November 2019 – Football Flame

30Nov

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Bayern Munich suffers first defeat under Flick, lose at home to Leverkusen

Leon Bailey of Leverkusen celebrating his goal for the lead during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Allianz Arena.Bayern Munich missed the chance to return to the top of the Bundesliga with a home loss to Bayer Leverkusen, the first under interim coach Hansi Flick.Bayern sit fourth in the table and have now lost two league games at home this season having lost just once at the Allianz Arena last term.Leon Bailey scored twice for Bayer Leverkusen, who also had Jonathan Tah sent off late on. Thomas Muller briefly drew the hosts level in the first period.However, Bayern were unusually wasteful in front of goal with Robert Lewandowski unable to continue his remarkable recent goalscoring form.

30Nov

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LALIGA

Real Madrid Go Top Of La Liga after 2-1 win over Alaves

Daniel Carvajal celebrates their team's second goal of Real Madrid CF during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF.Sergio Ramos scored a goal and conceded a penalty as Real Madrid battled past Alaves on Saturday to go top of La Liga before Sunday's game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Barca and Atletico face off at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid did all they could to take advantage, with Dani Carvajal the unlikely matchwinner in a gritty 2-1 victory over Alaves. Ramos had headed Madrid in front shortly after half-time only to concede a needless penalty for throwing his arm across Joselu, which Lucas Perez converted before Carvajal poked in.

30Nov

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City suffer further title blow as Jonjo Shelvey earns Newcastle draw

Newcastle player Jonjo Shelvey (l) shoots to score the 2nd Newcastle goal despite the attentions of city players Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.Jonjo Shelvey further dented Manchester City’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.Jetro Willems cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s 15th goal of the season but Kevin De Bruyne thought he had won it with a fine 82nd-minute strike.But Shelvey curled home a brilliant 87th-minute equaliser which, coupled with Martin Dubravka’s stoppage-time save from Sterling, ensured the game finished level.City, who started the day nine points behind Liverpool, dominated possession throughout but could not turn the pressure into enough goals to atone for their defensive fragility in front of a crowd of 49,937 at St...

30Nov

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LALIGA

Arturo Vidal threatens to leave Barca if he doesn’t ‘feel important’

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal plans to leave the Spanish champions “in December or at the end of the season” if he does not “feel important”, he told Catalan television channel TV3 on Friday.The 32-year-old Chilean international joined Barca last year from Bayern Munich, but has started only three La Liga games this term. “If in December or at the end of the season, I don’t feel that I’m important here, I should make a decision and find another opportunity where I feel important,” he said.“I would like to stay here forever, but I have to be realistic and live from day to day.” Vidal has scored four league goals this campaign despite being a bit-part player. The former Juventus star did not say where he might move to.“There are always offers, but for the moment I’m focused on Barcelona,...

30Nov

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Sacked Emery says 'honour' to have coached Arsenal

Unai Emery said it had been an "honour" to coach Arsenal despite being sacked as manager of the Premier League club on Friday after just 18 months in charge. The 48-year-old Spaniard was fired following the 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Thursday's Europa League match, which extended their winless run to seven games. Assistant Freddie Ljungberg has taken over as interim manager with ex-Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri and Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo among the early favourites to be named the next full-time boss.Despite his sacking, Emery insisted it had been an "honour" to manage the London giants."It has been a year and a half full of emotions, of great moments and some other more bitter ones," he said."But not a single day has gone by without me stopping to th...

28Nov

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UCL

Messi fires Barcelona into UCL Knockout Stage, Liverpool, Chelsea Held To Draws

Lionel Messi marked his 700th game for Barcelona with a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund that sent his team into the knockout rounds of the Champions League on Wednesday.But Liverpool, the competition’s defending champion, could not replicate that feat as it struggled once again against Napoli.The clubs have played four times in the last 13 months, with Napoli winning two of those games. This time, Dejan Lovren’s header rescued a 1-1 draw for Liverpool, which must try again to qualify for the knockout stages against Salzburg on Dec. 10.Chelsea also will have to wait for qualification after a strange goal — a cross that found the net at the back post — saw it draw, 2-2 at home against Valencia, but Leipzig qualified for the knockouts for the first time as the teenage...

27Nov

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SERIE A

Inter, Barella has successful surgery: the medical report

Following his injury in the match against Torino last Saturday, Nicolo Barella had surgery this morning, Inter issued a medical report for the former Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella was admitted to the Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano this morning for keyhole surgery on his right knee, the operation being carried out in order to remove the cartilage fragment from his kneecap.The operation was a perfect success and the player will begin rehabilitation treatment in the coming days.

27Nov

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Uncategorized

Hertha Berlin appoint Jurgen Klinsmann as Manager

Former Germany and United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann has been appointed as Hertha Berlin manager until the end of the season after the Bundesliga side sacked Ante Covic.The former Tottenham, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich striker, 55, was named on Hertha's supervisory board in November.Covic, 44, was only appointed in July and leaves with Hertha in 15th."The way we've been playing recently, and the results, have led to this decision," he said.Covic, who was previously Hertha's reserves coach, added: "Since Hertha is not just an employer to me, such a decision hurts, of course. But I have always said that this club is more important than individuals. I love not only this profession, but I love this club with all my heart."Sporting director Michael Preetz said: "It was an extremely difficul...

27Nov

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UCL

Mourinho praises Tottenham and ballboy after 4-2 win over Olympiakos

Jose Mourinho apologised for substituting Eric Dier and praised a quick-thinking ballboy after Tottenham came from two goals down to beat Olympiakos 4-2 and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.Mourinho’s first home game as Spurs boss looked set to be spoilt as the Greek visitors capitalised on a woeful start by the hosts to lead through goals to Youssef El Arabi and Ruben Semedo.The Portuguese coach reacted by hooking defensive midfielder Dier with just 29 minutes played in favour of the more attacking talents of Christian Eriksen.And the change helped spark a superb fightback as Dele Alli’s first European goal for more than two years, a brace from Harry Kane, and a rare Serge Aurier strike sent Tottenham into the last 16Kane’s first, which levelled the Group B encounte...

25Nov

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UCL

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero set to miss United derby with injury

Sergio Aguero will miss next month’s Manchester derby after being ruled out for “a few weeks” by manager Pep Guardiola.The Manchester City striker suffered a thigh injury in the Premier League champions’ victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.Guardiola is unsure how long he will be without the club’s record goalscorer but he is already resigned to him missing the home clash with Manchester United on December 7.Speaking at a press conference to preview Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, Guardiola said: “He will be out a few games, a few weeks. I don’t know exactly.”Asked about the United game, the Spaniard added: “Maybe we will have a miracle but I don’t think so.”Aguero’s absence will mean an opportunity for Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus to lead the line...