Zanetti Applauds Adriano Effort

Inter captain Javier Zanetti has praised striker Adriano after the Brazilian returned to the starting line-up during Sunday’s game with Catania.

L’Imperatore has had numerous off-the-field problems over the past 18 months. This led to a severe loss of form and the striker has spent most of the last year on the bench.

Adriano’s name was also not included on the Nerazzurri’s Champions League squad list, meaning he is now ineligible to play in the group-stages of Europe’s premier club competition.

However the player once regarded as one of the world’s most feared strikers returned to the pitch during Inter’s 2-0 win over Catania at San Siro.

“He did well for 90 minutes of running and fighting and we are all very happy for him,” Zanetti told www.inter.com.

“He definitely deserved to score, but at least he has got it into his head that he can still play an important role for this team and that means a lot to us all.”

Coach Roberto Mancini was also pleased with Adriano’s contribution. “He’s working very hard to get the best out of this situation,” Mancio said.

“We will always do everything we can to help him, but it will be a lot easier if he carries on like this. He was unlucky today with the shots he had, but the goals will come.”

Inter, minus Adriano, travel to Istanbul on Wednesday to face Turkish champions Fenerbahce.

Brazil Women set to dance way to quarterfinals at World Cup

Brazil will play full out in its last group match at the women's World Cup even though the South Americans are almost certain of reaching the quarterfinals.

Brazil, which scored nine goals and allowed none in winning its first two games in Group D, would have to lose by a heavy margin to Denmark on Thursday and also see China beat New Zealand by a wide margin to miss out.

The game was to have been played Wednesday but has been pushed back a day because of concerns about Typhoon Wipha, which is expected to hit the Chinese coast near Hangzhou sometime early Wednesday.

China's commercial center of Shanghai, just up the coast from Hangzhou, was evacuating 200,000 people on Tuesday ahead of the expected arrival of the typhoon, potentially the most destructive storm to hit the city in a decade.

"We will try our hardest to win our third game," said Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos

Barcellos' only worry is yellow cards to Aline, Renata Costa and playmaker Daniela. A second yellow card would mean having to sit out the quarterfinal match.

"I haven't decided yet if they will play. We all know Daniela is an important player to our team," he said.

Two players who will definitely start are Marta, the tournament's co-scoring leader with four, and Cristiane, whose dribbling and long-range shooting have kept other teams off balance.

"I think Marta is the most important player on our team, and if she gets the chance she can win the game," Barcello said.

The Brazilian women play like their male counterparts, who have won an unprecedented five World Cups. They're flashy, open up other defenses with backheel passes and attack with one-on-one superiority.

He said Brazil was always aiming to reach the final, so there is no added pressure after becoming the only team in the 16-country tournament to win both its first two games.

The route to the quarterfinals is a little more complicated for Denmark. The Danes can advance if they beat Brazil and China wins by fewer than five goals. A draw will also do if China loses.

"We're going to prepare meticulously for this game. Even though we know it's going to be tough to beat Brazil, we'll do the best we can," said Denmark coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller.

Heiner-Moller will not be on the sidelines because he will be serving the second game of a suspension handed down by FIFA for coming into "physical contact" with a referee during the opening match against China.

Heiner-Moller said he did not remember giving referee Gyongyi Gaal of Hungary a push on the shoulder.

If Brazil tops Group D, it will probably face Australia or Canada in the quarterfinals in Tianjin on Sept. 23. Those two teams play Wednesday with Australia needing only a draw to grab second place in Group C.

Motta Only Out For A Month

Thiago Motta will only be out for a month after picking up a knee injury in training that was predicted to be see him sidelined for the majority of the season.

Tests have now revealed that he has damaged the meniscus in his knee, but not seriously and he should only be out of action for a month.

Despite the knock not being as bad as first thought, Motta will be frustrated after being plagued by injuries in recent seasons.

Having joined Atlético de Madrid on loan for the season from FC Barcelona, the Brazilian midfielder was hoping for a fresh start in the Spanish capital.

Instead, he is back on the treatment table and will have to regain full fitness before being included in Javier Aguirre's squad again.

Motta has suffered a series of setbacks during the last three years at Barça and led the club to question his strength and physique.

After being told that he was not wanted at Camp Nou any more at the end of last term, Mottsa spent the summer looking to leave on a free transfer.

The Blaugrana insisted on garnering a fee for his services before eventually settling on a loan move with a view to permanent deal with Atlético.

Daniel Alves: Ramos And Wenger Play The Same Attacking Way

Sevilla's Braziian right-back Daniel Alves feels his coach Juande Ramos - a target for Tottenham Hotspur - will show Spurs how to beat Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Sevilla visit the Emirates tommorow to take on Arsenal in a Champions League group match, and their manager Juande Ramos will enhance his reputation at the Gunners' rivals Tottenham if he can mastermind a victory over the Gunners.

Sevilla full-back Daniel Alves, a summer target for Chelsea, believes frustrated Spurs fans will see what they missed out on when Tottenham's attempts to lure Ramos to White Hart Lane foundered three weeks ago, leaving Martin Jol on borrowed time.

Arsenal beat Tottenham 3-1 on Saturday to put further pressure on Jol. Like Sevilla, the Gunners are undefeated so far this season.

Alves said: “Seville play in a very similar style to Arsenal. We are fast, attacking and play the game in a beautiful way and that is because of Jaunde Ramos.

“It is his football philosophy and it is very close to Arsene Wenger’s. I think that will make this match a great occasion. The players are all very happy that our coach decided not to go to Tottenham.

“He is loved and respected at Seville. I think he stayed out of loyalty because we were already preparing for the new season and the time to leave was wrong.

“If Spurs had made their move at the end of last season maybe they would have a new manager now.”

Ramos is the fist coach, and Sevilla the first team, to defend the Uefa Cup successfully. Now they are in the Champions League.

Chelsea target Alves added: “This is a very big moment for us. We are very confident and we are already playing the kind of football that made us the team we were last season.

“Arsenal are a strong side with great young players. They are one of the favourites to win the Premier League and the Champions League — but we have no fear. I saw their match with Spurs last weekend and the way they play is no surprise to us. We play the same style and this has the possibility to be a beautiful contest.

“But we know if we can win at the Emirates then we will have gone a long way to qualifying for the next phase.”

Schuster has Real interest in Diego

BERLIN (AFP) — Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster revealed Sunday he is interested in signing Werder Bremen's Brazilian midfielder Diego, just days before Real and Bremen clash in the Champions League.

Schuster, 47, who took over as Real coach in July, has been closely monitoring the form of the 22-year-old and will get a close-up view of the attacking midfielder when Real host Bremen in Tuesday's Champions League group stage clash.

"Diego is a very interesting player, we have spoken to Bremen's management about him this summer, but it is doubtful he will come this season," Schuster told Sunday's edition of Bild newspaper.

"He is very creative and had a superb first season in the Bundesliga.

"South Americans normally need a lot of time to settle into European football, but he has done really well."

Diego joined Bremen from Portuguese side FC Porto last year and with the summer transfer window now closed the earliest he could join the Spanish giants would be January.

However since he will have already played for Bremen in the Champions League he would not then be allowed to play for Real in this season's competition.

Match Highlights : Brazil Vs China (FIFA Women's World Cup)

AC Milan receive Kaka all-clear for Benfica clash

Kaka has been passed fit for AC Milan's Champions League opener against Benfica this week.

The Brazilian has been nursing a knee strain, but played in a bounce game at Milanello yesterday and scored twice.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will also be able to call on Massimo Oddo and Andrea Pirlo, who both missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Siena.

Brazil coach: Barcelona's Ronaldinho will get back to best

Barcelona star Ronaldinho will return to his very best this season, says Brazil fitness coach Paulo Paixao.

Paixao has known Ronaldinho for over ten years and said: "With more time to work on his fitness, Ronaldinho will again become the one that we all knew.

"He has great pride in himself and I am absolutely certain that he is going to work as hard as ever to get in top shape and return to be the world's best.

"He didn't have a break last season and needs that good preparation to help him handle the extra attention he gets from the opposition."

Dunga rules out Brazil call-up for AC Milan's Pato

Brazil coach Dunga says Alexandre Pato must prove his value at AC Milan before he can think about winning a senior cap.

Dunga explained: "Pato has great promise and an enormous talent. But he has played little since leaving Internacional.

"We must show the National shirt the right respect, we cannot select a player without continuity. There are other players in his position who have been playing longer."