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MatériaMais Notícias

O zagueiro Luan é, agora oficialmente, jogador do Palmeiras. Ele foi à Academia de Futebol na manhã desta quinta-feira e assinou contrato em reunião com o diretor de futebol do clube, Alexandre Mattos, e com seu empresário, Giuliano Aranda, o Magrão, da M9 Sports. O site oficial do Verdão anunciou a contratação no início da tarde.

– Estou feliz demais, realizando um sonho. Estou muito motivado, quero ajudar e evoluir aqui na Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. O torcedor pode esperar que está chegando mais um torcedor que vai retribuir dentro de campo. Estou chegando de peito aberto, cabeça boa, com o coração fervendo e louco para jogar e dar alegrias à torcida. Farei de tudo para manter a defesa do Palmeiras como uma das melhores do Brasil – afirmou.

Aos 23 anos e com a medalha de ouro olímpica no currículo, Luan firmou vínculo válido até o fim de março de 2022. Ele teve parte dos direitos comprados por 3 milhões de euros (R$ 10 milhões, aproximadamente), com aporte da Crefisa. O Vasco vai manter a outra parte dos direitos.

– Conheci a estrutura e achei fantástica. Eu realmente fiquei assustado, nunca vi isso em nenhum clube no Brasil. A gente treina nos times quando vai jogar em algumas cidades e eu nunca vi algo parecido. Agora é trabalhar e ir pra campo o mais rápido possível – disse o zagueiro, que trabalhou com Fernando Prass no Vasco.

– O Prass foi um pai pra mim. Tinha 18 anos quando comecei a jogar no profissional, e ele sempre me dava conselhos e me ajudava muito. Já o reencontrei jogando contra e na Seleção Olímpica, mas agora, novamente ao lado dele, quero continuar evoluindo. Tive com o Vitão (Vitor Hugo) e com o Dudu na Seleção agora e já trabalhei também com o Alecsandro e com o Antônio Carlos – comentou.

O defensor despediu-se do clube carioca na noite de quarta-feira, pouco antes de embarcar para São Paulo. No dia anterior, ele passou por uma bateria de exames com profissionais do Palmeiras e foi aprovado, embora ainda esteja se recuperando de uma cirurgia no pé direito.

Os primeiros dias de tratamento e avaliações no centro de excelência da Academia de Futebol vão definir se o Palmeiras optará por um tratamento conservador no pé do jogador ou se fará nova cirurgia. Ele ainda não tem uma previsão de estreia. De qualquer forma, não poderia ser inscrito no Paulistão e nem na fase de grupos da Libertadores.

Conversa com Jesus

Luan fez amizade com Gabriel Jesus durante a Olimpíada e conversou com o jovem antes de concretizar a ida ao Palmeiras:

– O Gabriel Jesus é um irmão, conversei com ele há uns três, quatro dias, e ele me falou: “vai, vai que você será muito feliz no Palmeiras”. Eu já não tinha dúvidas, mas, depois disso, foi só carimbar (risos).

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MatériaMais Notícias

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians terá uma opção a mais para os lados de campo da equipe no restante da temporada. O atacante Gustavo Mosquito, que estava emprestado ao Paraná, teve o seu retorno pedido pela diretoria corintiana e estará à disposição do técnico Tiago Nunes.

Aos 22 anos, Gustavo Silva, o Mosquito, foi emprestado ao Paraná no início do ano, participou de 13 partidas e marcou um gol, no empate por 2 a 2 contra o Confiança-SE, na Série B. Além do Paraná, ele também foi emprestado para Vila Nova e Oeste, equipes onde não teve muitas oportunidades.

Além de Mosquito, o Timão conta com Everaldo, Léo Natel e Janderson para a função de jogador de lado de campo. O atleta tem contrato com o Corinthians atédezembro de 2022.

Nas redes sociais, o atacante agradeceu ao Paraná pela oportunidade, se despedindo da equipe curitibana.

– Obrigado Paraná Clube, você vai ficar pra sempre marcado na minha história. Gratidão a todos do clube e a torcida por tudo. fui muito feliz aqui e estarei sempre na torcida – escreveu.

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Opener Michael Vandort made a strong case for inclusion in Sri Lanka’s squadfor their two-Test tour of South Africa this November, as he scored a maidenTest century at the Sinhalese Sports Club on the third day of this one-sidedseries

Charlie Austin30-Jul-2002Opener Michael Vandort made a strong case for inclusion in Sri Lanka’s squadfor their two-Test tour of South Africa this November, as he scored a maidenTest century at the Sinhalese Sports Club on the third day of this one-sidedseries.Watched by his dotting, cricket obsessed father, who was smoking furiouslyin the stands as he son passed through the nervous nineties, the left-handerscored 140 from 185 balls as Sri Lanka amassed a formidable lead before adeclaration on the stroke of tea.Needing to score 473 to win the game, or bat for seven sessions to save it,the odds were always against a side that has only passed 300 on threeoccasions since being awarded full member status of the ICC in 1999.Sure enough, Bangladesh were soon in trouble as Sri Lanka’s fast bowlersswung the new ball, grabbing three quick wickets after the tea interval.Opener Al-Sahariar (6) departed rather sheepishly having elected to shoulderarms to an inswinger from left-armer Sujeewa de Silva that clipped his offbail, number three Habibul Bashar (3) was caught at the wicket in ChamilaGamage’s first over and Hannan Sarkar’s entertaining cameo, 30 from 39balls, was ended as he edged an attempted pull.A 59 run stand for the fourth wicket eased the nerves of those who wouldhave had to hastily organise the after match presentation had the collapsecontinued, but leg-spinner Upul Chandana, used sparingly so far in thisgame, had Tushar Imran stumped five overs before the close, to leaveBangladesh on 103 for four when stumps were drawn.But the day belonged to Vandort, 22, an ambitious 6ft 5in left-hander with areputation for making the most of his ability. A late developer – he playedjust one game in his school first XI – he scored a century on his firstclass debut for Colombo Cricket Club, a century against India last year whenpicked for a BCCSL XI and, in this game, 61 and 140 when picked in theunfamiliar position of opener.With the selectors due to sit down tonight to finalise a 15-man one-daysquad for next week’s series against Bangladesh, and the Morocco Cup thatfollows, his name will surely figure in their deliberations. Althoughunlikely to be selected in the final squad, he should now have done enoughto guarantee his inclusion in South Africa.Speaking afterwards, he hoped he’d caught their eye: “This was a goodopportunity to get a big score and put some pressure on the senior players,as I want to become a regular member of the Test team and play as long aspossible. I think I achieved that I hope I proved myself to the selectors.It’s now up to them.”The only blemish in the innings was his clumsy running, which cost JehanMubarak (31) his wicket when he failed to respond to a reasonable call for aquick single. And his only moment of good fortune came on 69 when an appealfor a catch at silly point was turned down although the ball appeared tohave glanced the face of his bat after his pad.He added 172 for the second wicket with Naveed Nawaz (78*), a partnershipthat sapped the enthusiasm of the Bangladeshi fieldsmen after a spiritedstart to the day, when their new ball bowlers had plugged away manfullyduring the first overcast hour, restricting the strokeplay of the SriLankans.But although off-spinner Fahim Muntasir was once again economical, the othersupport bowlers struggled, as Vandort and Nawaz slowly cranked up the tempoin the afternoon. And when Vandort reached his hundred from 151 balls, hethen celebrated with an aggressive spurt, lofting straight down the groundfor six and reverse sweeping for four.With so much time remaining in the game, Jayasuriya could well have battedon, providing Hashan Tillakaratne in particular with an opportunity togather some confidence, but decided instead to declare with Sri Lanka on 263for two, denying Nawaz, a gritty but limited player, a chance to become thefourth Sri Lankan to score a century on debut.

Liverpool are reportedly still undecided as to whether to make a move for PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen.

What’s the story?

The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp aims to strengthen his forward line, although German giants Borussia Dortmund appeared to have won the race for his signature.

However, according to the ECHO, Malen is still admired by the Liverpool recruitment team, and they could still place a bid for the highly-rated striker this summer.

Any move will have to be made quickly, though, with Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad (via Sport Witness) reporting Dortmund want to sign Malen as Jadon Sancho’s replacement.

The report states that BVB’s official offer for the Dutch international is expected imminently as they look to replace the Manchester United-bound winger.

Michael Edwards must swoop

After being released by Arsenal without ever making a first-team appearance for the north London outfit, Malen has rebuilt his career at Eindhoven.

Big things were expected of the pacey forward during his time in England, with his agent Mino Raiola stating: “I think he can be a revelation,” as his client continued to impress for the capital clubs Under-18’s side.

Things didn’t work out at Arsenal, though, but back in his homeland, Malen has cultivated a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young forwards following a string of impressive performances for PSV.

In 116 appearances for the Eredivisie heavyweights, the youngster has bagged 55 goals and provided a further 24 assists, catching the eye of some of the continent’s top clubs.

With Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino both enduring hugely underwhelming seasons for Liverpool last time out, Klopp is expected to bolster his attacking options ahead of the upcoming campaign.

And in the £27m-rated Malen, the Anfield outfit may have found the perfect candidate. Renowned for his pace, dribbling, finishing ability and eye for a pass, the PSV ace appears to be the ideal fit for Klopp’s gegenpressing system.

Indeed, he has also been described as a “very quick” and “explosive” forward by talkSPORT’s European football expert Andy Brassell. Both phrases could be coined to describe the German’s current options on both flanks.

The sales of Marko Grujic and Taiwo Awoniyi, respectively, have given director of football Michael Edwards some funds to play with in the transfer market, and he’d be wise to use them on the prolific Malen.

And, in other news…Liverpool could be set for huge boost after Anfield news emerges, fans will be excited 

An update has emerged on Sporting midfielder Matheus Nunes, regarding Wolves’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Wolves have joined the race to land Sporting central midfielder Matheus Nunes this summer, with Bruno Lage keen on a deal for the youngster.

The report claims that he is available for a fee in the region of £15m (€18m) after he came close to signing for Premier League side Everton. The Toffees pulled out of a deal after they failed to land Nuno Santo, who ultimately ended up at Tottenham.

Neves 2.0

Wolves could land Ruben Neves 2.0 with a swoop for Nunes before the end of the transfer window. The obvious comparison is there as they are both central midfielders who’ve developed in Portugal and their statistics from last season are fairly similar, albeit at two different standards of football.

Per 90 minutes in the 2020/21 campaign, Nunes was ahead of Neves in terms of pass accuracy, aerial battles won, ground duels won and ground duel success rate. The Wolves man, however, was ahead in tackles made, ball recoveries, clearances and interceptions. This suggests that they performed to a similar standard, with each player excelling in different areas but all of the statistics were reasonably close, with neither player miles ahead of the other in any specific category.

Therefore, Nunes could be the ‘next Neves’ for Wolves, whilst potentially playing alongside him next season. Nunes could come in and learn from the likes of Neves and Joao Moutinho before replacing them in the future, whether that be through the latter retiring or the former moving on to another club. If Neves does leave in the near future, Wolves could already have their replacement in the building.

A former teammate of Nunes’, Goncalo Santos, spoke about the midfielder earlier this summer and hailed the pace he generates when running with the ball at his feet. He claims that “nobody can catch” him when he dribbles with the ball. 

He told the Liverpool Echo:

“In one game, he went on a run which was about 60 metres, it was amazing! People went crazy and everybody was talking about it.

“It’s unbelievable when he has the ball at his feet. Nobody can catch him; it’s impossible because he’s too fast.

“Matheus is a box-to-box player. He’s not so strong like midfielders in the Premier League but he’s very fast. He’s very good with the ball because he is a Brazilian boy.”

Wolves must seal a deal for the 22-year-old gem this summer. He could be a great addition in both the short term and the long term and is seemingly available for a good price at £15m, which means that Lage would not need to break the bank to bring him in.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Neto: Wolves initiate talks for £35k-p/w “champion”, he’d be a huge coup…

MatériaMais Notícias

A tarde inspirada de gols na Liga dos Campeões da Europa parece ter contagiado Ponte Preta e Vitória, equipes que se enfrentaram na noite dessa sexta-feira (14) pela terceira rodada da Série B. Entretanto, diferente de Barcelona x Bayern, ninguém saiu muito acima do oponente já que o marcador final foi de 3 a 3.

VISITANTE INDIGESTO

As três primeiras finalizações do Vitória na direção do gol ocorreram antes mesmo que a Macaca conseguisse assustar a meta defendida por Ronaldo. Se na primeira Ivan foi seguro para interceptar a batida de Léo Ceará, depois do cruzamento feito por Thiago Carleto avançando pelo lado esquerdo, Mateusinho parou em Ivan na primeira. Contudo, no rebote, o camisa 11 aproveitou o arqueiro adversário caído e encheu o pé para abrir a contagem aos sete minutos.

QUE REAÇÃO, PONTE!

Se até tomar o gol a equipe da casa não havia chegado perigosamente à frente, depois disso praticamente só a Ponte Preta frequentou o plano ofensivo.
Com o time baiano em sérias dificuldades para armar contra-ataques, a Macaca começou a aumentar seu volume ofensivo e, depois de falta muito perigosa batida por Camilo além de chute na trave dado por Zé Roberto, o perseguido tento de empate finalmente saiu. Aos 28, a jogada em que Camilo ajeita de peito para Zé Roberto teve o atacante ponte-pretano girando na marcação e rolando para Neto Moura finalizar de chapa, cruzado, superando Ronaldo.

Cinco minutos depois, a zaga do Vitória não conseguiu conter o avanço de João Paulo que foi carregando, ganhou na corrida de Jonathan Bocão, fintou Gabriel Furtado e bateu por baixo de Ronaldo. Foi a virada da Ponte no Moisés Lucarelli.

ERRO CARO

Três minutos. Foi esse o período em que os anfitriões conseguiram saborear a ponta no marcador do Majestoso antes que o zagueiro Rayan tentasse sem sucesso sair jogando no campo defensivo da Ponte. Como resultado, Mateusinho teve espaço e tempo para servir Léo Ceará e o centroavante não desperdiçou ao bater bem na saída de Ivan para deixar o confronto em igualdade.

FINAL CHEIO DE EMOÇÃO

Diferente do que aconteceu na etapa inicial, os dois times pareciam bastante afetados pela questão física e também por certa melhora dos sistemas defensivos. Tanto é que, até por volta dos 30 minutos, apenas um chute de Léo Ceará dado de média distância e outro por parte de Zé Roberto poderiam ser considerados como finalizações mais agudas. Entretanto, estando por mais tempo nos arredores do gol adversário, a Ponte acabou recompensada em lance onde Moisés cabeceou cruzamento de Apodi, mas parou na defesa de Ronaldo, Matheus Peixoto, que estava atento no rebote, bateu firme e recolocou o time campineiro na frente do marcador no Moisés Lucarelli.

Quando o resultado parecia praticamente decretado para que o time da casa saísse com os três pontos, coube a Rafael Carioca (que entrou no tempo complementar) marcar o tento que igualou novamente o placar do Majestoso. Depois do passe de Guilherme Rend, o camisa 6 encheu o pé esquerdo, cruzado, mandando no canto esquerdo de Ivan.

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MatériaMais Notícias

O Itaú BBA divulgou, nesta terça-feira, a análise econômico-financeira dos clubes brasileiros de futebol referente ao ano de 2019. O Flamengo, atual campeão carioca, brasileiro e da Libertadores, foi também destaque fora de campo. Com um crescimento explosivo das receitas, assim como os custos, o “clube se distanciou a talponto que os adversários mais próximos não são nem percebidos”, avalia o relatório que faz ressalvas e projeta o cenário de 2020.

Com uma receita total de R$ 841 milhões – a maior do país e com crescimento de 50% em relação ao ano anterior -, o Flamengo foi destaque nas finanças entre os clubes brasileiros. A arrecadação do Rubro-Negro foi impulsionada pelos títulos do Brasileiro e da Libertadores, além da presença no Mundial de Clubes – receitas recorrentes, mas variáveis.

O Palmeiras foi o único clube próximo ao Flamengo em 2019, com receita total de R$ 635 milhões. De acordo com o relatório do Itaú BBA, o deslocamento desses dois clubes em relação aos demais coloca uma vantagem competitiva importante, já que isso significa “maior capacidade de investimentos, montagens de bons elencos, pagar melhores salários e em dia”.

A análise destaca quatro pontos que “deram certo” no Flamengo em 2019: aumento expressivo de receitas; custos controlados e dentro das receitas; conquistas esportivas; e alavancagem controlada. Por outro lado, a pesquisa do banco chamou atenção para um ponto: nível de geração de caixa recorrente.

Neste caso, a alerta do relatório é em relação ao “volume elevado de venda de atletas nos últimos anos, e que talvez se torne uma necessidade adicional em 2020 para ajudar a manter o conforto financeiro”. Leia a análise do Itaú BBA.

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“Nem sinal no retrovisor

Segue o jogo!”

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Jules Kounde to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication AS (via Sport Witness), who claim that Sevilla must sell one of their star players in the summer transfer window if they wish to bring in additions of their own ahead of next season.

One player the report suggests who could be on his way out of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium is Kounde, with Julen Lopetegui’s side thought to be asking for a fee of around €70m (£60m) in order to part with the centre-back.

Tottenham Hotspur are then mentioned as one of the clubs who are believed to be considering a move for the 22-year-old, with Daniel Levy said to be willing to offer around €60m (£51.5m) in a bid to land the defender.

That may sound like a boost but AS then claim that the player is not overly open to a switch to north London this summer, claiming he wants to take a bigger leap.

Levy will be fuming

With Tottenham’s interest in signing a centre-back this summer being well documented, as well as their particular interest in Kounde, the fact that the France international does not appear keen on a move to Spurs this summer is sure to have left Daniel Levy fuming.

Indeed, considering the remarkable form the centre-back showed for Sevilla last season, it is easy to see why the Tottenham chairman would like to add Kounde to Nuno Espirito Santo’s options in the centre of defence.

Over his 34 La Liga appearances for Lopetegui’s side in 2020/21, the £54m-rated centre-back helped his team keep a whopping 15 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 0.8 tackles, 2.9 clearances and winning 5.4 duels per game.

The Frenchman also impressed in an attacking capacity, scoring two goals, registering one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.3 key passes per league fixture.

These returns saw the 22-year-old earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.08, ranking him as Sevilla’s third-best performer in the top flight of Spanish football, playing a key role in his side securing a highly impressive fourth-place finish in La Liga.

As such, with Nuno undoubtedly hoping to put together a team in the summer transfer window that is capable of improving on Tottenham’s seventh-place finish next season, the summer arrival of the man Lopetegui dubbed an “important” part of his side would very much help them do that.

However, following the latest report from AS, it would not seem advisable for Spurs fans to hold their breath while waiting to see their side get a deal over the line.

In other news: Bye-bye Aurier: Spurs could finally replace Trippier with “promising” £8m-rated beast

Not quite an open and shut case in re-shaping the teams’ respective odds ahead of next year’s World Cup

John Polack12-Jun-2002Not quite an open and shut case in re-shaping the teams’ respective odds ahead of next year’s World Cup. Nor in closing the argument about whether Shoaib Akhtar or Brett Lee is the faster bowler.But, in the confined enclosure represented by Melbourne’s Colonial Stadium, the first match of the galactically-named Super Challenge II series was never likely to be an expansive game. Instead, Australia crafted its seven wicket win over Pakistan by prising open an early advantage and then sealing the lid tight on even so much as half-opportunities for the visitors.In most senses, this contest between arguably the two most highly skilled teams on the contemporary one-day international circuit was underwhelming. The conditions were cold; the atmosphere was restrained rather than crackling with the violent electricity familiar to many limited-overs games in Melbourne; and the interplay between the teams failed to touch great heights.Crowd numbers were also disappointing, with a roll-up of 11,681 ensuring that the patrons were little more than dotted around the stadium.Perhaps Melbourne’s populace knew something that the promoters didn’t: namely, that the two most heavily-billed players of the series – speed merchants Akhtar and Lee – would both be on the sidelines. Akhtar’s hopes of playing were arrested by a hip injury. Lee, a recent recidivist in the crime of expensive bowling in one-day internationals, was meanwhile presented with the news that Andy Bichel had been preferred to him in Australia’s eleven.But, while their twin absences deprived the two attacks of their fastest practitioners, and denied the crowd a chance of winning a $25,000 prize, pacemen remained the game’s major drawcards.Bichel (3/30) and Glenn McGrath (1/22) were both outstanding in the early stages, harnessing early moisture in a drop-in pitch to take maximum toll of an Australian victory at the toss. There was noticeable pace, bounce and movement for both bowlers as their early duel with the Pakistan upper order was defined in one-sided fashion.McGrath found an outside edge from Shahid Afridi (1) by as early as the third over, then forced Imran Nazir (39*) to hospital with a suspected fractured forearm when he snaked a ferociously-bouncing ball back at him from just short a length. Nazir ultimately returned to the fray in the closing overs, launching himself into a series of meaty drives that helped him to top score and to admirably carry his team to a score of 8/176 by the halfway mark.But, by then, the tone of the match had been set.Bichel detected a willingness from defiant middle order strokemakers Inzamam-ul-Haq (33) and Younis Khan (16) to drive at balls moving away, and duly secured thick outside edges to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. He added a third victim to his kitbag when he prompted Azhar Mahmood (1) to send the ball arrowing to point from an ill-advised cut stroke.All the while, the spin of Darren Lehmann (2/23) and Shane Warne (1/27) proved similarly compelling and Gilchrist enjoyed a proverbial field day behind the stumps. Such that not even three missed catches in the outfield from the pace bowling of Shane Watson (1/38) could alter the gravity of Pakistan’s plight.And, where everything else at the batting crease had been sealed at source, closed down, and clogged up during the afternoon, the Australians then made light work of their target.Gilchrist (56) showcased the scything cut stroke and the aggressive mindset that are such features of his game, producing shotmaking as dazzling as the temperatures (not to mention heavy rains, thunder and lightning) outside were chilling. Matthew Hayden (45) helped himself to a surfeit of runs in their partnership of 101 as well, making opening batting look ridiculously uncomplicated on a pitch still offering incentive to the bowlers.Gilchrist eventually fell to a catch at third man off the wholehearted Mohammad Sami (2/53), and fellow left hander Hayden to a magnificent interception at square leg as he top edged a hook at the same bowler.In between times, Ricky Ponting (13) also encountered an anxious moment in the midst of a brief stay as he survived a huge lbw shout from the persevering 21-year-old paceman. It was conceivably the only mistake made by umpire Daryl Harper in a game that was otherwise umpired in outstanding fashion.Throughout the day, there were also precious few errors from Australia. By the time that Lehmann (28*) and Damien Martyn (18*) had polished off the win with more than 17 overs to spare, the visitors’ normally aggressive game had been shut down emphatically. Instead, Pakistan’s players were merely left to acquiesce with the reality that their opponents had effortlessly opened up a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.