Brazil braced for 'war' in Peru

LIMA, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Brazil expect a rough ride when they visit Peru for Sunday's World Cup qualifier, with Kaka preparing for "war".

Peru failed to score in their opening two games of the competition last month but are hoping for a morale-boosting win against the five-times world champions.

Peru go into the match with one point while Brazil, fresh from a 5-0 drubbing of Ecuador, have four.

"All games away from home are like a war, everyone wants to beat Brazil," said Kaka.

"It's the game of their lives, a chance for them to be remembered for beating Brazil."

Ronaldinho has been given only a 70 percent chance of playing by team doctor Jose Luis Runco because of an ankle injury.

Forward Julio Baptista said Brazil would be happy just to get the win.

"People always expect us to put on a show but it's not always possible to get a score like that," he said.

"The most important thing is to bring home three points."

Peru goalkeeper Leao Butrao may miss the game with a heavy cold but German-based striker Paolo Guerrero is set to return after injury.

Peru, a South American soccer powerhouse in the 1970s, have not qualified for a World Cup since 1982 but their players are focused on winning at the Monumental stadium.

"We have very good players and we have to reflect this on the field. The match obliges us to go in hard when there's a 50-50 ball," said Italian-based Juan Vargas.
Striker Claudio Pizarro said Peru would not simply try to avoid defeat.

"Anything can happen and we're going for a win. We're not in a situation where we can settle for a draw, we have to look for a win," he said.

Brazil leaves for World Cup qualifier against Peru, but Ronaldinho doubtful

Ronaldinho travelled with the Brazilian team to Peru on Friday, but the status of his injured ankle was still uncertain ahead of the team's upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Ronaldinho did not take part in the squad's final scrimmage on Friday, doing weight training, while the starting team played against the reserves at Brazil's mountain training camp in Teresopolis, near Rio.

Manchester City's Elano took Ronaldinho's place on the "A" team. On Thursday, Diego of Germany's Werder Bremen got the nod to replace Ronaldinho, who practised for 20 minutes and then left the field, nursing his ankle.

Ronaldinho, who twice was named FIFA's player of the year, hurt his right ankle in a game for Barcelona and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

"We're following it day by day. Yesterday I was supposed to play only 20 minutes and I did," he said in a televised interview Friday.

Ronaldinho star said he felt better and was hopeful he can be ready for Sunday's game.

"Today it's not so swollen," he said. "We're in the final phase of treatment. I still don't have full confidence, and in some movements it still hurts, but there's still time until the game. ... I think I'm going to play."

Dunga hasn't said whether he would pick Elano or Diego - who were teammates with star striker Robinho when Santos won the Brazilian championship title in 2002 - as replacement. The two have different styles - Elano strengthens the defence, while Diego makes the team more offensive.

Team physician Jose Luiz Runco said Ronaldinho would play only if he's in condition to practise with the team Saturday in Peru.

Brazil tied Colombia 0-0 and routed Ecuador 5-0 in its two previous qualifiers. The five-time World Cup champions trail leader Argentina by two points in the 10-nation South American qualifying tournament.

Adriano heads to Brazilian camp to regain fitness

Inter Milan striker Adriano will attend a training camp in his native Brazil in a bid to regain full mental and physical fitness, the Italian champions said on Friday.

The 25-year-old, once the most feared striker in Serie A, has hardly featured for the last two seasons after battling alcohol and fitness problems.

"Adriano...will leave for Brazil where he will undergo several weeks of psychophysical training to regain peak physical condition," said a statement on Inter's Web site (www.inter.it).

"As agreed by the club, the player and his agent Gilmar Rinaldi, the Inter striker will train at a highly qualified centre in Sao Paolo.

"The common goal is to give the striker the possibility to undergo a period of specific individual training sessions. The period of training will conclude on January 1, 2008."

Adriano was linked with a move away from the San Siro in the close season but refused to go out on loan despite interest from former club Parma and English club West Ham United.

The striker has since said he would be willing to go anywhere in the January transfer window with Italian media reports naming West Ham's Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City as possible destinations.

Bayern Set To Sign Teenage Brazilian Breno

Bayern Munich look set to beat a host of top clubs to the signature of talented Brazilian defender Breno from Sao Paulo.

The teenager looks likely to sign for the Bundesliga leaders for €14 million despite interest from Real Madrid.

The German giants want the 18-year-old, full name Breno Vinicius Rodrigues Borges, to join them during the winter break and bolster their defence which was been exposed in recent weeks.

Breno was recommended to Bayern by former goal king Giovanne Elber who played for the Munich side between 1997 and 2003 and has been recruited as a scout in his native Brazil.

Roma Receive Mixed Messages From Richarlyson

Sao Paulo star Richarlyson has let it be known that he has does not wish to join AS Roma at this point in time – but his father insists otherwise.

The Italian title hopefuls are said to be targeting the 24-year-old midfielder for a January transfer, but it is hard to tell whether coach Luciano Spalletti has a good chance of landing his man.

The player himself said in a recent interview that he wants “to stay at Sao Paulo until the end of 2008 to try and win the Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup.”

However, his father – who also doubles as his agent – had this to say when pressed about the Roma rumours:

“We have been contacted by an agent working for Roma under Fifa licence. “We cannot refuse such an offer.

“If it was up to me, I would like my son to continue with Sao Paolo,” he added, “but we have to think as professionals.”

Football is in Richarlyson's blood. His brother Alecsandro is a centre-forward for Cruzeiro, while his father Reinaldo (Lela) Felisbino was a skilful left winger for Coritiba in the 80's.

Sampdoria go for CSKA Moscow star Daniel Carvalho

Sampdoria are chasing CSKA Moscow star Daniel Carvalho.

Brazil international Carvalho is regarded as one of the hottest talents in Eastern Europe and has been likened to Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Tuttosport says ambitious Samp, which already boast on-loan Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano on their books, fancy moving for Carvalho in January.

Fabiano Stunned By Brazil Recall

The Sevilla striker's great start to the season has seen him named in the squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay.

Having last appeared for Brazil in the Copa América in 2004, Fabiano was not expecting that his high-scoring run in the league wold necessarily be enough to earn him a place.

"My primary concern was to do my job for Sevilla, to show what I am capable of, so that one day they would realise," he stated.

"I honestly did not expect this to happen now."

In the summer of 2005, Fabiano played for Sevilla against Brazil for the Andalucian club's centenary game and did not enjoy the experience.

"That day I felt a very long way from the national team," he said, as he was excluded by the Brazilian's coach at the time, Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"The squad was preparing for the 2006 World Cup Finals and I was seen as on the outside of the coach's plans."

Moratti grants Adriano immediate leave from Inter Milan

Inter Milan striker Adriano is taking leave until the New Year.
Corriere dello Sport says Inter president Massimo Moratti has agreed to send Adriano back home to Brazil, where he will attend a specialist clinic in Sao Paulo, the home city of his agent, Gilmar Rinaldi.

Adriano will receive treatment for depression and Moratti doesn't expect to see the striker again in Milan until January 2008.

Roberto Carlos full of praise for Real Madrid youngster Marcelo

Fenerbahce superstar Roberto Carlos is full of praise for his successor at Real Madrid - Marcelo.

Roberto Carlos declared: "I arrived in Madrid at 20 and Marcelo at 18. I believe that he arrived better prepared than I because he came as a very expert player at international and club level. It has not surprised me he's a starter. It cheers me that another Brazilian has arrived and with my same characteristics, very offensive and someone who plays with joy. He will be among the best in the world this season."

Asked about his departure from Real last summer, Roberto Carlos admits some sadness.

"I do not hold resentment, but it makes me very sad because there were people who failed me. Now they treat me very well at my new club (Fenerbahce)," concluded the Brazilian to AS.

Marcelo: I Knew My Chance Would Come

The Brazilian full-back has forced his way into Bernd Schuster's side following reports that he could leave the club earlier in the campaign.

Having played in 12 of Madrid's last 13 matches, Marcelo stated that his dream had finally come true after he grabbed the chance to stake a claim for a regular place in the side.

"The last time I was in a press conference I was asked about my chances of playing," he said. "I was fortunate to be given that chance, but I knew deep down that it would come and I'm now able to show what I've got on the pitch.

"I always dreamed of playing and setting foot in the Bernabéu since I first signed for Madrid. I knew that day would come and all I want now is continuity and for things to go well for the team and me."

Former Madrid idol Roberto Carlos has praised Marcelo for his performances for Los Merengues in recent weeks and the youngster was very proud.

"Roberto Carlos is still the best there is. Hearing him say such nice things about me makes me very proud," he continued.

"He's an incredible person and knows a thing or two about football."

Elano Is Our Ronaldinho - Eriksson

They are both Brazilian, but while one wears the blaugrana shirt of Barceklona, the other wears the light blue livery of Manchester City.

The City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, nevertheless feels that his Brazilian star Elano is as influential in his team as Ronaldinho has been in Frank Rijkaard's Barca.

Elano gas certainly excelled in the Premier League since his £8million summer move from Shakhtar Donetsk, helping City reach and retain third place behind Arsenal and Manchester United.

And Eriksson feels that, like Ronaldinho, Elano brings something 'special' to the game that makes all football fans want to watch him in action.

"If you're a footballer, if you're a fan, you want to see players like that," Eriksson told the Daily Mirror.

"You don't have to be a Barcelona fan to like Ronaldinho. You want to see those who have something special and Elano is one of those.

"You can call him a playmaker. He's not a striker and he's not a midfielder - I think his best position is behind the strikers.

"He is very good at finding space, he can bring in players, he can shoot. He sees things very quickly - sometimes I wonder if he has got eyes in his back.

"It's a gift some players have and some will never have it."

City are only four points off the summit of the Premiership, testimony to their consistency so far this season, but Eriksson is too experienced to be swept along by premature hopes of a title challenge.

However, he regards success in the Carling Cup as a realistic target and would love to deliver a trophy City, who have been starved of silverware since 1976.

"The players have already confirmed they're a good team," added Eriksson.

"How good we are, what position we'll have at Christmas and in May, I don't know. I hope we can go on like that.

"The Carling Cup is a big trophy; it's a ticket to Europe. We are a club that hasn't won anything for a long time, so we want to do well."

Chelsea alerted as Kaka warns Italy

Chelsea have been put on red alert after Kaka admitted today to considering his future at AC Milan.
The Brazilian has been dismayed by the crowd violence in Italy this week and warned fans in Gazzetta dello Sport today: "If you continue with such violence, I could leave Italy.

"My wife and parents often come to the stadiums to see me play and I am concerned for the safety of my family."

Chelsea boss Avram Grant would love to bring Kaka to Stamford Bridge and has discussed the Brazilian with Blues owner Roman Abramovich.

Luis Fabiano replaces injured Brazil striker Afonso

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano was called to replace injured forward Afonso for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers next week.

The Spanish league's leading scorer with eight goals is returning to the national team for the first time since 2004, when he helped Brazil win the Copa America in Peru.

Afonso was left out of Brazil's squad after injuring his left leg in SC Heerenveen's 1-0 win over Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch league on Sunday.

Brazil will play Peru on Sunday in Lima and host Uruguay three days later in Sao Paulo. The five-time world champions trail leader Argentina by two points in the 10-nation standings.

Coached by former midfielder Dunga, Brazil is coming off a 5-0 qualifying win over Ecuador.

The team will begin its preparation for the final two qualifiers of the year on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Brazilian soccer confederation.

Robinho: I'll let Ronaldinho know Real Madrid top of Liga

Real Madrid wing dazzler Robinho revealed why he rushed over to assistant coach Manuel Ruiz after he scored their opener in last night's 4-3 defeat of Real Mallorca.

Robinho headed home a cross from Marcelo before rushing across to Ruiz and later explained: "Yes, I did that because Manuel is always telling me how good I am with the ball at my feet, but I need to improve my heading! I celebrated the goal with him because we've been working very hard to improve this aspect of my game.

"It was a great cross from Marcelo. I combine well with him on the left. He's young and knows he has a lot to improve, just like me."

Robinho finished the game with two goals and he added: "I'm very happy with the way I'm playing. I'm here to make my dreams come true - to win trophies with Real Madrid."

He also said: "When I see Ronaldinho once we all join up for the Brazil games, I'm going to remind him it is Real Madrid that are leaders!"

Atletico Madrid eyeing Roma winger Mancini

Atletico Madrid are monitoring Amantino Mancini's contract talks with Roma.

Atletico sports chief Jesus Garcia Pitarch watched the Brazilian in action against Sporting Lisbon last week in Portugal.

Mancini's contract talks with Roma remain deadlocked and Atletico are keen to add a new winger to Javier Aguirre's squad in January, with Porto's Ricardo Quaresma also in their sights.