Diego Cavalieri

In Brazil top tier league, a drone was used to troll the opposition as Vasco de Gama and Fluminense clashed.

The Rio de Janeiro derby was paused for a while as a Gama fan flew a drone over the pitch in a heightened case of trolling opposition fans.

This time instead of the more conventional method of using a plan with a banner attached, a drone was employed. The drone was carrying a banner displaying a ‘C’ sign. Vasco de Gama fans cheered on as the drone flew past the pitch as they knew the implication.

The visiting fans were angered by the display due to history. In 1999, Fluminense were relegated to Serie C, the third tier. So the banner was a reminder of their past.

In the game itself, Vasco were 1-0 up but the visitors fought hard to get the equalizer. Both sides scored again to make it 2-2 but former West Ham star Nene added one in injury time to seal victory for Vasco.

The game had many past European stars who returned home to continue their careers like former Liverpool keeper Diego Cavalieri and former Sevilla star Luis Fabiano.

Both sides are outside of the top four after three games in the new season. The drone incident was a major talking point despite the dramatic game between both sides.

Fluminense goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri claimed that the club should have left the game with Liverpool with a much bigger advantage than the 2-0 win.

The two clubs opened theCopa Sudamericana campaign, but it was Fluminense who had the last laugh. The team was able to secure a crucial 2-0 advantage in the first leg with the return leg set to take place in the second week of May. Henrique Dourado opened the scoring in the 24th minute andRicharlison was able to double the advantage of the home team just before half-time. Fluminense were aided by Gonzalo Freitas being sent off in the 50th minute.

This meant that the Brazilian outfit were able to dominate the game on all fronts. Yet, they were unable to find that elusive third goal in the second half.

GoalkeeperCavalieri reckons that the team should have done that little bit more in order to get the third goal, which would have provided a great cushion for the return leg. Fluminense were coming into the match on the back of a good run of form in recent weeks. They were undefeated in the last five matches, although they could only manage three wins in this run.

“We could have made a bigger score. We had plenty of possession, but the goal did not come out. We know that the score could have been more elastic, but we are aware that we also have a good advantage for the next game. The working method is always charging more regardless of the outcome. We want to evolve and seek a performance and improve even more. And that’s why this group is having a good start to the year,” said the former Liverpool goalkeeper. Fluminense start the Brazilian Serie A campaign with a home game against Santos.

Liverpool shot stopper Simon Mignolet claims that his rivalry with competition Loris Karius was not personal.

Mignolet seems to have earned his spot in Liverpool’ starting 11 this term after losing it to Karius last year.

The Belgian has been the one to start the last six Premier League games after a goalkeeping crisis. Mignolet says that the competition is good for the club and was not personal as many might think.

The keeper insists that he can be the number one option for coach Jurgen Klopp but that the success of the club remained supreme.

“There’s only one that can play, unfortunately in our position. In the end you always train for yourself, but it’s also about making sure that the guy who is playing is performing at the highest level. There’s no individual more important than Liverpool Football Club,” Mignolet said.

Both players, like other top sides, are in the battle of supremacy as both want to start games. During Reina’s time as the number one, he was clearly the one for Premier League games and Diego Cavalieri did not have a shot at all. Reina did not get injured so the Brazilian keeper was on the bench for over 100 games till be left on a loan deal. He later returned to Brazil.

Both of the current crop of keepers know the implication of sitting for long without getting regular action, hence the ‘tussle’ to be the first choice.

Karius has made 10 starts this term while Mignolet has one more Premier League appearance over his competition.

Mignolet moved to Anfield in 2013 from Sunderland and seems to be well seated to continue as number one going into the rest of the season where Liverpool remain favourites for titles.

Rafael Benitez maintained his sterling record against Leeds United when Newcastle visited the side in the English Championship recently.

Dwight Gayle got the goals in the 2-0 victory but Benitez was in the spotlight for his record against Leeds.

The Spaniard maintained his record against Elland Road despite facing the team in different capacities. The coach keeps his 100 percent record after facing Leeds for the third time. He previously faced them whilst coaching Liverpool and Chelsea but got victories on both occasions.

Liverpool were hosted by the then League One side in the 2008/09 season. Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri – known for his scandal with his wife after his privates were exposed online in a photograph – was in action then for the Reds. Philip Degen and Sotiris Kyriagakos at the back held off Leeds forwards Luciano Becchio, Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass. Liverpool won the game by the slimmest of margin.

In the 2012/13 season, Benitez supervised the demolition of Leeds 5-1 by the Blues. After replacing Roberto di Matteo, the unpopular Benitez faced Leeds in a cup game. Becchio scored the first goal, putting the ball pass goalkeeper Petr Cech to raise the hopes of the home team. Five different players got on the score sheet to get the win for Chelsea.

Juan Mata, Branislav Ivanovic, Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres all scored. The win was anther over manager Neil Warnock who faced Benitez when he was at Anfield.

This year Benitez got another win with coach Gary Monk admitted that the start for the visitors did damage. He said they defended well but just could not stop the goals from scoring. Benitez confessed to the intimidating crowd but added that controlling the game ensured Newcastle were victors.