Snak

I forbindelse med optøjerne ved afvikilingen af El Superclásico vil "El Kaiser" iværksætte en undersøgelse....

Passarella ordenó una investigación

BUENOS AIRES -- El presidente de River, Daniel Passarella, ordenó una investigación interna para presentar un informe a la justicia acerca de los sucesos de violencia ocurridos en el superclásico ante Boca, en el "Monumental".

"Como presidente, ordeno requerir al Responsable de Seguridad del "Club Atlético River Plate" y al Representante Legal de la empresa "TECH", produzcan informes independientes y detallados acerca de los aludidos sucesos de violencia ocurridos el domingo 28 de octubre de 2012 en el estadio "Antonio V. Liberti", durante y con posterioridad al partido de fútbol allí realizado; sus causas, protagonistas y consecuencias", consignó un comunicado elevado por el club.

"Además, las medidas de prevención y de restablecimiento del orden entonces implementadas; y cuantas restantes observaciones contribuyan a esclarecer los hechos señalados, sus responsables, y el óptimo funcionamiento de los aprestos de seguridad articulados y los que, de ser necesario o conveniente, en el futuro inmediato quepa arbitrar", continúa el comunicado.

Los informes recabados serán presentados ante "el Secretario General por escrito, dentro del plazo de 24 horas", para la ulterior evaluación por las autoridades del River y "en apoyo de las tareas inherentes a las autoridades públicas competentes en las correlativas investigaciones".

Por último, el comunicado consigna: "Instruir a los abogados del `Club Atlético River Plate`, designados al efecto por el señor Secretario General, para que formalicen de inmediato ante esas autoridades públicas competentes una presentación escrita enderezada a expresar el inequívoco propósito del River de colaborar con el progreso y la más pronta conclusión de las referidas investigaciones, agilizando la entrega".

og lidt Preview til sidste runde af grundspillet i colombia.

Nueve equipos por cuatro lugares

BOGOTÁ -- Nueve equipos retoman el sábado la lucha por las últimas cuatro plazas en los llamados cuadrangulares semifinales de la Liga colombiana en los que ya tienen presencia asegurada el líder, Millonarios, y sus escoltas Atlético Junior, Equidad e Itagüí.

El Deportes Tolima, quinto con 26 puntos, necesita de una victoria el sábado para abonar su camino pero al frente tendrá al Deportivo Pasto, que con 22 unidades no tiene más margen, si quiere alcanzar la clasificación.

El Atlético Nacional, sexto con 24, necesita solucionar su problema de gol para imponerse en la cancha del Once Caldas, duodécimo con diecinueve.

El Boyacá Chicó y el Deportes Quindío, con 22 puntos cada uno, necesitan ganar al ya eliminado Patriotas y al Cúcuta Deportivo, respectivamente para mantener las opciones de clasificación.

El Independiente Medellín, undécimo con veinte unidades y el actual campeón, Independiente Santa Fe, decimotercer con diecinueve, tendrán duros escollos: los ya clasificados Itagüí y Atlético Junior.

= PROGRAMA DE LA 17ª FECHA:

. Sábado: Itagüí-Independiente Santa Fe, Millonarios-Envigado, Once Caldas-Atlético Nacional y Deportes Tolima-Deportivo Pasto.

. Domingo: Cúcuta Deportivo-Deportes Quindío, Boyacá Chicó-Patriotas, Real Cartagena-Equidad, Independiente Medellín-Atlético Junior y Deportivo Cali-Atlético Huila.


= CLASIFICACIÓN:

1. Millonarios 31 puntos
2. Atlético Junior 29
3. Equidad 29
4. Itagüí 28
5. Deportes Tolima 26
6. Atlético Nacional 24
7. Deportivo Pasto 22
8. Boyacá Chicó 22
9. Deportes Quindío 22
10. Cúcuta Deportivo 21
11. Independiente Medellín 20
12. Once Caldas 19
13. Independiente Santa Fe 19
14. Deportivo Cali 18
15. Envigado 18
16. Patriotas 14
17. Atlético Huila 12
18. Real Cartagena 12

Så lidt Brasilien nyt...

Bernard avoids questions over future

Atlético Mineiro starlet Bernard has avoided answering questions over his future, having previously fanned the flames of speculation by admitting he could be sold in January.

Bernard, 20, was facing up to the media ahead of Atlético´s meeting with Coritiba this Sunday - a side they have not beaten away from home in eight years.

When asked if there had been any developments regarding his future plans, the youngster was unwilling to elaborate on his previous comments as he abruptly dismissed the questioning.

"I don´t want to touch on the subject," Bernard responded. "I´d rather not talk about it anymore.

"I want to focus on the Brasileirão - I don´t know what will happen in the future. Whatever is decided will be good for everyone."

The Galo playmaker is considered favourite to win the Revelation of the Brasileirão 2012 prize, following a season in which he has greatly impressed with consistent performances as his side challenge for an unlikely league title.

Santos nyt...

Santos ready to overhaul squad

Santos are currently sitting in eleventh place in the leage table but are already planning for next season. And head coach Muricy Ramalho has warned his team they need to improve if they want to stay at the club next season.

He told Lancenet: "We analyse up a whole season, but football is about now. Suddenly, a game can change the opinion of the coach and everyone, all the time they have the opportunity, you must train and playvwell. I´ve seen happen several times a future change in a practice or game."

The board and the manager have warned the squad that they aim to strengthen the group with some big names and have been linked with AC Milan star Robinho, Wolfsburg playmaker Diego and Pablo Aimar of Benfica.

"We are looking for but it is difficult. We are looking fondly and you may have a surprise coming soon."

São Paulo nyt....

Lucas: Willian José contract talks underway

São Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura has praised the performance of underfire striker Willian José in the club´s 2-0 away-win over Universidad de Chile in the Copa Sudamericana.

Willian, 20, scored twice for the Brazilian side and turned in an all-round performance that drew much praise, having gone through a lean patch in this season´s Seleção.

The Brazil Under-20 international´s contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, but Lucas believes he can be of great use to São Paulo and praised his contribution in Chile.

"We were all very happy, because Willian is a very humble guy," Lucas told Lance. "He is very honest, very friendly and I have always believed in his talent.

"We had a partnership in the Brazil Under-20 side. It went well. This is good for him and good for São Paulo. He can help us a lot."

When pressed regarding his colleagues soon to expire contract, Lucas added: "I think there is already good progress. Let´s hope."

De kunne blive nogle interessante flaFlu opgør i den kommende sæson....

Ronaldinho in talks over Fluminense move - report

Brazilian sports media outlet Lancenet report that initial conversations have taken place between Ronaldinho Gaúcho´s agent Assis and Fluminense sponsors Unimed over a transfer this January.

Ronaldinho, 32, is currently a key member of the Atlético Mineiro side that lie second in the Brasileirão table, but is only on a short-term contract that will expire in late December.

Unimed, who are the main financial contributors to Fluminense, are believed to be interested in the marketing possibilities that the star would bring and hope to re-unite the player with friends Thiago Neves and Deco in Rio de Janeiro.

The website reports that Ronaldinho is keen on a return to the city, whilst his current salary would be drastically improved to match the levels of Fluminense´s top-earners.

The relationship between Ronaldinho and Atlético is also reported to have deteriorated in recent times, with club president Alexandre Kalil having criticised those close to the star for his nighttime escapades.

Both Unimed president Celso Barros, who instigated the talks, and Ronaldinho´s brother and agent Assis have denied that any negotiations are taking place, but the newspaper is adamant that a deal has been discussed.

Any transfer would see Ronaldinho link up with fellow internationals Fred, Deco, Rafael Sobis and Thiago Neves in a potent attacking line-up that Fluminense would hope could fire them to the 2013 Copa Libertadores title.

Det ser ud til at Kerlon spiller i den japanske 3. division nu. Det er godt nok syndt for ham med alle de skader i sådan en ung alder.

Jah det er lidt trist med ham....vi fandt aldrig rigtig ud af hvor god han var...


PSG er ellers godt i gan med at gøde jorden til et Neymar-bud....

Santos target Nenê free to leave PSG in Januar

Paris St-Germain midfielder Nenê will be allowed to leave the French club for free in January, with a number of Brazilian clubs showing interest in the player.

Nenê, 31, has fallen out of favour under Carlo Ancellotti this season and his relationship with fellow Brazilian Leonardo, the club´s director of football, is also believed to have soured.

Santos, who Nenê played for in 2002, are one of a number of clubs have shown interest in the player and Odílio Rodrigues, Santos vice president, spoke to Lancenet about the situation.

He said: "We´re not negotiating with Nene. We know he´s a good player, which will be available. He informed us of his situation."

There have also been rumours of a move for another former Santos star, Robinho, but Rodrigues refused to be drawn on whether signing one would rule out signing the other.

"That´s not how we work ... you have a certain value, you buy the player and depending on what is left over you can hire another possibility ... But it´s no use talking about this, as it creates anticipation in the crowd. Care must be taken, but generates frustration."

Neymar responds to praise from Barcelona star Lionel Messi

Santos star Neymar has responded to Lionel Messi’s recent praise by saying the Barcelona forward is the best in the world and that it would be a dream to play alongside him.

The 20-year-old, who has been shortlisted for this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the second year running, was recently called an "excellent player" by Messi.

Neymar was quick to acknowledge the declarations and thanked Messi for the special praise.

He said: "Can you imagine the best in your profession giving you praise? It made me very happy and I can only thank him for his words."

Messi is in contention to win the Ballon d´Or trophy for the third time in a row and Neymar believes no recipient is more deserving for this year´s accolade than the Argentine forward.

He said: "For me, there are three players who are better than the rest: Iniesta, Ronaldo and Messi.

"But, the best is Messi. There is nobody who can do the things he does."

Neymar and Messi could actually play alongside each other one day as the Santos star has long been linked with a move to the Catalan giants, but more so recently following rumours that a pre-contract agreement is already in place.

"To play alongside Messi would be a dream. Even just training with him would make me very happy," he concluded.

El Clásico Universitario optakt.


Clásico Universitario Preview

On Sunday Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica will reacquaint for the 175th top division instalment of the Clásico Universitario.

The University derby is regarded as the original or traditional ‘clásico’ in Chile; the history of the match-up stretching back to the early 1900’s. Despite La U’s rivalry with Colo Colo superseding it to become the ‘Superclásico’, the rivalry remains intense – and with Católica still looking to confirm their place in the Clausura play-offs, Sunday’s clash takes on even extra meaning.

Both teams go into Sunday’s game on the back of Copa Sudamericana quarter-final ties which saw them record surprisingly different results. Universidad de Chile were first up against in-form Brazilian giants São Paulo, and were comprehensively brushed aside 2-0 in their own backyard; their first home defeat in continental competition since August 2010.

Meanwhile, UC travelled to Argentina to play seven-time Copa Libertadores winners Independiente who, unlike São Paulo, played a makeshift team as their focus remains firmly on domestic business. Despite the weaker opposition Los Cruzados delivered a fine performance, leaving the Estadio Libertadores de América with a commendable 2-2 draw that could easily have been five or six in Católica’s favour.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s match, the build-up and intrigue was intensified when La U coach Jorge Sampaoli told the media that he would rest players against UC with the game being sandwiched by the two Copa Sudamericana dates, but if it was Colo Colo they were facing he would be putting out his strongest team.

This goes back to the history of the Clásico Universitario. The game has more history than that of the Superclásico, but Sampaoli’s comments highlight how the importance of the game has lessened to some extent over the years. As expected, the comments struck a chord with Católica, whilst even Colo Colo striker Carlos Muñoz talked of Sampaoli’s disrespect.

But whatever Sampaoli may say, this is another massive match in the Chilean football calendar, the fixture providing some special and momentous moments in the last two years alone. In the 2011 Apertura, the two teams clashed in the play-off final over two-legs. UC won the first-leg 2-0, but in a mesmerising second-leg La U thumped Los Cruzados 4-1 in a game that saw four red cards, handing Sampaoli his first trophy with Los Azules and kick-starting a very special spell for La U which is still continuing, albeit it a reduced speed.

Católica claimed a semblance of revenge in the Clausura play-offs of that year when they ended La U’s magnificent 35 game unbeaten run (discounting the Copa Chile) in the semi-final stage of the play-offs, yet La U still went on to pick up the Clausura trophy to go along with the Copa Sudamericana.

UC’s standards have slipped somewhat since then. Martín Lasarte is now the head coach but has come under increasing pressure of late with Los Cruzados’ fans voicing their opinion of his management in a recent 2-0 home reverse to Huachipato. To call Católica’s form indifferent would be something of an understatement – they have recorded a pair of wins and draws and four defeats in their last eight league games, while in the Copa Chile they have qualified for the knock-out stages despite a 6-1 home defeat to Unión Española. It is thought that the club’s progression in the Copa Sudamericana has saved Lasarte from the sack.

UC’s inconsistent from surely represents the inconsistencies in team selection. Cristopher Toselli has not had a settled back four in front of him for much of the year; captain and talisman Cristian Álvarez has been besot by injury problems. Further up the pitch it seems Lasarte is unsure of his best strike partnership, and with an abundance of options comes an abundance of changes.

Midfielder Michael Ríos has probably been the club’s best player in the Clausura yet even he has been shifted around, sometimes playing at right-back.

La U haven’t had as many problems as UC, but it hasn’t been the best of times for Los Azules. They have been playing catch-up for most of the year having taken part in the Recopa Sudamericana and Suruga Championship. Sampaoli has had to shift his team and formations around with different personnel as they attempt to make a fist of it in all competitions.

It has given Juan Ignacio Duma and Christian Bravo, amongst others, playing time in the first team as La U continue to develop the best talent in the country.

Problems have come with recent signings as Luciano Civelli, Eduardo Morante, Waldo Ponce and Pedro Morales have struggled for form and/or fitness. They were meant to give the squad depth rather than be part of the problem.

The key players remain those that made up the bulk of the Copa Sudamericana winning team: José Rojas, Jhonny Herrera, Osvaldo González, Eugenio Mena, Charles Aránguiz, Matías Rodríguez and Gustavo Lorenzetti.

Mena, a fabulously underrated wing-back, and Herrera, one of the best goalkeepers in South America, will miss the clash with UC.

The Clásico Universitario may no longer have prestige of the Superclásico but search through the history books and you will discover the considerable importance of the match in Chilean football. Despite what Sampaoli may tell you these are two Chilean institutions going head-to-head.