January 2020 – Football Flame

Month: January 2020

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TRANSFERS

Napoli confirm Signing Andrea Petagna from Spal

2019/12/21: Andrea Petagna of Spal during the Serie A match between Torino Fc and Spal. Spal wins 2-1 over Torino Fc.Napoli have signed SPAL striker Andrea Petagna, though the Italian will remain with the Spallini for the remainder of the season.The deal has been in the work for days, as the Azzurri continue their busy January after completing moves for Diego Demme, Stanislav Lobotka and Matteo Politano.While those three players have already joined Napoli, Petagna’s move is one for the future as the Azzurri announced on their official website that they have agreed to loan the striker back to SPAL for the remainder of the season.
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TRANSFERS

Paco Alcacer Complete Club-record Villarreal transfer

Paco Alcacer of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the Borussia Dortmund training session on January 21, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany.Paco Alcacer has become the victim of Erling Braut Haaland’s spectacular start at Borussia Dortmund as the Spain striker left to join Villarreal, the German club comfirmed.The 26-year-old Alcacer reportedly cost the Spanish league side €30 million euros, including bonus payments, after signing a deal until 2025 to return to Spain after only 18 months in Germany.“We would like to thank Paco Alcacer for his performance in the Dortmund jersey and wish him good health and maximum sporting success in the future,” said Dortmund’s sports director Michael Zorc.The injury-prone striker joined Dortmund on loan from Barcelona in August 2018 and made a flying start with sev...
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NEWS

Lionel Messi becomes the first player in Spanish history to win 500 matches

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and CD Leganes at Camp Nou on January 30, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Lionel Messi set yet another landmark on Thursday night as he became the first player in the history of Spanish football to reach 500 wins as Barcelona thrashed Leganes 5-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.Messi's double, as well as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Clement Lenglet and Arthur Melo rounded off an emphatic win at Camp Nou, where Barca successfully bounced back from Saturday's surprise La Liga loss away at Valencia.As Messi enters the 500 club, the Argentine maestro now sits at the head of the ranking of wins, ahead of second placed Xavi Hernandez (476) and ...
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NEWS

Real Madrid progress in Copa del Rey after Victory over Real Zaragoza

Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between Real Zaragoza and Real Madrid at La Romareda on January 29, 2020 in Zaragoza, Spain.Real Madrid cruised into the quarterfinals of Spain's Copa del Rey knockout competition with a straightforward 4-0 win away to second division Zaragoza on Wednesday night.Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane fielded a strong side, while Zaragoza boss, Victor Fernandez, perhaps mindful of his side's aim to return to the Primera Liga, fielded a team packed with substitutes.The result was never really in doubt from the sixth minute when Raphael Varane was able to tap home from close range following a corner.Lucas Vazquez doubled Madrid's lead in the 32nd minute after his side pressured Zara...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool Cruise Past West Ham to go 19 points Clear

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool FC at London Stadium on January 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Liverpool moved an incredible 19 points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain secured a 2-0 win at West Ham on Wednesday.Jurgen Klopp's side have turned the title race into a procession and the runaway leaders saw off struggling West Ham to make it a remarkable 23 victories from 24 league games this season. Salah opened the scoring with a first half penalty at the London Stadium and Oxlade-Chamberlain wrapped up Liverpool's 15th successive league win after the interval. Second placed Manchester City are now so far behind Liverpool that the quest...
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NEWS

Inter beat Fiorentina 2-1 to reach Coppa Italia semifinals

(L-R) Antonio Candreva of Inter, Dalbert of Fiorentina during the Italian Coppa Italia match between Internazionale v Fiorentina at the San Siro on January 29, 2020 in Milan Italy.Inter Milan beat Fiorentina 2-1 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, commonly known as San Siro, in Milan on Wednesday night in the last quarter-final clash in the Coppa Italia at San Siro.Midfielder Antonio Candreva scored the first goal for Inter in the 44th minute, near the end of an energetic and hard-fought first half.Defender Martin Caceres leveled the score for Fiorentina with a header at the 60th minute.Midfielder Nicolo Barella fired Inter back into the lead with a goal in the 67th.The Nerazzurri now face Napoli, which knocked out Coppa holders Lazio 1-0 in the quarter-final on Jan. 22, and Milan meets Juventus a...
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Athletic Bilbao beats Tenerife on penalties in Copa del Rey

Inaki Williams #9 of Athletic Bilbao.Athletic Bilbao beat second-division club Tenerife 4-2 on penalties Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after playing nearly the entire game with 10 men.The game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time, with Athletic coming from behind three times. Its final equalizer came two minutes from the end of extra time with a low shot from outside the area by left back Yuri Berchiche.Athletic played a man down from the second minute after goalkeeper Iago Herrerin was sent off for a tackle outside the area on American defender Shaq Moore, who then missed one of the penalties for the hosts in the shootout when he hit the crossbar."The team never lost faith despite the adversities," Athletic coach Gaizka Garitano said. "The...
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Coppa Italia : Ibrahimovic goal seals AC Milan win over Torino

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates 4-2 during the Italian Coppa Italia match between AC Milan v Torino at the San Siro on January 28, 2020 in Milan Italy.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal at the San Siro since 2012 as AC Milan came from behind to beat visitors Torino 4-2 after extra time and reach the semifinals of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday.Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu netted a stoppage-time equalizer before giving the Rossoneri a 3-2 lead in extra time as the home side claimed their fifth win in as many games to set up a last-four clash with Juventus.Milan were clear favorites and went ahead on 12 minutes when midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura latched onto Ante Rebic's cross.Gleison Bremer, however, equalized 10 minutes before the interval with a low, angled shot and he...
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SERIE A

Inter Milan Pay Tribute To Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.Inter Milan have taken to social media platform Twitter to pay tribute to NBA basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, following his tragic death on Sunday.Bryant, who is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players ever, tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash which claimed the lives of everyone else on board, including his daughter Gianna.Inter have joined many other clubs in mourning the loss of the 41-year-old, who was a two time MVP winner during his storied career.“You were a constant inspiration to anyone who’s ever loved any sport. Losing you leaves an immense hole in our lives. You rose above the boundaries...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Report : Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans to recall Alexis Sanchez from Milan

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale gestures during the Serie A football match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio. The match ended in a 1-1 tie.Manchester United will reportedly offer Alexis Sanchez the chance to return to the club next season, having sent the former Arsenal man out on a season-long loan to Inter Milan this term.The Old Trafford club are currently short on attackers due to an injury to Marcus Rashford, while Sanchez has also struggled for game time in Italy.According to The Mirror, United are prepared to welcome Alexis back in the summer and allow him to reignite his career in Manchester.United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said to be keen on keeping the Chilean at the club next term and will reportedly not entertain the idea of letting him leave perm...
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TRANSFERS

West Ham transfer target Tomas Soucek expected in London for Medical

Tomas Soucek of Slavia Prague controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Borussia Dortmund and Slavia Praha at Signal Iduna Park on December 10, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany.Slavia Prague have given midfielder Tomas Soucek permission to travel to London for a medical and further contract negotiations with West Ham.The 24-year-old was voted as the Czech player of the year and is valued at €20m (£16.8m) by Slavia.He has 12 goals in 26 appearances this season, two of which came in the Champions League against Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund.Soucek won the Czech league and cup double with Slavia Prague last season which ensured him a new five-year contract at the club last summer.He featured in the Czech Republic team that beat England 2-1 in Prague in a European Q...
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NEWS

Neymar bags two goal to extend PSG lead at the top

Paris' Neymar Jr (L) and Lille's Renato Sanches during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Pierre Mauroy on January 26, 2020 in Lille, France.Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain pushed their Ligue 1 lead to double digits with a 2-0 win over Lille on Sunday. The Brazilian netted both goals.   The two teams were evenly matched in the first half, but a moment of brilliance from the former Barcelona man was enough to give the visitors the lead. He converted a penalty after the break to double the advantage.Second-placed Marseille dropped points on Saturday in a scoreless draw with Angers, giving PSG the chance to increase their Ligue 1 lead to 10 points.Lille carried a domestic 14-match unbeaten run at home into the match, and it showed early, with both te...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayer Leverkusen up to 5th in Bundesliga, Bremen still in Danger

Kai Havertz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen scores his teams first goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Fortuna Duesseldorf at BayArena on January 26, 2020 in Leverkusen, Germany.Bayer Leverkusen moved up to fifth place in the Bundesliga with a 3-0 win over bottom side Fortuna Dusseldorf, while Werder Bremen was unable to escape the relegation zone on Sunday.Kai Havertz got Leverkusen off the mark in the 40th minute, Lars Bender decided the outcome in the 79th and Lucas Alario made sure with a penalty in the 89th.Leverkusen’s third straight league win lifted the side one point above Schalke – which was demolished 5-0 by Bayern Munich on Saturday – and six points behind league leader Leipzig.Bremen’s bid to leave the drop zone ended in a 3-0 defeat at home to Hoffenheim e...
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SERIE A

Struggling Napoli Shocked Sarri's Serie A leaders Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus vies with Kostantinos Manolas and Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus at Stadio San Paolo on January 26, 2020 in Naples, Italy.Second-half goals from Piotr Zielinski and Lorenzo Insigne earned Napoli a hard-earned 2-1 win over leaders Juventus in San Paolo.Gli Azzurri’s win marks their first in three Serie A bouts and ended the Old lady’s five-game winning streak.Cristiano Ronaldo managed to extend his goalscoring streak to eight games in the final minutes of the match, but Juventus failed to go six point clear of second best Inter Milan, who drew on Sunday.Following the game, the visitor’s boss, Maurizio Sarri, was delighted for Napoli, who he managed from 2015 to 2018.“I am happy for the lads, as I will alwa...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid beat Valladolid to go top of La Liga table

Nacho Fernandez of Real Madrid (C) scores his team's first goal during the Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on January 26, 2020 in Valladolid, Spain.Real Madrid went top of La Liga on Sunday night with Nacho heading in Toni Kroos’ perfect cross with 12 minutes left to seal the 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.The reserve central defender was given a rare start at right-back because Dani Carvajal was suspended and Alvaro Odriozola has been loaned to Bayern Munich.His goal puts Madrid three points ahead of Barcelona, who were beaten 2-0 by Valencia on Saturday and 10 points ahead of Atletico Madrid, who they face in the derby next week. Nacho ran to Zinedine Zidane to celebrate the strike in another show of support for a coach who was under press...
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SERIE A

Iiicic inspires Atalanta to astonishing 7-0 win at Torino

Josip Ilicic of Atalanta BC in action during the Serie A match between Torino FC and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 25, 2020 in Turin, Italy.Josip Ilic scored a hat-trick - including a free-kick from near the halfway line - as Atalanta thumped Torino 7-0 on Saturday night to leave home players reportedly in tears after the game.Atalanta were fifth heading into the game, 11 points clear of 10th placed Torino, but there was an alarming gulf in quality between the sides from the kick-off as the hosts went on to suffer their heaviest home defeat in history.Goals from Ilic and Robin Gosens made it 2-0 at half-time before Duvan Zapata added a third just after the break. But it was an incredible free-kick from Ilic that broke Torino hearts and prompted the floodgates to ...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich Sweep Schalke aside with 5-0 win

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen scores his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on January 25, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich have cut the gap to a single point on Bundesliga Leaders RB Leipzig, after hammering Schalke 5-0 at Allianz Arena.Robert Lewandowski scored his 32nd goal of the season, with a calm finish, 6 minutes into the match.Then German striker Thomas Muller tapped the ball home from close range, to add the 2nd just before halftime.Germany midfielder, Leon Goretzka scored the 3rd with a Scissor kick from inside the box just 5 minutes after the break.Thiago Alcantara made it 4-0 for the Bavarians with a simple finish before the hour mark.Finally Serge Gnabry capped a comprehensive victory in ...
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NEWS

Iheanacho fires Leicester into FA Cup fifth round

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City passing past Luka Racic of Brentford during the FA Cup match between Brentford and Leicester City at Griffin.Leicester edged into the FA Cup fifth round as Kelechi Iheanacho’s early goal sealed a 1-0 win at second tier Brentford on Saturday.Brendan Rodgers’ side are chasing a trip to Wembley on two fronts and they took the next step in the FA Cup after surviving a hard-fought fourth round clash in west London. Flying high in the Premier League, third-placed Leicester could be set for a memorable end to the season.Leicester, who have never won the FA Cup, are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 1969. In the League Cup, they are through to the semi-finals and head to Aston Villa in the second leg on Tuesday after being held to a 1-1 dra...
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LALIGA

Barcelona stunned as Setien suffers first loss in charge

Carlos Soler of Valencia, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia v FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla on January 25, 2020 in Valencia Spain.Quique Setien suffered his first defeat as Barcelona manager as Valencia claimed their first home win over the Spanish champions since 2007.The hosts broke the deadlock when Jordi Alba deflected Maxi Gomez's powerful strike past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.Gomez, who had a first-half penalty saved by Ter Stegen, completed the scoring in the second half.There were unsavoury scenes before the game as rival fans clashed outside the Mestalla Stadium.Setien had enjoyed a good start to his Barca reign, guiding the club to victories over Granada in La Liga and UD Ibiza in the Copa del Rey round of 32.The visitors were ...
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SERIE A

Ante Rebic on target as Milan snatch 1-0 win over Brescia

Ante Rebic (2nd R) of AC Milan celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Brescia Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Mario Rigamonti on January 24, 2020 in Brescia, Italy.AC Milan's Croatian forward Ante Rebic scored the winner for the second week running as they beat Brescia 1-0 away in Italian Serie A on Friday, sparing the blushes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic after an extraordinary miss by the 38-year-old.Ibrahimovic had only to tap the ball in from six meters after Theo Hernandez sent in a low cross in the 40th minute but the Swedish striker instead contrived to shoot wide, his only excuse being that the ball might have been slightly behind him.He made amends by setting up the winning goal in the 71st minute. Ibrahimovic pulled the ball back from the ...
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