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Mid-Day Ticker: Robinho close to City exit, Fire sign Polish defender, and more

RobinhoReuters

By AVI CREDITOR

Wednesday's Carling Cup Manchester derby of a semifinal was supposed to be focused on Carlos Tevez and the ongoing feud with his former team.

It appears that Tevez will be sharing the spotlight with Robinho.

According to an ESPN Soccernet report, Wednesday's second leg may be Robinho's final game with Manchester City before he returns on loan to his former club in Brazil, Santos FC.

The Brazilian forward has made his feelings known that he wants out of England, and he appears close to receiving his wish.

It remains to be seen whether Robinho is in Roberto Mancini's 18 against Manchester United, though Robinho did score for City in the team's 4-2 FA Cup win over Scunthorpe on Sunday.

City took the first leg of the Carling Cup semifinal at Eastlands 2-1, and will be aiming for a spot in the final against Aston Villa.

Also happening this Wednesday:

FIRE SIGN POLISH LEFT BACK

The Chicago Fire are set to announce the signing of Polish defender Kryzsztof Krol, a move that fills the void left behind by Cyprus-bound Gonzalo Segares.

Krol, 22, is on loan from Jagiellonia Bialystok and formerly played for the Real Madrid reserves. He is in the midst of a three-year deal with Jagiellonia Bialystok that was signed in July, 2008.

Krol is the second international player brought in by the Fire this offseason after the signing of El Salvador midfielder Julio Martinez last week.

COPA LIBERTADORES UPDATE

The first two qualifiers of the 51st Copa Libertadores kicked off Tuesday, with Colon de Santa Fe edging Universidad Catolica 3-2 in Argentina, and Deportivo Tachira blanking Libertad 1-0.

Goals from Federico Nieto, Esteban Fuertes and Facundo Bertoglio were enough for Colon to overcome a brace from Juan Morales and take a slight edge into the second leg.

Armando Maita's 30th minute goal was enough for Venezuelan hosts Tachira to hold off Libertad.

Three more qualifiers kick off Wednesday, with Newell's Old Boys facing Emelec (Fox Sports Espanol, 4:30 p.m. EST), Real Potosi squaring off with Cruzeiro (FSE, 6:30 p.m.) and Juan Aurich meeting Estudiantes Tecos (FSE, 9 p.m.).

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What do you make of Robinho's behavior? Do you like Krol as a replacement for Segares? Who are you rooting for in the Copa Libertadores?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. How long are you going to want to play on a reserve team when you have offers from first teams where you would make more money? AND he’s an “almost-been” at age 22???

    Reply
  2. Wow just read that the Red Bulls are getting Oka Nikolov from Eintracht Franfurt to be there new GK. Now the move isnt going to happen until this summer, but what does this mean for Coundoul as keeper. What if the Red Bulls are having a great season and Coundoul is getting the shut outs will Nikolov still be the stater when he gets to NY? I will say though when I seen the article title of Bundesliga keeper going to the MLS, I was really excited, but then was a little disapointed, but hey if the guy helps the team then I am all for the move. Would much rather see Jorg Butt, in a Red Bulls jersey. GO RED BULLS!!

    Reply
  3. krol is not as good as segares but is as good as ward. It is going to be exciting watching pappa and martinez play together in the midfield

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  4. They could still use an established central attacking player with pace to line up beside or just behind McB as well as more depth at CB/RB.

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  5. Right Moves?

    When a 1st response is who is this guy, I dunno if that qualifies as a “right move”.

    Hopefully it will be but when did you see this guy play?

    Reply

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