15 March - 31 March 2001

14 MARCH 2001

Zoff Praises English Teams

"I think English teams are growing in strength and I think it is possible
one of them could win this time. As for Leeds they have shown they are a
strong team and they can possibly go much further than the quarter-finals.".
Dino Zoff

Zaccheroni Sacked!

Milan President Silvio Berlusconi made the following comments yesterday
evening following the teams exit from the Champions League :

"We are out. It's a sin. It means I will start again to be interested in my
team."

"This evening is not the time to talk about it - we will see tomorrow."

"I don't share his technical choices, and I haven't shared them for some
time."

True to his word Berlusconi waited a day before sacking Zaccheroni. Former
Italy coach Cesare Maldini takes over as coach for the remainder of the
season. Maldini Sr will be assisted by former Milan defender Mauro Tassotti.
Tassotti had been coaching Milan's youth team with a great deal of success.


13 MARCH 2001

Sao Paulo by Irineu de Carvalho 

The week cound not be better than that!
 
On Wednesday, mighty SAO PAULO played the second game of the Copa Rio-SP
against BOTAFOGO, 80000 people present at the Morumbi stadium. In the first
game, SAO PAULO had already thrashed the Cariocas 4-1, therefore losing
by 2 games would suffice for the title.
 
In the first half, SAO PAULO came in just to kill time, allowing DONIZETTI
to score for the Botafogo, after their single star RODRIGO had hit the
upper post in a long distance shot. To make things worse, SAO PAULO's
organizer CARLOS MIGUEL left the field injured. But that was for the good
of the team: in his place came Brazil's 19 years old, #10 of Brazil's U20
Selecao, powerful giant JULIO BATISTA. And to spice up the misture even
more, 18 years old star-in-the-making forward KAKA came in the second half
in place of defensive midfielder FABIANO. 
 
In the second half, BOTAFOGO was overwhelmed by JULIO BATISTA's physical
force in midfield and the high speed combinations between KAKA, FRANCA
and LUIS FABIANO. As a consequence, SAO PAULO scored twice, with very
similar goals: FRANCA assisting KAKA who shot from slightly outside the
box. 
 
In the days after the Copa Rio-SP title, KAKA and JULIO BATISTA were put
in the centerstage of Brazilian soccer, the second one even hyped for
VAMPETA or EMERSON's place in the National team. But their abilities were
to be tested soon again: the derby against a complete PALMEIRAS
on Sunday!!!
 
And then the week got even better. With kids KAKA, JULIO BATISTA and FABIO
SIMPLICIO as starters, Sao Paulo gave a soccer lesson on the poor Pigs,
with three goals in the first half and a missed penalty in the second half.
 
Sao Paulo 1-0 : FABIO SIMPLICIO hits his own style 30 year shot, assisted
by KAKA's back heel pass; ball hits the post before entering. Sao Paulo
2-0: BELLETTI embarasses FELIPE and crosses perfectly in the second post
for FRANCA's header.

Sao Paulo 3-0 : BELLETTI embarasses FELIPE and crosses perfectly in the
first post for JULIO BATISTA's diving header.
 
The squad :

ROGERIO CENI

REGINALDO ROGERIO PINHEIRO

BELLETTI FABIO SIMPLICIO ALEXANDRE GUSTAVO NERY

KAKA JULIO BATISTA

LUIS FABIANO FRANCA 

Irineu


12 MARCH 2001

Brazilian Cup Preview by Tomaz R. Alves

Here's a brief Q&A about this year's Brazilian Cup

1. HOW MANY TEAMS TAKE PART IN THE BRAZILIAN CUP?

The number of teams changes every year. In 2001, it will be 64 teams.


2. AND HOW ARE THOSE TEAMS PICKED?

Until 2000, all the state champions had their berths assured in the Cup, and
the other teams were invited by the CBF. This year was even worse, with the
CBF handpicking all the teams, according to political issues, to content the
State FAs.


3. THE TEAMS PLAY FOR BERTHS IN THE LIBERTADORES CUP?

Yes. The champion of the Brazilian Cup qualifies for the Libertadores Cup.


4. PALMEIRAS, VASCO, CRUZEIRO AND SÃO CAETANO WILL NOT TAKE PART
IN THE CUP, THIS YEAR. WHY?

Those are the four Brazilian teams that are playing in the Libertadores Cup.
Due to the overwhelming amount of matches in the calendar of Brazilian
football, the CBF decided to give them a rest, excusing them from the
Brazilian Cup.


5. BUT DOESN'T THAT DIMINISH THE VALUE OF THE COMPETITION?

Of course it does! The Brazilian Cup was attracting more and more attention
in the past few years, but with that attitude, the CBF changes the
competition into a mere shortcut to the Libertadores Cup. If they don't
change that decision in the future, the champions of the Brazilian Cup will
never be able to defend their title. By the way, Cruzeiro, champions in
2000, expressed their desire to play in the Cup, but the organisers did not
allow them.


6. AND HOW ABOUT THE RULES?

The rules are simple : two matches, home and away, with aggregate scores
deciding the winner. The away goals rule also applies. In the even of a draw
with the same number of away goals, the tie is decided with a penalty
shootout.

But in the early rounds there's a special rule : if the away team wins the
first leg by a margin of two goals or more, there's no need of a second leg.


7. WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES THIS YEAR?

The good thing about the Brazilian Cup is that it's 100% unpredictable.
There are at least 10 teams that have real chances of winning it. My
favourites are São Paulo FC, Santos, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro and Grêmio.


8. WILL YOU SEND MATCH REPORTS OF ALL GAMES?

In the first two rounds, I'll send reports only of the most important matches
of the week (plus all the results, of course). From the round of 16 on, there
will be reports of all matches.


9. WHEN DOES IT START?

The Brazilian Cup starts on March 14th.

10. THE FIRST ROUND DRAW HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE?

Yes, and here it goes :

Flamengo Carioca x River
Náutico x ABC
URT x Mixto
Juventude Gaúcho x Comercial
Coritiba x Desportiva
Paysandu x Nacional
Atlético Mineiro x Operário
Goiás x Americano
Fluminense x Cachoeiro
Malutrom x Juventude Matogrossense
Grêmio x Vila Nova
Santa Cruz x Lagartense
Rio Branco x Guajará
Vitória x ASA
Ceará x Paraná
São Paulo FC x Botafogo Paraibano
Ponte Preta x Castanhal
Palmas x Gama
Remo x Santos Amapaense
Botafogo Carioca x Sergipe
Santos Paulista x Anapolina
Bahia x América Potiguar
Fortaleza x Sampaio Correa
Internacional x Vila Nova
Atlético Paranaense x Treze
Caxias x Guarani
São Raimundo x Rio Negro
Portuguesa x Figueirense
Moto Clube x Flamengo Piauiense
Sport x CSA
América Mineiro x Goiânia
Corinthians x Joinville

Tomaz Alves


USA V Brazil by Irineu de Carvalho

Today I watched the friendly game Brazil 2-1 Usa (goals by Ronaldinho Gaucho,
Mathis and Euller).

The game was not outstanding, but deserves a few comments :

(1) Romario pratically did not touch the ball the whole game.
(2) Clint Mathis of Usa will become legendary - he must have committed some
15 fouls during the game - Mathis = Montero with some illegal drugs. Besides
that he does not seem to be much worse than say Gattuso as a midfielder.
(3) Finally, mark my words, LUCIO will be considered the world's best
defender of this decade. Count on him as Brazil's defensive reference in the
next 3 or 4 World Cups.

Irineu


World Club Championship II by Irineu de Carvalho

Group A, in La Coruna
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Deportivo La Coruña (Spain)
Wollongong (Australia)
Zamalek (Egypt)
 
Group B, in Madrid
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Olimpia (Honduras)
Galatasaray (Turkey)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
 
Group C, in Madrid
Real Madrid (Spain)
Jubilo Iwata (Japan)
Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
LA Galaxy (USA)

Notice that Real Madrid may have the easier ride because if they win their
ridiculous little group, they will play the best second place at their home
for the semifinals.
 
Fixtures

Fecha	Partido	Sede		Hora	Partido 

28/7	1	Riazor		20.00	Deportivo-Boca
					GREAT GAME!
29/7	2	Riazor		20.00	Wollongong-Zamalek
30/7	3	V.Calderón	19.30	Palmeiras-Olimpia
30/7	4	V.Calderón	22.00	Galatasaray-Al Hilal
31/7	5	S.Bernabéu	19.30	R.Madrid-Jubilo Iwata
					GO JUBILO, GO!
31/7	6	S.Bernabéu	22.00	Hearst of Oak-Galaxy
01/8	7	Riazor		19.30	Deportivo-Wollongong
01/8	8	Riazor		22.00	Zamalek-Boca Juniors
02/8	9	V.Calderón	19.30	Olimpia-Galatasaray
02/8	10	V.Calderón	22.00	Al Hilal-Palmeiras
03/8	11	S.Bernabéu	19.30	Jubilo-Hearst of Oak
03/8	12	S.Bernabéu	22.00	Galaxy-Real Madrid
04/8	13	Riazor		19.30	Boca-Wollongong
04/8	14	Riazor		22.00	Deportivo-Zamalek
05/8	15	V.Calderón	19.30	Palmeiras-Galatasaray
					CURIOUS GAME AT THE LEAST
05/8	16	V.Calderón	22.00	Olimpia-Al Hilal
06/8	17	S.Bernabéu	19.30	Real Madrid-Hearst
					an upset!???
06/8	18	S.Bernabéu	22.00	Jubilo Iwata-Galaxy

El martes 7 de junio y el miércoles 8 serán jornadas de descanso. 

Semifinales :

09/9	19	Riazor		19.30	1A-1B
09/9	20	S.Bernabéu	22.00	1C-Mejor 2o

El viernes 10 también será día de descanso

Tercer y cuarto puesto :

11/9	21	V.Calderón	22.00	Perdedor 19-Perdedor 20

Final :

12/8	22	S.Bernabéu	22.00	Ganador 19-Ganador 20

Irineu


BRAZILIANS IN THE LIBERTADORES, WEEK 1 by Irineu de Carvalho

In Sao Caetano,
SAO CAETANO 1-1  CRUZ AZUL (Mexico)

In their first international game ever, Sao Caetano was trapped by Cruz 
Azul's catenaccio and suffered an early goal. Many failed attempts later, 
the Big Blue managed to level the game, minimizing the losses.


In Sao Paulo,
PALMEIRAS  2-1  UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA (Chile)
Goals by Lopes (2) and Pizarro

Palmeiras' debut could not be better. First, because they have not done 
anything decent since the last millenium. Second, that was the debut of 
coach CELSO ROTH and players FELIPE and FABIO JUNIOR, both of them 
completely out of shape and disconnected to the rest of the team. Third, 
because the game was won with 2 goals by Palmeiras' greatest hope :
playmaker  LOPES.

LOPES is Palmeiras' Godot. Signed from lowly Volta Redonda last June, after 
a few games, was caught with cocaine in the doping test. During the 6 months 
of suspension, Lopes continuously claimed his innocence and made plans for a 
triumphant return. Well, during his suspension, insiders and pundits discovered
he was perhaps Palmeiras' best player judging from his performance in training
sessions. (A friend of mine even claims that he is  better than ALEX).

Irineu


6 MARCH 2001

Transfer System Agreed - Little Will Change

The new transfer system has finally been agreed following a meeting between
FIFA, UEFA and the European Union.

The main points of the system are  :

Summer and mid-season transfer windows

Players only allowed one transfer per season

Contracts run from a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years

Players aged 28 must honour their contracts for a period of three years (if
their contract runs for three years or more). Players aged over 28 must
honour their contracts for a period of two years (if the contract runs
for two years or more).

Compensation must be paid if a contract is breeched by a player or club.
Sanctions may be imposed on players, clubs or agents who breach contracts

Clubs will be paid compensation for training players aged under 23

Transfers for players aged under 18 years will be allowed subject to conditions

What does all this mean? Very little actually. Players are still bound by
contracts so clubs will not be allowed to buy out a players contract by
paying the remainder of his wages. Transfers fees will probably continue
to increase. The positive is that the large clubs will no longer be able
to steal youngsters from 'smaller clubs' and smaller clubs will be rewarded
for training young players.

This is a huge climb down by the European Union despite repeated threats
that the current system was illegal because it restricted freedom of
movement for workers.  

Cassano Signs Contract With Roma

Bari forward Antonio Cassano will join Roma next season on a 5 year contract.
The transfer fee is £19 million and Cassano will earn £2.3 million a season
making him one of the highest paid players in the World.

Passport Scandal Takes A New Twist

The Italian FA have charged two Inter officials - chief executive Rinaldo Ghelfi
and technical director Gabriele Oriali, Inter playmaker Alvaro Recoba and
bizarrely Roma's sporting director Francesco Baldini with what basically
amounts to passport fraud. What part Baldini played in the initial deal that
took Recoba to Italy under an Italian passport is unknown. Recoba's fake
passport allowed Inter to field him as a non European Union player. Recoba
now plays with a Uruguayan passport as one of the teams three permitted
non EU players.

Lazio face similar charges in relation to Argentinean playmaker Juan
Sebastian Veron's Italian passport. Milan are also being investigated
over Brazilian goalkeeper Dida's fake Portuguese passport though as
he rarely plays the charges will not be as serious. There has been talk
of Lazio and Inter being deducted points but this seems unlikely.


3 MARCH 2001

Wenger Will Not Quit Arsenal - Yet

Arsene Wenger has again stated that he will not leave Arsenal until the end
of his contract next season. Wenger held talks with Barcelona President Joan
Gaspart on Monday. I personally think Wenger will leave if the club fail to
qualify for next season's champions league.

Fighting Talk

David O'Leary has opened up a can of whoop ass on Alex Ferguson :
 
"What I would really like is to win the championship next season to give him
(Alex Ferguson) the perfect send-off into retirement, a sort of present from
Leeds United.".

Leeds have promoted youth team coach Brain Kidd to head coach. He will
help train the first team squad.

More Problems At Fiorentina

Following the resignation of coach Fatih Terim earlier in the week it has now
emerged that Fiorentina's players have not been paid for four months!
Rui Costa told reporters :

"It's right that everyone should know that for some time, for four months,
We players haven't received a lira. We've never stopped playing or training
because of it. We've never wanted to cause a fuss over it."