Snak

Vélez: Desábato por Allione, el cambio

BUENOS AIRES -- Tres días después de superar a Arsenal en Sarandí, el plantel de Vélez realizó una última práctica de fútbol ya que en la tarde del martes disputará un nuevo partido por el Torneo Final, ante All Boys.

Para dicho partido, nuevamente, José Flores no podrá repetir la alineación inicial debido a que tiene suspendido a Agustín Allione, quien ante Arsenal sumó su quinta tarjeta amarilla en la temporada y estará suspendido. El lugar de Allione será cubierto por Leandro Desábato.

Mientras tanto, Flores decidió no arriesgar a Héctor Canteros, quien mejoró de su esguince. La idea del cuerpo técnico es que el autor del gol ante Universitario en Perú regresa a las canchas el próximos ábado ante Lanús.

En definitiva, los once de Vélez ante el equipo de Floresta serán Sebastián Sosa; Fabián Cubero, Sebastián Domínguez, Fernando Tobio, Emiliano Papa; Jorge Correa, Leandro Desábato, Lucas Romero, Cabral; Mauro Zárate, Lucas Pratto.

Vélez, con cuatro puntos en el Torneo Final, enfrentará a All Boys desde las 19:15 hs. del martes, con el arbitraje de Mariano González. Los de Liniers arrastran un invicto de diez fechas en campeonatos locales, ya que no caen desde la fecha 11 del Torneo Inicial (2 a 1 ante Olimpo).

Liga MX Week 7 roundup: Cruz Azul´s dominance continues

The top three clubs in Liga MX didn’t change over the weekend of games, but there was a perceptible shift in their fortunes.

Cruz Azul is turning into the dominant force in the league. With 19 points, the club is putting some daylight between itself and chasing rivals. Yet chinks in the team’s armour may be starting to emerge, as the absence of injured Gerardo Torrado could finally be taking a toll. The Cementeros defeated Puebla 1-0, but the game was in the balance until the 92nd minute. A resurgent Marco Fabian was the hero, and he will be relied on in the future to keep Cruz Azul on top.

However, Toluca might be primed to be the club to beat in the second half of the season. The team is like a hydra -- if one scoring threat is cut off, two others make opponents pay. Three different goalscorers - Edgar Benitez, Isaac Brizuela, and Pablo Velazquez -- shared the honors in an away victory over Veracruz that left the home team humiliated due to an inability to score. Toluca’s Red Devils are probably the team no one wants to face right now.

Club America is still holding on to third in the table, but only just barely, since hated rival Chivas has the same number of points. Las Aguilas could not get their vaunted offense going against Morelia. Christian Valdez scored for the Monarchs in the 61st minute, while Antonio Mohamed’s club flailed helplessly about on the field and failed to respond. The coach took responsibility for the game’s outcome, which was noble, but that won’t help Mohamed and his club if a solution can’t be found to their tepid attack without Rubens Sambueza.

At the other extreme end of the league table, Tigres endured yet another scoreless draw versus Chiapas FC. The club is still dead last in the league, with only four points. Despite the good results in former seasons, the patience of fans with Tigres coach Ricardo Ferretti is wearing thin. There’s only so long it can be a relief that the team hasn’t lost -- supporters want to see wins, or at least goals. Ferretti and his players are providing neither.

Monterrey has two more points in the league table, but their fans, though, have had enough of losing. There was a near-riot in the stands near the conclusion of the team’s loss to Leon by two goals. Supporters are clamoring for the ouster of Jose Guadalupe Cruz and the return of former Rayados coach Jose Manuel Vucetich.

Surprisingly, Leon’s prioritizing of Copa Libertadores matches seems to have paid off for the club. Perhaps it served as a wake-up call, but the club’s league play has definitely improved of late to rise in the table to 11th place.

The supporters who are happy with their club’s coach right now are Guadalajara fans. Jose Luis Real has helped put the team in contention near the mid-season mark. Team icon Omar Bravo led the way versus Queretaro with two goals sandwiched around the single strike by Mario Osuna. Next week could see Chivas break into the top three of Liga MX at the expense of Club America. That development would make the Chivas fanbase even more joyful.

There is a glut of teams in the middle of the table trying to fight their way up. Santos Laguna and Club Tijuana slugged it out in a 3-2 match. While Oribe Peralta is still in a non-scoring rut, it didn’t matter, since Juan Pablo Rodriquez and Mauro Cejas got the Laguneros off to a good start. While the Xolos responded with a goal by Christian Pellerano, Santos Laguna’s Carlos Darwin Quintero opened up the scoring in the second half to restore the two-goal cushion. A final goal by Fidel Martinez for Tijuana kept the pressure on, but the Laguneros escaped with the win and three points. Both teams now have ten points on the season.

Pumas eked out a point in a 1-1 draw versus Atlas to continue as a contender with 11 points, just ahead of a chasing pack of teams in the table. Arturo Gonzalez and Ismael Sosa scored the goals. While Atlas is still under threat of possible relegation, Pumas seems to have escaped that fate for now.

Atlante is the club likely headed to relegation, but it hasn’t given up the fight yet. Roberto Carlos Gutierrez scored the lone goal versus Pachuca to push Atlante to 8 points.

Since even Pumas could overtake Club America in the table next week, a change in the Liga MX top three could definitely happen. Another change in the league might be the return of “Vuce” to Monterrey.

Success and failures for Chivas so far this Clausura 2014

GUADALAJARA -- With seven games of the Clausura 2014 gone, coach Jose “Guero” Real’s team and style is beginning to take shape following his appointment in the offseason.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Queretaro -- with Omar Bravo scoring both goals -- puts Chivas in fourth place in the Liga MX, on 12 points level with America and having won consecutive league games for the first time since November 2012. But despite the success on paper, it’s been a mixed season so far. While there has been an improvement on the dire 2013, there is clearly plenty of work still to do.

Here is a look at the positives and negatives from Chivas so far this season:

Successes

Center back partnership

The pairing of Patricio Araujo with newcomer Jair Pereira has been the basis for Chivas’ improvement. The duo complement each other well, with Pereira the pure defender, who enjoys the battle and Araujo the ball-playing defender who reads the game exceptionally well.

Chivas have only conceded six goals in seven games, which is a marked improvement on the tragic defending last season in which the defense leaked 30 goals in 17 games. The improvement is largely down to the Pereira-Araujo rock at the heart of the defense.

Antonio Rodriguez

There have been a couple of errors for 21-year-old goalkeeper Rodriguez, but he’s generally looked the part in the Rebano Sagrado goal, winning fans over with his enthusiasm, spectacular saves and his willingness to talk to the media. Considering his inexperience, it is a major positive for Real and the Chivas hierarchy, especially after letting the experienced Luis Michel leave for Costa Rica’s Saprissa in the winter.

There will likely be rough periods for the young ‘keeper, but he looks to be supremely confident in his own abilities and Real has spoken of the high regard he holds Rodriguez in.

New signings

Gerardo Rodriguez was superb before his injury and Israel Castro has been one of the quiet success stories of Chivas’ Clausura. Then there is Omar Bravo, who now has three goals this season and was a key factor in the win against Queretaro.

Rodriguez’s attitude and honesty has been good since he came to the club to fill-in for Miguel Ponce and his return from injury will be a boost, with Edgar Solis not completely convincing.

As for Castro, his experience helps both shield the defense and gives the team a base to launch attacks from. Castro has given 7/10 performances every week, which was exactly what was required.

Pereira has -- as previously mentioned -- made a big impact on the defensive side of the team.

Failures

Offensive third

It just hasn’t clicked in the attack so far this season. Starting Bravo, Aldo de Nigris, Rafa Marquez Lugo and Carlos Fierro appears to be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen, with all of them arguably better in a central position. The result has been a lack of creation and, by extensions, goals.

Moving forward, Marquez Lugo seems to be the odd one out, with Chivas’ second half display against Queretaro seeing the team shift to a 4-3-3, score two goals and look much more dangerous going forward.

Producing excitement

There is an unwritten rule at Chivas that teams have to play exciting football, which hasn’t exactly been the case this Clausura. Indeed, some of the games Chivas have been involved in have been snoozers, with the matches against Veracruz, Atlante and Puebla immediately springing to mind.

Real has defended his style of play, suggesting that the team still needs to be improved and that there is a long way to go before this Chivas side is how he would like it to be.

The issue has been at the center of brewing friction being the local Guadalajara press and fans and Real, who can justifiably point to Chivas’ points total as evidence of improvement right now.

Not enough points

Chivas may be fourth in the Liga MX, may have equaled the number of points they achieved in all 17 games of the Apertura 2013, but all may not be as rosy as it seems.

Chivas have had a gentle start to the season in terms of fixtures and not picking up the three points against relegation strugglers Veracruz and Atlante may come back to haunt them.

The Guadalajara side was comprehensively defeated by leaders Cruz Azul and the feeling remains that Chivas will find it tough to overcome the better sides in the Liga MX.

It shouldn’t take long to find out exactly where Chivas are at, with a trip to second-place Toluca next Sunday followed by games against Tigres, Tijuana, Leon, Atlas and America.

Fernando Cavenaghi: "Hay un cambio abismal con la nueva dirigencia"

BUENOS AIRES -- El capitán de River, Fernando Cavenaghi, afirmó que la llegada de la "nueva dirigencia" generó "un cambio abismal" y eso "el plantel lo siente", en una entrevista con ESPN Radio en Rivadavia.

Cavenaghi, quien se alejó de River luego de conseguir el regreso a Primera, enfrentado con el presidente Daniel Passarella, no dudó en celebrar el trabajo de la nueva dirigencia porque, según señaló, "están hasta en el más mínimo detalle".

"Hay un cambio abismal con la nueva dirigencia y el plantel lo siente, hay mucho apoyo y están pendientes hasta el mas mínimo detalle, es muy importante para nosotros", precisó Cavenaghi.

Sobre ese tema, el delantero contó que lo pone "muy feliz que los ídolos estén trabajando en el club y puedan tener su lugar, Enzo (Francescoli) es el nexo entre nosotros y la dirigencia y para nosotros es un orgullo, porque él conoce porque estuvo de nuestro lado".

Según precisó, el mensaje que baja la dirigencia que encabeza Rodolfo D´Onofrio es que hagan lo que saben y eviten "todo tipo de polémicas. River es un club que siempre se caracterizo por pelear arriba".

Por su parte, y sobre su rendimiento y el de Teófilo Gutiérrez, Cavenaghi pidió tranquilidad porque "van dos fechas y el campeonato recién empieza".

"Agarrar confianza de a poco es muy importante. Tanto Teo como yo queremos marcar pero hay que tener paciencia, van dos partidos nada más", precisó.

He is back...

Ricardo Caruso Lombardi vuelve a Quilmes

BUENOS AIRES -- Tras la repentina partida de Blas Armando Giunta, de la dirección técnica de Quilmes, se confirmó que Ricardo Caruso Lombardi ocupará su lugar y se hará cargo del primer equipo, con la permanencia como gran objetivo.

Su debut será el miércoles frente a Colón de Santa Fe, por la tercera fecha del Torneo Final.

Tras sólo nueve fechas con Giunta en el banco (1 triunfo, 4 empates y 4 derrotas), el exentrenador de Almirante Brown fue despedido de su cargo y horas más tarde Aníbal Fernández arregló a su reemplazante.

Se trata de quien hace dos años había dejado la institución tras una polémica salida en marzo de 2012, para partir hacia San Lorenzo.

Ricardo Caruso Lombardi dirigió a Quilmes durante poco más de un año, asumiendo a principios de 2011, con el objetivo de evitar el descenso y quedando en la puerta de conseguirlo. Luego, ya en la temporada 2011/12, en la B Nacional, realizó una gran primera rueda, dejando a su equipo en zona de promoción de ascenso, objetivo completado por Omar De Felippe, su reemplazante.

De esta manera, el entrenador comenzará su segundo ciclo en Quilmes, que será el quinto club de su carrera en el cual estuvo en dos oportunidades. Anteriormente ocurrió algo similar con Sportivo Italiano, Estudiantes de Buenos Aires, Tigre y Argentinos Juniors.

Så er vi gang i Peru også La Copa Inca

Vallejo sorprendió a Universitario en el inicio del torneo peruano

LIMA -- El delantero panameño Luis Tejada le dio el triunfo con un penal a César Vallejo sobre el actual campeón, Universitario de Deportes, en el inicio de la Copa Inca, la primera parte del torneo Descentralizado peruano del 2014.

En su vuelta al fútbol peruano, en el que destacó hace dos años con la camiseta del Juan Áurich, Tejada lideró la ofensiva de un Vallejo que confirmó que este año será uno de los serios candidatos para quedarse con el título.

El Vallejo comparte el primer lugar de la liguilla B con el San Martín, que venció por 2-0 al Cienciano, con anotaciones del uruguayo Santiago Silva y del colombiano Luis Perea.

El UTC también logró sumar tres puntos gracias al triunfo por 1-0 que alcanzó sobre el FBC Melgar, con un gol del defensa Rafael Farfán cuando terminaba el partido.

El otro partido del grupo terminó sin abrir el marcador entre el Sport Huancayo y Los Caimanes, uno de los dos equipos nuevos en la Primera División.

El liderato del grupo A fue tomado por el Juan Áurich, que venció por 3-1 al Inti Gas, con goles de Junior Viza, Hernán Rengifo y el argentino Germán Pacheco, y el descuento de Carlos Orejuela.

El Alianza Lima, por su parte, empató 0-0 con el León de Huánuco, mientras que el Real Garcilaso igualó 1-1 con el Sporting Cristal, con goles del paraguayo Víctor Ferreira y del argentino Horacio Calcaterra.

El otro debutante, el San Simón, también selló un empate sin tantos con el Unión Comercio.

La Copa Inca, que antecede a la disputa del Apertura y Clausura, otorgará al primer puesto la clasificación como ´Perú 3´ a la Copa Libertadores de 2015 y al segundo como ´Perú 4´ en la Copa Sudamericana.

Mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…eS3SWmJRsHs

Soccer roundup: Católica humiliates Huachipato, Colo Colo charges on

New signing Mark González glitters in 7-1 spanking of Huachipato, while wins for O’Higgins, Palestino and Iquique keep it tight at the top of the league.

Universidad Católica 7-1 Huachipato

A seven goal annihilation of Huachipato on Saturday maintained Universidad Católica’s second-placed position in the Clausura and pushed the team from Talcahuano to the bottom of the table, level on points with Everton.

“Revenge” may be too weak a word for the humiliation Católica piled on the visitors. Huachipato’s Copa Chile semifinal victory over “Los Cruzados” seemed a distant memory as the players trudged back to the center spot time and time again.

Recently acquired wideman Mark González was in resplendent form, scoring one and creating three, while new midfield loanee Darío Bottinelli’s goal and two assists further highlighted a summer of good business.

The two combined beautifully in the build up to the opener in the first minute — Bottinelli threaded a diagonal pass through onto the left from the halfway line, and González burst out of the traps onto the ball to drive in a low delivery that eventually made it’s way to striker Álvaro Ramos for a tap-in.

Huachipato’s frontmen Lucas Simón and David Llanos briefly threatened equalizers, drawing a smart save from Cristopher Toselli and a penalty claim respectively — but Milován Mirosevic got Católica back on track with a thunderous long range volley, set up via a rebound from a dangerous González center.

The former CSKA Moscow man got his own goal just before the break. Making a run in from the left, all expected González to bend in another cross, though the winger elected to uncork a fierce shot. Miguel Jimenez’s eccentric swipe at the ball looked more an effort to protect his face than an attempted save, and Católica went into locker room three goals up.

The second half of the game was more of the same, and Huachipato seemed incapable of repelling Católica’s forays forward no matter how many men the team parked behind the ball. Enzo Andia got in on the fun this time, though the centerback was lucky not to be flagged offside while heading in a well-executed Bottinelli free kick on 52 minutes. Llanos pulled one back for the visitors from inside the box three minutes later, though Católica brushed of the minor blemish on the scoreline and got back to work — once again down the left flank.

González showed great strength to muscles through two markers, then feigned a cross before stabbing a cutback into the path of the lurking Bottinelli who bent in an 18 yarder. González proved he was mortal, however, on 70 minutes, spooning a shot from close range well over the bar after great work from José Muñoz down the right, though both players were again celebrating three minutes later in response to another tap-in from Ramos.

Bottinelli’s classy play in the final third has become a major talking point for Católica fans this Clausura, and the Argentine added further artistry to his personal highlight reel on 84 minutes, slashing the Huachipato backline in two with a precise pass finished off by substitute striker Ramiro Costa.

Huachipato is now five points from safety in the accumulated Apertura / Clausura drop zone and will have to dig deep to avoid relegation at the end of this season, while Católica’s well-gelled attacking contingent could pose the most serious threat to Colo Colo’s grip at the top of the table.

Colo Colo 3-1 Rangers

Colo Colo maintained its three-point lead at the top of the league Friday with another convincing performance at Estadio Monumental.

A 30,000 strong crowd turned out to watch the league leaders romp to a fourth straight win as the quest for its first league title since 2009 continues at full pace.

An opening goal seemed inevitable for the home team as wingers Felipe Flores and José Pedro Fuenzalida displayed their abundance of attacking talent, running rings around a disoriented Rangers defense and creating opportunities for an unusually wasteful Esteban Paredes.

It took until stoppage time in the first half for the goal to arrive. Demonstrating the seamless interchangeability of the team’s front men, Paredes dropped deep and picked out midfielder Emiliano Vecchio in the box. The Argentine nodded the ball down for Fuenzalida to attack with a low drive past keeper Diego Pozo.

However, the leaders were stunned just a minute later as midfielder Fabián Bordagaray raced down the right and crossed for Mauricio Gómez to head in the equalizer.

Unfortunately for Rangers, the home side’s full-blooded attack continued after the break and Julio Barroso put his team in front on 55 minutes with his first ever goal for the club.

Colo Colo doubled its lead after 76 minutes, Gonzalo Fierro making amends for a penalty miss earlier in the half and crossing for Felipe Flores, whose header took a deflection to find its way past Pozo.

“We knew it was going to be difficult,” Vecchio said after the match. “We were up against a good team … Results come with humility and hard work, and we’re going to play every match like a cup final. Its going to be difficult because there are no easy matches.”

The league leaders stay three points ahead of Universidad Católica with 19 points. Rangers sit in 13th with seven points.

Ñublense 0-2 O’Higgins

O’Higgins’ unbeaten campaign continued with a 2-0 win in an entertaining encounter with Ñublense.

Both teams enjoyed plenty of chances but the away side’s greater prowess in front of goal proved to be the difference as Eduardo Berizzo’s men secured an important three points.

O’Higgins exerted early pressure on the locals and found the opener in the 19th minute, when midfielder Juan Manuel Cobo picked up Adán Vergara’s headed clearance and slipped the ball to his teammate Fernando Gutiérrez. The Argentine striker had only one thing on his mind as he teed himself up with his first touch and fired low into the bottom corner.

Ñublense went into halftime down but not out, and started the second half in much more convincing fashion. Only goalkeeper Paulo Garcés stood between the home side and an equalizer, denying Luciano Vásquez from the penalty spot with a fine save.

Pablo Hernández then demonstrated how to take a penalty in the 88th minute, coolly waiting for Lucas Giovini to commit before slotting the ball in the opposite corner.

There was more misery for the home team as defender José Rojas, already booked, was shown a red card after losing his footing and choosing to pick the ball up rather than allow striker Gonzalo Barriga a clear route to goal.

“I’m very happy, in particular with the way we continue to play our own game whatever the circumstances and whoever the opposition,” Berizzo told reporters after the match, reiterating comments he made after his team’s midweek match against Lanús.

Defeat leaves Ñublense on six points in 15th. Three points for the O’Higgins keeps the reigning champion in the title race, moving to third with 15 points.

Unión La Calera 2-3 Palestino

After claiming a solitary point from two tough back-to-back fixtures against last season’s finalists Católica and O’Higgins, Palestino returned to winning ways on Saturday, coming from behind to snatch victory from a spirited La Calera side.

The home team’s opener on 42 minutes came courtesy of a comedy of errors — Palestino keeper Felipe Nuñez twice failed to get height on his clearances, and when the ball returned to the box the second time, midfielder Roberto Ávalos did not better, clattering a runner to the ground for a penalty. Mario Berrios converted from the spot and La Calera went in to the tunnel with the advantage.

Midfielder Esteban Carvajal equalized from outside the box on 47 minutes, and defender Miguel Escalona gave Palestino the lead via a powerful header 10 minutes later. La Calera fought back, however, and claimed an equalizer on 68 minutes via midfielder Paulo Rosales’ well taken strike, though the difference in quality between the two sides reared its head soon after, when Palestino’s harrying front line capitalized on a goalkeeping error — Chilean midfielder Cesar Henríquez acted as punisher.

Palestino rises to fourth while La Calera falls to 15th.

Universidad de Chile 2-1 Everton

Universidad de Chile left it late but returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory Sunday over strugglers Everton.

“La U” started the match in confident fashion, with the untouchable Ramón Fernández reveling in the ample space provided him by the opposition and directing the home side’s attacks with great poise and skill. When he wasn’t picking out his teammate’s runs he was threatening Gustavo Dalsasso’s goal himself and was unlucky to see two shots fizz over the bar from distance.

The home side eventually pried open the Everton defense after 35 minutes as midfielder Juan Rodrigo Rojas played a one-two with Fernández before finding Lorenzetti, who knocked the ball past the onrushing Dalsasso for Isaac Díaz to chest into the empty net.

The second half was a much tighter affair as Everton tested goalkeeper Johnny Herrera on numerous occasions. The Chilean keeper used all his experience to keep the visitors at bay, reacting well to a free kick from Orlando Gutiérrez and denying the powerful frontman Matías Donoso twice.

However, he could do nothing to prevent a Carlos Retamales volley from finding the back of the net in the 76th minute.

With the scores level, a tense final 15 minutes ensued and it was the home side that claimed the spoils five minutes from time. Striker Patricio Rubio did superbly to get between two defenders and get on the end of substitute Rodrigo Mora’s cross to wrap up the match.

“La U” remains seven points off the top spot in sixth place with 12 points. Everton is still rooted to the bottom of the table with four points and faces a tricky tie away to Unión Española on Saturday.

Iquique 3-1 Santiago Wanderers

Iquique made it three wins on the bounce with a comfortable win Saturday over Santiago Wanderers.

Midfielder Santiago Romero sent his team on its way with a precise penalty on 22 minutes, beating Mauricio Viana after the keeper had brought down striker Gerson Martínez.

The second came 20 minutes later as midfielder César Pinares showed his ability from set pieces, curling the ball into the top corner and beyond the reach of Viana’s outstretched gloves.

Martínez wrapped up the victory midway through the second half, collecting a through ball from Manuel Villalobos and finding the back of the net with a powerful strike.

The away side grabbed a consolation in the 84th minute through a superb free kick by Matías Mier but it proved to be too little too late.

Goalscorer Santiago Romero told reporters after the match that the team’s “great improvement” in possession of the ball lies behind its recent excellent run of form.

Iquique currently sit in fifth on 13 points and will look to continue this run against Antofagasta this Saturday. Santiago Wanderers are in 12th with eight points.

Cobreloa 1-1 Unión Española

Another unconvincing Cobreloa performance cast manager Jorge Garcías’ future into further doubt, despite gaining a point in its mid-table clash with Unión Española Friday.

On the other hand, the away side was wasteful throughout and will wonder how it left Estadio La Madriguera with only a point. Striker Sebastián Jaime was particularly at fault for the visitors, firing wide from a great position in the first half and lacking conviction when one-on-one with goalkeeper Luciano Palos after the break.

The home side looked to have bounced back from last week’s defeat to Rangers when midfielder Gustavo Cristaldo scored against the run of play in the 69th minute with a cheeky lob over goalkeeper Diego Sánchez. However, a severe post-goal lapse in concentration allowed striker Carlos Salom to score straight from the kick off for his third goal in as many games.

Cobreloa President Patricio Contreras was disappointed with the home side’s performance, telling Terra Chile that he believes the team “lacks ideas” and plays nervously under Garcías, leaving the manager’s future in the balance.

“It’s a difficult situation,” he added. “We will be assessing the question marks over the manager’s contract and will do what is best for the future of the club.”

Cobreloa’s nine points leave the team in eighth position. Unión Española is level on points in 10th.

Antofagasta 0-1 Audax Italiano

Tempers flared as Audax Italiano gained a narrow victory Saturday over Antofagasta.

Antofagasta dominated the opening 45 minutes with midfielders Rodrigo Ureña, Luis Valenzuela and Marlon Fernández all going close, but the scores remained level at the break.

The away side got the breakthrough in the 58th minute as midfielder Marco Medel’s whipped in cross found the head of striker Rubén Ramírez.

Antofagasta’s frustration surfaced in the dying minutes as goalkeeper Jorge Broun was sent off for a lunge on Italiano keeper Jaime Bravo as he tried to get himself on the score sheet. His teammate Javier Elizondo then saw red minutes later after slicing down defender Gonzalo Menéndez.

Universidad Concepción 1-1 Cobresal

Universidad Concepción ended a run of three straight defeats in a 1-1 draw Saturday with Cobresal.

Cobresal striker Guillermo Suárez opened the scoring after 20 minutes, latching onto a Mariano Torres free-kick with a half-volley at the far post.

The equalizer came in the 37th minute as Argentine midfielder Sixto Peralta chested the ball down and fired brilliantly into the side netting from the edge of the box.

The home team were the more creative side in the second half and missed the chance to take all three points, with Gabriel Vargas seeing his penalty saved by Sebastián Cuerdo.

Concepción now sits in seventh with 10 points. Cobresal linger at the bottom end of the table in 16th with five points.

Clausura upcoming fixtures:

Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: Audax Italiano vs. Universidad de Chile

Feb. 21, 9:30 p.m.: Huachipato vs. Ñublense

Feb. 22, 4 p.m.: Rangers vs. Universidad Concepción

Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.: O’Higgins vs. Universidad Católica

Feb. 22, 9 p.m.: Unión Española vs. Everton

Feb. 22, 10 p.m.: Iquique vs. Antofagasta

Feb. 23, 4:30 p.m.: Santiago Wanderers vs. Unión La Calera

Feb. 23, 4:30 p.m.: Cobresal vs. Cobreloa

Feb. 23, 7 p.m.: Palestino vs. Colo Colo


Mål

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

Libertadores: Deportivo Cali: Caracho y el tiempo perdido

Álvaro José Domínguez, mejor conocido como Caracho, un apodo que heredó de su padre Guillermo Domínguez (quien así era conocido durante sus épocas de futbolista), es un experimentado jugador. 5 años atrás, dio el salto que todos los jugadores de este lado de la ciénaga pretenden: el fútbol europeo.

El hombre militó en el Sion de Suiza hasta el 2011 y conquistó dos campeonatos nacionales. Posteriormente permaneció durante una temporada con el Samsunspor de Turquía y fue en el 2012 que regresó al equipo que lo lanzó al estrellato, el Deportivo Cali, el club de sus amores.

Es así como Caracho regresaba así al refugio que lo vio nacer, al lado de su familia. Durante su última estadía, del año 2003 al año 2007, Álvaro fue fundamental con el equipo verde, incluso obtuvo el campeonato del Torneo Nacionalización en el año 2005. Ahora que se daba su regreso, Álvaro no decepcionó a nadie, al punto que convirtió once goles y demostró que el fútbol europeo lo había cuajado más como volante ofensivo, condimentando su gambeta, endulzando la pegada de media distancia y generando un juego más dinámico para poner a cobrar aquellos pases de gol que servía a los delanteros.

Ha pasado de ser la estrella que brillaba tras regresar de Europa, a ver como hasta el técnico pide que no se presente a sus entrenamientos

Hoy, el hombre nacido en Cerrito hace 32 años, quizás se maldiga por haber regresado al país cafetalero de Colombia y más precisamente a Los Azucareros, un equipo donde es más ignorado que un foco al mediodía. Está desaparecido de cualquier opción de juego. Inclusive, ha sido humillado como jugador, al punto de haber recibido una carta para que entrenara con las divisiones menores en el prado de entrenamiento de Comfandi. Aquel torneo que tanto ansiaba jugar Álvaro, la Copa Libertadores, ahora luce más como una utopía irreal. Incluso los directivos le hicieron una propuesta económica para terminar su contrato, que finaliza el 31 de diciembre del 2014. El jugador no ha dado aún una respuesta.

Al igual que en las historias amorosas, es natural que en el fútbol un jugador no sea de las preferencias del técnico. Al igual que en las decisiones de la vida, el libre albedrío existe. Al fin y al cabo es el entrenador el que decide que soldados usará en su batallón. Sin embargo, el hecho de que sea una situación normal, no la hace más comprensible. Álvaro venía de jugar en un fútbol mucho más evolucionado al de la liga que ahora pertenece y sublevarlo al punto de la nada, parece un error a primer vista. Si bien es verdad que Caracho contó con diversas lesiones y un declive futbolístico que lo margina de la titularidad, Leonel Álvarez, técnico del Deportivo de Cali, no lo tiene en sus planes desde el semestre pasado y desde entonces le dijo que no lo quería ver en los entrenamientos. Los directivos se opusieron y por eso Caracho continuó con el plantel principal. Triste consuelo para un hombre que se encuentra alejado de volver a la vida útil.

Ni el enrenador Leonel Álvarez ni el propio Deportivo Cali, explican qué ha sucedido y no liquidan su contrato para liberar al jugador. Caracho sigue en el ostracismo sin saber las razones

Por otro lado, se debe reconocer que Cali no le ha dado un buen manejo al caso Domínguez. Si al técnico no le interesan los servicios de Álvaro, sencillamente se debería liquidar al jugador para que pueda seguir ejerciendo su profesión de manera activa en otro club. Para que siga haciendo lo que sabe hacer. Pero a Caracho le desmoronaron a placer, lo hicieron puré. En seis meses bajó del cielo al infierno y su futuro es incierto. Llegarán más minutos en la Copa Libertadores, en la Liga Colombiana o en cualquier otro torneo, pero el tiempo perdido no se recupera.

Atlético Mineiro captain Réver forced to undergo surgery

Atlético Mineiro captain Réver has been ruled out of action for roughly 2-3 months with an ankle injury.

The Galo skipper will have to undergo surgery on his left ankle and will miss several crucial matches in the Copa Libertadores as well as various State Championship games while he recovers.

Doctor Rodrigo Lasmar spoke to the press today to reveal the bad news about Réver.

Lance quoted Doctor Lasmar, he said: "Réver despite conservative treatment, still has pain in his left ankle.

"The impact is that he will undergo a surgical procedure, arthroscopy. The sooner this procedure is done, the sooner we will have the athlete back.

"The exact return is not known, it is roughly 2-3 months to recover but everything depends on the surgery."

Réver joins Emerson and Luan on the treatment table however the impressive performance of Nicolás Otamendi at the weekend will go someway to softening the blow.

Otamendi was praised following his debut performance and will hope to make up for Réver absence with some strong defensive displays.

Some thoughts on Tom Finney, and on how Bangu lost out to the force of Flamengo

Last Saturday I gave a lecture in Rio where I was honoured with the presence of Juninho Pernambucano in my small audience.

I prepared my material the day before, and in an aside about the historical depth of English football, I sought to make a few points by using the example of Tom Finney. Poignancy was added when the news came through that Finney had died at the age of 91 – certainly one of the candidates for the title of England’s best ever footballer.

I knew, though, that even a student of the game as diligent as Juninho would not have heard of Finney. Although the great man had played in Brazil in the 1950 World Cup, it was not a moment on which Finney could look back with much pride. And why should a Brazilian born in 1975 have heard of a player from previous decades who spent his entire career with Preston North End?

This neatly brings us to a point I was trying to make in my lecture. If English football is currently so successful, and is held up all around the world as a reference, then part of that is explained by a simple equation. The new money entering the game has proved so effective because the old culture is so strong. And some of this can be explained by the example of Finney.

He played at a time when top footballers in England were deplorably treated. With no freedom of contract, they were bound to their club for as long as the latter desired. And the maximum wage was still in operation, meaning that even an artist like Finney, capable of filling stadiums up and down the country, could earn little more than a skilled factory worker.

Palermo came in with an offer that would have made Finney a wealthy man. He was not even told about it. Preston were not selling, and that was that! And there would have been little point, in financial terms, in making the short move to Manchester United. With the maximum wage restriction, he would not be able to earn at Old Trafford any more than he was getting at Preston. And so, during the close season, he continued to work as a plummer. And he played all of his club football for a team from a town so small that the entire population could fit into the old pre-modernisation Maracana stadium.

This is clearly absurd. Yet it is also undeniable that something positive came from these grossly unfair restrictions on the players’ mobility and earnings potential. By such measures, the process of concentration – where all the top players drift towards the biggest clubs – was retarded. Not every club could boast a Tom Finney, but all of them, at some time, had players of great talent around whom the club could build a tradition and an identity. All of this filters through to the current day, when clubs from all over England, with far more tradition than hopes of contemporary success, continue to draw crowds that are the envy of the Brazilian game.

Juninho acknowledged the point. The division typically made in Brazil between big clubs (with mass support) and small ones (with next to no fans) was not one that could be easily applied to European football, especially in England.

Like much of the rest of South America, Brazilian football has had to fight against a centralisation which its roots in economic history. Being an exporter of raw materials created strong ports and a weak hinterland – and thus most of the continent’s big teams are clustered in those bustling ports or nearby trade centres.

But even inside some of those big cities, the process of football centralisation is striking. Take the example of Bangu, from Rio’s working class North Zone. They have a long and proud tradition. Some great players have worn their red and white stripes, such as legendary centre back Domingos da Guia and Zizinho, the idol of the young Pele. They have a huge catchment area, and yet, no longer a national force, they survive on tiny gates towards the wrong end of the table in the Rio State Championship. One of the Carnaval samba schools with the biggest following is Mocidade from the neighbouring district of Padre Miguel. If Mocidade can agglomerate a mass support from Rio’s North Zone, then surely Bangu should be able to do something similar. Put a club with the tradition of Bangu in the context of London or Buenos Aires and they would be huge. But not in Brazil. Why?

Radio has something to do with it. Football in England pre-dates the electronic media, giving the sport a chance to grow locally and organically. In Brazil, radio did much to spread the game – and as radio came into the peak of its power in the late 30s and 1940s, there was one club with whom it was very hard for the likes of Bangu to compete – Flamengo.

Between 1933 and 38 Flamengo had a visionary for a president. Jose Bastos Padilha saw and understood the changes that were taking place in Brazilian football and society. Professionalism came in, rocking the game’s amateur ethos. Meanwhile, the relatively benign tropical fascism of Getulio Vargas sought to set up a cross-class alliance, forming a country where for the first time the black Brazilian was included in the national identity.

Flamengo responded by signing the leading black players of the day, including the son of Bangu, Domingos da Guia. Even more important was charismatic, controversial and magnificently talented centre forward Leonidas da Silva. At a stroke Flamengo rebranded themselves; they had been a club of the South Zone elite. Now, dramatically, they had acquired the popular touch. The clubs from the working class suburbs could not compete.

After a decade with Flamengo, the great Zizinho played some of his most mature football in a seven year spell in the red and white of Bangu. He is a contemporary of Tom Finney, and there are similarities in their styles. But even if Bangu had possessed an entire team of Finneys and Zizinhos it is hard to see how they could have avoided having their support base eaten up by Flamengo. The local fan did not just want to associate himself with his own neighbourhood. When he opted for Flamengo it was as if he was buying a stake in the new Brazil, the land of the future.