More June transfers

We'll start our latest transfer update in Serie A where Inter have wrapped up the signing of Diego Milito, a move long mooted, on a four year contract. As part of this deal, Italian U-21 striker Robert Acquafresca moves to Genoa, a slightly disappointing move by Massimo Moratti as it only adds ammunition to those who say Inter have no interest in developing young native talent. Acquafresca has impressed in two seasons at Cagliari and should prove a decent replacement for Milito, who scored 24 goals for the Grifone last season on his return to Genoa. His former team-mate, Thiago Motta, could yet follow him to the San Siro. Cagliari have moved to replace Acquafresca by signing Brazilian striker Nenê for €4.5m, who was the top scorer in the Portuguese league last season in his debut campaign with Nacional.

Elsewhere in Italy, Roma have completed the permanent signing of full-back Marco Motta from Udinese for €7m, and Bosko Jankovic, who had an eye catching season on loan at Genoa from Palermo, has made his move permanent. Olof Mellberg has ended his brief stay with Juventus after a moderately disappointing campaign by moving to Olympiakos for €2.5m, while AC Milan have sent their exciting young Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on loan to Lille. Promoted Bari have signed veteran striker Antonio Langella from Udinese.

In Spain, Espanyol are continuing to ring the changes in their squad, capturing Israeli striker Ben Sahar and Celtic's Japanese midfielder Shunshuke Nakamura, who in my opinion is a follower of the Ian Harte school of football; rubbish, except for free kicks. Regardless, they appear determined to erase memories of last season's close shave. Ernesto Valverde is another manager transforming his squad, with the news this week that Nihat Kaveci has moved to Besiktas for €4.5m. Nihat, who for so long has been the lynchpin of the yellow submarine, will leave a big whole in their squad. Also deemed surplus to requirements was the mercurial Chilean playmaker Matias Fernandez, who has moved to Sporting Lisbon also for €4.5m. Also moving to Portuguese giants is Javier Saviola, who is moving from the Real Madrid bench to the Benfica bench.

Malaga have seen one of their stars move on, with Portuguese winger Eliseu transfer to Lazio while Mallorca fans will have been met by the rather unpleasant surprise of seeing their star player, the Venezuelan Juan Arango, captured by Borussia Mönchengladbach. Valencia have signed Almeria defender Bruno on a free transfer, and promoted Real Zaragoza have pounced on Deportivo's precarious finances by signing the impressive Angel Lafita for €3m. In managerial news, Racing Santander have replaced Juan Ramon Muniz with Juan Carlos Mandiá, a former Real Madrid Castilla trainer who led Hercules to 4th in the Segunda last season. Muniz has returned to Malaga after Antonio Tapia left for his next 'project' - relegated Real Betis. Finally, in Portugal, Benfica have replaced the unsuccessful (and fired) Quique Sanchez Flores (or 'Spanish Phil Brown' as I like to call him) with former Sporting Braga coach Jorge Jesus.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 8

São Paulo 2-0 Náutico
Barueri 4-2 Atlético Mineiro
Atlético Paranaense 1-0 Corinthians
Cruzeiro 1-0 Avaí
Botafogo 1-4 Goiás
Fluminense 0-0 Flamengo
Sport Recife 3-1 Grêmio
Vitória 4-1 Santo André
Internacional 3-0 Coritiba
Palmeiras 1-1 Santos

São Paulo finally got their season back on track with victory over Náutico. Second half goals from Jean Rolt and Hernanes enough to give the champions their second win of the season. A shock in Barueri as the promoted side handed league leaders Atlético-MG their first defeat of the season to climb to fourth in the table. Thiago Humberto and Fernandinho put the home side two up before two strike in 4 second half minutes from Diego Tardelli saw the league leaders level things. The home side though went back ahead with a second from Humberto with 6 minutes left and Marco Pimentel wrapped things up a minute later. Atlético-PR continue their climb from the foot of the table after a goal from Paulo Baier saw them overcome Corinthians. Cruzeiro continued their good form with a single goal, courtesy of Ze Carlos from the spot, to defeat Avaí to lift them to ninth. Botafogo slumped to the bottom of the table after being crushed 4-1 at home by Goiás. Felipe Menezes put Goiás ahead before Victor Simões levelled things. Felipe put Goiás ahead just before half time before Rafael Toloi and Iarley wrapped things up in the second half.

In front of a disappointing 44,500 crowd the big Rio derby between Fluminense and Flamengo ended scoreless. Adriano apologised for missing chances to give Flamengo the win, saying: "Both teams had opportunities to score, but failed. It happens sometimes. We should not say the result is bad for us." Sport moved off the bottom of the table after they beat 10-man Grêmio, with one eye on this weeks Libertadores game, 3-1 at the Ilha do Retiro. Fabiano, Elder Granja and Fumagalli scored for Emerson Leao's side, while Jonas levelled the scores momentarily before he was shown red a red card. Vitória remain third after a comfortable 4-1 win over Santo André. Elkeson put Vitória ahead just after half time and Uelliton and Roger extended the lead. Moraes bagged a consolation for Santo André before Roger completed the scoring from the spot in the last minute. Internacional joined Atlético-MG on 17 points at the top of the table after a 3-0 over Coritiba, a hat-trick from Luis Bolanos giving Inter all three points to end Coritiba's two game winning streak. It was derby day in São Paulo as well as Palmeiras and Santos met at the Palestra Itália. Obina put the home side ahead after half an hour but Robson rescued a point for the visitors 9 minutes from time.



Meanwhile in South Africa La Seleção were crowned victors of the FIFA Confederations Cup after a come from behind win over the US and A in Johannesburg. Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan put the US two up inside half an hour. A Luís Fabiano brace levelled things up before Lúcio grabbed the winner 6 minutes from time. It now means La Seleção will have to overcome a hoodoo that has never seen the Confederation Cup winners return the year after and lift the big prize.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A This weekend

It's quite simply THE biggest game in Brazil. The whole of Rio de Janeiro will come to a stop and 90,000+ people will descend on the Estádio do Maracanã for what is quite simply known as Fla-Flu. 97 years after their first meeting the game on Sunday will be the 369th meeting between the bitterest of rivals and it's Flamengo who hold a 14 game lead over Fluminense with 132 wins to 118 with the other games drawn. Flamengo won the last meeting 1-0 in April during the Campeonato Carioca. Only one point seperates the teams at the moment but there are 5 places between the teams in the table.

Other fixtures for this weekend

Saturday

São Paulo x Náutico
Grêmio Barueri x Atlético Mineiro
Atlético Paranaense x Corinthians
Cruzeiro x Avaí
Botafogo x Goiás

Sunday

Fluminense x Flamengo
Sport Recife x Grêmio
Vitória x Santo André
Internacional x Coritiba
Palmeiras x Santos

Copa Libertadores Semi Final 1st Leg

Cruzeiro 3-1 Grêmio
Estudiantes 1-0 Nacional

After withstanding some early pressure at the Mineirão, Cruzeiro took a decisive 2 goal lead into the second leg next week. Wellington Paulista put the hosts ahead 7 minutes before half time and Wagner's deflected strike 2 minutes into the second half doubled the advantage. Fabinho was left totally unmarked to head in on 67 minutes and this looked to have put the tie safe but Grêmio didn't give up and got what could be a vital away goal 11 minutes from time when Souza curled home a free kick from 25 yards out. It gives Grêmio a fighting chance in next week's second leg.

Meanwhile in La Plata, Estudiantes will take a narrow one goal lead back over the River Plate for the second leg after Diego Galván's stike after 14 minutes gave them a 1-0 victory over Nacional. It's all to play for in Montevideo as a final berth awaits.

The second legs take place next week.

Recopa Sudamericana 1st Leg

Internacional 0-1 LDU Quito

As the semi finals of the Copa Libertadores take place, the 2009 Recopa Sudamericana is also taking place at the moment. This game is the equivalent of the UEFA Super Cup but rather than a one off game it takes place over two legs with the Libertadores winners getting home advantage in the second leg.

This year's final sees 2008 Libertadores winners LDU Quito take on Copa Sudamericana winners Internacional. The first leg was played in Porto Alegre on Wednesday and it was LDU Quito who grabbed a 1-0 lead to take back to Ecuador next week, Claudio Bieler scoring at the second attempt after 57 minutes. Internacional will be without Bolívar for the second leg after he was sent off with 18 minutes to go.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 7

Vitória 4-3 Botafogo
Atlético Paranaense 2-2 Palmeiras
Santo André 2-1 Sport Recife
Grêmio 2-2 Goiás
Náutico 0-1 Coritiba
Avaí 3-2 Fluminense
Santos 2-3 Atlético Mineiro
Cruzeiro 2-4 Barueri
Flamengo 4-0 Internacional
Corinthians 3-1 São Paulo

A 7 goal thriller to open the weekend, Vitória were two up inside 20 minutes thanks to Roger's two strikes. Juninho's free kick pulled one back for the visitors before Adriano extended the lead again. Batista pulled another one back before half time before Victor Simões levelled things 18 minutes from time. Vitória though secured the points with a last minute winner through Apodi as he headed home. Even more excitement at the Arena da Baixada as Atlético-PR threw away 2 points against troubled Palmeiras. Rafael Santos put the home side ahead with a header before an horrendous mistake from Atlético keeper Vinícius allowed Obina to equalise. Marcihno looked to have got Atlético all three points before Keirrison's strike deep in injury time back in the city where he made his name saved a point for the Verdão. Sport plunged further into trouble after allowing Santo André a come from behind victory. Hugo put Sport ahead in the 22nd minute but Elvis levelled before half time. It looked like both teams were going to get a point but Marcel snatched the win for Santo André with the last action of the game. Another late goal at the Monumental saw Grêmio snatch a point against Goiás. Felipe put the visitors ahead before Tcheco levelled form the spot. Felipe Menezes put Goiás ahead again before Maxi López levelled. Coritiba continued their improvement with a victory at Náutico. Marcos Aurélio with the only goal of the game with 63 minutes on the clock. And in the last game on Satuday Avaí hauled themselves from the bottom of the table with a valuable victory over Fluminense. The hosts were 2 up inside 15 minutes through Miriqui and Marquinhos. Fred's two in two minutes levelled things up before Leo Gago snatched the points for Avaí with an amazing 30 yarder deep in injury time.

Flamengo bounced back from their stuffing at Coritiba by handing Internacional their first defeat at the season. Adriano showed a return to form by collecting a hat-trick and Emerson finished things off. Atlético Mineiro took over at the top after a 3-2 win at Santos. Despite falling a goal behind 3 goals in 15 minutes from Diego Tardelli, Evandro and Carlos Alberto put them 3-1 ahead. Léo made things interesting by pulling one back 2 minutes from time before he was dismissed in injury time. Cruzeiro again got a Libertadores hangover as Barueri picked up their second win of the season. The teams went in level at 2-2 at half time before Marcio Careca put Barueri ahead and a second from Pedrão sealed things. And it was derby day in São Paulo as the champions fell to their second defeat of the season at Corinthians. Cristian, Chicão and Jucilei put the home side 3-0 up before Richarlyson got scant consolation for São Paulo ten minutes from time.

In the FIFA Confedertaions Cup La Seleção recorded a 3-0 victory over world champions Italy. Two goals from Luis Fabiano put La Seleção 2-0 up before and own goal form Andrea Dossena wrapped things up before half time. This means La Seleção will take on hosts South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday.

And finally a Vasco de Gama update. They were held to a 0-0 draw at home over the weekend and currently lie 5th in Série B, 7 points behind leaders Guarani Campinas.

Copa Libertadores Quarter Final 2nd Legs

Nacional 0-0 Palmeiras
Nacional 2−2 Palmeiras on points. Nacional and Palmeiras tied on goal difference and goals scored. Nacional advances on away goals.
Grêmio 0-0 Caracas FC
Grêmio 2−2 Caracas on points. Grêmio and Caracas tied on goal difference and goals scored. Grêmio advances on away goals.
Estudiantes 1-0 Defensor Sporting
Estudiantes win 6-0 on points
São Paulo 0-2 Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro win 6-0 on points

Palmeiras were the big casualties in the last 8 as they were dumped out of the competition by Nacional in Montevideo on Wednesday night. No goals at the Centenario was enough to see the hosts through on away goals. It leds to Palmeiras fans setting up a petition for the removal of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo. In Porto Alegre, Grêmio overcame the challenge of surprise package Caracas to reach the semi finals. Again no goals in the game and Grêmio advanced courtesy of the Fábio Santos first leg strike.

Estudiantes remained the only Argentinian side in the competition after seeing off Defensor Sporting in La Plata. After winning the first game in Montevideo a 13th minute strike from Luis Benítez saw them claim victory and progession into the semi finals. Meanwhile São Paulo's recent run of poor form continued as they were dispatched from the competition by Cruzeiro. São Paulo didn't help themselves by having Eduardo Costa sent off before half time and then André Dias dismissed 10 minutes before time. Henrique put Cruzeiro ahead with a 30 yarder before Kléber wrapped things up from the spot 9 minutes before time.

Under the rules of the competition now, the two Brazilian clubs left in the competition must now meet at the semi final stage and Grêmio being the number one ranked team after the qualifiers will travel to Cruzeiro in the first leg and in the other semi final it's a battle of the River Plate as Estudiantes will travel to Nacional in the first leg.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 6

Sport Recife 0-1 Atlético Paranaense
São Paulo 1-1 Santo André
Botafogo 2-0 Santos
Goiás 0-0 Corinthians
Coritiba 5-0 Flamengo
Fluminense 0-0 Grêmio
Atlético Mineiro 3-0 Náutico
Barueri 3-1 Avaí
Palmeiras 3-1 Cruzeiro
Internacional 0-0 Vitória

Funny old weekend in the 6th rodanda of the Série A down in Brazil. The bottom two both won and there has also been a change at both the top and bottom of the table of the table.

First of all on Saturday Atlético Paranaense hoisted themselves off the foot of the table with a 1-0 win at Sport. Rafael Santos left completely unmarked to head home with winner with 16 minutes left. São Paulo stay in mid table after a late equaliser from Borges gave the Champions a 1-1 home draw with Santo André. Botafogo picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over inform Santos. They left it late though, Batista with the first goal with 7 minutes to go before Laio made the points safe three minutes later.

On Sunday Goiás and Corinthians finished goalless as they side picked up their fourth and second draws of the season respectively. After being dumped onto the bottom of the table on Saturday, Coritiba responded in style to record an impressive 5-0 win over Flamengo despite finishing the game with 9 players. Nahuelpan and Felipe were dismissed for the home side while Airton saw red for the visitors. Coritiba went in 2-0 up at half time before Bruno Batata led the way in the second half with a brace. Fluminense and Grêmio finished goaless at the Maracanã as Douglas Costa was sent off for the visitors. Atlético Minieiro climbed to the top of the table with a 3-0 victory over Náutico, despite having Thiago Feltri sent off after only 9 minutes Junior put Atlético ahead 4 minutes later. Náutico then had Vágner Silva and Derley sent off within 7 minutes of each other before Diego Tardelli and Marcio Araujo made the game safe. After taking the lead at Barueri through Marquinhos, Avaí fell to a 3-1 defeat and also dropped to the bottom of the table as Barueri picked up their first win of the season. Bernardo put Cruzeiro ahead at the Palestra Italia against Palmeiras but the hosts recovered to win 3-1. Keirrison with a brace for the home side. And finally Internacional lost their place at the top of the table after they were held to a goalless draw at home by Vitória.

The only downside to the weekend, the discipline as 9 red cards were issued.

Summer transfer news

A few player movements in Italy and Spain to update you on

AC Milan have wasted very little time splashing some of the cash from the Kaka deal by signing French left-back Aly Cissokho from FC Porto. The 21-year-old had a hugely impressive season with the Portuguese champions and caught the eye in particular in the Champions League clash with Manchester United. The rossoneri have splashed out €15m on him, subject to a medical. They're getting a young, quick and exciting player who has big shoes to fill in the left-back slot.

Elsewhere in Italy, Fabio Quagliarella has moved from Udinese to Napoli on a five year deal. Roberto Donandoni's side become the 26-year-old's 7th club, just two years after he moved north from Sampdoria in search of European football. He won't be getting any in Naples, his home city but there's no doubt Donadoni has recruited a striker of proven pedigree. Udinese have also bid farewell to Finish midfielder Roman Eremenko, who has joined Dynamo Kyiv. Veteran Argentinian striker Julio Cruz has been released by Inter, who rather bizarrely have extended the contract of bonkers Marco Materazzi until 2012.

Across the Med, of course the big story is Real Madrid's spending spree, but there's also some interesting signings affecting other clubs. Deportivo La Coruna are set to rebuild their squad, after the departure of one of their finest players, Joan Verdu, left for Espanyol. Antonio Barragan, who some might remember as one of Rafael Benitez's many unsuccessful Hispanic signings, has also left the Riazor and has signed for Valladolid. Alvaro Negredo has moved back to Real Madrid after El Real excercised their buy-back clause in his contract, while Valencia's first signing of the summer is Toulouse's left-back Jeremy Mathieu. Espanyol have also signed on loan promising Venezuelan right-back Pablo Camacho.

Kaka joins Real Madrid

Kaka has completed his £56m move to Real Madrid from AC Milan, signing a six-year contract, marking Florentino Perez's first player signing since taking over as President last month.

This is a huge signing for El Real, a real marquee player and proven international superstar. It harks back, of course, to Perez's previous tenure of Galacticos but it says more about the state of Italian football. Serie A has lost arguably its best player and most marketable asset, a player without whom, as this season proved, AC Milan struggle. Ronaldinho is fat and past it, and as such is no replacement. It marks what many knew already - the official seperation of Serie A from the top echelon now occupied solely by La Liga and the Premiership. If Zlatan Ibrahimovic leaves Inter, which is being rumoured, the gap could widen.

AC Milan could yet find themselves more troubled in the transfer market as Chelsea make eyes at their other Brazilian genius, Alexandre Pato. Personally I think Pato would be mad to join, mainly because Chelsea are a basket case club who will sack Ancelotti within the year, but also because he is clearly not ready for the physicality of the premiership. If Pato does go, however, it leaves the AC Milan squad looking decidedly thin and ever more ageing, with the likes of Inzaghi, Shevchenko, Seedorf, Gattuso and Ambrosini still the heartbeat of the team.

Serie A clubs, with the possible exception of Inter, can no longer compete either on or off the pitch with their Spanish and English counterparts. We can put this down in part to more lucrative TV deals elsewhere, some eccentric team ownership, the fact that many Italian clubs do not own their own stadia, and the worsening image of Italian football and crowds in the media. It seems a long way off that Italy will solve these issues, despite a new TV deal being forthcoming.