December 2019 – Football Flame    
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Month: December 2019

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City handed Aymeric Laporte boost after lengthy injury absence

Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City is stretchered off the pitch during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Etihad Stadium.Aymeric Laporte is close to a return to Manchester City's line-up as Pep Guardiola hopes to have the influential defender back ahead of schedule.The 25-year-old centre-back has not played for the defending Premier League champions since injuring knee ligaments on the last day of August.His absence has been cited as a key reason for City falling so far behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who hold a 14-point advantage over Guardiola's team.City originally expected Laporte to be unavailable until February but he is now back in training, albeit on his own, and Guardiola expects him to join in with the full first team squad...
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Juventus wrap up a deal for Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski of Parma(Loan) during the football Serie A match Parma v Brescia at the Tardini Stadium.Juventus have reached an agreement with Atalanta over the transfer of Dejan Kulusevski according to a report from Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio.The youngster looked set to join the Bianconeri’s arch-rivals Inter but the reigning Italian champions have swooped in with an offering totalling €45 million for the 19-year-old.Inter are believed to have made a €35 million offer for Swedish international in recent weeks but will not raise their offer and will therefore miss out on him and will be forced to go after other targets instead.Kulusevski has starred whilst out on loan at fellow Serie A club Parma this season and the report does not spec...
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NEWS

Diego Alonso appointed as first manager of David Beckham’s Inter Miami

Diego Alonso, Manager of Monterrey celebrates his sides victory during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 3rd place match between Monterrey and Al Hilal FC at Education City Stadium.David Beckham's Major League Soccer team Inter Miami have named Diego Alonso as head coach ahead of their debut next season in the fast-growing league.The former Uruguay striker led Monterrey to the CONCACAF Champions League title this year and a place in the Club World Cup after managing Liga MX club Pachuca from 2014-18.The 44-year-old, who played for several clubs in Spain, including Atletico Madrid and Valencia, coached in Uruguay and Paraguay before arriving in Mexico in 2014.Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough praised Alonso's "drive, passion and leadership" in a statement."In Diego we found a ma...
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NEWS

Stuttgart appoint Pellegrino Matarazzo as Head Coach

Pellegrino Matarazzo Head Coach of VfB Stuttgart.Pellegrino Matarazzo has been appointed the new head coach of VfB Stuttgart. The 42-year-old moves from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he’d worked as an assistant coach since 2018 under Julian Nagelsmann and more recently under Alfred Schreuder. Matarazzo has signed a contract with VfB until 30 June 2021.The coaching team is completed by current assistants Rainer Widmayer and Michael Wimmer, goalkeeping coach Uwe Gospodarek plus fitness coaches Martin Franz and Matthias Schiffers. Match and training analysts Marcus Fregin and Emiel Schulze will also remain part of the first-team coaching staff.Chairman Thomas Hitzlsperger:“We took great care in our search for our new head coach and have had several intense discussions in the last few days. In th...
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Mikel Arteta Reportedly wants to make Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot his first signing as Arsenal manager

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium.Mikel Arteta wants to make Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot his first signing as Arsenal manager, according to a report in England.The Times is reporting that the Gunners boss is a big admirer of the France international and Arteta is hoping to add Rabiot to his squad.The same article states that the Gunners are hoping to initially secure the 24-year-old on a season-long loan deal following Rabiot’s lack of first-team opportunities at Juventus this season.According to the same story, Arsenal’s bid to sign former Paris Saint-Germain star Rabiot isn’t connected to Granit Xhaka’s future at the north London outfit.The Times go on to add that Arsenal have been linked with...
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LALIGA

Barcelona return to training ahead of Espanyol test

Anssumane Fati of FC Barcelona.Barcelona were back to work on Sunday evening as the team took part in their first training session after the Christmas break.The majority of the first team were present, while Ansu Fati also joined in part of the session as he continues his comeback from a hip problem.Inaki Pena and Carles Perez were also part of the group, while Moussa Wague missed out with conjunctivitis.Sergi Roberto was also absent on compassionate leave after sadly losing his mother to illness on Saturday. A minute’s silence was held before the session.The South American contingent of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neto and Arturo Vidal are still away and not expected back until January 2.Barcelona will have a double training session on Monday and return again on Tuesday as they step up the...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Sadio Mane keeps Liverpool on track for Premier League title as VAR assists Anfield win over Wolves

Sadio Mane of Liverpool competes with Jonny of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.Liverpool continued their relentless march towards a first Premier League title in 30 years, but Jurgen Klopp’s men needed the benefit of two VAR reviews to see off Wolves 1-0 at Anfield.Sadio Mane scored the only goal three minutes before half-time as the Senegalese’s strike was allowed to stand after initially being ruled out for handball against Adam Lallana.Moments later Wolves had an equaliser scored by Pedro Neto disallowed by VAR for the tightest of offside decisions.An 18th win in 19 Premier League games this season re-established Liverpool’s 13-point lead at the top of the table and they have a game in hand over closest ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tammy Abraham clinches Chelsea victory as Arsenal let late lead slip

Tammy Abraham of Chelsea celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 2-1 during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium.Chelsea scored twice in four minutes to come from behind and beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, ruining Mikel Arteta's first home match in charge of the north London club.Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno missed an attempt to punch Mason Mount's free kick clear, allowing Jorginho to net in the 83rd minute and cancel out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's first-half opener.Jorginho had been fortunate to still be on the pitch after avoiding a second yellow card for pulling down Matteo Guendouzi.The winner came after Chelsea launched a counterattack from the edge of its own penalty area, with Tammy Abraham then allowed to race thro...
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Juventus join PSG and Bayern Munich in transfer race for Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen next summer

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona during team warm up before the Barcelona V Alaves, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou.Barcelona star Marc-Andre ter Stegen is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in recent time. His sparkling career at Camp Nou, his maturity and determination to give his best is being noticed by the all the great European clubs.However, according to Mundo Deportivo, clubs like Juventus, Bayern Munich and PSG are reportedly in the race to rope in Ter Stegen.The three clubs have already made their interest known to the German goalkeeper to see if he has any interest in leaving the Camp Nou, say Reports.“Three of the most important teams in the continent have already polled Ter Stegen to know if he would be willing to leave Barcelona. As MD has l...
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Inter Milan Reportedly Reach Contract Agreement With Arturo Vidal

Arturo Vidal of Barcelona in action during the Barcelona V Alaves, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou.Arturo Vidal's relationship with Barcelona has hit boiling point, with the Chilean international ready to depart Spain to link up with former boss Antonio Conte at Inter.The friction between the two clubs reached its tipping point earlier in the month when Vidal's agent allegedly held talks with the Spanish champions earlier this month after the South American was left out of the starting side for the clash with Real Madrid.According to Gazzetta dello Sport,Inter are ready to offer the former Juve man a two-year contract to lure him to the San Siro as soon as January.Reports claim that Inter are a little turned off by the transfer fee, which Barcelona still expect to reach 15...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manuel Pellegrini: West Ham sack manager after defeat by Leicester

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester City at London Stadium.West Ham United have sacked manager Manuel Pellegrini on Saturday after the London club's 2-1 home defeat by Leicester City.West Ham collected 19 points from 19 Premier League games, ranking 17th in the standings and only one point away from the relegation zone.The club's joint-chairman David Sullivan said in a statement: "It is with great disappointment that we've had to make this decision. Manuel is a gentleman and it has been a real pleasure to work with someone of his calibre."However, it has become clear that that a change is required to get the club back on track in line with our ambitions this season. We felt it was necessary to act now in order to giv...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Calvert-Lewin double continues Ancelotti's perfect start as Everton beat Newcastle

Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates with teammates Djibril Sidibe and Theo Walcott after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park.Everton continued their run of newly found form under new manager Carlo Ancelotti with a win over Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday.Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring for Everton early in the first half after a period of sustained pressure around the Newcastle box.Andy Carroll thought he had the equaliser with half an hour gone, but he was deemed offside as he tapped in a rebound off the post.Newcastle did manage to find the leveling goal in the second half from a free-kick, as Carroll headed down at the far post for Fabian Schar to finish from close range. Howeve...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Jahanbakhsh and Mooy fire Brighton to victory against Bournemouth

Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Brighton & Hove Albion is congratulated by teammates after scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium.Brighton eased past Bournemouth with 2-0 win to move 5 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Aaron Mooy scored their first goals for the club as Graham Potter's men secured just a second win in nine league games to move 13th.Bournemouth meanwhile remain precariously placed just two points above the bottom three and could even end the day in the relegation zone if West Ham and Aston Villa win later on Saturday.Jahanbakhsh has struggled to make an impact on the south coast since a big money move from AZ Alkmaar at ...
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Barcelona eyeing PSV striker Donyell Malen

Donyell Malen of PSV during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord v PSV at the Stadium Feijenoord.Barcelona could reportedly move for PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen at the end of the season.The Spanish champions are thought to be in the market for a long-term Luis Suarez replacement with the Uruguay international entering the latter stages of his time at Camp Nou.Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez has been linked with a move to Spain, but according to Diario Sport, Malen has also been identified as a possible target in next summer's transfer window.The 20-year-old, who joined PSV in 2017 after failing to make the breakthrough at Arsenal, has scored 17 times in 25 appearances for his Dutch club during the 2019-20 campaign.Malen has also contributed one goal in four appearances for t...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho delivers Dele Alli injury update ahead of Norwich City clash

Tottenham Hotspur Manager Jose Mourinho looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho has played down fears over an injury to Dele Alli ahead of facing Norwich City. Spurs needed to comeback from a poor first half performance to win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day with the England international scoring the winner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He could be an important player against away at Carrow Road in his team's final game of 2019 due to the suspensions of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko. Both players reached their respective limits for yellow cards in the win over Brighton and will miss out on playing against Norwich as a result....
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic rejoins AC Milan until end of season

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC MilanZlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to AC Milan on a contract until the end of the current Serie A season with the option to extend the deal for a further season, the club has said.The 38-year-old former Sweden international had been without a club since the end of his previous contract at MLS club LA Galaxy.He previously spent two years at Milan, scoring 56 goals in 85 appearances and winning the Serie A title in 2011.“I’m coming back to a club I hugely respect and to the city of Milan which I love,” Ibrahimovic said. “I’ll fight together with my teammates to change the course of this season. I will do everything to make it happen”.
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LALIGA

Real Madrid Midfielder Asensio aims to recover in time for CL Quarterfinals

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF looks on prior to the Liga match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Iberostar Estadi.Real Madrid have been missing Marco Asensio for months after he suffered a devastating injury in the preseason, but he is reportedly aiming to return in the Champions League knockout stages.Although Real Madrid sit in second place in La Liga and thoroughly outplayed FC Barcelona in the last Clasico, it has been a tough season for them injury-wise. For example, Eden Hazard has been sorely missed over the past month, including against Barca. Marcelo and James Rodriguez were also dealing with injuries in the last month, while players from Isco to Luka Modric have suffered injuries this season.But the main long-term absence for Los Blancos in 2019-2020 has been youn...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Firmino scores twice as Liverpool thrash Leicester to go 13 points clear

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool FC at The King Power Stadium.First came the Champions League title, then the Club World Cup last week. Now, with a 13-point lead, Liverpool will surely be champions of England again by May.Leicester, the closest challenger, was blown away in a 4-0 victory that pushes Liverpool closer to ending a three-decade title drought.There is half of the season still to play but the gulf was vast on Thursday night, exposed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s repertoire of assists and a goal from the right back.Alexander-Arnold’s crosses set up both of Roberto Firmino’s goals and another was handled by Leicester Caglar Soyuncu which led to James Milner scoring a penalty.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal held to 1-1 draw as Southampton stun Chelsea at home

Lewis Cook of Bournemouth holds off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium.Mikel Arteta got off to an underwhelming start as Arsenal manager with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth as Chelsea slumped to another shock home reverse, losing 2-0 to Southampton, on Boxing Day.Carlo Ancelotti had a more positive impact on his Everton bow as Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brilliant diving header earned a 1-0 win over Burnley.Chelsea's defeat allowed Tottenham to move back to within three points of the top four as they came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli.The top two clash later when Leicester host Liverpool hoping to close the gap on the runaway league le...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham fight back to beat Brighton in EPL

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Adam Webster of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Dele Alli scored in the second half as Jose Mourinho’s side came from behind to claim a 2-1 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Thursday.Kane followed up his own shot to equalise in the 53rd minute and cancel out Adam Webster’s first-half header and Alli put Spurs ahead in the 72nd, knocking in a pass from Serge Aurier to complete a move inspired by substitute Christian Eriksen.Spurs were reeling from a disheartening home 2-0 loss to Chelsea and a sleepy atmosphere gripped their stadium early in the game, which was ...
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