NEYMAR RESPONDS TO LUGANO CLAIMS

Neymar has strongly refuted claims of diving from Diego Lugano after Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Uruguay on Wednesday.

The Selecao recorded a 2-1 victory over their South American rivals in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup thanks to goals from Fred and Paulinho, either side of an Edinson Cavani strike, to reach the final of the competition for a third consecutive time. 

But the Barcelona forward was unhappy with comments made by Uruguay defender Lugano prior to the game after he claimed that the former Santos player was guilty of diving.

"He who has a mouth speaks what he wants. This will not hurt me. What matters to me most is to help my team-mates and the team win," he told reporters.

The 21-year-old then acknowledged just how close the contest was, with nerves appearing to get the better of Brazil in the early stages of the game in front of an expectant Belo Horizonte crowd.

“It was typical of a semi-final game. We managed to control the game. We knew it would be hard but we got the win and that was the most important thing," he added.

Brazil striker Fred was also in high spirits after his side’s victory and defended Neymar over accusations of simulation.

"The Uruguayans talked a lot before the game, some [Lugano] attacked Neymar. We beat them on the pitch, and that's our answer," he told reporters after the match.

“Criticism? As I always say, I only respond on the pitch, but the crowd today was great with me. It was amazing.”

SCOLARI: BRAZIL'S MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has spoken of his delight at reaching the Confederations Cup final, and claimed that it was the goal of his squad all along.

Diego Forlan missed an early penalty before Fred made it 1-0 to the host nation just before half-time. Edinson Cavani then levelled in the second period, but Paulinho had the final say with a late winner.

“Our mission was to reach the final, and we have done it,” said Scolari.

“We needed to win games like that to learn how to win in the World Cup,” said the Brazil boss.”Our team is very young and this kind of game helps us to grow.”

The Selecao coach could not hide his delight at having reached the final on Sunday, and was full of superlatives for his players for their effort.

“This is an amazing feeling. I'm so happy, I can't say more. I'm proud of all my players with no exception."

Scolari went on to discuss the impact that the home fans had on the match, and claimed that the bond between the players and the supporters ultimately carried the team to victory.

“The players did it for the fans and overcame adversity.”

His words were echoed by man-of-the-match Julio Cesar, who saved a Forlan penalty kick in the first half to keep his nation in the match.

“I am so happy and proud,” said the QPR goalkeeper. “The way the fans received us was incredible and gave us extra.”

Brazil now move on to the final which takes place at the Maracana on Sunday evening, and will face the victors of the semi-final between Spain and Italy on Thursday evening.

TABAREZ RUES PENALTY MISS

Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez rued Diego Forlan's penalty miss after their 2-1 Confederations Cup semi-final defeat to Brazil on Wednesday.

The Copa America champions were awarded a penalty just 14 minutes in when David Luiz pulled down Diego Lugano in the area, offering the underdogs an opportunity to take advantage of a very nervy start from the hosts.

However, Forlan's spot kick was saved by Julio Cesar and although Uruguay looked set to force extra time, with Edinson Cavani cancelling out Fred's opener, they ultimately succumbed to an 86th-minute header from Paulinho.

"I don’t like to talk about ifs and buts, but what I can say is that when we missed that penalty we gave Brazil the shot in the arm they’d been lacking up to that point," Tabarez told Fifa.com. "You just have to accept results, though, and we accept this defeat.

"That said, we could have taken the game into extra time and we even had chances to win it.

"I’m going away a proud man, though, because I know that if we can play like that, we can give anyone a game."

Uruguay will now meet the loser of Thursday night's clash between Spain and Italy in the play-off for third place in Salvador on Sunday afternoon.

DIEGO CAPEL KEEN ON ATLETICO MADRID

Sporting winger Diego Capel has admitted his interest in a summer move to Atletico Madrid.

The 25-year-old joined the Portuguese giants in 2011 after spending the previous seven years with Sevilla, but has been linked with a return to Spain with Diego Simeone's men.

Leoes endured a disappointing 2012/13 Primeira Liga campaign, in which they finished in a lowly seventh position, and with rumours gathering over the 25-year-old's future, Capel has done little to dampen speculation.

"It always makes you proud when you are linked to such great clubs as Atletico," Capel told AS.

"I always want to continue growing and that is a great club. Now I do not know what will happen in the future, but any player would like to play there."

Last season Capel made 19 appearances for Sporting, scoring six goals in the process. He has been capped twice by Spain.

PEREZ: MADRID HAVE SIGNED ISCO

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has claimed his club have reached an agreement to sign Malaga midfielder Isco, in a deal reported to be worth €27m.

Manchester City have gone head to head with the Spanish giants in the race to sign the Spain Under-21 star this summer and after the tide appeared to have turned in Real Madrid's favour in recent days, confirmation of a move to Madrid now appears to have come from Perez.
"The club and the player have reached an agreement," announced Perez, in statements to Spanish National Radio and reported in AS.

"Isco is one of the great players of Spain and the club's technical staff believe he has the quality to play for Madrid. I know he is enthusiastic to come here, just as I am enthusiastic about him coming."
The report goes on to suggest the transfer will be concluded once Isco has completed his medical, with Real Madrid hoping to unveil the player at a press conference early next week.
The news comes as a blow to new Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who believed he was in pole position to bring Isco to the Etihad Stadium after he enjoyed a successful relationship with him during his time at Malaga.
Yet it seems that the lure of one of Spain's most attractive clubs proved too much for Isco to resist, as he has been assured he will be a central part of new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti's plans.
The move was also welcomed by Madrid right-back Alvaro Arbeloa who, speaking from Spain's Confederations Cup camp in Brazil, said: "I am very happy with his arrival. He is a great player, young and he will bring a lot to us in the 'creation zone'. Real Madrid always must have different options so that absences do not affect the performance of the team."
Speaking to reporters at the Bernabeu earlier on Wednesday, new Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had claimed not to have taken any part in Madrid’s transfer planning prior to signing for the club, but had still made public his admiration for Isco.
“I can just talk about the quality of this player, he is very good,” Ancelotti said. “Spain’s Under-21 side has fantastic players and he is the one with the most quality of all. He could play for any team.”
Isco's arrival may have some knock-on affects on the rest of Madrid's transfer business this summer. Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, reportedly a €25 million target for Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United - may now be surplus to requirements.
Perez's main target this summer remains Gareth Bale however, with an €80 million plus offer reportedly still in the works at the Bernabeu.

CASILLAS: MOURINHO MADE ME CRY

Iker Casillas has revealed that his treatment at the hands of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho reduced him to tears.

The Spain international was ostracised during the second half of last season, and forced to spent five months sitting on the bench after losing his place to Diego Lopez through injury.

The demotion of a club icon such as Casillas to the role of the reserve caused great consternation in the Spanish capital and the legendary goalkeeper freely admits that the situation affected him deeply.

"I've cried," Casillas admitted in an interview with Fifa.com, "I've suffered, I've been unwell, I've had sleepless nights."

Casillas admitted that so upset was he by the situation that he considered leaving the club he has represented for the entirety of his professional career before Mourinho eventually departed for Chelsea.

"I'm a 'Madridista' right down to my soul and above all else, what matters to me is the club," he explained.

"I would love to retire at Real Madrid, but I will not make problems if a coach does not have me."

Casillas has retained his No.1 spot for Spain in the Confederations Cup this summer despite his lack of playing time for his club, and he confesses it has been a relief to be playing again.

"I have regained happiness," he enthused. "It was not easy but I'm another Iker Casillas now.

"After five months, it takes some time until everything comes back to you, but, luckily, I have had a great deal of help of my team-mates and coach [Vicente del Bosque] and that's important when it comes to having to start over again."

MIDDLESBROUGH LOAN VARGA

Hungarian international Jozsef Varga insists he is fully focused on winning a permanent move to Middlesbrough.

The 25-year-old has become Tony Mowbary's first signing of the summer, arriving on a season-long loan from Debrecen.
Now Varga, who finished last season on-loan at relegated Bundesliga outfit Greuther Furth, is looking to make his move to England a permanent one.

"I arrived to England on Sunday night and passed the compulsory medical on Monday morning. The place was familiar for me, I was here a couple of weeks ago when we had a longer conversation with the manager," said Varga.
"It is flattering as Middlesbrough are a famous and big club and they signed me on Tony Mowbray's wish. The manager looked around in more countries and was looking for a player for this position and said I was his main target.
"It's also attracted me that the club's aim is to win promotion. I hope I'll have more luck in England because I had bad fortune in my short spell in Germany. But I don't look back, I'm motivated by the fact that I'd be playing in a country which is a target for all footballers.
"I've one year to prove my abilities in the Championship and, of course, I'd like Middlesbrough to sign me for a longer period."
Mowbray added: "He's a player who's been on our radar for a while.
"He's versatile, very mobile and athletic. He can break up attacks and tackle but I wouldn't want to pigeonhole him as a defensive midfield player because his athleticism allows him to get into the opposition box as well.
"He's here to see how he can adapt to the English game. He has certain aspects of his game that we're going to have to try to fine-tune but we're looking forward to working with him.
"He's a player with a fully-committed approach who I'm sure our fans will enjoy watching. He's seems a very focussed young man and we're looking forward to starting work with him."
Mowbray has confirmed that Cameroon international defender Andre Bikey has now left the club as Boro confirmed they would not be taking up their option on him.
"We did have an option but we didn't pick it up so he's free to go and talk to other clubs and we're looking at other options," he said.

HANNOVER CONFIDENT OF CAPTURING ARSENAL'S DJOUROU

Hannover 96 general manager Dirk Dufner says that positive talks have been held with Arsenal defender Johan Djourou over a possible return to the Bundesliga side.

The 26-year old spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Hannover, but he is currently set to return to Arsene Wenger's side in time for pre-season, despite interest from Hamburg too.

Djourou still has another two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, although Dufner is hopeful of securing his return to Germany.
"We are in touch with Arsenal FC and we feel talks with the clubs have been put on the right track. We are confident. The lad will now need to make a decision," he explained to BILD.
"He needs to say where the road will lead him next. He knows what Hannover 96 is about and we definitely did the best we could. I hope this will be enough to see him decide for us."
Hamburg general manager Oliver Kreuzer had previously boasted that Hamburg would be a better option for Djourou, saying: "HSV is HSV, and we are just a better club," but Dufner was keen to avoid becoming involved in a row.
"We are trying to sign a player. We are not out to belittle a competitor," he said.

TEVEZ: I REJECTED AC MILAN FOR JUVENTUS

Carlos Tevez arrived in Italy and expressed his delight to be joining Juventus, also revealing he had snubbed AC Milan.

The Manchester City striker is in Turin ahead of completing a £10million move to Juventus.

The 29-year-old was linked with a host of clubs including AC, who he says he decided against joining.
"I'm really happy to be here at Juve", Tevez told Sky Sport Italia.
"It's a really big satisfaction for me. I will tell the rest in the press conference - but Juventus wanted me more than Milan."
Tevez, who is reported to have been handed their famed number 10 shirt, is set to be confirmed as a Juve player on Thursday.

WERDER BREMEN SIGN ITALY U21 CAPTAIN

Italy's Under-21 captain Luca Caldirola has signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen from Inter Milan, the north German team confirmed.

The 22-year-old centre-back, has been brought in to replace Greek defender Sokratis, who recently joined Borussia Dortmund.

"Luca is a very interesting player, despite his young age he has plenty of experience and has shown his leadership qualities at his previous clubs," said Thomas Eichin, Bremen's Director of Sport. "He has good technique, a good eye and is creative in an open game."

Caldirola's Italy U-21 side finished second to Spain in the recent UEFA European Championships and his deal to Bremen is worth around €2.5m ($3.25m USD, £2.1m) having spent last season on loan at Brescia.