Petagna ignites SPAL comeback to shock Atalanta

www.imagephotoagency.it.... via www.imago-images.d

Andrea Petagna ignited a come-from-behind victory for struggling SPAL to hand his former club Atalanta a shock 2-1 defeat in Serie A on Monday.

The Champions League-chasing side from Bergamo had won their last two home games against AC Milan and Parma with 5-0 scorelines each time.

But they slipped up against SPAL who snatched just their fourth win of the season to move off the bottom of the table.

Gian Piero Gasperini's team missed the chance to climb above Roma into the final Champions League place, and are now three points behind the side from the capital in fifth.

"Today more than a few players were not at their best," said Gasperini. "It was clear we were down a gear.

"But we will have to be ready to immediately redeem a bad performance, because the standings are very tight."

Slovenian forward Josip Ilicic put Atalanta ahead after 16 minutes with a clever back-heel flick beating Etrit Berisha in the SPAL goal.

But Petagna pulled SPAL level after 54 minutes by scoring his fifth goal in four meetings against his former club.

Mattia Valoti snatched the winner six minutes later with new signing Bryan Dabo playing a role in the goal on his first start for SPAL.

"I left a piece of heart in Bergamo because I started here," said Petagna.

"But today we had to win, now we must continue like this if we want to save ourselves."

Duvan Zapata missed chances to equalise for the hosts following a long injury layoff with fellow Colombian forward Luis Muriel coming on for the final half an hour in place of defender Mattia Caldara, who started on his return on loan from AC Milan.

But despite laying siege to the SPAL goal the hosts fell to their fifth defeat of the season and fourth at home.

"You have to give credit to SPAL, despite being last in the standings, they tried to play a decent game," said Gasperini.

"Once in the lead, SPAL attacked with many men, but we weren't good at fighting them."

Gasperini's side have the best attack in the league with 50 goals scored in 20 games.

But he had conceded that his players were suffering from fatigue after their surprise elimination from the Italian Cup by Fiorentina.

Atalanta are playing their first season in the Champions League and host Valencia in the last 16, first leg at San Siro on February 19.

Champions Juventus beat Parma 2-1 to open up a four-point advantage on second-placed Inter Milan who were held 1-1 at promoted Lecce on Sunday.

Lazio are third, a further two points behind with a game in hand, after hammering Sampdoria 5-1 on Saturday.

Toronto FC's Bradley could miss months after ankle op

Stephen Brashear via www.imago-images.de

Toronto FC captain and United States midfielder Michael Bradley will have ankle surgery and could miss up to four months, the Major League Soccer team said Monday.

Bradley was hurt in Toronto's loss to the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final last November.

He is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday, Toronto general manager Ali Curtis said, after attempts to rehabilitate the "very severe and complicated" injury without surgery failed.

"Ankles are finicky," Curtis said. "Sometimes they tend to take long to recover. You've got to be careful with those types of injuries and surgery is the last resort, typically, in terms of what you want to do."

But Bradley's Toronto and USA teammate Jozy Altidore said he thought the club had handled the situation "poorly."

"Two months have gone by and now he's having surgery and he'll be out until June."

Bradley played the full 90 minutes in the MLS Cup final, and it wasn't clear exactly when he suffered the injury.

Curtis indicated that he was hurt on a challenge with Seattle's Roman Torres around the half-hour mark.

Toronto FC open their MLS campaign on February 29 at San Jose.

Premier League wobbles leave top four chase wide open

Shaun Botterill, getty

Chelsea remain in pole position to claim fourth spot in the Premier League and a return to the riches and prestige of the Champions League next season.

However, a slump in form from Frank Lampard's men has left the door open for Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to secure a much-needed return to Europe's top competition, while Wolves and Sheffield United are also aiming to reach the promised land for the first time.

AFP Sport looks at all six sides' ambitions heading into the final 15 league games of the season.

The Blues still have a five-point cushion, but should already be out of sight for the chasing pack.

Chelsea have won just four of their last 11 league games, a poor run that includes defeats to Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton, Newcastle and Everton.

Arsenal at home on Tuesday is followed by Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United, giving them the chance to finally pull clear, but it could also hand those behind them another lifeline.

United's challenge for the top four will depend largely on what business they do before the end of the January transfer window.

Top scorer Marcus Rashford will be out for at least six weeks due to a stress fracture in his back, while long-term injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have already left the Red Devils light in midfield.

United have what looks like the most appealing fixture run-in for the final seven games after the March international break.

However, they have to ensure they are still in the running by then with Wolves, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Sheffield United all to come before Rashford returns.

Wolves' stunning fightback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at in-form Southampton on Saturday reignited their Champions League challenge, which had stalled in recent weeks.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men face Liverpool in their 40th game of the season on Thursday and a short squad could well run out of steam, particularly as they return to Europa League action next month.

But as they proved in beating Manchester City twice and running Liverpool close with a much-changed side last month, Wolves are a match for anyone on their day and go to Stamford Bridge on the final weekend of the season in what could be a winner-takes-all clash for fourth.

Most Blades fans would have settled for survival in their first top flight season for 13 years, but United manager Chris Wilder demands much more of his players.

Wilder has led the club up from League One to seventh in the Premier League and was scathing of his side's performance for most of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal.

Another daunting task awaits when City visit Bramall Lane on Tuesday, but even Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Wilder's ways.

"If you can improve watching other games and other teams and other managers, then this is the one," said the City boss.

After City, a run of games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle could propel Wilder's men further up the table.

Spurs are almost back to where they started under Jose Mourinho as early optimism and an upturn in results has fallen away in recent weeks.

The loss of Harry Kane for potentially the rest of the season is being felt in a lack of goals, with Mourinho's men taking just two points from their last four matches.

A return of 31 points from 23 games is 20 less than at the same stage last season.

Spurs have grown used to Champions League football over the past four seasons, but there has been little evidence from Mourinho's first two months in charge that they will put together the sustained run needed to overhaul his old club Chelsea.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted Tuesday's trip to Stamford Bridge is a must-win to maintain any hope of a top-four finish.

The Gunners' performances have improved since the Spaniard took charge last month, but they have won just one of five league games under Arteta.

1-1 draws with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United have been symbolic of what has held Arsenal back this season.

Other than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a lack of clinical finishing at one end has been compounded by consistent errors from an unsettled defence.

Após elogios, Guto freia empolgação com 'meninos' do Sport: 'Sem criar expectativas'

Técnico sugere ser precipitado a criação de expectativas porque caso não correspondam de imediato, 'vira o fio'; ideia é que amadureçam naturalmente

Após o empate diante do Náutico, em que utilizou diversos jogadores da base, o técnico Guto Ferreira fez elogios aos atletas formados no Sport. Mas logo o comandante rubro-negro tratou de segurar a empolgação com os pratas da casa. De acordo com o treinador, os jovens passaram em um teste difícil, o que é bom indicativo, mas é necessário cautela projetando a sequência da temporada. E sem criar expectativas. 

“Tudo é um processo, a gente não pode viver de uma partida. Tudo é um processo. Nos traz alegria poder ver o jogo que fizeram. (Agora) Tem que continuar fazendo, tem que evoluir. Esse jogo para esse nível foi bom, agora tem que fazer de novo e cada vez melhor porque nós vamos jogar uma competição das mais difíceis e vai estar no grupo quem tiver pronto para isso".

Contra o Timbu, foram sete jogadores formados no clube (além de Vicente, contratado para o sub-23): Mailson, Adryelson, Chico, Pardal, Juninho, Ewerthon e Alê Santos, dos quais os dois últimos fizeram a estreia na equipe profissional -inclusive, o volante teve destacou a parceria com Willian Farias e a confiança do treinador. 

“Agora vem a confiança. Se a pressão (para o jogo do último domingo), a gente tentou tirar e ela não foi tão grande, agora vem a confiança. E volto a falar, não é o momento de criar expectativas, nem eles em relação a si próprio nem o torcedor em relação a eles", disse.

"Porque quando se cria expectativa e o jogador não atende, vira completamente o fio. Deixa eles se adaptarem, crescerem, maturar naturalmente. Vamos deixar os nossos jogadores, meninos da Ilha, maturar para eles estarem prontinho lá frente para poder dar o melhor pelo Sport", finalizou.

Em confronto inédito, Retrô e Santa Cruz põem dinheiro e tradição à prova nos Aflitos

Partida acontece às 20h desta terça-feira e será primeiro grande teste das duas equipes na temporada 2020

Depois de duas boas estreias no Pernambucano, quis o destino que a segunda rodada do estadual já trouxesse o confronto direto entre os dois líderes do certame. Às 20h desta terça-feira, o Santa Cruz vai aos Aflitos, enfrentar o Retrô FC Brasil pela primeira vez em sua história. O jogo será o maior teste das duas equipes até o momento na temporada e põe muita coisa à prova para ambos os lados.

Fênix e Cobra Coral vivem momentos diferentes na história e no planejamento. Enquanto um é o único time a participar de todas as 106 edições do Campeonato Pernambucano, o outro tem apenas três anos, em seu primeiro ano na elite estadual. O Tricolor convive com uma crise financeira e tem uma série de passivos que sequer sabe o tamanho real, enquanto o Auriazul não tem dívidas e passa por fortes investimentos por parte do seu presidente, Laércio Guerra. Enquanto o Santa ainda monta seu elenco, com jogadores que não devem adquirir aptidão física a tempo do jogo, o Retrô fechou seu elenco bem antes do início do estadual e já trabalha há bastante tempo visando a competição.

Com esses cenários tão adversos, o jogo acaba sendo uma chance de colocar à prova os dois trabalhos. Para o Santa pode ser o primeiro jogo em alto nível em 2020, após um jogo contra um adversário que mostrou um desempenho técnico bastante limitado (Petrolina). O Santa terá seu principal teste antes da estreia na Copa do Nordeste, marcada para o sábado, contra o Bahia. E pode ser a chance, também, de jovens que foram bem no jogo de estreia convencerem Itamar Schülle de que merecem mais chances ao longo da temporada, são os casos de Jeremias, Augusto Potiguar e Patrick Nonato, por exemplo.

Pelo lado do Retrô, o teste será a primeira grande chance de mostrar a que veio. A vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Central, no Lacerdão, com domínio técnico, já mostrou que o time tem força e poderá se destacar entre os clubes medianos do estadual. Um bom jogo contra o Santa pode ser o diferencial que atesta a briga do Retrô um degrau acima disso, deixando de se tratar só de um clube com alto investimento para ser um clube com alto potencial futebolístico. Vale lembrar que a prospecção das folhas salariais dos dois clubes é muito próxima, com R$ 450 mil para o Santa, contra R$ 400 mil para o Retrô. 

Ficha do jogo

Santa Cruz

Maycon Cleiton; Júnior, William Alves, Danny Morais e Feliphe Gabriel; Bileu, Paulinho e Jeremias; Patrick Nonato, Augusto Potiguar e Pipico. Técnico: Itamar Schulle.

Retrô Brasil

Jean; Mathaus, Marlon, Marcelo e Tiago Costa; Jaildo, Serginho Paulista (Moreilândia), Anderson Paraíba e Fabiano (Héricles); Janderson e Willian Lira. Técnico: Rômulo Oliveira.

Local: Estádio dos Aflitos

Horário: 20h

Árbitro: Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Junior

Assistentes: Ricardo Bezerra Chianca e Dhiego Cavalcanti Pereira

Ingressos: R$ 30 (inteira) e R$ 15 (meia-entrada)

Rafael Ribeiro, Hereda, Jhonnatan e Halls: DM do Náutico faz balanço das ausências em treino

Zagueiro sentiu desconforto muscular na coxa em clássico diante do Sport e aguarda resultado de exame de ressonância magnética para detectar lesão

O treinamento do Náutico desta segunda-feira foi marcado por quatro ausências, entre elas, o zagueiro Rafael Ribeiro, titular no clássico diante do Sport, que sentiu dores musculares e foi substituído ainda no intervalo. Além do defensor, o técnico Gilmar Dal Pozzo não teve em campo o goleiro Halls, o lateral Hereda e o volante Jhonnatan, sendo que os dois últimos haviam passado boa parte da pré-temporada lesionados. 

Dessa forma, o médico do clube, Rodrigo Sales, fez um balanço da situação de todos os jogadores que estão ocupando o Departamento Médico alvirrubro e podem desfalcar o time para a estreia no regional.

Halls

Ele sofreu um trauma no treino da última segunda-feira e teve uma pequena lesão no ombro esquerdo, que está sendo tratada de maneira conservadora. Está evoluindo bem e, agora, com sete dias, ele já consegue fazer alguns exercícios na fisioterapia e está  realizando trabalhos aeróbicos. 

Hereda

O jogador voltou a sentir desconforto na região dos adutores das coxas. Ele vinha treinando, evoluindo lentamente nos treinos, mas voltou a reclamar de dores e por cautela, voltamos a dar atenção ao caso na fisioterapia e no Departamento Médico. 

Jhonnatan

Ele está há alguns dias com uma lesão no posterior da coxa direita. Isso é ima coisa natural, que pode acontecer devido ao ritmo de trabalho, especialmente, ele que voltou a trabalhar depois dos outros atletas e acabou sentindo o volume e a intensidade, que ja está um pouco forte e, por isso, às vezes pode acabar acontecendo esse tipo de lesão. 

Rafael Ribeiro 

O Rafael sentiu um desconforto na região dos adutores da coxa e, por isso, optamos que ele não voltasse para o segundo tempo. Ele foi reavaliado, continua sentindo o desconforto, fizemos exame de imagem e estamos esperando o resultado.

Liverpool face month without Salah, Mane when AFCON returns in 2021

Liverpool face the prospect of going a month without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane when the Africa Cup of Nations returns in 2021.

The 2021 edition of the continental tournament is moving back to a January-February slot in the congested global football calendar, a switch likely to be unpopular with Premier League clubs.

Other Premier League players affected could include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Naby Keita (Guinea), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria), Riyad Mahrez (Libya), and Ivory Coast duo Serge Aurier and Wilfried Zaha.

Cameroon's Football Association announced on Wednesday they will be hosting the competition in 2021, with proceedings beginning on Jan. 9 and wrapping up on Feb. 6 to avoid the country's rainy season.

The entirety of the tournament takes place during the Premier League season and will likely be unpopular with other European clubs, who have long objected to the mandatory release of their players in the middle of the domestic league seasons.

Liverpool would stand to lose star forwards Mane of Senegal and Salah of Egypt, the past two African players of the year.

Hosts Egypt exited in the round of 16 in last year's tournament, while Senegal finished runners-up to Algeria, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was spared the sort of selection headache that he could face next year, because the 2019 showcase took place during the summer break.

The influential European Club Association has been part of talks with FIFA to move toward coordinating all continental championships in the European offseason.

FIFA's revamped Club World Cup competition also kicks off in June 2021, with a 24-team lineup including Liverpool set to play in China.