November 2020 – Football Flame

Month: November 2020

NEWS

Germany manager Joachim Low will remain in charge for next year’s European Championship finals

Head coach Joachim Löw of Germany gives an interview after the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Spain and Germany at Estadio de La Cartuja on November 17, 2020 in Seville, Spain.The German football federation (DFB) have said that manager Joachim Low will remain in charge of Germany for next year's delayed European Championship, despite a series of poor recent results. Breaking | The DFB confirm that Joachim Löw will stay on as Germany head coach: "Joachim Löw continues to have the trust of the DFB." https://t.co/mLDBqhaoG8— Get German Football News (@GGFN_) November 30, 2020 Löw, 60, has been in charge of the team since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann following the 2006 World Cup.He led the nation to a fourth World Cup victory, and first since reunification, in Brazil in 20...
UCL

Klopp says Liverpool don’t have enough players to rotate

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Liverpool FC and Ajax Amsterdam at Anfield on November 30, 2020 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his mounting injury list ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Ajax Amsterdam means he does not have enough fit players to rotate his squad.The latest player to be sidelined at Anfield is utility man James Milner who suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.Klopp said Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara remains out for a few more weeks and full back Trent Alexander-Arnold has not yet been given the green light to return to full training.Central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both remain out with...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Wolves announce Raul Jimenez has had surgery after suffering a fractured skull

David Luiz of Arsenal and Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers lie injured after a collision during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on November 29, 2020 in London, England.Wolves striker Raul Jimenez is 'comfortable' in hospital after suffering a fractured skull during Sunday night's Premier League match at Arsenal, the club have announced. Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital.He has our love and support as he begins a period of recovery.We're all with you, @Raul_Jimenez9.— Wolves (@Wolves) November 30, 2020 The Mexican was involved in an accidental clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz early in Wolves' 2-1 win, and was taken immediately to hospital, where he und...
UCL

Neymar talks about PSG’s chances against Man United

Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig at Parc des Princes on November 24, 2020 in Paris, France.Paris-Saint Germain star Neymar Jnr has spoken about his side’s chances when they face Manchester United in the Champions League next week.Neymar, 28, famously joined Paris-Saint Germain from Barcelona in 2017 in a transfer which cost the Ligue 1 giants an eye-watering £199.8m, as per Transfermarkt.Since his arrival in Paris, Neymar has featured in a total of 94 matches in all competitions and has been directly in a hugely impressive 181 goals.The world-class Brazilian’s latest contributions came during his side’s 2-2 draw to domestic rivals Bordeaux on Saturday evening after he scored from the spot...
SERIE A

Ronaldo-less Juve held at Benevento

Christian Maggio of Benevento and Alvaro Morata of Juventus Turin battle for the ball during the Serie A match between Benevento Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Ciro Vigorito on November 28, 2020 in Benevento, Italy.Juventus again showed their reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo as, with the superstar attacker absent, they drew 1-1 at promoted Benevento on Saturday, while Serie A title rivals Inter Milan beat high-flying Sassuolo 3-0 to move second.The champions' fifth draw in nine league matches leaves Andrea Pirlo's side fifth, three points behind leaders AC Milan who face Fiorentina on Sunday. 21' | ♈️ | GOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!! @ALVAROMORATA FIRES US IN FRONT WITH A FINE FINISH!!!!! ⚽️⚪️⚫️#BeneventoJuve [0-1] #ForzaJuve @officialpes pic.twitter.com/mbSFigIazS— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) November ...
SERIE A

Inter bounce back to end Sassuolo’s unbeaten start

Arturo Vidal of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore on November 28, 2020 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy.Inter put their Champions League struggles behind them in Reggio Emilia on Saturday afternoon as they opened this weekend’s Serie A action with a surprise 3-0 win away to Sassuolo.As comfortable as the scoreline suggests, the visitors were gifted a two-goal lead early on through a disastrous start from the Neroverdi’s Vlad Chiriches, and from then on the hosts struggled to find their feet in the game, falling to their first defeat of the Serie A season.Just as they had in this same fixture last season, Inter got off to a flying start through Alexis Sanchez, but Antonio Conte should have really...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Stoppage time Gross penalty denies Liverpool all three points

Pascal Gross of Brighton and Hove Albion scores a penalty for his team's first goal past Alisson Becker of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at American Express Community Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Brighton, England.Pascal Gross scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Brighton a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool as VAR once again took centre stage. It ends level.#BHALIV— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 28, 2020 The champions move a point clear at the summit, but will be left lamenting some of the interventions that denied them victory.The hosts should have exposed the visitors’ makeshift defence twice in the opening 20 minutes. First Aaron Connolly somehow shot off target when clear before Neal Maupay inexplicably fired a penalty wide....
PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton suffer major blow with ankle injury to left-back Digne

Lucas Digne of Everton in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 07, 2020 in Liverpool, England.Everton defender Lucas Digne is facing a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury in training.The club are awaiting a full diagnosis on the severity of the problem, with the concern being he may require surgery.Reports in his homeland have claimed the France left-back could be out for two months.Digne has missed only five Premier League matches since he joined the club in the summer of 2018 from Barcelona for £18m.Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Andre Gomes admits he is still trying to get back to full fitness after his horrific fracture dislocation to his right ankle 12 months ago."The truth is, ...
NEWS

Argentina football legend Diego Maradona dies after suffering heart attack

Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona, confirmed coach of Argentina's football team, leaves an hotel in Barcelona after a meeting with Barcelona's player Lionel Messi on November 6, 2008.Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona has died after suffering a heart attack in his home country.The 60-year-old is said to have passed away at home this afternoon.Maradona only turned 60 last week but suffered a torrid birthday as he had to be escorted from the sidelines as he watched Gimnasia, the Argentinian team he was manager of.The former Barcelona star was taken for brain surgery but was reportedly on the mend.Flocks of fans turned up at an Argentinian hospital in recent weeks to wish their hero well as he battled to survive.They arrived with flags and banners, while they chanted his name...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd’s Van de Beek revels in deeper role in Pogba’s absence

Donny van de Beek of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Manchester United and İstanbul Basaksehir at Old Trafford on November 24, 2020 in Manchester, England.Handed a rare start in Manchester United’s 4-1 Champions League win over Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday, Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek was pleased with his performance after impressing in a deeper role in the absence of Paul Pogba.Van de Beek, signed from Ajax Amsterdam for a reported 35 million pounds ($46 million) in September, was deployed at the base of the United midfield behind Bruno Fernandes instead of further forward in the number 10 slot.Despite the positional switch the 23-year-old looked comfortable throughout the 90 minutes as United secured victory to keep them o...
NEWS

Spurs, Milan and Real Sociedad have no room for Europa errors

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE banner logo in Toumba stadium.In an unusually crammed and crowded season, the Europa League, which resumes on Thursday with 26 group games, presents clubs fighting for domestic glory with a tricky balancing act.The English, Italian and Spanish league leaders, Tottenham, Real Sociedad and AC Milan, as well as Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen, have all slipped up already in Europe's second-tier competition and cannot afford another mistake.Yet the demands of a condensed season mean their managers are walking two tightropes at once.Real Sociedad, beaten at home by Napoli on the second matchday, have lost veteran David Silva to a hamstring injury on Sunday ahead of their trip to Group F leaders AZ Alkmaar.Yet even as they travel to the Netherlands, they need to plan f...
SERIE A

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims FIFA 21 is using his likeness “without any agreement,” EA disagrees

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on November 22, 2020 in Naples, Italy.Footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims that EA and its FIFA franchise have been "making a profit on my name and face without any agreement." In a pair of tweets, the Sweden and AC Milan striker said that it was "time to investigate" how he had come to be included in the FIFA series "without any real knowledge." Who gave FIFA EA Sport permission to use my name and face? @FIFPro? I’m not aware to be a member of Fifpro and if I am I was put there without any real knowledge through some weird manouver. And for sure I never allowed @FIFAcom or Fifpro to make money using me— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) November 23, 2020 Last night, the former Ma...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City will not rush Aguero back, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has trained ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Olympiakos but the Argentine will not be rushed into action from hamstring and knee issues, manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday.Aguero sustained a hamstring injury in City’s 1-1 Premier League draw at West Ham United last month a week after making his first start of the season following knee surgery.The 32-year-old was on the bench in City’s 2-0 league defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and Guardiola stressed that he was prepared to wait for the striker to return to match fitness.“Today h...
SERIE A

Serie A: Christian Eriksen nearing Inter Milan exit as dream move to Italy turns sour

Christian Eriksen of FC Internazionale looks on before the serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino Fc. Fc Internazionale wins 4-2 over Torino Fc.Christian Eriksen's dream move to Inter Milan looks over with the former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker requesting to leave the Italian giants after just 10 months.The Danish international arrived on a four-and-a-half-year contract worth  €20 million ($23 million) plus €7.5 million in bonuses in January.But during a year overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, the 28-year-old has been unable to reproduce his form with Spurs, where he scored 69 goals and had 89 assists in 305 appearances, or recently with Denmark."It wasn't what I had dreamed of," admitted Eriksen, who has fallen down the pecking order under coach Antonio Conte."Peop...
SERIE A

AC Milan superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of action for 2 weeks

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan controls the ball during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on November 22, 2020 in Naples, Italy.AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be out of action for at least 10 days after picking up a muscle injury in the 3-1 league win against Napoli at the weekend, the Serie A club said on Monday.The 39-year-old scored twice before suffering the injury as the Serie A leaders recorded their first league win in Naples for more than 10 years.A club spokesperson said it could take between two and three weeks for Ibrahimovic to recover.The Swedish striker, who has scored 10 goals in six league games this season, will likely miss Europa League matches against French side and Group H leaders Lille and Scotland's Celtic on Thursday and...
UCL

Barcelona rest Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong for Champions League game at Dynamo Kiev

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 21, 2020 in Madrid, Spain.Barcelona are resting Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong for their Champions League game at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.Despite their recent La Liga troubles, Barca currently sit top of Group G – three points ahead of second-placed Juventus and eight clear of bottom two Kiev and Ferencvaros –and can secure a spot in the knockout stage for the 17th straight season by winning in the Ukraine. ❝We think this is a good moment to rest them.❞ — @RonaldKoeman on leaving Leo #Messi and @DeJongFrenkie21 out of the squad for #DynamoBarça pic.twitter.com/T9wRT3u6rQ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 23, 2020...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta left frustrated by pending injuries and suspension after Leeds draw

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal makes his way back to the changing rooms at the end of the match during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on November 22, 2020 in Leeds, England.Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure as Arsenal drew a blank at Leeds and the Spaniard revealed afterwards his concern at injuries to Willian and Bukayo Saka as well as Nicolas Pepe’s looming suspension.The Gunners were fortunate to come away from Elland Road with a goalless Premier League draw although they paid a price as Willian suffered a muscular problem and Saka seemed to hurt his knee following a challenge late on.Pepe, meanwhile, faces a domestic three-match ban for violent conduct after his red card for appearing to headbutt Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski, restricting Arteta’s...
LALIGA

Another huge blow for Barcelona as Pique suffers knee ligament injury

Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 21, 2020 in Madrid Spain.On Saturday, Barcelona suffered a dismal loss to Atletico Madrid which left them 10th in the table, with only 11 points from eight games. It was their worst start to a La Liga campaign in 25 years, but things could get even worse. Barely 24 hours after the defeat, Barcelona confirmed that Gerard Pique has suffered medial and cruciate knee ligament injuries, which would suggest a period of months on the sidelines for the veteran defender. "Evidence shows that Pique has a grade three sprain of the medial lateral ligament and a partial injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Evolution will d...
SERIE A

Serie A: Ageless Ibrahimovic’s brace helps AC Milan beat Napoli; Inter Milan come from behind to defeat Torino

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with team mates during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on November 22, 2020 in Naples, Italy.Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains unstoppable and AC Milan remain unbeaten atop Serie A.The 39-year-old Ibrahimovic scored twice to raise his total to 10 goals in six games played as Milan won 3-1 at Napoli on Sunday. 3 points and our unbeaten run continues! ✌️Vittoria e la striscia positiva continua! ✌️#NapoliMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/iHJK7E8DPE— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 22, 2020 “He seems even stronger now than he was 10-12 years ago,” said Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso, who teamed with Ibrahimovic when Milan last won the Italian league in 2011.However, there was concern for ...
SERIE A

Ronaldo levels up with Zlatan in battle of evergreen strikers

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates with Merih Demiral of Juventus during the Italian Serie A match between Juventus v Cagliari Calcio at the Allianz Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Turin Italy.Cristiano Ronaldo moved level on eight Serie A goals for the season with AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Saturday as he and the Swede continue to defy their advancing years and show the youngsters how it is done.With a combined age of almost 75, you could forgive both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic for at least showing signs of weariness, but the goals show no signs of drying up as the pair drive their teams to the top two spots in the standings.Coming into Juve’s clash with Cagliari on Saturday, Ronaldo had just returned from three games with Portugal to make his fourth league start of the season.In...
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