Russo takes over as manager of San Lorenzo

Argentinian giants San Lorenzo have appointed Miguel Angel Russo as their new coach.
The 52-year-old arrives at the Buenos Aires side to succeed Ramon Diaz, who resigned two weeks ago following the team's exit from the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals.
Russo, who won South America's biggest club tournament in 2007 with Boca Juniors, insists he is ready to take on the pressure that comes with such an important role.
'San Lorenzo are giants with big objectives,' he told TyC Sports television network.
'San Lorenzo´s people are as demanding as River (Plate) or Boca fans.
'For everybody the Copa Libertadores is very important. We think about winning and I know what it feels like as I have already won the Copa with Boca.'
Russo also reached the FIFA Club World Cup final with Boca in 2007, but they lost 4-2to AC Milan. He also won the 2005 Clausura with Velez Sarsfield.
(espnsoccernet)

Diaz Walks Out On San Lorenzo

Ramon Diaz has left his position as coach of San Lorenzo two games earlier than expected after announcing his decision to the squad on Tuesday.

Diaz announced last week that he intended to leave the club at the end of the Argentine Clausura, but following their 3-2 defeat to Olimpo Bahia Blanca at the weekend, he has decided to cut off his ties with the club with two games still left to play.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that all was not well behind the scenes at the Nuevo Gasometro, with Diaz and club president Rafael Savino failing to see eye-to-eye over a number of prevalent issues within the club.

Diaz arrived at training on Tuesday as normal, but did not change into his coaching gear and instead hosted a short meeting with the players in which he told them of his intention to depart with immediate effect.

"Ramon Diaz told me that today would be his last at the club," San Lorenzo general manager Jorge Berrio told TyC Sports.

"He met with all the players and then left... I will now speak with Savino to see who will take control of training in the next few days, and we will begin our search for a new coach."

Youth team coach Fernando Berón was the man decided upon by Savino to take charge for the final two games of the season, while former Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo is thought to be the front-runner for the permanent position
Nick Dorrington

D'Alessandro: Pekerman Comes, I Go

San Lorenzo playmaker Andres D'Alessandro has made it clear that he will request a move away from the Nuevo Gasometro should Jose Pekerman be chosen to replace the outgoing Ramon Diaz as coach

Diaz will leave the club at the end of the Clausura having failed to lead the team to glory in the Copa Libertadores, with a number of high-profile coaches being lined up as potential replacements.

Miguel Angel Russo, America Gallego and Leonardo Astrada have all been mentioned in connection with the position, but there is one particular candidate that D'Alessandro doesn't see eye-to-eye with, namely former national team coach Jose Pekerman.

Pekerman omitted D'Alessandro from the Argentina squad for the 2006 World Cup and it seems that there is still bad blood between the two, even a couple of years on.

"If Pekerman comes, I am going to have to leave. If I stayed I doubt that we could work together," he told Radio La Red.

D'Alessandro also spoke on the other names that have been linked with the vacancy and seemed happier at the prospects of one of the other three taking charge.

"Gallego is a phenomenon; I must admit that I do not know Russo; Astrada was a team-mate of mine at River and appears to be highly thought of as a coach," he affirmed.

Nick Dorrington (goal.com)

Ramon Diaz will quit as San Lorenzo coach next month

San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz will quit the job when the Argentine season ends next month.

The announcement from the coach on Wednesday came amid local media reports the 1982 World Cup forward had fallen out with key players (Orion, A. Gonzalez, Romeo, Hirsig and Mendez), who are angry at the presence of his sons Michael and Emiliano in the squad.

Local media also reported there was an argument over bonus money on the eve of last week's Libertadores Cup quarter-final second leg clash against Ecuador's LDU, which added to the bad feeling between the coach and some players.

Despite the problems, San Lorenzo are third in the Argentine Clausura championship, three points behind leading pair Estudiantes and River Plate with three games each to play.

"They have given me all the chances and possibilities to work," Diaz, 48, told a news conference. "It's the right moment, we have a great team, a great institution and a great public.

"We are fighting for the title. Because of this, I will lead the team in the three matches which remain and then I'm off."

In the Third Position

San Lorenzo climbed up to third position, after coming from behind to defeat Colon de Santa Fe 2-1 in Buenos Aires. Ruben Ramirez put Colon ahead in the 8th minute. but midfielder Aureliano Torres, who missed in the penalty shootout against LDU on Thursday, scored twice to help beat Colon 2-1 and to stay in touch with the leaders.

Ruben Ramirez headed Colon in front in the eighth minute before Torres replied with a long-range drive six minutes before halftime.

The Paraguayan international put Thursday's trauma behind him when he stepped up to convert a penalty four minutes after halftime following a foul on Juan Menseguez.

San Lorenzo are three points behind Estudiantes and River.

Liga Universitaria Quito 1 (5) - San Lorenzo 1 (3)

LDU held off a typically stubborn San Lorenzo to advance to the semi-finals of the Libertadores Cup on Thursday, edging out their 10-man Argentine opponents in a penalty shootout after the second leg ended 1-1.
LDU became the first Ecuadorean side to reach the last four of the region's most prestigious club tournament since 1998 when they won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
However, their passage to the semi-finals was made all the more difficult by a battling performance from their opponents.
Trailing 1-0 and reduced to 10 men after half an hour in Quito, San Lorenzo fought back to force a draw, but their gallant fightback ended in disappointment when Aureliano Torres's penalty in the shootout was saved by Jose Cevallos.
Midfielder Damian Manso put LDU ahead in the 27th minute with a dipping 30-metre shot which flew through the hands of San Lorenzo goalkeeper Agustin Orion.
Three minutes later, the visitors had Juan Manuel Torres red-carded for what appeared to be nothing more than a shoulder charge.
STUNNING FIGHTBACKS
Despite the setback, and the difficulties of playing at 2,800 metres above sea level, forward Gonzalo Bergessio equalised with a header from a corner three minutes after halftime.
San Lorenzo, in their centenary year, had been desperate to win the tournament for the first time and their campaign was marked by a series of stunning fightbacks.
In the group stage, they came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Real Potosi at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level.
In the previous round, they also hit back from 2-0 down, this time with nine men, to draw 2-2 with River Plate and win 4-3 on aggregate. (Herald Tribune)

High Dignity

Today more than ever, we are proud of what our players have done. They showed they've the nerves, category and heart needed to wear our Glorious jersey. It was not possible this time, but we fought until the last penalty, against the 3000 metres of high and against a Mexican referee that showed a completely ridiculous red card to Torres in the middle of the first half. I want to propose a toast to our players, to Ramon and his helpers, and to the greatest supporters in the world. Just a BIG THANKS.

Just a draw against our everlasting sons

Ramon Diaz was sent off for throwing an object back into the crowd during his team's 0-0 draw at Huracan in the Argentine championship on Sunday.

The object narrowly missed Diaz when it was thrown at him by a supporter and he picked it up and threw it back.

"They threw things at me for the whole game," he told a news conference after the game. "It was a reaction, and I apologise."

San Lorenzo's players were also pelted with objects when they went to take corners.

A stormy match produced red cards for San Lorenzo's Andres D'Alessandro and Huracan's Hugo Barrientos for fighting in the 85th minute.

San Lorenzo, fourth in the Clausura championship, fell five points behind leaders Estudiantes with four matches each to play

Bauza Hails Important Result

The Ecuadorian side continued their increasingly impressive run of results in the competition with Thursday's draw in Argentina and Bauza was pleased with the way his team equipped themselves at both ends of the pitch.

"We maintained our usual game, created chances to win the match and didn't panic when San Lorenzo upped their tempo and mounted a siege on our goal in the second half," he told reporters after the match.

"It was logical that San Lorenzo would give everything to score in the final minutes. We prevented them from doing that from the beginning and actually looked like the home team ourselves early on."

The away goal scored by Claudio Bieler on Thursday puts Quito in the driving seat ahead of the return leg in Ecuador, but Bauza knows that the tie is far from won.

"For us it is an important result, but it is not definitive. We have the advantage going into the home game, but nothing is settled yet. We will have to be fully concentrated next week in Quito," he concluded.
(goal.com)

Ramon Diaz: We Deserved More

San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz felt his team should have taken the victory after they were held to a 1-1 draw by LDU Quito in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter final.

The result puts San Lorenzo onto the back foot going into the second leg in Ecuador, but having already shown themselves capable of rising to the occasion in vital matches away from home, Diaz is confident that they can progress to the last four.

"We can do it in the return. We did it before against Real Potosí, and also against River and now we can do it for a third time," he told reporters after the match.

Quito dominated San Lorenzo was some skillful attacking play during much of the first half on Thursday, but Diaz felt that his team had their opponents under control and deserved more having bombarded the Quito goal during the second half.

"We deserved a little more. The one thing that I observed from this match is that we were too desperate at certain moments in the game. The performance of LDU did not surprise me and I believe that we controlled them well. We just needed a bit of luck to win the game at the end," he explained.

"It is clear that I wasn't happy with the players or the supporters in the first half. In the second we reacted with a good attitude and created chances to win the match."

San Lorenzo goalkeeper Agustin Orion practically gifted Quito their goal with a terrible error, but Diaz didn't want to hinge the blame for the draw on his keeper.

"He is a good goalkeeper and everyone commits errors at some point," he concluded.
(goal.com)

Liga de Quito Hold Desperate San Lorenzo

Liga de Quito defended for long periods of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal against San Lorenzo, but were able to pick up a valuable 1-1 draw that puts them in the driving seat for the return leg next week in Quito, Ecuador. Meanwhile, Club America recorded a vital 2-0 victory over Santos in Mexico City.

Liga de Quito, who eliminated Estudiantes de La Plata in the previous round, pushed to the attack early on, and dominated their opponents, with skilful attacking football.

San Lorenzo looked nervous, and although they tried to inflict pressure on the Ecuadoreans they were not in good form.

In the 13th minute San Lorenzo almost went ahead, but a Gonzalo Bergessio effort came off the right post.

Moments later Claudio Bieler should have scored for Liga, but the Argentine shot awfully wide when he was sent through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Andres D'Alessandro almost put the Argentines ahead in the 24th minute, but his powerful free kick was well saved by Liga goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos.

Liga looked strong in the midfield, but were restricted to long distance efforts, that never troubled Agustin Orion.

In the 36th minute Orion tried to control a back pass with some juggling, but he lost control of the ball and Bieler lobbed the ball into the back of the net.

Three minutes later San Lorenzo captain Adrian Gonzalez drew the Argentines level when he curled in a brilliant free kick to the delight of the strong 40,000 crowd.

After the break San Lorenzo dominated their opponents, but didn't attack with any authority, while Liga looked to swift counterattacks.

Liga, who have participated in the Copa Libertadores thirteen times, almost went ahead in the 57th minute, but they had a goal bound effort cleared off the line by a San Lorenzo defender.

From then on San Lorenzo pushed forward in large numbers, but although they piled heavy pressure on their opponents they just couldn't break through a very well disciplined defense.

Minutes later Luis Bolanos sped down the left flank but his powerful effort hit the side netting. It was a further sign that the nine-time Ecuadorean champions were looking for a victory.

But Ramon Diaz's side responded with two good long distance efforts, the second being an outstanding drive from D'Alessandro that flashed inches wide of the right post.

Seconds later the usually reliable Andres Silvera was clear on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat, but he shot weakly.

Liga, who defended for practically the entire second half, held onto a vital 1-1 draw, that puts them in the driving seat for the return leg in Quito.
(goal.com)

Saints Turn Net Towards Romero

Unable to lure Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo la Coruna, San Lorenzo boss Ramon Diaz is now courting Morelia defender Mauricio Romero.

The Copa Libertadores quarterfinalists are suffering from a backline shortage, and are desperate to pull the trigger on a deal.

"I am very happy as it not something I had even imagined would happen," Romreo told La Radio Red. "There was a chance to go to Lanus if they had qualified for this round, but never I thought about San Lorenzo."

"I am ready to play," he declared. "It is an opportunity that really attracts me."
(soccer365.com)

San Lorenzo Seeks Reinforcements

San Lorenzo are searching out possible additions to their squad as they look to maintain their challenge for domestic and Copa Libertadores glory.

El Ciclon are just three points off the top of the Argentine Clausura with five games remaining and face the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter final tie with L.D.U Quito on Thursday of this week.

Recent injuries and suspensions have begun to stretch Ramon Diaz's squad, with the latest injury to Sebastián Méndez prompting the club into an active search for a short-term replacement for the central defender.

Their primary target is Deportivo defender Fabricio Coloccini, who is a life-long supporter of San Lorenzo and tasted Argentine Clausura success with the club during his loan spell from Boca Juniors in 2001.

The club is keen to secure Coloccini's services on a temporary loan arrangement until the end of the Libertadores, but the defender doesn't believe that such a deal is likely to come off.

"It is almost impossible... I have three years of contract and I do not believe they will loan me out," he told TyC Sports.

Outside of defensive targets, San Lorenzo are also looking to add a little extra depth to their attacking options and have identified Rosario Central winger Kily Gonzalez as a financially viable option.

However, with Rosario currently fighting off relegation, it is unlikely that Kily will leave the team at which he started his career, with the player's agent Marcelo Lombilla confirming as much when he spoke to Radio la Red.

"Kily was happy to hear of San Lorenzo's interest... if Central were not battling against relegation then the situation would have been completely different," he affirmed.

(goal.com)

Nine-Man San Lorenzo Eliminate River In Thriller

San Lorenzo, who played with nine-men for much of the match, came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with River Plate, a result that sent them through to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. While Santos also sealed their spot in the quarters with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cucuta Deportivo in Colombia.

San Lorenzo, who came into the match with a 2-1 advantage after the first leg result, started the better of the two teams, and tried to catch River by surprise.

But Diego Simeone's side came more into the match as the half progressed, and should have gone ahead when Sebastian Abreu found the back of the net from close range. But the Uruguayans legitimate effort was ruled out for offside.

Two minutes later River went in front when a Matias Abelairas free kick fooled both the San Lorenzo defense and Agustin Orion as it crept in.

From then on both sides created good opportunities, with Andres D'Alessandro being San Lorenzo's main danger man, while Abreu was River's liveliest player.

The intensity of the match continued right throughout the half, as both sides played some very attractive football that was greatly appreciated by the strong 65,000 crowd. Diego Rivero's dismissal didn't seem to affect San Lorenzo.

After the break both sides tested each other, but San Lorenzo's chances of winning the tie decreased when Dario Bottinelli elbowed a River player inside of the box and was ejected in the process.

Abreu stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, firing the ball into the centre of the net. It was the strikers seventh goal of the competition.

Minutes later San Lorenzo could have pulled a goal back, but missed out on an opportunity when Juan Pablo Carrizo spilled a free kick.

In the 70th minute San Lorenzo were rewarded for their efforts, when Gonzalo Bergessio blasted the ball past Carrizo after a brilliantly worked attacking move.

Three minutes later Bergessio put San Lorenzo level when he met a corner kick with a sensational diving header.

River now needed two goals to advance and pushed everyone forward. In the 81st minute Mauro Rosales hit the left post from close range after a goal mouth scramble. Minutes later he saw a header flash wide.

San Lorenzo held on and will meet Liga de Quito of Ecuador in the quarterfinals. The first leg of the tie will be played in Buenos Aires next week.
(goal.com)

Copa Libertadores: Nine-man San Lorenzo overwhelms River

San Lorenzo came from two goals behind and two men down to pull off a stunning victory over its Argentine rival River Plate and reach the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores in Buenos Aires.

Brazil's Santos also progressed to the last eight on Thursday, eliminating Cucuta of Colombia, 2-0, to complete the quarterfinals lineup with three Brazilian clubs, two each from Argentina and Mexico and one from Ecuador.

San Lorenzo won the first leg against River, 2-1, but appeared to be down and out when it trailed 2-0 midway through the second half and had been reduced to nine men after two expulsions.

Winger Matias Abelairas put River ahead on the night and on the away-goals rule when he scored with a 12th-minute free kick.

San Lorenzo's hopes sank further when Diego Rivero was shown a red card just before halftime, and when Jonathan Botinellis was sent off for a foul. Sebastien Abreu converted the resultant penalty in the 61st minute.

But the striker Gonzalo Bergessio drove home a powerful left-foot shot in the 69th minute to level the aggregate score and four minutes later his glancing header from a corner made it 2-2, with San Lorenzo up 4-3 on aggregate. (international herald tribune)

Ramón “Hurt” By San Lorenzo Defeat

This is what Gregory Sica have written in goal.com:

Ramon Diaz, the manager of Argentine champions San Lorenzo, admitted he is “hurt” by his team’s last minute defeat against Newell’s Old Boys on Sunday.

“The defeat hurts, but this has just started. We have to keep on working hard and the players are all motivated by this, that’s why things will work out”, Diaz told the press.

The “Ciclon” dominated the match during large periods, but although they promised a lot in the attack, they were ineffective.

Despite the 1-0 defeat their popular manager was “happy with the team's showing”, but affirmed that they “have players that can play much better”.

San Lorenzo, who won the Clausura championship in emphatic fashion last season, displayed the potential to win back to back titles against a difficult Newell’s side.

But as Diaz said, “the start of the season is the same for everyone, it is very complicated”.

Newell’s, who are always difficult at home, won the three points after a long distance drive from Leonel Vangioni deflected off a defender and ended up in the back of the net.

“In a highly disputed match, they [Newell’s] were able to take advantage of a crucial moment in the match”, Diaz concluded.

A Greek Gentleman

Michael Paterakis, reporter of www.goal.com, has recently offered his apologies to "The Glorious" for having omitted mentioning "San Lorenzo" in his report about Ledesma, and instead, having only stated that Ledesma had played in River Plate (see our post in the blog "This is how a Greek "journalists" talked about Ledesma"). With his reply, Michael has shown to be a honest, self-critical and flexible person, a true Greek Gentleman. We appreciate that very much, and we will keep each other posted. He will inform us about Ledesma's performance straight from Greece and we will keep him informed about our beloved San Lorenzo. ;-) Welcome Michael to "The Glorious"!

Argentine League begins tomorrow and San Lorenzo is ready for the show!

This is the way Gregory Sicca, from www.si.com, reflects on San Lorenzo's current situation:

"When San Lorenzo won its first Argentine title since 2001 last season, it demonstrated all the qualities of a true champion. Not only did the team play an attractive style of soccer, but it also showed the necessary temperament to defeat difficult opponents.

In the '07 Apertura Championship, San Lorenzo will do its best to reproduce last season's outstanding form, although it will be without two key players in Ezequiel Lavezzi and Cristian Ledesma, who left for Europe. But the reigning champions are still favorites to defend their title after replacing them.

Even so, with the level of quality likely to be on display in the championship this season, San Lorenzo must be at its all-time best in order to overcome tricky rivals like Boca Juniors, Estudiantes de La Plata and River Plate.

These clubs have also suffered similar losses, but have all cashed in thanks to their sales and should be as strong as ever. Argentine soccer is accustomed to the ongoing exodus of its best players, and although it often affects the better teams in the league, it helps bring in a large percentage of their cash flow.

It also helps even out the competition, as has been the case in the last few years. Many different teams are starting to break the Boca Juniors-River Plate monopoly, and several smaller clubs are beginning to rise to prominence. Teams like Arsenal de Sarandí and Lanús are now consistently challenging for the honors, and this is likely to continue this season.

The '07 Apertura, which begins on Friday, guarantees high-quality soccer and promises to be one of the most evenly matched competitions of the last few years.

Most significant signings
Of all the title candidates, San Lorenzo reinforced the best after cashing in on Lavezzi's $8 million transfer to Italy's Napoli. The defending champs beat Boca to midfielders Juan Manuel Torres (Racing) and Daniel Bilos (Saint-Étienne).

Bilos, who had won two championships with Boca before moving to France, will add strength to San Lorenzo's midfield with his 6-foot-4 frame. But San Lorenzo's biggest signing is Bernardo Romeo, who returns to the club from Spain's Osasuna. Romeo played a leading role in San Lorenzo's '01 Apertura and Copa Mercosur titles."

Romeo heads back to San Lorenzo

Osasuna have agreed a deal for their striker Bernardo Romeo with San Lorenzo of Almagro.

The move will see Romeo return to his home country for a second spell with his beloved San Lorenzo.

San Lorenzo president Rafael Savino announced the agreement, saying: "I have reached an agreement with the officials of Osasuna for bringing back Romeo to San Lorenzo.

"There has been a total understanding with Osasuna. We had to resolve the fact that Romeo was under contract for one more year at Osasuna and fortunately we have been able to do that.

"Next Tuesday we will be signing the contract and that night Romeo will be travelling to Buenos Aires."

Romeo was top scorer in the Argentine top flight with San Lorenzo in 2001, when San Lorenzo got the Argentine Championship. During his three years in the Bundesliga he scored 35 goals in 77 league appearances.

The 29-year-old striker then spent a less successful spell in Spain, first at Real Mallorca and then Osasuna, and he says he would welcome a return to Argentina to link up with coach Ramon Diaz.

Romeo said: "I was hoping for an understanding between both clubs because I am very tempted with the project that Ramon Diaz has for San Lorenzo for the next year, to play the Copa Libertadores."

"I came to Osasuna a few days ago after being on holiday in Argentina because I had to present myself at the club for the pre-season work. But I am very thankful because the officials of Osasuna understood that it's important for me to return to San Lorenzo."

Bilos Awaiting San Lorenzo Deal

The agent of Argentine midfielder Daniel Bilos told the press that the negotiations for the player to join the Argentine giants San Lorenzo next season are “difficult”, but he is still optimistic about its chances.

Hugo Issa, the agent who represents the midfielder, admitted that there are differences between both parties for the player to join the Argentine champions, but affirmed that the negotiations “will be resolved”.

What is delaying the transfer is that French club Saint Etienne, who are the owners of the player, “are making things difficult”, because they are asking for more money before loaning out the player to San Lorenzo.

At the moment Bilos, who stands at 1.94 meters, finds himself in Buenos Aires waiting for both clubs to come to an agreement over his future.

According to Issa the midfielder “wants to play for San Lorenzo”, but has left himself open to offers from other clubs.

“They have called us from lots of places, from Boca, Independiente. But the team that is most interested in acquiring the player’s services is San Lorenzo”, he said.

Issa is happy about the interest shown for Bilos by San Lorenzo manager Ramon Diaz, and concluded “for Ramon to want him is something to be very proud about”.

Source: www.goal.com