World Football Postulant

Yet another rumor surrounding Fluminense attacker Thiago Neves, though there is another suitor mentioned in this one.  This time, it is Manchester City, a team who is still looking for that marquee name after being used by Ronaldinho early this summer.  Neves, who just finished his Olympics commitment to Brazil, would fill that role, even if expectations of him are a bit high at this point.  Atlético Madrid has also been strongly mentioned in some reports, but Neves’s representation is speaking openly about a City move, something that is both a good and a bad sign.

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Forgot to mention:

Last night I finished and posted my review of the English Premier League’s first week.  It can be read at American Soccer Reader, where I will be posting much of my Premier League content.  Here is a direct link.

The work flow on most pieces has me post a working copy of Premier League material here before editing, reformatting for ASR.  The Premier League content is pretty much always intended for ASR, and it’s getting to where the Brazil updates are in the same boat.  I think Champions League will be ASR-centric, too.

As always, I highly encourage you to visit ASR.

Edixon Perea celebrates with teammates after scoring Grêmio’s winning goal.

Club GP PTS Gremio 20 44 Cruzeiro 20 39 Palmeiras 19 34 Sao Paulo 20 33 Flamengo 20 32 Coritiba 19 32 Vitoria 20 32 Botafogo 19 31 Figueirense 20 28 Sport 19 27 Goias 20 26 Internacional 20 26 Atletico Mineiro 19 24 Paranaense 20 23 Vasco de Gama 20 22 Portuguesa 20 22 Nautico 20 21 Santos 20 18 Fluminense 19 16 Ipatinga 20 16 Date Home Away August 16, 2008 Figueirense 2 1 Portuguesa August 16, 2008 Cruzeiro 2 1 Vitoria August 16, 2008 Paranaense 5 0 Ipatinga August 17, 2008 Santos 2 2 Flamengo August 17, 2008 Goias 2 0 Nautico August 17, 2008 Gremio 1 0 Sao Paulo August 17, 2008 Vasco de Gama 4 0 Internacional August 17, 2008 Palmeiras 1 0 Cortiba August 17, 2008 Sport 0 1 Botafogo August 17, 2008 Fluminense 1 0 Atletico

Sao Paulo received a gift in Porto Alegre when Grêmio midfielder Tcheco was sent off before the opening whistle, giving the league’s third place team a head start on closing the eight point gap between them and the league’s leader.  Now past the halfway point in the Brazilian season, Sao Paulo’s visit to Grêmio was a six-pointer, from their point of view, and being able to play it 11-on-10 gave their title hopes a boost.

The vagueness of watching football in a different language, with limited resources, had me unaware that Grêmio was playing a man down until well past Edixon Perea’s ninth minute goal.  Grêmio did not seem quite their confident, controlling selves, but they were playing a strong Sao Paulo club who needed the match much more than the Imortal Tricolor.  It turns out the favorites were playing with ten for the whole first half, making their showing all the more impressive.

Far more than usual, Grêmio were relaying on isolated shots from just outside the area.  The one exception was Perea’s goal, which came on a cross from the right of goal amidst Sao Paulo complaints that the Columbian was offsides.  Replays would show Sao Paulo to be right, but with eighty-one minutes left and up a man, they would have plenty of time to make up for the mistake which gave Grêmio’s leading scorer his eighth goal of the Brasileirão.

Try as they might, Sao Paulo were never able to build the kind of momentum you would expect from a team with a man advantage.  They were naver able to take control of play.  Even after each side had a player sent off at halftime (giving Sao Paulo the increased advantage of playing 10-on-9), Grêmio planed their visitors even.

The result - a 1-0 victory against the league’s third place team - would have been impressive had each side been playing with eleven men.  That they played a man down gives further credence to the idea that Grêmio’s not only is the best club in the league but will finish as such.  The idea is bolstered by the table, which sees Grêmio ten points clear of all teams save one.

The one team is Cruzeiro, who defeated the slumping Vitória, 2-1.  Though the score looked more impressive than Grêmio’s, Cruzeiro had a difficult time with the Serie A neophytes, with Vitória having the better of possession, if not more of it.  They were more ambitious in attack, demanding strong play from Cruzeiro goaltender Fábio to keep them off the scoreless for the bulk for the match.  For his troubles, Fábio took a minor beating, the consequence of having to throw himself into multiple collisions in his box.  He would, however, maintain his clean sheet until Ricardinho scored in the eighty-eighth minute.  By then, Cruzeiro’s leading scorer Guilherme had scored his eleventh of the season (two off the league lead), giving A Raposa what would be their winning goal.  Vitória may have deserved better, as they played an impassioned match, but Cruzeiro affirmed their worth in holding them off.

The result kept Cruzeiro five points back, waiting for Grêmio to trip.  Just barely over halfway through the season, there is still plenty of time for a stumble, though Grêmio looks to have hit their stride.  Whereas at the middle of July the top of the table had six teams clustered with less than two matches’ worth of points bewteen them, now only one team is within ten of the top.  As the schedule has seen the top teams meet up on each other, only Grêmio has asserted themselves, with Cruzeiro barely hanging on.  Over the next month, the schedule evens out, and Grêmio will be given an opportunity to lengthen their lead.

Cruzeiro may be waiting for Grêmio to stumble, but if the Tricolor were not tripped up by having to play short-handed against the league’s third place team, an easier schedule is unlikely to phase them.  They have declared themselves the best team in this year’s Brasileirao.  The rest of the table will have to wait for that to change.

Two weeks ago, there were six teams within four points of first place in Brazil’s top league (the Campeonato Brasileirao Serie A).  After this weekend’s Round 17 action, only three teams can make that claim.  Grêmio were unable to lengthen their two point lead atop the table, but Cruzeiro created a slightly larger cushion between themselves and third.  Though a Palmeiras win keeps the Verdão within striking distance of the top, Grêmio and Cruzeiro’s recent results are starting to distinguish themselves from the rest of the Brasileirao.

On Sunday, both league leaders were tested, each playing a top four side. While Grêmio’s 2-0 victory over formerly third place Vitória might seem the better result when compared to Cruzeiro’s 2-1 win over sinking Flamengo, Mengo was back in form for much of Sunday’s match against A Raposa. From the onset the former league-leaders exhibited an assertiveness and confidence that has been missing during their last five matches. Still, they went into halftime in Rio all even, neither side having scored.

That changed early in the second when, in the 58th minute, Flamengo broke through.  Their persist attack earned a corner, which Vandinho converted.  The hosts went up 1-0, with the forward heading the cross from 15 meters down to the edge of the eight yard box, the ball bouncing into the left side of goal.

The goal released an outpouring of excitement from players and fans - relief at seeing the end of their slide within reach. The Flamengo that won the goal was a throwback to two months ago, when the club was the best in the league, sitting atop the table. A win over Cruzeiro could vault them back into second place, a first step towards reclaiming that spot.

That potential carried Flamengo over the next but of play before Cruzeiro steadied themselves. Once the they regained composure, Cruzeiro struck quickly and gutted their hosts.

In the 67th minute, Guilherme’s (pictured, above) league-leading 10th goal tied the match after Mengo’s normally reliable back line allowed a cross from the right of goal to bounce in the box, right to an unmarked Guilherme, who was able to punch a header into net without a challenge.  It was a mildly embarassing goal that saw an isolated defender standing in front of goal scramble for the league’s leading scorer after realizing (too late) that he was left alone.

Perhaps demoralized at relinquishing control back to A Raposa, Flamengo gave up the winning goal two minutes later. Seconds after being brought on, Cruziero substitute midfielder Rômulo completed a beautiful counterattack that ran from just outside the visitor’s area to the back of Flamengo’s net in less than six seconds.

After a break out of their own end, Guilherme received the ball just outside Flamengo’s area and drew three defenders towards him.  A quick decision and a subtle chip to the streaking Rômulo put the substitute in alone on goaltender Bruno. A clinical finish from the midfielder gave Cruzeiro their margin of victory.

Flamengo’s demoralization was palpable. The energy that filled the stadium after Vandinho’s goal made you believe Mengo’s plight was about to end. Against a strong opponent, the dead ball goal in front of the home fans was the type of event that could serve as an emotional end-point for the slide. In the moments after the goal, you could see the burst return to the hosts’ steps. All the confidence that had dissipated during the five preceding winless matches had been wiped away. To see that feeling leave and then be replaced by the gutted feeling of inevitability that set in after Rômulo’s sudden winner was heartbreaking.

It was only after the dust settled and a resigned Flamengo side left the pitch that you realized how impressive Cruzeiro’s victory had been. There was that point, right after the Mengo goal, where you not only felt the tide go the visitors but you would have understood if Cruzeiro decided that match was not to be. But after a few minutes of letting Flamengo’s energy play-out, Cruzeiro reestablished themselves. Within short minutes they had not only restored order, they had gutted their opponents.

The second, counterattacking goal was indicative of the killer instinct that separates league-title contenders from the merely good clubs. Cruziero - against Flamengo, during their now three match win streak, and for most of the season’s first half - has shown themselves to be contenders.

In the interim, Grêmio continued with their excellent play, discarding Vitória with relative easy. The 2-0 win saw the league leaders in front from the seventeenth minute forward, making Vitória seem the barely-promoted club they are.

Finishing fourth in Serie B last season, Vitória was the last club promoted, making remarkable their previous third place Serie A standing. On Sunday, though, their trip to the Olimpico Monumental saw them out-classed. Goals from William Magrao and Reinaldo helped the league leaders keep their two point lead on Cruzeiro and distinguish the league’s top two from the rest.

The one team that managed to keep up with Grêmio and Cruzeiro may still prove to be the most dangerous side in the league. Last week, I confessed my bias towards Palmeiras, and although a 2-1 victory at bottom-dwelling Ipatinga is not overwhelmingly impressive, Big Green is the only team at the top that has not lost ground as the league leaders surge.

Palmeiras was more impressive than the score hints, allowing a stoppage time goal at match’s end to belie their holding the lead for all but twelve minutes. Two goals from Jorge Valdivia helped push the Verdão into third place, a Copa Libertadores qualifying position, and a position from which they can threaten the top.

But at the table’s bottom, Fluminense’s remarkable journey from Copa finalists to relegation threats continued with a 2-1 loss to mid-table Internacional. That score was a little deceiving in that Flu’s goal came after some slightly disorganized play in front of Inter’s net saw the ball deflect off multiple bodies and onto the foot of striker Somália. His 70th minute goal pulled Flu within one after two goals in the first 21 minutes had Inter in control of the game. Over the last 20 minutes of the match, Inter dominated possession, never giving their hosts a sniff of a point.  The lost left Fluminense five points back of a safe spot on the spot.

Fluminense looks lost at both ends of the pitch. They are unable to build any consistent threat without Thiago Neves. At the back, they are disorganized without Thiago Silva. Both are in Beijing for three more weeks, and it is not out of the question that either or both of these stars will be in Europe before the end of August. It is hard to imagine what Fluminense would do without either, should the sales go through. Flu is getting nothing from Dodo or Darío Conca, two players who must step-up during the Olympics. If their two Thiagos come back, Fluminense’s only goal for the season will be salvaging enough points to avoid being relegated to Serie B, an unbelievable fall for the near-champions of South America who finished fourth in last season’s Serie A.

Fluminense’s situation is similar to the dire straits the club sat in before getting Thiago Neves on his return Japan two seasons ago. Then, Neves saved the club from relegation.  The next season, Neves would win the Bola de Ouro while helping Fluminense qualify for the Copa.

Now, it remains to be seen whether Neves, who has only been available for five Brasileirao matches this season, will have as much invested in saving Flu as he did two seasons ago, when he was also redefining his career after his Asian failure. With Europe on his horizon, Fluminense needs to consider other places to get their goals.

For the last three weeks I have been working from this implicit thesis regarding the Compeonato Brasileirao Serie A (Brazil’s top division):  Palmeiras is the most  dangerous team in the league.  The fact that they went into the mid-week Round 16 in sixth place speaks to the bias in that thesis, and it has gotten to the point that, in search of some intellectual honesty, I am starting to be more critical of Verdão - looking for something negative to say about the squad.  However, try as I might, Palmeiras gave me nothing but positive to say after taking down second place Flamengo 1-0 on Wednesday.

It was the kind of deliberate Brazilian league match that demanded close attention to see the distinctions between the squads.   The teams moved the ball up and down the pitch, but on each end Palmeiras showed the class that has kept them a contender.  Compared to their second place opponents, they were more efficient in defense, demanding a precise build-up from Flamengo to yield any kind of chance.  Even when Flamengo were able to put together something positive, Palmeiras failed to give-up high percentage chances.

In attack, Palmeiras did a better job of maintaining quality possession in Flamengo’s third.  Kléber de Souza (pictured, above right), their star forward on loan from Dynamo Kyiv, would establish himself with the ball at the top of the penalty area.  Most of the night,  he seemed inches away from completing that one pass to yield a choice Palmeiras opportunity, with leading scorer Alex Mineiro constantly threatening for his eleventh goal of the season.  Mineiro would be  held off the score sheet, and most of the night Flamengo did just enough at the back to keep Palmeiras on rhythm.  The one time Kléber was able to lead Palmeiras through the line, midfielder Sandro Silva beat Flamengo’s Bruno high to the short side for the match’s only goal.

The loss extended Flamengo’s winless streak to five matches.  They have only two points over that stretch and have given their league lead to Grêmio, who were able to open a two point lead at the top thanks to Flamengo’s loss and their 1-0 win Thursday over Coritiba.  The surging Cruzeiro club won their second in a row, 4-2 over Náutico, to take sole possession of second.  Flamengo now sits two points behind them and four behind Grêmio, having been shut out four times during their slide.  Despite allowing only one goal per contest in that time, maintaining their standard as one of the league’s best defensive teams, they have fallen into a tie for fourth.

If they are to stop their slide, Flamengo will have to do it against Cruziero, who they will host on Sunday for Round 17.  That match will kick-off at the same time Grêmio hosts Vitória at the Olimpico Monumental.  With Vitória this in the table and Flamengo tied for fourth, Sunday could be a defining day in the Brasileiro.  Depending on how Palmeiras does at Ipatinga (a match which also kicks off at the same time), Grêmio and Cruziero victories could open a four point gap between the top two and the rest of the league.

One week ago, six teams sat within that gap.

The idea of Andrei Arshavin moving from Zenit St. Petersburg to Tottenham in the wake of the Robbie Keane sale has reached an explicit stage, with Arshavin’s agent speaking about Spurs specifically.

Dennis Lachter downplayed the idea that a move is close, but he did continue that Spurs continue to talk to Zenit about the Russian Prince.  He confirmed that Zenit maintains a high price for Arshavin (though it has reportedly dropped slightly) and the gap between it and what Tottenham wants to pay remains significant.

The angle of the story that nobody is talking about is Arshavin’s change of heart as it concerns Spurs.  Arshavin had some negotiations earlier this summer with Spurs before his Euro 2008 explosion, after which he seems to indicate Spurs was not a big enough club for him.  But after Barcelona tried to low-ball Zenit and no other top-tier clubs tabled offers, Arshavin’s decided that a move to London an Tottenham is better than stay with Zenit.  At least he gets to move to the Premiership, and there are far worse clubs you could be at than Tottenham.

If Arshavin’s reticence to move to Italy wasn’t such an issue, AS Roma would also be a possibility.  Roma is an elite club, will be playing in the champions league, has players like Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, and is a serious threat for their league’s title.  Rome is a beautiful place and Italy has some appreciation for Russian culture.  Still, Arshavin has been adamant that he does not want to move to the Serie A.

At this point, Zenit can hold out, knowing that Tottenham has played their hand in selling Keane.  Daniel Levy wants everybody to believe that Spurs had no choice but to sell, but it’s unlikely the situation is as simple as “mighty” Liverpool forcing Tottenham’s hand.  Spurs acted too early on a deal that could have done as a handshake until they got Arshavin, David Villa, or Thiago Neves.  Now Zenit, who is willing to lose out on an Arshavin deal for asking too much, can exact their fee from Tottenham.  It’s unlikely with Valencia or Fluminense will be selling their target at a discount.

Quotes

“At this point there is some talks with Tottenham, but nothing complete because of the high fee Zenit want for Andrei.” - Lachter
“The gap is huge between the two clubs as Zenit are looking a lot of money for Andrei.” - Lachter
“Juande Ramos very much wants to sign Andrei as he is his number one target and Daniel Levy is doing everthing to make the deal, but it is difficult to agree a fee with Zenit.” - Lachter
“Andrei has made it known he wants to leave Zenit and the player has made his decision - he would like to go to Tottenham.” - Lachter

Links

Spurs in Arshavin talks
Arshavin itching For Spurs Move - Agent
Arshavin agent cools Tottenham talk
Spurs in talks with Arshavin

Fluminense making the Copa Libertadores final gave them leave on a poor Brasileirao start that has had them in nineteenth place for most of the season.  But with their upset loss to Ecuador’s LDU Quito far behind, new reasons for Fluminense’s relegation battle need be used.  There is no shortage of them, be it general performance, their busy schedule, or the Olympics.  Even considering all the excuses, it remains a paradox that a club on the bring of being crowned best team in South America finds itself in a fight to avoid relegation to Brazil’s Serie B.

In explaining Flu’s problems, it’s best to avoid nuance at the start.  They’re playing poorly, particularly in attack.  Lead striker Washington (pictured, above) is a great story (overcoming serious health problems) and is a veteran presence, but he’s also been wildly in efficient and is not posing much of a threat to opponents despite leading the club with five goals.  Combine this with a dip in domestic form and unavailability of star winger Thiago Neves and you have one of the worst attacks in the league, averaging about one goal per match.

The Neves (right) issue can not be understated.  Last year’s Bola de Ouro winner has played in only five of the team’s fifteen matches, within which he’s scored only one goal.  He and star center back Thiago Silva are in Beijing with the Brazil Olympic team, leaving the embattled Tricolor three more weeks without their two best players.  With little contribution offensively coming beyond their forwards (only four goals from non-strikers), the team is highly reliant on Neves for their offense.

Neves, for his part, seems slightly less motivated than last year’s player who had just returned to Brazil from a failed stint in Japan.  Motivated to reestablish his career and value, Neves had 12 goals in 33 league contests while leading Fluminense to a third place finish.  He put himself on the radar of European clubs with that Bola de Ouro-winning performance and his four goals in two legs Copa final effort.  But that Cope output dwarfs what Neves has been able to contribute for his club, a deficiency that’s reflected in the team’s place in the table.

The attention that Neves has garnered over the last season might have him ready to move on.  You don’t have your name associated with the Arsenals and AS Romas or the world, the Londons and Romes, without looking a little beyond your current club.  The Olympics will be another chance for the winger to capture big European clubs’ imaginations, and though he is not currently slated to start for Brazil, one good substitute’s contribution could be enough to convince a club to table an offer.  If that happens, Fluminense might consider whether their chances of avoiding relegation would improve with the Neves distraction having moved on, his former teammates becoming less reliant on him in the process.

Thiago Silva (right) could also find his way to Europe.  It would be a bad decision at this point, as he is relatively new to his center back position, and although he has the raw talent to play in Europe right now, he would stunt his development if he left now.  There is a level of seasoning that he, as a center back, needs before he jumps the Atlantic and starts trying to read European attacks.  Perhaps he won’t be a center back in Europe (with his atleticism, he can play anywhere on the pitch), but he would be selling himself short if he relegated himself to an unrefined, utility role at this point in his development.

While Flu could get just sort of £10 million for him, the club needs him to hold together their defence, an unexpected positive this season after the back line was picked apart by LDU.  ilva, if he stays through the end of this season, could also make himself a good amount of money through continued improvement in his position, enabling his club to demand a higher fee and him to ask for a better salary.  While Fluminense might want to move Neves and force some of the underperforming attackers to lift the level of their games, Silva is critical to Flu’s recovery from this horrible start.

The Copa Libertadores disappointment seems to have created a hangover that Fluminense has never been able to shake.  Not taking the domestic schedule seriously at the Brasileirso’s onset, their loss to LDU gave them license to continue their uninspired play.  There were signs of life two weeks ago, when Flu garners consecutive victories over Atletico Paranaense and (impressively) Vitoria, that the club ma have turned a corner.  Shortly after Flu lost Neves and Silva to the Olympics, and momentum ceased last week with one point in two matches.  Beijing has given the Tricolor a reason to carry on with their post-Copa malaze.

Neves and Silva will return in late August, at which point Fluminense should still be in a relegation position.  The club will only need a small run to avoid relegation, though their stars will be on the end of a busy season which will have had them play the Libertadores, Olympics and their regular club schedule.  Brazilian football can be a very arduous endeavor for players, some of whom will play eighty matches over a calendar year.  Neves and Silva will be amongst the busiest.

Fluminense is both reliant on their stars and needs other players to step-up.  Argentine Darío Conca (pictured) has only one goal in seven matches.  He’s capable of more, particularly since he takes many of the team’s spots.  Washington needs to be more efficient, as his goal rate belies the number of opportunities he gets.  Dodo (four goals) must continue contributing, and another player from behind the strikers must provide more of a threat.  The back line has been decent, with Flu only allowing 21 goals through the first 15 rounds.  Goals is what the team needs, whether they come from Neves or not.

The Brazilian Serie A finished its fourteen and fifteenth rounds this week with a switch at the top of the table.  Flamengo had gone into the mid-week, Round 14 action with a two point lead over Gremio only to see the Porto Alegre club jump them before the weekend, a surprising result considering Flamengo was matched-up against relegation-battling Portuguesa.  A contest comically filled with penalty kicks and retakes prevented the former league leaders from keeping pace with a victorious Gremio, though kicks would come into play over the weekend to prevent the new league leaders from finding distance between themselves and the Rio-based ‘Mengo.

We go back to last Wednesday, the first day of Round 14 and with league-leading Flamengo going to Portuguesa for what was expected to be three points.  Sitting on 26 points with eight wins in thirteen matches and the strongest attack in the league (averaging two goals per match going into the contest), ‘Mengo matched-up well with the hosts, who sat in a relegation position and had the worst defense in Serie A (allowing over two goals per contest).

But the favorites came out sluggish, showing little attacking flare and playing their opponents as equals.  Their reverence for Portuguesa seemed to disappear with Ronaldo Angelim’s goal in the 34th minute, but the confidence the home team had garnered over the first half hour allowed them to quickly respond, earning a penalty kick five minutes later.

It was a call that gave you the feeling things were not going to go the favorite’s way.  About fifteen meters from goal, Portuguesa striker Diogo (pictured), with a Flamengo defender recovering to get between man and the net, cut to his right and went to the ground under light or no contact.  The referee trailing the play blew the whistle, pointed to the spot, and gave the hosts a quick chance to get back in the game.

Flamengo almost got a reprieve when goaltender Bruno saved Diogo’s kick only to have the line judge arbitrarily decide to enforce a rule that is subtly broken on penalty kick.  Bruno, in the moment before Diogo struck the ball, made a small jump-stop to one foot in front of the line.  As the Flamengo defenders raced to put the saved shot into touch, the linesman stood with raised flag, signaling the foul.  

Yes, Diogo did move off the goal line early, but his error no worse than you see on every penalty kick.  Perhaps there was a mandate around the Brazilian leagues for referees to begin enforcement of the rule, but it was still a surprise to see a rekick given, a sign that this match was not going to go right for ‘Mengo.

When Bruno guessed correctly on the second attempt but still was unable to stop Diogo’s kick, it seemed an appropriate, ironic justice.  The score was tied, as it seemingly was destined to be, and Flamengo would have to assert a more firm control of the match if they were to get their three points.

Again, Flamengo would take a one goal lead but persist in allowing Portuguesa to play even with them.  They never showed the class of a table-leading side, the urgency of a team in for a tight match, or the greed of the league’s leading scorers given a potential big yield against a porous back line.  Flamengo would sit on their one goal lead, and the referees would again make them pay for it.

Two minutes after the break (into which Flamengo carried their one goal lead) Portuguesa received another penalty kick, a situation that carried with it less debate than the first award but a greater feeling of inevitability.  When Diogo converted his second goal of the match on a well-placed shot, the question was whether destiny, which seemed to have given the underdogs their two goals, would also give the hosts three points.

It was a bitter twist when, towards the end of the match, Flamengo was awarded a penalty kick, had it saved, had the lineman call an infraction on the goaltender (same linesman, same call), only have their second kick saved.  A match with three penalties awarded and five kicks taken left Flamengo with only one point, leaving the door open for Gremio to take the league’s lead.

Gremio more than took advantage of the opening.  They put in the performance Flamengo should have.  Matched-up against a respectable Figueirense team that sat firmly in the middle of the table, Gremio posted one of the most impressive victories of the Brasileirao, beating their hosts 7-1 thanks to hat-tricks from Colombian forward Edixon Perea and veteran striker Reinaldo, who scored the last three goals of the contest.

The win gave Gremio a one point lead in the table, an appropriate placing for the side that played with the most confidence during the last week.  Of course any side looks confident when winning by six goals, but even in the weekend’s Round 15, they were able to show a class that distinguishes them from the likes of Flamengo.  With a constant, methodical pressure being applied to their opponents, Gremio is playing the part of current Brasileirao favorites.

That confidence, however, does not always translate into three points, especially when matches are played on puddle-ridden pitches, as was the case for Gremio’s Sunday match at the Olimpico Monumental against sixth-place Palmeiras.  It was a scene reminiscent of some Euro 2008 matches, with each side having to play the ball to a spot and run to it rather than running along side rolling balls.  Anything placed along the ground would stop in a puddle the moment is lost the slightest momentum.  They were conditions that Gremio was quicker to adjust to, with Palmeiras unwilling to switch to a more technical style from the normal play, which relies on their lineup’s athleticism.  Frequently the visitors would be undone by trying to dribble through Gremio or execute through balls destined to die in the water.

Despite playing better, Gremio was undone by penalty kicks in much the same way the previous league leaders had been four days earlier.  After an hour of scoreless play, Palmeiras was awarded a penalty kick which striker Alex Miniero converted.  Gremio’s pressure gave them some justice five minutes later when Palmieras goalie Marcos poorly played a cross, putting a weak punch to a ball the ended up at the feet of waiting defender Anderson Pico, whose first goal of the season was the match’s the tying goal.

Each side would get chances to take the extra two points, but the match would end drawn at one, thanks in large part to the influence of another penalty kick.

The draw left the door open for Flamengo to retake the league lead.  Thankfully, their match with mid-table Botafogo was free of penalty kick story lines.  But Flamengo again played down to the level of their opponents and was held to a scoreless draw, keeping them one point behind Gremio after a match that forces the question of whether ‘Mengo has lost their edge.  Following up a draw to Portuguesa with a goalless effort against Botafogo showed Flamengo needs to dig itself out of its midseason rut if they are to match Gremio’s form.

But being only one point behind with 23 rounds left, ‘Mengo has little to worry about presently, particularly since they only lost two points to Gremio.  But while the two clubs at the top of the table were held to draws over the weekend, the clubs behind them remained bunched.  Cruziero, Sao Paulo, and Vitoria are all within three points of the league lead, with only Cruziero securing a victory in Round 15.  A dangerous Palmeiras club, who left Gremio with a fortunate point, is only one point farther back.

Of the contenders, Gremio holds the best current form and has the best goal differential. The club is getting a good distribution of goals (four players with at least four goals, eleven different goal scorers) and is giving up few chances, leading to the stingiest goals allowed total in the league (12 goals allowed in 15 matches). Most impressive about their form: Gremio is not playing over their heads. They may be in the middle of a good stretch of play, but it is not for any remarkable fortunate or unsustainable high energy level.

Though only one point clear at the top, Gremio came out of Round 15 as the league’s standard.

While they have lost out on Adrian Mutu, AS Roma’s pursuit of a second attacking threat has not ended.  According to coach Luciano Spalletti, the club is looking to sign two more players.  It’s possible each of those players will be attackers as i Giallorossi seeks to replace Mancini and add another complementary piece up front for Francesco Totti.

On name that’s been linked with Rome for the last week is Chelsea’s Florent Malouda.  Malouda has been a disappointment at Stamford Bridge since his move from Ligue 1.  He has not adjusted to the hyperactive pace of the Premiership but may be a better fit in Serie A.  With the France international on the verge of losing out on playing time to Salomon Kalou, Chelsea is seeking to off-load the winger.  Since they don’t want to take a huge loss on the 20 million Euro fee they paid to Lyon, Chelsea may want to keep Malouda (just in case) and loan him out.  Roma would be a very good fit.

Another name being mentioned is Andrei Arshavin.  The Russian and Malouda shouldn’t be viewed as mutually exclusive.  Arshavin would play higher-up, in a partnership with Totti (a partnership with possibilities that should make every football fan excited).  Arshavin is also being mentioned in connection with Tottenham.  Than again, who isn’t?  The Russian Prince has expressed a reticence to the Serie A, but that was back when La Liga and Premiership sides were lining-up for his services.  With Zenit sticking to their asking price of £21.5 million, the suitors have dwindled, and Serie A sides are back in the picture.  Arshavin’s style, however, might not be the best fit for Italy, though he has the talent to improve any club, anywhere.

Real Madrid’s Julio Baptista has also been mentioned, though for a squad like Roma this move makes less sense.  Yes, Baptista could fit in tactically as a second striker, but “The Beast” is three years removed from his last strong season, having failed to make the expected impact at either Real Madrid (where he moved from Sevilla in 2005) or Arsenal (where he spent 2006-07 on loan).  Nobody questions Baptista’s talent, but Roma needs to have a little more certainty in the players they acquire.  These are not chances they’re taking.  They’re looking for contributors, players who will provide them something which will elevate them to a Scudetto and past the Champions League quarters.  There is little to say, from his performance over the last three seasons, that Baptista’s that player.

Then there is Klass-Jan Huntelaar, the Ajax star who has been linked with a move to the Premiership.  Having been named captain at Ajax by new coach Marco van Basten, its seems his club is intent on keeping the striker, who is entering the last year of his contract.  Spalletti hinted at interest in the Dutch international, who profiles as more of a lead striker than the other linked options.  He would play in front of Totti and push the defence.  It’s a role that would serve will for Totti, who is more comfortable and creative playing off a strong number nine.  Whether Roma can swoop for Huntelaar is the question, as both Manchester United and Arsenal are unlikely to let their long-term target quietly slip into Serie A.

The final option being mentioned in Juventus’s Vincenzo Iaquinta, who scored eight goals in 24 league matches for Juventus.  Seemingly stuck behind the Old Lady’s power duo of David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero, Iaquinta was the subject of much speculation earlier this summer.  Since then he has affirmed his desire to stay with the Turin club, and with Juventus returning to Champions League player this year (and the age of the two main guys) Iaquinta will see a decent amount of time.  Because of that, Juventus not needing any other players, and their unwillingness to help a rival unless necessary, Iaquinta seems unlikely to move one season after switching from Udinese to Juve.

The last, lingering option here is Thiago Neves, a name I hesitate to keep bringing up, but Roma has been linked with the Brazilian winger for some time.  They need a left wing.  They need a second striker.  Neves can be either, and he is the one person on this list that is both good and available.  He may also be the cheapest, save Malouda.  Neves would adapt well to the Italian league and benefit from the opportunities players like Totti and Daniele De Rossi can provide him.  Whether Rome is the right place for a player with his backstory would ahve to be a concern.  Neves also carries with him some of the same concerns that would come with Baptista.  Can he contribute immediately, at a high level?  For the price, Neves would be worth the risk, especially considering you would also be able to afford a back-up plan.

The best option amongst these is Arshavin.  He’s the best player, the one option on this list that can steal points by himself.  After that, Neves should be the choice.  Malouda is the best fit tactically, better addresses a need (with Mirko Vucinic still able to play up top) while Huntelaar is the next best player.  Iaquinta is unlikely to be a real option.  Any of these options would improve Roma enough for the 2008-09 season to justify picking them to win the Scudetto.  But seemingly, for depth if nothing else, they need to make some move, even if it’s for Baptista.  If they can get two from this list, all the better.

Quotes

“We will sign a pair of players.” - Spalletti
“Right now we have to look elsewhere but calmly because there’s still time.” - Spalletti
“Baptista? I’ve never said anything about him. Baptista is a good player who has strong characteristics (but) we are strong in central midfield.” - Spalletti
“Huntelaar is a very good player but we will have to see and there will be no panic buys.” - Spalletti
” . . . we have not made a formal bid for [Vincenzo] Iaquinta but we consider him a strong player.” - Spalletti

Links

Roma accept Mutu defeat
Roma To Hunt Klass-Jan?
Spalletti admits defeat

Wanted to give a short update on an item I posted yesteday.  In it, I noted that a couple of blog-type sources had relayed Tottenham’s interest in Brazil-Fluminense star Thiago Neves - the it-boy ever since he scored a hat-trick in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final.  While no major source had reported the bid, I wanted to record the news because there is a lot of interest in Neves.  I said I would follow up.

I took some time to look around this morning, and it does not appear any reliable source is running bid news.  Goal.com picked up the story, which is to say the story exists.  Given that the bidding team is Tottenham and Tottenham has had every player with a pulse linked with a move to White Hart Lane, this Neves rumor doesn’t seem that strong.

Clubs are likely to use next month’s Olympics as a second trial for the 23-year-old winger.  Those in need of a left wing or second striker could jump is the Brazilian has a strong tournament.  Whether he gets much playing time is the question.  If any single player has been hurt by the inclusion of an overage Ronaldinho in the squad, it’s Neves, who would have stood to play in a similar position to the former World Player of the Year.

Neves should still get plenty of playing time, especially in the group stages where he should start at least once again some of the speed bumps.  But in what is becoming a much anticipated match-up between Brazil and Argentina, Neves is unlikely to get the call over Ronaldinho, Jô, or Alexandre Pato.

Links

Spurs eager for a Brazilian