September 2020 – Football Flame

Month: September 2020

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SERIE A

Lukaku scores twice in big Inter win

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale scores the 0-3 goal during the Serie A match between Benevento Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ciro Vigorito on September 30, 2020 in Benevento, Italy. Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Inter Milan maintained their 100% start to the season by thrashing Benevento. Lukaku struck inside the first minute when he turned in Achraf Hakimi's cross before Roberto Gagliardini drove in to double the lead. Lukaku swept in a third and although Gianluca Caprari pulled one back, Hakimi made it 4-1 before the break. Alexis Sanchez set up Lautaro Martinez for Inter's fifth before Caprari got another consolation goal. Victory means Inter have won two games out of two so far in Serie A, with both being high-scoring encounters. Roberto Mancini's side won t...
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NEWS

Neymar has 34 million euro Spanish tax debt

Neymar Jr of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Auguste Delaune on September 27, 2020 in Reims, France. Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar owes more unpaid tax than any other individual on a Spanish authorities' blacklist with debts of 34.6 million euros ($40.5 million), according to an official document published Wednesday. The Brazilian, who played for Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 before moving to the French club for 222 million euros in the most expensive transfer in history, tops the list of thousands of names published on the website of the Spanish tax office. The Spanish press reported last year the country's tax authorities were pursuing Neymar for fiscal fraud dating back to his time at Barca, but it is the first time th...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich want Xabi Alonso as their future boss

Xabi Alonso leaves the Audiencia Provincial Court after facing tax evasion charges on January 22, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. Bayern Munich CEO Karl Heinz Rummenigge has identified the club’s former midfielder Xabi Alonso as a future manager of their team. The 38-year-old is currently at the helm of Real Sociedad’s B team who compete in the Segunda B – the regionalised third tier of Spanish football. A former central midfielder, Alonso spent the final three years of his playing career at the Bavarian champions, accumulating 117 first-team appearances between 2014 and 2017, helping the club to win three successive Bundesliga titles. “I think Xabi Alonso will be an interesting coach for Bayern at some point in the future,” Rummenigge told German media outlet Bild, as per Diario AS. “...
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NEWS

Wales without Bale against England

Tottenham Hotspur new signing Gareth Bale visits the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 19, 2020 in London, England. Wales will be without Gareth Bale for October's friendly against England and their Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria. The 31-year-old forward was carrying a knee injury before rejoining Tottenham from Real Madrid earlier this month. "It's nothing serious but it's just one to keep an eye on," said Wales manager Ryan Giggs. There is better news for Wales with the return of Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey to the squad. Defender Rhys Norrington-Davies, on loan at Luton Town from Sheffield United, earns a first call-up. The other uncapped player in the squad is Nottingham Forest's 19-year-old attacking midfielder Brennan John...
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Uncategorized

Lukasz Fabianski says West Ham are united and up for the Carabao Cup

Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United warms up to play against his former employers prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on September 19, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski feels West Ham have the strength in depth needed to test Everton in their Carabao Cup tie – whatever the team is at Goodison Park. The Hammers are eager to remain fighting on two fronts at this early stage of the season despite a tough trip to Goodison Park. After comprehensive victories over Charlton and Hull in the competition this term, West Ham got off the mark in the Premier League on Sunday with a 4-0 thrashing of Wolves at the London Stadium. Manager David Moyes, who is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus last ...
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NEWS

Eden Hazard included in Belgium squad for England clash

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid trains during the Real Madrid training session at Valdebebas training ground on September 27, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Eden Hazard has been named in Belgium's 33-man squad for next month's Nations League clash with England, despite a lack of action for Real Madrid. Forward Hazard has missed his club's opening two LaLiga matches of the season due to an ankle injury and has not played since a Champions League defeat to Manchester City in early August. The Spanish champions host Real Valladolid on Wednesday and travel to Levante on Sunday. Belgium manger Roberto Martinez said Hazard, who has 106 international caps, needs to be involved in those matches to have a chance of featuring on October 11 at Wembley. "The news has been very positive in the last two...
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TRANSFERS

Ross Barkley joins Aston Villa on season-long loan

Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool is challenged by Ross Barkley of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 20, 2020 in London, England. The 26-year-old midfielder has become the club’s fifth signing of the transfer window after being allowed to leave Stamford Bridge. Villa were also interested in his team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek, though a move for Barkley was always the preferred option for boss Dean Smith. He said: “Capturing a player of Ross’s quality is a real coup for our club and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team.” The arrival of Barkley, who has been capped 33 times by England, is another boost to Villa following their excellent start to the season. Smith’s team have won their opening four m...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd boss Solskjaer calls for clarity on handball rule

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Luton Town and Manchester United at Kenilworth Road on September 22, 2020 in Luton, England. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says managers need more clarity on the Premier League’s handball rule following a series of controversial decisions in the opening weeks of the season. Tottenham Hotspur were denied a victory on Sunday after Newcastle United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time for handball by Eric Dier, who was facing in the opposite direction to the ball when he jumped. Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was also on the receiving end of a harsh penalty decision during their 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace in their season-opener. “I think football has changed,” Solskja...
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LALIGA

Messi seeks to draw line under Barca departure saga

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona tie the laces of his boots during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Camp Nou on September 27, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. FC Barcelona (Barca) captain Lionel Messi has said he wishes to move on from his recent bid to walk out of the club and his recent attacks on the board of directors, calling for everyone to pull together to help the team have a successful season. Messi handed Barca an official notice in August of his desire to terminate his contract before eventually deciding to stay for the coming season, the last on his current deal, because he did not want to face a legal battle with the club. After rowing back on his decision to leave, Messi continued to attack club president Josep Maria Bartomeu in a September in...
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TRANSFERS

Leicester’s offer for Saint Etienne teenager Fofana accepted

Wesley Fofana of Saint-Etienne controls the ball 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. Premier League leaders Leicester have had an offer accepted for teenage French defender Wesley Fofana, Saint Etienne have announced. The deal is reportedly worth up to £30m and is the "largest ever obtained" by the Ligue 1 club. Fofana, 19, has been described by his club as "one of the greatest French talents of his generation". He has played 29 times for Saint Etienne including three games this season. The French club are managed by former Leicester manager Claude Puel. Fofana would be the second big-money defender to leave Saint Etienne for a Pr...
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TRANSFERS

Jorginho’s Agent Speaks Out on Chelsea Future Following Exit Links

Jorginho of Chelsea takes a penalty during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 20, 2020 in London, England. The agent of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has revealed the club are yet to receive an offer for his client, and that the Italian is firmly focused on his side's Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham on Tuesday night. Jorginho started the Blues opening two games of the Premier League season before falling to the bench for their 3-3 draw at West Brom on Saturday evening amid rumours linking him with a move away from Stamford Bridge. Paris Saint-Germain are understood to be keen on a loan deal for the 28-year-old, while Arsenal are also said to be interested - perhaps as an emergency option should they fail to land priority targets Hou...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern’s Leroy Sane out with new knee injury

Leroy Sane of FC Bayern Muenchen runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Muenchen at PreZero-Arena on September 27, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. Bayern Munich forward Leroy Leroy and will miss around two weeks because of a new injury to the same knee he injured at Manchester City last season, coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday. Flick said Sane won’t be available at least until the end of the upcoming international break because of the damaged capsule in his right knee joint. “We hope that after the international break he will back with us,” Flick said. Sane injured an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last season while playing for Manchester City, causing him to miss almost the entire 2019-20 campaign. Sane will not be able to f...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

‘I will never forget it’: Klopp names the Liverpool man who really impressed him last night

Jurgen Klopp the head coach / manager of Liverpool and Diogo Jota of Liverpool as he comes on for his home debut during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Jurgen Klopp has showered praise on Liverpool’s summer signing Diogo Jota after his impressive performance against Arsenal. The Reds won 3-1 against the Gunners in the Premier League on Monday at Anfield as they maintained their perfect start to the season. The 23-year-old, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window, made his Anfield debut after he came on as a substitute to replace the impressive Sadio Mane in the second half. Jota scored the winning goal to make a perfect start to his Liverpool career. In fact, he...
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TRANSFERS

Irish striker Afolabi joins Dundee on season long loan

Jonathan Afolabi during a Republic of Ireland U21's training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Republic of Ireland U-21 striker Jonathan Afolabi has signed for Dundee from Celtic on a season long loan.  The 20-year-old Dubliner joined Celtic from Southampton in 2019 but has yet to play a competitive fixture for the Hoops. He was sent out on loan to Scottish Championship club Dunfermline on loan in January 2020, scoring two goals in six appearances before the season was brought to a premature end by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Afolabi, who played his underage football for Shamrock Rovers, Lourdes Celtic and St Joseph's Boys, was a key player for the Republic of Ireland side which reached the semi-finals of the U19 European Championships in 20...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal a long way away from Liverpool’s standard – Arteta

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta shouts instructions to his players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 28, 2020. Liverpool are the best side the Premier League has seen for years but their success did not come overnight and Arsenal have lots of work to do to reach those standards, manager Mikel Arteta said after their 3-1 defeat by Jurgen Klopp’s side. Klopp took over at Anfield for the 2015-16 season and has steadily improved the side, delivering the Champions League in 2018-19 followed by the long-awaited English league title last season. Arteta has enjoyed some success since his appointment last season with Arsenal winning the FA Cup, but Monday’s defeat s...
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TRANSFERS

Boateng joins Serie B side Monza

Kevin-Prince Boateng of Besiktas celebrating Besiktas scoring their second goal during Besiktas against Trabzonspor on Vodafone Park, Istanbul, Turkey on February 22, 2020. Ex-Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has joined Italian Serie B side Monza from Fiorentina. The 33-year-old has signed a deal until June 2021 with the option of extending his contract for another year. The German-born former Ghana international spent the second half of last season on loan at Besiktas. Boateng, who also counts Tottenham, Portsmouth and Schalke among his former clubs, will be reunited with former AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi at Monza. Boateng won the Serie A title with AC Milan while Berlusconi and the now-Monza chairman Adriano Galliani were in charge of the club.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool lay down Premier League marker in Arsenal win

Sadio Mane of Liverpool is challenged by Willian of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool came from behind to maintain a perfect start to their Premier League title defence as goals from Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota saw off a resilient Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield. The Gunners had also won their opening two league games of the season and hit the champions on the counter-attack to take the lead through Alexandre Lacazette. But while Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and now Arsenal have all lost in the opening three weeks of the new campaign, Liverpool have taken maximum points to lay down an early marker that they remain the team to beat in the Premier League...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea are the best team in England – Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva of Chelsea controls the ball during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on September 26, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. Thiago Silva says that he prayed to God to provide him with a challenge after leaving PSG, and that his prayers were answered when the best team in England, Chelsea, made their interest known. In 2012, the Brazilian moved from Milan to Paris Saint-Germain, developing into one of the best defenders in Europe. He would eventually become captain of the Ligue 1 side before leaving after the Champions League final versus Bayern, which they lost. With his contract expiring, Silva had to think about what his next career step would be, and it proved to be Chelsea who won the race for his signature, with Frank ...
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TRANSFERS

Liverpool keeper Karius joins Union Berlin on loan

Loris Karius of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on September 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a season-long loan, the Premier League champions have announced. The move means the 27-year-old will now have spent three consecutive seasons away from Anfield after playing on loan at Beskitas for the past two years. Karius has not made a competitive appearance for Liverpool since two mistakes proved costly in the 2018 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid. The German joined Liverpool from Mainz in 2016 and is pleased to be returning to his homeland. Karius told the Bundesliga club's website, fc-union-berlin.de: "I'm looking forward to my new opportunity in Berlin and I'm h...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Lampard says Chelsea need time to gel

Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on September 28, 2020 in Cobham, England. Frank Lampard says he is struggling to find the time to work with his new-look Chelsea team on the training pitch as the fixtures come thick and fast. Tammy Abraham's last-gasp strike rescued a 3-3 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after the London side had trailed 3-0. The result means Chelsea have taken just four points from their first three Premier League matches after an opening win against Brighton and a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. Lampard, who has spent heavily during the summer transfer window, blamed "very clear individual mistakes" for his team's problems at the Hawthorns. But he said it was difficult to put in enough work on the training g...
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