08/07/2025

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Gaucho’s chaos theory Coach turns underdogs Fluminense into Club World Cup challengers B RAZILIAN football’s ultimate showman Renato Portaluppi has transformed Club World Cup underdogs Fluminense from relegation battlers to giant-killers in three months, setting up a blockbuster semifinal with Chelsea tomorrow (3am Malaysian time). that he was “better than Cristiano Ronaldo.” His playing heroics included scoring with his belly one of the most iconic goals in the country’s history – the winner that gave Fluminense the 1995 Rio de Janeiro championship in a breathtaking 3-2 derby victory over Romario’s Flamengo.

SHORTS Gusto backs Blues ‘mental strength’

MALO GUSTO has no doubt Chelsea have the mental strength to win the Club World Cup. “During this competition, our mental strength has been the most important thing,” French defender Gusto said. “That’s why we are in the semifinal, because we’ve shown that on the pitch during all the games that we have had. “We know the weather is tough, the pitch too, and all the teams are very good. There are many things are around the game and we have to deal with it. “That’s why this competition is so hard to play and that’s why we are so happy to get this far. “I think if we can overcome these hurdles we can do anything and that’s why we must believe in ourselves, give our best and see what goes after. We have a chance of the trophy and that’s what we must try to do.” Gusto forced the late winner in the 2 1 quarterfinal triumph over Palmeiras when his cross took two deflections and found its way into the Brazilians’ net. He said: “It’s important to do different things on the pitch. The coach asked me to do that and I tried to help the team as much as I can and I’m so happy to win through these games.” Gunners seal Zubimendi deal ARSENAL have finally confirmed the deal to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The Spain international, 26, moves to the Emirates Stadium on a long term deal after the Gunners reportedly triggered his £51 million (RM296m) release clause. Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid. Zubimendi told the club website: “This is a huge moment in my career. It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. “I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is confident Zubimendi can help reinforce his midfield options, having seen Thomas Partey’s contract expire and Jorginho also leave the club. “Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us,” Arteta said.

became the first Brazilian to adorn his living room with a Libertadores trophy as a player and another as a coach, guiding Gremio to the South American title in 2017 after winning the Brazilian Cup the previous year, and ending a 15-year title drought for his beloved club. A coach since 2000, Portaluppi is an exceptional motivator, which is arguably why he has experienced great success in knockout tournaments but has never claimed the Brazilian league, the big trophy that he has yet to win in his country. Critics say he improvises too much with his tactical schemes and does not put enough thought and study into his football. But Portaluppi has transformed Fluminense with an attacking 4-2-3-1 system and high pressure style that he calls “creating chaos”, which has defined their campaign in the United States. He has Fluminense playing with a grit and determination they will display against Chelsea as they try to continue their improbable Club World Cup run. – Reuters

The charismatic 62-year-old, known as Renato Gaucho, has helped them defy the odds to knock out Champions League runners-up Inter Milan in the last 16 and Al-Hilal in the quarterfinals with his trademark extravagant guidance from the touchline. Portaluppi was one of Brazilian football’s most popular and polarising figures before taking over a Fluminense team that had barely avoided relegation in the Brazilian league last year. Now his standing has grown stronger after guiding one of the tournament’s biggest underdogs this far. The former striker, who scored almost 200 goals in a career spanning two decades, has never been short of confidence or controversy. A textbook egomaniac, Portaluppi once declared

The next morning, he graced the front page of Brazil’s most popular newspaper wearing a crown with a sceptre in one hand and a ball in the other under the headline “King of Rio.”

A decade earlier, he was the hero of his childhood club Gremio, guiding them to their first Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup titles as a young player. From humble beginnings, he bought a house for each of his 11 siblings with the bonus he received. Over 30 years later, Portaluppi

Mexico lifts the trophy after beating the United States to win the Concacaf Gold Cup. – AFPPIC

Poch sees positives from Gold Cup defeat

THE United States came up short in the Concacaf Gold Cup final yesterday with a 2-1 loss to Mexico but will take valuable lessons from the tournament as they build towards next year’s World Cup, coach Mauricio Pochettino said. The US went ahead early in the game in Houston, Texas through Chris Richards’s header but Mexico fought back through Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez to claim a 10th Gold Cup title. Pochettino told reporters that

or you lose a game it’s really, really painful. But the most important thing is to have our head up because I think the tournament was fantastic and we keep going, that is the way we want to build our journey into the World Cup.” The US reached the final despite missing several key players, with Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah controversially opting out while Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tim Weah were unable to play due to Club World Cup obligations. However, Pochettino did not want to discuss the impact the absences had. “I think the roster that we build is the roster that deserved to be here, and I think now is not the point to talk about the player that should be here or not,” he said. – Reuters response before they eventually won with a late own goal. Maresca said: “Even if he was on holiday he looks sharp, he looks good. We gave him some minutes. The reason why he’s here is because we like him and we are sure that he’s going to help us.” The game was also watched by English winger Gittens, whose move from Borussia Dortmund was confirmed on Sunday. Maresca said: “Jamie was here, he was on the pitch. He will be with us probably one or two days more. “Then he will go for a holiday and come back when we’re going to start the new season.” – The Independent

tournament had been excellent preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Mexico and Canada. “It was a massive lesson for us. It was an amazing tournament to realise in the way that we wanted to grow,” he added. “This is the way that I think we are going to find the way to compete better and better, and be very competitive and be in the place that we wanted to be.

“ Wh e n you lose a trophy

while it had been a painful night for his side, the

Pochettino. – AFPPIC

Maresca says unhappy players can leave the Bridge

Ű BY ANDY HAMPSON

“I already struggle to do my job. To be honest, there are things that I don’t pay attention to. “I just pay attention to how to work day by day with the players. How can I improve them? How can I improve the team? And try to win as much as we can.” Maresca was happier to discuss the performance of Pedro, who was brought on for his debut following his £60 million move from Brighton as a second-half substitute against Palmeiras. His entrance was prompted by a stunning equaliser from Estevao, who shone on what proved his final outing for Palmeiras before his switch to London. Pedro played a prominent part in Chelsea’s

the United States. Maresca said: “My message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go.” It is now vital Chelsea sell players to balance the books after they were punished by European governing body UEFA for breaches of financial regulations last week. As well as a basic £26.7 million (RM155m) fine – which could rise to £77.9 million (RM452m) if certain conditions are not met – Chelsea will only be allowed to register newly-signed players for the Champions League if they end the transfer window with a “positive balance”. Maresca did not comment on the matter.

CHELSEA manager Enzo Maresca has told any player unhappy at the club they can leave. It is proving a busy year at Stamford Bridge with recent signings Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr now joined by Jamie Gittens, with Estevao Willian arriving before the new season. The likes of Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell, who are not with the squad at the Club World Cup, are among those who could move on. There has also been speculation about the futures of Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, who have been involved in