Tony a la fiesta – URUGOL – Portal de Noticias del fútbol Uruguayo e Internacional

La comisión que planea la gran fiesta, con motivo de celebrar los 120 años de la institución, tiene en mente invitar a Antonio Pacheco, quien se desvinculó del club, por decisión de Diego Aguirre.   El 28 de septiembre los hinchas de Peñarol, podrán volver a Antonio Pacheco en accion con la camiseta de Peñarol. Claro, si el “Tony” acepta la invitación.   Hay que recordar que Pacheco, se desvinculó de Peñarol, luego de que Osvaldo Giménez, le comunicara, que Diego Aguirre no lo tendría en cuenta. Las aguas se dividieron en la parcialidad carbonera por tratarse, lógicamente, de un ídolo del club.   También se dio a conocer el rival de turno, para el día de la celebración. El rival será el Olimpia de Paraguay, equipo campeón de la Copa Libertadores de América en 1979, 1990 y 2002.

Portsmmouthmake bid for Ravannelli | World Soccer

Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has been the subject of a bid from Portsmouth,according to the player’s agent.

Despite denials from Fratton Park officials earlier today, it would now appear the deal is very much alive.

The Derby County player is currently in Italy recovering from minor surgery on his ankle and the club are desperate to sell Ravanelli due to his high wages.

‘There is an offer from Portsmouth for Ravanelli but nothing will be decided until Ravanelli returns,’ Giovanni Palladini revealed.

‘I have spoken to (Portsmouth assistant manager) Jim Smith and we have reached an agreement, but until Fabrizio evaluates it nothing will be done. Fabrizio returns on Monday.’

‘He is very happy at Derby and wants to stay there,’ added Palladini. ‘However, if Derby cannot afford his wages due to their financial situation then he may have to make a sacrifice and leave.’

Ravanelli, a former Italian international, said earlier today that he was happy to stay at Derby.

‘I am looking forward to returning to play and I think in a week’s time I will be ready. I have heard rumours and I am flattered that clubs are interested in me but at the moment nothing has changed, I am happy at Derby.’

Cragnottiprepared to stand down at Lazio | World Soccer

Sergio Cragnotti has confirmed that he will step down as president of Laziowith immediate effect if a suitable candidate to replace him can be found.

“I’m working on maintaining the high levels of the club, in order to deliver it in a good condition to my successor,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“My job isn’t about being Lazio president. If someone wants the team and is able to assure a good future for them, better than the current one, I’m ready to leave. ”

And I am ready to leave immediately.”

Cragnotti has cut an increasingly beleaguered figure in recent months as his club have teetered on the verge of bankruptcy. His already tarnished reputation ammong the club’s supporters will not have been helped by the admission that he made a blunder in the transfer market last season.

“Nesta’s sale caused me great pain, but I made another mistake,’ Cragnotti confirmed.

“Last season, Inter asked me for Crespo. They offered me Vieri and money, but I refused.”

Argentine striker Hernan Crespo is now Christian Vieri’s partner at Internazionale, after joining them in the summer.

ChampionsLeague previews | World Soccer

Group F

These two sides face each other again just months after their last encounter which saw the German side prevail in a tight semi-final encounter before losing to Real Madrid in the final.

Since that tie, Leverkkusen’s form has nose-dived and they currently stand just above the relegation zone in the Budesliga anndwere thrashed 6-2 by Olympiakos in their Champions League opener last week. Shorn of Michael Ballack and Ze Roberto – both now with Bayern Munich – Kllaus Toppmoller’s side look a pale shadow of the team that delighted Germany and Europe last season with their free-flowing football.

Nevertheless, Toppmollerbelieves his side will reveal their true character at the BayArena tonight, saying: “We are the outsiders and that will be an advantage for us,” he said.

Matters are not helped by injuries to key players such as Diego Placente, Juan and Jens Nowotny, all of whom miss out tonight.

“At the moment we don’t have many options,” Toppmoller admitted. “All I can do is hope that none of the other players nursing knocks miss the game.”

Frank Juric having replaced Hans-Jorg Butt, Leverkusen’s established No1, in recent games. Neville to return Like Leverkusen,

United too have struggled this season and already lie six points off the pace in the Premier League. However their domestic troubles were forgotten when they overwhelmed Maccabi Haifa 5-2 in last week’s opener.

Like Leverkusen they are also struggling with injuries and will be without are without Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown tonight. In the absence of skipper Keane, David Beckham will captain the side.

More positive news could see the return of Laurent Blanc and long-term casualty Gary Neville. Neville has not played since breaking a metatarsal when the sides met last season but is understoood to be close to full fitness.

Defeat to night could be fatal for Leverkusen’s chances of progressing. United boss Sir Alex Fergsuon hwoever is taking nothing for granted.

“If you look at their record this season, you will see that they have scored first in every single match,’ he said. ‘We must avoid that at all costs.”

Probable teams:
Juric; Zivkovic, Ramelow, Lucio; Vranjes, Babic; Schneider, Basturk, Simak; Neuville, Berbatov.
: Barthez; P Neville, Blanc, Ferdinand, Silvestre; Beckham, Veron, Butt, Giggs; Solskjaer, Van Nistelrooy.

Maccabi Haifa v Olympiakos 20:45

After conceding five at Old Trafford last week, Maccabi Haifa now face an in-form Olympiakos side who have scored ten goals in the last two games. The Greek champions followed their amazing 6-2 win against Bayer 04 Leverkusen with a 4-0 victory against Akratitos FC to go top of the Alpha Ethniki.

Haifa go into the game – played at the GSP stadium in Nicosia – with with doubts over the fitness of several key players. Israeli internationals Alon Harazi and Walid Badier are expected to miss out.

However, Lithuanian midfielder Raimondas Zutautas and Nigerian forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni return from injury and suspension respectively and coach Shum remains upbeat.

“We were without of two of our best players (against United) but they will play in the next game,” Shum said.

“I believe we have a chance and we will try to take points off the other teams.”

Despite their impressive opening day win, Olympiakos coach Takis Lemonis is taking nothing for granted.

“We really enjoyed the Leverkusen game, but must not get carried away,” he said. “If anything, our concentration has to be better. You cannot underestimate Maccabi simply because their players are not such big names.”

Lemonis rested Giorgios Anatolakis, Paraskevas Antzas, Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos and Christian Karembeu at the weekend, but all are included in the squad for tonight’s match.

Lambros Choutos is ruled out through injury. The Greeks welcome back Nigerian striker Ayegbeni Yakubu after suspension.

ChampionsLeague previews | World Soccer

Group E
Juventus v Dynamo 20:45

David Trezeguet could return to action for Juventus for the first time this season as the Italian club host Dynamo Kiev at the Stadio delle Alpi.

The French international striker has been out for almost two months with a knee injury but is in the squad and will probably start on the bench as Juve coach Marcello Lippi gives new signing Marco Di Vaio another chance to shine alongside in-form Alessandro Del Piero.

Lippi is reager to pick up their a Champions League win after being held to a draw in their opening fixture with Feyenoord.

Lippi’s main worriesare midfielders Alessio Tacchinardi and Edgar Davids, both of whom are doubtful. Croatian Igor Tudor and Davide Baiocco are on stand by to deputise.

For Dynamo, coach Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko, much will depnned on forwards Maksim Shatskikh and Brazilian Leandro, who both missed the disappointing weekend draw with Obolon.

Probable teams:
Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Iuliano, Montero, Birindelli; Camoranesi, Davids, Baiocco; Nedved; Di Vaio, Del Piero

Dynamo Kyiv: Reva; Ghioane; Peev, Husin, Sablic, Nesmachnyy; Leko, Khatskevich; Cernat; Leandro, Shatskikh.

Newcastle v Feyenoord 20:45

After three straight defeats, Newcastlle UNited were grateful to finally pick up three points when they overcame Sunderland in the local north-east derby at the weekend.

Coach Sir Bobby Robson admitted the win had “lifted the whole scene here”; a fact acknowledged by his Dutchh counterpart, Feyenoord boss Bert van Marwijk, who stated: “The game against Sunderland was good for them and here with the public we know it will be tough.”

Following their disappointing 2-0 reverse in Kyiv last week, Newcastle cannnot afford to drop any home points and will be gunning for victory tonight against a side who havewon just once in ten trips to England. However, the UEFA Cup holders are unbeaten in 13 European games and their draw with Juventusconfirmed their pedigree at this level.

Club captain Paul Bosvelt who missed Juventus’s visit following his father’s death returns, but Ramon van Haaren damaged a hamstring in Saturday’s win over De Graafschap meaning Tomasz Rzasa should fill the left-back role tonight.

Newcastle have no injury worries and although forward Craig Bellamy managed only a light training session yesterday, Robson claims that the Welsh striker would be “up and ready” to face Feyenoord. Bellamy is anxiously waiting to hear if he will be charged by UEFA for headbutting Tiberiu Ghioane during last week’s encounter. The incident, though missed by the referee, was spotted by television cameras annd UEFA are studying the video evidence with a view to charging Belllamy.

Equally worrying for Robson will be the free-kick prowess of Pierre Van Hooijdonk, who scored Feyenooord’s equaliser from a set-piece. It was the striker’s 50th goal from a free-kick and confirmed his reputationas one of the game’s most dangerous set-piece merchants.

‘We are aware of Van Hooijdonk’s ability at free-kicks but we’ll be trying not to give any away,’ stated Robson. ‘It’s a danger but it’s not something we’re extremely worried about.’

Probable teams:
: Given; Griffin, O’Brien, Dabizas, Hughes; Solano, Dyer, Speed, Viana; Bellamy, Shearer.
Feyenoord: Zoetebier; Song, Paauwe, Van Wonderen, Van Haaren; Emerton, Bosvelt, Ono, Pardo; Van Hooijdonk, Buffel.

ChampionsLeague previews | World Soccer

Group D

Lyon coach Paul Le Guen’s task against Rosenborg has been made even harder following the withdrawal of striker Sidney Govou with a thigh injury. Former French international Tony Vairelles and French Under-21 striker Peguy Luyindula are in contention for his role.

Le Guen admits that changes are required to his side, who have now lost three games on the trot.

“We need to change several things,” he said, before adding, “I will not take it easy with any of my players.”

Rosenborg will be looking for a repeat of the form that broought them a 2-2 draw with Internazionale last week.

Defender-turned-striker, Azar Karadas, could be the key figure for Rosenborg after hisÿtwo goalsÿagainst Inter.

“Azar has the qualities needed for a game like this, being strong and with excellent heading skills,” said coach Nils Arne Eggen

One interesting feature of tonight’s game is thatit ends Rosenborg midfielder RoarStrand’s record of playing 51 consecutive Champions League games for the club since 1995. Strand strained a leg muscle last week and has been ruled out of the game.

Inter v Ajax Amsterdam
Ronald Koeman’s Ajax side could be forced to makke changes after Jari Litmanen, who had been filling in for the injured Rafael van der Vaart, limped out of Saturday’s match with a hamstring injury that leaves him doubtful for the trip to Internazionale.

With striker Abubakari Yakubu suspended, Koeman could switch from a 4-3-3 system to 4-4-2 with in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Victor Sikora spearheading the attack and the experienced Aron Winter operating on the right wing. Maarten Stekelenburg will retain his starting spot in goal while Norwegian Andre Bergdolmo comes in to deputize for Yakubu.

Inter coach Hector Cuper is without defender Fabio Cannavaro, who was sent off during last week’s tie against Rosenborg. Javier Zanetti will move back into his preferred right back position and Portuguese winger Sergio Conceicao will come in on the right wing in place of the injured Andres Guglielminpietro. Alvaro Recoba will replace Domenico Morfeo on the left wing and Dalmat-Almeyda will form the central partnership behind the highly-vaunted strike force of Vieri and Crespo.

Coach Hector Cuper expects a tough encounter.

“Just look at Ajax’s recent history – two years ago they seemed to have lost th

eir personality, now they have quality players and a quality style of play,” he said. “They have good ball possession and great speed – it will be a very difficult match.”

Maarten Stekelenburg will keep his starting spot after a rather gutsy performance on Matchday 1. Norwegian Andre Bergdolmo comes in to deputize for Yakubu and will have, no doubt, given his buddies at Rosenborg a call to get first-hand data on Inter. Koeman will opt for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the lone striker, supported by the trio of Andy van der Meyde, Jari Litmanen and Victor Sikora.

Probable teams:
Inter: Toldo; Zanetti,Materazzi, Cordoba, Coco; Conceicao, Almeyda, Dalmat, Recoba; Crespo, Vieri
Ajax: Stekelenburg; Trabelsi, Bergdolmo, Chivu, O’Brien; Galasek, Maxwell; van der Meyde, Litmanen, Sikora; Ibrahimovic

ChampionsLeague results | World Soccer

Group A
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Auxerre
Borussia Dortmund: Jan Koller (6) Marcio Amoroso (78)

PSV Eindhoven 0-4 Arsenal

Group B
Liverpool 1-1 Basle
Liverpool: Milan Baros (34)

Spartak Moscow 0-3 Valencia ÿ

Group C
AEK Athens 0-0 Roma

Real Madrid 6-0 Genk

Group D
Inter 1-0 Ajax Amsterdam

Lyon 5-0 Rosenborg

Leedsreveal heavy losses | World Soccer

Leeds United have revealed a massive pre-tax loss of œ28.21 million in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

The figure compares to a loss of just œ4 million the previous season.

The size if the loss is all the more surprising given the the sale of Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Keane for a combined £37 million.

David O’Leary, who was sacked in the summer for his failure to lead the club into the Champions League, spent nearly œ100 million on transfer fees during his four-year reign at the club – a figure which contributes to the enormous loss experienced by the club.

The figures prompted a dramatic drop in the club’s share price with Leedsshares now valued at 5.5 pence, half the value of a year ago.

Ronaldobrands Cuper a liar | World Soccer

Brazilian striker Ronaldo has called Hector Cuper, his former boss at Inter, a liar, after the Argentinian coach claimed the pair had enjoyed a goood working relationship.

“Cuper is a liar when he says that he had a normal relationship with me,” Ronaldo told Italian TV programme TG1.

“Since he arrived at Inter the side has never entertained the public’ Ronaldo added. ‘This is one of the reasons why I decided to leave Italy.”

Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid in a deal worth£30 million, also stated that he had decided to leave the club before the World Cup becauuse of the breakdown in relations with Cuper.

Bellamyapologises for heabutt | World Soccer

Newcastle United’s Craig Bellamy has issued an apology for the headbutt which landed him a three-match ban.

The Welsh international was suspended following his clash with Dynamo Kiev defender Tiberiu Ghioane during Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat last Champions League game.

‘I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone at the club,’ said Belllamy. ‘That means the board of directors, the manager, my team mates and most importantly the supporters of Newcastle.

‘Although it is no excuse I can only say that I have worked very hard to regain full fitness and achieve my goal of playing in the Champions League.

‘Clearly I am not yet as fit as I would like to be and consequently towards the end of the match I let my frustrations get the better of me.’