June 2020 – Page 3 – Football Flame

15Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi suffers concussion

Mainz 05's Taiwo Awoniyi is stretchered off after sustaining an injury during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Augsburg at Opel Arena on June 14, 2020 in Mainz, Germany. Liverpool forward Taiwo Awoniyi, currently on loan at Mainz, suffered a concussion in their 1-0 Bundesliga defeat to Augsburg on Sunday and was taken to hospital. The 22-year-old collided with Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. "Our striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a concussion ... and is spending the night in hospital as a precautionary measure," Mainz said on Twitter. Awoniyi, who has scored one goal in 12 league appearances for Mainz this season, has never played for Liverpool and has also had loan spells at Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Excelsior Mouscro...

15Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Leverkusen Moves to fourth spot despite draw at Schalke

Edmond Tapsoba of Leverkusen in action against Daniel Caligiuri of Schalke 04 during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Veltins-Arena on June 14, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Leverkusen boosted its Champions League hopes while extending Schalke’s lengthy winless run in the Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw on Sunday. A VAR penalty call looked to have put Schalke on course for its first victory at the 13th attempt, but Juan Miranda’s late own-goal was enough for Leverkusen to move fourth — the final spot for Champions League qualification. Leverkusen is a point ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach, which lost 2-1 to league leader Bayern Munich on Saturday, with three rounds left to play. Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba was penalized for handball earl...

15Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid beat Eibar 3-1 to cut Barcelona’s lead in La Liga

Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and SD Eibar at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on June 14, 2020. Real Madrid beat Eibar 3-1 on Sunday in their first competitive match at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium following La Liga’s three-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Toni Kroos got Real off to an ideal start at the empty stadium based at their training ground by scoring in the fourth minute while captain Sergio Ramos struck on the half-hour mark before Marcelo netted in the 37th. Real did ease off after the interval and Eibar forward Sergi Enrich struck the woodwork before Pedro Bigas pulled a goal back fo...

14Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Gianluigi Donnarumma in talks with AC Milan over new contract

Gianluigi Donnarumma of AC Milan shouts during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Torino FC. AC Milan won 1-0 over Torino FC. Gianluigi Donnarumma wants to remain with AC Milan and sign a new contract, but the deal could include a release clause of around £53million. The Italy international has long been seen as one of the world's most promising young goalkeepers at 21-years-old and has been a target for Chelsea in the past. The goalkeeper has also had the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United but the uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus means there are no offers on the table this summer. Donnarumma, who broke into the first team at the age of just 16, wants to show faith in the club who's academy he came through a...

14Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Mainz Ready to make Awoniyi Move Permanent

Mainz' Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi (R) and Frankfurt's Austrian midfielder Stefan Ilsanker vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Eintracht Frankfurt v 1. FSV Mainz 05 on June 6, 2020 in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. Mainz 05 manager Rouven Schroder has confirmed the club’s interest in a permanent move for Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian striker has been a Liverpool player since the summer of 2015 when he was bought for £400,000. He’s never played for Liverpool, having been loaned out to 5 different teams. “I am very, very positive about him.” Schroder said of Awoniyi “Taiwo never let himself down, always had his head up and the absolute will to improve was never negative. It is a symbol of how team sport works. “We are in an exchan...

14Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich edge closer to Bundesliga title with win over Moenchengladbach

Joshua Zirkzee (C) of Muenchen is challenged by Matthias Ginter #28, Tony Jantschke and Christoph Kramer (R) of Moenchengladbach during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Allianz Arena on June 13, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich swept past Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 with a late winner in the 86th minute and moved one step closer to their eighth straight Bundesliga title on Saturday. Leading with seven points clear in the standings, Bayern could claim the championship if they beat Bremen in an away game on June 16. Even if they fail to win this match, they will only need to win just one of their last three matches to secure the title. Though missing suspended top scorer Robert Lewandowski and the league's best provider Thomas Mu...

14Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lionel Messi Shines as Barcelona beat Strugglers Mallorca

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Iddrisu Baba of Mallorca in action during the spanish league, LaLiga, football match played between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Son Moix Stadium in the restart of the Primera Division tournament after to the coronavirus COVID19 pandemic, on June 13, 2020 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Lionel Messi scored and grabbed two assists as La Liga leaders Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win away to struggling Real Mallorca on Saturday, making the perfect return to action after Spanish football’s three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The champions got off to a flying start when Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal scored with a diving header in the second minute, while Danish international Martin Braithwaite scored his first goal for Barca later in the first ha...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Haaland scores late to give Dormund victory over Fortuna

Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (2nd L, no 17) scores the 0-1 during the German first division Bundesliga football match Fortuna Duesseldorf v Borussia Dortmund on June 13, 2020 in Duesseldorf, western Germany. Erling Haaland scored in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time to give Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday to keep the Bundesliga title race going. With Dortmund looking tepid throughout, Haaland popped up with a fine glancing header from Manuel Akanji's cross to break the hearts of lowly Fortuna, who had hit the post twice late on. After an uneventful opening period, Raphael Guerreiro found the net midway through the second half with a fine volley, but VAR ruled the goal out as the ball had hit Portuguese wing-back on t...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

David McGoldrick Signs Contract Extension at Sheffield United

David McGoldrick of Sheff Utd in action during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Bramall Lane on February 22, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. David McGoldrick has signed a contract extension at Sheffield United that will keep the forward at the club until the summer of 2022. The Republic of Ireland international scored 15 times in 45 appearances in his first season with the Blades to help them achieve promotion to the Premier League last year. He is yet to break his duck in the top-flight, though, which is set to resume next week following a three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. McGoldrick has become the third Sheffield United player to put pen to paper on a new deal this week, following in the footsteps of club c...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Manchester United Keen to Sign Barcelona’s Ansu Fati

Ansu Fati #31 of Barcelona during team warm up before the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Manchester United are ready to make a fresh bid to sign FC Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati, according to a report in Spain. Spanish media outlet Sport, as quoted by Metro, is reporting that the Red Devils are eager to sign the highly-rated 17-year-old ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League season. The same article states that super-agent Jorge Mendes tabled a €100m (£89m) bid to sign the FC Barcelona starlet on behalf of Manchester United earlier this week. According to the same story, FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu rejected the offer and underlined his desire to keep the promising teenager at Camp Nou....

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Nantes sign Liverpool Midfielder Chirivella on free transfer

Pedro Chirivella of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on February 21, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool midfielder Pedro Chirivella has left the club to join Ligue 1 side FC Nantes. The midfielder ends his seven-year spell with the Reds in which he made a handful of appearances for the Reds. Nantes announced via their website they had signed the Spanish midfielder. Chirivella arrives on a free transfer signing a contract until the summer of 2023. Chirivella becomes Nantes’ first major signing since the French transfer window opened on Monday. The midfielder joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of 16 and signed his first professional contract in 2015. His senior debut came in a Europa League tie against Nantes rivals Bordeaux. Despite only bein...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Leipzig Ease Past Hoffenheim

Dani Olmo of Leipzig celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Marcel Sabitzer during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig at PreZero-Arena on June 12, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. Third-placed RB Leipzig scored two quickfire goals through Dani Olmo immediately after Hoffenheim had a penalty award overturned by VAR in a remarkable opening 12 minutes on the way to a 2-0 win on the road in the Bundesliga on Friday. The victory gave Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann a happy first return to the club where he began his coaching career as a 28-year-old and ensured an unhappy start for Hoffenheim's unorthodox five-man coaching team who replaced Alfred Schreuder after his sacking on Tuesday. After a bright start, seventh-placed Hoffenheim were awarded a penalty wh...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Valencia held to a 1-1 draw by Levante

Levante's Spanish midfielder Gonzalo Melero shoots a penalty kick to score a goal during the Spanish League football match between Valencia and Levante at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on June 12, 2020. Valencia were held to a 1-1 home draw by 10-man Levante in La Liga after the visitors levelled eight minutes into stoppage time with a VAR-awarded penalty on Friday. Gonzalo Melero converted the last-gasp spot kick to cancel out Rodrigo’s late opener as Europe-chasing Valencia stayed seventh on 43 points from 28 games. The result left Levante in 12th with 34 points. Earlier, Granada beat Getafe 2-1 on the second day of play in La Liga after a three-month break due to the COVID-19 crisis. The lack of recent play made for a slow start at Mestalla, but Valencia dominated and we...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Juventus joins race to sign Inter Milan target Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during a friendly match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on June 10, 2020 in London, England. The Daily Express claim that Serie A leaders Juventus have joined Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan in the race to sign Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin this summer – and they could sign the right-back for a fee of £27million. Bellerin, 25, is now regarded as one of the senior players at Arsenal having clocked up just five appearances shy of 200 outings for the Gunners in all competitions. An impressive amount, given his struggles with injury. The Spain international remains Arsenal’s first-choice on the right side of the defence, but injury has hampered his progress once again this term. Bellerin has clocked up 16 outings in all competitions. Beller...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool Keeping tabs on Roma Midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo

Nicolo Zaniolo (R) of AS Roma in action against Aron Ramsey (L) of Juventus FC during Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on January 12,2020 in Rome, Italy. Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on developments surrounding Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo. The 20-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but the Lilywhites have supposedly decided against making a move for Zaniolo in the current economic climate. However, Roma will supposedly have to cash in on some of their players this summer amid the financial woes arising from the coronavirus pandemic, and according to Tuttosport, Liverpool are weighing up a move for Zaniolo. The report claims that Roma do not wish to part ways with one of their mos...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona Loanee Carles Alena rejects Premier League Move

Carles Alena of Real Betis during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis v Real Mallorca at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on February 21, 2020 in Spain. Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena has reportedly rejected a pretty tasty offer from a leading Premier League club. The 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at Real Betis, said no because he remains determined to succeed at Barcelona, according to Sport. The report reckons the deal was worth over €25 million and included a big pay rise for the midfielder but he wasn’t too interested. Indeed Alena is said to be not thinking about leaving Barcelona at all and is looking forward to heading back to the Camp Nou once his loan deal is over. The youngster knows that he needs regular game time but is apparently willing to he...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Sevilla beat rivals Real Betis in derby on return of top-flight Football to Spain

Lucas Ocampos of Sevilla celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team via penalty during the Spanish La Liga football match between Sevilla FC and Real Betis Balompie at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on June 11, 2020 in Sevilla, Spain. Spain's La Liga resumes season after nationwide lockdown amid ongoing coronavirus crisis. Top-flight football returned in Spain on Wednesday night with Sevilla enjoying a relatively comfortable 2-0 win at home over Real Betis in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Although football returned in Spain on Wednesday night with Rayo Vallecano's 1-0 win over Albacete in the second division, the Seville derby was the big test of how football in the "new normal" would be without fans in the stands and after a three-month break. Echoes were hear...

11Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham Midfielder Dele Alli banned for one game over coronavirus video

Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 05, 2020 in London, England. Dele Alli will miss Tottenham’s first game back from the Premier League’s suspension after receiving a one-match ban on Thursday for a racially insensitive post on social media during the coronavirus outbreak. Alli put a video on a private Snapchat conversation in February in which the midfielder joked about the virus and appeared to mock an Asian man. The post was forwarded to a British newspaper. The Football Association said Alli’s actions were “a misguided attempt at humor” but that the player “had not set out to be insulting or to create a racial stereotype.” Alli was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, the FA said...

11Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Mario Balotelli set to resume training with Brescia

ALLIANZ STADIUM, TORINO, ITALY - 2020/02/16: Mario Balotelli of Brescia Calcio greet the fans at the end of the Serie A match between Juventus Fc and Brescia Calcio. Juventus Fc wins 2-0 over Brescia Calcio. Mario Balotelli is set to resume training on Thursday following medical tests amid a legal battle with Brescia, according to football-italia.net The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Milan striker had a note from his personal doctor stating he had gastroenteritis and would not be available for training until Wednesday. He then turned up to the training ground on Tuesday as he felt he had recovered but he was turned away at the gate because his medical certificate wasn't valid. It followed reports in Italy that Balotelli had been fired by the club following a bust-up wit...

11Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Wolves target Chinese Striker Wu Lei

Wu Lei of RCD Espanyol runs for the ball during a training session on May 23, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Spanish LaLiga clubs are back training in groups of up to 10 players following the LaLiga's 'Return to Training' protocols. Wolves are set to take a step forward in bolstering their striking department, according to reports. The latest reports from Spanish outlet Marca state that Wolves are taking a forward march to bring in reported transfer target Wu Lei. Marca believe that Wu Lei is in talks with Wolves ahead of a permanent deal at the next available opportunity. The Chinese striker has attracted Premier League interest - and his contract at Espanyol will expire within six months, and Wolves could intervene to scupper any hope Espanyol have of keeping the player. After ...