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Daily Video : Brazilian Youngster Jo Scores For CSKA Against Inter Milan At The San Siro

Brazil vice-captain Gilberto looking to stay with Arsenal

Brazil vice-captain Gilberto said that although he was unhappy at losing his place in Arsenal's first team he wanted to extend his contract and stay with the club.

Gilberto had been named as a substitute seven times and started just one of Arsenal's last eight games before Wednesday's Champions League Group H match at Slavia Prague.

After playing the full 90 minutes in Prague, where Arsenal secured their passage into the last 16 with a 0-0 draw, Gilberto was quoted in Thursday's London Evening Standard saying:

"I am not thinking about leaving the club now. I prefer to think I have the ability to get back into the team but my situation is not very comfortable on the bench."

The 31-year-old added he did not know what coach Arsene Wenger's long-term plans for him were but said: "It would be great if I extend my contract with the club and finish my career here. We will see if the club has the same feeling."

Gilberto, who joined Arsenal from Atletico Mineiro for 4.5 million pounds ($9.45 million) after the 2002 World Cup finals, has 18 months remaining on his contract but has been linked with moves to Juventus and Valencia.

Dunga banned for four games by Brazilian tribunal

Brazil coach Dunga has been given a provisional four-match touchline ban in friendlies by the country's disciplinary tribunal after being sent off against Mexico in September.

Dunga was dismissed in the 3-1 win over the Mexicans in a friendly for persistant
dissent.

"It doesn't apply to the World Cup qualifiers, just to friendlies," said Rodrigo Paiva, spokesman for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

The tribunal said that Dunga would have to serve only the first two matches of the ban and the remainder of the suspension would come into effect only if he committed another offence.

It added that the decision had also to be ratified by soccer's governing body FIFA.
Brazil's next friendly is away to Ireland on Feb. 6.

Juan enjoying life at Roma

Juan admits he agreed to join Roma in the summer because of their persistence.

The Brazil international told La Roma magazine: "I joined Roma because they're among Europe's top clubs and also they made it clear how much they wanted me when we first spoke.

"Now, we're among the top positions in the table and must maintain this until February when the final sprint for the championship begins.

"I love playing alongside Philippe Mexes, he's one of the best defenders in the world.

"Roma always plays spectacular football, even if sometimes we lack concentration at crucial moments. But we're working every day in training to improve."

Man City's Elano: I couldn't handle Ukraine winter

Manchester City star Elano admits the Ukraine winters contributed to him failing to settle at former club Shakhtar Donetsk.

"I never got used to those freezing Ukrainian winters," he told the official Manchester City magazine. "Temperatures dropped to minus 23 at times. Coming from a warm climate like Brazil it made life very hard for me and it did affect my game.

"Everything was different from the rock-hard pitches to the extra footwear and extra clothing I wore to keep warm.

"I had to learn to speak Russian too, so it was a completely different experience, although having been there for two years, I think I managed to beat the cold in the end."

The Brazilian added: "I am enjoying every minute of my time at Manchester City.

"It would be nice to see a few more of my fellow countrymen come here.

"Brazil means passion. A lot of people around the world try to harm one another but in my country, football is more important than anything else."

Inter Milan coach Mancini keen on Jo

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini wants to sign CSKA Moscow striker Jo at the end of the season.

Controcampo says Mancini has been won over by the young Brazilian in Champions League action this season after he managed to score twice against Inter.

Mancini has already recommended Jo's signing to Inter chiefs Marco Branca and Lele Oriali and wants to see the forward in Nerazzurro colours next season.

Inter Milan's Adriano: I'm still depressed

Inter Milan striker Adriano admits he is suffering from depression, which is not allowing him to give his best in training.

"I am still depressed and that does not allow me to train or play properly," Adriano told Brazilian television station Rede Globo.

"Everyone in their lives go through a negative period. The death of my father was a terrible moment and I suffered a great deal."

Brazil to face Ireland in February

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Brazil will play Ireland in a friendly match in Dublin in February, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday.

The CBF said on its Web site (http://cbfnews.uol.com.br) the match, Brazil's first of 2008, would be at Croke Park on Feb. 6.

The two sides last met in Dublin in February 2004 when they played out a scoreless draw.

Brazil have two more matches to play this year, both in the World Cup qualifying competition for the 2010 tournament in South Africa. They are away to Peru on Nov. 17 and at home against Uruguay three days later.

Brazil's first World Cup qualifying matches in 2008 will be in June, away to Paraguay then at home against Argentina.

Maturing Kaka impressing everyone at AC Milan

AC Milan ace Kaka won big plaudits for his mature performance in last night's Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Brazilian is emerging as a leader this season and after scoring in the crucial win, said afterwards: "Pippo's two goals were decisive. And later, with more space, we were able to control the game.

"My goal? I couldn't help but score, it was easy enough. The important thing was the team's performance and our unity. But it was a goal that I enjoyed."

Kaka was also asked about the Ballon d'Or and was again humble: "I only think about what I can do. And what I can do is play well and give my best. Nothing more, nothing less."

Man Utd's Anderson: I'm no diver

Manchester United ace Anderson insists he's no diver after his theatrics in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

"No, not at all,' protested Anderson to the Daily Mail. "I am young but I am very pure on the field. I do not try to trick people with my actions or practise any theatre.

"The theatre is for actors. I am a footballer and I just want to play. I saw the comments of the manager and I would rather concentrate on those.

"That makes me very happy because those words are coming from one of the best coaches in the world."

It is tempting to regard Anderson as the first Brazilian to play at Old Trafford, so miserable were the efforts of the World Cup-winner Kleberson during two seasons at the club between 2003 and 2005.

Indeed, South Americans have never really got on at Old Trafford. Argentina's Juan Sebastian Veron and Uruguay's Diego Forlan were equally dispiriting and Anderson must break the mould if he is to succeed in the long term.

"I know the stories about the problems of the South Americans at Manchester United, but I believe that this season Carlos Tevez and I will break those," added Anderson.

"A Brazilian should be able to triumph in any club in the world, including this one, so I won't make any excuses.

"I just want the chance to show my quality. I am Anderson, not Veron or Kleberson. This is the difference. Perhaps I have arrived with more ambition than those two did.

"I am happy with the way my stay in England has gone so far. The advice I have had from the manager has just been to work hard and wait for my chance."

Anderson says playing in midfield for United is "paradise".

"After seven months without playing because of my injury I am now in paradise. In Kiev, for example, I found that I played with comfort and without nerves and I was pleased about that.

"I was happy with the way the match went for me personally and that we managed to win the game as well. But the Ukrainians not are an easy rival to play.

"People said that the first game was a promenade but it wasn't like that for the players. This will be a tough game for us as well.

"I believe we have a great chance in the latter stages of the Champions League this season but these are the games we have to win if we are to get there."

Atletico Madrid eyeing Sao Paulo defender Alex Silva

Atletico Madrid are interested in Sao Paulo defender Alex Silva.

The 22 year-old is part of Brazil coach Dunga's World Cup plans, but is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Atletico see Silva, who doesn't carry a European passport, as a potential end-of-season arrival.

AC Milan chief Leonardo: Everyone wants to see Pato

AC Milan chief Leonardo is keen to cool expectations around the debut of Alexandre Pato.

The young Brazilian was brought to Milan thanks to Leonardo's influence and will be eligible to play from January 1.

Leonardo said: "The debut of Pato is approaching, and everyone wants to see what he will do on the field. He wants to play, we must try to keep the pressure off him, I know we can help him with that."

He went on: "It's a difficult moment for the team, this is true, we are looking for our game that we cannot express.

"Being seven points off fourth-place shouldn't be a big concern. It's not easy, but we can recover if we find some consistency. Milan can quietly get back into the championship, it is only November."

Rebel Adriano ducks Inter Milan training

Adriano's absence from Inter Milan training yesterday has sparked fresh concerns over his future at the San Siro.

The Brazilian, says Gazzetta dello Sport, phoned in morning to say he was "sick", but Inter doctors couldn't clarify his fitness when pressed in the afternoon.

Now, Adriano and his agent are due to meet with Inter directors later this week to clear up his future.

La Stampa says the striker's rift with coach Roberto Mancini is now beyond repair.

Alves: Madrid Win Helps Our Euro Aim

Daniel Alves believes that Sevilla's victory over Real Madrid has boosted the club's confidence as they prepare for a crucial encounter in the Champions League.

A strong performance on Saturday night saw Seydou Keita and Luis Fabiano score the goals to beat Bernd Schuster's side in the Sánchez Pizjuán.

Now Sevilla are set to travel to Bucharest to take on Steaua in a game they need to win to keep themselves on track for a place in the first knockout phase in Europe's elite club competition.

"I think that this victory gives the team a lot of morale because we now have a very important game in the Champions League. We now only have to think about that," Alves said on the club's official website.

"I think the team are currently very well. We have a lot of games ahead, and are at a great level that will help us to continue climbing up the table.

"We have to take it game by game, and little by little continue winning. It has been a tough week, of great importance for the team. We now have less games and we are on a good path."

After the death of Antonio Puerta and an inconsistent start to the season, Sevilla appear to be back to near their best and are in buoyant mood.

Juande Ramos quit the club to take over at Tottenham ten days ago, but new coach Manolo Jiménez has ensured that the change of trainers has been almost seamless.

A win over Valencia in his first game was followed by defeat in a seven-goal thriller against Atlético, before they bounced back with a confident display on Saturday evening.

Cafu: AC Milan can be proud of performance

AC Milan fullback Cafu insists they can be proud of yesterday's performance in their 0-0 draw with Torino.

The Brazilian veteran said: "We should not look for excuses, but we played a beautiful game. We have created many opportunities but we were unable to finish them off, it just did not happen for us.

"The desire to win is there, but the result it is not what we expected. We must continue to work."

Liverpool, Barcelona tracking Carlos Eduardo

Liverpool are keeping tabs on Brazilian youngster Carlos Eduardo.

The former Gremio attacking midfielder was signed by German Second Division outfit Hoffeinhein in the summer, with the switch viewed as an initial launching pad to a big club move.

Liverpool, AC Milan and Barcelona are all watching Carlos Eduardo's progress this season.