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Racing: presentación de Cerro y regreso de Rentería

BUENOS AIRES -- El mediocampista Francisco Cerro fue presentado este lunes como nuevo refuerzo de Racing Club para el torneo Final, certamen que comenzó de la mejor manera para el elenco de Avellaneda al golear como local el sábado por 3-0 a Colón de Santa Fe.

Al mismo tiempo, el delantero colombiano Wason Rentería, la restante incorporación de la "Academia", regresó esta mañana desde Colombia tras el viaje que realizó a su país luego de conocerse un leve problema pulmonar, y se entrenó normalmente junto a sus compañeros.

Si bien la operación de Cerro estaba consumada desde el viernes, el volante, procedente de Vélez y quien vio el partido ante Colón desde la platea del Cilindro de Avellaneda, fue oficializado hoy como segunda incorporación de la "Academia" en una conferencia de prensa que brindó junto al presidente de la institución, Víctor Blanco.

"Agradezco a la dirigencia por cumplir mi deseo y a ´Mostaza´ (el entrenador, Reinaldo Merlo) por haberme pedido. Estoy más que feliz, era mi deseo vestir esta camiseta por todo lo que significa", comentó el volante santiagueño de 25 años, surgido de las divisiones inferiores de Quilmes, que firmó un vínculo con Racing por los próximos tres años y medio.

Cerro, quien realizó este lunes en el Cilindro su primer entrenamiento en Racing, consideró que su llegada al club representa "un paso importante" en su carrera y remarcó que se encontró "con un grupo bárbaro" que lo recibió "de la mejor manera".

En tanto, Blanco celebró la llegada de Cerro, resaltó las dificultades de la negociación con Vélez y opinó que el santiagueño le "va a dar jerarquía" al equipo de Merlo.

Por otra parte, en el primer entrenamiento de la semana con vistas al clásico del sábado ante San Lorenzo en el Nuevo Gasómetro, Bruno Zuculini se movió en forma diferenciada por un leve esguince de tobillo.

Del ensayo formó parte Rentería, quien volvió este lunes desde su país tras disfrutar de un día libre, según el presidente Blanco con consentimiento del cuerpo técnico.

La insuficiencia cardíaca no informada a Racing en el momento de su contratación, la autorización que el club tuvo que pedir en AFA por la ingesta frecuente de medicina con corticoides por aquella afección y el viaje relámpago del futbolista dejaron un poco de lado el domingo la goleada ante Colón.

Sin embargo, Blanco aclaró: "Rentería estuvo trabajando el día sábado y después tenía su franco y se fue a Colombia. Tenía permiso del técnico. Me parece perfecto porque se presentó hoy en horario normal".

Dudu arrives in Porto Alegre to sign with Grêmio

Grêmio fans will be enthusiastic about the signing of Dudu - Action Images
The attacking-midfielder is likely to complete his one year loan to the gaúcho club on Monday.

Dudu is expected to be presented as a Grêmio player on Monday after first going to the Estádio Olímpico to sign his contract.

Owner of the player’s economic rights, Dynamo Kiev, are thought to be interested in Grêmio’s striker Mamute and it’s still possible that the player could be included in the deal.

“Nothing is confirmed yet. It could involve a player, but it’s not yer decided which. It should be finalised this afternoon,” said Grêmio’s director of football Marcos Chitolina.

Corinthians desperate to get Jadson and Renato Augusto fit for Sunday’s derby against Palmeiras

Worried about recent poor form, Corinthians’ coach Mano Menezes, is hoping to be at full strength for Sunday’s clássico and expects the two midfielders to be ready in time.

With a whole week of training ahead, Mano Menezes is hopeful that the central midfield dup of Jadson and Renato Augusto will be able to play in Sunday’s derby against Palmeiras. The two players are considered pivotal players that could change the fortunes of the struggling Timão.

Renato Augusto is still recovering from an injury-plagued year in 2013 but has trained with a ball in the past few days and is likely to feature for at least 45 minutes.

“We hope to be able to count on Renato, yes, but let’s see how he does this week,” said Mano.

Jadson, a recent arrival at Corinthians from São Paulo, is not thought to be in peak physical condition but the main question is the player’s contract.

“In principle, Jadson should play. We still haven’t finalised his contract but when we do I’ll think about the possibilities. It’s an important game for us and I want to use our best players. We’re talking about a clássico.”

Fred should return to training with Fluminense this Tuesday

Sources close to Fluminense suggest that the striker may still be called-up to the Brazil squad.

After picking up a knock on Friday, Fred is expected to return to training with Fluminense on Tuesday, when the team will reconvene following this weekend’s emphatic 3-0 victory of rivals Flamengo.

According to sources, Fred’s injury was minor and is not a cause for concern. However, considering the player’s history of injuries it’s expected that Fluminense will take all the precautions necessary to avoid risking another injury.

On Monday, the Seleção’s doctor is expected to examine the striker to determine whether or not he can be called-up to the national squad by coach Luis Felipe Scolari for the friendly against South Africa on March 5.

Maidana: "Ojalá mantengamos el nivel"

BUENOS AIRES -- A horas del debut con triunfo en el Torneo Final 2014, el defensor de River Jonatan Maidana habló en ESPN Radio en Rivadavia y destacó "arrancar ganando porque es bueno en lo anímico y en lo grupal".

"En River se respira un aire nuevo. Hay que seguir trabajando pero estamos bien encaminados. El plantel tiene los pies sobre la tierra y sabe que esto recién comienza. Ojalá lo podamos mantener", manifestó el defensor central que en el último mercado de pases estuvo a un paso de emigrar al fútbol mexicano.

Sobre la frustrada transferencia, Maidana confesó que no se realizó porque "a River no le cerraban los números acordados". "Me quedé acá y la verdad que no me puedo quejar. Estoy en el club más grande de Argentina y en uno de los más grandes del mundo", agregó.

Además, el exdefensor de Boca, aseguró que, poco a poco, el plantel se va "acostumbrando al sistema de línea de tres elegido por Ramón Díaz". "Todo el equipo tuvo un buen partido en general. Da mucha confianza. Por suerte el equipo pudo hacer lo que se venía practicando en la semana", añadió.

"Fue muy importante la movilidad que mostraron los jugadores de arriba. Hicieron un gran trabajo. River mereció más goles. hubo chances para cerrarlo antes pero lo importante es haber sumado de a tres", puntualizó.

Por otro lado, se refirió a Fernando Cavenaghi, con quien compartió plantel en el ascenso conseguido desde el Torneo de la B Nacional en la temporada 2011/12. "Sumó mucho su llegada, tanto adentro como afuera de la cancha porque es un líder muy positivo. Nos da un salto de calidad", enfatizó.

Finalmente, Maidana se refirió al partido del próximo fin de semana ante Rosario Central y dejó en claro que "River irá a Rosario a ganar, con la misma mentalidad de ayer". "Es bueno que tengamos varios partidos seguidos para poder mantener el ritmo de juego y seguir mejorando", concluyó.

Jonatan Maidana, de 28 años, fue titular en el partido en el cual River se presentó en el Torneo Final, superando a Gimnasia por 1 a 0 con gol de Leonardo Ponzio. Curiosamente, la última vez que River debutó en un campeonato superando al conjunto platense fue en el Torneo Clausura 1997, cuando lo venció por 2 a 0 con goles de Enzo Francescoli y Julio Cruz y ese semestre River se adjudicó el título.

Valentín Viola: "Fue el primero y el último"

BUENOS AIRES -- En el día del regreso a la actividad tras el debut oficial de Racing en el 2014, Valentín Viola habló en ESPN Radio en Rivadavia y admitió haber tenido "suerte" con la chilena que abrió el partido ante Colón, el pasado sábado.

"Lo volví a ver hace un rato el gol y la verdad que tengo que agradecer porque tuve mucha suerte. Esperaba el centro más adelante, De Paul me gritó que iba a cabecear y la verdad fue un poco egoísta y me la terminé jugando", confesó.

A su vez, Viola admitió con cierto humor que el del sábado fue "el primer y último gol de chilena". "Hay que ser sincero y no creo que vuelva a repetir algo así alguna vez", agregó.

"Arrancamos muy bien, porque pudimos hacer bastante de lo que veníamos haciendo en los Torneos de Verano. Con el gol mío el partido se abrió y luego llegó el de Hauche que sirvió para marcar la diferencia. En el segundo tiempo bajamos un poco", añadió

Por otro lado, Viola dio a conocer lo que les pide Reinaldo Merlo tanto a él como a Gabriel Hauche, ya que son dos jugadores muy parecidos. "Para defender, Mostaza nos da responsabilidad y siempre tratamos de que uno se encargue del cinco rival. Para atacar nos da libertad de atacar como queramos y ahí nos turnamos. A los dos nos gusta jugar por afuera, pero nos dividimos para que siempre uno quede en el área", contó.

Finalmente, el delantero que llegó a mediados de 2013 a préstamo desde Sporting Lisboa destacó el trabajo de pretemporada con "Mostaza" porque "fue muy fuerte y se vio en la primera fecha que sirvió". "El semestre pasado me costó porque llevaba dos años sin una pretemporada. No me sentía al 100% y ahora noto la diferencia", concluyó.

Valentín Viola fue el autor del primer gol oficial de Racing en el 2014. El dato a tener en cuenta es que fue el primer jugador de Racing en convertir de chilena en más de veintiún años, siendo Juan Ramón Fleita, el último antecedente, en noviembre de 1993.

Gabriel Heinze no viajará a Colombia

BUENOS AIRES -- Luego del empate ante Boca del domingo por la primera fecha del Torneo Final, el plantel de Newell´s regresó el lunes por la mañana a los entrenamientos con la confirmación de la baja de Gabriel Heinze para viajar a Colombia. El conjunto rosarino tomará el martes un vuelo rumbo a Medellín, a la espera del encuentro ante Atlético Nacional, el jueves que viene a las 23.30, en el debut por Copa Libertadores de América.

El ex defensor de Real Madrid y Manchester United se entrenó junto al resto del plantel en el gimnasio y se quedó en Argentina para continuar su recuperación del desgarro en el isquiotibial. Se espera que uno de los máximos referentes del equipo pueda estar presente el próximo domingo ante Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, por la segunda jornada del campeonato.

Ante este panorama, el técnico Alfredo Berti volvería a utilizar a Diego Mateo en la zaga central junto a Víctor López. Teniendo en cuenta que salvo Heinze el plantel no presenta ningún lesionado, el equipo sería el mismo que jugó ante Boca.

En consecuencia, para el debut copero Newell´s iría con: Nahuel Guzmán; Marcos Cáceres, Mateo, López, Milton Casco; Ever Banega, Hernán Villalba, Lucas Bernardi; Victor Figueroa, David Trezeguet y Maxi Rodríguez. Además, Adrián Gabbarini, Nicolás Castro, Horacio Orzán, Juan Ignacio Vieyra, Carlos Torres, Ezequiel Ponce, Guillermo Ortíz y Fabián Muñoz completan la delegación que partirá a Medellín.

Además de Atlético Nacional, Newell´s tendrá a Nacional de Montevideo y Gremio de Porto Alegre como rivales del Grupo 6 de la Copa Libertadores. El segundo encuentro será el 27 de febrero ante el conjunto uruguayo, como local en el Parque de la Independencia.

Botafogo´s Jefferson seeks World Cup call

Jefferson has made over 200 appearances for Botafogo - Action Images
Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson is hoping that his Copa Libertadores clean sheet last week against Deportivo Quito can serve as a reminder to Luiz Felipe Scolari that he is ready and available for Brazilian duty.

Jefferson told the media that the crowd at the game were fantastic: "I congratulate everyone. When we entered the Maracana we all shivered. The crowd was wonderful."

The shot stopper, 31, has targeted a World Cup spot and knows that continental performances will aid his cause no end, as Botafogo returned to South America´s leading club championship after a 17 year hiatus.

With nine caps to his name already, Jefferson - who was part of the Brazil squad to triumph at the 2013 Confederations Cup- will be hoping that Felipao calls on him for the ultimate test- a World Cup on home soil.

Botafogo look to seal deal for Paraguayan Zeballos

Botafogo are gearing up for their first Copa in a generation - Action Images
Paraguayan striker Pablo Zeballos, who was back in his homeland on loan from Russia, is on the verge of signing a deal with Botafogo, according to reports on lancenet.com.

A loan transfer for the 27 year-old Sovetov attacker is being discussed on Monday and it is thought that Zeballos could sign by the end of the day and in time to register for the Rio de Janeiro club´s first Copa Libertadores campaign in 17 years.

Capped nine times by Paraguay, and with one goal to his name, Zeballos was keen to join Olimpia permanently but the club´s crippling debt has appeared to put paid to tha option.

Soccer Roundup: Colo Colo unstoppable, Iquique wins cup final rehearsal


‘La U’ suffers from midweek travels, Palestino and O’Higgins share points, Concepción slump continues in Chile’s top division.

Unión Española 1-4 Colo Colo

Colo Colo claimed another emphatic victory Sunday with a clinical performance at the home of transition tournament champion Unión Española. “Los Albos” remaining unbeaten in the Clausura, having netted 14 times in their last three games.

Two goals from Jaime Valdés, one from Esteban Paredes and another from Mauro Olivi ensured another good day at the office for Colo Colo, who opened up a three point gap at the top of the table.

Midfielder Valdés set the away side on its way after nine minutes, beating goalkeeper Diego Sánchez at his near post with a powerful effort from 25 yards.

Colo Colo then doubled its advantage seconds before the halftime whistle, an unmarked Paredes heading in a free kick from playmaker Emiliano Vecchio for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Valdés ended any hopes of an Española comeback in the 63rd minute as he cut inside Argentine defender Nicolás Berardo and tucked a fierce left-footed strike just inside the post.

To the home side’s credit, the players refused to go down without a fight and pulled a goal back 10 minutes later as Gustavo Canales took advantage of José Pedro Fuenzalida’s overconfidence in possession, firing into the top corner from 30 yards.

However, Olivi made the scoreline a flattering one in the dying minutes of the match, giving Sánchez no chance as he put Paredes’ squared pass into the roof of the net.

A deserved three points strengthens Colo Colo’s position at the top of the league on 16 points, establishing the team as clear title favorites.

After the match, however, manager Hector Tapia was quick to play down this label, insisting that although he was happy with how his team was playing, there were “many things to improve on” and that the team would take things “week by week.”

Unión Española falls to 11th on eight points and will travel to Cobreloa Friday.

Santiago Wanderers 2-1 Universidad de Chile

A weary Universidad de Chile suffered at the hands of Santiago Wanderers on Sunday as the home side ended its streak of four matches without a win.

“La U” returned from its successful midweek Copa Libertadores trip to Paraguay full of confidence but drained of energy, having given everything in its 3-2 win over Guaraní. Despite their travels, Cristián Romero’s men looked to be on their way to a fifth consecutive win in all competitions when Isaac Díaz tapped in at the far post, converting a four on two created after midfielder Roberto Cereceda stole the ball in midfield in the 31st minute.

However, Santiago Wanderers came out a different side in the second half and played with great determination against a tiring “La U” outfit. Midfielder Leonardo Valencia levelled the scores after just 51 minutes, fighting off three defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Johnny Herrera.

Wanderers maintained their high intensity and found the winning goal in the 71st minute, Uruguayan Matías Mier teeing up fellow midfielder Boris Sagredo to drill an unstoppable shot past Herrera.

“La U” dug deep and pushed for an equalizer that should have come through César Cortés, but the forward squandered a great opportunity, and Wanderers managed to cling on until the final whistle to secure a big upset.

Santiago Wanderers now sit mid-table in 10th with eight points. Universidad de Chile slips to sixth and will hope to get back to winning ways with the visit from a struggling Everton side next week.

Huachipato 0-1 Iquique

A rehearsal for the Copa Chile final between Huachipato and Iquique Sunday saw the away side run out 1-0 winners.

Huachipato produced a string of chances in the first half and will have been disappointed not to lead at the break, with first David Llanos rattling the woodwork and then Francisco Arrué heading wide from eight yards against a lacklustre Iquique side.

Iquique upped intensity in the second half, taking the initiative and almost opening the scoring as a Rodrigo Díaz strike found the upright.

The away side continued to press for a goal, and was rewarded with a penalty in the 79th minute after midfielder Carlos Espinosa brought down substitute attacker Walter Mazzolatti. However, Miguel Jiménez produced a fine save to divert defender Miguel Zenteno’s spot kick.

Fortunately for Zenteno, his blushes were spared five minutes later as his side finally broke Huachipato’s resistance, with forward Gerson Martínez prodding the ball into the net from close range.

The result means that Huachipato slips to 16th with four points. Having qualified for the Copa Sudamericana, if its current run of form continues the team might well be participating in the elite competition from Chile’s second division. Meanwhile, Iquique’s quiet climb up the table continues, rising to fifth spot with ten points.

Cobresal 0-1 Universidad Católica

Universidad Católica climbed to second in the table with a last-minute victory Saturday against a 10 man Cobresal.

The host was unlucky not to go in front as Mariano Torre’s strike beat goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli but found the foot of the post in the seventh minute.

A red card for midfielder Eduardo Farías in the 28th minute left the home side with a mountain to climb after he lunged in with studs raised on defender Alfonso Parot.

Despite finding itself a man down the home team continued to threaten, seeing a penalty appeal for handball turned down, a looping header by Álvaro Navarro hit the crossbar and a goal disallowed for offside.

Cruelly for Cobresal, the away side snatched victory in the 89th minute as new signing Darío Bottinelli fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Defeat means Cobresal slips to 17th with four points, while Universidad Católica keeps its title hopes alive as the team climbs into second place with 13 points.

Palestino 1-1 O’Higgins

Palestino and O’Higgins shared the points in Saturday’s clash as O’Higgins’ unbeaten run continues.

An end-to-end first half saw both teams threaten on several occasions, with Palestino forward Renato Ramos hitting the woodwork and O’Higgins forward Pablo Calandria seeing his shot headed off the line by defender Miguel Escalona after goalkeeper Felipe Núñez had deserted his goal.

However the away side broke the deadlock in the 60th minute through Pablo Hernández. The attacker, so important in O’Higgins’ title win last season, scored one of the easier goals of his career as he tapped into an empty net after the erratic Núñez had again come rushing out to try to recover from a mistake.

Ramos again went close, his shot cleared off the line by defender Benjamín Vidal, before the home side finally scored the late equalizer that its play deserved. It was Escalona’s second crucial header of the day, this time at the other end of the pitch, that gave the home side a point as he buried the ball past goalkeeper Paolo Garcés.

The point leaves Palestino lurking in fourth place with 11 points. O’Higgins, unbeaten in the Clausura, is now four points off the top in third place with 12 points.

Everton 1-1 Antofagasta

Everton remains at the foot of the table but gained a point Saturday against visiting Antofagasta.

A penalty converted by Javier Elizondo in the 43rd minute put the visitors in front.

However, Everton came out fighting in the second half, desperate to find an equalizer. This finally arrived in the final ten minutes of the match, striker Matías Donoso rescuing a point for the home side after some brilliant individual skill.

The draw leaves Everton at the bottom of the table on four points, but level on points with Cobresal and Huachipato above them. Antofagasta sits in 13th with seven points.

Ñublense 3-1 Universidad Concepción

Ñublense enjoyed a comfortable victory Sunday as it consigned Universidad de Concepción to a third consecutive defeat.

Striker Luciano Vásquez grabbed his fourth goal of the Clausura in the 24th minute, meeting Emanuel Croce’s cross with a fine header past goalkeeper Cristán Muñoz.

Ñublense had Vásquez to thank again in the 59th minute as he fired a powerful strike from outside the box to mark his fifth of the campaign.

Defender José Rojas secured the points with a chip fifteen minutes from time, although a smart finish from Gabriel Vargas gave the visiting side a consolation in the 83rd minute.

Ñublense gained some breathing space, climbing to 14th place with six points. Universidad de Concepción slips to eighth with nine points.

Rangers 2-1 Cobreloa

Rangers gained three vital points Friday in a 2-1 victory against visiting Cobreloa.

A positive Rangers side found the opener in the 30th minute as midfielder Francisco Alarcón fizzed a low drive into the side netting from 25 yards.

However, the lead lasted just eight minutes as Argentine defender Christian Cellay’s sliding tackle brought down Ignacio Herrera inside the box. Gabriel Méndez made no mistake with a fine strike into the bottom corner of the net from the spot.

It was ex-Cobreloa defender Rodolfo González that scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute, sending his former club home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Cobreloa remain mid-table in ninth with eight points, while Rangers jump to 12th on seven points.

Audax Italiano 0-1 Unión La Calera

Unión La Calera won a vital match on Friday to pull away from bottom half of the table.

A tap-in by striker Leandro Benegas in the second minute was enough to secure a 1-0 away win against struggling Audax Italiano.

La Calera striker Matías Rubio should have doubled his team’s lead midway through the second half but scuffed his shot wide from eight yards.

Italiano had several chances to level, coming closest in the second half as striker Omar Zalazar saw his header drift just wide with goalkeeper Juan Ojeda beaten.

Victory for Unión La Calera takes it to seventh place in the table with nine points. Meanwhile, Audax Italiano’s battle against relegation continues as it makes it four matches without a win and finds itself in 15th with five points.

Clausura upcoming fixtures:

Feb. 14, 6 p.m.: Cobreloa vs. Unión Española

Feb. 14, 8.30 p.m.: Colo Colo vs. Rangers

Feb. 15, 5 p.m.: Universidad Concepción vs. Cobresal

Feb. 15, 5 p.m.: Unión La Calera vs. Palestino

Feb. 15, 7.30 p.m.: Universidad Católica vs. Huachipato

Feb. 15, 10 p.m.: Deportes Iquique vs. Santiago Wanderers

Feb. 15, 10 p.m.: Antofagasta vs. Audax Italiano

Feb. 16, 5 p.m.: Ñublense vs. O’Higgins

Feb. 16, 7.30 p.m.: Universidad de Chile vs. Everton


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