Snak

Herrera faces diffilcult path to Brazil

In a Monday news conference with Decio de Maria and Héctor González Iñárritu, Miguel Herrera was confirmed as Mexico’s national team coach. The ratification of the coach that secured El Tri a 9-2 aggregate playoff win versus New Zealand was expected, but it didn’t come without some difficulty.

The first element that reveals some of the political difficulty and the expectations on the Mexican coach is that Herrera has had to do double duty as both coach of Club America and the national team. Juggling the two roles would be considered untenable by most top international coaches, but the FMF had no problem asking Herrera to take charge for New Zealand while still remaining in charge of Liga MX’s top club.

Herrera will probably be the only coach at the World Cup draw in Brazil on Friday who still has another primary coaching job. Club America is in the midst of the Liga MX playoffs, trying to earn a record 12th crown. Herrera is expected to step aside after the Apertura season ends or after his club is eliminated.

It’s probable that only in Mexico can the club owners wield such power that they can effectively force a national team coach to double up on his responsibilities.

The question isn’t whether Herrera can qualify Mexico, pull off back-to-back championships with Club America and begin preparations for the World Cup tournament -- Herrera is enthusiastic and hard-working, and could well achieve all the targets he has set out for himself. Yet he shouldn’t even be asked to shoulder that much. It makes Mexican soccer administration look amateur and slightly ridiculous for even asking him to do so.

It’s not that Herrera has to manage a large number of matches before the World Cup, but he has to play a political game and get up to speed on international opponents and tactics very quickly.

The FMF is also putting pressure on Herrera to have a World Cup that brings pride to the country. If Mexico doesn’t advance out of their World Cup group, Herrera will probably not be granted an extension to continue in charge to Russia 2018.

There is also a delicate game to be played in gaining the support of the players who will make up next year’s Mexican national team roster.

The European-based Mexican players who were left off the list versus New Zealand by Herrera will want assurance that he is aware of their capabilities, and willing to judge impartially for the final tournament roster, while the domestic stars will want Herrera to remember their loyalty and hard work in getting Mexico to the World Cup in the first place.

There are also other tasks that will take time and effort. Herrera has already said that he plans a visit to Spain to negotiate with Mexico’s outcast striker, Carlos Vela.

This is typical of the expressive, engaging coach, who brings a wide-eyed wonder to his appointment as national team coach. He sees every obstacle as merely another hurdle to be vaulted at full-speed.

It didn’t matter to Herrera that his first stint as coach came under the cloud of enormous pressure and in the backdraft of the FMF treating another respected coach, Victor Manuel Vucetich, very shabbily. Herrera has been clearly thrilled since the start to be Mexico’s coach. Even the current difficult environment doesn’t seem to faze him much.

That’s the sort of fearless confidence that can take Mexico far.

Are current Liga MX champs underdogs in semifinals?

MEXICO CITY -- The Miguel Herrera Goodbye Tour made its first stop at the Estadio Azteca this weekend, as Club America finally took care of business against Tigres in a torturous second leg of the Apertura 2013 quarterfinals. Still unable to best the Monterrey side (whom they haven´t beaten in any way, shape or form since 2009), America nonetheless managed to hold off the talented eight seed and live another day thanks to two big away goals scored last weekend.

The rest of the quarterfinal series were not so contested. Leon blew its series wide open in the second leg, scoring four goals at the stadium painfully known as the "Nou Camp" -- in reference to the Barcelona ground -- to cruise past Morelia. This Sunday night, Santos Laguna rode a second half surge at the Estadio Corona to move past Queretaro and beat them 6-3 on aggregate.

After opening up a 3-0 lead at home, Toluca coasted to a 4-1 two-leg victory against Cruz Azul and cemented its spot in the semifinals, where they will face Club America. Much like Tigres, Toluca has long been a thorn in America’s side.

Armed with a club legend at head coach, Toluca is channeling Jose Cardozo´s stint as a player, with the former Paraguay international assembling a highly offensive style of play that has given opposing managers fits.

Even then, Toluca was unable to best an America side that had 10 players missing towards the end of the regular season, drawing 1-1 against them at the Azteca just a few weeks ago. Historically tough on America, Herrera was unable to take his team past Toluca in the semifinals just a year ago, when the Red Devils eventually went on to lose the Apertura 2012 crown to Tijuana.

Looking more fatigued than they would care to admit, it seems that pulling double duty for club and country has finally taken its toll on the current champions. With a travel schedule that resembles one of a world leader or movie star on a promotional tour rather than a domestic soccer team, America will love the short bus ride to Toluca next week. Will the downtime over the next few days be enough to boost them through to the final, though?

Many experts don´t seem to think so. Given that America was the only one in the final four to actually struggle to beat its prey, Tigres´ competitive nature and positive history against America is now seen as a sign of weakness for the current champions.

Never mind that Cruz Azul is likely facing the end of an era with aging stars and an overrated manager, or that Morelia, despite winning the Copa MX this semester had one of the weakest starting elevens in the playoffs. Santos Laguna is being touted as a potential finalist for beating a team that was relegated six months ago and is only back in the first division thanks to the all-mighty dollar.

Yes, this is not the same Club America of six months ago. This is, however, a team that finished first in the league and just finished beating a very competitive squad rife with stars over 180 minutes in its first playoff meeting. Nobody said the road to back-to-back titles would be easy. But to write off Club America for winning on away goals? That just seems foolish.

Café con Scandal: Lunati’s Controversial Cortado

(Hot beverage-related alliterations considered and rejected:- Suspect Submarino, Tainted Tea, Frappucino Fraught With Suspicion, Law-breaking Lágrima, you get the idea)

Intermediate to advanced watchers of Argentine football will possibly already be aware of referee Pablo Lunati. An explosive figure with a silly shark-fin haircut and a love of the headlines, our Pablo definitely does not shy away from spectacle, as most in the whistle-blowing profession tend to.

In fact, Sunday’s potentially title-deciding clash between San Lorenzo and Estudiantes was one of his first games back after an enforced sabbatical. He had been inactive for eight months previously due to what La Nacion, in a wonderful use of euphemism, called “his problems with the AFIP“. That of course, as those of you legally working here, is the tax-collecting agency, who in March raided seven of his properties (this refereeing’s a profitable gig) investigating alleged tax evasion and money laundering.

Surely then, he would be on his best behavior for his Primera División return, which came this weekend after first dropping down a league. Right?

Erm, no. San Lorenzo were held to a draw with Estudiantes, but felt aggrieved when Lunati refused to give a penalty that would have won the Bajo Flores side the title. The Pope’s team needed three points, plus a Lanús failure to win (they drew 1-1 with Boca Juniors), to be crowned champions, leaving the referee a rather unpopular figure.

But that was nothing compared to the reaction on Monday, when a video of Lunati sipping coffee alongside Lanús president Alejandro Marón in the days leading up to the match.

Damning evidence indeed, although Marón quickly came out to say it was a chance meeting. Nobody in the twitter universe – as we all know by now, the world’s foremost court of public justice – believed him, and some of the responses are worth sharing:

“Read Ole’s article. LUNATI drinks coffee with the Lanús president. Son of a thousand whores.” Charming and to the point, we would expect nothing less from someone with the twitter handle Equal before the law.

“It hurts my soul that Lunati would have swapped his unconditional love for River to sell himself for a few cents to Lanús.” A cheeky repetition here of the oft-cited accusation of favoritism that Lunati has for the Millonarios.

“Do not make hasty conclusions, the president of Lanús and Lunati were in a cafe talking about Icardi and Wanda Nara”. This, I believe.

So what is the truth, a chance meeting and common courtesy, or a dastardly plot to see San Lorenzo booted out of the title race? Nobody really knows, but it will not deter us from idle speculation that Lunati is a corrupt SOB. Most worrying for the referee, however, is that he may have managed to piss off San Lorenzo’s most famous fan, the pontiff himself.

Pablo, a word of advice. If you think the AFIP were tricky customers, just wait until you have the flaming sword of the Vatican coming down on your neck.

Central America Recap – December 2, 2013

The finalists in Honduras are now in place, while the playoffs continued in El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

HONDURAS

A dramatic afternoon played out on Sunday as Real Sociedad and Real España advanced to the 2013 Honduran Apertura final.

Sociedad’s passage was sealed after it struck for a third time from the penalty spot in the final minute of a 3-1 win over Deportes Savio, while España moved on thanks to a 1-1 draw against Olimpia. Both sides progress due to their higher positions in the regular-season table.

Real Sociedad needed to overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit and started it with a run in the area by Carlos Palacios that resulted in Elkin Gonzalez converting a 21st minute penalty. Four minutes after the break, Gonzalez doubled the host’s lead with another successful penalty kick after Cesar Zelaya was fouled in the area. A goal just past the hour mark by 36-year-old Luis Ramirez gave Deportes Savio new life to make it 2-1. Zelaya, however, was fouled again in the box, allowing Henry Clark to complete the sensational rally in the 90th minute with his first penalty of the game.

Olimpia’s bid for a fifth consecutive title came to an end following its elimination at the hands of Real España. The decisive goal came in the 82nd minute, when Franco Güity tallied off a pass from Bryan Rochez. The Lions looked for the dramatic comeback and scored the tying goal in the 87th minute thanks to Roger Rojas, but in the end Real España closed out the match and the round.

The two-legged final opens on December 8 in San Pedro Sula.

GUATEMALA

Comunicaciones, Heredia, Municipal and Marquense advanced to the Guatemalan Apertura semifinals after surviving quarterfinal challenges.

Defending champion Comunicaciones advanced 2-1 on aggregate over Suchitepequez thanks to a goalless draw at home on Saturday.

That same day, host Municipal captured its series against Malacateco 4-3 on aggregate thanks to a 2-1 win. Mario Rodriguez’s goal off a perfect Marvin Avila pass in the 71st minute proved to be the difference. The Rojos took a 13th minute lead on a Leonardo Monje tally, but Malacateco equalized 18 minutes later through Roberto Porras.

In a pair of Sunday games, Heredia upended Halcones 4-0 to take their series by the same score. Osmar López hit for hat-trick, while Wilfred Velasquez added the other.

Despite a 1-0 second-leg win, Universidad de San Carlos was eliminated by Marquense 3-1 on aggregate. Carlos Félix scored the game’s lone goal in the 30th minute.

The semifinal match-ups are: Marquense-Comunicaciones and Municipal-Heredia.

COSTA RICA

First-leg Costa Rican Invierno semifinal encounters on Sunday yielded victories for Saprissa and Herediano.

In a battle of the country’s two most decorated teams, Deyver Vega’s strike in the 63rd minute gave Saprissa a 1-0 win over second-seeded Alajuelense. The second leg will be played on December 9.

Top-seeded Herediano netted twice in the second half to defeat Cartagines, 2-0. Yosimar Arias converted a penalty in the 57th minute and Víctor Núñez doubled the lead six minutes later. The sides will meet again next Sunday.

EL SALVADOR

Isidro Metapan continued its winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Marte in the first leg of the Salvadoran Apertura semifinals on Sunday. An own-goal from Marcelo Tejeda was enough for Metapan, which needed a single-game playoff to reach the knockout phase.

Host Juventud Independiente came back twice from single-goal deficits to draw 2-2 with FAS. Jefferson Viveros gave the visitor a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute, but Juventud equalized 40 minutes later through Uruguayan striker Jesus Toscanini. The Tigers regained the advantage in the 77th minute as Viveros completed his brace. With 10 minutes remaining in regulation time, Irvin Valdez leveled the score.

Tauro claims Panamanian crown, qualifies for CCL

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Tauro captured its 12th Panamanian title on Friday, defeating San Francisco 1-0 in the Apertura final at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.

Israel Sanjur scored the winning goal in the 28th minute after San Francisco goalkeeper William Negrete could not hold on to a right-sided cross under intense pressure from the leaping Reinel Herrera. The 21-year-old reacted well to the loose ball, controlling with his chest and striking calmly with his right-foot from eight-yards out.

As a result of the victory, Tauro will participate in its fifth CONCACAF Champions League. It joins United States sides D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls as the only teams to qualify thus far for the 2014-15 edition of the competition.

Soccer roundup: Primera División title fight goes to the wire

With both Universidad Católica and O’Higgins winning this weekend, the title could go either way come Dec. 7 — setting up an enthralling final set of fixtures.

Universidad Católica 1-0 Colo Colo

The crescendo to Chile’s Primera División season finale next weekend could not be more exciting as both Universidad Católica and O’Higgins have the chance to be crowned champions following respective 1-0 wins.

Highflying Católica survived a number of tense moments during Sunday’s high tempo derby with mid-table Colo Colo to ensure the team occupies top spot by virtue of goal difference only. However, with O’Higgins — also on 36 points — needing to make up an eight goal deficit away to Rangers next weekend, a Católica win at the expense of 15th placed Unión La Calera will surely be enough to register an 11th championship trophy.

The pressure was on for Católica after O’Higgins’ victory on Saturday — the tension within the Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo all too palpable.

Colo Colo will be disappointed not to have caused an upset after threatening early on in front of the 11,000 strong crowd. Striker Felipe Flores brought the best out of goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli, who reacted brilliantly to deflect the Chilean’s powerful, close range header. Católica defender Christian Álvarez was then on hand a few minutes later to block a goal bound strike by midfielder José Fuenzalida.

The rhythm of the game was dizzying at times as both teams attacked with urgency and pace. After weathering Colo Colo’s first half onslaught the tension was relieved when striker Ismael Sosa swept in his eighth goal of the season five minutes after the break following good work down the right flank — sending the home fans into raptures. Colo Colo remained defiant though, the Argentine’s goal seeming to spur on a second wave of offence, pegging Católica back by hitting on the break.

Once again Toselli was on call to superbly thwart Fuenzalida when through on goal before tipping over midfielder Fernando Cordero’s 30 yard pile driver. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was immovable throughout, helping Católica to secure victory by a whisker while further improving his chances of making Chile’s 2014 World Cup squad.

“The team showed character today because Colo Colo gave us a hard time. Even with significant absences we were able to get an important result,” Católica coach Martín Lasarte said after the game.

The Uruguayan also told press that he is expecting a tough test in the final match against La Calera.

“It won’t be an easy game,” he said, when quizzed on the prospects of playing on La Calera’s artificial pitch.

O’Higgins 1-0 Unión Española

O’Higgins found the going tough on Saturday against a resurgent Unión Española vying for Copa Libertadores qualification.

The team from Rancagua knew that a win would pile the pressure on Católica — who played on Sunday — with both teams sitting even on 33 points prior to the weekend’s fixtures. In a game brimming with suspense it was O’Higgins who came out on top thanks to a Pablo Calandria goal — his seventh of the season.

“We lack a little bit of strength in depth, this is true. Against Unión Española we did not have too many chances to score. However, we have matured as a team and we are focused,” O’Higgins coach Eduardo Berizzo said after his side secured three points.

Aside from O’Higgins midfielder Pablo Hernández’s well-saved free kick it was Española who looked the most dangerous early on. Midfielder Matías Abelairas’ left-footed free kick pinged off the cross bar as the home side absorbed relentless pressure.

Just after half time Española again came close — this time through Matías Navarrete. The fullback ghosted past the O’Higgins defence only to chip the ball over the onrushing Paulo Garcés and inches wide of the upright.

Española was left ruing these early chances as O’Higgins striker Calandria popped up in the 52nd minutes to score from eight yards out following a corner, which should have been cleared.

Left back Nicolás Bernardo’s marauding run down the wing in the game’s dying moments was Española’s last effort as the Argentine whipped a cross across into the box, only for it to curl onto the cross bar and out to safety.

Española occupy fifth spot knowing a win next weekend against Cobresal will cement a Copa Libertadores playoff spot while O’Higgins will be hoping to victory away to Rangers will be enough to win the club’s first major trophy.

Ñublense 1-0 Everton

Ñublense’s hopes of reaching a Copa Libertadores playoff place were strengthened Sunday as defender Benjamín Ruiz’s second half goal was enough to register the home side’s fifth win in six games.

Both teams came close in the first half, Ñublense hitting the post before Everton’s Argentine striker Emiliano Romero shaved the wrong side of Lucas Giovini’s post with a fizzing 30 yard shot.

The rangey Ruiz then used his height advantage to rise above the travelling defence to head in on 63 minutes — making sure his team head into the final weekend only two points off fifth place with 24 points. Iquique currently holds down 6th place on 25 points while Española has also banked 25 points in fifth.

Iquique 0-1 Palestino

Palestino — who have been this season’s surprise package — all but guaranteed a shot at the Copa Libertadores after grinding out an important one nil win against an in form Iquique coming off three straight wins.

The decisive goal arrived in the 86th minute as substitute Matías Ramírez — coming onto the pitch a minute earlier — latched onto midfielder Alejandro Carrasco’s pinpoint through ball to hook past Roderigo Naranjo.

The defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow for Iquique who drops a place to sixth. The battle for the remaining Copa Libertadores playoff places is heating up going into the final weekend. Six teams still have a shot at making the final three playoff spots after Universidad Católica and O’Higgins have secured the first two.

Universidad de Chile 1-1 Universidad de Concepción

A thumping left footed shot by Universidad de Chile midfielder Gustavo Lorenzetti, a glaring miss by traveling striker Diego Ruiz and a stunning strike by Universidad de Concepción midfielder Hector Berrios in the game’s final minutes told this story.

Saturday’s point is more valuable to Universidad de Chile who, along with the five other teams in contention, are bidding for a Copa Libertadores place. The team has found itself in unfamiliar waters this term, scrapping with mid table teams for a Copa Libertadores playoff spot, when the club is usually accustomed to battling for the title.

Concepción on the other hand are resigned to mid table mediocrity and have nothing to play for from now on aside from pride. A win next week for Universidad de Chile against Cobreloa will be enough to secure a playoff spot.

Cobresal 1-1 Santiago Wanderers

For teams in the top half of the table, this weekend was all about keeping hopes of making the Copa Libertadores playoff places alive. And while Cobresal may have done just that with a draw against Santiago Wanderers, the team is rightly the bookies’ favourite to miss out — sitting in eighth place with 24 points.

Fullback Felipe Salinas rattled the cross bar with a volley early on before Wanderers midfielder Boris Sagredo was allowed the time and space to curl in a beautiful shot from the edge of the area on 22 minutes.

Paraguayan striker Ever Cantero then popped up at the far post to make it one-a-piece with a headed goal half way through the second period. Cobresal travel to Española next weekend in what promises to be an enthralling affair.

Antofagasta 0-0 Cobreloa

Friday’s duel between Antofagasta and Cobreloa may have lacked significance given that the two teams have nothing to play for, but this did not prevent an end-to-end spectacle, even if the scoreline remained goalless.

Perhaps the most significant moment arrived in the second half when Cobreloa was inexplicably denied a clear goal by the referee after substitute striker Jaime Grondona tapped in.

Antofagasta threatened late on but goalkeeper Luciano Palos remained alert to keep out Argentine Javier Elizondo.

Audax Italiano 2-0 Rangers

Both Audax Italiano and Rangers are languishing at the bottom of the table, propped up off the foot by Huachipato. Friday’s game was not one for the ages but there were a few moments of excitement as both sides had chances.

Audax opened the scoring when Chilean midfielder Marco Medel’s free kick was deflected past the unlucky Emanuel Vargas in goal. Seven minutes from time substitute Diego Valdés neatly finished off a low cross from the left side to assure victory.

Huachipato is certain to finish the season rooted to bottom spot while Audax occupy 17th with Rangers one place above on 15 points.

Huachipato 0-1 Unión La Calera

Huachipato rounded off a depressing league campaign losing to Unión La Calera and making sure the team finishes up last place in the overall standings.

A spectacular long range effort by La Calera midfielder Esteban Bravo was all that separated the two sides in a game short on chances.

La Calera had a chance to make it two nil after being awarded a penalty but goalkeeper Arnaldo Giménez fired straight at his opposite number. However, the victory ended a run of four straight defeats for the travelling side, who sit in 15th.

However, there is some salvation given that Huachipato finds itself in the semifinals of the Copa Chile, playing the first leg at home against Católica on Jan. 7.

Apertura upcoming fixtures:

Dec. 6, 8 p.m: Everton vs. Huachipato
Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m: Unión La Calera vs. Universidad Católica
Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m: Rangers vs. O’Higgins
Dec. 8, 4 p.m: Santiago Wanderers vs. Antofagasta
Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m: Unión Española vs. Cobresal
Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m: Palestino vs. Audax Italiano
Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m: Universidad de Concepción vs. Iquique
Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m: Cobreloa vs. Universidad de Chile
Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m: Colo Colo vs. Ñublense


Mål

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

Las FARC invitan a Maradona y a otros exjugadores a un partido por la paz

LA HABANA -- Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) invitaron al astro argentino del fútbol Diego Armando Maradona, y a otros famosos exjugadores latinoamericanos, a sumarse a la iniciativa para celebrar en La Habana un partido con los negociadores de la guerrilla en apoyo al proceso de paz colombiano.

"Vamos a lanzarle un SOS, un pedido de ayuda a Maradona. Que nos acompañe, que venga a jugar con nosotros, para que intentemos por fin alcanzar una paz que nos ha sido esquiva durante décadas", dijo ante la prensa el número dos de la guerrilla colombiana y su jefe negociador, "Iván Márquez", alias de Luciano Marín Arango.

La pasada semana, el exjugador colombiano Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama sugirió en medios de su país la posibilidad de un partido de fútbol con las FARC a favor de la paz, una propuesta a la que la guerrilla contestó favorablemente en una misiva divulgada el sábado.

"Creo que sería un buen aporte para que la gente colombiana y también a nivel internacional brinde sin reservas el respaldo que necesita este esfuerzo por encontrar la paz y la reconciliación de la familia colombiana", dijo este lunes "Iván Márquez".

El jefe guerrillero propuso que en ese eventual partido participen, además de Maradona, exfutbolistas famosos como el paraguayo José Luis Chilavert, el chileno Iván Zamorano, el ecuatoriano Álex Aguinaga, y el boliviano Marco Antonio "El Diablo" Etcheverry, entre otros.

Márquez aseguró que los negociadores de las FARC ya se están "entrenando" para ese "crucial partido" que la guerrilla quiere que se dispute en La Habana, aunque antes tienen que hablar con sus anfitriones cubanos "para ver las posibilidades que tendríamos para hacerlo".

El negociador de la guerrilla habló incluso de alguna de las "estrategias" de las FARC para ese encuentro: "Solamente puedo adelantar que al ´Pibe´ (Valderrama) lo vamos a marcar con dos mujeres guerrilleras para que lo controlen, porque es un tipo muy peligroso, organiza muy bien el juego y de pronto nos pueden meter una goleada".

Márquez hizo estas declaraciones antes de una nueva jornada de las negociaciones de paz con el Gobierno de Juan Manuel Santos, actualmente centradas en el debate del tema de las drogas ilícitas.

Al respecto, la guerrilla planteó hoy ante los medios 10 propuestas mínimas sobre "política antidrogas para la soberanía y el buen vivir de los pobres del campo".

Concretamente, las FARC reclaman que la política antidrogas de Colombia sea "integral, soberana, democrática y participativa" y que se oriente "a los pobres del campo y a los consumidores".

Entre otros postulados, la guerrilla propone la sustitución de los usos ilícitos de los cultivos de coca, marihuana y amapola mediante programas de desarrollo alternativo; la suspensión inmediata de aspersiones aéreas con sustancias como el glifosato; la desmilitarización de las política antidrogas y el "no intervencionismo imperialista".

También defienden que la política contra el flagelo de las drogas desmonte las estructuras narco-paramilitares en el país y que se persigan los capitales involucrados en el proceso económico del narcotráfico.

Jeg kunne tydeligt forestille mig, at São Paolo er den værste VM værtsby at tage til. Den by oser af kriminalitet. Rio er nok heller ikke den mest trygge by. Men hvordan er det i de andre byer? Salvador, Manaus, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre mm.?

EDIT: Jeg læste lige den trussel, der var kommet fra en bande i São Paolo. Derfor blev jeg lidt nysgerrig. Det er vel ikke alle brasilianske byer, som er lige så farlige som São Paolo.

Rio kan også være slem - men farlige og farlige tja - der nogle steder man ikke går, ting man ikke gør - alting med måde - det bedste er vel at følge de lokales råd og vejledning samt ikke at agere dansk ølbøvs og tro man er på Ibiza, Sunny Beach - eller på sprit i Prag...

Se lesionó Matías Caruzzo en Boca

BUENOS AIRES -- Boca Juniors, que el domingo último se quedó sin ninguna chance de pelear por el título en el Torneo Inicial, retomó el martes las prácticas con las novedades de que el defensor Matías Caruzzo dejó el ensayo por una lesión, y el delantero Claudio Riaño entrenó diferenciado.

Caruzzo participaba de la sesión de fútbol en espacios reducidos que diagramó el DT Carlos Bianchi hasta que sintió un tirón y abandonó la cancha visiblemente dolorido, mientras que el atacante cordobés sigue con la lesión que le impidió estar el domingo ante Lanús, en el empate (2-2) de la anteúltima fecha.

Respecto de Caruzzo, fue revisado por los médicos boquenses y se comprobó que sufrió una tendinopatía en el aductor izquierdo y será evaluado para ver si puede estar el domingo ante Gimnasia de La Plata, ya que se trata de un eventual reemplazante del uruguayo Ribair Rodríguez, suspendido por acumulación de amarillas.

Riaño, en tanto, padece una contractura en la pierna derecha que le impidió integrar el banco de suplentes el domingo pasado, y se estima que con el correr de los días evolucionará para estar disponible el domingo en la última fecha en `La Bombonera`.

En cuanto a la actividad del plantel, los que enfrentaron el domingo al Granate efectuaron únicamente tareas regenerativas, mientras que el resto, incluido los que ingresaron en el segundo tiempo o los que únicamente jugaron en la primera etapa, se exigieron bastante.

Bianchi armó cuatro equipos y se enfrentaron siempre con los mismos arqueros, Emanuel Trípodi y Manuel Vicentini.

El equipo de camiseta blanca alistó a Nahuel Zárate, Emmanuel Gigliotti, Jesús Méndez y Caruzzo hasta que se lesionó, mientras que el de remera naranja incluyó a Diego Rivero, Maximiliano Padilla, Nicolás Blandi y Guillermo Burdisso.

El de chomba violeta, en tanto, formó con Franco Cángele, Federico Bravo, Claudio Pérez y Joel Acosta, al tiempo que los azules lo hicieron con Francesco Celeste, Alan Aguirre, Juan Sánchez Miño y Gonzalo Escalante.

Bianchi observó atentamente la práctica y mientras dos equipos se enfrentaban, los otros dos ensayaron definición frente a los arqueros Sebastián D`Angelo y Joaquín Matalía.

En cuanto a Juan Román Riquelme, desgarrado e inactivo hasta el año próximo, llegó al club y se sometió a sesiones de kinesiología, mientras que el juvenil Leandro Paredes recién arribó sobre el final de la práctica, con el diagnóstico reciente de la fractura que sufrió en el quinto metatarsiano del pie derecho.

Paredes tendrá una extensa recuperación, se estima que de entre dos y tres meses, y así se perderá seguro la pretemporada que Boca realizará en enero.

El plantel xeneize volverá a entrenarse el miércoles desde las 9 en el predio Pedro Pompilio de Casa Amarilla, con miras a su último compromiso, que será el domingo a las 18.15 como local de Gimnasia La Plata, por la 19na. y última fecha del Torneo Inicial.