December 2019 – Page 2 – Football Flame    
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Month: December 2019

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Report: Man utd loanee Chris Smalling want permanent move to Roma

Chris Smalling of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AS Roma at Stadio Artemio Franchi.Manchester United star Chris Smalling has reportedly expressed a desire to complete a permanent move to Roma having settled in brilliantly in Italy.The experienced Englishman was loaned out in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season in charge with many not expecting him to perform as well as he has done so far.Smalling’s form has even seen him, if reports are to be believed, be considered for a recall to the national side with Gareth Southgate said to be impressed.United fans had previously expressed concerns as to why Marcos Rojo or Phil Jones didn’t leave the club first as they were the more dispensable players.With Solskjaer’s men defensively poor of late, having fa...
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Mandzukic quits Juventus for Qatari cub Al-Duhail

Mario Mandzukic of Juventus during the match between Juventus v Juventus U19 at the Villar Perosa Stadium.Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic has left Juventus to join Qatari club Al-Duhail on a free transfer after a four-year stint with the Italian side.Al-Duhail announced the signing of the World Cupper on their official website on Tuesday. Mandzukic’s move ends the rumours and speculations which stated that the footballer could join Manchester United in the winter transfer window.“The team’s management succeeded today in contracting with the Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic of Juventus in a free transfer deal after the end of his contract with his Italian team,” Al-Duhail said in a statement on their website.Mandzukic was a part of the team that finished runners-up in the 2018 FIFA Wor...
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Chelsea Reportedly offered the chance to sign Isco

Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground.Chelsea FC have been presented with the opportunity to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco, according to a report in England.The Daily Mirror is reporting that the Blues have been offered the experienced Spain international ahead of the January transfer window.The same article states that Real Madrid are eager to offload some unwanted players in an attempt to free up space for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen.According to the same story, the Blues are considering making an offer of Isco amid Frank Lampard’s eagerness to improve the Chelsea FC squad next month.The Daily Mirror go on to report that the west London side have in the region of £150m to spend on new signings in the January transfer window.The...
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SERIE A

Giuseppe Iachini Appointed Fiorentina Coach

Giuseppe Iachini manager of Fiorentina.Fiorentina have appointed former player Giuseppe Iachini as their new manager.The hierarchy have acted swiftly to replace Vincenzo Montella, who was sacked on Saturday, following a 4-1 thrashing at home to Roma on Friday night, leaving them without a win in seven matches.Iachini, who made 126 appearances for Fiorentina during a five-year spell, has led four sides to promotion out of Serie B, but was sacked as Empoli manager in March."The current situation in the table forced us to change the coach," said Rocco Commisso, the club's billionaire owner."We chose Iachini because he is a great man, linked to Florence and Fiorentina. Now we have to stick together and get back on the right track as soon as possible."The 55-year-old has huge experience in Ital...
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Atletico Madrid Reportedly close to signing PSG striker Cavani

Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris St Germain and Galatasaray AS at at the Parc des Princes.PSG striker Edinson Cavani is poised to move to Atletico Madrid in a transfer deal which could be inked in the coming days, the Marca sports daily reported on Monday.Rumours of a possible move from Paris Saint-Germain have been on the cards for months, but may be imminent, given the Uruguayan forward's frustration at being left on the bench, the Spanish paper said."The transfer could take place in the coming days. In principle, the agreement would be for two-and-a-half seasons, although it is still up for discussion," it said of Cavani, whose contract with PSG is up in June.But securing PSG's agreement for an immediate transfer of their...
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BUNDESLIGA

Hansi Flick to stay as Bayern Munich Manager until end of the Season

Head coach Hans-Dieter Flick of Bayern Munich looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena.Bayern Munich has confirmed interim coach Hansi Flick will stay in charge until at least the end of the season.The club's management praised Flick's start to life in charge of the German champion and said he could stay in the job for the long term.Flick has won eight out of 10 games since taking charge of Bayern in October when Niko Kovac was fired following a run of poor form.“We at FC Bayern are very satisfied with Hansi Flick’s work,” chairman and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on the club website.“Under him as head coach, the on-field development has been outstanding, both in terms of the quality of our play and the results achieved.”Flick was...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Carlo Ancelotti targets Anfield win to kickstart Everton Reign

Everton unveil new manager Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park.Carlo Ancelotti has set his sights on a second win over Liverpool this season.Ancelotti will aim to end Everton’s 21-year Anfield hoodoo when he takes on the European champions during next month’s FA Cup third round tie.The Italian is one of the few managers to best Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Napoli taking seven points off the Reds over the previous two seasons.Despite the Blues’ lengthy wait for Merseyside derby victory, with none since 2010, Ancelotti is aiming to end that barren run in the January 5 clash.“I would not describe a trip to Anfield as mission impossible.“Nothing is impossible in football.”The three-time Champions League winner also downplayed a potential reunion with free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Goodison Park ne...
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SERIE A

AC Milan thrashed 5-0 at Atalanta, worst league loss in 21 years

Alejandro Gomez and Ruslan Malinovskyi of Atalanta BC celebrates after their team-mate Mario Pasalic scored during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Gewiss Stadium.AC Milan suffered their heaviest defeat for more than 21 years as they were thrashed 5-0 by Atalanta in Serie A.Stefano Pioli's side are 10th in the table and could go into Christmas in the bottom half if Sassuolo or Bologna win later on Sunday.Alejandro Gomez scored a stunning opener, nutmegging Andrea Conti before firing home, and Atalanta's final three goals came in the last half hour.Mario Pasalic scored and Josip Ilicic netted twice before Luis Muriel struck.Atalanta, who are in the Champions League knockout stages, rise to fifth in the table.Milan had not lost by five goals in any competition since bein...
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NEWS

Ligue 1: Mbappe nets twice as PSG beat Amiens

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in action during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Amiens SC at Parc des Princes.Kylian Mbappe celebrated turning 21 with a silvery-looking haircut and two more clinical finishes as league leader Paris Saint-Germain beat struggling Amiens 4-1 on Saturday.It was a familiar sight as the lightning-fast France star with his new dyed hair — after his birthday on Friday — latched onto a long pass from Neymar and adroitly clipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.Mbappe has been involved in 15 goals in his last 12 league games — 11 goals and four assists — and his partnership with Brazil star Neymar continues to flourish.Neymar danced in front of the home fans after tapping home from close range early into the second half. Mauro Icar...
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NEWS

Liverpool win their first FIFA Club World Cup title

Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, lifts the Club World Cup after his team's 1-0 victory over CR Flamengo at Khalifa International Stadium.England's Liverpool won their first 2019 FIFA Club World Cup title after beating Brazil's Flamengo 1-0 in the final on Saturday.Champions League winners Liverpool beat the Brazilian side as their Brazilian star Roberto Firmino scored at the 99th minute in extra time at Khalifa International Stadium as Qatar is this year's host nation.Brazilian forward Firmino also carried his team to the final, scoring a vital goal in the injury time of the second half against Mexican club Monterrey.Mexican football club Monterrey defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 4-3 on penalties to finish at third place at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 on Saturday.Following a 2-...
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LALIGA

La Liga Champions Barcelona Cruise past Alaves 4-1

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Lucas Perez of Deportivo Alaves during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou.Reigning Spanish La Liga champs Barcelona beat Deportivo Alaves 4-1 on Saturday in order to maintain their lead in the league.In their 18th league match on Saturday at home in the Camp Nou, Barcelona opened up a three-point lead, thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal.On Wednesday, Barcelona drew 0-0 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in El Clasico.Leaders Barcelona have 39 points while Real Madrid, closely following at second spot with 36 points, will face Athletic Bilbao at home at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Sheffield United up to 5th with win at Brighton

Oliver McBurnie of Sheffield United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United at American Express Community Stadium.Sheffield United kept up its brilliant first season back in the Premier League by beating Brighton 1-0 away to climb into fifth place in the standings.In a game where United had two goals ruled out by the video assistant referee, the strike that was allowed came in the 23rd minute when a long clearance by goalkeeper Dean Henderson wasn’t dealt with effectively by defender Lewis Dunk and Oli McBurnie raced clear to finish.The visitors stayed unbeaten away from home in league play since Jan. 19, when they lost to Swansea when they were in the second-tier League Championship. They have played nine away games in the...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern snatch late win over Wolfsburg

Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena.Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich grabbed a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening.The game got off to a fiery start as Bayern's Ivan Perisic forced Koen Casteels into a superb save from distance, while Manuel Neuer was called upon to keep out Felix Klaus at the other end.David Alaba went close to breaking the deadlock for the home side at the midway point as his stinging strike from distance forced Casteels to make a fine one-handed save.The tempo slowed down in the latter stages of the first half as Wolfsburg were quite happy to soak up the pressure as the Bavarians dominated p...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta pledges to be ruthless at Arsenal to create 'winning mentality'

Mikel Arteta the Arsenal Head Coach during his press conference at Emirates Stadium.New Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is ready to channel the ruthlessness he witnessed under Pep Guardiola as he sets out to whip the Gunners into shape.The 37-year-old left the backroom staff at Manchester City on Friday to take the managerial job at the Emirates Stadium on a three-and-a-half year deal.He replaces Unai Emery, who was sacked three weeks ago after 18 months in charge, but will not be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Everton.Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg will take charge of the game at Goodison Park – with Everton also reportedly closing in on appointing their own new manager as Carlo Ancelotti edges closer to the job.Arteta will fully gets hold of the reins at Bournemouth ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Interim Everton boss Ferguson keen to go out on a high

Interim Everton Manager, Duncan Ferguson looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Everton FC and Leicester FC at Goodison Park.Interim Everton boss Duncan Ferguson has said he would like to sign off on a high if today's early Premier League kickoff against Arsenal is to be his final game in charge of the Merseyside club.The former striker, a longtime member of Everton's coaching staff, was handed the reins after Marco Silva was sacked earlier this month when Everton dropped into the relegation zone following a 5-2 defeat by Liverpool.Ferguson has steadied the ship since taking over, beating Chelsea at home and drawing at Manchester United in the league, and losing to Leicester City on penalties in the League Cup.Everton, who are now 16th in the standings, are expected ...
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Report: AC Milan target Haaland in January transfer window

Erling Braut Haaland of RB Salzburg inspects the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League group E match between RB Salzburg and Liverpool FC at Red Bull Arena.Italian Serie A giants AC Milan are considering making sensational move for Austrian club RB Salzburg’s star forward Erling Braut Haaland in the January transfer window.The Milan-based club have been in the market to sign an attacking player in the mid-season transfer window and have been strongly linked with veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who will be available as a free-agent once his contract with the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Los Angeles (LA) Galaxy will come to an end on December 31st.However, delay from the former Sweden international in deciding whether he is willing to join the Milan-based club have pushed the hi...
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Minamino agrees long-term Anfield deal

Takumi Minamino signs for Liverpool Football Club.Liverpool Football Club have confirmed an agreement with Red Bull Salzburg for the transfer of Takumi Minamino.The Japan international forward will officially become a Reds player on January 1 after he finalised personal terms and passed a medical on Merseyside on Wednesday.Minamino told Liverpoolfc.com: “It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player. And I’m so excited that the moment has come true.“To play in the Premier League was one of my targets. I think this is the top-class league in the world; I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League.“But I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I’m really happy about it. I’m looking forward t...
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Arsenal looking to seal Mikel Arteta swoop

Mikel Arteta, Assistant Manager of Manchester City reacts during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Oxford United and Manchester City at Kassam Stadium.Arsenal will be hoping to wrap up talks with Manchester City as they seek to appoint former player Mikel Arteta as their new head coach.Negotiations remain ongoing between the two Premier League clubs, with a compensation package for the City assistant coach yet to be agreed.The Gunners had fuelled speculation of an imminent announcement of Unai Emery’s permanent successor by postponing Thursday afternoon’s scheduled press conference.Spaniard Arteta, who played for the Gunners from 2011 to 2016, reportedly said his farewells to staff at City on Thursday morning.The 37-year-old, who made 110 top-flight appearances for Arsenal before...
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NEWS

Belgium named FIFA team of the Year 2019, England up to fourth

Romelu Lukaku (C) of Belgium celebrates his goal with teammates during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Russia and Belgium.Football's world governing body said Thursday that Belgium is the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking's Team of the Year for the second successive time.The team, known as the Red Devils, had held on to top spot in a December table barely impacted by just 19 friendlies toward the end of a year in which 1,082 international "A" matches have been played – an all-time high since the ranking's 1993 inception.World champions France remain in the second place ahead of Brazil in third, the positions they held in December 2018, but the make-up of the year-end top five has changed, said FIFA in a statement.According to the ranking, the "Mover of the Year" is Qatar."The 2022 FIFA Wor...
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Man United boss Solskjaer planning tactical change vs Man City in Carabao Cup semi final

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United speaks with Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows Manchester United need to improve on their recent derby win if they are to triumph against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.Having edged past Rochdale and shocked Chelsea, the Red Devils overcame League Two side Colchester, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, on Wednesday evening.The Essex side made the quarter-final harder than the 3-0 scoreline suggested, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scoring either side of Ryan Jackson’s own goal in a one-sided second half.United’s reward is a January double-header against Pep Guardiola’s City – a side Solskjae...
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