February 2020 – Page 3 – Football Flame    
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Month: February 2020

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NEWS

Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic set for Italian Cup clash

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 8, 2020 in Verona, Italy.Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are set to go head-to-head in Thursday's Italian Cup semi-final, first leg between Juventus and AC Milan at the San Siro.Both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic scored at the weekend in defeats as Juventus fell 2-1 at Hellas Verona, while AC Milan threw away a two-goal lead in a 4-2 defeat by city rivals Inter."It wasn't the result we wanted," said the 35-year-old Ronaldo despite becoming the first Juventus player to score in 10 successive league games, just one game short of the Serie A record.The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season.Ibrahimovic, 38, ...
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BUNDESLIGA

Leipzig hold Bundesliga leaders Bayern to stay point behind

Dayot Upamecano of RB Leipzig and Thomas Muller of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich was held to a 0-0 draw Sunday by Leipzig as it stayed top of the Bundesliga but failed to extend its lead in the pursuit of an eighth consecutive title.Leipzig did well to blunt a Bayern attack which had scored 16 goals in its last four games and dominated possession. With its top scorer Timo Werner struggling to hit the target, Leipzig failed to take its own chances to score on the counterattack in the second draw between the teams this season.Bayern leads Leipzig by one point. The title chase made both teams unwilling to risk everything for a win, Bayern midfiel...
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LALIGA

Barcelona come from behind to beat Real Betis as Messi grabs hat-trick of assists

Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis competes for the ball with Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on February 09, 2020 in Seville, Spain.Lionel Messi gave a hat-trick of assists on Sunday as Barcelona ended their turbulent week with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Betis to stay in touch with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.Madrid's 4-1 win away at Osasuna earlier in the day put pressure on Barca to respond, only for Betis to twice lead at the Benito Villamarin through a penalty from Sergio Canales and brilliant solo effort from Nabil Fekir.Yet both times Barcelona hit back as Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets pulled them level before Clement Lenglet headed in with 18 minutes left, all three goals teed...
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SERIE A

Inter top Serie A following stunning comeback win over AC Milan

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale scores the 4-2 goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 9, 2020 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan launched a superb second-half comeback from 2-0 down to stun rivals AC Milan and go top of Serie A.Inter started in third but leapfrogged Lazio and head the table on goal difference from champions Juventus.Ante Rebic tapped home from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knockdown and the Swede headed in the second before the break.But Marcelo Brozovic volleyed in and Matias Vecino stroked home Alexis Sanchez's cutback before Stefan de Vrij and Romelu Lukaku both scored headers.Antonio Conte's side looked beaten at half-time after a lethargic opening 45 minutes, but responded in sensational fashion in the second peri...
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NEWS

Ligue 1: Marseille cement second place with Toulouse win

Dimitri Payet of Olympique Marseille controls the ball during the Ligue 1 match between Olympique Marseille and Toulouse FC at Stade Velodrome on February 8, 2020 in Marseille, France.Second-placed Marseille have defeated Toulouse to close to within nine points of French Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain while Monaco won at Amiens.Dimitri Payet has scored his second spectacular goal of the week to help Marseille beat Toulouse 1-0 in France's Ligue 1 on Saturday and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games overall.Marseille had the added bonus of strengthening their grip on second spot by moving eight points ahead of third-place Rennes, who drew 0-0 at home with Brest.Payet's stellar form is guiding Marseille back to Europe, and improving his chances of a France recall.Having scored a fine i...
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LALIGA

Atletico Madrid Earn Narrow Victory Over Granada After Angel Correa's Early Strike

Angel Correa of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Granada at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 8, 2020 in Madrid Spain.Atletico Madrid ended a barren run of five games in all competitions without a win with a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Granada in La Liga on Saturday, inspired by returning captain Koke.The midfielder was making his first appearance in the league since mid-December and wasted little time in making an impact on his struggling team, setting up Angel Correa to score the only goal of the game in the sixth minute.Atletico were comfortable in the first half but began to suffer in the second and it took a world class save from goalkeeper Jan Oblak to prevent Granada's Roberto Soldado levelling with a backheel.The win lifted At...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brighton 1-1 Watford: Adrian Mariappa own goal denies visitors victory

Brighton & Hove Albion's Aaron Mooy (right) battles with Watford's Adrian Mariappa (left) during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford FC at American Express Community Stadium on February 8, 2020 in Brighton, United Kingdom.Watford conceded a late own-goal by defender Adrian Mariappa to draw 1-1 at fellow struggler Brighton and stay in the relegation zone of the English Premier League on Saturday.The right back was under no pressure when he turned a cross from the right by Alireza Jahanbakhsh into his own net in the 78th minute, denying his team a victory that would have lifted it out of the bottom three.Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Watford the lead in the 19th when he picked up a loose ball just inside Brighton’s half following an interception, surged forw...
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BUNDESLIGA

Leverkusen beats Dortmund 4-3 after late comeback

Emre Can of Borussia Dortmund and Nadiem Amiri of Bayer 04 Leverkusen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena on February 8, 2020 in Leverkusen, Germany.Bayer Leverkusen scored twice in two minutes to complete a thrilling comeback as they beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3, denying their visitors the chance to go second in the Bundesliga table. Kevin Volland swept a shot past Roman Buerki and into the far corner to give Leverkusen the lead in the 20th minute, but Mats Hummels deftly headed home from a corner to put the visitors back on level terms two minutes later.Emre Can then gave Dortmund the lead with a wonder strike in the 33rd minute, picking the ball up well outside the box before unleashing a brilliant dipping shot...
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SERIE A

Ronaldo nets as Verona stun Juventus in late comeback

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus scores the opening goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 8, 2020 in Verona, Italy.Verona produced a huge upset by coming from behind to beat Serie A leaders Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Saturday, inflicting a third defeat of the season on the Italian champions. Cristiano Ronaldo set a new Juventus record by scoring in a 10th consecutive league game to put the visitors in front after 65 minutes.Yet Ivan Juric’s side left the visitors stunned as Fabio Borini struck an equaliser before a late penalty from the substitute Giampaolo Pazzini completed the comeback. Juve remain on top of the table on 54 points, but Internazionale will draw level with them if they beat M...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ancelotti hopes Liverpool don't seal Premier League title at Goodison Park

Carlo Ancelotti, Manager of Everton celebrates victory after the Premier League match between Watford FC and Everton FC at Vicarage Road on February 01, 2020 in Watford, United Kingdom.Manager Carlo Ancelotti says he is hoping Everton will not have to watch local rivals Liverpool clinch the Premier League title at their Goodison Park home.With Liverpool 22 points clear at the top of the table, thoughts have turned to when they could clinch a first title in 30 years.If Liverpool keep winning, Manchester City drop three points, and Leicester drop any points between now and the Merseyside derby, Jurgen Klopp's side can potentially claim the title at Goodison Park on March 16.Asked what he thought of that prospect, Ancelotti told Sky Sport on Friday, ahead of Saturday's match against Crystal P...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City Confirm Raheem Sterling out of West Ham game with hamstring injury

Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur consoles Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Man City have confirmed that Raheem Sterling suffered an injury during Sunday's defeat to Tottenham and is set for a spell on the sidelines.Sterling hobbled off the pitch in the 84th minute in North London clutching his left leg and City have now confirmed that he has suffered damage to his left hamstring.The England international will be unavailable for Sunday's visit of West Ham United to the Etihad."Raheem Sterling will miss our game against West Ham this weekend after scans revealed he has suffered damage to his left hamstring," the club tweeted."Everyone at ...
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NEWS

Barcelona, Real Madrid both Eliminated from Copa Del Rey

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (L) competes for the ball with Dani Garcia of Athletic Club (C) and Ander Capa of FC Barcelona (R) during the Copa del Rey quarter final match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona at Estadio de San Mames on February 06, 2020 in Bilbao, Spain.Barcelona and Real Madrid both crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night as Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad pulled off a shock Basque double to reach the semi-finals. Barca were beaten 1-0 by Bilbao at San Mames, where Inaki Williams headed in a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, after La Real had seen off Madrid 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Santiago Bernabeu. Two sensational upsets added another layer of excitement to a competition that has been full of surprises this season, with Bilbao and Real S...
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TRANSFERS

Dortmund Reportedly ready to open talks with Real Madrid regarding €45m-rated full-back

Achraf Hakimi of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between 1. FC Nuernberg and SV Sandhausen at Max-Morlock-Stadion on February 02, 2020 in Nuernberg, Germany.Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director Michel Zorc has said that the club will have discussions with Real Madrid regarding Achraf Hakimi.Currently valued at €45 million according to Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old has done pretty well for the Bundesliga side this season so far. In 30 appearances across all competitions, Hakimi has scored six goals while providing as many assists.Zorc said that Dortmund will have talks with Real Madrid regarding the Moroccan international in the forthcoming weeks. As quoted by Goal.com , he told Sport Bild: “We will have talks with Real Madrid in the next few weeks. Th...
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NEWS

Gerrard hails outstanding Hagi for Comeback win

Ianis Hagi celebrates making it 2-1 to Rangers during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Hibernian, at Ibrox, on 05 January 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland.Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi, the son of Romania great Gheorghe, celebrated his first start for the club by scoring a late winner against Hibernian on Wednesday to seal a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory.Hagi’s 84th-minute strike, which helped Rangers remain seven points behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand, also came as the prefect birthday gift for his father, who turned 55.The elder Hagi is regarded as one of the best players of his generation, winning more than 120 caps for Romania and playing for both Real Madrid and Barcelona in a stellar club career.Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the 21-year-...
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NEWS

Lewandowski brace helps Bayern into DFB Cup Quarter-final

05 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: DFB Cup, Bayern Munich - 1899 Hoffenheim, Round of 16 in the Allianz Arena. Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Munich (2nd from right) scores to make it 3-1, and next to him Kevin Akpoguma of Hoffenheim (3rd from right) can no longer reach the ball.Holders Bayern appeared to be cruising into the last eight when Lewandowski put them 3-1 up at half-time on Wednesday, yet a lacklustre second-half showing gave Hoffenheim – who had taken the lead through Jerome Boateng's own goal – unexpected hope.Bayern had quickly levelled when Benjamin Hubner put through his own goal before Muller – who had a hand in all three of the hosts' first-half goals – nosed them ahead.Lewandowski's second made it 4-1 with 10 minutes to go before Munas Dabbur's late double set...
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NEWS

Spurs 3 Southampton 2: Son Heung-min's late penalty stuns Saints in FA Cup Classic

Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn fouls Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, leading to a penalty to Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Replay - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 05-02-2020 .After going behind to an 11th-minute own goal, Saints were level by half-time through Shane Long after Nathan Redmond's shot was saved.Saints created several good chances and when Danny Ings beat Hugo Lloris in the 73rd minute after a Redmond-inspired counter-attack, it looked like they were heading for a fifth-round tie against Norwich City.But Spurs had other ideas. Saints had only been ahead five minutes when Lucas Moura equalised and an 87th-minute Heung-Min Son penalty won it for the home side.The last ten minutes apart, this was another outstanding away performance from Sai...
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SERIE A

Brescia Sack Eugenio Corini for Second time this Season

Brescia Calcio head coach Eugenio Corini looks on during the Serie A match between Brescia Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Mario Rigamonti on January 19, 2020 in Brescia, Italy.Relegation-threatened Brescia fired coach Eugenio Corini for a second time this season and hired Diego Lopez as his replacement on Wednesday.Brescia announced the move amid a six-match winless streak that has left the club in next-to-last place in Serie A — level on points with last-place Spal.Corini coached Brescia to the Serie B title last season but was fired in early November after the squad lost seven of its opening 10 matches.After Fabio Grosso coached the club to three straight losses, Corini was rehired in December and Brescia immediately won two consecutive games. But the team has not won since.Lopez, ...
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LALIGA

Ousmane Dembele Leaves Barcelona Training With Leg Injury

Lionel Messi of Barcelona talks to Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League group F match between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund at Camp Nou on November 27, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele pulled out of training on Monday amid fears the Frenchman has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.“During this morning’s training session, Ousmane Dembele felt some discomfort in his right leg as a consequence of muscle fatigue,” Barcelona said in a statement. “He will continue with his rehabilitation.”Dembele has not played for Barca since November 27 but had been expected to return this month.The 22-year-old has endured a spate of injuries since moving to Camp Nou from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and has only made nine appear...
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SERIE A

Napoli Spoil Sampdoria Comeback with Late Strikes

Eljif Elmas of SSC Napoli scoring the 0-2 goal during the Serie A match between UC Sampdoria and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 3, 2020 in Genoa, Italy.Napoli snatched two late goals to beat Sampdoria 4-2 away on Monday in a Serie A match which featured two controversial VAR decisions and a spectacular effort by veteran Fabio Quagliarella for the hosts.Diego Demme and Dries Mertensstruck in the final 10 minutes as Napoli continued their mini-revival under fiery coach Gennaro Gattuso with a third successive win in all competitions.Napoli had plummeted down the table after a dreadful run of results but are now back up to 10th with 30 points, nine off the Champions League spots."We're back, we giving continuity to the work we do during the week with the boss," said team capta...
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BUNDESLIGA

Ginczek helps Wolfsburg snap out of slump

02 February 2020, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn: Football: Bundesliga, SC Paderborn 07 - VfL Wolfsburg, 20th matchday in the Benteler Arena. Marin Pongracic (l-r) and Robin Knoche from Wolfsburg. High-five; Maximilian Arnold (2nd from right) watches.VfL Wolfsburg secured their first three points of the calendar year, beating ten-man SC Paderborn 4-2 in a topsy-turvy encounter at the Benteler-Arena.Ben Zolinski gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half, but Robin Knoche equalised for VfL before Gerrit Holtmann was given his marching orders for the hosts. Daniel Ginczek’s brace put the Wolves firmly in the driving seat, before Sebastian Vasiliadis’ powerful strike gave Paderborn hope. VfL had the last laugh, though, Maximilian Arnold curling a trademark free-kick in...
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