October 2020 – Page 6 – Football Flame

Month: October 2020

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Nathaniel Clyne joins Crystal Palace following release from Liverpool

Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during a training session on July 16, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana.English Defender Nathaniel Clyne has rejoined Crystal Palace on a short-term deal eight years after he left Selhurst Park.The right-back, who has been training with the squad after being released by Liverpool, made 137 appearances for the Eagles between 2008 and 2012.“I’m a London boy, this is where I grew up. I’m back home and all my family and friends are here,” he told cpfc.co.uk.“It’s surreal being back, enjoying it and hopefully I can just crack on and enjoy my football again.”Clyne earned his first England call-up under current Palace manager Roy Hodgson and made 14 international appearances.Chairman Steve Parish said: “Nathaniel is a fantastic character to have around this squad and we are...
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SERIE A

Napoli handed 3-0 defeat, lose one point over unplayed Juve match

Napoli have been handed a 3-0 defeat and had one point deducted for failing to play their Serie A match away to Juventus earlier this month amid confusion over Italian soccer’s COVID-19 rules.Napoli did not travel to Turin for the match on Oct 4., saying their local health authority (ASL) had told the players to stay at home after two members of their squad tested positive for COVID-19.Serie A turned down Napoli’s request to call the game off, meaning that Juventus and match officials were both present at the stadium and the floodlights were turned on. Play was officially abandoned 45 minutes after kickoff time.Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal, which announced its decision in a statement, rejected Napoli’s claim of force majeure and said there was a clear health protocol for Serie A.The ann...
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NEWS

Connolly returns to Ireland starting XI for Finland tie

Dublin , Ireland - 12 October 2020; Aaron Connolly and Daryl Horgan, right, during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.Aaron Connolly has been named in the side for Ireland's UEFA Nations League clash against Finland in Helsinki.The Brighton striker was ruled out of last week's Euro 2020 play-off defeat to Slovakia after been named as a close contact to an FAI staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus.Subsequently, that test turned out to be a false positive and by right, the Galway native should have been available to play the vital game in Bratislava.Connolly was expected to start that match and will now get a chance to resume his fledgling Ireland career as he is expected to line up on the left side of an attacking ...
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Nations League: Harry Kane ‘fit and available’ to face Denmark, says England boss Gareth Southgate

Harry Kane of England warms up during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between England and Belgium at Wembley Stadium on October 11, 2020 in London, England.Gareth Southgate declared Harry Kane is in perfect condition to play for England against Denmark as he insisted he would never take a risk with the fitness of any of his charges and that no one has been injured because he has overworked them.The England captain missed Thursday’s win over Wales and only came on for the final 24 minutes of Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Belgium after suffering from a muscle problem.But while Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho had gone public before the international break with his wish for England to use Kane sparingly, Southgate played down talk of a club-versus-country row as he nevertheless defend...
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Setbacks for Spain, Germany in Group 4 of Nations League

Viktor Tsygankov of Ukraine celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his teammates during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Ukraine and Spain at NSK Olmpiyskiy on October 13, 2020 in Kyiv, Ukraine.Spain and Germany had setbacks in the Nations League on Tuesday, with Spain losing to Ukraine for the first time and Germany being held to a draw by last-place Switzerland.Spain kept the group lead despite a 1-0 loss in Kiev in a match attended by about 15,000 fans.Germany went two goals down in the first 30 minutes and could not manage more than a 3-3 draw against the Swiss in Cologne.Spain has seven points from four matches, one point more than Germany and Ukraine, followed by Switzerland with two points.In the final round in November, Spain visits Switzerland and the...
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Injured Aaron Ramsey out of Wales’ trip to Bulgaria

Aaron Ramsey of Wales during the UEFA Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.Aaron Ramsey has withdrawn from Wales' squad for Wednesday's Nations League match in Bulgaria.The Juventus playmaker Ramsey captained Giggs' side in the 0-0 draw against Ireland on Sunday, but the Football Association of Wales confirmed he has since picked up an injury. Ryan Giggs has defended his decision not to strengthen Wales' squad after losing five players for the Nations League clash with Bulgaria in Sofia.Wales are short of forward options with David Brooks, and Hal Robson-Kanu dropping out alongside the suspended Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell.Giggs says being in a Covid-19 bubble has made the situation "more problematic", although other countries h...
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UEFA considering options for Euro 2020 finals – Ceferin

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is seen during the UEFA Super Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Sevilla at Puskas Arena on September 24, 2020 in Budapest, Hungary.UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says he is optimistic that the Euro 2020 finals, postponed until 2021, can be played with fans in stadiums across Europe next June, but admits several scenarios are being explored due to the coronavirus pandemic."For the moment, we are planning the Euro exactly as we want it to be," Ceferin told German broadcaster ARD when asked about fans attending games at 12 host stadiums despite numbers of Covid-19 positive test cases rising across Europe."Of course, I would have told you in February that the Euro would take place as normal with full stadiums this summer, but everything changed with...
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Brazil forward Robinho rejoins Santos on $271 a month

Robson de Souza ( Robinho ) of Istanbul Medipol Basaksehir during the Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig football match between Besiktas JK and Medipol Basaksehir FK on April 13, 2019 at the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.Veteran Brazilian striker Robinho has rejoined his boyhood club Santos, who he left to join Real Madrid as a 21-year-old rising star, on a short-term contract worth only slightly more than the country's minimum wage.The 36-year-old penned a five-month deal paying the nominal amount of about $271 per month with bonuses and an extension if things go well, a far cry from the hundreds of thousands he earned at some of Europe's richest clubs early in his career."This has always been my home, it's so special to come back here where my career began," he said.It is the Brazilian's t...
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Juventus attacker Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for coronavirus

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 has tested positive for Covid-19, Portugal's Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday.The 35-year-old is said to be "doing well, without symptoms, and in isolation", with no further positive tests reported in the squad ahead of Wednesday's Uefa Nations League match against Sweden.Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo had played in both of Portugal's matches so far during the international break.Ronaldo started against Spain in L...
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BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund ‘wunderkind’ Moukoko in line to make Champions League history

Youssoufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund U19 controls the ball during the A-Junior Bundesliga West match between SC Preussen Muenster and Borussia Dortmund on September 20, 2020 in Muenster, Germany.Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko, who turns 16 on November 20, could make Champions League history next month by becoming the competition's youngest player ever. Dortmund's sports director Michael Zorc told German daily Bild "we will enter him on the B list" for the group stages of the Champions League, with Dortmund having drawn Zenit Saint Petersburg, Brugge and Lazio in Group F. The 15-year-old Moukoko, already a prolific scorer in German youth football, is not on the club's 'A' list of players registered for the Champions League competition. However, he will be on their 'B...
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Second Ireland player tests positive for Covid-19

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.Stephen Kenny's preparations for the Nations League clash with Finland on Wednesday have been thrown into further disarray by a second Republic of Ireland player testing positive for Covid-19.Five players were ruled out of Sunday's 0-0 draw with Wales due to the first positive case and with those players still missing, Kenny had already bolstered his options by calling up six additional players for the trip to Reykjavik.The sextet includes Adam Idah and Aaron Connolly, who missed the Euro 2020 play-off defeat to Slovakia and match against Wales, as they were deemed close contacts of an FAI staff member who tested positive for Covid-19 in Bratisla...
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Robert Lewandowski to undergo precautionary ultrasound for ankle contusion

Robert Lewandowski of Poland in action during the UEFA Nations League match between Poland and Italy at the Energa Stadium. (Final score: Poland 0:0 Italy).Robert Lewandowski suffered an ankle contusion and hematoma after being kicked there in Poland’s 0-0 draw against Italy in the UEFA Nations League over the weekend. The injury occurred in the 82nd minute of the goalless draw and forced Bayern Munich’s number 9 to hobble off and be replaced by Karol Linetty. He was seen on Poland’s bench with a large ice pack on his ankle after coming off and he looked to be in a decent amount of discomfort.Per Poland’s national team spokesperson Jakub Kwiatkowski (via PolsatSport), Lewandowski will undergo an ultrasound ahead of Poland’s next match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. The ultras...
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Rashford: Beating Belgium proves England can match top sides

Marcus Rashford of England during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between England and Belgium at Wembley Stadium on October 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Marcus Rashford believes England’s Nations League victory over Belgium proved to the players they have what it takes to beat the top international sides.The Three Lions came back from a goal down to beat Belgium — ranked number one in the world — 2-1.Rashford equalised from the penalty spot after his former Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukaku had opened the scoring for the visitors at an empty Wembley with his spot-kick.England were second best for periods of the match but emerged victorious courtesy of Mason Mount’s deflected strike just after the hour.The result means Gareth Southgate’s side now sit top of Group A2 ...
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LALIGA

Koeman explains to Messi why he had to let Suarez go

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona Messi salutes Ronald Koeman after being substituted during the pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Girona at Estadi Johan Cruyff on September 16, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has detailed his chat with Lionel Messi over the sale of his pal and teammate Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window. After spending six years at the Nou Camp, scoring 198 goals in 283 appearances, and helping the Catalan giants secure four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey and the Champions League, Suarez was unceremoniously dumped by the club at the arrival of new boss Ronald Koeman. The 33-year-old forward was sold to Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window and has made an immediate impact in the S...
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Italy replace U21s with U20s for crunch Ireland game

Italy head coach Alberto Bollini looks on during the International Friendly match between Italy U19 and Switzerland U19 on February 12, 2020 in Lecco, Italy.The Italian Football Federation have confirmed that they will field their Under-20 squad in tomorrow's crucial Under-21 European Championship qualifying game with Ireland in Pisa.An outbreak of Covid-19 within the camp of the Under-21 squad has already seen the Italians call off last Friday's qualifier with Iceland, but with three further positive cases, they have now taken the step of replacing their squad with the Under-20s.The Italian Under-20 squad have been in camp since last Wednesday and had been alerted to a possibility that they may have to step in for their older counterparts should the need arise. Under-20 manager Alber...
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Gareth Southgate ready to risk Jose Mourinho’s wrath over Harry Kane after injury scare

Harry Kane of England during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between England and Belgium at Wembley Stadium on October 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Gareth Southgate is risking the wrath of Jose Mourinho as he plans to start Harry Kane against Denmark on Wednesday.England managed to beat Belgium on Sunday without the services of their captain.Kane was absent from the starting XI after it emerged that he had suffered an injury scare in training the night before.However, Southgate insisted he was feeling the effects of muscle fatigue rather than being injured.Nevertheless, Tottenham requested that the forward return to the club.England refused and instead Kane came on against Belgium, in a match that was won 2-1 after a Mason Mount effort in the second-half.Spurs continue to b...
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Mbappe sends honest message to Ronaldo after Nations League meeting

Cristiano RONALDO of Portugal and Kylian MBAPPE of France after the Nations League - Group 3 match between France and Portugal on October 11, 2020 in Paris, France.Kylian Mbappe has sent an honest message to Cristiano Ronaldo on social media after France and Portugal clashed in the Nations League.The World Cup winner from 2018 and the victors from the first-ever Nations League came face to face at the Stade de France.It promised to be a tasty affair - however, it was anything but.Both teams seemed to cancel each other out, resulting in a 0-0 draw.Neither country went with a weaker line-up, either, with France playing the likes of Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba.Portugal went with a frontline including Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva - as well as Bruno Fernandes.Of the two t...
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UEFA Nations League: Rashford joins elite list as England clinches top spot with Belgium win

Marcus Rashford of England celebrates with his team after scoring his sides first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between England and Belgium at Wembley Stadium on October 11, 2020 in London, England.After receiving an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list on Friday, England striker Marcus Rashfod found himself in the company of legendary countrymen after scoring in Sunday's UEFA Nations League clash with Belgium. The 22-year-old forward clinched the equalizer for the Three Lions to seal a milestone that was previously associated with three older compatriots.The keenly anticipated showdown between the two sides was staged at Wembley and it was the visitors who set the ball rolling inside the first 16 minutes. A reckless tackle by Eric Dier on ...
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Haaland bags his first hat-trick for Norway

Norway's forward Erling Braut Haaland (R) celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Nations League football match Norway v Romania, on October 11, 2020 in Oslo, Norway.Erling Braut Haaland bagged a hat-trick as Norway made light work of Romania in the Uefa Nations League today. The Borussia Dortmund striker, who made his senior international debut just over a year ago, fired home three goals in a 4-0 victory — with RB Leipzig’s recent signing Alexander Sorloth scoring the other. 20-year-old Haaland now has six goals in as many appearances for Norway, who are top of League B Group 1 with Northern Ireland and Austria meeting this evening. Ireland’s League B Group 4, Finland beat Bulgaria 2-0 thanks to goals from Robert Taylor and Fredrik Jensen. The Finns are second in the grou...
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Manchester United to go after Varane next summer -report

Raphael Varane of Real Madrid CF controls the ball during the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 04, 2020 in Villareal, Spain.Manchester United will target Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane next summer, according to a report from British newspaper Daily Star. Varane is under contract until the summer of 2022, so Madrid could possibly be forced to extend his deal if they truly want to be under control of Varane’s future.The Daily Star is not the most reliable outlet in England when it comes to transfer rumors, though, so Madrid fans should expect Los Blancos to offer Varane a new contract fairly soon considering his career and his quality as a football player.If United can’t sign Varane, they’d reportedly go after Red Bull Leipz...
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