January 2020 – Football Flame

31Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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.

31Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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...

31Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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 ...

30Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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...

30Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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...

30Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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...

29Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

NEWS

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...

29Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

NEWS

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...

28Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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...

28Jan

By Football FlameNo Comments

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...