Newell’s Old Boys leaped to the head of the class with La Lepra’s 3-1 win over Velez Sarsfield on Friday. Newell’s Old Boys has 22 points. Lanus fell to second place for now with 21 points. Granate has a hot date with Union late Monday. River Plate is in third place with 20 points. Boca Juniors is buried in 17^th place with nine points.

La Razon on the River Plate win.

The win was good for Los Millionarios but the guys have some real shortcomings that can bit them in the butt if they are not careful.

River consiguió tres valiosos puntos en Mendoza. Pero la victoria no debe maquillar una realidad: el equipo de Núñez busca figuras para apuntalar un elenco estable. En definitiva, la buena noticia es esa: Ramón Díaz encontró respaldo en algunos de los más chicos, con Eder Álvarez Balanta como abanderado: además de estampar el 2-1, fue el baluarte de la defensa. La ovación que bajó de la tribuna al final del partido hizo justicia con su trabajo dentro de la cancha.

Ramón debe sentir cierta tranquilidad, porque puso las fichas en los lugares indicados. Después de los 90 minutos, supo que sus elecciones habían sido acertadas. Iturbe, que reclamaba una oportunidad, tuvo sus minutos de acción en lugar de Funes Mori y sumó crédito para pelear por un lugar en la delantera. Lanzini, que venía con aciertos y errores, ayer fue una pieza importante del mediocampo. Y Balanta, con apenas 20 años, fue un muro: brindó seguridad en la altura y tuvo un desempeño correcto en el lateral izquierdo y en los cierres.
La sucesión de los acontecimientos señalan que Lanzini abrió el marcador con un penal dudoso. Godoy Cruz no tardó en igualar: David Ramírez volvió a ser mago, sacó una asistencia de la galera y Castillón superó la resistencia de Barovero. A los 8 minutos del segundo tiempo, Carlos Sánchez tiró el centro, Ibáñez falló en el puñetazo y Balanta, que se encontró con el regalo, empujó la pelota al gol. River no lo cerró y sufrió. Finalmente, se quedó con el triunfo y presiona a Lanús y a Newell’s.

“Balanta tiene cosas de Passarella. Es fuerte, zurdo y quiere ser protagonista”. El elogio de Ramón parece apresurado, pero el joven colombiano enciende ilusiones en Núñez.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/ritmo-Balanta_0_453000054.html

Boca Juniors on the other had has won in nine matches. La Razon wrote.

Setenta días pasaron de la última victoria de Boca en el torneo Final. Aquella racha negativa de nueve partidos sin poder festejar en el ámbito local tampoco pudo ser quebrada este domingo, dado que el Xeneize empató sin goles ante Belgrano en la Bombonera.

A los dos minutos de juego, Juan Román Riquelme se hizo cargo de un tiro libre, la pelota dio en el palo y Nicolás Blandi -que había generado la falta- empujó la pelota al gol. Pero desde dentro del arco la saco Luciano Lollo, algo que hizo dudar al árbitro Juan Pablo Pompei quien, apoyado en el juez de línea, no convalidó el tanto y así le privó al equipo local ponerse en ventaja.

En la primera media hora llegó otra mala noticia para Carlos Bianchi. Su as de espadas tuvo que retirarse del campo de juego. Román sufrió una nueva molestia muscular en su pierna izquierda y le dejó su lugar al juvenil Juan Sánchez Miño.

Los primeros 45 minutos fueron de muy bajo nivel, sin signos de tensión ni trabajo para los arqueros, por lo que el empate estaba plenamente justificado.

Y las lesiones continuaron en el complemento, porque Matías Caruzzo sufrió también un problema muscular y lo reemplazó Lisandro Magallán. Pasado los 25 minutos, Boca, que ya tenía más tiempo la pelota que su adversario, comenzó a llegar mejor y más claro. A los 27’, Juan Carlos Olave salvó con esfuerzo un cabezazo de Walter Erviti y, luego del consecuente tiro de esquina, cabeceó desviado Guillermo Burdisso.

La última llegada del Xeneize fue a los 44’cuando Mágallán impactó con su cabeza la pelota, la cual salió despedida cerca del palo izquierdo defendido por Olave. Ya en el tiempo agregado pudo haberlo ganado el equipo de Ricardo Zielinski, con una escapada de César Carranza por la izquierda. Finalmente, el remate cruzado fue desviado con esfuerzo por Orion, y así el 0-0 resultó inamovible.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/Boca-sigue-racha-negativa_0_452700388.html

I thought okay this sucker is over.  Not so fast bucko. Tottenham showed how resilient they are by scoring three goals in a seven-minute span to salt this sucker away and for all intensive purposes gave Man U the title.

Clint Dempsey scored in the 75^th minute. Jermain Defoe broke loose and tickled the twines in the 79^th minute. Gareth Bale added the fatal blow in the 82^nd minute.

The win will keep Spurs in fifth place with 61 points.

City is in second with 68 points.

Second place is still up for grabs.

Look City was invincible last year when taking a 1-0 lead on the road. Not this year. City has had a bad habit of blowing leads. This happened again at White Hart Lane. The magic is gone. I was glad when City won the title last year. This year however the Citizens act got old. I became tired of their holier than thou attitude. City is a classless club. There I said it.

Sir Alex can win the crown with a win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford later today.

Liverpool fell behind 2-1. Luis Suarez nailed the equalizer in the 90^th minute plus seven to save the Reds asses. Liverpool and Chelsea ended in a two all draw.

Suarez was the hero as well as villain. Suarez took a bite out of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic with the Reds were trailing 2-1. The ref didn’t see it. Chelsea protested but nothing came of it.

Suarez has a history of this kind of behaviour. ESPN soccer reported-“For such an odd incident Suarez has previous, having served a seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax immediately prior to his move to Liverpool in January 2011.”

http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/345561/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901

Chelsea took the lead from a strike off the foot of Oscar in the 26^th minute. Liverpool levelled this puppy up in the 52^nd. Daniel Sturridge tickled the twines and thus we’re tied at one all. The Blues took the lead when Eden Hazard nailed a PK in the 57^th minute.

And the stage was set for Luis Suarez’s last second heroics.

The tie cost the Blues big time. The Blues stay in fourth place with 62 points. Spurs are parked in fifth place with 61 points.

The Reds are in seventh place with 51 points. It looks like Liverpool will finish out of the money.

Gunner for life.

Hernane led the way with the daily double in the 47^th and 61^st minute. Nixon added one in the 58^th minute

Rubro-negro is out of the Taça Rio.  Flamengo wound up in third place with eleven points. Mengao won two out of their last three matches. The draw killed our chances to make to the semifinals of the Taça Rio.

Mengao will start the Serie A on May 26^th.

UOL-  “Mesmo sem acreditar muito nas combinações de resultado e no imbróglio sobre o resultado suspenso do jogo contra o Duque de Caxias, o Flamengo ainda “respira” no Campeonato Carioca. Com o brilho do artilheiro Hernane, que marcou duas vezes, o rubro-negro venceu o Macaé de virada por 3 a 1 neste sábado, fora de casa. A equipe agora aguarda os resultados em campo e, principalmente, na Justiça para saber sua real situação na Taça Rio. Nixon fez o outro gol do time da Gávea, enquanto Marco Goiano marcou para os macaenses.

O clube chegou aos dez pontos na tabela de classificação e agora torce por um tropeço do Fluminense neste domingo, contra o Bangu. Além disso, o Flamengo espera reaver os pontos da partida disputada com o Caxias, suspenso pelo Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva após o rubro-negro pedir a abertura de um inquérito para apurar uma possível interferência externa na anulação do gol que poderia dar a vitória ao time do técnico Jorginho.

Precisando mostrar serviço ao técnico Jorginho, os reservas do Flamengo – dez dos 11 jogadores que entraram em campo – começaram o jogo buscando o ataque a todo o momento. No entanto, a falta de entrosamento e, principalmente, os espaços deixados na defesa atrapalharam o rubro-negro. E o Macaé rapidamente aproveitou, abrindo o placar aos 7min.

O time do Norte Fluminense chegou pela esquerda com Rodrigo, que cruzou na cabeça de Marco Goiano. O meia se antecipou ao zagueiro Frauches e tocou no canto esquerdo de Paulo Victor, que não alcançou a bola e viu a rede balançar.

Sem se abalar com o gol sofrido, os reservas rubro-negros partiram em busca do empate. Faltava, porém, uma melhor definição no ataque. O Flamengo dominou completamente as ações e criou inúmeras chances no restante do primeiro tempo, mas não conseguiu igualar o placar.

Na volta para a segunda etapa, a história foi diferente. O Flamengo não só manteve o ritmo como melhorou sua pontaria. E bastaram 17 minutos para o rubro-negro conseguir a virada e definir a partida. Logo aos 2min, Hernane aproveitou uma bola que sobrou dentro da pequena área, ajeitou e marcou o gol de empate.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/estadual-do-rio/pos-jogo/2013/04/20/hernane-brilha-novamente-fla-vira-sobre-macae-e-respira-no-carioca.htm

Flamenguista for life.

We couldn’t put em away after Fulham’s Steve Sidwell was given the heave-hoe in the 12^th minute.

My Gunners didn’t crack the scoreboard until the 43^rd minute. Per Mertesacker poked home the rocked off a scramble ball in front of the Cottagers net. Theo Walcott set up this sucker off a free kick from the top of the box. Laurent Koscielny missed the initial header just wide. Mertesacker nailed the rebound.

The win puts Arsenal into third place for now with 63 points. Chelsea battles archrival Liverpool later today.

The bad news from this match was the red card given to Giroud. He will out the next three matches.

I am pissed. The guys played like crap. Yes, we got the win but the reality is this one plain and simple fact we struggle against bad clubs. Most of the time we win  against these guys.  We do lose a few of these suckers and this is why we can’t compete for a title. This has to be addressed. If we don’t find a scorer we will be doomed to third, fourth or a fifth place finish. The rest of the league is catching up quickly.

Wenger told www.arsenal “Red Cards and a Crucial Win.”

On the crazy finish-Yes it was tight at the end because we couldn’t score the second goal. I feel that we became cautious in the second half. Our first half was quite good. We were in control and played well with 11 against 11. Up to half-time we were alright with 11 against 10. In the second half, I felt [we wanted] to protect the lead and not to make a mistake. The final 10 minutes were really nervy because they started to play direct. They had a few dangerous balls in the box and it was difficult but it’s still a very important win for us.

The Red Card? I spoke with Giroud. He said to me that he slipped at the moment he went for the ball and it’s confirmed by the television. I haven’t seen it but he’s not a tackler. He went over the ball and knowing that Sidwell had been sent off before, I had no illusion of the colour of the card.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-red-cards-and-a-crucial-win

Gunner for life.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

Reading and Queens Park Rangers are outta here for good.  Reading lost to Norwich City 2-1. This win saved the Canaries from the drop zone.

Queens Park Rangers had their heads handed to them by Stoke City 2-0.

Sunderland defeated Everton 1-0. This loss may have ended the Toffees quest for a Europa League spot. The win gave the Black Cats some breathing in the race for the final you’re outta here zone spot.

West Brom and Newcastle tied one all.

Swansea City and Southampton tied nil-nil.

The Choo-choo guys are whale dung with 24 points. QPR is one step above with 24 points. Both of these cats are gone.

Wigan has a chance sitting in 18^th place with 31 points.  Aston Villa sits in 17^th place with 34 points.

Villa and Man U play Monday. A Villa win will kill the Wig guys hope of staying alive.

Toons, Stoke City and Sunderland each have 37 points. Newcastle is in 16^th place. Stock City sits in 15^th place. Sunderland is in 14^th place.

Norwich has 13^th place with 38 points.

Tottenham- Man City and Liverpool-Chelsea battle it out later today.

Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool need to win.

Everton trails fifth place Spurs by two points. If the Blues win they jump back into third place. Spurs will be level on points with Chelsea but the Blues have a better goal difference.

City has won second place unless all hell breaks loose. A Citizens win will only postpone Man U’s title celebration a week.

We can’t afford any more brain farts. This means we need “W’s” not ties or losses. This is nut-cutting time for my Gunners. Chelsea is in third place with 61 points. We have 60 points and Tottenham has 58 points. Spurs take on second place City on Sunday.

Here is the latest about Fabianski and Rosicky. This taken from www.arsenal.com

The skinny on Fabianski.
Fabianski is not back. The keeper situation is similar to what it was before. It is a rib injury. It is game to game for him.

The other guys.
At the back everyone should available. In midfield we have a few people to check like Cazorla, Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain. They will all have tests but I hope they should be alright.

How about Rosicky.

We have to test Rosicky who was not ready to start on Tuesday. There are a number of uncertainties about our squad but I will sort that out on Friday morning.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-fabianski-and-rosicky

Wenger gave high praise Kieran Gibbs.

“October and November was really a springboard for him where he moved forward. He’s a candidate for higher up.”

There is a battle between Gibbs and Nacho Monreal for the left back position.

“They have done really well,” he said. “[Choosing between them] is another difficult decision I have to make in every single game.

“I would say for Gibbs it’s the same as it is for Oxlade-Chamberlain because he has improved tremendously this season.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-gibbs-has-improved-tremendously

Right now for us it is all about the “W”. We need to win and keep winning if we want to hang onto fourth place and possibly move up to third place.

Gunner for life.

Group play is finished in the Copa Libertadores. Group Eight Fluminense defeated Caracas FC 1-0. Gremio and Huachipato tied one all. Flu and Verdao advance to the next round.

UOL on the Flu win. “Não foi no nostálgico Maracanã, ainda em obras, nem no interditado Engenhão, palco de dois títulos nacionais. Mas São Januário se tornou a casa tricolor na noite desta quinta-feira, quando o Fluminense venceu o Caracas por 1 a 0 – gol do atacante Rafael Sobis – e confirmou sua classificação às oitavas de final da Libertadores.

Líder do grupo 8, o time das Laranjeiras enfrentará o Emelec na próxima fase da competição. O Grêmio assegurou a outra vaga da chave e garantiu 100% dos brasileiros na Libertadores – os dois times se juntam a Atlético-MG, Corinthians, Palmeiras e São Paulo na lista de classificados ao mata-mata. Se passar das oitavas, o Fluminense pega o vencedor do duelo entre Olímpia-PAR e Tigre-ARG.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/18/sobis-marca-flu-vence-a-primeira-em-casa-e-pega-o-emelec-nas-oitavas.htm

UOL on the Verdao tie. Gremio advances on goal difference.

O Grêmio marcou um golaço no primeiro tempo com Zé Roberto. Mas, nos minutos finais acabou cedendo. Aos 43 o Huachipato empatou. O ‘filme’ da derrota na Sul-Americana do ano passado, quando o gol do Millonarios ocorreu no último minuto, veio à tona. O goleiro do Huachipato chegou a ir para área tentar o gol. Mas desta vez o final foi feliz para os brasileiros. O empate em 1 a 1, desta quinta-feira, deu ao time gaúcho a classificação dramática às oitavas de final da Libertadores.

O Fluminense venceu o Caracas no outro jogo do grupo 8. Os cariocas avançaram em primeiro na chave, com 11 pontos. O time gaúcho ficou com 8, em segundo. Nas oitavas de final, o adversário será o Independiente Santa Fé. O primeiro jogo em Porto Alegre e o segundo na Colômbia.

O Grêmio queria defender. Os três volantes posicionados por Vanderlei Luxemburgo foram preciosos nos primeiros minutos do confronto com o Huachipato. O empate servia para o Grêmio, portanto, arriscar era palavra proibida.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/18/huachipato-x-gremio.htm

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

This is what we know for sure. Man U will win the title unless all hell breaks loose. City will finish second unless something crazy happens.  QPR and Reading are history. The only races left are for third, fourth and fifth place and the final voce vai zone.

Eight points separate places eleven through eighteen. Wigan sits in the final you’re outta here zone. The Wig guys have 31 points and match in hand. One step from man I can’t believe I am gone is Aston Villa. Villa has 34 points. Aston Villa battles Man U on Monday. Both Sunderland and Stoke City each have 34 points but this is the key The Black Cats are in 15^th place on a minus eight. The Potters are in 16^th place with a minus 13.

To see who earns the final bye-bye zone spot may come down to goal difference.

The Canaries need to smoke the Choo-choo guys to get a better cushion for safety. Norwich has 35 points and the win should move the Canaries to safety with 38 points.

Toons are in danger too. Newcastle needs to beat West Brom. Toons have 36 points and are in 13^th place.

Everton is still he fight for a berth for a Champions League and Euro League spots.

Saturday will be a wild day in the EPL. I love it.

Group Two saw Tigre defeating Libertad 5-3. Sporting Cristal defeated Palmeiras 1-0. Alviverde wins Group Two on goal difference. Tigre wound up second. Both Palmeiras and the Matador each had nine points.

Tigre’s win over Libertad knocked out Los Repolleros out of second place. Thus the Paraguai side Libertad was sent home.

UOL on Alviverde loss. “O Palmeiras jogou mal, perdeu boas chances no fim do jogo e não demonstrou a raça marcante das últimas partidas. Assim, a equipe foi presa fácil e perdeu por 1 a 0 para o Sporting Cristal, no estádio Alberto Gallardo Mendonza, em Lima, no Peru. A sorte é que  liderança do grupo 2 foi garantida graças ao inesperado triunfo do Tigre por 5 a 3 contra o Libertad no Paraguai. O time paraguaio fez o terceiro gol nos acréscimos e mudou a situação da chave.

O Palmeiras conheceu o adversário das oitavas de final pouco depois do fim do jogo. O alviverde terminou como a pior campanha entre os líderes dos oito grupos e vai encarar o Tijuana, o melhor entre os segundos colocados. O primeiro jogo das oitavas será no México.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/18/gol-do-libertad-deixa-o-palmeiras-na-lideranca-mesmo-com-derrota-no-peru.htm

La Razon wrote about the Matador win.

This was Tigre’s first trip to the Copa Libertadores. The Matador beat Libertad in their house in Asuncion 5-3. The win sent Los Repolleros home in disgrace.

Tigre hace historia al andar en su primera participación en la Copa Libertadores. Con un inolvidable 5-3 sobre Libertad, en Asunción, el Matador se instaló en los octavos de final. Los goles llegaron por sendos dobletes de Ruben Botta y Matías Pérez García y el penal acertado por Gastón Díaz. Ojo, la noche pudo haber sido mejor, ya que estuvo a segundos de terminar primero en el grupo 2. Es que Palmeiras perdió 1-0 con Sporting Cristal y los de Victoria quedaban como líderes de la zona con el 5-2 parcial. Pero los paraguayos metieron el tercero sobre la hora gracias al cabezazo de Pablo Velázquez (los otros dos los anotaron Miguel Samudio, y José Núñez) y los brasileños recuperaron la posición de privilegio para tener un rival más accesible en la siguiente ronda.

No obstante, nada empaña la notable actuación del equipo de Pipo Gorosito, que se vio beneficiado por la tempranera expulsión de Ismael Benegas. Botta y Pérez García jugaron un partido para enmarcar y guiaron a sus compañeros a fuerza de talento y de goles. Los dos gritos de Botta fueron unas joyas, al igual que el primero de Pérez García.

Ojo, Libertad no se quedó atrás y con el orgullo herido fue a buscar hasta el final para evitar una eliminación que no entraba en los planes de nadie en Asunción. Bah, está claro que Tigre tenía otros planes.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/hazana-Matador_0_452100068.html

UOL on the Flu win. “Não foi no nostálgico Maracanã, ainda em obras, nem no interditado Engenhão, palco de dois títulos nacionais. Mas São Januário se tornou a casa tricolor na noite desta quinta-feira, quando o Fluminense venceu o Caracas por 1 a 0 – gol do atacante Rafael Sobis – e confirmou sua classificação às oitavas de final da Libertadores.

Líder do grupo 8, o time das Laranjeiras enfrentará o Emelec na próxima fase da competição. O Grêmio assegurou a outra vaga da chave e garantiu 100% dos brasileiros na Libertadores – os dois times se juntam a Atlético-MG, Corinthians, Palmeiras e São Paulo na lista de classificados ao mata-mata. Se passar das oitavas, o Fluminense pega o vencedor do duelo entre Olímpia-PAR e Tigre-ARG.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/18/sobis-marca-flu-vence-a-primeira-em-casa-e-pega-o-emelec-nas-oitavas.htm

UOL on the Verdao tie. Gremio advances on goal difference.

O Grêmio marcou um golaço no primeiro tempo com Zé Roberto. Mas, nos minutos finais acabou cedendo. Aos 43 o Huachipato empatou. O ‘filme’ da derrota na Sul-Americana do ano passado, quando o gol do Millonarios ocorreu no último minuto, veio à tona. O goleiro do Huachipato chegou a ir para área tentar o gol. Mas desta vez o final foi feliz para os brasileiros. O empate em 1 a 1, desta quinta-feira, deu ao time gaúcho a classificação dramática às oitavas de final da Libertadores.

O Fluminense venceu o Caracas no outro jogo do grupo 8. Os cariocas avançaram em primeiro na chave, com 11 pontos. O time gaúcho ficou com 8, em segundo. Nas oitavas de final, o adversário será o Independiente Santa Fé. O primeiro jogo em Porto Alegre e o segundo na Colômbia.

O Grêmio queria defender. Os três volantes posicionados por Vanderlei Luxemburgo foram preciosos nos primeiros minutos do confronto com o Huachipato. O empate servia para o Grêmio, portanto, arriscar era palavra proibida.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/18/huachipato-x-gremio.htm

Tigre’s win over Libertad knocked out Los Repolleros out of second place. Thus the Paraguai side Libertad was sent home.

UOL on Alviverde loss. “O Palmeiras jogou mal, perdeu boas chances no fim do jogo e não demonstrou a raça marcante das últimas partidas. Assim, a equipe foi presa fácil e perdeu por 1 a 0 para o Sporting Cristal, no estádio Alberto Gallardo Mendonza, em Lima, no Peru. A sorte é que  liderança do grupo 2 foi garantida graças ao inesperado triunfo do Tigre por 5 a 3 contra o Libertad no Paraguai. O time paraguaio fez o terceiro gol nos acréscimos e mudou a situação da chave.

O Palmeiras conheceu o adversário das oitavas de final pouco depois do fim do jogo. O alviverde terminou como a pior campanha entre os líderes dos oito grupos e vai encarar o Tijuana, o melhor entre os segundos colocados. O primeiro jogo das oitavas será no México.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/18/gol-do-libertad-deixa-o-palmeiras-na-lideranca-mesmo-com-derrota-no-peru.htm

La Razon wrote about the Matador win.

This was Tigre’s first trip to the Copa Libertadores. The Matador beat Libertad in their house in Asuncion 5-3. The win sent Los Repolleros home in disgrace.

Tigre hace historia al andar en su primera participación en la Copa Libertadores. Con un inolvidable 5-3 sobre Libertad, en Asunción, el Matador se instaló en los octavos de final. Los goles llegaron por sendos dobletes de Ruben Botta y Matías Pérez García y el penal acertado por Gastón Díaz. Ojo, la noche pudo haber sido mejor, ya que estuvo a segundos de terminar primero en el grupo 2. Es que Palmeiras perdió 1-0 con Sporting Cristal y los de Victoria quedaban como líderes de la zona con el 5-2 parcial. Pero los paraguayos metieron el tercero sobre la hora gracias al cabezazo de Pablo Velázquez (los otros dos los anotaron Miguel Samudio, y José Núñez) y los brasileños recuperaron la posición de privilegio para tener un rival más accesible en la siguiente ronda.

No obstante, nada empaña la notable actuación del equipo de Pipo Gorosito, que se vio beneficiado por la tempranera expulsión de Ismael Benegas. Botta y Pérez García jugaron un partido para enmarcar y guiaron a sus compañeros a fuerza de talento y de goles. Los dos gritos de Botta fueron unas joyas, al igual que el primero de Pérez García.

Ojo, Libertad no se quedó atrás y con el orgullo herido fue a buscar hasta el final para evitar una eliminación que no entraba en los planes de nadie en Asunción. Bah, está claro que Tigre tenía otros planes.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/hazana-Matador_0_452100068.html

UOL-wrote this about the win for Sao Paulo. O meia-atacante Ronaldinho Gaúcho não se mostrou muito preocupado com a derrota para o São Paulo, por 2 a 0 nesta quarta-feira, pela última rodada da fase de classificação da Libertadores. O camisa dez do Atlético-MG, time que entrou classificado e com a primeira colocação da fase de grupos garantida, disse que o jogo foi um “grande treino” para a equipe mineira e desafiou o time paulista nas oitavas de final.

“Lá (Independência) é uma outra história, eles (São Paulo) sabem que é outra história”, afirmou Ronaldinho Gaúcho, que teve atuação apagada, ao final da partida desta quarta-feira, que classificou o tricolor paulista como o segundo colocado do grupo 3.

No intervalo do primeiro tempo, Ronaldinho já havia se mostrado tranquilo com a partida. “É um grande treino para a próxima fase. Temos de pegar esse jogo para se divertir, jogar com alegria”, comentou Ronaldinho Gaúcho na saída do gramado do Morumbi, para o intervalo, quando a partida ainda estava empatada em 0 a 0.

O Atlético chegou ao jogo já classificado para as oitavas de final da Libertadores, com 15 pontos e o primeiro lugar geral garantido. Com a derrota, a equipe comandada por Cuca perdeu os 100% de aproveitamento na competição e a chance de eliminar o São Paulo.

Com a derrota e classificação do São Paulo, como segundo do grupo 3, o Atlético voltará a enfrentar o tricolor paulista, agora em dois jogos pelas oitavas de final da Libertadores. O primeiro compromisso na próxima fase será no Morumbi e o último jogo, no Independência.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/repercussao/2013/04/18/ronaldinho-gaucho-minimizou-derrota-para-sao-paulo-e-provocou-la-e-outra-historia.htm

After the win Rogerio Ceni announced that his hanging up gloves at the end of this season. Se o torcedor do São Paulo mantinha a esperança de ver mais uma renovação de contrato do ídolo Rogério Ceni, a situação deve ser completamente diferente. Após a vitória do clube paulista sobre o Atlético-MG, por 2 a 0, nesta quarta-feira, em jogo válido pela Libertadores, o capitão são-paulino confirmou que vai se aposentar no fim do ano.

Ainda na saída do gramado, o camisa 01 foi questionado se uma derrota colocaria fim a história do goleiro na competição continental. Sem pensar, o Ceni afirmou que não gostaria de deixar o Morumbi eliminado nesta quarta-feira e que certamente esta será a última Libertadores da carreira.

“Eu não queria deixar o Morumbi eliminado. Passa um filme na cabeça do último jogo. 99% de chance que seria o meu último jogo de Libertadores. É o meu último ano e não queria que acabasse aqui”, analisou.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/repercussao/2013/04/18/rogerio-ceni-confirma-ultima-libertadores-e-diz-que-vai-se-aposentar-no-fim-do-ano.htm

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

Terra Deportes wrote that this loss might have cost Boca Juniors big time. Los Xeneizes will probably face Corinthians or Atletico-MG. Boca Juniors for the most part has stunk the joint out.

El equipo de Bianchi volvió a mostrar una pálida imagen en México y perdió 3 a 2 con Toluca. De este modo, quedó segundo en el grupo, y ahora podría cruzarse contra el Corinthians y hasta con el Atlético Mineiro.

Ahora deberá esperar otros resultados para ver con quién se cruza en octavos de final, pero el panorama se le complicó por demás al equipo de Bianchi.

Los cruces son de la siguiente manera: se elabora una tabla con los 8 primeros, de acuerdo a la cantidad de puntos que sumaron, y se hace lo mismo con los que salieron segundos. El mejor de los primeros juega con el peor de los segundos, y así sucesivamente hasta llegar al cruce del peor primero contra el mejor segundo.

Boca en este momento está quinto en la tabla de segundos y se estaría cruzando nada menos que con el Corinthians de Brasil, el último campeón de la Copa, que derrotó en la final al Boca de Falcioni.

El tema es que los demás segundos que tiene por debajo lo pueden pasar, y relegarlo aún más. Si lo pasa uno de esos segundos que por el momento tiene atrás (Libertad de Paraguay, Gremio de Brasil y The Stronghest de Bolivia que aún deben jugar el último partido de sus grupos y sellar su clasificación), jugaría con Olimpia de Paraguay, si lo pasan dos, podría enfrentarse con Independiente Santa Fe de colombia, y si lo pasan todos, se cruzará con el “cuco” de esta Copa, el Atlético Mineiro.

Por lo que se ve, el futuro no será fácil, pero hoy por hoy el principal rival de Boca parece el mismo Boca, que no da pie con bola y no para de perder.

http://deportes.terra.com.ar/futbol/libertadores/libertadores-boca-2do-en-el-grupo-con-quien-se-cruza,6a4faa7fe7a1e310VgnVCM20000099cceb0aRCRD.html

La Razon wrote that Boca Juniors showed how weak they are defensively. Los Xeneires stunk the joint out with crappy play. It was bad.

Boca no para de plagiarse a sí mismo. Y no lo hace con sus mejores versiones, sino de sus peores y más recientes interpretaciones. Sin importar quiénes son los nombres propios, la defensa indefectiblemente juega mal. Y los desacoples en los alrededores del área propia hacen invisibles y estériles las buenas intenciones que se pueden ver en forma esporádica en la faz ofensiva. Eso fue lo que se vio ayer desde México, donde Boca volvió a perder. Fue 3-2 ante Toluca, con el agravante de que con la derrota dejó pasar la oportunidad de terminar primero en el Grupo 1 de la Copa Libertadores para así tener un cruce más favorable y definir como local en los octavos de final. Es que Nacional de Uruguay se quedó con la posición de privilegio pese a perder 1-0 con

Barcelona, en Ecuador. Así, a la espera de lo que suceda hoy, Boca aguarda por uno de los mejores primeros de la segunda ronda, a excepción de Atlético Mineiro, que se cruzará con San Pablo. O sea, Independiente Santa Fe, Olimpia o Corinthians.

Tal como sucedió en la Bombonera, Toluca se hizo un picnic con la defensa de Boca. Edgar Benítez abrió la cuenta para los aztecas cuando apenas se habían jugado 9 minutos. Parecía que se repetía la triste historia de San Juan. Sin embargo, gracias a la falta de contundencia de los locales, Boca pudo encontrarse con el empate sobre el final del primer tiempo después de que

Leandro Somoza, de cabeza, sacara rédito de una mala salida del arquero rival.
Si bien mejoró un poco en el segundo tiempo, Boca volvió a encontrarse en desventaja luego de una bonita palomita de Flavio Santos (hubo una mano grosera en el inicio de la jugada). Toluca siguió dilapidando ocasiones y Boca, en la mejor jugada de la noche, volvió a emparejar con un golazo de Pol

Fernández. Parecía que iba por el triunfo, pero otra vez se durmió en defensa y Santos, a la salida de un córner, volvió a marcar de cabeza para el 3-2 definitivo.

Con la Boca partida, la ruta copera se complica…

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/Boca-partida_0_451800057.html

This sucker was chippy. West Ham’s Andy Carroll should have been shown the door when he flew with reckless abandoned into Man U keeper David de Gea.

Carroll was a playing dirty in this match. He elbowed Red Devil defender Nemanja Vidic. Carroll did this twice.

West Ham opened up the second half with a ton of pressure. The result was a little skip left head fake right and shot by Mohamed Diame into the back of the net in the 55^th minute. It sure looked like Man U was going to the el foldo   Sir Alex and the boys found the answer when Kagawa ripped a shot that hit the far post. Buda bing buda boom Robin Van Persie ripped home the rebound in the 77^th minute.

Man U applied the pressure but the mighty boys from Old Trafford couldn’t get the winner.

Man U has a thirteen-point lead over City. Man City picked up 1-0 win over Wigan. Carlos Tevez hit the match winner in the 83^rd minute to keep the Citizens slim chances of retaining the title alive.

Chelsea kicked ass and took names with a kick ass 3-0 win over Fulham. John Terry led the Blues with the daily double. The win moves Chelsea into third place with 61 points

One huge question for Rafael Benitez, Why didn’t you play John Terry? This cost you a shot at The FA Cup.

Man U is at the head of the class with 81 points. City is second with 68. Third place sit Chelsea with 61. My guys from Arsenal are fourth with 60 points. Spurs are fifth with 58 points.

Man City, Chelsea, and Spurs have a match in hand.

Sir Alex and the boys magic number is four points to win the title.

The Mirror UK wrote this story.

“No special favours this time.

In fact, the customary bottle of post-match might be used to kiss and make up after a brutal battle at Upton Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s close friendship with Sam Allardyce must have been exactly what Roberto Mancini meant when he claimed opponents tend to roll over for Manchester United.

But Andy Carroll battered, bruised and beat up United with a real old fashioned centre-forward’s display spoiled only by the best striker in the Premier League.

United striker Robin van Persie grabbed a late equaliser to snatch a point with his 21st goal of the season in the Premier League to leave Fergie closing in on another title.

Van Persie could now help United win the title at his former club Arsenal in 10 days’ time after they salvaged a draw in a topsy-turvy contest.

Ricardo Vaz Te gave West Ham the lead, Antonio Valencia cancelled it out and then a wonder strike by Mohamed Diame so nearly won it for Big Sam.

West Ham’s breakthrough came in the 17th minute as Allardyce’s men launched a lightning break when a United attack broke down.

Mohamed Diame drove forward, his powerful frame surging through midfield before he spread the ball wide to the left flank for Matt Jarvis.

Jarvis’s clever cross stood the ball up to the back post, Carroll outjumped Patrice Evra and his nod down was perfect for Vaz Te to dive in and head home for his first goal since October.

That brought Upton Park to its feet as the home fans feasted on the prospect of upsetting the champions-elect as United struggled to get going and find any sort of rhythm.

But just when you began to imagine United might be fearing another wobble, Ferguson’s men produced another response which has been the story of their season.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/west-ham-2-2-manchester-united-1303284

The Daily Mail UK filed this puppy.

Manchester United moved to within four points of claiming their 20th league title after Robin van Persie scored a controversial equaliser to claim a share of the spoils against a battling West Ham.

The nature of the result was befitting given United’s penchant for having to fight back from losing positions this season.

They were sluggish at the start of the game and fell behind to a Ricardo Vaz Te header before Antonio Valencia’s first goal of the season levelled the scores. A great strike from Mohamed Diame saw the Hammers re-establish their lead in the second half.

But United again showed their spirit as Van Persie equalised with 13 minutes remaining, although there will be questions asked as to whether the Dutchman was offside in the build-up.

The salvaged draw means United have now claimed 28 points from losing positions in the Barclays Premier League this season and leaves West Ham without a league victory over them since 2007.

The hosts started the game brightly and, with the visitors toiling, it was Vaz Te who opened the scoring on 17 minutes, but the goal owed much to the driving force of Diame.

The Senegal international picked the ball up in his own half after another United attack broke down and charged over the halfway line before picking out Matt Jarvis on the left flank.

Jarvis skipped past Rio Ferdinand with ease before crossing to the back post, with Carroll knocking the ball down to the onrushing Vaz Te, who headed past David De Gea.

The visitors responded well to falling a goal behind, as they have done on so many occasions this season, and soon started to control the play.

Their equaliser came just after the half-hour mark after some fine work by Shinji Kagawa.

The move started with Van Persie drifting out to the left wing and collecting the ball before playing in the Japan international.

Kagawa then showed great composure to time his pass across goal to Valencia, who was left with the simple task of tapping home from close range.

Neither side could take the lead before the interval but there were a series of small incidents inside the United penalty area before a West Ham corner on the stroke of half-time.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2310617/West-Ham-2-Manchester-United-2-match-report–Antonio-Valencia-Robin-van-Persie-earn-point.html

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

Sao Paulo faces a monumental task when Tricolor battles Atletico-MG Wednesday night. Sao Paulo has to win this sucker if they want to advance out of Group Three. Tricolor has four points and sits in third place. Second place belongs to The Strongest with six points. The Strongest has a hot date with the Arsenal de Sarandi. Los del Viaducto can move into second place with a win. Galo has wrapped up the Group Three crown with 15 points. Atletico-MG is on to the next round.

Group One has Boca Juniors and Toluca hooking up. Barcelona and Nacional will duke it out. Both Nacional and Los Xeneizes are on the next round. Nacional has ten points while Boca Juniors has nine points.

In League One action Yeovil Town dropped a 1-0 decision to Oldham Athletic. The loss drops the Glovers to fifth place with 74 points. Sheffield United and Brentford tied two all. Sheffield is in fourth place on goal difference. United has a plus 18 while Yeovil Town has a plus 15. Sheffield United has 74 points.

Doncaster sits atop the heap with 81 points. Second place belongs to Bournemouth with 79 points. Brentford occupies third place with 78 points.  The top two clubs get promoted to the English League Championship. Places three through six have a playoff to see who gets the final get outta jail free card.

There are two matches left in the League One season.

My guys from ARC Wimbledon are one step above the voce vai zone. The Dons are 22^nd place with 49 points. Torquay jumped outta the you’re outta here zone with a huge 3-2 win over Barnett. Torquay has 49 points and sits in 20^th place.

Two matches are left in League Two.

This match was very chippy. Both clubs made hard tackles and the Toffees were lucky not have both Darron Gibson yellow card 28^th minute and Pienaar yellow card 35^th minute sent off. These fouls were red cards. Gibson was lucky not to be given the heave-hoe when he made a hard tackle on my Gunners Theo Walcott a few minutes later after receiving the yellow card earlier.

Everton had several good chances também but the Toffees couldn’t get the job done.

This match reminded me of two fighters fighting not to lose so they counter punched all night and neither could land that many punches. Thus in the end both settled for a draw.  Nao serve para nada.

The tie keeps us in third place with 60 points.

Chelsea is breathing down our necks in fourth place with 58 points. The Blues battle Fulham later today. Chelsea does have a match in hand after today’s action. Let’s hope for an upset city.

If the Blues win they will move into third place.

Everton stays in sixth place with 56 points.

Spurs have a match in hand as well.

This tie may have cost us big time. We will find out as the final matches tick down to a wild and crazy conclusion in the race for spots three through five.

One of the North London clubs could be left out. And I hope its Spurs not us.

Yes, this tie took the steam outta me a little bit but let’s remember there is a ton of futebol left to play. At least it wasn’t a loss. This would have caused Gunner nation to commit mass Harry Karrie.

We are still in the running for a third place or fourth place finish. Tottenham has a habit of wearing the choke collar.

Wenger told www.arsenal.com  “Intensity, Tackling, Chances.

The guys performance?

My first answer is that we should have won the game. The second, it keeps us still in a strong position in the race for the top four. Basically, the game was very intense physically. I felt that in the first half the referee didn’t deal at all well with the intimidating physical challenges, but that we responded well to the physicality. We had fantastic commitment. It was detrimental a little to the fluency of our game, but we kept going and had good concentration. The regret I have is that we had the chances to score. Maybe we used power instead of technique too much in our finishing. And, the second regret I have is that with the number of set-pieces we had at home, there has to be a goal. Apart from that, I can only congratulate the team for the spirit and commitment.”

How about Gibson Challenges?

Yes [he should have been sent off]. I never speak to the referee. I don’t know why [he wasn't], honestly. He should have had a yellow card already before the first one.

The Chances of winning?

I do not want to comment on every decision of the referee. Despite all that, we had the chances to win the game. We can only look at ourselves and next time try and take our chances. We are on a very strong run with a fantastic run so we do not want to complain too much about what didn’t go for us. Let’s look at ourselves, come back in the next game and win it.

What now?

We have 60 points and I believe, against Everton, we dropped two. But if we win our coming games we’ll get there. The other teams have 58 with a game in hand but they play each other. We just don’t want to depend on the results of the other teams. What is the most important thing is to win our next game. My belief was always strong and still is. I’m confident we’ll do it. The best way is to put the same effort into the next game.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-intensity-chances-tackling

Gunner for life.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

Boca Juniors is stinking the joint out big time sitting in 17^th place with eight points.

The final rounds of Group play begin this week in the Copa Libertadores. Next week it’s on to the first round of the knockout stage.

Group Six matches that took place Tuesday are Cerro Porterio-Deportes Tolima and Independiente Santa Fe- Real Garcilaso.

Independiente de Santa Fe is atop the leader board with eleven points. Real Garcilaso is second with ten points. Deportes Tolima is third with seven points.

Colombian club Santa Fe has booked their spot to the next round Paraguayan heavyweight Cerro Porterio has been eliminated.

The other Colombian side Tolima has a chance to advance but in reality it is slim and none. Deportes has to win by three goals and hopes Peruvian Real Garcilaso losses by two goals.

For Brasileiros futebol club giant Sao Paulo is win baby or you’re an embarrassment. So far this is Tricolors worst performance in sixteen years in the Copa Libertadores.

This fiasco happened in 1987 when Sao Paulo had four points. One win, two draws, and three losses.

UOL-  “ Há menos de meio ano, o elenco são-paulino comemorava com muito entusiasmo o inédito título da Copa Sul-Americana. Atualmente, às vésperas da decisão contra o Atlético-MG, que define a classificação ou a eliminação na Libertadores de 2013, os atletas precisam conviver com a chance de entrarem para a parte mais obscura da história do clube que se orgulha de ser um dos brasileiros mais vencedores no exterior.

Isso porque apenas uma vitória evita que o atual elenco seja responsável pela pior campanha do time nas 16 vezes em que esteve na principal competição do continente. Atualmente, este rótulo pertence ao time de 1987, que tinha nomes como o goleiro Gilmar, o zagueiro Darío Pereyra, o meio-campista Pita e o atacante Müller.

Naquele ano, em seis jogos, o time são-paulino fez quatro pontos, com uma vitória em cima do Cobreloa e dois empates, contra Colo Colo e Guarani. Vale lembrar que, na época, o triunfo valia apenas dois pontos, enquanto que o empate já correspondia a um ponto somado. Na ocasião, o aproveitamento de pontos foi de 33%.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/ultimas-noticias/2013/04/16/sao-paulo-precisa-vencer-para-escapar-de-vexame-historico-na-libertadores.htm

Mengao has one more match left in the Taça Rio. The guys will not make it to the semifinals. May begins Serie A. This could possibly be a long assed season for Mengao and Flamenguista nation.

Hernane finally dented the scoreboard for Flamengo. He hasn’t scored in five matches. He finally broke his scoring drought against Flu. Hernane hasn’t scored since March 13^th. This was Dorival Junior’s last match as the headman of Boo-Mengao.

UOL- Após um mês de jejum no Flamengo, com direito a forte bronca de Jorginho na última semana, Hernane deu a volta por cima na noite de domingo. O artilheiro da equipe na temporada voltou a marcar após cinco jogos e ajudou o Rubro-negro a bater o Fluminense por 3 a 1, pela Taça Rio, em Volta Redonda.

O atacante não marcava desde a derrota para o Resende por 3 a 2, no dia 13 de março, ainda no Engenhão. A partida foi a última de Dorival Junior no comando da equipe e, portanto, Hernane ainda não havia feito gol sob as ordens de Jorginho.

O mau desempenho nos campos vinha incomodando o atual treinador do Flamengo, que chegou a cobrar mais atenção do atacante durante atividades no Ninho do Urubu. Segundo Jorginho, a cobrança com direito a alguns palavrões e palavras mais fortes, serviu para despertar Hernane.

“Valeu a pena dar uma bronca, uma chegada mais firme, até para que o jogador não se acomode. Você tem que saber lidar com cada um. Depois daquela bronca, bati um ‘papão’ com ele, disse que os gols não foram à toa. Ajudou roubando bolas também. Foi excepcional”, disse Jorginho após o triunfo sobre o Fluminense.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/estadual-do-rio/ultimas-noticias/2013/04/15/hernane-supera-bronca-de-jorginho-encerra-jejum-e-recebe-elogios-no-fla.htm

The guys knew they weren’t going anywhere so Flamengo played balls to the wall futebol. Mengao took apart Fluminense 3-1. Renato Abreu led the way with the daily double. Hernane added a marker as well.

Resende wins Group B with 15 points. Flu is second with 13 points.

O Flamengo esqueceu a eliminação antecipada na Taça Rio e atuou de forma consistente para vencer o Fluminense por 3 a 1, neste domingo, em Volta Redonda. O time do técnico Jorginho não deu chances ao adversário e ainda quebrou a invencibilidade de sete jogos do Tricolor das Laranjeiras. Hernane e Renato Abreu (2) marcaram os gols do triunfo. Rafael Sóbis descontou.

Classificado, o Fluminense decide na última rodada a colocação final do Grupo B. Com 13 pontos, a equipe está atrás do Resende (15 pontos) e busca o 1º lugar para ter a vantagem do empate nas semifinais.

Os times iniciaram o clássico com mudanças. O Flamengo viu o técnico Jorginho alterar mais uma vez a formação e apostar em um esquema ofensivo. Pelo lado do Fluminense, Abel Braga escalou Jean, Wagner e Rhayner. O Rubro-Negro procurava espaços nos erros da defesa tricolor e fez o primeiro gol logo cedo.

Aos 8min, Gabriel conseguiu belo lançamento para Léo Moura pela direita. O lateral cruzou de primeira. Bem posicionado, Hernane cabeceou e estufou as redes do gol defendido pelo goleiro Diego Cavalieri. O lado direito do ataque rubro-negro era o mais perigoso com os avanços de Léo Moura. O camisa 2 aproveitava bem a falha na marcação deixada por Carlinhos.

Bem postado em campo, o Flamengo passou a alternar o lado nas jogadas ofensivas e também utilizava os avanços de Gabriel e Ramon. O Fluminense tentava acertar a marcação, mas tinha bastante dificuldade. Michael era o personagem mais perigoso nas raras investidas ao gol defendido por Felipe.

Aos 30min, o Flamengo por pouco não ampliou. Elias dominou pelo lado esquerdo da área e chutou cruzado. Rafinha pegou a sobra, mas Diego Cavalieri conseguiu defender. Superior, o Rubro-Negro ainda teve tempo para marcar o segundo gol. Aos 42min, Rafinha foi derrubado por Carlinhos em lance duvidoso, mas o árbitro Marcelo de Lima Henrique assinalou pênalti. A jogada causou muita discussão. Aos 44min, Renato Abreu cobrou sem chances para Diego Cavalieri.

O segundo tempo não foi diferente dos primeiros 45 minutos. O Flamengo aproveitou nova falha de cobertura do Fluminense e marcou o terceiro gol aos 2min. Ramon recebeu nas costas de Wallace e cruzou rasteiro para Rafinha, que chutou de primeira. Diego Cavalieri fez a defesa parcial, mas Renato empurrou para o fundo das redes no rebote. A partir daí, o Rubro-Negro recuou e o Tricolor atacou com maior intensidade buscando dimunuir o prejuízo.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/estadual-do-rio/pos-jogo/2013/04/14/eliminado-fla-joga-bem-vence-flu-e-quebra-invencibilidade-de-7-jogos-do-rival.htm

Flamenguista for life.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone. ‘

The leader board looks like this. Lanus is the top dog with 21 points. La Lepra is in second place with 19 points. Los Millionarios stays put in third place with 17 points.

Arsenal de Sarandi is fourth with 16 points.

Boca Juniors is buried in 17^th place with 18 points.

La Razon on Newell’s Old Boys win. La Lepra played good for ninety minutes. The win made up for Thursday’s loss in eh Copa Libertadores.

Newell’s deja a la vista de todos que tiene con qué pelear el título, sin dejar de lado la Libertadores. A pesar del traspié copero que tuvo el jueves pasado (cayó 4-1 ante Olimpia) y de la última derrota que sufrió en su cancha contra Colón, el conjunto de Gerardo Martino se recuperó y, con la victoria por 3-1 ante Tigre, quedó al acecho de Lanús: sólo dos puntos del único líder invicto del Final.

Newell’s fue muy superior en los 90 minutos de juego. Víctor Figueroa, tras una media vuelta en el área, rompió el cero a los 21 del primer tiempo. El Matador se ilusionó a los 13 minutos del complemento, con el penal que marcó Rubén Botta. Sin embargo, Santiago Vergini hizo justicia con un cabezazo e Ignacio Scocco selló, con clase, el 3-1. Los dos terminaron con diez. Primero vio la roja Gabriel Heinze y más tarde Diego Castaño.

La Lepra no se baja de la pelea y Tigre no logra levantar y lleva cuatro fechas sin ganar.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/Lepra-quedo-vez-acecho-Lanus_0_450900067.html

La Razon on the River Plate Arsenal de Sarandi one all tie.

Los Millionarios was expected to win but they didn’t. The guys played badly. Los Millionarios took the lead but gave up a late goal this cost them the “W”.

River salió al Monumental con varias certezas. Sabía que Lanús había obtenido una agónica victoria, lo que lo obligaba a obtener la victoria en casa para no perderle pisada. Sabía también que Newell’s no había perdido el tren en Rosario. Ante este panorama, se esperaba que River repitiera el buen nivel mostrado en la victoria con Racing. Y ayer River tuvo muchas ganas, pero no tuvo lo que hay que tener para llegar al área rival: elaboración de juego y pases certeros para los atacantes. Entre tantas certezas ajenas, River sumó un escuálido punto que siembra dudas sobre el futuro.

Tuvo sus cinco minutos de vértigo, con Leonel Vangioni como dueño de la banda izquierda. Pudo tomar distancia en la primera jugada del partido, pero Cristian Campestrini le puso las manos al disparo a quemarropa de Carlos Luna. Pasado el sacudón, Arsenal niveló el trámite con la receta de siempre: velocidad para contragolpear y potencia para hacerse un hueco en la defensa. Carlos Carbonero corrió sus cincuenta metros llanos por la derecha, lanzó el centro atrás y Darío Benedetto tiró desviado. A los 13, llegó la apertura del marcador: Mariano González hizo equilibrio en la derecha y el centro encontró a Benedetto, que se cobró su revancha entre los centrales de River.

La preocupación duró poco. Cinco minutos más tarde, Ariel Rojas habilitó a Rogelio Funes Mori, que bancó la atropellada de Lisandro López y definió por arriba de Campestrini. El empate bajó la temperatura del encuentro. Arsenal ya había hecho su trabajo: había complicado a River con contraataques y no dejaba grietas en defensa.

Ramón Díaz trató de romper la quietud. Metió a Rodrigo Mora y a Juan Iturbe. Borró los planes iniciales y dibujó un 4-3-3 tentador en los papeles, tibio en la realidad. River pudo ganarlo en algún tumulto. Y, entre centros y rebotes, se le fue el partido. La lesión de Ponzio, el volantazo táctico y, sobre todo, el bajo nivel son un pasito para atrás. En el Monumental, sobraron ganas pero faltó lo que hay que tener. Y Lanús quedó a cuatro puntos.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/pasito_0_450900064.html

Michael Carrick’s toe taper in the fourth minute gave Man U a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until Robin Van Persie was tackled in the box. RVP nailed the PK in the 66^th minute to put this sucker to bed.

The Potters had a few chances but David de Gea was up to the challenge. In reality this sucker was dull. Sir Alex and the boys had a strangle hold on the match.

Man U has 80 points.

Sunderland may have saved their season with a huge 3-0 win over Newcastle. Toons is really struggling this year.

The Black Cats are in 15^th place with 34 points. Newcastle is 13^th place with 36 points.

Nine points separate places 17^th through tenth place.

Man City scored a goal in the 35^th minute by Samri Nasri for a 1-0 Citizens lead. Sergio Aguero added a strike in the 47^th minute to pretty much salt this puppy away. The Blues cut the gap to 2-1 off a strike by Demba Ba in the 66^th minute.

City shut down Chelsea and thus the Citizens advanced to The FA Cup finals.

The finals will be played in May and its City and Wigan.

The Blues didn’t play Frank Lampard or John Terry in this puppy. This may be the sign that Rafael Benitez is making a change to the Blues old guard. How will this effect Chelsea? We will find out. Benitez may not even be there next season.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

Racing defeated San Lorenzo 4-1.

Lanus doubled up on All Boys 2-1.

The loss was bad for Los Xeneizes. Boca Juniors dropped to 17^th place eight points.

Lanus remains in first place with 21 points. Granate has a five-point lead over Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate. Both La Lepra and Los Millionarios play on Sunday.

Terra Deportes wrote this about the Los Xeneizes massacre. This was a total beat down by Boca Juniors. Los Xeneizes was confused and dazed by San Martin de san Juan.

San Martín sacó provecho de un Boca desconcertado y le propinó una paliza histórica al golearlo por 6 a 1 en un partido disputado esta tarde, en San Juan, en el marco de la novena fecha del torneo Final.

Humberto Osorio en tres oportunidades, a los 2 y 46 minutos del primer tiempo y a los 9 del segundo, Jorge Luna y Lucas Landa, a los 20 y 40 de la primera etapa, y Sebastián Penco, a los 16 del complemento, marcaron los tantos del conjunto sanjuanino.

En tanto, Santiago Silva, de penal, descontó para la visita a los 38 minutos del primer tiempo.

El equipo local, que no ganaba hace 16 partidos, estuvo firme en defensa, letal en ataque, dominó la mitad de la cancha, ganó todas las pelotas divididas y sus futbolistas se impusieron en el juego área en toda la cancha.

http://deportes.terra.com.ar/futbol/boca-sufrio-una-paliza-historica-san-martin-lo-goleo-6 1,ca7356a617efd310VgnCLD2000000ec6eb0aRCRD.html?initial=thumb_f352c3c1d250e310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD_3ad256a617efd310VgnCLD2000000ec6eb0aRCRD

La Razon on the Lanus win. Granate is undefeated in Clausura play so far. Lanus worn down the opposition in this win to keep Granate in first place.

El invicto y puntero Lanús buscó en la noche de este sábado el triunfo sobre la hora y lo consiguió sobre el epilogo por un remate de Silvio Romero desde fuera del área que sirvió para fijar el 2-1 definitivo.

Por la novena fecha del Torneo Final y en el Estadio Néstor Díaz Pérez, Lanús se impuso en el parcial por una conquista del uruguayo Mario Regueiro, pero All Boys le empató a los 22 del segundo segmento por intermedio de Angel Vildozo. A partir de entonces cualquiera de los dos elencos pudo haberse quedado con el triunfo, pero el que acertó fue Silvio Romero para los granates.
De este modo, el conjunto sureño totaliza 21 puntos, de momento cinco más que sus escoltas River Plate y Newell’s Old Boys, aunque por el noveno capítulo este domingo los Millonarios recibirán a Arsenal y los del Parque, a Tigre.
Fue un primer tiempo muy entretenido, muy prolijo porque los dos equipos buscaron el protagonismo y una vez que Lanús consiguió adueñarse de ese papel el adversario no resignó su idea futbolística y ambos buscaron los arcos con prolijidad y la intención de dar espectáculo.

En ese sentido Lanús tuvo más volumen de juego, pesó más la asociación que dispuso Guillermo Barros Schelotto de mitad de cancha hacia adelante y Lanús terminó yéndose al descanso ganando merecidamente por 1-0.

All Boys había tenido la primera llegada a los 5 minutos, a partir de un centro que envió Fernándo Sánchez desde la derecha tras un pase profundo de Hernán Grana. Vildozo bajó la pelota dentro del área y remató cruzado, pero su intento pasó cerca del poste izquierdo.

http://www.larazon.com.ar/deportes/Lanus-creyo-final-triunfo-enorme_0_450300183.html

Was this a penalty? Not really but this was a make up call when one wasn’t called earlier for our guys.  Mikel Arteta nailed it for a one all draw.

Then Norwich fell apart and we scored two more goals in the next six minutes to win 3-1.

An own goal Sebastian Bassong 89^th minute and the final goal by Lukas Podolski 90^th minute plus two sealed the deal for Gunner nation.

The Canaries scored first in the 56^th minute. Michael Turner nailed the close range header to give Norwich the 1-0 lead.

This win moved the guys into third place for now with 59 points.

Chelsea and Man City play in The FA Cup semifinal later today.

Spurs are in fifth with 58 points. Chelsea is in fourth with 58 points também on goal difference.

This come from behind win may have saved our season and given us fourth place possibly third place.

We play our match in hand on Tuesday against Everton.

Let’s hope City losses and we can get second place.

Wenger on the comeback told to www.arsenal.com

We left it a bit, it was unexpected of course to be 1-0 down at that stage of the game because we were on top and we missed chances. We knew Norwich were strong on set-pieces and they punished us. After that we needed spirit and we needed as well nerves. We have shown both I think and in the end got a win we deserved. But credit to Norwich, they have played very well and if they play like that they will not go down. They defended well and they gave us problems. We missed the chances and from then on it was important to show absolute resilience and we did it.

How about the PK? Honestly I haven’t seen it but everybody tells me it was a penalty. Television confirmed the penalty. Maybe it wasn’t a corner but they tell me as well it wasn’t a free-kick [for the Norwich goal].

How about the ref’s?

No matter on what end, you want the referees to make the right decision. The real question is ‘was it a penalty or not?’ If it was a penalty it doesn’t matter what end it is. If you go into that kind of speculation you would question every single decision of the referee. What you have to question is whether it was a penalty – and everybody says yes.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-the-penalty-and-the-comeback

Gunner for life.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

The Toffees are in sixth place 55 points.

This will be a classic showdown on Tuesday between my Gunners and Everton.

Liverpool can’t win. The Reds and the Choo-choo guys tied nil-nil. Liverpool is sinking fast.

The tie ended Reading’s string of seven straight defeats but the Choo-choo guys are getting the heave-hoe.

So is Queens Park Rangers

The Reds have 50 points and sit in seventh place.

Southampton and West Ham tied one all.

Aston Villa and Fulham tied one all também.

Villa is in 16^th place with 34 points.

Fulham sits in tenth place with forty points.

The Wig guys are in 18^th place with 31 points. Wigan has two matches in hand in the race for the final voce vai zone spot.

Wigan booked their spot in The FA Cup final. The Wig guys defeated Millwall 2-0.  The Latics reached The FA Cup final for the first time in the Cups 81 year old history. The AP reported,  “ Police and stewards appeared to be slow to react as the disorder built throughout the second half as groups of Millwall supporters brawled with themselves and security officials.”

The AP added- “On the pitch, Shaun Maloney put Wigan in front in the 25th minute with a crisp finish after the Premier League side ripped through the second-division club with ease.

Wigan struggled to build on its position of strength but withstood Millwall pressure before Callum McManaman netted from a tight angle in the 78th to complete the victory.

Wigan will return to Wembley next month to face Manchester City or Chelsea in the final.”

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/facup/story/millwall-0-2-wigan-fa-cup-semi-final-match-report-041313

Wigan will face either Man City or Chelsea in the final that will be held in May.

Chelsea-Man City will battle it out later today to book a spot in The FA Cup finals.

We have to win this sucker against the Canaries. Both the Blues and Man City won’t be playing this weekend due to FA Cup semifinal match up so Chelsea will have a match in hand. This puts pressure on us to win this baby at our house Emirates.

Wenger told www.arsenal.com “Let’s show that we improved.”

“It [the defeat] was on the back of an international game and Norwich defended very well,” reflected Wenger.

“They played well on the break and after that, they had a very strong spell of 10 games where they did not lose.

“We know that they are a good side and we know that they are a dangerous side. We believe that today we are stronger than we were at that moment of the season and that’s what we want to show on Saturday.

“We have a good experience recently of how well we have bounced back when everybody is focused. We have assembled very strong results. The spirit is there, the focus is there and the desire is there. We have very good ingredients and let’s just bring that to the table on Saturday.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-let-s-show-that-we-ve-improved

So in the end we have to score more goals than Norwich and get the “W”.

The season hangs in the balance.

We play our match in hand this Tuesday so we need to get two “W’s”.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

Newell’s Old Boys lost to Olimpia 4-1 in Group Seven play. La Lepra is struggling big time in Copa Group play. Newell’s Boys and Universidad de Chile each have nine points but La Lepra is a plus one while Universidad de Chile is a minus two. Newell’s Old Boys advance on goal difference.

Charles scored the only goal of the match to propel Palmeiras into first place in Group Two. Verdao had to play the final thirty minutes down a man when Wesley was given the heave-hoe for stupidity.

UOL- “Um chute errado e fraco de Wesley de fora da área caiu nos pés de Charles. Foi melhor do que qualquer passe. O arremate colocou o volante na cara do gol, e a finalização por entre as pernas do goleiro Muñoz, aos 7 minutos do segundo tempo, deu uma vaga para o Palmeiras nas oitavas de final da Libertadores. O alviverde jogou, novamente, com muita raça e venceu o Libertad por 1 a 0, na noite desta quinta-feira, no lotado Pacaembu.
Para assegurar o triunfo e a consequente classificação antecipada no grupo 2, o alviverde contou com o lance de sorte no gol, mas teve competência para segurar o resultado por quase 30 minutos com um homem a menos em campo após a expulsão de Wesley.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/11/palmeiras-x-libertad.htm

UOL on The La Lepra loss. Newell’s Old Boys despite the loss advance to the next round.

The win gave Olimpia a second place finish in overall Group Play. The win moves them ahead of Corinthians. Timao is now the third best club in overall Group play.

Já garantido na próxima fase, o Olímpia entrou em campo precisando vencer e tirar dois gols de saldo para ultrapassar o Corinthians como segundo melhor primeiro colocado da fase de grupos da Libertadores. E o time conseguiu. Apoiado pela torcida, em casa, os paraguaios venceram os argentinos por 4 a 1.

Caso mantenha a colocação até a definição de todas as chaves, o Olímpia duelará contra o sétimo melhor segundo colocado. Atualmente, a vaga é ocupada pelo Grêmio, que ainda jogará a última rodada. Independiente de Santa Fe e Nacional, do Uruguai, são os dois clubes com possibilidade de ultrapassar os paraguaios e os corintianos nas partidas derradeiras.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/11/olimpia-goleia-newells-e-ultrapassa-corinthians-na-classificacao-geral.htm

There are some huge matches in the EPL this weekend and later today. My guys from Arsenal take on Norwich at our house Emirates. Aston Villa-Fulham, Everton-Queens Park Rangers, Reading-Liverpool, Southampton-West Ham round out Saturday’s play.

Both Timao and Tijuana sit atop Group Eight with thirteen points but Corinthians is the main man with a plus eight compared with the Mexican Clubs plus four. Both Timao and Tijuana advance to the next round.

UOL- O reencontro com o San José, 50 dias depois da tragédia de Oruro, não teve o caso Kevin como centro das atenções. Ignorada pela organização da partida, a morte do jovem boliviano passou praticamente em branco na partida em que o Corinthians assegurou a primeira posição do grupo 5 da Libertadores. Com Romarinho como grande destaque, a equipe alvinegra suou pouco e bateu o time boliviano por 3 a 0, fechando com saldo positivo a fase inicial do torneio continental.

Com a vitória no Pacaembu, o Corinthians vai a 13 pontos, mesmo número do Tijuana, na segunda colocação. Agora, a equipe do técnico Tite só aguarda o encerramento das disputas nos outros grupos para conhecer seu primeiro rival no mata-mata da Libertadores, com a expectativa de terminar a fase entre os três melhores de todas as chaves.

Mais que isso, para os atuais campeões do torneio, a liderança é um prêmio depois de uma fase marcada por muitos obstáculos, apesar dos rivais não terem sido dos mais complicados. Nenhum problema, no entanto, foi maior que a repercussão da tragédia de Oruro, quando Kevin Espada, de 14 anos, morreu atingido por um sinalizador de navio disparado por corintianos que assistiam à partida contra o San José, na primeira rodada da Libertadores.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/10/corinthians-x-san-jose.htm

In Group Six play Real Garcilaso jumped all over Cerro Porteno 5-1. The Peruvian club is in second place with ten points. Deportes Tolima is in third place with seven points. Independiente Santa Fe is atop the leader board with eleven points.

Chelsea had enough firepower to outlast Rubin Kazan 5-4 on aggregate. The Blues lost to Russian club Rubin Kazan 3-2 in Moscow but the Blues secured their semifinal berth winning at Stamford Bridge 3-1. Goals by Fernando Torres fifth minute and Victor Moses 55^th minute were enough to get the win.

The Russian club gave Chelsea plenty to worry about when Rubin Kazan scored two goals in an eleven-minute span. Goals by Ivan Marcano 51^st minute and Gokdeniz Karadeniz 62^nd minute on either side of Moses’s goal 55^th minute made it nail biting time for the Blues. Kazan added another goal from a PK in 75^th minute by Bebras Natcho however Chelsea didn’t leak any more goals were able to advance.

Newcastle lost to Benfica 4-2 on aggregate. Toons and the Portuguese side tied one all at St. James Park.

Spurs and FC Basel are tied four all on aggregate. We are now in extra time. Tottenham is down a man when Jan Vertonghen was given a straight red card in the 90^th minute. This was a good call and a dumb assed move by the Spurs defender.

It is now going to PK to decide the winner. Clint Dempsey led Tottenham with the daily double. The winner goes onto the semifinals of the Europa League.

Spurs wore the choke collar missing two gimmies as Basil wins 4-1 and the Swiss club is on to the semifinals. The idiots who missed were Tom Huddlestone and Emmanuel Adebayor. After the act of stupidity by Vertonghen Spurs were fortunate to make it to the PK shootout.

Two outta the three EPL clubs are history.

This is it from Bobby Gee in The De Futebol Zone.

UOL-  “Cris foi expulso ainda no primeiro tempo e o Grêmio passou por maus momentos, nesta quarta-feira, contra o Fluminense, em casa, pela penúltima rodada do grupo 8 da Libertadores. Mas graças a um erro do árbitro Ricardo Marques Ribeiro, que anulou gol legal de Rhayner aos 19 do segundo tempo, o time de Porto Alegre conseguiu segurar o 0 a 0. Ambos decidem o avanço para próxima fase no jogo final.

O Fluminense ficou melhor. Com 8 pontos, o time tricolor das Laranjeiras assumiu a liderança da chave. O Grêmio subiu para o segundo lugar, com 7. Na próxima rodada, os cariocas pegam o Caracas em casa, enquanto os gaúchos vão ao Chile encarar o Huachipato. Caso empatem, os dois representantes brasileiros seguirão para os mata-matas.

O primeiro tempo de Grêmio e Fluminense apresentou poucas chances e paridade de forças. A primeira oportunidade de gol ocorreu somente aos 25 minutos da etapa inicial. Um levantamento da esquerda encontrou Werley, que desviou para defesa de Diego Cavalieri.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/pos-jogo/2013/04/10/gremio-x-fluminense.htm