Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 45 Kaka showing flashes of the old magic

MILAN: He may not quite have the Fortunately, it has not worked out er fine effort when he curled the ball in June but since then, things have not explosive acceleration of old, yet Kaka that way at all. Despite being thrown into onto the roof of the net from a difficult gone so well for Scolari who has seen a showed against Atletico Madrid that the a team in transition and a club in disar- angle. There was another vintage number of attacking players suffer injury old magic is still there and he could play ray, Kaka has scored six goals and pro- moment on the hour when he collected problems. a role for Brazil at the World Cup if select- duced five assists in all competitions for a pass around 30 meters from goal, drift- Neither the player nor Brazil have ed. The former World Player of the Year’s Milan, who are Italy’s only survivors in ed effortlessly between two defenders ruled out a last-minute recall, even performance on Wednesday suggested the Champions League. If it were not for and toe-poked the ball just wide from though he was again overlooked for next that Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibault outside the penalty area. So far, it has month’s friendly against South Africa. has not picked Kaka for a year, could give Courtois’s fingertips, television stations not been enough to impress Scolari, “I’m doing my utmost to make sure I him a place in the squad, even if he is not worldwide would have spent yesterday who has not selected him since the don’t miss this event,” Kaka said on a regular starter. replaying a goal every bit as stunning as friendlies against Italy and Russia in Monday. “We’ll see if I’m on the list in When Kaka returned to AC Milan in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s effort against Bayer March last year. May.” “We consider all players, some August after four unhappy years at Real Leverkusen. In the 15th minute, Kaka Somewhat strangely, Scolari suggest- more than others,” Scolari told reporters Madrid, it was seen as something of a spun onto Adel Taarabt’s pass in the cor- ed that Kaka had not done enough in Brazil on Wednesday, adding that he gamble by Milan and an attempt to win ner of the penalty area and curled a left- defensive work against the Russians. would not be pressured. “Everyone lob- back fans who have seen a succession of foot shot towards the top corner which “Kaka’s performance was what we bies for one player or the other.” But with big names leave the club in the last two Courtouis tipped onto the bar. expected, but the most important that I Brazil likely to face massed defenses in years. A thigh sprain in his very first wanted him to do was to come back and most games, having Kaka around on the match added to the feeling that the 31- Vintage moments mark the Russian number eight, who bench could prove an invaluable option year-old, plagued by a variety of nagging Playing just behind striker Mario was dictating the rhythm of the game,” for Scolari, both for his experience, injuries during his time at Real Madrid, Balotelli, Kaka always looked capable of Scolari said after the game. Brazil moment of inspiration and ability to would spend most of his time in Milan’s unlocking an uncompromising Atletico seemed to have little need for Kaka carve out chances in the tightest of cor- already crowded treatment room. defense and was close again with anoth- when they won the Confederations Cup ners.— Reuters

Crisis club Fulham seek fresh start with Magath LONDON: Fulham will look to put a week of off-field drama behind them and focus on their bid to avoid relegation when they travel to fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion in the tomorrow (1500 GMT). The west London club are bottom with 20 points, four off safety, and on Friday appointed German as their third manager this season following the dismissals of Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen. The club confirmed this week that assistant coach and technical director Alan Curbishley had been let go just weeks after they were appointed, while first team coaches Mick Priest and Jonathan Hill also joined the exodus of back- room staff from Craven Cottage. Fulham, ever-present in the Premier League since 2001, have picked up one point from their last six matches and have brought in Magath in the hope that the noted disciplinarian can arrest their slump. “We’re going to get the full German experience from him and I definitely think he’ll help us achieve our goal of staying in the Premier League,” and fellow German Lewis Holtby said. Record signing Kostas Mitroglou could be in line for his debut after arriving from Greek champions Olympiakos Piraeus lacking match fitness. West Brom are outside the rele- gation zone on goal difference and, despite a creditable 1-1 draw with leaders Chelsea last time out, are without a win MILAN: Atletico Madrid’s Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (right) makes a bicycle kick during the Champions under new manager Pepe Mel. League match between AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, on February 19, 2014.— AFP Manchester City will be licking their wounds from Tuesday’s Champions League defeat by Barcelona when they host Stoke City tomorrow (1500), their final outing before they Barca, Atletico on a high meet Sunderland in the League Cup final on March 2. After picking up one point from their last two matches against Chelsea and Norwich, Manchester City will be desperate to after European success rekindle their title charge. They are in third spot with 54 points, three off Chelsea and two behind Arsenal. MADRID: Barcelona and Atletico Madrid giants are a declining force, while Atletico’s but what we all want is to go as far as we wobbled in recent weeks but will be brim- gritty win in Milan was further evidence can.” One reason Barca appear to be back Stoke confident ming with confidence when they return to they are genuine challengers for domestic on track is the form of their Argentina for- Stoke striker John Guidetti is unable to play as he is on loan La Liga action this weekend after rousing and European silverware. ward Lionel Messi since he returned at the from City but is confident his new team can cause an upset performances in the Champions League. Barca suffered a surprise La Liga reverse start of January after a two-month injury against his parent club. “The manager () has lots Barca, who won 2-0 at English Premier at home to Valencia at the start of the layoff. The four-times World Player of the of experience, having played and scored many goals in this League side Manchester City and Atletico, month and Atletico took over at the top Year has netted 11 times this calendar year, league, and he’s coached a lot in this league too so he knows who beat Italian club AC Milan 1-0 at the before they stumbled at Almeria and the including six in his last four appearances, how to get a result in these sort of games,” he told the club San Siro, are tied on 60 points with Real champions returned to the summit on goal and has 25 in all competitions. website (www.stokecityfc.com). Sunderland, who are battling Madrid at the top of Spain’s domestic difference. They thrashed Rayo Vallecano Real also look to be in fine form as the for top-flight survival despite their cup form - which has also league with 14 matches remaining. 6-0 at the Nou Camp last weekend and season enters a critical phase. Carlo seen them reach the FA Cup quarter-finals - could move out of Real have to wait until next Wednesday Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said the Ancelotti’s side have gone 25 matches the relegation zone with a point against Arsenal tomorrow before they play their Champions League win at City had left the squad in a “very without tasting defeat, equaling their sec- (1500). Chelsea will look to hold their advantage at the top last 16, first leg at side Schalke positive” frame of mind. “We won the ball ond-best run from the 1996-97 campaign when they host Everton (1245), themselves in need of victory 04 and coach Carlo Ancelotti could rest a back very quickly and the way the game when Ancelotti’s Italian compatriot Fabio to close the gap to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. “We lost number of key performers for tomorrow’s turned out was very good for us,” Valdes, Capello was in charge. Their record is 34 the last game in the FA Cup and we don’t want to lose two in visit of promoted Elche (1500 GMT). Barca who has rejected a contract extension and games unbeaten from 1988-89. a row. That would be bad,” striker Demba Ba told the club’s play at Real Sociedad, who are sixth and is set to leave at the end of the season, told Tomorrow’s match against Elche is the last website (www.chelseafc.com), referring to tomorrow’s 2-0 targeting a European qualification berth, reporters. one La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo defeat at Manchester City. “We are just going to do everything tomorrow (1900) and Atletico travel to “Barca is a rival you can never discount,” will miss before completing a three-match tomorrow because it’s important to get back to winning ways, Pamplona to take on Osasuna on Sunday added the 32-year-old. “There has been a suspension handed down after his dis- it’s important for the title race and it’s important for our confi- (2000). Barca’s performance in Manchester lot of talk about whether we are pressing missal in the 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on dence.” — Reuters helped refute any suggestions the Catalan our opponents in the same way as before Feb 2.— Reuters