September 2020 – Page 2 – Football Flame

Month: September 2020

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NEWS

Gonzalo Higuain suffers NIGHTMARE Inter Miami debut as ex-Juventus striker misses penalty

Gonzalo Higuaín #9 of Inter Miami CF moves past Brenden Aaronson #22 of Philadelphia Union in the rain during the second half of the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on September 27, 2020 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Gonzalo Higuain will have dreamt it all up very differently but his Inter Miami debut quickly went from a dream to a nightmare as his missed penalty sparked an ugly clash after Philadelphia Union's players goaded him by celebrating in his face. The former Juventus striker was making his first appearance for the side owned by David Beckham and as the A-List arrival there was a lot of expectation on his shoulders.  When he hit the outside of the post after 20 minutes it looked set to be a goal feast for the ex-Real M...
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SERIE A

Serie A: Cristiano Ronaldo double rescues a point for Juventus at Roma; Napoli hammer Genoa

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus controls the ball against Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on September 27, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to salvage a point for 10-man Juventus in a 2-2 draw at Roma as Napoli hammered Genoa 6-0 in Serie A on Sunday. Champions Juventus were trailing 2-1 and a man down after an hour at the Stadio Olimpico after a Jordan Veretout brace for the hosts and Adrien Rabiot's sending off. But a towering Ronaldo header grabbed the equaliser in the 69th minute to avoid handing new Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo a first defeat. "Going behind complicated things but we got an important point," said Ronaldo. "We're at the start of the season, with a new coach. But the team ar...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Glorious day for Vardy as City lose plot at the back

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates with teammates Youri Tielemans after scoring his hat-trick and his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Manchester, England. Only two players have scored hat-tricks against a Pep Guardiola side. Ever. One is Lionel Messi. The other is Jamie Vardy - and he has now done it twice. This was an extraordinary performance from the 33-year-old Leicester striker as Manchester City slumped to a careless, error-strewn defeat that, even this early, feels damaging. They were guilty of a rare level of complacency. It was also, for the first time in 686 games as a manager, that Guardiola had seen his side concede five goals. It was that seismic. In fact, the...
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LALIGA

Fati vows to ‘make the best’ of every chance he gets

Anssumane Fati of Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Camp Nou on September 27, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Ansu Fati says he’ll continue to try and make the most of every opportunity he’s given after starting the season with two goals in Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Villarreal. The 17-year-old also won a penalty in another superb performance and offered his thoughts about the game and how he’s feeling after the full-time whistle. “Every opportunity I get I try to make the best of it,” he said. “When a striker scores goals he always wants more. Alba’s pass has been very good and I just had to accompany him. We really want to keep improving, especially in the first half, it’s the way t...
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LALIGA

Luis Suarez scores twice and assists on Atletico Madrid debut in thumping win over Granada

Suarez of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Granada at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on September 27, 2020 in Madrid Spain. Luis Suarez scored twice and assisted on his Atletico Madrid debut as he helped his new side to a comprehensive win over in-form Granada on Sunday. The Uruguayan only had a 20-minute cameo for Diego Simeone’s side but he enjoyed an action-packed period on the pitch, as he also won a penalty in that timeframe which was overturned by VAR. Atleti were in control of the game throughout and they opened the scoring in the ninth minute through a Diego Costa header but they were denied a second as Saul Niguez’s penalty was stopped by visiting goalkeeper Rui Silva. However, the floodgates opened in the second half with Ang...
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BUNDESLIGA

Haaland’s secrets: Ice baths and special sleeping glasses

Erling Haaland of Dortmund looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on September 26, 2020 in Augsburg, Germany. Erling Braut Haaland (20) is willing to try out different routines in his quest to become an even better football player. The Borussia Dortmund player uses ice baths and special sleeping glasses in order to improve performance. “I see this as key to improving performance by even just a few percentages,” the 20-year-old said in an interview with newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten. “I wear these glasses in the evening. They help me get deeper and better sleep,” he added. The glasses filter out blue light from electronic devices. “For me, it’s about the small things in the fight to get better day by day,” Haaland said. The 2...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern suffer 4-1 loss at Hoffenheim to end long unbeaten run

Hoffenheim's Israeli forward Munas Dabbur and Bayern Munich's German midfielder Joshua Kimmich vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match TSG 1899 Hoffenheim v FC Bayern Munich on September 27, 2020 in Mainz, southern Germany. Quadruple winners Bayern Munich slumped to a shock 4-1 loss at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday to end their 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to last year. Bayern, winners of the Super Cup against Sevilla after extra time on Thursday, had not lost since Dec. 7, 2019, and had gone 21 consecutive Bundesliga matches without defeat, winning their last 15. The European champions conceded two goals in eight minutes as their usually solid defence collapsed under Hoffenheim pressure, with Ermin Bicackcic ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Late, controversial Wilson penalty seals Newcastle draw at Tottenham

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 27, 2020 in London, England. Callum Wilson hit a controversial 96th-minute penalty to steal a draw in a 1-1 draw against a dominant and deserving Tottenham side. Spurs almost took the lead within four minutes when Giovani Lo Celso's free-kick drew a fine diving save from Karl Darlow who reacted quickly to block a close-range effort from Harry Kane on the rebound. Minutes later and Darlow was at it again, parrying a Kane header from close range as the hosts piled on the pressure with all the possession. And Newcastle were finally breached when Kane turned provider to pick out Lucas Moura at the far post for a tap-in. Eric D...
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TRANSFERS

Report: West Ham negotiating the signing of 26-yr-old with Euro giants

Juventus player Daniele Rugani during the pre-season friendly match with Novara at JTC on September 13, 2020 in Turin, Italy. West Ham are interested in signing the Juventus defender Daniele Rugani. According to reports, the two clubs are currently locked in talks over a move for the defender and the Italian giants are asking for a fee of around €20 million. It will be interesting to see if West Ham can agree on a fee with Juventus for Rugani in the coming weeks. The 26 year old centre back is highly rated in Italy but he needs to play regularly in order to fulfil his potential. Juventus have established centre backs ahead of him in the pecking order and Rugani is unlikely to get regular game time at the Turin club this season. The Hammers need to tighten up at the back in ord...
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NEWS

Rashford condemns government’s ‘lack of empathy’

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Brighton, England. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford has said he was disappointed by the British government's "lack of empathy" over calls to help tackle hunger among children. The England international forward formed a taskforce with major food brands to help tackle child food poverty, writing an open letter to parliament endorsing three policy recommendations of the National Food Strategy earlier this month. The points included expanding free school meals to children whose families are on universal credit, expanding holiday provision to all child...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ancelotti puts captain Coleman alongside Maldini, Terry and Ramos

Carlo Ancelotti (R) speaks to Theo Walcott (C) and Seamus Coleman during the Everton training session at USM Finch Farm on January 3 2020 in Halewood, England. Seamus Coleman and Everton are top of the Premier League table after three wins from three and manager Carlo Ancelotti could not be happier with his captain. The full-back has flourished behind a new look midfield, which has increased cover in the form of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, as well as an exciting new attacking partner on the right flank - his namesake (sort of) James Rodriguez. Coleman, who recently lost his spot in the Republic of Ireland defence to Matt Doherty, combined with the Colombian international to set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the hard-fought 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. It was another fine performa...
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BUNDESLIGA

Struggling Schalke fire coach Wagner

David Wagner, head coach of Schalke looks on after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on September 18, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Schalke 04 have sacked head coach David Wagner following their poor start to the season, the German Bundesliga club said in a statement here on Sunday. Schalke were thrashed 8-0 by champions Bayern Munich in their first game last weekend and suffered a 3-1 defeat by Werder Bremen on Saturday. “We had all hoped that we could improve on the pitch together with David Wagner,” Schalke sports director Jochen Schneider said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the right performances and results from the first two games... for this to happen. “We have therefore decided to make a fresh start. Despite the disappointi...
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SERIE A

Serie A: Inter Milan come from behind with two goals in three minutes to beat Fiorentina 4-3

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the goal, Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale, Nicolò Barella of FC Internazionale, Ivan Perisic of FC Internazionale, Marcelo Brozovic of FC Internazionale during the Italian Serie A match between Internazionale v Fiorentina at the San Siro on September 26, 2020 in Milan Italy. Two goals in the final three minutes saw Inter Milan come from behind to beat Fiorentina 4-3 in Serie A on Saturday. Romelu Lukaku and Danilo D'Ambrosio scored late to help Inter get its season off to a winning start. Fellow title hopefuls Atalanta and Lazio also won their first matches. "We do everything to win without having to suffer so much, but the match today immediately got off to a bad start," D'Ambrosio said.  "However, we sho...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid rally to edge Betis

Antonio Sanabria of Real Betis competes for the ball with Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santader match between Real Betis and Real Madrid at Estadio Benito Villamarin on September 26, 2020 in Seville, Spain. Real Madrid edged Real Betis 3-2 in an eventful game for their first win of the Liga season on Saturday, thanks to a late Sergio Ramos penalty that was furiously protested by the hosts. Madrid captain Ramos again showed nerves of steel to chip the ball into the net from the spot after a VAR review for a handball by defender Marc Bartra, who appeared to have been pushed by visiting forward Borja Mayoral. Earlier in the second half, Betis defender Emerson was shown a straight red card for a foul on Luka Jovic following a VAR review, while Madrid's equalizer, given...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man United earn dramatic win at Brighton

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Brighton, England. Manchester United defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 in the Premier League on Saturday after an incredible finale in which Bruno Fernandes struck the winning goal from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Neal Maupay had given away the penalty with a handball, which led to a VAR review, after referee Chris Kavanagh had blown the full-time whistle. Kavanagh eventually gave the penalty and Fernandes lashed into the net from the spot, moments after Solly March had leveled for Brighton in the fifth m...
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LALIGA

Real Sociedad cruise to victory, uninspiring Valencia held by Huesca

Roberto Lopez of Real Sociedad controls the ball during the La Liga Santader match between Elche CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Martinez Valero on September 26, 2020 in Elche, Spain. Real Sociedad eased to a 3-0 win away to Elche in La Liga on Saturday, with Mikel Merino pulling the strings in their first victory of the season. Sociedad were dominant against an Elche side playing their first top-flight game for five years. But they only broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Spain international Merino produced a sumptuous threaded pass to Portu, who fired into the far corner from a tight angle. They extended their lead in the 77th when Adnan Januzaj scored from the spot after winning a penalty, and Roberto Lopez adorned a stylish win by blasting into the top corner in added tim...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

West Brom exposed a glaring flaw in Chelsea’s set-piece defending during thrilling 3-3 draw

Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (2nd L) misses this chance during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, central England, on September 26, 2020. Jamie Redknapp says West Brom exposed a fatal flaw in how Chelsea set-up to defend corners in their game at The Hawthornes. The Baggies raced into a 3-0 first-half lead in a dismal opening 45 minutes for Chelsea, who made numerous defensive mistakes. Kyle Bartley added the third goal from a corner and Sky Sports pundit Redknapp said it came from a weakness in how Chelsea defend set-pieces. He said: "The third goal comes and I think you have to give West Brom credit because they've looked at Chelsea's set-up on corners. "They've realised that...
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NEWS

Rennes moves top of French league in style with 3-0 win

Nayef AGUERD of Rennes scores a goal during the Ligue 1 match between AS Saint-Etienne and Stade Rennes at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 26, 2020 in Saint-Etienne, France. Unbeaten Rennes moved to the top of the French league in style with two spectacular goals in downing rival Saint-Etienne 3-0 on Saturday. Saint-Etienne needed only a draw to go first on goal difference but fell behind in the 33rd minute when center half Nayef Aguerd headed in Benjamin Bourigeaud’s corner. Winger Romain Del Castillo set up striker Serhou Guirassy for an expert scissor kick in the 52nd, and forward Adrien Hunou completed the scoring in the 89th with a superb lob after latching onto Raphinha’s pass. Rennes leads Lille by two points in the fifth round. Later Saturday, Marseille was hostin...
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BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund slump to shock league defeat at Augsburg

Felix Uduokhai of FC Augsburg is put under pressure by Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on September 26, 2020 in Augsburg, Germany. Borussia  Dortmund crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Augsburg on Saturday as Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland failed to rescue the visitors on his return to Bavaria, where he wrote Bundesliga history in January. With defending champions Bayern Munich at Hoffenheim on Sunday, last season’s runners-up Dortmund blew the chance to build on their impressive 3-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach last Saturday when Haaland scored twice in an electric display on the opening weekend of the season.   The 20-year-old has netted 18 goals in 21 games this year for Dortm...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Jose Mourinho comments on Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele

Tottenham Hotspur's Tanguy Ndombele during the FA Cup fourth round replay match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. It has been a remarkable turnaround for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, and Jose Mourinho is very impressed with his effort in training. The 23-year-old struggled to make an impact last season since joining the club for a reported fee of £53.8m from French outfit Lyon. There were question marks over his fitness and motivation and it was claimed that Jose Mourinho was not impressed with him, and his future was speculated in the media. The central midfielder has now started this season with renewed vigour. According to reports from Football London, Ndombele has impressed the staff at Spurs on the training pitches at Hotspur Way. He is getting bet...
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