In part 3 of his season preview, Kais Sabir Jesani looks at the potential importance of Lucas Leiva
and examines how he will fit into the Liverpool team this season. Note: This article was intended to have been published before the first game of the season, but
unfortunately, this was not possible. Click to continue reading...
Brazil made hard work of a testy match against Estonia in Tallinn. In the end, a late first-half
goal by LuÃs Fabiano was all that separated Brazil from a country 112th in the FIFA world
rankings.
Despite being a meaningless ‘friendly', the confrontation was littered with bad tackles by
both sides.
While Brazilian clubs struggle to pocket any money, CBF made US$ 2 million to take the Brazilian
squad to Estonia, as a "celebration for the 100th anniversary of the first football match in the
country". And if That was to be a celebration, it felt more boring than Monday morning work
meeting.
In the 15th round, Palmeiras finally reached the top of Campeonato Brasileiro. In the debut of
coach Muricy Ramalho, the new leader beat Fluminense 1-0. Diego Souza, one of the best in the
league, scored the only goal. Fluminense, on the other hand, seats on the 19th spot. The club has
not had a victory in 10 matches, which means that Renato Gaucho has not won yet in his return.
As expected, the call reveals a few things: Dunga no longer believes in Ronaldinho Gaucho.
Unless he delivers a phenomenal season with Milan, he is out of the cup. Kleber really lost
credibility as left-back, and after many chances he will not be in the cup. Pato keeps losing his
chances, but I believe he still has chances.
The 9th round of Campeonato Brasileiro was all about surviving a bad hang over. And most did
it.
After being eliminated at home from the semis of Copa Libertadores, Gremio honored its nickname
of "immortal". With 11 minutes, the two forwards from Argentina had scored 3 goals - Maxi Lopes (2)
and Herrera (1).
A few days ago, we wrote an article about former United player Kleberson, and what life is like
now for the Brazilian. After the success in that article, we thought we'd bring you another one.
This time, another player who failed to impress at Old Trafford, the one and only Juan Sebastián
Verón.
With one semifinal match already in the books, South Africa and Brazil will battle it out at
Ellis Park in the second semifinal match (2:25pm, ESPN) of the Confederations Cup. The prize for
the winner? A date with with the United States in the final on Sunday.
The hosts will look to repeat the United States' shocking result over a heavyweight with their
own surpising result over the Selecao, while Brazil will look to build on their 3-0 triumph over
Italy.
After four years in the dark, he's back. Manchester United's 'mega flop' Kleberson has seen his
career resurrected since his move away from Old Trafford and in this year Confederations Cup has
looked every part a accomplished Brazilian player.
Now at Brazilian club Flamengo, a number of good performances has earned him a recall into
Brazil's team and it's not hard to see why.
Well, that didn't take long. I've been concerned about United's lack of presence in the transfer
market, but that problem has finally been addressed this afternoon. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has
confirmed that Manchester United have made a bid for Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia.
No concrete figures to be had, but the best estimates indicate that Valencia could be a United
player for around £15 million.
[We apologize for the terrible server downtime earlier on. We're going
to send our current hosting providers to Manchester City very soon so everything
will get better in the next few days!]
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced that Flamengo's Kleberson will replace
Manchester United's Anderson for the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay in Montevideo on June 6th
and Paraguay in Recife four days later.
Anderson injured himself in the EPL's sides defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday and is set to
undergo surgery.
Despite the fact that as I write I already know the final score of three matches, Campeonato
Brasileiro starts this weekend once more. And this year will be the most difficult yet. With the
economic crisis, the clubs were able to keep their rising talents and bring back stars in decline
in Europe.
It wasn't just Corinthians who were out celebrating at full force on Saturday. Brazil's most
supported club, Flamengo, even threw in churrasco (barbecue) and
samba into the mix! Didn't you know? Even Michelle Obama was
there! On a side note, Kleberson - who scored two goals in Rio's State Championship - has such an
adorable filha!
I listen to several different football podcasts and try to read as much about the beautiful game
as possible (while trying not to get fired from my other job that actually pays me money). In the
past few days I have noticed a disturbing trend in the coverage of Manchester United's newest
player, Dimitar Berbatov.
Poor ol Kleberson. As if his stint at United wasn't embarrassing enough, without Old Trafford's
favourite new chant having to bring back all the memories. Anderson, unlike his fellow Brazilian,
is a top quality player and certainly is better than Kleberson. "I have come from one big club
to another so I am very happy," Kleberson [. Click to continue reading...
Finally pentacampeon Kleberson managed to return home. After his intent to sign with Santos failed,
the Paranaense joined Flamengo. In Europe Kleberson's last club was Turkish Besiktas. Click to continue reading...
One of Santos's best player, left wing Kleber, who knows playing in the center of midfield as well,
may pass to Monaco before the transfers window closes on August 31st. The Frenchmen offer for the
Brazilian 4.5 million euros. Click to continue reading...
