October 2021 – Football Flame

Month: October 2021

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LALIGA

Carrasco helps fire Atletico past Real Betis

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco of Atletico Madrid shoots wide whilst under pressure from Claudio Bravo of Real Betis during the La Liga Santander match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Betis at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on October 31, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Yannick Carrasco's blistering strike set Atletico Madrid on the way to a 3-0 victory over Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday, keeping the reigning champions within two points of the leaders.Belgium's Carrasco hammered in the opening goal at the Wanda Metropolitano on 26 minutes before Betis defender German Pezzella bizarrely headed a corner into his own net in the second half.Joao Felix came off the bench to wrap up just a second win in five outings for Atletico, who moved above Betis and stayed in touch with Real Madrid, Sevilla...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Nuno’s Spurs future in doubt

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo being interviewed after the final whistle of the Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday October 30, 2021.Nuno Espirito Santo's future as Tottenham manager is in doubt after just 17 games following Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United.Chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici have held talks about Nuno's future.The former Wolves boss, 47, was appointed on a two-year deal in June.But despite a promising start to the season, Spurs have now lost five of their last seven Premier League matches.They are eighth in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, and failed to register a shot on target during Saturday's loss.Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Tottenham ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Rodrigo lands Leeds winner to heap more misery on Norwich

Norwich City's Andrew Omobamidele (left) and Leeds United's Rodrigo battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich. Picture date: Sunday October 31, 2021.Bottom club Norwich City remain without a Premier League win 10 games into the season after slumping to defeat against fellow strugglers Leeds United at Carrow Road.After a dour first half, the match burst into life when Raphinha dribbled past three players to fire the visitors into a 56th-minute lead after being picked out by Dan James.Norwich were level inside two minutes when 19-year-old defender Andrew Omobamidele headed home from a corner needlessly conceded by keeper Illan Meslier.But Leeds restored their advantage on the hour through Rodrigo's long-range effort after Norwich had lost possession outside ...
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SERIE A

Inter Defender Andrea Ranocchia: “We Need To Grind Out Points, Keep Winning To Stay With Scudetto Pace”

Andrea Ranocchia of FC Internazionale missed goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 31, 2021 in Milan, Italy.Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia feels that his team have done well to get three points from tough circumstances after their 2-0 win over Udinese earlier this afternoon.Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the match, the 33-year-old suggested that these are the kinds of games that the teams must be able to keep winning if they are to stay in the hunt for the Scudetto.Ranocchia made his first start of the season and he helped guide his team to a clean sheet, with the Nerazzurri looking in control for virtually the entire match even as the opposition made life difficult for them.Udinese were well...
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BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund hope Haaland back to face Bayern

Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the UEFA Champions League group C match between AFC Ajax and Borussia Dortmund at Amsterdam Arena on October 19, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.Borussia Dortmund are hopeful their star striker Erling Haaland will be fit after injury for the crucial Bundesliga clash with champions Bayern Munich in early December."We will of course to do everything so that Erling is there for this game," Sebastian Kehl, Dortmund's head of professional football, told Bild television on Sunday."Because in the end he can make the difference. We know how important now the direct duels with Bayern Munich will be."To have him there would be unbelievably important for us."The 21-year-old Norwegian Haaland is one of the most highly-rated players in the world having...
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LALIGA

Barcelona’s Sergio Aguero taken to a hospital after suffering chest pain

Kun Aguero is injured during the match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves, corresponding to the week 12 of the Liga Santandere, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, on 30th October 2021, in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero has been taken to hospital after he suffered chest pain and complained about feeling dizzy during his side's 1-1 LaLiga draw with Alaves on Saturday."Sergio Aguero was struggling with chest pain for much of the first half and was replaced by Philippe Coutinho at halftime and then taken to hospital for cardiac analysis," Barcelona said in a statement.19 Sergio Aguero of FC Barcelona injured during the La Liga Santader match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Barcelona.During the first half, the Argentine ...
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SERIE A

Verona’s in-form Simeone condemns Juve to another loss

Giovanni Simeone of Hellas Verona FC competes for the ball with Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2021 in Verona, Italy. Giovanni Simeone struck twice as Verona beat Juventus 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday to hand Massimiliano's struggling team a second loss in four days.Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, put Verona ahead when he turned in a rebound at the Stadio Bentegodi on 11 minutes.The Argentine added a quick-fire second with a sublime curling effort from 20 metres, giving him six goals in his past two starts having scored four times against Lazio last weekend.Paulo Dybala hit the crossbar just before half-time for a Juve side missing the injured Federico Chiesa, but t...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp questions Liverpool attitude after Brighton draw

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on October 30, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Jurgen Klopp criticised the way Liverpool responded to squandering a two-goal lead as Brighton claimed a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Saturday.Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane had put the Reds 2-0 in front after 24 minutes but Graham Potter's team fought back with goals from Enock Mwepu and Leandro Trossard either side of half-time.It was just the sixth time Liverpool failed to win a Premier League home game after leading by two goals.Yves Bissouma hit the post and Trossard had a late goal disallowed for offside as the Seagulls threatened to complete a remarkable comeback win."I...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern hits back with 5-2 win at Union Berlin in Bundesliga

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen battles for possession with Christopher Trimmel of 1.FC Union Berlin during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and FC Bayern München at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei on October 30, 2021 in Berlin, Germany.Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich restored some lost pride with a 5-2 win at Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.Bayern was smarting from Wednesday’s 5-0 loss at Borussia Mönchengladbach in the cup, and it rebounded by ending Union’s 21-game unbeaten run at home in the league.It was a clinical performance from the table-topping visitors, with Lewandowski starring early on and Leroy Sané getting the third goal, before Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller made sure of the result after Niko Gießelmann and Julian Ryerso...
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LALIGA

Vinicius fills Benzema gap for Real Madrid

Helibelton Palacios Zapata of Elche CF competes for the ball with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF during the LaLiga Santander match between Elche CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on October 30, 2021 in Elche, Spain.Vinicius Junior has stepped up in the absence of Karim Benzema by scoring twice in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over 10-man Elche in Saturday's La Liga clash.Coach Carlo Ancelotti took a calculated risk to rest the 33-year-old French forward Benzema for the game, and his side got the job done to move level with leaders Real Sociedad, who play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.Vinicius swept a delightful opener past former Madrid man Kiko Casilla with 22 minutes played, and Elche's task was made all the more difficult when Raul Guti was dismissed shortly after the hour ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal: Gunners pass Foxes test to continue resurgence

Boubakary Soumare of Leicester City and Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Leicester, England.Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions as goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe earned an impressive 2-0 win away at Leicester.A lightning start proved decisive as the Gunners scored twice in the opening 20 minutes before keeping the Foxes at bay, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in sensational form.After losing their opening three league games of the season, Mikel Arteta’s side have improved markedly but this was always expected to be a stiff test of their resurgence, against a Foxes side enjoying their own upturn in form.Arteta was boosted by the availabilit...
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BUNDESLIGA

Hoffenheim ends Hertha Berlin’s short Bundesliga winning run

Andrej Kramaric of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Hertha BSC at PreZero-Arena on October 29, 2021 in Sinsheim, Germany. Hoffenheim have brought Hertha Berlin's short Bundesliga resurgence to an end with a 2-0 win over the visitors.Croatia forward Andrej Kramaric opened the scoring after a slow start in the 19th minute off a low cross from Robert Skov, his ninth goal against Hertha in 11 games he has played against them.The goal boosted the hosts and Sebastian Rudy drilled home the second in the 36th on the rebound of Skov's blast against the far right post.Hertha's misery was complete when captain Dedryck Boyata was sent off for a studs-up challenge against Angelo Stiller with 14 minut...
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NEWS

Di Maria leads PSG to comeback win over Lille

Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring the 2nd Paris Saint-Germain during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and Lille OSC at Parc des Princes on October 29, 2021 in Paris, France. Angel Di Maria set up the equalizer and then netted the winning goal himself as Paris Saint-Germain rallied past defending champion Lille 2-1 on Friday to stretch its lead at the top of the French league to 10 points.Canada striker Jonathan David gave Lille the lead with a first-time effort in the 31st minute, but Di Maria made the difference in the second half.The Argentina forward provided a clipped pass for Marquinhos, who volleyed home from six yards in the 74th. Di Maria then played a one-two with Neymar before burying the ball into the bottom corner in the 88th.Lille ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Roberto Firmino speaks out on ‘sacrificing himself’ for Mo Salah and Sadio Mane

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture date: Sunday May 16, 2021. Liverpool's Roberto Firmino has dismissed any suggestion he 'sacrifices' himself in favour of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.The trio have become arguably the most dangers front three in world football, but the Brazilian has scored less than both Mane and Salah in recent seasons.The 30-year-old wasn't on the scoresheet in Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United last weekend, but manager Jurgen Klopp said people will 'write books' about the way he interprets the false nine position.When asked how it feels to sacrifice himself and his own desire to score ...
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LALIGA

Xavi dreams of signing €55m-rated French forward at Barcelona

Jules Kounde of Sevilla FC in action during the La Liga Santander match between Granada CF and Sevilla FC at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes on October 03, 2021 in Granada, Spain. While the appointment of Xavi as the new manager of Barcelona is yet to be made, rumours of his transfer plans, prospective targets are already doing the rounds in the media. Reports on Thursday indicated that the Barcelona icon wanted to reinforce the defence with the signing of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.Now, as per SPORT, the 41-year-old tactician is believed to be keen on signing Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman once he takes over at Barcelona. It is claimed that Xavi sees the French winger as a ‘dream signing’ at Camp Nou.Coman has an enviable trophy haul despite being just 25 years of age. The wide atta...
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TRANSFERS

Arsenal handed big boost in signing £24.3m midfielder next year – report

Denis Zakaria of Gladbach celebrates scoring his tea's first goal during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Volkswagen Arena on October 02, 2021 in Wolfsburg, Germany. Arsenal have been handed a boost in signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria next year, according to The Sun.The Gunners signed Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht over the summer, but they were also linked with a move for another experienced midfielder as Granit Xhaka was fancied to leave.However, a suitable deal did not materialise for the Swiss. The former club captain ended up committing his future to the club with a one-year extension until 2024 on improved wages.Despite this, the club are still looking for reinforcements in the centre of the park as both Mohamed...
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SERIE A

Insigne takes Napoli to top of Serie A

Lorenzo Insigne of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 28 October 2021. Lorenzo Insigne scored twice from the penalty spot as Napoli returned to the top of the Serie A standings, level on points with equally unbeaten AC Milan, after a 3-0 home win against Bologna.Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the 18th minute at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium with a left footed shot into the top corner from outside the box that gave goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski no chance.Lorenzo Insigne of SSC Napoli scores third goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli, Italy on 28 October 2021.Captain Insigne doubled the tally fr...
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LALIGA

Real Sociedad regain sole La Liga lead

Joseph Aidoo of Celta de Vigo competes for the ball with Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad during the La Liga Santander match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Vigo, Spain. Real Sociedad have broken the four-way tie at the top of the Spanish league with a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo.Alexander Isak and Aritz Elustondo scored second-half goals to put the Basque Country club back in sole possession of the lead after 11 matches. They are three points ahead of Real Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis.Madrid and Sevilla, who drew their matches on Wednesday, have a game in hand while Betis, coming off a win against Valencia, have played the same amount of games as Sociedad. Madrid were held by Osasuna at home and Sevilla drew at Mallorca.The win exten...
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LALIGA

Official: Barcelona announce Sergi Barjuan as caretaker manager

Sergi Barjuan during the match between FC Barcelona Bl and Algeciras CF, corresponding to the week 1 of the new spanish competition Primera RFEF, played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, on 28th August 2021, in Barcelona, Spain. As confirmed by the club’s official website, Barcelona have named Sergi Barjuan as the interim manager following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.The Dutch tactician was relieved of his duties on Wednesday night following the 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas. And the club have acted fast to name a caretaker boss in light of the 58-year-old’s departure.Sergi Barjuan, who was appointed as the manager of Barcelona ‘B’ earlier in the summer, has been handed the reins of the first team on an interim basis. The 49-year-old will be in charge of the senior squad ...
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LALIGA

Xavi agrees to become new Barcelona head coach – reports in Spain

Coach Xavi Hernandez attends 'Campus Xavi Hernández by Santander' at Work Cafe on June 10, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona have reached an agreement with Xavi to become their new head coach, reports in Spain say.The Catalan giants sacked Ronald Koeman on Wednesday night after the 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday left Barca languishing in ninth place in La Liga.58-year-old Koeman was given the dreaded vote of confidence by president Joan Laporta in September after a terrible start to the new season, and at that point, Barca's board made it clear they wanted to Xavi to come in.Laporta agreed with his fellow directors that was the best course of action, and has since been trying to convince Xavi to make a return to the club.90min confirmed that Xavi was ready to accept the role, ...
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