Rivaldo: Rivaldo came off the substitutes’ bench to fire a winner for Sao Paulo which took them up to second in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Saturday. The former Barcelona forward, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, is now 39 but proved his worth to Sao Paulo by grabbing the goal away to Figueirense which sealed a 2-1 win on the hour, having come on at half-time.

Scotland: Scotland’s attacking options for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania have been further depleted after Craig Mackail-Smith pulled out with a back injury. The Brighton striker has returned to his club after not being fit enough for a place on the bench during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic. Kenny Miller is suspended after being booked against the Czechs but manager Craig Levein has not called anyone else up.

Ramirez: Bologna have held on to Gaston Ramirez but reports are rife that Manchester United and City are battling for his signature. The Uruguayan playmaker is determined to leave the Stadio Dall’Ara, claiming he was “held prisoner” at the club. Ramirez is widely expected to push for a transfer again during the January window and, as Bologna are not in Europe, he wouldn’t be cup-tied.

Serie B: Played yesterday – Brescia vs Empoli 2-1; Ascoli vs Vicenza 1-1; Bari vs AlbinoLeffe 2-3; Cittadella vs Padova 1-4; Crotone vs Juve Stabia 0-0; Livorno vs Nocerina 0-2; Modena vs Pescara 3-2; Sapdoria vs Gubbio 6-0; Verona vs Sassuolo 1-0; Torino vs Varese 2-0.