2011 Copa America Final: Uruguay vs Paraguay Match Preview

It may not have been the final that was widely anticipated, but it was natural that after knocking out hosts Argentina and Brazil respectively, Uruguay and Paraguay find themselves in the 2011 Copa America final, hosted in the famous El Monumental stadium, home to fallen giants River Plate. On level terms with Argentina with regard to Copa America honours, Uruguay now has the chance to lead alone.

Against Venezuela, Oscar Tabarez’s side dominated much of the proceedings, eventually toppling their adversaries by two goals signed by Luis Suarez, a player the coach greatly boasted in his post-match declaration: “He is an elite player in world football. We talked about having more presence up top. That is how we got the first goal. [Diego] Forlan and Suarez appeared. After that, Peru kept attacking, but we had it under control."

Uruguay might be slight favourites, but a team that has knocked out Brazil certainly will not run and hide. Uruguay will have to be extra careful not to leave gaps at the back for the Paraguayan attack however, as Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez could potentially shoot down the Uruguayans’ dreams.

Emotions were high in the air at the Estadio Alvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, as a goalless draw after ninety minutes meant that Paraguay were on their way to their second consecutive penalty shoot-out. Luckily for La Albirroja, they managed to tackle Venezuela, booking their place in the final stage for the first time since 1979, back when they won their second and last Copa America accolade.

The Paraguayan team managed to hold its own against Venezuela, with goalkeeper Justo Villar proving to be the hero once again as he denied several Venezuelan attempts, notably a solid effort from Jose Salomon Rondon. The new Estudiantes goalkeeper was again the penalty-kick hero as he denied Franklin Lucena from the spot. Should he continue on the same path, then there is a good chance that the Player of the Tournament award is his.

Paraguay might have had their luck so far, but they will have to be at their best should they want to dispatch Uruguay, whose forward Luis Suarez cannot certainly be counted out. Diego Forlan will be dangerous too as he looks to kick-start his tournament following torrid times.

RECENT FORM

Uruguay:

Uruguay 1-0 Mexico (12/07; Copa America)

Argentina 1-1 Uruguay; 5-4 pens to Uruguay (16/07; Copa America)

Peru 0-2 Uruguay (19/07; Copa America)

Paraguay:

Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela (13/07; Copa America)

Brazil 0-0 Paraguay; 2-0 pens to Paraguay (17/07; Copa America)

Paraguay 0-0 Venezuela; 5-3 pens to Paraguay (20/07; Copa America)

KEY PLAYERS

Uruguay – Luis Suarez: The hero on the night against Venezuela will go up against Paraguay’s keeper in a battle of two of the best players in the tournament so far. Their personal contest does not summarise the match, but it will certainly be expected.

Paraguay – Justo Villar: Paraguay’s man of the tournament will definitely have all eyes watching him as he prepares to guide La Albirroja to their first major trophy in 32 years. While questions have surfaced over his abilities at 34 years old, Villar has hit back at his detractors with fine displays.

PREDICTION

Uruguay is favourites going into this match, but at such a stage, anything can happen. Paraguay has shown that they can compete with any team so far, but could ultimately fall against Tabarez and his side. Expect Uruguay to lift the title at the end.

Barcelona Agree To Sell Forward Bojan To Roma

Barcelona have agreed to sell Bojan Krkic to Serie A side AS Roma for 12 million euros ($17.3 million) in an unusual deal that includes a commitment to buy the Spain under-21 forward back in two years.

The Spanish and European champions will repurchase Bojan at the end of the 2012-13 season for 13 million euros unless Roma decide they want to keep him, the La Liga club said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat) on Friday.

In that case, the Italian club will have to pay another 28 million, Barca said.

"The buyback clause can be blocked by AS Roma but in that case the total cost of the transfer would be 40 million euros," they added.

The structure of the deal reflects Barca's desire to keep their options open when it comes to holding on to promising players who have come through the club's famed youth academy but are not getting much playing time with the first team.

The 20-year-old Bojan, who said at an emotional farewell news conference he was unhappy with the way coach Pep Guardiola had treated him, joined the Catalan club's boys team in the 1999-2000 season.

He made his first-team debut against Osasuna in September 2007 and the following month became the Barca's youngest scorer in La Liga with a goal against Villarreal at the age of 17 years 53 days.

The baby-faced striker has won a host of trophies over the past three seasons but is not one of Guardiola's first-choice forwards and has spent most of the time on the bench behind Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro in the pecking order.

He will join up with former Barca and Spain midfielder Luis Enrique, who has moved to the Italian capital to take charge of Roma after a successful season coaching Barca's B team.

At a news conference attended by team captains Carles Puyol and Xavi and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, Bojan said he was hoping to rediscover the joy of playing.

"As a fan and club member I believe Pep is the best coach Barca could have," he said.

"But as a player there are things I do not agree with and which I felt very bad about."

He added that not playing in Barca's Champions League final victory over Manchester United in London in May had been painful, particularly as he was also left out for the 2009 final in Rome.

"There was not much confidence shown in me. I wasn't given the continuity needed to show what I can do," he said.

"But I am also aware that I am privileged to have been part of the first team, of a magnificent team that has made Barca into the world's best.

"For that reason I am not leaving with feelings of hurt. I will remember the positives."

Bojan scored 41 goals in 163 appearances for Barca, 26 in the league, nine in the King's Cup, five in the Champions League and one in the Spanish Super Cup.

Melo Moves To Galatasaray On Loan

Felipe Melo, the man cast as the villain when Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals last year, has been loaned from Juventus to Galatasaray, the Serie A club said on Friday.

Juventus said the Turkish club would pay them 1.5 million euros for a one-year loan with an option to buy the 28-year-old for 13 million euros.

His departure came one day after Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, who like Felipe Melo is a tough tackler but is considered more refined than the Brazilian on the ball, confirmed he was joining Juventus.

Prone to yellow and red cards, Felipe Melo became a regular for Brazil under former coach Dunga but many were worried about his tendency to get sent off.

Felipe Melo said before last year's World Cup that he was aware of the danger, yet was still dismissed for stamping on an opponent during the second half of the quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands when he also put through his own goal.

He has not played for Brazil under Dunga's successor Mano Menezes.

Heerenveen Loan For Resek

Slovenian defender Mitja Resek will spend this season on loan at Heerenveen from NK Maribor.

The 20-year-old arrives at the Abe Lenstra stadium after successfully coming through a medical at the Eredivisie side on Tuesday.

His deal at Heerenveen includes the option for the club to buy if he impresses this term.

"He has already spent two weeks with us on a trial basis," the club's technical director, Johan Hansma, told NUSport.

"We were very positive about him then, but it did not appear a deal would be financially viable. He was only for sale, and we felt that would have been an expensive investment."

He added of the Slovenian youth international in AD: "Resek is a talented defender and certainly has the potential to grow and fill the left-back position in our first-team."

González Joins Standard From Valencia

UEFA Champions League hopefuls R. Standard de Liège have completed their fourth signing of the week after acquiring the services of Uruguayan international Ignacio 'Nacho' González from Valencia CF.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder, who started his career at Danubio FC and has been capped 19 times, joins Les Rouches on a two-year deal with an option to stay a further year.

Although González had been on Valencia's books since the summer of 2008, he never made a league appearance for the Spanish Liga side, who loaned him out to Newcastle United FC, Levadiakos FC and Levante UD. He also spent a brief loan spell at AS Monaco FC before moving to Spain.

Belgian Cup winners Standard, who face FC Zürich in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, have already re-enforced their squad by adding Paul-José Mpoku, Karim Belhocine and Yoni Buyens to their number.

Diego Capel Completes Move To Sporting Lisbon From Sevilla

Sevilla have confirmed the transfer of Diego Capel to Sporting Lisbon.

The 23-year-old leaves the Liga outfit after seven years with the first-team where he lifted the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, Uefa Super Cup and two Europa League trophies.

A statement from the Spanish club reads:

"Sevilla FC and Sporting Clube Portugal of Lisbon have reached an agreement for the transfer of Capel and he has signed a five-year contract with the Alvalade entity."

Details of the transfer remain undisclosed, but it is reported that Sporting Lisbon have paid the Spanish side €3.5 million up front, and could add a further €1m if the Portuguese outfit qualify for the Champions League.

Capel played 170 games for Sevilla, 125 of those were in La Liga.

On Thursday Capel said he was very happy to be joining Sporting Lisbon.

Ibrahim Afellay On Tottenham's Radar

Tottenham could be set to take advantage of Barcelona’s mega-deal for Alexis Sanchez by moving for outcast winger Ibrahim Afellay.

The Dutchman is way down the pecking order at the Nou Camp following the arrival of the £23million Chilean forward, who himself isn’t even guaranteed a regular place in the champions' line-up.

Spanish reports are now suggesting the Catalan’s vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu will stop off at White Hart Lane on his whistle-stop tour of London to try and arrange the sale of Afellay.

A Barca delegation is due in the capital to continue discussions with Arsenal over Cesc Fabregas, and also to finalize a deal that will take Spanish youngster Oriol Romeu to Chelsea.

But Spurs, who are desperately searching for new blood, are said to be keen on trying to convince the Champions League winners to part with the 25-year-old Netherlands international.

Afellay arrived at Barca for a cut-price £3.5million from PSV Eindhoven, and despite insisting he’s happy to stay in Spain to fight for his place, may now be tempted by a move to the Premier League following Sanchez’s signing.

Menez Off To Paris SG

Reports from France are claiming that Paris SG could make a successful bid for Roma’s Jeremy Menez.

Le Parisien is today suggesting that the attacking midfielder will return to France at the request of new PSG sporting director Leonardo.

The Ligue 1 outfit is allegedly ready to offer €8.5m for the player who cost Roma €10.5m from Monaco in 2008.

Menez has played in 113 games for the Giallorossi in all competitions, scoring 12 goals in the process.

West Brom In Talks With Birmingham City Over Ben Foster Transfer

Manager Roy Hodgson admits he does not know how far along negotiations are for the goalkeeper, who would replace Scott Carson, but would be pleased with a loan or permanent deal.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper could, according to reports, leave Championship side Birmingham on loan as the Midlands club looks to reduce its wage bill after dropping down from the top flight.

Asked about Foster, who would fill the gap left by Scott Carson, Roy Hodgson told reporters: "I am aware of our interest but I am not aware of how far down the line we are with our negotiations with Birmingham, so I can't make any comments on that.

"But Ben Foster is a goalkeeper who interests us and if we can get him to West Bromwich Albion on loan or on a permanent deal, that would be something we would be very happy about."

Albion are also thought to be interested in former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who is available on a free transfer, and Reading striker Shane Long, with Hodgson previously saying that he had two unnamed "major targets" this summer.

Man United Eye £8m Swoop For Auxerre Star

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to continue splashing the cash this summer with a £8m bid for Auxerre midfielder Delvin Ndinga.

The Manchester United boss has been busy throughout the transfer window, spending in excess of £50m to secure the services of Phil Jones, Ashley Young, and David De Gea.

However, the Scot is not finished in the market just yet and is considering an offer for the powerful Congolese international to bolster his midfield options after Paul Scholes retired and Owen Hargreaves was released.

The 23-year-old is highly-regarded in France and had seemed destined for a summer move to Lyon, however OL have insisted they will not be spending big this summer as the club looks to cut costs.

The midfield enforcer has previously expressed his desire to secure a move to the Premier League and a big-money offer from the English champions would prove difficult to turn down.

Ndinga is contracted with Auxerre until 2014 and would be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of £8million.

Liverpool And Tottenham Fight For Transfer Of Brazil Star

Tottenham and Liverpool have been linked with a surprise move for Fenerbahce left back Andre Santos.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish has long been thought to be searching for a left sided defender, as he was forced to play Glen Johnson there for much of last season, with Marcell Jansen the latest name to be thrown into the mix.

His Spurs counterpart Harry Redknapp has a different concern.

He has a left back in Benoit Assou-Ekotto, but while he combines well with Gareth Bale on the wing, he can be suspect defensively, and gets caught out of position.

Redknapp also wants to prove to wantaway midfielder Luka Modric that Tottenham retain the ambition which led them to competing in the UEFA Champions League, and has promised some strong signings.

"Luka wants to know that we'll be right up there challenging next season and we are working hard to bring in a couple of big signings that may convince him to stick with us. I hope so," said the Spurs boss.

Andre Santos has proven his mettle playing for the Brazil international team during the Copa America, and has been linked with a Barcelona transfer over the course of the summer.

Whichever team he joins, he would certainly strengthen.

Samir Nasri 'Will Sign New Deal Or Go To Manchester City'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has suggested Samir Nasri will either sign a new contract by the end of the month, or be shipped out to Manchester City.

The under pressure Gunners boss is desperately trying to convince the French midfielder to commit his future to the north Londoners, and the 61-year-old admitted the next fortnight will be decisive.

‘[It is] not completely [sorted that Samir will stay] but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks,’ said Wenger.

The Frenchman’s admission that’s it’s not one hundred percent that Nasri will stay suggests that he’s not, as initially implied, willing to let him leave on a free transfer at the end of his current deal next summer.

Wenger then indicated he wants the situations with Nasri and Cesc Fabregas resolved before the start of August, when he hopes to really start new season preparations with a settled squad.

City boss Roberto Mancini has previously stated he hopes to have Nasri at Eastlands by the end of July.

‘As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have,’ he said.

‘The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committed.

‘The position at the moment [with Fabregas] is a ‘no comment’ situation because there is no movement at all.’

The Gunners skipper, Abou Diaby, and Emmanuel Eboue have not traveled with the rest of the side for the friendly against Cologne, as they've failed to recover from injury.

Lucio Set For New Contract

Brazilian defender Lucio is confident he can still win trophies with Inter Milan, as he prepares to sign a contract extension.

Lucio has been linked with a move away from the Giuseppe Meazza this summer, with Spanish outfit Malaga among the clubs keen to acquire the services of the 33-year-old.

But, with just 12 months remaining on his current deal, the centre-back is preparing to commit to a new deal with Inter.

"I am very happy," Lucio told Corriere dello Sport. "Inter is a great club and I feel very happy here.

"I know can still win a lot of trophies with this jersey."

Lucio joined Inter from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2009 and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.