el defensor Rafael Delgado no se recupere de una lesión muscular.
Si Delgado llega en óptimas condiciones para el cotejo del sábado ante Olimpo, ingresaría por Lazo.

El equipo de Miguel Ángel Russo formaría con Mauricio Caranta; Ferrari, Franco Peppino, Alejandro Donatti y Lucas Lazo o Rafael Delgado; Hernán Encina, Nery Domínguez y Diego Lagos; Antonio Medina, Carlos Luna y Federico Carrizo.

Rosario Central, que reúne 22 unidades en el torneo Inicial, visitará el próximo sábado a Olimpo de Bahía Blanca (14), en partido válido por 17ma. fecha, que será arbitrado por Mauro Vigliano.

Entrenamiento con dudas en Racing

BUENOS AIRES -- En el tercer día de entrenamientos de Racing, en la antesala al partido del próximo domingo frente a River, el plantel trabajó a puertas cerradas realizando ejercicios de fútbol en espacios reducidos, con varios futbolistas entrenando diferenciado.

Claudio Corvalán, Diego Villar y Luciano Vietto hicieron ejercicios de kinesiología, mientras que Valentín Viola debió entrenarse de manera diferenciada por la molestia que lo obligó a abandonar el campo de juego ante Quilmes. Sin embargo, el delantero evolucionó de manera favorable y todo indica que estará ante River.

Otro que se recuperó es Bruno Zuculini, quien se entrenó a la par del grupo. Por otro lado, Luis Ibáñez hizo trabajos regenerativos tras jugar los 90 minutos del partido de reserva en la jornada del martes y tiene chances de ser titular, en caso de no llegar Corvalán.

En definitiva, por más que recién en la jornada del jueves se realizará la práctica de fútbol, la probable formación de Racing sería: Sebastián Saja; José Luis Gómez, Fernando Ortiz, Esteban Saveljich, Claudio Corvalán o Luis Ibáñez; Diego Villar o Luciano Aued, Gastón Campi, Bruno Zuculini, Rodrigo De Paul; Valetín Viola, Juan Ignacio Dinenno.

Racing tiene nueve puntos en el Torneo Inicial, producto de dos triunfos, tres empates y once derrotas. Desde la llegada de Reinaldo Merlo, el equipo de Avellaneda consiguió siete de los quince puntos en juego y el rival del próximo domingo será River, en el Estadio Presidente Perón.

Sabella building Argentina around (or without) Messi

In the recent World Cup qualification campaign, Argentina finally managed to get Lionel Messi consistently producing his club form for his country. How did coach Alejandro Sabella do it? By the simple method of ensuring that his team is built around the little Barcelona genius.

Handing Messi the captaincy was the psychological element of the plan. The tactical aspect was to push the strikers, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero, out to the flanks with Messi in the middle behind them. This opened up the pitch, giving Messi acres of space in which to work his magic.

The flip side of the coin is that this space has also been there for the opposition to exploit. Fielding such a front three -- with the flying Angel Di Maria as part of a midfield trio -- inevitably tipped the balance of the side well toward the attack. In particular, Argentina have looked vulnerable down the flanks, not only because the individual quality of the defenders doesn´t come close to matching the breathtaking attacking resources at Sabella´s disposal, but also as a consequence of the system employed. As Sabella once commented, there are times when his team is under attack that all he can do is shut his eyes and pray. Yet these are risks worth running if, as part of the tradeoff, Lionel Messi is best able to run riot.

But what if Messi is not there? What if he is injured, as he is at the moment? Then it would seem that the whole cost/benefit relationship changes. On recent evidence, it would appear that Argentina´s spacious 4-3-3 without Messi is an invitation to World Cup disaster -- if the worst happens and injury strikes the little man when it matters most.

Against Ecuador in New Jersey on Friday, Sabella retained his 4-3-3 system but with a slight tweak. This time, Higuain started as a conventional penalty area centre-forward with, on either flank, Ricky Alvarez and Ezequiel Lavezzi behind him. Yet it essentially was the same formation, with Di Maria once again as part of the midfield trio and Argentina looking very vulnerable down the flanks.

It´s true that two new full-backs were tested out -- Facundo Roncaglia on the right and Lucas Orban on the left -- but whoever Argentina fielded in these positions would have had a very uncomfortable evening regardless. The strongest aspect of Ecuador´s side is their wingers. Antonio Valencia on the right is all pace and imperious power while cutting in from the left, and Jefferson Montero is a right-back´s nightmare, full of tricks at pace and able to glide past his marker on either side.

With more calm at the moment of delivery or of shooting, Montero could be a genuine world-beater. Certainly, he and Valencia were too much for the Argentinian defence on Friday, especially in the first half. The fact that the match stayed scoreless can be attributed in part to a strange, spongy pitch, but mainly to a recurrent Ecuadorian problem, dolefully identified after the game by manager Reinaldo Rueda: their wasteful lack of precision in front of goal.

On the Argentine side, Sabella had a response. Meet me in St. Louis, as he might have said, where an alternative tactical approach was used Monday night against Bosnia.

There has been a suspicion for some time that Argentina´s coach was planning to experiment with a defensive formation of three centre-backs. It was a system he liked while in charge of Estudiantes and one with which he flirted in the early stages of qualification, before deciding that the lack of time on the training field made a basic back four the most practical solution.

But now, with qualification achieved and without Messi, why not have another look? And so Federico Fernandez commanded the defensive line with Nicolas Otamendi to his right and Jose Basanta to his left. A striker was sacrificed, with Di Maria still in the midfield three plus Sergio Aguero and Rodrigo Palacio in front of him.

On Monday´s evidence, at least, the plan was a roaring success. Bosnia had a few dangerous moments -- most notably early in the first half, before Argentina settled in defence and before Di Maria wrested the game away from them. But Bosnia were restricted to very few chances, and those few alarms in the Argentina back line were usually the result of individual errors rather than a collective failure of system.

Argentina looked far more solid than against Ecuador and showed that even without Messi, they are still blessed with immense attacking talent. Di Maria and Aguero -- who each scored a goal with magnificent style -- worked wonderfully well both individually and collectively. Sabella´s side were well worth their 2-0 win.

There may be a case for the argument that Argentina´s defenders lack sufficient quality on the ball for a three-centre-back system -- in an ideal world, two of the three should be more proficient at bringing the ball out from their own half.

Stronger opponents than Bosnia might force the defenders into mistakes close to their own goal, but at this point that is nothing more than a suspicion. The reality is that Sabella now has another formation available to him as he builds toward the World Cup -- and a more solid way to play if fate robs him of Lionel Messi.

Apt end to qualifiers as Uruguay clinch World Cup berth

And so, the last shall be the first. The final place in Brazil 2014 goes to the hosts and winners of the inaugural 1930 tournament, Uruguay, who cruised past Jordan in the playoff between South America and Asia.

Uruguay also got South America´s marathon World Cup qualification campaign underway. Back on 7th October 2011, they kicked off the opening game, at home to Bolivia, and were off to a flying start with a Luis Suarez goal after three minutes.

Theirs was a highly uneven campaign. With three big wins and two draws in the first five games, they set the early pace. Then they hit a wall with two draws and four heavy defeats in the next six games -- a disastrous run that at one point made it unlikely that Uruguay would even make the playoff spot. But characteristically, when the stakes were highest they dug deep and came good, winning four of their last five matches to ensure, for the fourth consecutive campaign, that they would finish fifth and have a shot at the playoff. This late run included away wins against Venezuela and Peru, direct rivals for the playoff position. In the context of a competition that featured just 13 away wins against 41 for the home side, these are immense results and testimony to the fact that the current Uruguay side should never be underestimated.

They are, it is true, never likely to blow anyone away with the scintillating quality of their football. They are a pragmatic, experienced side -- too experienced, some would argue, since there are some ageing limbs in a group which has largely been together since the Copa America in Venezuela nearly six and a half years ago.

But strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are still full of running. Unlike most of their teammates, this pair are coming right into their footballing prime and are far closer to being the completed article than they were in the South Africa World Cup back in 2010. Cavani is practically a box-to-box striker. As well as being a thoroughbred goal scorer, his capacity for hard work and self-sacrifice makes him a symbol of the team ethic forged by coach Oscar Washington Tabarez. And Suarez, for all his excesses of temperament, has blossomed into one of the most dangerous attackers in the game, a defenders´ nightmare with his pace, power, close control and utter unpredictability.

With this kind of strike power, Uruguay are always in with a chance -- as long as they can keep solid in defence. The story of that awful mid-campaign slump was one of a porous rearguard -- 15 goals were conceded in those six winless games. It was a reality check for the reigning Copa America champions and 2010 World Cup semifinalists. In open play, with an ageing side, Uruguay were there for the taking.

Tabarez responded by dropping the defensive line deep, with the midfield close by. There was plenty of space to launch Suarez on the counter-attack, and Cavani was fit enough to drop back to help the defence and still get upfield in support. This will surely be the template for the World Cup games -- or most of them. There may be a match -- or a situation within a match -- when circumstances will oblige Uruguay to come up with something more expansive.

They can try that, too. It is what Tabarez did in last week´s first leg of the playoff against Jordan. Uruguay´s coach read the situation perfectly. An inferior opponent, at home, would go looking for a first leg lead. With a pro-active approach Uruguay could score enough goals to kill off the tie at the first attempt. Essentially, that is what happened. Tabarez picked three attacking midfielders in his centrefield quartet; they were all on target as Uruguay ran up a 5-0 win, making the return game all but academic.

The crowd in the Montevideo’s Centenario stadium gathered for a party on Wednesday night. They had something to celebrate -- Uruguay have qualified for back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 1986-90. But the occasion was a disappointment. Tabarez went with the same starting lineup. But this time they created few chances in a tame 0-0 draw. In part, this was down to the ease of the circumstances. The Uruguayan mentality appears to require a certain dose of suffering to work at full throttle -- and after last week’s 5-0 win there was simply not enough tension in the air for the team to find its best form.

But also, this time they were against an opponent who was not going to press forward. Jordan’s aim was to avoid humiliation. In doing so they reminded us of Uruguay’s limitations. Tabarez needs no reminding and trusts that tournament nous plus top strikers will prove an effective formula next year.

The crowd, though, did have one goal to celebrate -- before the game, the stadium big screen showed the famous strike by Alcides Ghiggia that beat Brazil keeper Barbosa at his near post and won the 1950 World Cup. That, of course, was the previous time that Brazil staged the tournament. As hosts, Brazil were the first team confirmed in the 2014 competition. And now, their old nemesis Uruguay have grabbed the last spot -- a wonderfully fitting conclusion to the qualifiers.

Independiente, con los mismos titulares

BUENOS AIRES -- Tras el entrenamiento del jueves, Omar De Felippe asumió que, en el partido del próximo sábado ante Defensa y Justicia, es "muy probable" que jueguen los mismos once vencieron a Ferro y Douglas Haig en las últimas dos presentaciones de Independiente.

"Morel Rodríguez es el mejor lateral de la categoría por su calidad pero queremos que se ponga bien", por lo que descartó completamente que, en Florencio Varela, se produzca el regreso del defensor tras el desgarro que lo sacó de actividad desde el 12 de octubre.

De esta manera, es un hecho que los once que buscarán meterse en puestos de ascenso serán: Diego Rodríguez; Gabriel Vallés, Samuel Cáceres, Julián Velázquez, Federico Mancuello; Martín Zapata, Marcelo Vidal; Matías Pisano, Daniel Montenegro, Leonel Miranda; Facundo Parra.

Cabe destacar que durante la conferencia de prensa, De Felippe valoró la importancia de que "a Independiente le marquen pocos goles". "Defensa es un equipo que está muy bien, pero también nos agarra a nosotros en un gran momento", agregó.

Independiente tiene 31 puntos en el Torneo de la B Nacional y, ante Defensa y Justicia, buscará descontarle puntos a quien actualmente se ubica en la segunda posición. Claro está que para poder finalizar la fecha en puestos de ascenso deberá esperar que Crucero del Norte no sume de a tres en su partido ante Aldosivi, en Mar del Plata.

River eye ex-stars Lucho Gonzalez and Cavanaghi in shake-up

River Plate’s pitiful showing in this Torneo Inicial has prompted Ramon Diaz to start thinking about serious changes to his squad and there are two familiar names being linked with a return to El Monumental. Porto Captain, Lucho Gonzalez is perhaps more of a dream at this stage but striker, Fernando Cavanaghi could already be close to a move following his release from Mexican club, Pachuca.

Following significant changes only prior to this season it is disappointing for River that they already require changes to their squad but after such a poor showing and fan unrest something must be done.

The players who appear to be heading out the door are Jonathan Bottinelli, Cristian Ledesma, Jonathan Fabbro and Rodrigo Mora after several poor performances.

Fabbro only arrived a matter of months ago after impressing in his time in Paraguay with Cerro Porteño, winning Paraguayan footballer of the year 2012. However, he has been underwhelming to say the least at River Plate and it is understood that River will take up an option that will see him return to Cerro.

Whether or not it has any bearing on Diaz’s long term plans his side in training today was Marcelo Barovero; Gabriel Mercado, Germán Pezzella, Ramiro Funes Mori, Leonel Vangioni; Carlos Carbonero, Matias Kranevitter, Matias Rojas, Manuel Lanzini; Federico Andrada and Giovanni Simeone.

It is a turbulent time at River with President, Daniel Passarella stepping down and Rodolfo D’ Onofrio or Antonio Caselli most likely to win the election in December. One thing that either one of them will have to address is the contract of Ramon Diaz. The astronomical contract that Passarella awarded him when he returned was the subject of questions this week and Diaz admitted that this will be up for discussion when whoever is named the new Club President.

With it being election time it is also worth noting that any stories regarding returning ex-heroes could be put down to politics. Cavanaghi’s return appears to have some legs but the likes of Lucho Gonzalez and Andres D’Alessandro certainly appeal to the fans.