Snak

Do Santos Have What it Takes?

Santos Laguna´s offense can rack up goals in bunches. They went into the Estadio Azteca and got three past Club America, and added another three at home in the return leg. But they also allowed the ´Aguilas´ six goals of their own, and it was thanks to the away goal rule that Santos Laguna gets to move onto the semifinals.

Santos had the best offense of the regular season scoring 33 goals in 17 matches, five more that second place Cruz Azul who scored 28. The problem with the Santos side was in their backline, they allowed 29 goals. Only 17th place Atlante allowed more goals than them.

Santos will be matched up against Pachuca in the semifinals round, which means that the weak defensive line of Santos will have to try and control the new Golden Boot winner Enner Valencia. The Ecuadorian striker in his first season in Mexico has already made a huge habit of scoring; including three goals away to Pumas UNAM during the second leg of the quarterfinals.

Estudiantes put pressure on the top and the relegation battle gets even tighter

Perhaps the only significant result in the title race was Estudiantes victory in Santa Fe against a Colón side, unbeaten in 8 at home. Franco Jara pounced on a defensive slip to give Pellegrino’s side the lead and a second half, Guido Carrillo penalty ensured Estudiantes would be just a point behind leaders and city rivals, Gimnasia. Colón’s title hopes are over but they now must ensure they avoid the drop as it is in the relegation table things got very tight.

Friday night’s win for Quilmes over already down, Argentinos Juniors meant that they leapfrogged a number of teams.

Atletico Rafaela now find themselves in the bottom 3 after Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat in El Nuevo Gasómetro against San Lorenzo. A superb Leandro Navarro free-kick and a Fernando Quignón goal, either side of a missed Nico Blandi penalty gave El Ciclon a deserved 3 points but comes probably a little too late to challenge for the title.

Godoy Cruz remain just above the drop zone while also a point off the top but had it not been for Facundo Cardozo’s late equaliser for Vélez Sarsfield, it may have been a lot better. Los Mendocinos took an early lead through José Fernández’s undoubted golazo and despite the numerical advantage after Fabián Cubero had been sent off, they allowed Vélez to snatch a point.

Finally, Olimpo earned the point required to ensure their survival with a goalless draw away to Rosario Central.

Friday

Quilmes 1 – 0 Argentinos Juniors

https://www.youtube.com/…PxLCIkGhUT0

Saturday

Colón 0 – 2 Estudiantes

https://www.youtube.com/…8C5Ho5FHeOo

Rosario Central 0 – 0 Olimpo

https://www.youtube.com/…uxeoK9_HlaU

Godoy Cruz 1 – 1 Vélez Sarsfield

https://www.youtube.com/…tOBByz1Ht0M

San Lorenzo 2 – 0 Atletico Rafaela

https://www.youtube.com/…5fhtuHifElg

Nogen der er interesseret i matchworn Copa-Libertadores shirts, Arsenal, Velez, Newell´s, San Lorenzo ?

Xolos Quarterfinal Playoff Reaction: What Went Wrong?

Tijuana´s exit from the Liguilla quarterfinals came by way of a road loss on Sunday afternoon, falling 3-1 to a dominant Toluca team that proved to be the ones making the most of their chances.

Historically, Tijuana have come out with more wins between the two sides (4-3-1 prior to the playoff match; they´re now 4-4-2).The last time these two met was in the Apertura 2012 Final, where Xolos beat them in both home and away legs for the title. So what went wrong in this series?

Three tournaments have come and gone since their title win, and Xolos have had to adjust to two managers with two different styles of play. Jorge Almirón allowed more freedom on the wings, while current coach César Farías forces pressure down the middle, creating and building momentum centrally. It´s possibly the reason Fidel Martinez led the team in goals last year, tallying seven, and only had three in 15 starts under Farías.

Cristian Pellerano, on the other hand, is a central-midfielder - often finding himself playing a defensive role and led the team with seven goals. Meanwhile, center-forward Dario Benedetto came in close-second with six. Herculez Gomez, another versatile attacker from the wings, was simply benched most of this tournament because he was unable to finish what he was provided in the games he did see time.

During this two-game series, Farías started Richard Ruiz, Martinez, and Benedetto as his attacking options, with Benedetto in a central role, and both Martinez and Ruiz on the wings. Benedetto was responsible for creating roughly 95% of the plays and chances Tijuana had but were unable to finish. It took a central cross from veteran Fernando Arce during the second half of the away leg for Xolos to finally finish a play, with a header by Benedetto temporarily giving Tijuana a shot at advancing. There were some nicely timed passes and runs, but Ruiz and Martinez struggled to make anything stick.

While Ruiz´s work-rate was high during the first leg, the second leg was a different story. He wasted chances when he had the ball. He was either forced out by Toluca defenders or took his time on the ball when he had no more than a few seconds to pass it to Benedetto or Martinez. Ruiz was forced to drop back on the right when Juan Carlos Hernandez was subbed on, but that change probably should have happened sooner, as Hernandez would have been a better option up top when Tijuana still had their momentum. Javier Güémez, usually solid in central midfield and down the wing when necessary, found himself unable to catch up to passes coming deep from midfield.

Benedetto´s tireless efforts took a toll on him early into the second half, which was when Tijuana really started to feel the pressure. He was replaced by Joe Corona, creative and quick in midfield, but not a sufficient replacement to take over everything Benedetto encompassed for this team over the last two legs. Corona should have been included in the starting XI to begin with, which would have freed up Benedetto a bit and moved the ball around midfield better.

Defensively, Tijuana weren´t forced into many difficult situations during the first leg´s 0-0 draw because Toluca only took eight shots all game, while a more dominant Tijuana recorded 23. Xolos did feel the effects of Toluca´s pressure at Nemesio Diez however, and likely weren´t expecting all their goals to come from distance. An example: Javier Gandolfi was caught turning away from the second long range goal, rather than attempting to use his body to stop it.

It also didn´t help that Tijuana´s center-back Hernán Pellerano was sent of for a second yellow (subsequent red) in the 81st minute, as they were down to three in the back, with midfielders Cristian Pellerano and Arce having to defend, while left-back Edgar Castillo sprinted forward to aid in attacking from difficult spots.

The effort was there, and the work rate was tireless, but there was an obvious lack of rhythm and apparent "panic mode" moments which ultimately contributed to costing Tijuana a spot in the semifinals. But it´s a better result under Farías than Almiron - Tijuana finished three spots above their Apertura result and made the playoffs.

They have a good team capable of going further once they get used to Farias and his style, which seems to crave and demand cohesion on all fronts, regardless of who plays in which position. He´s a guy who´s big on teamwork and togetherness. With their season officially over, and Farías´ first Mexican football tournament under his belt, they´ll head into preseason with achieving better cohesion as a squad as one of the objectives at their forefront.

FF17

Fik du ikke set River - Racing kan du se den her, gode mål og glimrende aktioner af Cavenaghi, De Paul og Carbonero.

https://www.youtube.com/…UhiJRUKfoF8

Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano Wrap: San Jose howler helps Nacional Potosi

Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano leaders San Jose slipped up at home to Nacional Potosi on Sunday, to open up the title race.

https://www.youtube.com/…N-EvaECrH-I

Marco Ferrufino´s men were expected to dismiss the challenge of bottom club Potosi, and took the lead three minutes before half-time when Marcelo Gomes tucked away his left-footed shot from a cross.

The Estadio Jesus Bermudez hosts had been under pressure at the back from multiple Potosi chances in the first half, but had been on the verge of preserving their league lead when disaster struck.

Pastor Torrez´s long-range strike bounced in front of San Jose´s goalkeeper and into the back of the net for a stunning equaliser on 85 minutes.

And there would be more pain to come for the home side, as Enrique Diaz scored an own goal to hand the strugglers their fifth win in 18 matches - helping them off bottom spot.

Diaz had looked to pass back to his goalkeeper but his effort went wide of the mark - and after a desperate lunge from the shot-stopper failed to halt the ball in its path, it trickled towards the goal before bouncing in off the right post in calamitous fashion for the hosts.

San Jose remain top of the table on goal difference from Club Universitario, who failed to capitalise on the leaders´ slip up as they drew 2-2 on the road at The Strongest.

https://www.youtube.com/…doL-sbMqJks

The Strongest started the weekend in third spot but were looming to go level on points with San Jose as they took a two-goal lead inside 14 minutes.

Alejandro Chumacero and Pablo Escobar were both on target early, before Universitario ensured they remained in second spot with a stirring fightback.

Ruben Cuesta pulled a goal back on 30 minutes, before Martin Palavicini equalised with 12 minutes to play.

Real Potosi consolidated fourth spot in the league with a 2-0 win at home to fifth-placed Bolivar.

https://www.youtube.com/…eyBh_McXzYU

Maximiliano Andrada´s third-minute strike gave Real the advantage, before the three points were sealed when Dino Huallpa doubled their lead late on.

Real sit five points behind leaders San Jose, and just three points off a continental competition spot.

Aurora´s winning streak ended at three matches, as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Sport Boys.

https://www.youtube.com/…UePI1Zs-UD0

Marcos Ovejero scored first for Sport Boys, before Aurora snatched a point courtesy of Oscar Diaz´s 80th-minute effort.

Oriente Petrolero snapped a four-match winless run in thrilling fashion, holding on for a 4-3 win over Blooming - with the latter falling to the foot of the table due to Nacional Potosi´s success.

https://www.youtube.com/…W6y7dsdG5ws

Petrolero trailed 2-0 on the brink of half-time, before pulling a goal back just prior to the break via Alejandro Melean.

Gualberto Mojica then struck a brace, and Alcides Pena added a fourth, but they had to hold on after Pablo Salinas pulled a goal back late for Blooming.

Wilstermann were 2-0 victors over Guabira, helping them climb over their opponents into ninth spot after two wins from three matches.

https://www.youtube.com/…66Eejp3Bl44

Argentina Primera Division Wrap: River Plate reel in Gimnasia

River Plate moved level on points with Primera Division leaders Gimnasia La Plata thanks to a 3-2 victory over Racing Club.

Argentina´s league leaders Gimnasia were held to a scoreless draw at home by Lanus on Sunday and River Plate took advantage, holding off Racing to move level at the top of the table with 31 points.

But River Plate had a slice of fortune against Racing with Leandro Chichizola saving a penalty in second-half stoppage time, which would have secured a draw for the visitors.

While River Plate remain second on goal difference, they increased the pressure on Gimnasia, while third-placed Estudiantes also made the most of the leaders´ slip up at home with a 2-0 victory at Colon.

River Plate hit the front in the 25th minute at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti after Racing failed to clear their defence on a number of occasions and then saw Esteban Saveljich barge into the home side´s Daniel Villalva to give away a penalty.

Skipper Fernando Cavenaghi stepped up and converted the spot kick but Racing equalised in the 38th minute when Diego Villar headed Rodrigo de Paul´s free-kick into the net.

Despite that, River Plate led at half-time as Villalva´s centring pass was struck into the roof of the net from the edge of the area by Carlos Carbonero two minutes before the break.

Just nine minutes into the second half and the hosts looked to be cruising when Cavenaghi claimed his second goal, flicking the ball home from close range from Carbonero´s cross.

But Racing responded again with Gabriel Hauche´s fine finish in the 73rd minute setting up a nervous finish for the home side.

The hosts hit the post soon after, although Racing had the best chance to score in the latter stages.

After River Plate defender Jonathan Maidana fouled Valentin Viola just outside the box and was sent off, Ariel Rojas used his hand to block Racing´s free-kick and the referee pointed to the spot.

The visitors´ goalkeeper Sebastian Saja took responsibility but could not beat Chichizola from 11 metres.

In Colon on Saturday, Franco Jara and Guido Carrillo scored either side of half-time to give Estudiantes victory over the home side, who had Gerardo Alcoba sent off six minutes into the second half.

The win saw Estudiantes leapfrog Godoy Cruz in the table, with the latter giving up a lead in their 1-1 draw with Velez Sarsfield.

Boca Juniors claimed their third win in a row thanks to a brace from Juan Manuel Martinez, prevailing 3-1 over bottom club All Boys, while Emilio Zelaya´s 88th-minute strike saw Arsenal triumph 3-2 over Newell´s Old Boys.

In other results, Tigre defeated Belgrano 2-1 on Monday, while San Lorenzo trumped Atletico Rafaela 2-0 and Rosario Central´s hosting of Olimpo ended 0-0.

mål

https://www.youtube.com/…ZlaRXC1_sck

https://www.youtube.com/…hR3d4a563dw

"Me ilusiona ganar la Libertadores", dijo el colombiano Carlos Valdés

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor colombiano Carlos Valdés admitió su deseo de obtener la Copa Libertadores con San Lorenazo por primera vez en la historia del club, al que llegó a principios de este año. Sin embargo, afirmó que no será fácil: "El mínimo error lo pagás muy caro".

"Me ilusiona ganar la Copa. El club lo anhela y la gente lo desea. Pero no será fácil, el mínimo error lo pagás muy caro", manifestó Carlos Valdés, que será titular el próximo miércoles en el partido de ida ante Cruzeiro de Brasil, en el Nuevo Gasómetro, por los cuartos de final.

"No será un juego parecido al de Botafogo (3-0) y Gremio (1-0). Cruzeiro tiene un poder ofensivo fuerte y como todo equipo brasileño juega bien a la pelota y tiene futbolistas desequilibrantes arriba", analizó el colombiano, de 28 años, al evaluar al próximo rival.

No obstante, el zaguero, que disputará su sexto partido como titular en el certamen continental, avisó que cuando su equipo "pudo explotar todo su potencial hizo diferencia".

El oriundo de Cali conoce de jugar esta instancia de Copa Libertadores ya en la edición pasada vistiendo la camiseta de Independiente Santa Fe de Colombia llegó hasta la semifinal pero luego fue eliminado en semifinales por Olimpia de Paraguay.

"En lo anímico estamos muy bien. Conseguimos la clasificación y nos dio más confianza. En lo colectivo hemos ido de menor a mayor ya que en los primeros partidos nos pesó la responsabilidad y los errores nos costaron puntos que por poco nos dejan afuera", admitió el defensor que también jugó América de Cali y en la Liga de Estados Unidos (Philadelphia Union).

Para Valdés por el crecimiento de los últimos partidos y por la "calidad, jerarquía y la personalidad" del plantel, San Lorenzo "es un fuerte candidato a ser finalista".

El zaguero que llegó al club en el último receso por recomendación del DT del seleccionado de su país, el argentino José Pekerman, se refirió también a sus sensaciones sobre el presente en el club azulgrana.

"El comienzo no fue fácil, no tuve tiempo de adaptación porque teníamos un partido cada tres días. Personalmente fui de menos a más y en los partidos que jugué, el equipo no recibió tantos goles", remarcó.

En cuanto al objetivo de sumar minutos para estar en la consideración de Pekerman y entrar en la lista definitiva para el próximo Mundial de Brasil, el "cafetero" señaló: "No he tenido conversaciones con el cuerpo técnico. Pero estar en la lista de convocados depende de uno mismo, estando en buen nivel y en constante competencia".

Luego de la práctica, el plantel quedó licenciado hasta mañana a las 10:00 cuando volverán a trabajar en la Ciudad Deportiva del Nuevo Gasómetro, a puertas cerradas, y, al finalizar, quedará concentrado en un hotel céntrico.

Por la ida de los cuartos de final de la Copa Libertadores de América, San Lorenzo recibirá a Cruzeiro de Brasil, que en el grupo 5 clasificó en el segundo lugar y en octavos eliminó a Cerro Porteño de Paraguay, el miércoles desde las 22:00 bajo el arbitraje del paraguayo Antonio Arias.

Boca Juniors vuelve al trabajo entre rumores sobre el estado de Riquelme

BUENOS AIRES -- Juan Román Riquelme será revisado antes de la práctica que está citada este martes a las 9 en Casa Amarilla, tras el golpe que sufrió en el pie izquierdo durante la práctica del jueves, y que le impidió jugar en la victoria ante All Boys.

Allegados al Departamento Médico de Boca -que no diagnosticó la dolencia durante el fin de semana debido a que no se le practicaron estudios a Riquelme- dijeron a Télam que el jugador será revisado a primera hora del martes, para determinar el tipo de lesión que padece.

El talentoso enganche xeneize abandonó la práctica del jueves, en la que sufrió un pisotón que le generó la molestia; el viernes trabajó diferenciado y el sábado no fue citado por Carlos Bianchi para el partido en Floresta.

Por eso los médicos de Boca, concientes de la delicadeza del tema, revisarán mañana a Riquelme antes del comienzo de la práctica, entre rumores e incertidumbre sobre su estado físico.

Las especulaciones sobre el tema señalan desde una posible fisura, hasta una fractura en el quinto metatarsiano del pie izquierdo, pero los allegados al cuerpo médico boquense dijeron que lo mejor será esperar a ver al jugador antes de emitir ninguna información.

Además, deslizaron que una fisura o hasta fractura en esa zona del pie puede ser tratada con una infiltración para poder jugar uno o más partidos.

En ese sentido, pusieron como ejemplo una lesión similar que padeció tiempo atrás el volante Guillermo Pol Fernández, y que pudo jugar tras ser infiltrado.

En tanto, uno de los que no podrá jugar el fin de semana ante Lanús en la Bombonera, por la penúltima fecha del torneo Final, será el mediocampista Federico Bravo, quien sumó su quinta tarjeta amarilla.

Lanús: Guillermo Barros Schelotto haría 4 cambios ante Bolivar

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Lanús, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, haría cuatro cambios para recibir el jueves a Bolívar de Bolivia, en el partido de ida de los cuartos de final de la Copa Libertadores.

En relación con el equipo que igualó sin goles frente a Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, por la decimoséptima fecha del Torneo Final, el técnico granate incluiría a Maximiliano Velázquez en el lateral izquierdo de la defensa, a Diego González en el mediocampo y a Oscar Benítez e Ismael Blanco en ataque.

A diferencia del partido que se jugó en el bosque platense, Guillermo Barros Schelotto apostará por un esquema más ofensivo, con tres delanteros, y es por eso que deja su lugar Alejandro Silva, quien es mediocampista, e ingresará Blanco.

En la última línea, Velázquez ingresará por Nicolás Pasquini y en el centro del campo González reemplazará a Jorge Valdez Chamorro, en tanto que Benítez y Blanco se sumarán al ataque y quienes dejarán su lugar serán los uruguayos Santiago Silva y Alejandro Silva.

De esta manera, el equipo que se medirá con el conjunto boliviano formaría con: Agustín Marchesín; Carlos Araujo, Paolo Goltz, Carlos Izquierdoz, Velázquez; González, Leandro Somoza, Víctor Ayala; Benítez, Blanco y Marcos Astina. Lanús y Bolívar se enfrentarán el jueves desde las 19.45, con arbitraje del peruano Víctor Hugo Carrillo.