October 2020 – Page 5 – Football Flame

Month: October 2020

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Souness backs Bale to form potent partnership with Kane and Son

Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 07, 2020 in Enfield, England.Gareth Bale can form a lethal attacking partnership with fellow forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min to take Tottenham Hotspur back into the Champions League next season, former Scotland and Liverpool skipper Graeme Souness said.Welshman Bale returned to north London from Real Madrid on loan last month and was rested during the international break to rebuild his fitness. The 31-year-old is set to make his second debut for the Premier League club against West Ham United later on Sunday."When I look at Bale, I see a perfect physical specimen - speed allied to strength, as well as an aerial threat - great technique, intelligence and commi...
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LALIGA

Sergio Busquets admits Barcelona struggled after going behind to Getafe

Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona and Mathias Olivera of Getafe CF battle for 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.Sergio Busquets admitted Barcelonastruggled after going behind to Getafeon Saturday and urged his team to get back to winning ways quickly ahead of games against Real Madrid and Juventus.A penalty from Jaime Mata was the difference between the two sides at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, as Barca lost away to Getafe for the first time in La Liga since 2011.Busquets admitted his team struggled to hurt the hosts and said they must do better in future.“We knew it would be hard. Once they got in front they were very comfortable. We tried but it wasn’t our day,” he said.“We tried to gi...
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SERIE A

Pirlo: Juventus will learn from mistakes

Head coach of Juventus Andrea Pirlo looks on during the Serie A match between FC Crotone and Juventus at Stadio Comunale Ezio Scida on October 17, 2020 in Crotone, Italy.Club football resumed this weekend with Juventus traveling to Crotone, and drawing 1-1 in a disappointing result.Speaking to the media after the game, coach Andrea Pirlo preached patience with his developing side.“Unfortunately, we went down to 10 men in the last two games because of our errors, but we are a young team that needs to work and there hasn’t been much time for that with so many internationals.“Young players need to gain experience by playing in matches and it can happen that they make naive errors as part of the learning process.“We built a team with quality, but it is still a work in progress and needs time. ...
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SERIE A

Ibrahimovic’s quickfire double gives Milan 2-1 derby win

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 17, 2020 in Milan, Italy.AC Milan’s 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic, recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection, scored an early brace to secure a 2-1 win over neighbours Inter in the Serie A derby on Saturday.The Swedish striker put Milan in front after 13 minutes, tapping the ball in from the rebound after his penalty was saved by Samir Handanovic, and then struck again three minutes later from Rafael Leao’s cross.In a breathless first half, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for inter in the 29th minute, the first Serie A goal Milan have conceded this season. Inter were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute bu...
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SERIE A

Napoli bounce back from Juve no-show to crush Atalanta

Napoli players celebrate the 1-0 goal scored by Hirving Lozano during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta BC at Stadio San Paolo on October 17, 2020 in Naples, Italy.Hirving Lozano bagged a brace as Napoli thumped Atalanta 4-1 on Saturday, days after they were punished for failing to turn up for their last Serie A game against Juventus.Napoli were handed a 3-0 defeat and one-point deduction for not travelling to Turin earlier this month after two cases of coronavirus in the team were recorded.But Gennaro Gattuso's side picked up where they left off before the controversy, with a third win in as many league games they have played."Brilliant Napoli! What a pity not being able to play Juventus in Turin," tweeted Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.Mexican forward Lozano scored tw...
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BUNDESLIGA

Reus, Haaland to the rescue as Dortmund beats Hoffenheim

Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with teammates Erling Haaland and Giovanni Reyna after scoring his sides first goal during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at PreZero-Arena on October 17, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany.Substitutes Marco Reus and Erling Haaland came on to end Borussia Dortmund’s barren run against Hoffenheim with a 1-0 victory in the Bundesliga on Saturday.Dortmund hadn’t won any of the last five meetings between the sides, but Haaland ran on to a ball headed from midfield and kept his cool in front of Hoffenheim's goalkeeper before unselfishly crossing to give Reus a tap-in in the 76th minute.It had been an uninspiring game from the visitors, the first of seven matches in 21 days, including Tuesday’s Champions League opener at Lazio a...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

VAR Controversy as Liverpool denied Victory in Merseyside derby thriller

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Sadio Mane after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England.Jordan Henderson’s stoppage-time winner was ruled out by VAR for the tightest of offside calls as Everton held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.Liverpool started like a team possessed and got themselves in front with just two minutes and 15 seconds on the clock through Sadio Mane – the fastest Merseyside derby goal of the Premier League era – before the big first-half talking point came when Jordan Pickford got away with a reckless flying challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The offside flag stopped a penalty being awarded, but the Everton ...
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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo denies breaking virus protocols

Cristiano Ronaldo shot back at Italy’s sports minister on Friday, denying that he broke the nation’s coronavirus protocols after returning from international duty while infected with the disease.The Juventus forward is currently quarantined at his home in Turin after traveling from Portugal in an air ambulance following a positive COVID-19 test while with Portugal for Nations League matches.“I never broke the protocol,” Ronaldo said on Instagram, adding that he traveled after gaining authorization to do so and had avoided contact with other people. “Someone, whose name I’m won’t say, here in Italy … says that I didn’t respect the protocol, that is simply a lie.“I am continuing my quarantine, I am alone, my family is on another floor, we can’t be in contact and it will be like that at least...
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NEWS

Tireless Mbappe sends PSG top with brace at Nimes

Nimes' French defender Patrick Burner (L) vies for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe during the French L1 football match between Nimes (NO) and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at the Costieres Stadium in Nimes, southern France, on October 16, 2020.Kylian Mbappe shrugged off any lingering fatigue to score twice in his second game in 48 hours as Paris Saint-Germain defeated 10-man Nimes 4-0 on Friday to take over top spot in Ligue 1.The France forward struck the opener on 32 minutes at the Stade des Costieres and netted again late on as a weary Nimes folded following the early dismissal of center-back Loick Landre.Alessandro Florenzi scored PSG's second on 77 minutes and Pablo Sarabia notched a fourth for the reigning champions as PSG climbed above Rennes on goal dif...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid confirm Martin Odegaard injury layoff

Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 4, 2020 in Villareal, Spain.Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard has been ruled out of this weekend’s trip to Cadiz with an injury, as confirmed by the club on Friday.The Norwegian is the only new injury for the club and comes following the international break, when he represented his nation – most recently in Wednesday’s victory over Northern Ireland in the Nations League.Now, Los Blancos have confirmed the player has sustained an injury in the right soleus muscle and is now out for an undefined period of time.Odegaard’s return to Madrid following a season on loan at Real Sociedad was confirmed back in August and the Norwegian is set to ch...
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TRANSFERS

Man Utd defender Bernard joins Salford

Di'shon Bernard of Manchester United U23s in action during a training session at Aon Training Complex on July 22, 2020 in Manchester, England.Manchester United defender Di'Shon Bernard has joined League Two Salford City on loan until January.The 19-year-old made his first-team debut in United's Europa League encounter with FC Astana last season.He also played in both United's EFL Trophy games this season, including a 6-0 win at Salford in September."I'm really happy to be here, it's a different experience for me, the first time I've been in men's football, and I just want to get going," Bernard said.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ziyech ready for Chelsea debut as Lampard sets goals for new signing

Frank Lampard and Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 25, 2020 in Cobham, England.Hakim Ziyech is in line to make his Chelsea debut - eight months after his £33.3million move from Ajax.The winger has recovered from the knee injury that ruled him of the start of the season - but will have to wait for his first competitive start.Frank Lampard confirmed Ziyech is part of his squad for Saturday’s game against Southampton - but still has to build up his match fitness after playing his last game in March before lockdown.“Hakim is in the squad, not fit to start, but fit to play some minutes we hope,” said the Chelsea manager. “We brought him here, it feels like a long time ago.“It’s a long time and he’s worked so hard and been fantastic in ter...
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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘violated’ COVID-19 protocols, says sports minister

Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19, Portugals Football Federation said in a statement in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 13, 2020. The 35-year-old Juventus striker will miss Wednesdays UEFA Nations League game against Sweden but is well, has no symptoms and is in isolation, the federation said.Cristiano Ronaldo may have violated Italy's coronavirus preventive measures by traveling to Portugal while Juventus were in isolation, and returning to Turin this week after testing positive, Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said on Thursday."Yes, I think so, if there were no specific authorizations from the health authority," Spadafora told Radio Uno when asked whether the 35-year-old Portuguese star had breached COVID-19 rules.Ronaldo risks a fine after...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Mourinho: It is important for Bale to be happy

Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur and manager Jose Mourinho during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 07, 2020 in Enfield, England.Jose Mourinho says Gareth Bale's happiness is a key priority as the Wales international closes in on a second Tottenham debut.Bale has been recovering from a knee injury but could be involved for Spurs on Sunday when they face West Ham at home.The 31-year-old, who did not feature for Real Madrid this season before rejoining Spurs on a season-long loan, took part in training with the rest of the squad on Thursday. He played twice for Wales in early September, but was not in their squad for the latest international fixtures due to his knee problem.Mourinho refused to be drawn on whether or not Bale could feature ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Walcott set for second Southampton debut against Chelsea

Theo Walcott during a Southampton FC training session at the Staplewood Campus on October 12, 2020 in Southampton, England.Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Djenepo will miss Southampton's Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday but manager Ralph Hasenhuettl sees this as an opportunity to hand deadline day signing Theo Walcott his debut at Stamford Bridge.Midfielder Armstrong tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Scotland and will complete his 10-day isolation period on Friday."He cannot train with us and has been in quarantine," Hasenhuettl told reporters on Thursday. "It's a pity that he is out now. Nobody else has tested positive and we are all fine."I hope he is back in on Friday and then Saturday, so that he can be an option for next weekend."Meanwhile, Malian win...
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SERIE A

Juventus report losses of 89.7m euros

The Juventus club crest and Italian flag on the first team home shirt on May 6, 2020 in Manchester, England.Juventus recorded losses of 89.7 million euros ($105 million) for the financial year to June 30, the Italian league champions announced on Thursday.Club president Andrea Agnelli chaired the Ordinary Shareholders' Meeting in Turin through video conference because of the coronavirus pandemic.And the nine-time reigning Serie A champions reported a deficit which included the 39.9m euro shortfall from the previous financial year."The Ordinary Shareholders' Meeting approved the financial statements as of 30 June 2020, reporting a loss of 89.7 million euros (compared to a loss of 39.9 million euros in 2018/2019), which was covered by using the share premium reserve," Juventus said in a stat...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Coronavirus: Arsenal hopeful for Tierney return against Man City

Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2020 in London, England.Arsenal are hopeful Kieran Tierney will be available to face Manchester City on Saturday despite coronavirus rules forcing him to self-isolate.Tierney and Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie were asked to quarantine for 14 days after their Scotland teammate Stuart Armstrong tested positive for coronavirus while the trio were on international duty.Although both Tierney and Christie have repeatedly returned negative test results for the virus, the Lothian Health Protection Team identified the pair and two members of Scotland's backroom staff as close contacts of Armstrong."This is getting very complicated when we are sending players abroad and ...
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NEWS

Nations League roundup: Maguire sent off as England stunned

Harry Maguire of England is shown the red card by match referee Jesus Gil Manzano after getting a second yellow card during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2020 in London, England.Harry Maguire's miserable start to the season continued with a red card as England had two men sent off for the first time in their Nations League defeat by Denmark, while Kylian Mbappe gave World Cup holders France a 2-1 victory in Croatia and Portugal won without Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday.Christian Eriksen's penalty on his 100th appearance for Denmark earned his side a 1-0 win over England in their Nations League clash at Wembley.Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eriksen powered his spot-kick past Jordan Pickford in the 35th minute, ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier League’s controversial reform plan rejected amid chaos and fierce backlash

The Official Nike Premier League match ball for the 2020/21 season with a protective face mask on October 14, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom.After a fraught few days, the most lucrative football league in the world will maintain the status quo, for now.Coming under fierce criticism, Premier League's "Project Big Picture," whose reform plans would have drastically changed the landscape of English football, were ditched after all 20 topflight clubs confirmed their rejection to the project in an emergency meeting on Wednesday."All 20 Premier League clubs today unanimously agreed that Project Big Picture will not be endorsed or pursued by the Premier League, or the FA," the league said in a statement."Further, Premier League Shareholders agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a...
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UCL

PSG-Man United Champions League clash to go ahead behind closed doors as curfew imposed in Paris

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League opener against Manchester United next Tuesday will go ahead, but without spectators, despite the French government introducing a nighttime curfew in the capital, the country's sports ministry told AFP."Exemptions will be possible, with or without spectators depending on the time," the ministry said on Wednesday when asked about sporting events going ahead after President Emmanuel Macron earlier announced the curfew.Residents in Paris and its surrounding Ile-de-France region, along with eight other French cities, will not be allowed to be outdoors between 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) and 6:00 am (0400 GMT) from Saturday, for a duration of at least four weeks, except for essential reasons.The measures were announced in response to Covid-19 infection rates reachin...
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