River Plate moved into position to claim a third Libertadores Cup title on Wednesday when the Argentine side held Tigres to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the final, giving them the edge going into the home fixture in Buenos Aires next week.
Tigres pushed forward for most of the contest but failed to score at home for the first time in this year’s competition and were left kicking themselves for not building up any kind of lead to take to the southern hemisphere.
“We created opportunities but unfortunately we couldn’t put them away,” Tigres midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios said .
“We can win in Argentina, we have to be attentive and pressure them from the off.”
Mario Gomez makes Besiktas loan switch
Besiktas have completed the loan signing of striker Mario Gomez from Fiorentina.
The Germany international has scored only seven Serie A goals since joining La Viola in July 2013, a situation exacerbated by two separate injuries that resulted in lengthy spells on the sidelines.
But Super Lig club Besiktas have now paid Fiorentina €3.5 million to give the 30-year-old an opportunity to revive his career in Turkey.
A statement published on bjk.com.tr yesterday confirmed the former Bayern Munich player had arrived on a loan deal that could become permanent should Besiktas so desire.
Gestede could be Villa-bound
Aston Villla are in talks with Blackburn over the sale of striker Rudy Gestede.
The forward has been linked with a move to Villa Park and negotiations are ongoing between the clubs, Press Association Sport reported.
The 26-year-old scored 22 goals for Rovers last season as they finished ninth in the Championship and has netted 34 times in 65 games for the club.
Crystal Palace were interested in Gestede in January and he has been continuously linked with a move away from Ewood Park this summer.
Wilkinson signs short Stoke deal
Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson has signed a short-term deal with the club to enable him to recover from a serious head injury.
Wilkinson has not featured for the Potters since sustaining a bang on the head in the FA Cup defeat at Blackburn in February.
A brief club statement read: “Stoke City can confirm that Andy Wilkinson has been given a contract until December 31, 2015 to enable him to regain full fitness with the support of the club’s medical staff after sustaining an injury last season.”
Wilkinson was out of contract and waved an emotional goodbye to fans at the end of last season.
Ibra: Next move will be big surprise
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he will surprise everyone with his next move when he leaves Paris St Germain.
Ibrahimovic has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, but insists he is “very happy” at PSG. As it stands, however, he will leave next summer as he has just one year left on his contract.
“Where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise,” the PSG striker said after scoring in the 2-0 win over Manchester United in Chicago on Thursday.
Ibrahimovic insists he is content with life in the French capital and will not leave this summer.
“I’m very happy at PSG. You don’t see that on the field?” the ex-Barcelona and Inter man said with a smile.
Flamini grateful for Cech “favour”
Mathieu Flamini believes Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has done Arsenal a “good favour” in selling Petr Cech to the Gunners.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper ended a long association with Chelsea to move across London to the Emirates Stadium earlier in the summer.
“I was surprised by Mourinho because he really doesn’t do that,” Flamini was quoted as saying in several national newspapers.
“He (Mourinho) is a competitor and usually doesn’t like to sell any players to his rivals, but it’s a good favour for us and now we have to take advantage.
“It’s a top signing. That’s why we have been lucky on this one.”
Bilic backs Payet to improve squad
Slaven Bilic has backed new recruit Dimitri Payet to “make every player better than they actually are” at West Ham.
Hammers boss Bilic hailed the £11 million summer capture from Marseille as his “number one target” but admitted he will chase two more Upton Park additions.
“It’s still early days but Dimitri it’s not only my opinion but I know so far he’s not only a great player, he’s a great professional, he’s a good lad,” said Bilic.
“He has mixed already.
“He’s the kind of player I thought we really needed, that’s going to make every player better than they actually are.”