October 2020 – Page 4 – Football Flame

Month: October 2020

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UCL

Real Madrid rocked by shock Shakhtar Donetsk defeat in Champions League

Real Madrid's Serbian forward Luka Jovic (L) challenges Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Marcos Antonio during the UEFA Champions League group B football match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas on the outskirts of Madrid on October 21, 2020.Real Madrid suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat to a makeshift Shakhtar Donetsk side, their second loss in five days.Zinedine Zidane, who was without a host of injured players including Dani Carvajal, Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos, saw his side deliver a toothless and flat first half performance.Shakhtar, who had ten first-team players ill or injured, created the better chances in the first half on the counter attack and took the lead through Tete's low finish in the box.After Luka Jovic missed a...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Jose Mourinho says Tottenham were ‘not Spursy’ despite letting West Ham lead slip

Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group J stage match between Tottenham Hotspur and LASK at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 21, 2020 in London, England.Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says his side were not "Spursy" despite letting their 3-0 lead slip against West Ham on Sunday.The Hammers scored three goals inside the final 10 minutes to salvage a point against their London rivals.The 'Spursy' tag has been frequently used to describe Tottenham's supposed habit of letting leads slip or choking."We can play 50 more matches and it's not going to happen again," said Mourinho."I don't want to be sticking on this. No stories about 'Spursy' and this kind of thing. ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ozil ‘deeply disappointed’ by Arsenal omission

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on September 22, 2020 in St Albans, England.Mesut Ozil said Wednesday he was deeply disappointed" to be axed from Arsenal's Premier League squad amid speculation he has played his last game for the London club.The 32-year-old is the highest-paid player in Arsenal's history on a reported £350,000 ($450,000) a week, but has also been omitted from the Gunners' Europa League squad.Ozil has not played a single minute for Mikel Arteta's side since March 7."This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I've played for over the past few years," said Ozil in a statement posted on social media."I'm really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being."Fo...
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NEWS

Ireland to face England in Wembley friendly next month

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.The Republic of Ireland will face England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on 12 November, the English FA has confirmed.Stephen Kenny’s men will replace New Zealand who withdrew from their friendly arrangement with England due to uncertainty regarding squad selection created by the shifting nature of travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.The fixture is scheduled to take place behind closed doors, and will precede Ireland’s Nations League fixtures at Wales (15 November) and at home to Bulgaria (18 November).Ireland’s last meeting with England was a goalless draw at the Aviva Stadium in June 2015, while their most recent Wembley encounte...
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NEWS

Man Utd’s Ighalo slams Nigeria government after soldiers fire at protesters

Odion Ighalo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain at Aon Training Complex on October 19, 2020 in Manchester, England.Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo says he is ashamed of the Nigerian government following reports that soldiers opened fire on protesters in the Lekki district of the commercial capital Lagos on Tuesday.Nigerians have been demonstrating nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that rights groups had for years accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.The unit was disbanded on Oct. 11 but the protests have persisted and at least two people were shot on Tuesday.In ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Edouard Mendy is already my number one goalkeeper – Chelsea boss Frank Lampard

Edouard Mendy of Chelsea gestures during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and FC Sevilla at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2020 in London, England.Frank Lampard has admitted Edouard Mendy has already become Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.The former Rennes stopper helped the Blues secure Lampard’s first goalless draw as Chelsea boss in Tuesday’s Champions League stalemate with Sevilla.Senegal stopper Mendy shook off a thigh issue to start the Group E opener at Stamford Bridge, which left Lampard delighted with his side’s more robust shape.Asked if Mendy is already Chelsea’s number one keeper, Lampard said: “At the moment yes; he’s shown his quality.“The way he’s played, he’s played very well, that’s two clean sheets for him already.“As it stands he is (the...
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UCL

Messi equals another record in Barca win, Man United sink PSG again

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G stage match between FC Barcelona and Ferencvaros Budapest at Camp Nou on October 20, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Lionel Messi became the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons as he guided 10-man Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Group G opener at Camp Nou on Tuesday.Messi netted from the penalty spot in the first half for his 116th career goal in the competition as he handed his side the lead after he both won and converted a penalty, bringing up another milestone in his career.Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is the only other player to net in 16 Champions League seasons, though the run was no...
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UCL

Morata double hands Juve perfect start in Champions League

Juventus' Spanish forward Alvaro Morata celebrates with a teammate after the UEFA Champions League group G football match between FC Dynamo Kiev and Juventus at the Olympiyskiy stadium in Kiev on October 20, 2020.Two second-half goals from Alvaro Morata saw Juventus comfortably beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 at their Champions League Group G opener at Olympskiy Stadium.Juventus had the bulk of the best chances in a relatively drab first half. Federico Chiesa forced Dynamo goalkeeper Georgi Bushchan into a smart low save in the 12th minute. Moments later Leonardo Bonucci headed just wide after Bushchan flapped at a corner.Arguably the best first-half opportunity fell to Dejan Kulusevki. Aaron Ramsey engineered a ball into the box from the byline which the 20-year-old flicked on goal, only to be denie...
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UCL

Champions League: Bayern Munich eyeing another treble this season, says Lucas Hernandez

Lucas Hernandez of Bayern Muenchen plays the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Hertha BSC at Allianz Arena on October 04, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Lucas Hernandez says Bayern Munich want to show "typical German mentality" and repeat last season's treble, as they prepare to start their Champions League title defence against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday."You can speak of the typical German mentality: We want to win, win, win," said the French defender, who cost Bayern a club-record €80 million ($94.5 million) from Atletico last year.Just 59 days after beating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Lisbon final, Bayern host Atletico behind closed doors."It's about entering the competition with the same enthusiasm and motivation," the 24-year-od Hernandez said."The Champ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool must stay in trophy hunt for injured Van Dijk, says Henderson

Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool and Jordan Henderson of Liverpool talk prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson says the loss of Virgil van Dijk is a "big blow" but he wants the Premier League champions to use his absence as an added incentive to stay in the trophy hunt.Defensive talisman Van Dijk requires surgery after suffering knee ligament damage during Saturday’s Merseyside derby with Everton.Manager Jurgen Klopp is reluctant to put a timescale on the Dutchman's return but admits he faces a lengthy absence after being clattered by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 2-2 draw.Henderson is confident Liverpool can cope in Van Dijk's absence, even though he has bee...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal coach Arteta accused of ‘disrespecting’ Lacazette

Alex Lacazette of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on October 16, 2020 in St Albans, England.Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has accused Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta of disrespecting Alexandre Lacazette by not starting the striker against Manchester City last weekend.Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by City at the Etihad on Saturday, with Raheem Sterling scoring in the first half.Lacazette was left out of the Gunners’ starting line-up, with Arteta favouring winger Willian, though the France striker replaced the Brazilian on 69 minutes.The decision not to start Lacazette irked Cole, however.“I think he is being disrespectful to Lacazette,” Cole told talkSPORT. “Willian is not a centre-forward. If you have got a centre-forward on the bench, who is your top goalscorer a...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Deflected Jimenez strike gives Wolves narrow 1-0 win over Leeds

Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road on October 19, 2020 in Leeds, United Kingdom.A Raul Jimenez shot that took a heavy deflection off the head of Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips gave Wolverhampton Wanderers a hard-fought 1-0 away win in the Premier League on Monday.Leeds dominated possession in the opening half, firing crosses into the box at a variety of angles and threatening from set pieces without creating much in the way of clear-cut chances.For all their attacking endeavour, they were almost made to pay in first-half stoppage time when Wolves sliced them open on the counterattack, but Daniel Podence fired a powerful shot straight at goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who batted it away....
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp promises to wait on Van Dijk like a ‘good wife’

Jurgen Klopp the head coach / manager of Liverpool and Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said supporting Virgil van Dijk is his priority after the talismanic Dutch defender suffered cruciate knee ligament damage that will likely end his season.Van Dijk was on the end of a shocking challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in Saturday's 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby that will bring to an end his run of starting the last 94 Premier League games.The 29-year-old's arrival from Southampton for a then world record £75 million fee for a defender in January 2018 has transformed Liverpool's fortunes. The Reds won the Champions League in 201...
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LALIGA

Barcelona set to start talks for Frenkie de Jong contract renewal

Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the La Liga Santader match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on October 17, 2020 in Getafe, Spain.After renewing Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona will start working to renew the contract of Frenkie de Jong. The Catalan club wants to close the contract renewal of the Dutch player before president Josep Maria Bartomeu leaves his charge.The Barcelona board hopes Frenkie to become one of the central pieces for the coming seasons, alongside Ter Stegen and Clement Lenglet.The Dutch player began his dream in Catalonia at the beginning of last season after signing a five-year contract with the club until 2024.Barca has not yet started talks with De Jong, but they will do so in the next few days. It is undoubtedly t...
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UCL

Edinson Cavani & Harry Maguire left out of Manchester United squad to face PSG

Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba of Manchester United in action during a first team training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain at Aon Training Complex on October 19, 2020 in Manchester, England.Edinson Cavani’s hopes of making his Manchester United debut against Paris Saint-Germain have been dashed after the striker was left out of the squad that flew to France this aternoon. The 33-year-old had been hoping to make his first appearance for the club against his former employers when United take on the Ligue 1 giants at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. Cavani was unable to play against Newcastle on Saturday after Covid-19 protocols meant he had to isolate for a fortnight following his arrival at the club. T...
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LALIGA

Real Sociedad go top to extend surprise start in La Liga

Adnan Januzaj of Real Sociedad celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis and Real Sociedad at Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 18, 2020 in Seville, Spain.Real Sociedad continued La Liga’s unpredictable start to the season by going top of the table on Sunday, after a 3-0 win away at Real Betis.Villarreal had temporarily claimed first place earlier in the day by beating Valencia 2-1 at la Ceramica but Real Sociedad’s impressive victory put them ahead on goal difference.They are the sixth different team to lead La Liga after six rounds of fixtures so far, as Real Madrid gave up their place at the top of the pile after a surprise loss at home to Cadiz on Saturday.Barcelona were also beaten away at Getafe.Real Sociedad took advantag...
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SERIE A

Udinese pick up first points with late winner against COVID 19-hit Parma

Ignacio Pussetto of Udinese Calcio celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Parma Calcio at Dacia Arena on October 18, 2020 in Udine, Italy.Udinese picked up their first three points of the Serie A season when a late goal from Ignacio Pussetto gave them a 3-2 win over Parma to continue a high-scoring weekend on Sunday.Parma travelled to the game without seven players who had tested positive for COVID-19 over the course of the last five days. The players were not named, although Parma were able to field most of their regular line-up.Hernani gave Parma the lead in the 26th minute with a shot which deflected off Udinese defender Samir, who made amends by levelling two minutes later with a header from a corner - his side’s first goal of t...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs throw away three-goal lead as West Ham grab remarkable draw

Tomas Soucek of West Ham United is challenged by Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 18, 2020 in London, England.Tottenham somehow contrived to throw away a three-goal lead as West Ham grabbed a remarkable 3-3 draw in their dramatic Premier League clash.Hueng-Min Son scored in the opening 45 seconds and Harry Kane got two as Tottenham roared into a three-goal lead on Sunday afternoon as Gareth Bale made his second debut off the bench, but West Ham recovered in a crazy finale.West Ham barely had time to know they were playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Son broke the deadlock inside the first minute. A pinpoint long ball from Kane in his own half was met by the South Korea...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Richarlison, Pickford apologise to Liverpool duo after heavy tackles

Everton's Richarlison make a awful tackle on Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool and gets sent off during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England.Everton forward Richarlison has issued an apology to Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara for his dangerous challenge on the midfielder towards the end of Saturday’s 2-2 draw in the Premier League.Thiago eventually got up from Richarlison’s red-card tackle and created the opening for a late disallowed goal by Jordan Henderson but later reported an injury."Everyone who knows my background knows that I was never a violent player," Richarlison said in a statement here, blaming his heavy lunge on "sheer over-dedication".“I did not enter that dispute with the intention of hurting Thiago... I ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool await scan results for Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool comes off due to an injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool are waiting for results of a scan on Virgil van Dijk after he was brought down by a heavy challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.The Dutch international was on the receiving end of a wild lunge from Jordan Pickford that might have resulted in a red card had the defender not been flagged for offside.However he had to leave the pitch after the challenge and the Daily Mail believes he may not start again this season. The club are now expected to get clarification on the severity of any injury.Joel Matip and Joe Gomez would be expected to cover in the event of any extended absence, with both English a...
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