June 2020 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Month: June 2020

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TRANSFERS

Achraf Hakimi to Complete Inter Milan Move

Achraf Hakimi of Borussia Dortmund in action during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the Signal Iduna Park on June 17, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. Morocco international Achraf Hakimi is close to completing his move to Italian giants Inter Milan. This has been confirmed by Inter’s chief executive officer Giuseppe Marotta as they look to sign the full-back from Spanish giants Real Madrid. Hakimi is coming off a two-year successful loan spell at German side Borussia Dortmund where he played 54 Bundesliga games and scored seven goals and also registered 14 assists. “The will of [owners] the Zhang family is to continue buying important players,” Marotta said on BEIN Sports. “I confirm that we are in an advanced negotiation for Hakimi. [Inter spor...
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SERIE A

De Vrij and Bastoni nets as Inter Milan grab late win over Parma

Stefan De Vrij of FC Internazionale celebrates his goal with his team-mate Alessandro Bastoni during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on June 28, 2020 in Parma, Italy. Third-placed Inter Milan scored twice in the last six minutes through Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni to grab a 2-1 win at Parma in Serie A on Sunday despite a subdued display. The scarcely-deserved win left Inter eight points behind leaders Juventus and four adrift of second-placed Lazio with 10 games each to play. Gervinho put Parma ahead with a solo goal in the 15th minute and a lacklustre Inter rarely looked like forcing their way back into the match until the closing minutes. De Vrij headed an equaliser from a corner in the 84th and substitute Bastoni n...
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LALIGA

Karim Benzema’s moment of magic sends Real Madrid two points clear of Barcelona

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid assists teammate Casemiro for their side's first goal during the Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on June 28, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. A moment of magic from Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Espanyol that moved them two points clear of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga. Zinedine Zidane’s side came into this match having watched Barca drop points in a 2-2 draw away to Celta Vigo on Saturday and made the most of the opportunity, taking a firm grip of the Spanish title race. The breakthrough at the RCDE Stadium came on the stroke of halftime, with Benzema back-heeling a pass through the legs of an opposition defender to set up Casemiro for a close range finish into an empty net. That proved to be the decisive ...
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SERIE A

Lazio stay in title race with comeback win over Fiorentina

Franck Ribery of ACF Fiorentina compete for the ball with Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on June 27, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Lazio fought back from a goal down to beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday and keep its fading title hopes alive. Luis Alberto struck seven minutes from time to cut the gap to league leader Juventus back to four points. Ciro Immobile converted a penalty to cancel out Franck Ribery’s opener for Fiorentina. Lazio’s hopes of claiming a first league title since 2000 took a hit midweek when its 21-match unbeaten run ended with a defeat at Atalanta in its first match back following the hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. And it seemed as if it was going to slide further when Ribe...
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BUNDESLIGA

Borussia Monchengladbach defeat Hertha Berlin to reach Champions League

Scorer Breel Embolo (2L) of Mönchengladbach celebrates his teams second goal with Matthias Ginter (L), Florian Neuhaus (M), Jonas Hofmann (2R) and Nico Elvedi (R) during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mnchengladbach and Hertha BSC at Borussia-Park on June 27, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. Borussia Monchengladbach qualified for the Champions League and Fortuna Dusseldorf was relegated by a single point on the last day of the Bundesliga on Saturday. Germany becomes the first major European men's soccer league to complete a full season after restarting during the coronavirus pandemic in empty stadiums. The Bundesliga pioneered the widespread virus testing of players and socially distanced training sessions which have since been copied by other competitions across the contin...
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LALIGA

Espanyol dismiss current manager Abelardo Fernandez

Head coach Abelardo Fernandez of RCD Espanyol looks on prior to the start the La Liga match between CA Osasuna and RCD Espanyol at El Sadar Stadium on March 08, 2020 in Pamplona, Spain. Espanyol have sacked coach Abelardo Fernandez, the third manager they have dispensed with this season, as they fight to extend their 26-year stay in La Liga. Fernandez was appointed in December after David Gallego and Pablo Machin were each dismissed, but despite a positive start since play resumed following a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic, Thursday's 1-0 defeat at Real Betis proved the last straw. "Espanyol announce that Abelardo Fernandez has been relieved of his duties as first team coach," the Barcelona club said in a statement. "This decision has been taken due to the team...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Willian gives hope for a long-term deal after scoring Man City winner

Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian takes the penalty to score the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on June 25, 2020. Willian has stated that there is a chance he will remain at Chelsea despite his contract negotiations having stalled. The 31-year-old has been in a stalemate with the Blues for several months over a new deal, with the Brazilian wanting a new three-year deal. However, the west London club are only willing to give the winger a two-year contract, with his current deal ending at the culmination of the 2019/20 campaign. Willian has been linked with a move to both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal on a free transfer, with the Brazilian himself saying before that a new con...
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SERIE A

Juventus beats Lecce 4-0 to go seven points clear

Juventus's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with team mates after scoring from the penalty mark to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Serie A match between Juventus and US Lecce at Allianz Stadium on June 26, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Juventus moved seven points clear at the top of Serie A on Friday after hammering struggling Lecce 4-0 in Turin and piling the pressure on title rivals Lazio. A superb Paulo Dybala strike and Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty just after the hour mark made sure of the result at the Allianz Stadium before two late strikes from Gonzalo Higuain and Matthijs de Ligt completed the rout against a Lecce team who had to play for an hour with 10 men. The away side meanwhile stay third-from-bottom, level on 25 points with Genoa a place above them and a poin...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid ease past Mallorca to take over at the top

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the 2-0 during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and RCD Mallorca played at Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on June 24, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 home victory over Real Mallorca thanks to goals in each half from Vinicius Jr. and Sergio Ramos to stay in charge of the La Liga title race ahead of Barcelona. Brazilian youngster Vinicius opened the scoring with a cool finish in the 19th minute after missing an earlier chance and he hit the crossbar later in the first half. Captain Ramos doubled Madrid's lead with a superb free kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner to score his eighth goal of the league season and his 10th in all competitions. Real's fourth win in a row since the season r...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool beats Crystal palace to move within two points of League title

Sadio Mane of Liverpool Celebrates liverpools forth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace at Anfield on June 24, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool were back at their lethal best to beat Crystal Palace 4-0 at Anfield on Wednesday, moving within two points of securing the Premier League title. The victory, with goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane, ensured Jurgen Klopp's side could be crowned champions on Thursday if second-placed Manchester City fail to win at Chelsea. Should Pep Guardiola's side win at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool could finish the job with a victory in their next game, against defending champions City, on July 2. It was such a dominant performance from Klopp's side, who had been held to ...
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SERIE A

Inter Milan draws 3-3 at home against Sassuolo

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Gian Marco Ferrari of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on June 24, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Inter Milan's title hopes diminished further as it again dropped points from a leading position to draw 3-3 against Sassuolo in Serie A on Wednesday. Inter had fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1 at halftime and also led 3-2 with four minutes remaining before Giangiacomo Magnani leveled again for Sassuolo. The Nerazzurri have now lost 15 points this season from leading positions. Inter remained third but is now eight points behind Serie A leader Juventus and four behind Lazio. Francesco Caputo gave Sassuolo an early lead at San Siro but Inter turned the...
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BUNDESLIGA

Kevin Kampl extends his contract at Leipzig

Kevin Kampl of RB Leipzig reacts during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Fortuna Düsseldorf at Red Bull Arena on June 17, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany. Leipzig midfielder Kevin Kampl has been given a contract extension despite missing most of this season with injuries, the club said Wednesday. The 29-year-old central midfielder joined Leipzig in 2017 and his contract was due to expire at the end of the season. The extension keeps him at the club until June 2023. Kampl played six games in all competitions, with three starts, due to ankle problems before the Bundesliga was stopped amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kampl used the break to recover and has scored one goal and set up two more in six starts since the league resumed last month. “Despite my injury, the club made it...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea duo Willian and Pedro agree short-term contract extensions

Pedro of Chelsea celebrates with Ross Barkley and Willian after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on March 08, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.  Chelsea star Willian and Pedro Rodriguez agreed a short-term deal with their club to play on until the end of the season. The pair both left it until last night's cut-off date for players whose contracts had been due to expire on June 30 to agree terms. Pedro's willingness to play until the end of the campaign had been in doubt after he agreed terms to join Roma on a free transfer in the next transfer window. But, following lengthy talks with head coach Frank Lampard and director Marina Granovskaia, the Spaniard and Willian committed themselves until the e...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Harry Kane: ‘I have no problem with Mourinho style of play’

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur stretches for the ball under pressure from Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 23, 2020 in London, England. Tottenham striker Harry Kane says he has "no problem" with their style of play under manager Jose Mourinho. Kane ended his long wait for a goal in Tuesday's 2-0 Premier League home victory over West Ham, crowning the victory with a smart finish after latching onto a through pass from Heung-min Son. It was Kane's first goal of 2020 after recovering from a hamstring tendon injury during the three-month coronavirus shutdown, and it helped Spurs seal their first win in eight matches in all competitions, lifting them to seventh in the le...
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LALIGA

Barcelona edge past Athletic Bilbao to reclaim top spot

Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (back R) scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on June 23, 2020. Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga after substitute Ivan Rakitic scored for the first time in 15 months to earn a slender 1-0 success over Athletic Bilbao. Midfielder Rakitic made the decisive contribution with just 19 minutes remaining at the Nou Camp, racing on to Lionel Messi's neat pass to emphatically rifle the ball beyond Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon. The Croatia international's previous goal, which came back in March 2019, had secured Barca a 1-0 win away to Real Madrid. His latest scoring contribution was enough to move the reigning Spanish champions three poi...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United Midfielder Scott McTominay signs new Contract to keep him at club until 2025

Scott McTominay of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 19, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Scott McTominay has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United. McTominay, 23, has inked a new deal to tie him to the club until 2025, with the option of an additional year. McTominay said: "Whilst I understand that we all have so many other things to think about at the moment, I’m so happy to sign this contract and play a part in the future ahead for this team. "All I have ever known is United and I hope that my passion for the club shows every time I go onto the pitch. I’ll continue to give everything for this club whenever I pull on the shirt. "I want to thank the manager for...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City Crush Burnley 5-0 with Foden and Mahrez doubles

Burnley's Czech striker Matej Vydra (C) holds off Manchester City's Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi and Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on June 22, 2020. Manchester City's Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez scored two goals apiece as the hosts showed their impressive strength in depth, making eight changes but still crushing a woeful Burnley 5-0 in the Premier League at the Etihad stadium. The result leaves second-placed City 20 points behind runaway league leaders Liverpool with eight games remaining and Jurgen Klopp's side cannot now clinch the title with a victory against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday. If City...
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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty and Paulo Dybala strike sealed Juventus win over Bologna

Bologna player Riccardo Orsolini competes for the ball with Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and Juventus at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on June 22, 2020 in Bologna, Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo converted a first-half penalty as Serie A leaders Juventus resumed their campaign with a 2-0 win at Bologna on Monday, lifting some of the pressure off coach Maurizio Sarri. After missing a spot kick in a Coppa Italia match against AC Milan 10 days ago, Ronaldo made no mistake in the 23rd minute and Paulo Dybala curled in a brilliant second before halftime to give the Turin side a comfortable win. Juventus, with 66 points from 27 games and chasing a ninth successive title, extended their lead to four points over Lazio, who visit Atalanta on Wednesday. Bolo...
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SERIE A

Romelu Lukaku nets as Inter Milan returns to winning way against Sampdoria

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale celebrates with team mates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on June 21, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Romelu Lukaku scored his 18th league goal of the season as Inter Milan marked their return to Serie A action with a 2-1 win against Sampdoria. Former Manchester United striker Lukaku struck from 10 yards and celebrated by taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Lautaro Martinez made it 2-0 from Lukaku's cross but Morten Thorsby pulled one back from close range. The win means Inter are third with 57 points, six behind leaders Juventus. Serie A returned this week after being suspended since 9 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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LALIGA

Real Madrid go top of La Liga with win over Real Sociedad

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Liga match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Anoeta on June 21, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. Real Madrid took advantage of rival Barcelona being the first to stumble after the Spanish league resumed, and retook the lead with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Sunday. Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema scored second-half goals as Madrid moved ahead of its rival for the first time since the restart. Ramos converted a 50th-minute penalty kick and Benzema added to the lead in the 70th to move Madrid in front of the Catalan club, which on Friday was held by fourth-place Sevilla to a 0-0 draw.  Madrid and Barcelona are level on 65 points, but Madrid has a better goal difference and...
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