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Mexico detains former top anti-drug prosecutor Internacional
playmaker Andres D'Alessandro insists it is too soon to talk about Copa
Sudamericana glory despite having clinched a 2-0 cushion in the away leg of
their semi-final against Mexican giants Guadalajara. Argentina midfielder
D'Alessandro, who missed the first leg due to a stomach problem, knows there
is a long way to go before the Brazilian side are even assured a place in
the final. He said: "We shouldn't
talk about the title when we still have to play tomorrow just to make it
into the final. "We know Guadalajara
play better away than at home, but we took a very important lead so we have
to play the same way we did in Mexico. "Last week was really
bad for me, but I will be perfect tomorrow. Anyway, the point is helping the
team play well." Inter are likely to be without midfielder Alex, one of
the stars of the team, as Brazil coach Dunga wants him involved for
tomorrow's friendly international against Portugal. Guadalajara failed to make it into the Mexican league
play-offs and they are now focused on the Copa Sudamericana. Despite an 18-hour
round trip, their coach Efrain Flores wants his team to think only on
overcoming the two-goal deficit. He said: "We are calm.
We are confident of playing well - no fatigue or tiredness at all. "We must be organised and play with will and intensity. "Inter have great
players, but we have a great team too. We are in very good technical and
mental form so we'll try to set the best strategy possible to do our best." In the other half of the draw, Argentinian duo
Estudiantes and Argentinos Juniors clash in La Plata on Thursday with the
tie finely poised following a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Diego Maradona. A goalless draw would see Estudiantes make the final,
but Argentinos midfielder Nestor Ortigoza has warned his team to be patient
and not to adopt an all-out attacking gameplan. "We must not be crazy
to score," he said. "The goal will come sooner or later. "We have already scored in Mexico (against San Luis), in
Brazil (against Palmeiras) and at San Lorenzo's stadium in Buenos Aires, so
we can also score in La Plata." In the domestic league last Sunday, a strong Argentinos
side thrashed a weakened Estudiantes outfit 5-0, much to the disappointment
of veteran striker Jose Luis Calderon. "Nothing worked as we expected," he said. "Argentinos
won deservedly, but some of the players had the chance to prove they could
play on Thursday and failed. "I hope that defeat does not affect us on Thursday
because the Copa Sudamericana is very important for us."
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