August 2019 – Football Flame    
Latest Football News

Month: August 2019

No Comments
SERIE A

Juventus snatch late winner against Napoli

Juventus beat Napoli in a remarkable Serie A game as Kalidou Koulibaly's injury-time own goal negated the visitors' three-goal comeback.The champions led 3-0 through goals from debutant Danilo, former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo's first of the season.But three summer signings scored to put Napoli level - Kostas Manolas, Hirving Lozano and Giovanni di Lorenzo.That was in vain as Koulibaly shinned a deep free-kick past his own keeper.Juve, who have won the last eight titles, clearly lacked the presence of captain Giorgio Chiellini - likely to be out for several months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury - at the back, with £67.5m summer signing Matthijs de Ligt making a shaky debut.Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri did not take charge against his former club as he r...
Read More
No Comments
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich thrash Mainz to stay second

Bayern Munich scored six times in a span of 45 minutes to come from a goal down and crush visitors Mainz 05 6-1 on Saturday and climb to seven points from three games, two off the top.After an unexpected home draw on the opening matchday Bayern have now won their last two matches convincingly, scoring nine goals and moving up to seven points.RB Leipzig are top on nine points after their 3-1 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. Borussia Dortmund on six points, are in action at Union Berlin later on Saturday. Benjamin Pavard's fine volley in the 36th minute cancelled out Mainz's lead through a Jean-Paul Boetius header and launched Bayern's sustained attack.A sensational David Alaba free kick on the stroke of halftime turned the game around before Ivan Perisic gave Bayern a two-go...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Ansu Fati scores first goal for Barcelona with brilliant header

Barcelona were held by promoted Osasuna as 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the champions' youngest La Liga goalscorer.Roberto Torres gave Osasuna the lead early on with a sweet volley from Brandon's cross.Fati came on at half-time for his second Barca appearance and headed in Carles Perez's cross six minutes later to equalise.Perez then set up Arthur to put Barca ahead with a 16-yard shot but Torres equalised with a late penalty.That kick was awarded after Gerard Pique handled Oier's cross.
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd held to draw at Southhampton

Manchester United’s patchy start to the Premier League season continued with a 1-1 draw at 10-man Southampton after a Jannik Vestergaard header cancelled out a brilliant Daniel James goal for the visitors on Saturday.The result left United on five points from four games after last weekend’s shock 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace while Southampton, who stretched their winless league streak at home against United to nine games, have four points.United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer conceded his team lacked the killer instinct in the opposition half but showed no signs of frustration after a third successive lacklustre performance following the opening 4-0 home win over Chelsea.“We started well, got the game where we wanted it and that’s where you have to score the second and the third and finish...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Monreal leaves Arsenal for Real Sociedad

Nacho Monreal has completed his move from Arsenal to Real Sociedad to end a six-and-a-half year spell in north London.The deal is worth a reported 250,000 euros (£225,000), with the 33-year-old left-back signing a two-year deal in San Sebastian.Monreal joined Arsenal from Malaga in January 2013 and won three FA Cups and three Community Shields as a Gunner, scoring 10 goals in 250 appearances.“We would like to thank Nacho for his contribution to the club and everyone at Arsenal wishes him the best for his future,” Arsenal said in a statement.Monreal’s move comes on the eve of the first north London derby of the season, and leaves Arsenal with a defensive shortage in the short-term.Though they signed a long-term replacement in the form of Kieran Tierney in the summer, the Scotland internatio...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Celtic sign Stoke defender Moritz Bauer on loan

Celtic have signed right-back Moritz Bauer on a season-long loan deal from Stoke.The 27-year-old Austria international joined the Potters in 2018 and made 21 Sky Bet Championship starts, the last of those coming on the last day of the 2018/19 campaign.Hoops boss Neil Lennon has been looking for cover at right-back, having brought in Hatem Abd Elhamed but allowed Mikael Lustig and Christian Gamboa to leave.Bauer told the club's website: "I'm really, really looking forward to it. I know about the stadium, the historical Celtic Park, and I hope that I can win trophies here and have a very successful season."It's a massive club with a big history and when you see the stadium from the outside and the players there who have already worn the jersey - they are big names."I love being here and havi...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man United suffer injury blow ahead of West Ham and Arsenal clashes

Manchester United could be without defender Luke Shaw for a month after he picked up a hamstring problem in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.The England left-back was substituted in the first half of the shock loss and now faces a spell on the sidelines.Shaw's injury could take up to a month to heal, according to report , which would see him miss six crucial matches for the Red Devils.United's Premier League fixtures during that period are against Southampton, Leicester, West Ham and Arsenal - and would also include the first Europa League group stage match.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was initially hopeful the knock to Shaw was not too serious, and he would be able to play against the Saints.Solskjaer said: "We will do the scans tomorrow, but he felt something in his hamstring."Hopefu...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Dost Joins Eintracht Frankfurt on a three-year deal

Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed the signing of Bas Dost from Sporting club de Portugal on a three-year deal. The deal has been in the works for a while but hit a stumbling block last week when Sporting accused Dost’s camp for blocking the deal.However, the issues have now been solved and Dost has departed Portugal for a new adventure in Germany. Eintracht Frankfurt has reportedly paid €12 million, while Dost has signed a contract until 2022.Dost signed for Sporting in 2016 from Wolfsburg and managed to score 93 goals in 127 official games. The 30-year-old spent four years with Wolfsburg before that, and scored 48 goals in 117 matches.
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Roma Share draw, Milan lose Serie A opener

Genoa came from behind three times against AS Roma to salvage a 3-3 draw, while AC Milan lost 1-0 to Udinese at Stadio Friuli on Sunday on the opening weekend in Italy's Serie A.This was AS Roma's first match under new coach Paulo Fonseca, and the Giallorossi made the perfect start when winger Cengiz Under made it 1-0 six minutes into the game. However, Genoa equalized ten minutes later when Cristian Romero converted Andrea Pinamonti's cross.Roma were back ahead in the 30th minute, when striker Edin Dzeko passed two defenders and fired in. But right at the end of the half, Genoa were level again when Domenico Criscito scored a penalty after Juan Jesus had clattered Pinamonti in the box.Five minutes into the second half, Aleksander Kolarov scored Roma's third with a long-range free kick, bu...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Aguero score a brace to help Man City win at Bournemouth

Sergio Aguero scored twice as the Premier League champions won 3-1 at Bournemouth on Sunday.After Aguero opened the scoring in the 15th minute, Silva set up Raheem Sterling's strike.Harry Wilson briefly gave Bournemouth hope by reducing the deficit to 2-1 with a stunning 25-yard free-kick in first-half stoppage time.But Silva laid off the ball for Aguero's second in the 64th minute to make sure of the victory for City, which saw its 15-match winning run in the league ended by a draw against Tottenham.City dominated possession on the south coast but also survived some shaky moments.With 13 minutes on the clock, City keeper Ederson escaped with a yellow card after racing out of his box and clattering Callum Wilson wide on the Bournemouth left.50th in 123 Premier League appearances, breaking ...
Read More
No Comments
BUNDESLIGA

Robert Lewandowski score Hat-trick as Coutinho make his Bundesliga debut for Bayern

Robert Lewandowski single-handedly made Bayern Munich's quest for an eighth Bundesliga title look a lot more likely, as the Bavarian stalwart contributed a hat-trick to provide Niko Kovac's side with their first win of the season at Schalke.Unable to take three points from an opening game at Hertha Berlin when scoring twice, the Polish striker was avenged at the Veltins-Arena after Schalke were thrashed 3-0 by the title holders.Summer signings Phillipe Coutinho and Ivan Perisic both made their Bayern debuts, replacing Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry despite Kovac expressing concerns about Barcelona loanee Coutinho's fitness in a pre-match press conference.Lewandowski produced the first chance of the game from an early free-kick, but the resulting shot was comfortably dealt with by Schalke's...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Chiellini scores as Juve beat Parma in Serie A opener

Juventus kicked started the 2019/20 Serie A season with all three points when they claimed a 1-0 win over Parma, courtesy of a first-half goal by Giorgio Chiellini, at Tardini Stadium, while Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out by VAR.Maurizio Sarri wasn’t on the bench for the Bianconeri, due to his struggle with pneumonia, and it was Giovanni Martusciello who stood in his place.The starting XI included Szczesny in goal, with De Sciglio, Bonucci, Chiellini and Alex Sandro safeguarding the defence. In midfield was Khedira, Matuidi and Pjanic, while Douglas Costa, Higuain and Ronaldo lead the attack.A chance fell at both ends of the stadium, inside the opening 13 minutes, when Khedira delivered a great long ball into the box, only for Ronaldo to head it over. Parma then went on the counter...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

EPL: Salah Strike down Arsenal

Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool cruised to a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.Joel Matip opened the scoring in the 41st minute and Salah put the game away in a nine-minute stretch to keep the European Champions perfect on the young season.After a scoreless first period, Matip rose highest to head home a pinpoint cross from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner shortly after half-time.Salah converted a penalty in the 49th minute after drawing a foul from David Luiz in the box.And the Egypt international made it 3-0 in the 58th with a superb run and finish that saw him cut in from the right and coolly fire low and hard past Bernd Leno at the far post.Lucas Torreira pulled a goal back for Arsenal six minutes from time -- curling his shot past Adrian from the centre of the box...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal boss Unai Emery on possibility of Nicolas Pepe starting vs Liverpool

Arsenal are set to travel to Anfield this weekend, for a top-of-the-table Premier League clash.With two rounds gone in the new season, Arsenal and Liverpool are the only sides with perfect records still intact.Jurgen Klopp’s Reds currently occupy top spot on goal difference, following wins over Norwich and Southampton.Arsenal, meanwhile, have put Newcastle and Burnley to the sword over the course of the last two weeks.The latter of these wins, meanwhile, saw a number of the north Londoners’ new signings take centre stage. Chief among these was Dani Ceballos, with the Real Madrid loanee having dominated proceedings in the middle of the park throughout Arsenal’s victory over the Clarets.David Luiz, meanwhile, also largely-impressed in his first start since arriving from Chelsea.Arsenal’s mos...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Lionel Messi expected to face Real Betis

Lionel Messi is reportedly "expected to get his first minutes of the season" for Barcelona against Real Betis on Sunday after recovering from a calf injury.The Argentinian missed Barca's opening game of the 2019-20 La Liga season last Friday when the defending champions lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao.The Blaugrana will be aiming to get their first win of the new campaign at the Camp Nou against Betis, and their chances will be boosted if Messi is involved.According to Sport's Jordi Gil, the 32-year-old is "fully recovered" from his injury and will join the rest of Barca's squad in training on Friday and Saturday before a decision is made about his involvement against Betis.Gil added, barring any setbacks, Messi could be included in Barca's starting XI on Sunday, but he is "extremely unlikely"...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Leicester City striker Islam Slimani completes AS Monaco loan move

Leicester City striker Islam Slimani's loan move to AS Monaco is now official.The Algerian striker has departed the King Power Stadium for another year, joining Monaco on a season-long loan deal.Slimani, who remains under contract until 2021, has failed to fit in at City since his arrival for a then club-record fee of £30m in 2016.He spent last season at Turkish club Fenerbahce, his second loan spell since joining City following time on loan with Newcastle United in 2018.Slimani, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria this summer, struggled in both his loan spells, only making a combined league appearance total of 19, scoring just once.And he will be hoping to enjoy a much better spell in Ligue 1, joining a Monaco side who performed well below par last season, finishing 17th.They h...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Balotelli Joins Newly Promoted Brescia

Brescia have announced the signing of free agent Mario Balotelli ahead of their Serie A campaign, with the striker joining on a reported three-year deal with the newly promoted outfit.The 29-year-old has been without a club since leaving Marseille at the end of last season, where he enjoyed a fruitful run of form having cancelled his contract with Ligue 1 rivals Nice in January.However, despite a return of eight goals in 15 appearances for Marseille, financial restrictions at the Stade Velodrome meant the former Inter, Manchester City, Milan and Liverpool forward was left without a club once his short-term contract expired in June.He returns to the Lombardy city where he spent much of his childhood after previous negotiations with Brazilian giants Flamengo broke down.
Read More
No Comments
NEWS

Ligue 1: Still no Neymar as PSG loses at Rennes

French champions Paris St-Germain fell to a surprise defeat as they threw away a goal lead and were beaten by Rennes.Edinson Cavani, who had earlier hit the post, gave PSG the lead when he was gifted the ball by Rennes captain Damien da Silva's misplaced backpass.PSG, again without Neymar, had a chance to make it 2-0 but Kylian Mbappe also hit the woodwork.Mbaye Niang's curled finish made it 1-1 before Romain del Castillo headed in a cross from Eduardo Camavinga, 16.Rennes had a chance to grab a third goal but Jeremy Gelin's header hit the post, with Mbappe and Cavani both missing late chances to make it 2-2.PSG only lost five Ligue 1 matches in 2018-19 as they won the title by 16 points, while Rennes, who came 10th last season, denied PSG a league and cup double as they beat them on penal...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Frank Lampard denied first win as Leicester draw at Chelsea

Frank Lampard's winless run at the start of his tenure as Chelsea manager extended to three games Sunday after Leicester fought back to earn a 1-1 draw in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.After a 4-0 loss at Manchester United on the opening weekend and then a penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, Chelsea couldn't hold on to the lead given by youngster Mason Mount's seventh-minute goal.Holding midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was at fault for that goal after being dispossessed by Mount on the edge of Leicester's area, but he made amends by scoring the equalizer.James Maddison swung over the corner and Ndidi rose higher than marker Cesar Azpilicueta to plant a firm header into the corner.Chelsea struggled in the second half, perhaps through fatigue having been taken to ex...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Inter Milan in UK for Alexis Sanchez Talks

Inter Milan's representatives are in the UK to hold talks with Manchester United over the transfer of Alexis Sanchez, according to reports in Italy.Sanchez, the Chile international forward, is keen on a move to the Serie A side, who are now trying to agree a fee with United for the 30-year-old.Inter head coach Antonio Conte wants to add another forward to his squad alongside Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.Edin Dzeko was one of their primary targets, but the former Manchester City striker has opted to extend his stay at Roma, meaning Inter have to look elsewhere.Besides Sanchez, Inter are also considering free agent and former Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente, Ante Rebic from Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig's Timo Werner, and Arkadiusz Milik at Napoli.
Read More
Like Us
Follow Us
Follow us
Follow us
Blogarama - Blog Directory