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Ramón Díaz: "Queremos agradecerle sobre todo a los Borrachos del Tablón"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador Ramón Díaz le agradeció a la barrabrava de River Plate porque, según afirmó, "motivaron a todo el mundo" en las tribunas en la victoria frente a Atlético de Rafaela.

"Queremos agradecerle a la gente y sobre todo a los Borrachos del Tablón porque motivaron a todo el mundo", sostuvo Díaz en declaraciones para la TV Pública, al finalizar el encuentro en el que el conjunto Millonario le ganó 2-0 a Rafaela, en el Monumental, por la 13ª fecha del Torneo Final.

Minutos más tarde, y al ser consultado por esa declaración en rueda de prensa, el entrenador riojano señaló que le agradece "a toda la gente de River. Nos acompañan siempre, nos apoyan".

La barrabrava del club de Núñez exhibe, debajo de la tribuna popular, una bandera argentina con la leyenda "Los Borrachos del Tablón" y, atada a ella, otra con la cara del riojano que decía "El más ganador".

Dos facciones disidentes desataron desde hace tiempo una feroz interna por el control de la barrabrava (la denominada barra oficial, que actualmente controla la hinchada, y la banda del Oeste).

EL ANÁLISIS DE LA VICTORIA

Por otra parte, el entrenador de River Plate valoró el triunfo frente a Atlético de Rafaela porque "el equipo demostró que está creciendo" y porque, de lo contrario, "se alejaban" de los primeros puestos.

"Tuvimos tranquilidad en un partido importante, en el que necesitábamos ganar. Por suerte el equipo está bien. El equipo está creciendo muchísimo, saben que hay muchas presiones", valoró Díaz.

Y sobre las posibilidades de River de pelear por el Torneo Final, advirtió: "Había ganado Estudiantes y necesitábamos ganar. Faltan muchos partidos y el torneo argentino está emocionante".

"Necesitábamos ganar para ponernos a un punto. Si no ganábamos se alejaban, estoy muy conforme con el grupo y los jugadores", precisó el entrenador riojano, aunque advirtió que "el campeonato está abierto para todos".

Además, Díaz reconoció su satisfacción por la conquista que aportó el colombiano Teófilo Gutiérrez, la que sirvió para asegurar el triunfo: "Me pone muy felíz cuando los de punta hacen goles. Tuvieron muchas chances. Tenemos que estar tranquilos, apoyar y seguramente vamos a pelear hasta final".

Y concluyó: "Lo mejor que tenemos es que el grupo está en buenas condiciones. Quedan muchas fechas, todos quieren pelear y tienen expectativas".

Por su parte, el delantero Teo Gutiérrez, sostuvo que van "por buen camino". "El fútbol argentino está muy difícil. Nosotros vamos por buen camino y estamos trabajando bien", evaluó Gutiérrez, y consideró que en el partido del miércoles próximo ante Estudiantes en La Plata "los tres puntos serán vitales".

Troglio, "contento" con la victoria

LA PLATA -- Tras sumar Gimnasia su tercera victoria consecutiva, su entrenador Pedro Troglio abraza la esperanza de lograr los dos objetivos evitar el descenso y luchar por el título del Torneo Final.

"Si un equipo llega a tres o cuatro fechas del final con chances tiene la ilusión de poder pelear. Faltan seis fechas más ante rivales muy difíciles y estamos cerca de los punteros. Estamos muy cerca de un objetivo, que es evitar el descenso y con chances de pelear el título", señaló Troglio en la conferencia de prensa tras el 2-0 sobre Arsenal.

Troglio dijo sentirse "orgulloso de que el equipo haya hilvanado tres victorias".

"Estoy contento por el resultado y por cómo se dio. Se sufrió contra un equipo muy difícil -prosiguió-, que tiene jugadores muy altos, nos complicaron hasta los últimos minutos".

Señaló el entrenador que "por suerte llegó el último gol de Maxi (Meza), que tiene características de delantero, para hacer goles y jugar bien".

Lunari: "Había que cortar la racha"

MENDOZA -- El entrenador de Newell´s Old Boys, Ricardo Lunari, afirmó que la victoria sobre Godoy Cruz demostró que su equipo "está vivo" tras la sucesiva caida en el clásico rosarino y la eliminación de la Copa Libertadores.

"Había que cortar la racha. El equipo demostró que está vivo, que tiene personalidad y que va a seguir luchando para acercarse a los puntero", dijo Lunari.

Elegido para reemplazar interinamente a Alfredo Berti, Lunari agregó que "el de hoy fue un partido parejo. Ellos no supieron aprovechar las situaciones que se le presentaron, y nosotros fuimos certeros".

Más allá de la satisfacción que representó ganar después de haber perdido el clásico ante Rosario Central y ser eliminado de la Copa Libertadores, Lunari se acordó de Berti al señalar que "le queremos dedicar este triunfo a él y a todo su equipo".

Caruso Lombardi se arrepintió y sigue en Quilmes: "Si me voy sería traidor"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Quilmes, Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, dio marcha atrás su decisión de renunciar, tal cual dijo luego de la caída ante Estudiantes de La Plata 3-1 y confirmó que seguirá en su cargo hasta la última fecha del Torneo Final por pedido de los jugadores.

"Sigo al frente de Quilmes. Si me voy sería un traidor", afirmó este domingo el técnico, que esta mañana llegó al entrenamiento casi una hora después de su inicio y se reunió con Andrés Meiszner, vicepresidente del club, y los referentes del plantel.

Tras la derrota como local el sábado ante Estudiantes, a la salida del vestuario, el entrenador afirmó: "No quiero sufrir más y me voy. Antes de salir a hablar con ustedes lo hice con los dirigentes y les dejé la renuncia arriba de la mesa. Me voy".

Ni bien Caruso soltó que se iba de Quilmes, el presidente del club, el senador nacional Aníbal Fernández, advirtió que si renunciaba debía cumplir el contrato, en una clara referencia a una indemnización.

Pero, tras la reunión con Meiszner hijo y los futbolistas, al parecer, el técnico revió su postura y decidió permanecer al frente de un equipo hundido en la zona de descenso: "Los jugadores me pidieron por favor que me quede, hoy me mataron".

"Le dije a los jugadores que pase lo que pase me quedo los seis partidos", completó Caruso Lombardi, quien para cortar unilateralmente el contrato con Quilmes debía abonar 800 mil pesos. Así las cosas, Caruso estará en el banco, en principio, el martes a las 17.10 contra Vélez en el estadio José Amalfitani por la 14ª fecha del Torneo Final.

Reinaldo Merlo: "Estamos en deuda"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador del Racing Club, Reinaldo Merlo, sostuvo que hizo modificaciones sobre la marcha para tratar de doblegar a Olimpo, pero el 1-1 final en el Cilindro se debió a que les faltó "elaborar" lo pretendido.

"Hicimos cambios para ganar, pero no pudimos elaborar lo que pretendíamos. Habrá que seguir trabajando para lograr más puntos", sostuvo Merlo en su diálogo con los periodistas, tras el cotejo correspondiente a la 13ª fecha de la competencia doméstica.

"Fue un partido difícil, fuimos a buscar, un accidente nos puso en desventaja y Olimpo es un equipo que cuando contragolpea hace daño", argumentó el director técnico de la Academia al seguir analizando lo ocurrido ante los bahienses.

El conductor albiceleste también remarcó que procuraron la victoria en todo momento y que estuvieron a punto de conseguirla sobre el epílogo.

"Nosotros salimos a ganar, empatamos y sobre la hora Olimpo evitó un gol con un cabezazo (de Néstor Moiraghi) sobre la línea. Uno nunca quiere empatar, pero de los tres resultados posibles no es el peor. Así y todo estamos en deuda con la gente. Sé que vine a trabajar en un momento difícil", precisó Merlo.

En cuanto al tema refuerzos, Merlo soltó una frase llamativa, aunque por el tono que empleó pareció más una respuesta como para indicar que es prematuro ocuparse de eso, dado que tiene que focalizarse en este Torneo Final, en el que Racing ocupa uno de los peores lugares en la tabla de posiciones. "No pienso en refuerzos porque no sé si llego al próximo campeonato", dijo textualmente Mostaza.

Barros Schelotto: "El resultado estuvo bien, no me pareció abultado"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Lanús, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, admitió esta noche que si bien confiaba en que su equipo obtuviera un triunfo como visitante ante San Lorenzo de Almagro, no esperaba un marcador tan abultado como el 4-1 por el calibre de su adversario.

"Venir a San Lorenzo, jugar de igual a igual y hacer cuatro goles es muy bueno, quedamos a dos puntos de Estudiantes (único líder del torneo). No me esperaba el resultado, es el último campeón y el equipo que viene de clasificar en la Copa (Libertadores) en un partido importante ante Botafogo. Veníamos a ganar, pero no esperábamos que se dé así", reconoció el director técnico del Granate.

"No me pareció abultado. San Lorenzo casi no nos llegó y nosotros aprovechamos las situaciones que creamos. El resultado estuvo bien", aseguró Barros Schelotto.

"Manejamos la pelota todo el partido, salvo unos minutos en el segundo tiempo, y a diferencia de otros partidos fuimos contundentes", agregó.

El DT sostuvo que Lanús le ganó "a un gran equipo, al campeón del fútbol argentino y en su estadio. Me voy conforme con el juego del equipo", puntualizó.

"Es importante que se mantenga la idea. Siempre voy a poner a lo mejor que tenga. Más adelante veré si tengo que elegir entre un torneo o el otro", sentenció.

Apenas terminado el 4-1 en el Nuevo Gasómetro, Barros Schelotto apuntó inmediatamente al choque del miércoles con Santos Laguna de México como local por los octavos de final de la Copa Libertadores.

"El miércoles jugamos con los mexicanos por la Copa y estamos preparándos para eso. Siempre vamos a poner lo mejor que tengamos para ganar todos los partidos. Podemos hacer algunos cambios de nombres, pero la intención es siempre la misma", remarcó.

Además, Barros Schelotto elogió las tareas de Jorge Valdéz Chamorro, autor de dos goles, y de Marcos Astina, conquistó uno y participó en otros dos, aunque aclaró que "hay un equipo que los respalda".

Eduardo Berizzo Likely to Stay In Chile

The O’Higgins coach turned down a multi-million dollar offer from the Mexican soccer league after being recommended by former Chilean national team manager Marcelo Bielsa.

SANTIAGO — Everything is pointing towards Eduardo Berizzo continuing his career in Chile. What still remains to be seen is whether he will remain in Rancagua, something he has not yet decided, or finally secure a move to Santiago, where both Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica hope to start afresh next season.

The latest sign the coach has given that he will remain in this country was the rejection of the multi-million dollar offer made by Mexican side Monterrey a few days ago. Berizzo, who had been recommended for the position by Marcelo Bielsa, who was also sought after by Monterrey, told club officials that, for family reasons, he would remain in Chile.

The offer was very tempting. Berizzo and his staff would receive more than $2 million per season, plus the promise of having $12 million to strengthen the squad. Nevertheless, the manager rejected the offer, making it clear that his decision did not depend on money.

For now, Berizzo has insisted that he will wait until the end of this season with O’Higgins to make a decision. The Rancagua side had remained confident their manager would stay for one more season, but a few weeks ago signals started pointing towards his departure.

Meanwhile, last night consummated the elimination of O’Higgins from the Copa Libertadores against Lanús. Berizzo said after the game, “I’m obviously sad. To lose after how we played leaves you totally frustrated. But I think we should be proud to have played a game the way we did.”

The president of the Rancagua club, Ricardo Abumohor, raised the idea to Berizza of extending his contract with ‘La Celeste’. Negotiations will take place at a meeting today.

La U’s Disappointing Season Continues

After Universidad de Chile’s elimination from the Copa Libertadores, former players are criticizing the decisions made by the club’s officials.

SANTIAGO — La Universidad de Chile wants this season to end as quickly as possible. ‘Los estudiantiles’, who were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores yesterday, no longer have any chance of winning a trophy this season and will play out the rest of their games just to finish the schedule.

The disappointing season of ‘la U’ has alarmed some of their historic players, who are questioning the quality of players the club has brought in and pleaded that the team bring back the aura that used to surround the club.

Sandrino Castec, striker for ‘la U’ during the 70′s and 80′s, is assured that “there are players who don’t have passion for the jersey.”

“I see players who don’t have passion for the jersey. The game ends and they leave as if it was nothing. You have to feel ‘la U’ and leave your life for her. In Sampaoli’s era the players ran for 90 minutes. This is not (the) ‘la U’ that we want and I hope the changes that were made help mend the errors,” fired the former striker.

Castec also went on to question the quality of the signings that have arrived at ‘la U’. “Caruzzo commits countless errors and still starts. Yesterday also was the expulsion of Civelli. They have not gone well,” he commented.

César Vaccia, the former coach that led ‘la U’ to two championships, had similar words and believes the youth academy will help ‘la U’ regain their rightful place.

“Luciano Civelli, who Jorge Sampaoli brought in, has not lived up to the occasion. He has not been the player he expected. Juan Ignacio Sills has not progressed. Ramón Fernández has done well. Patricio Rubio is the leading scorer in the league. The truth is that more than the signings themselves, the team has generally failed to find a defined style of play.”

“We must continue working, watching the youth academy. There are many kids that can help ‘la U’.”

Jesus Corona and the eternal struggle

All of the calm that Cruz Azul´s Jesus Corona offers between the posts becomes a mass of jumbled and dangerous passions when nature overcomes the footballer.

If we are talking about his place on the field, high reflexes, positioning, location, control on the ball, he is the best in Mexico and seems closest to the starting role for the national team in the upcoming World Cup.

They provoked him. They came after him. First, it was Club Tijuana captain Javier Gandolfi who crashed into him and received the attempted elbow in exchange. Then it was baseness, as Cristian Pellerano spit at him. As the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal match between Cruz Azul and Tijuana was winding down, Corona again appeared at the center of the hurricane. There were many who asked, almost begged, him to lose control, to return to those dramatic scenes from Morelia, the head-butt or perhaps of that relative whom he injured so badly. But inside, in his eyes and on his face, Corona was not at Estadio Azul.

He was in Natal, on June 13, meaning in summer, the responsibility he has and the path that he has adopted. Though a powerful force called him to react, to mix bile with adrenaline, Corona found the control button and pushed it. Driven first by Gerardo Torrado, then by Christian "El Chaco" Gimenez, Corona came and went, started and braked.

I have the impression that Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has made a decision. While competition may be close, with Guillermo Ochoa sending clear and strong messages of his "struggle" in European football, with Toluca´s Alfredo Talavera, always disciplined and in the right place at the right time, and with Moises Munoz, who was part of the America team style and identity in Herrera´s times. But the man who can make a difference in that position is the Cruz Azul goalkeeper.

Corona has worked off the field to try to find the character control that can transform him into the complete goalkeeper that everyone wants. Some of his teammates have witnessed it, and Cruz Azul coach Luis Fernando Tena unashamedly came to his defense Wednesday night while the team celebrated its arrival in the CONCACAF Champions League final.

In a time of uncertain football talent, with many doubts across most of the field, Mexico seems to be certain that, in its goal, things are in their place and in steady hands, feet and head. Jesus Corona has gone, for a little while, away from Estadio Azul to settle into Natal for Friday, June 13. In his mind, in his reality, in his constant struggle to overcome his own character, he was already in Mexico´s goal for Brazil 2014.

Transfer trio thrill: Colo Colo’s trophy wait set to come to an end

On Sunday evening Colo Colo didn’t so much as take a step towards claiming their 30th league title, rather a hop, skip and a jump after beating Apertura champions O’Higgins at the Estadio Monumental.

Coupled with arch-rivals Universidad de Chile’s 3-0 Clásico Universitario triumph over Universidad Católica earlier that same day, Los Albos opened up a seven point gap.

Even after the first few rounds of the 2013/2014 Clausura Colo Colo looked champions-in-waiting. Under the youthful management of Héctor Tapia, himself a former Colo Colo player, the team are well on course to end their five-year trophy drought. A bigger article will follow on El Cacique looking at the way Tapia has transformed the team and the reasons behind their excellent form, having won 10 And drawn two of their first 12 games.

However, one of the key aspects of the turnaround has been the club’s shrewd transfer dealings after copious wasted transfer windows. One of the benefits of being arguably the biggest and most popular club in Chile is that more players who venture to Europe or elsewhere in the Americas are Colo Colo fans and have ‘dreamt’ of playing for El Popular.

Los Albos added three key players to three key positions to make up the spine of the squad and help them on their way to that much-vaunted 30th title.

Julio Barroso

Colo Colo, having been stung in the past, were able to beat off competition from Universidad de Chile to sign Argentine defender Barroso from O’Higgins for nearly £700,000.

El Cacique have not done too well buying players who have starred for so called ‘lesser’ sides in recent transfer windows, but in the 29-year-old centre back they have pulled off a shrewd purchase.

He moved between clubs in his native Argentina regularly before settling in Chile with Ñublense and then O’Higgins where he played a key role in the Rancagua club’s first ever top-flight title. O’Higgins, under Eduardo Berizzo, attack wisely but their strength lies in their defence. And Barroso formed a what seemed impenetrable partnership with the veteran Argentine Mariano Uglessich. Only 13 goals were conceded in 18 games on their way to lifting the trophy at the Estadio Nacional in December.

He has continued where he left off at the Estadio Monumental. Behind O’Higgins’ ridiculous defensive record of having only given up six goals in 12 games, Colo Colo have the joint-second best defence with 13 goals conceded in the same number of games. Although it is fair to say El Popular are more expansive than Berizzo’s side.

Throughout world football you note central defenders for one or two key strengths: their reading of the game, their aerial ability, their pace in a high line, their solidity in a deep line or their ability on the ball.

However, with Barroso there is no real quality which stands out above another. Words such as dependable and solid suit him best. He does not lose many aerial battles and he is very rarely caught out of position, leaving his fellow defenders and goalkeeper Justo Villar exposed.

The effect Barroso’s presence has had can be seen in his partner Christian Vilches. This was a player who had some horror shows in the white top. Although he was not helped by rarely having a settled partner beside him as the team, under previous management, fluctuated between three and four-man defences. Earlier this week he had a press conference when Emiliano Vecchio walked past and, well, ‘recommended’ Jorge Sampaoli call him up.

When Barroso joined Colo Colo he said he “came here to be a champion”, and barely five months into his time in Santiago he is about to have his wish granted.

Jaime Valdés

Los Albos engineered a real coup when they were able to sign Valdés on a free transfer after he negotiated his release from Serie A side Parma.

In recent transfer windows, following the success of Universidad de Chile and the national side which drew more attention to the domestic league, a number of high quality talents left for pastures new. The most recent being Charles Aránguiz and Nicolas Castillo to Internacional of Brazil and Club Brugge of Belgium respectively. The signing of Valdés meant there was a bit of star dust coming back into the league – the signing not only a boost for Colo Colo but the league as well.

Valdés had only been involved sporadically with Parma this season, but last season he was an important figure for I Giallobu, playing 29 times in Serie A – 28 of which were starts. But after only starting five times for Parma prior to his move to Macul, Valdés wasted no time in ridding himself of any lingering rust and dictating the play with his precise and intelligent passing.

More of a number 10 in Italy, Valdés’ influence has been used in a deeper role for Colo Colo. He is often the link between defence and attack. He has the physical and mobile Esteban Pavez beside him to allow him to get on the ball set the team’s tempo – akin to the role Marcelo Díaz played for La U, although with not as much defensive responsibility.

He is adept at combining with team mates, passing long and short and, despite being 33, driving forward with the ball, using his ingenuity and low centre of gravity to protect the ball.

He has admitted that he has not been at his best recently, but even still he is a joy to watch. And he has brought the best out of Emiliano Vecchio. There is someone capable of supporting the mercurial playmaker and getting him in possession of the ball in dangerous areas with quick forward passes.

He can provide assists but is more often found making the pass before an assists – as seen at the weekend for Felipe Flores’ opener against O’Higgins. Valdés also offers a goal threat from deep with three goals from 10 starts, including a brace against Unión Española, one of which was a ferocious hit from the edge of the area.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a better performer so far this season.

Esteban Paredes

The icing on the cake for most Colo Colo fans. Tapia was eager for a striker and, as always, there were numerous players linked to fill the role, including Fabian Orellana, but it was the prodigal son who would return for his second spell at the club.

Having been part of the team which won the last title in 2009 and after leaving under a cloud he was welcomed back with open arms by fans who wished he had never left for Mexican side Atlante.

The effect he had on the atmosphere at the club was immediate. Shirts bearing his name flew off the shelves, while more than 34,000 attended his first game – a 1-1 draw with Antofagasta. The club’s previous home fixture against Audax Italiano 11 days previously attracted under 18,500.

He may not have notched against the Pumas but it didn’t take him long to get off the mark, scoring against Deportes Iquique in the following game before hitting a triplete against Huachipato as Los Albos scored five in consecutive games. And there has been no letting up with 10 goals in 10 games making him the Clausura’s second top goalscorer.

At 33, Paredes does not rely on lightning speed or his agility in the air. He is a perceptive and resourceful striker. It is his intelligence in and around the box which marks him out. But to label him a mere goal scorer would be doing the Chilean internationalist a grave injustice. He is the lone striker and he involves himself in most attacks. His movement is that of a player who has played at a high level for more than a decade. He can drop off the front line, collect the ball into feet and link-up with the wide forwards, Vecchio and Valdes.

But he comes alive in the box and he is helped by a sublime first touch which allows him to set himself for a shot before the defender can settle into a position which would make it difficult for the hitman to score. He peels off strikers, brings the ball under instant control using the softest of touches and then, more often than not, finds the back of the net.

When faced with structured opponents his skill can create the required space to fire in a shot or play in a team mate. The shuffle of hips and feints are his trademarks when standing up a defender.

Along with Barroso and Valdés he has added know-how, and such is the prestige in which he is held he immediately took the captain’s armband with club captain Luis Mena often on the bench in his advancing years.

All we can do now is wait for the inevitable to happen and Colo Colo to lift their 30th league title.