Leonardo: AC Milan's Pato just lilke Shevchenko

Leonardo has likened Alexandre Pato to AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko.

Leonardo, now involved with the Milan football staff, said of his fellow Brazilian: "On the field, you can see his polish and ability to create and finish. He has great charisma when he's playing.

"He knows how to finish attacks. He enjoys being involved, just like Sheva. He can play as a striker or just off the forwards. He will improve, at Milan there is the right atmosphere to do so."

AC Milan medical chiefs slammed over Ronaldo treatment

Confusion reigns over the fitness of AC Milan striker Ronaldo.

Milan medical chiefs say Ronaldo will be available for the club's Serie A clash with Siena on September 5. A problem with the striker's knee has been discover.

However, Brazil doctors say differently, with Jose Luis Runco telling O Globo: "We will apply a treatment we call Growth Factor.

"He should stay in Rio for at least a week."

Ronaldo's personal physiotherapist Bruno Mazziotti is also in Brazil with the Milan striker.

Yesterday, Mazziotti rapped: "We think that the treatment Milan gave him wasn't the correct course of action."

Kaka Cool About Starting On The Bench

SAO PAULO, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Brazil midfielder Kaka says he has no complaints about having to sit on the substitutes' bench for his country, despite his rampant success at club level.

Kaka was voted the best player in last year's Champions League after finishing as top scorer with 10 goals on his way to helping AC Milan win the trophy.

Yet when Brazil faced modest Algeria in a friendly last month, he suffered the indignity of starting on the bench.

Kaka, however, said he agreed with coach Dunga's decision, which followed his controversial request to skip the Copa America in Venezuela in June and July.

"Ever since he (Dunga) took over, he has said that nobody has a guaranteed place in the team and I think that's fair," Kaka told Reuters in a telephone interview from Italy.

"That's how it has to be, everybody has to win his place. I think it's a fair way to pick the team."
Kaka and Barcelona's Ronaldinho asked to sit out the Copa America in Venezuela in June and

July, saying they were tired after the long European season.

Dunga has demanded complete dedication from his players, however.

"I was on the physical limit," said Kaka, justifying his request to skip the tournament, which Brazil still won.

"I wasn't frustrated exactly because I'm aware of what I've achieved. What I have done is a memory for me, a landmark in my life."

Kaka played the second half of the Algeria match, which Brazil won 2-0 and is in the squad for the friendlies against the United States in Chicago on Sunday and against Mexico in Boston three days later.

"If the games are not in Europe, the club is not obliged to release me but for these two friendlies I asked Milan not to create any problems with the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) as I want to play," he said.

CLUB CUP

Kaka said his big target this season was to win the Club World Cup which will be held in Japan in December and where Argentina's Boca Juniors are likely to be Milan's biggest threat.

"The world club cup is a title which is missing for me. In Brazil, we learn as we are growing up that this is the most important title.

"Here in Europe, it doesn't have the same value as it has for we Brazilians but my dream is to win this championship."

Kaka, the subject of recent speculation about a move to Real Madrid, said he might leave Milan before his contract ended in 2011.

"This year at least, I will continue at Milan. But further ahead, I don't know. I'm happy and my family have adapted to Italy but it depends on Milan too.

"I don't want to stay in a place where neither myself nor the club are satisfied."

Kaka said he supported the idea of Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, a tournament for which the country is the only candidate.

"Brazil can only win by staging this World Cup," he said. "We have time. A lot can happen before 2014 in terms of organisation."

Kaka, who will be 32 by then, said he had not considered whether he would be playing in the tournament.

"I don't even know if I will take part in the next one in 2010, let alone in 2014," he said.

Dunga Calls Up Edu And Gladstone

Brazil coach Dunga has named Edu Dracena and Gladstone in his squad to play the United States and Mexico.

The defensive duo, who play at Fenerbahce and Sporting Lisbon respectively, have been called up because of the injuries suffered by Chelsea's Alex and Sao Paulo's Alex Silva.

Alex has an ankle injury, while Alex Silva had a muscular problem during his team's goalless Campeonato Brasileiro draw with Atletico Mineiro.

As both Edu Dracena and Gladstone have European passports, they will not have any problem entering the United States.

The delegation is flying to North America on Thursday evening, where the Selecao are playing Bob Bradley's side on Sunday and Mexico next Wednesday.

Pato Scores As Milan Share Spoils With Dinamo Kiev

Dinamo Kiev celebrated their 80th anniversary by playing a friendly against European champions AC Milan, which finished 2-2.

Milan came from two goals down to secure a draw against Dynamo Kiev in the friendly to mark the 80th anniversary of the Ukrainian club.

With former Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko watching from the sidelines, much-hyped

Brazilian wonder-kid Alexandre Pato made an impressive debut, even scoring a goal.

The Milan defence had serious difficulties at the start, as Dinamo opened the scoring after only six minutes with a header by Artem Milevskiy, who was found all alone inside the area.

After some more chances for the home side, with Brazilian defender Digao making a crucial goal line clearance, Pato fashioned a chance for Milan out of nothing in the 19th minute.

However, his assist found Alberto Gilardino in an offside position, so his 'goal' was called off.

Two minutes after that, it was 2-0 for the home side, as Goran Gavrancic fired a precise diagonal shot after a scrappy move.

Following the second goal Milan improved, and Pato had his first shot on goal, a left-footer which required the goalkeeper to make a good save, in the 23rd minute.

Shortly thereafter, Pato was again in the spotlight, as he played a nice one-two with Pierre Aubameyang, but fired his shot wide from a good position.

The impressive young Brazilian finally got his reward just before half-time, as he headed in a cross from the right by Daniele Bonera to give Milan a lifeline going into the second half.

Only five minutes into the restart, Gilardino finally got his long-awaited goal, as he controlled the ball with his chest, before dribbling past the goalkeeper and slotting into an empty net.
There were to be no more goals after this equaliser, although Pato continued to impress, distributing precise passes and showing strong overall technique. There were also some moments of glory for long-time Milan substitute keeper Valerio Fiori, who was on hand to prevent Dinamo making 3-2 on several occasions in the final part of the game.

In the final minutes, there was even some room for coach Carlo Ancelotti's son Davide, who plays with the Milan youth team and came in two minutes before the end of this match.

Liverpool's Mascherano: Leiva needs time

Javier Mascherano is tipping new Liverpool teammate Lucas Leiva for big things.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "I played against him in Brazil when he was with Gremio and I was at Corinthians. He gave me a tough game, so I know he is a really good player. But when you arrive in another country you have new teammates and you have to learn a language. Maybe you have to play in a different way, so you need time."

Real Zaragoza hit with £17M Matuzalem compo demand

Shakhtar Donetsk have hit Real Zaragoza with a £17 million compensation demand over their signing of Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem.

The Ukrainians allege that Zaragoza colluded with Matuzalem to terminate his contract without permission after an official approach for the player was turned down.

In July, Zaragoza said they had agreed a deal with Shakhtar after bidding £8 million for the 27-year-old but the Donetsk team said they rejected the offer.

Shakhtar said they were particularly upset at losing Matuzalem on the eve of their Champions League campaign.

"The illegal approach and transfer are the fundamental causes of our complaint," Shakhtar executive director Serhiy Palkin said in a statement sent to Reuters.

"But FIFA must also take into consideration Matuzalem was a vital member of our team, someone who would be extremely difficult and expensive to replace."

A spokesman for Zaragoza said the Primera Liga club were unconcerned.
"Zaragoza aren't worried by the matter," he said. "We followed FIFA guidelines and so did the player.

"We have given FIFA our side of the story and the matter is now in their hands."

Brazil's Palmeiras signs young Paraguayan midfielder Fretes

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Four-time Brazilian champion Palmeiras said Tuesday it has reached a deal to sign 19-year-old Paraguayan midfielder Diego Fretes.

Fretes, who has played in Paraguay's national youth squads, was acquired from Guanari and will initially play for Palmeiras's "B" team in the lower divisions of Brazilian soccer.

Palmeiras club directors said the player is likely to join the senior team next season.

Contract details were not released.

Palmeiras, the 1999 Copa Libertadores champion, is sixth in the 20-team Brazilian league with 36 points from 23 matches. The club faces Botafogo on Thursday at Palestra Italia stadium in Sao Paulo looking to snap a two-match losing streak.

Rivaldo Backs Anderson

Brazilian legend Rivaldo has backed compatriot Anderson to be a success at Manchester United, if he is given time.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has previously asked the Old Trafford faithful to show patience with Anderson after a less than impressive Premier League debut against Sunderland.

Anderson, who joined United in the summer in a £17million move from Porto, lasted only 45 minutes against the Black Cats on Saturday before being replaced by match winner Louis Saha.

However, Rivaldo - a former World Player of the Year - has echoed the sentiments of Ferguson and insists the 19-year-old will be a star in England.

"He's very good, a huge talent, but you need to be patient with him," Rivaldo told the Daily Star.

"His development should be controlled, giving him encouragement but everything done calmly.

"We're talking about a youngster who has the qualities to be a great player."

United fans will be wary of another Brazilian flop after the club spent £5.9million on World Cup winner Kleberson in 2003. He was shipped out to Besiktas two years later after making only 16 Premier League starts.