March 2019 – Page 2 – Football Flame    
Latest Football News

Month: March 2019

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NEWS

Lionel Messi to miss Argentina friendly against Morocco with groin injury

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s friendly against Morocco on Tuesday due to a groin injury picked up against Venezuela on Friday.The Barca captain made his first appearance for his country since the World Cup on Friday in their 3-1 defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano.However, not only did Argentina lose, they also saw Messi pick up a minor problem.Barcelona confirmed the news in a short statement on their website.“Lionel Messi did not have the return to international action that he would have wanted, and an injury picked up on Friday night means he will miss Argentina’s game against Morocco on Tuesday.“Whilst he would feature from start to finish, a problem with his pubis means that Messi will not play in the second friendly of the international break.”Messi will now head back to...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd's Romelu Lukaku ruled out of Belgium's Euro 2020 Qualifier against Cyprus

Belgium confirmed via Twitter on Saturday morning that Romelu Lukaku will not travel to Cyprus for Sunday's Group I clash after picking up a foot injury.The 25-year-old missed Belgium's opening group game, a 3-1 home win against Russia on Thursday and could now be a doubt for Man Utd's Premier League clash against Watford on March 30.Marcus Rashford [ankle] and Anthony Martial [knee] both pulled out of this month's internationals for England and France respectively, while Alexis Sanchez [knee] is out until late April.With Jesse Lingard also struggling for match fitness, ​Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing a potential injury crisis in attack ahead of the run-in, and could have to call on the likes of academy graduates Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong against FA Cup semi-finalists Watford.Luke S...
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Venezuela stun Argentina and spoil Messi return to international football

Messi was back on Friday for the first time since the 2018 World Cup but couldn't stop his team losing 3-1 to Venezuela in a friendly.Salomon Rondon, John Murillo and Josef Martinez scored for Venezuela at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, while Lautaro Martinez replied for Argentina.Messi hadn't played an international since the 4-3 loss to France in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Russia."He played a good game" Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "The chances we created were thanks to him."Messi showed his usual deft skills and his long-range shot in the 38th minute was headed for the top corner until Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez Aray tipped the ball over the crossbar.Messi helped set up Argentina's 58th-minute goal with a pass to Giovani Lo Celso, who eventually fed Martinez...
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Raheem Sterling bags hat-trick as England win in Euro 2020 Qualifiers

Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England thrashed Czech Republic 5-0 in their opening match of the 2020 Euorpean championship qualifying campaign at Wembley here on Friday.England dominated the match and pulled ahead in the 24th minute, when Sterling positioned perfectly at the far post to tap-in from a low cross from former Manchester City teammate Jadon Sancho.The City forward then earned a penalty just before the interval and captain Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot.Sterling made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute when the ball deflected off a Czech player and fell into his path then he held off his marker Ondrej Celustka, turning smartly and bending into the left corner.He completed the hat-trick only six minutes later when he cut into the middle and shot from 25 yards with an effo...
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TRANSFERS

Barcelona and Real madrid battling to sign Skriniar, says agent

An agent who works with Milan Skriniar disclose that Barcelona and Real Madrid both want to sign Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan. Mithat Halis, who is a partner at the firm that represents Skriniar, has been talking about the defender but explained why it might be a difficult deal to do.“Real Madrid want to sign him, so do Barcelona; whoever can convince Inter to let him go will sign him this summer. Skriniar is a model professional. If Real Madrid want him, they could get him but there are other agents who have a vested interest in taking players where they want.”Mino Raiola, who represents Ibrahimovic and Pogba, might try to mislead Skriniar, but the player is on the books at our company - we have a contract with him. Inter paid Sampdoria 28 million euros for Skriniar and six months late...
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Belgium forward Eden Hazard bags brace to seal 3-1 win over Russia in Euro 2020 Qualifying

Belgium opened their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 in style on Thursday as Chelsea forward Eden Hazard scored two goal to help his country earn victory over Russia.2018 World Cup semi-finalists Belgium earned a battling 3-1 win over Russia in Brussels as Hazard struck twice for Roberto Martinez's side in their opening game in Group I. Youri Tielemans rounded off a flowing move with a crisp low strike to fire Belgium ahead on 14 minutes at the King Baudouin Stadium, but Thibaut Courtois gifted Russia an immediate equaliser.The Real Madrid goalkeeper, put under pressure by Artem Dzyuba, panicked and scuffed the ball straight to Denis Cheryshev who duly swept home into an empty net.Michy Batshuayi had a shot cleared off the line, and later hit the post, but Hazard restored Belgium's lead ...
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SERIE A

AS Roma want to bring Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri back to Serie A

Roma are reportedly keen to bring Maurizio Sarri back to Italy as their manager, despite recently appointing Claudio Ranieri. Sarri is currently favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job after a disappointing season with Chelsea. Roma however are huge admirers of the 60-year-old for his work in Serie A with Napoli, and reportedly would make a move should he leave Stamford Bridge.Ranieri took charge of Roma two weeks ago after they sacked Eusebio Di Francesco, but only on a short-term contract. The Evening Standard report that Roma are still monitoring Sarri's situation at Chelsea, who he joined last summer for his first managerial role outside of Italy. Sarri has endured some poor results in charge of the Blues, including a 6-0 loss to Manchester C...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Alberto Moreno reportedly set to agree terms with new club in Italy

Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno has made just two appearances in the Premier League this season and looks set to end his time at Anfield.Lazio are now in pole position to sign Alberto Moreno after Roma ended their interest in the Spanish defender, according to The Independent, following the departure of sporting director Monchi.Moreno has spent five seasons at Liverpool, having signed from Sevilla in 2014, and posted on Instagram Stories about meeting with former teammate and current Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva in Rome in the last few days.The 26-year-old lost his place to Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who has been one of the stand-out performers for Jurgen Klopp's side this year.Having been free to discuss terms with clubs since the start of 2018, Moreno is unlik...
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BUNDESLIGA

Uli Hoeness reveals Bayern Munich spending plans

Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness has confirmed that the club will launch their biggest investment programme during the summer transfer window.The German giants have under-performed during the current campaign, and Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben are both known to be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.Bayern have been heavily linked with a big-money approach for Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odio and Hoeness has hinted that another offer could be made for the youngster.At a Munich brokerage fair, Hoeness said: "We are in the process of rejuvenating our team. It's the biggest investment programme FC Bayern has ever had."Bayern have already confirmed that World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard will join the club ahead of next season.
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Alexander-Arnold to miss England Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of England squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro. The Liverpool right-back has been suffering with a back injury since the March 10 victory over Burnley, in which he was taken off in the 86th minute. Alexander-Arnold has since played against Bayern Munich and Fulham, but was feeling his back issue again when he reported for international duty on Monday. Despite being desperate to give himself every chance of playing in at least one of the games, Alexander-Arnold has been forced to withdraw. Gareth Southgate will now choose between Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Tottenham Hotspur's Kieran Trippier for tomorrow night's game against Czech Republic (7.45) at Wembley and Monday's trip to Montenegro. Having...
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Michael O’Neill admits Northern Ireland must win Estonia in Euro 2020 opener

Euro 2020 qualifying Group C: Northern Ireland v Estonia (Windsor Park, 7.45pm).Northern Ireland may have 16 from ’16 but it’s harder to see them achieving their Euro 2020 vision at least not this year.Manager Michael O’Neill is likely to lean towards many of those dozen and more squad members who went to the last continental competition in France three years ago, but topping the group this time around would be absolutely astonishing.The schedule has been kind to the men in green but then it really had to be after the boot in the nethers of being drawn against both the Netherlands and, yet again, Germany.The latter always seem to qualify and the former are resurgent, so NI know they will have to cause a shock or two to secure direct qualification by finishing in the top two of Group C.Firs...
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Borussia Dortmund reportedly join race to sign Hudson-Odoi

After multiple failed attempts to sign Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi on a transfer last summer and in the January transfer window, Bayern Munich now has competition for Hudson-Odoi from Dortmund, according to a report in the Telegraph. With Christian Pulisic heading the opposite direction to Chelsea this summer, Hudson-Odoi could look at Dortmund and feel that his chances for first team minutes are better than at Stamford Bridge.The 18-year-old, who has been called-up to the current England squad, is yet to start a Premier League match this season. Of course, Hudson-Odoi is behind the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian, who would start ahead of most players. But surely Hudson-Odoi will see how his England teammate Jadon Sancho has made 35 appearances, including starts in the Bundesliga and UE...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern's Davies ruled out of canada game

Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies suffered a stretched ligament in his right knee during Bayern's 6-0 win over Mainz on sunday.The 18-year-old has therefore been ordered to rest for a few days by the club's medical department, meaning the attacker will miss Canada's upcoming match against French Guiana on 24 march in Vancouver.
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Tottenham target Inter midfielder Matias Vecino

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Inter midfielder Matias Vecino according to a report from Turin based newspaper Tuttosport.Vecino has long been one of the players Mauricio Pochettino has liked and Spurs have recently considered him as a player who could potentially replace Mousa Dembele following his move to China.In addition to the Uruguayan, the north London club have also taken a liking to Napoli star Amadou Diawara but they are seemingly more orientated toward Vecino who they believe could make an immediate impact to their efforts to cut the gap on the other top clubs in the Premier League.The report concludes that Inter would be willing to move the 27-year-old former Fiorentina player on but only if they are to receive an offer of at least €30 million.This season Veci...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pogba support Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Man Utd job

Paul Pogba want Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be Manchester United manager on a permanent basis after changing the results at Old Trafford.Solskjaer turned Man Utd fortunes around, leading the club into the Champions League quarter-finals and lifting them into contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League.When Solskjaer was given the role following the departure of Jose Mourinho in December it was widely assumed he was merely keeping the seat warm for a bigger managerial name but his success has led to a clamour for the appointment to be made full-time and midfielder Pogba has now added his voice."Of course we want him to stay," the France midfielder told Sky Sports. "The results have been great. I have a great relationship with him, he has a great relationship with the players."When a ...
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SERIE A

Milan could sell Kessie if €40m offer arrives

The Ivorian has been on loan from Lombardia rivals Atalanta since summer 2017, with Milan expected to pay €20m this summer to make it a permanent move.Calciomercato.com provide an update on Kessie’s situation and imply that his future with the Rossoneri is far from certain.They suggest that question marks have been raised over the midfielder’s form, and that an offer of €40million could tempt them into instantly selling this summer.Kessie was also involved in a spat with Lucas Biglia on the bench during Sunday’s defeat to Inter, something coach Gennaro Gattuso did not take well.Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old, as have Premier League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs.
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Liverpool reportedly set up interest in Dybala

Liverpool are reportedly considering a concrete bid for Juventus striker Paulo Dybala in the coming weeks.Dybala's future has been the subject of much debate in recent transfer windows, and rumours regarding a possible exit have once again begun to swirl due to the Argentine starting just four Serie A games since the turn of the year.Real Madrid are understood to have a long-standing interest in signing Dybala, who has also been linked with a big-money move to Manchester Unitred in recent months.However, Tuttomercatoreports that Liverpool have now emerged as surprise frontrunners for his signature and could push for a deal to be agreed within the next few weeks.Juventus would likely command a hefty fee of more than £100m for the 25-year-old, although that price tag is not thought to have d...
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Real Madrid want to sign Sadio Mane in summer

Real Madrid have renewed their interest in Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, according to report today.Zinedine Zidane returned to the hot seat at Madrid last week and has been assured of a substantial transfer war chest for the summer, with up to £300million reportedly available.Unsurprisingly, Zidane and Real have now been linked with a move for Sadio Mane, who scored once again against Fulham on Sunday.His goal at Craven Cottage came on the back of an impressive brace against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.The Senegalese forward now has 17 goals this season and appears to have jumped ahead of Mohamed Salah to become Liverpool’s most important player for this campaign.Mane cost the Reds £34million when he joined in 2016, and any bid from Real would have to be significantly higher ...
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Liverpool's Shaqiri ruled out of Switzerland squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers

Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri will miss Switzerland's opening Euro 2020 qualifiers against Georgia and Denmark due to a groin injury, the Swiss FA hAs announced."The attacking midfielder is suffering from a painful inflammation in the groin," the FA has said on its website. The 27-year-old Liverpool player missed training on Monday and was instead examined in a Zurich hospital.Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic will name a replacement on Tuesday for their opening Euro qualifiers away to Georgia on Saturday and at home to Denmark three days later. The Liverpool player has not started a game for his club since the end of January, and has not featured for the side since a goalless draw against Man United in February.He was an unused sub in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Fulham at...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wes Morgan signs a new contract with Leicester city

Leicester captain Wes Morgan has signed a new one-year contract extension, the Premier League club have announced.The 35-year-old defender’s previous deal was set to expire in the summer.Morgan has scored two goals in 19 Premier League appearances for the Foxes this season, including a last-minute header which clinched his side a 2-1 weekend win at Burnley.“Leicester City captain Wes Morgan has signed a new one-year contract extension with the football club to June 2020,” Leicester confirmed on their official website.“The 35-year-old, who made his 700th appearance in club football against Burnley on Saturday, has been an assured presence for the Foxes this season and will now continue his Leicester City journey into a ninth campaign.”The former Nottingham Forest centre-half joined Leiceste...
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