January 2020 – Page 4 – Football Flame

Month: January 2020

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Aubameyang scores, sent off as Arsenal draws 1-1 at Crystal Palace

Referee Paul Tierney shows a red card to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has opened the scoring at Crystal Palace, but was later sent off as the hosts fought back to draw 1-1 in the English Premier League.New Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was on course for a third straight win when his skipper made the breakthrough in the first half, but a deflected effort by Jordan Ayew cancelled it out at the start of the second period at Selhurst Park on Saturday.When Aubameyang received a red card with 23 minutes left, the experienced Roy Hodgson would have fancied his chances of gaining three points against the youngest manager ...
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LALIGA

Barcelona confirm Luis Suarez set to undergo knee surgery

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona (C) reacts during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 9, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Luis Suarez will have knee surgery on an external meniscus this Sunday, Barcelona have announced.Suarez, 32, is said to have been struggling with a niggling problem in his right knee for several weeks and it has finally been determined he will have an operation to prevent complications ahead of the season’s run-in.Media reports began circulating on Friday suggesting Suarez was set for a prolonged period of absence due to the problem.And, following examinations on Saturday, Barca have confirmed the Uruguay striker will be operated on by renowned knee specialist Dr. Ramon Cugat.Barcelona...
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TRANSFERS

Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone join Fiorentina on loan deal

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Patrick Cutrone during the UEFA Europa League group K match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Besiktas at Molineux on December 12, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.Patrick Cutrone has joined Fiorentina from Wolves on an initial 18-month loan deal with an obligation to buy.The Italian striker returns to Serie A six months after leaving boyhood club AC Milan, in a deal worth £16m which allows Wolves to recoup the fee spent on him in the summer.Cutrone was greeted by Fiorentina fans when he landed in Florence late on Thursday night before completing a medical and signing his contract on Friday.The Italy U21 international struggled to break into Nuno Espirito Santo's team throughout his time at Molineux, starting nine times out of 24 appearances and scoring thre...
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TRANSFERS

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud 'agrees terms' on Inter move to reunite with Antonio Conte

Olivier Giroud of Chelsea before the FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2020 in London, England.Inter Milan officials have held talks with Olivier Giroud's agents and agreed terms for a January transfer,  according to Sky Italia.The France striker, whose Blues deal expires in the summer, has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract to join the Italian side.However, Inter have yet to agree a deal with Chelsea, who are asking for between £6.8m (€8m) and £8.5m (€10m).Inter do not want to spend more than £4.3m (€5m) and Giroud has other offers on the table, including one from Lyon, but he is keen to move to Inter.Giroud has not featured for Chelsea since the end of November, with Tammy Abraham the clear No 1 striker at Stamford...
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NEWS

PSG will face Reims in French League Cup Semi-final

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Mauro Icardi of PSG warm up during the French League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue) quarter final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Saint-Etienne (ASSE) at Parc des Princes on January 8, 2020 in Paris, France.The draw for the semi-finals of the French League Cup  (Coupe de la Ligue) took place on Thursday 9 January. Paris will travel to Reims.On Thursday evening, the draw for the semi-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue took place, under the watchful eye of former Paris forward, Pedro Miguel Pauleta. For the club's 13th time reaching this stage of the competition (a competition record), they will travel to Reims.After beating Le Mans in the Round of 16 (1-4) and knocking out Saint-Etienne on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes (6-1), Thomas Tuchel's side will no...
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SERIE A

Report: Ajax want Matthijs de Ligt back on loan from Juventus

Juventus player Matthijs de Ligt during a training session at JTC on December 30, 2019 in Turin, Italy.Ajax have asked Juventus to send Matthijs de Ligt back to the club on loan, according to a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola.The report details how the Dutch club have been following the 20-year-old Dutch defender’s time in Turin. The player joined the club from Ajax in July of last year in a deal worth around €70 million but has struggled to adapt to life in Italy. De Ligt has come under fire from some in Italy due to his poor adaptation to the league, giving away multiple penalties due to hand balls.Maurizio Sarri, the Bianconeri’s coach, has left the 20-year-old on the bench for Juventus’ last three consecutive games across the league and the Supercoppa Italiana.His replacement, ...
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LALIGA

Atletico Madrid thrash Barcelona to reach Spanish Super Cup Final

Angel Correa of Athletico Madrid celebrates scoring their third goal during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 09, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Atletico Madrid will face Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday after defeating Barcelona 3-2 in a thrilling contest in Saudi Arabia.All five goals came in the second half, with Koke opening the scoring for Atletico Madrid before goals from Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann turned the match on its head.Alvaro Morata's penalty in the 81st minute appeared to send the match to extra-time but Angel Correa scored in the 86th minute to secure the win for Diego Simeone's side.
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TRANSFERS

West Ham United Reportedly reached an agreement to sign Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes

Gedson Fernandes of SL Benfica in action during the Liga NOS match between SL Benfica and Rio Ave FC at Estadio da Luz on November 2, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.According to Football Insider , West Ham United have reached an agreement to sign Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes after a breakthrough in negotiations.The Hammers have sealed a deal for the 21-year-old to join the club this month on an 18-month loan without an option to buy.West Ham boss David Moyes wants to add a midfielder to his squad, and Fernandes is expected to complete a move in the coming days.The likes of Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with the Portugal under-21 international, but it appears the London Stadium outfit have beaten fierce competition to land their man.Fernandes have already fall...
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LALIGA

Zinedine Zidane Rule Gareth Bale Out of Spanish Super Cup final

Zinedine Zidane Head Coach of Real Madrid during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 8, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Zidane's side booked a showdown with Barcelona or Atletico Madrid following a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Valencia in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.Bale missed the semi-final with a chest infection, and Zidane, also without the injured Karim Benzema, confirmed the Wales international would play no part in the remainder of the revamped tournament."The team is working hard to be playing at this level and it's great to see the dynamic in every single game," added Zidane."In yesterday's press conference I said we had to be at our best, and I don't know if we were, but we're pleased with the performan...
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TRANSFERS

Aston Villa Sign Drinkwater on Loan for the rest of the Season

Danny Drinkwater of Aston Villa poses for a picture at Bodymoor Heath training ground.Former England international Danny Drinkwater has joined relegation-threatened Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.The 29-year-old midfielder, who won the league with outsiders Leicester City in 2016 and moved to Chelsea in 2017, spent the first half of the season on loan to Burnley after becoming surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.“Danny was a key member of Leicester City’s title winning team and has represented England so he is a vastly experienced player,” said Villa manager Dean Smith. “He will strengthen our squad significantly.”Villa are 17th in the league and one point above the relegation zone, with an injury-hit squad.Forme...
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TRANSFERS

Sheffield United midfielder disclose his plan for the January window

Ben Osborn of Sheffield United during the FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and AFC Fylde at Bramall Lane.Ben Osborn has no interest in leaving Sheffield United on loan during the transfer window, insisting he is ready to be patient in order to fulfil his dream of becoming an established Premier League player.The midfielder has yet to start a top-flight match for Chris Wilder’s side, with four of his seven appearances so far coming from the bench.With a number of Championship clubs understood to be monitoring Osborn’s situation at Bramall Lane - together with Billy Sharp and Luke Freeman, he has been the subject of several loan enquiries - the 25-year-old insisted he is prepared to bide his time following United’s impressive start to the new season.“My career is still on an...
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SERIE A

Ibrahimovic Fails to Impress on Second debut for Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return failed to inspire AC Milan as the fallen giants of Italian soccer were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sampdoria in Serie A yesterday, failing to score for the third league game in a row.The 38-year-old Swede, who helped Milan win their last major title — Serie A in 2011 — before leaving the following year, was brought on to a rousing reception from the San Siro crowd in the 55th minute.But Milan could still not find a way past their opponents, who are hovering just above the relegation zone, and the match ended amid the familiar sound of jeers from their supporters.Milan were left 12th in the Serie A standings, below Verona on goal differe...
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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo Opens 2020 with Hat-trick for Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between Juventus and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium.Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Serie A hat-trick as Juventus beat Cagliari.Ronaldo took advantage of a Ragnar Klavan error early in the second half to give the champions the lead, before scoring a penalty after Marko Rog fouled Paulo Dybala.Portugal legend Ronaldo then set up Gonzalo Higuain to put Juve 3-0 up.And moments later he got his 56th career hat-trick when he slipped the ball under goalkeeper Robin Olsen.The 34-year-old is in his best scoring run since his £99.2m move from Real Madrid in 2018, scoring in each of his last five Serie A games.Juventus overtake Inter Milan to go top in Serie A, but Inter can go back to the summit if they beat Napoli at 19:45 GMT...
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TRANSFERS

Arsenal Reportedly turned down Roma bid to sign Henrikh

Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Roma in action during the football Serie A match Ac Fiorentina v AS Roma at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence.Arsenal have reportedly rejected an approach from Roma to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a permanent basis this month.The Armenia international, who joined the North London side in January 2018, moved to the Italian capital on a season-long loan over the summer having failed to impress under Unai Emery.Having missed the opening stages of the season with injury, Mkhitaryan has netted three Serie A goals in nine appearances so far this term.According to Forza Roma, the Gunners have rejected a bid worth £8.5m from Roma to strike a permanent move for Mkhitaryan.Manager Paulo Fonseca is said to highly admire the attacking midfielder, who has demonstrated excellen...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs Boss Mourinho Says Kane's Hamstring Injury is a serious one

Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embraces Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur as he walks off the pitch after picking up an injury during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium.Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Harry Kane's hamstring injury is a serious one.The England captain suffered a tear in the 1-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day, although the club have not said what grade it is.Mourinho again avoided the question, but did reveal his assertion that it is not a minor injury has proven to be correct.Kane missed the 1-1 FA Cup draw at Middlesbrough and is set to be out for a lengthy period of time.Mourinho said: "I think it is better for the medical department to speak about it or make an official repo...
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NEWS

FA Cup: Tottenham held to draw, Chelsea Ease past Nottingham

Lucas Moura of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at Riverside Stadium.Lucas Moura kept Tottenham in the  FA Cup competition as he prevented a third-round shock at the hands of Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate, who headed Spurs to victory in the 2008 League Cup final – took a 50th-minute lead through Ashley Fletcher’s sixth goal in 11 games.But Jose Mourinho’s men hit back within 11 minutes when Brazilian Moura headed firmly past Tomas Mejias to secure a 1-1 draw and a place in Monday evening’s fourth-round draw.Elsewhere, Callum Hudson-Odoi fired a confidence-boosting first Chelsea goal in four months as the Blues saw off Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Stam...
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SERIE A

Immobile brace gives Lazio ninth straight win

Ciro Immobile of SS LAZIO celebrates with team mates after is penalty goal 1-1 ,during the Serie A match between Brescia Calcio FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Mario Rigamonti.Two goals from Serie A’s leading scorer Ciro Immobile, the second in stoppage time, gave third-placed Lazio a dramatic 2-1 win at 10-man Brescia on Sunday as they chalked up their ninth successive league victory.Simone Inzaghi’s side overcame the absence of several key players as they cut the gap between themselves and leading pair Juventus and Inter Milan to three points after scoring an injury-time winner for the third away game in row.Juventus and Inter, who have 42 points each from 17 games, both play on Monday while Lazio, with 39 from 17, have an outstanding fixture at home to Verona to come in early February.Lazio h...
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SERIE A

Ibrahimovic ready to kick-start Milan as Inter seek rare win at Napoli

Milan's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts as he receives his new jersey during his official presentation as new AC Milan player at the club's headquarters Casa Milan in Milan.Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he is ready to  help struggling AC Milan reverse their Serie A fortunes as their local rivals Inter Milan recommence a title battle with Juventus this weekend after the end of the winter break.Milan play host to Sampdoria on Monday (tomorrow), their first game since the humiliating 5-0 goal defeat to Atalanta last month which sparked Ibrahimovic’s return.“I’m ready and I really hope I can play,” said the 38-year-old Ibrahimovic as he returned to Milan nine years after his departure for Paris Saint-Germain.“Things need to be improved on the pitch and that’s why I’m here. I know what...
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LALIGA

Luis Suarez unhappy with two points lost against Espanyol

Luis Suarez of Barcelona reacts during the Liga match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium.Luis Suarez sounded pretty unhappy after Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at Espanyol on Saturday in La Liga.The Uruguay international scored and assisted at the RCDE Stadium but it was not enough for victory and left Suarez calling on his side to improve quickly.“We did well to turn the score around (and lead 2-1). But we have lost two points here today, and we must look at that,” he said.“I think that even if we had won the game, there are still many things to look at and improve.“We have a few days now to prepare for the Supercopa, but it will be a difficult game against Atletico Madrid. To win a title like that, we must improve, and quickly.”The win does take Barca back to the top of the tab...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid thrash Getafe 3-0

Luka Modric of Real Madrid scores his team's third goal during the La Liga match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.Real Madrid was far from its best on Saturday, but the Spanish side secured a 3-0 win over Getafe to move atop the La Liga table – for now.Madrid didn’t exactly produce a dominating performance, but Luka Modric was the best of the bunch as he orchestrated the midfield and scored the game’s third goal.The opener came on a mistake by Getafe goalkeeper Daniel Soria who spilled a ball into the box and saw it trickle into the back of the net. After halftime, Raphael Varane headed in Madrid’s second on a cross from Toni Kroos, and Modric finished off a spectacular counter in added time to complete the scoreline.Getafe wouldn’t go down without a fight, ri...
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