December 2021 – Page 3 – Football Flame

Month: December 2021

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SERIE A

Juventus 2-0 Cagliari: Kean, Bernardeschi help close gap on top four

Federico Bernardeschi of Juventus celebrates with team mate Alvaro Morata after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Serie A match between Juventus and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on December 21, 2021 in Turin, Italy. Federico Bernardeschi played a part in both goals as Juventus edged past Cagliari 2-0 on Tuesday to extend their unbeaten run in Serie A to five matches and make up ground on the top four.Massimiliano Allegri's men had defeated Cagliari in nine of their previous 10 league meetings but were unable able to seriously assert their authority and were nearly made to pay before killing off the game late on.Having earlier gone close with a header against the post, Moise Kean opened the scoring for Juve five minutes before half-time in their final match of a disappoin...
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LALIGA

Barcelona 15 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga after more dropped points

Papu Gomez of Sevilla FC competes for the ball with Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on December 21, 2021 in Seville, Spain.Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by second placed Sevilla on Tuesday, a result that helped Real Madrid open a five-point lead at the top of La Liga.Playing under heavy rain, a much-improved Barcelona desperately tried to score a second goal after Ronald Araujo drew them level with a header in the 45th minute, but they were thwarted by an equally determined Sevilla, who were reduced to 10 men after Jules Kounde was shown a straight red card in the 64th.Sevilla went ahead after Papu Gomez latched on to an Ivan Rakitic corner kick and fired home a low strike.Barca are se...
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SERIE A

Napoli doctor provides Victor Osimhen medical update

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 07, 2021 in Naples, Italy. The Nigerian international is highly motivated to lead the Super Eagles’ attack at the 2021 Afcon, but medical experts continue to urge cautionDoctor Roberto Ruggiero has revealed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is only halfway through his rehabilitation process as he is still in the healing process.It is exactly a month today that Osimhen suffered multiple fractures in his head during a league clash against Inter Milan – a tie the Neapolitans lost 3-2.Napoli later announced that the club’s record signing would be out of action for at least three months after he subsequently underw...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham Hotspur may appeal against UEFA decision – Conte

Antonio Conte, head coach of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur press conference at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on December 08, 2021 in Enfield, England. Tottenham boss Antonio Conte says the club’s lawyers are considering an appeal against UEFA’s decision to award Rennes a 3-0 win in their postponed Europa Conference League game.The governing body’s disciplinary panel ruled that Spurs forfeited the match after calling it off due to a worsening coronavirus outbreak and gave the French side the victory which saw Conte’s side exit the competition.Spurs had nine first-team players with the virus at the time and were told to shut down their training centre by health officials.They tried in vain to rearrange the game before the 31 December deadline but came up against stumblin...
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SERIE A

COVID-hit Serie A club cop travel ban

Official Serie A matchball Nike Flight is seen prior to the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Torino FC. AC Milan won 1-0 over Torino FC. Italy's Serie A is facing its first COVID-19 enforced fixture disruption this season after an outbreak at Salernitana meant the bottom side could not travel for their game against Udinese on Tuesday.Salernitana said in a statement that the local health authority in Salerno had requested a suspension of activity and prohibited their involvement in sporting events after positive cases emerged within the squad.The league body is yet to comment, and the fixture is still officially scheduled to take place at 6.30pm local time on Tuesday.Salernitana are bottom of Serie A with eight points, while Udinese are 14th with 20 points.Meanwhile, Serie A outf...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

N’Golo Kante won’t face Brentford with Tuchel decision close to irresponsible

N'Golo Kante of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on December 19, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will not risk playing N’Golo Kante against Brentford in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, insisting it was already “irresponsible” to play him for 90 minutes against Wolves.The Blues squad has been hit by a series of positive Covid-19 tests and they were able to name just four outfield players on the bench at Molineux on Sunday.Chelsea had a request to postpone the game rejected by the Premier League and, as a result, Tuchel was forced to rush players back from injury.One of those was Kante, who started and played the full 90 minutes during the draw with Wolves despite having last played on ...
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SERIE A

Immobile Has Tested Positive for COVID and Will Miss Lazio vs Venezia

Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and SS Lazio at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on December 12, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy.Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has tested positive for COVID and will miss tomorrow’s match against Venezia.As reported by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via LazioNews24) earlier today, the 31-year-old Italian striker tested positive for the virus in both antigen and molecular tests yesterday, forcing him to miss the final game of 2021 against the recently promoted Venezia.Immobile’s wife Jessica Melena tested positive for COVID last week after the Lazio Christmas dinner and the player has been self-isolating since Wednesday, following the afternoon training session in Formello.Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio...
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TRANSFERS

Barcelona target loan deal for Arsenal star after Mikel Arteta meeting

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 26, 2021. Barcelona are considering a loan move for Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.Aubameyang’s future with the Gunners is now in doubt after he was stripped of the captaincy last week following a disciplinary breach.The 32-year-old has been training away from the first team and was not included in the squad for the 4-1 win over Leeds United last Saturday.According to MailOnline, Barcelona are now weighing up a loan deal for Aubameyang and are keeping tabs on the striker’s situation at Arsenal.However, Barca would need to negotiate...
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LALIGA

Valencia down Levante in La Liga derby

Carlos Soler of Valencia CF scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Levante UD and Valencia CF at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on December 20, 2021 in Valencia, Spain.Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Soler have each scored twice as Valencia came from two goals down to secure a 4-3 derby victory at La Liga basement side Levante.The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute after being awarded a penalty for a Mouctar Diakhaby handball.Jose Campana has his spot-kick saved by Jasper Cillessen but put the ball away on the follow-up.Three minutes later Levante doubled their advantage as Roger Marti finished off a counter-attack.Valencia pulled a goal back just before the interval via a superb Guedes strike from the edge of the area after a neat one-two.Soler equalised five m...
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LALIGA

Xavi Hernandez explains Sergino Dest omissions amid transfer links

Sergino Dest of FC Barcelona in action during the spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between FC Barcelona and Granada CF at Camp Nou stadium on September 20, 2021, in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has provided an update on Sergino Dest.Dest has come under criticism for his performances this season, struggling to impress new boss Xavi.The USA international has only played in one of Barcelona‘s last six La Liga outings, and some have suggested that is down to his poor form.But according to Xavi himself, Dest’s omissions have simply been because of his injury struggles.He said in today’s press conference, as streamed on YouTube: “His problem is physical, otherwise we would have used him more.“He has had a very hard lumbago, now he has overloaded a...
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NEWS

Europa Conference League: Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign over after UEFA awards Rennes 3-0 victory

General view inside the stadium of the Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur's European campaign for this season is over after UEFA awarded Rennes a 3-0 victory in their final Europa Conference League group match on Monday.Spurs were unable to fulfil the 9 December fixture due to a swathe of COVID-19 cases in the squad.As a result they finish third in the group behind group winners Rennes who progress directly to the last 16 and Dutch side Vitesse who now face Rapid Vienna in a knockout play-off."The Uefa Appeals Body took the following decision: to declare the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC, that was initially scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021, as forfeited by Tottenham Hotspur FC, who is therefore deemed to...
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BUNDESLIGA

Freiburg go third at Bundesliga winter break

Kevin Schade of SC Freiburg scores their team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa - Park -Stadion on December 19, 2021 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Substitute Kevin Schade scored with just six minutes left to give Freiburg a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen that enabled them to leapfrog their visitors and move into third place going into the Bundesliga's winter break.Freiburg profited from some lax late defending on Sunday as Ermedin Demirovic was able to cross without pressure and Schade nipped ahead of his marker to beat Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky at the near post.Kevin Schade of SC Freiburg celebrates after scoring their side`s second goal during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer...
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SERIE A

VAR helps Napoli to Serie A win over Milan

Eljif Elmas of SSC Napoli in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 19, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Napoli have edged AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro on Sunday to climb to second in Serie A above their opponents, with VAR taking centre stage in a dramatic finale.Midfielder Eljif Elmas glanced a header home at the near post from a corner to stun the hosts and edge the visitors in front on five minutes, a lead Napoli held without being overly troubled until the latter stages.Veteran Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic looked most likely to find an equaliser after going close midway through the first half and just after the break.In the 90th minute, just as Milan looked out of ideas, Franck Kessie appeared to have snatched the hosts a point o...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham and Liverpool share thrilling draw as Robertson sent off

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Joel Matip of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19, 2021 in London, England. Liverpool lost ground in the Premier League title race in a pulsating draw at Tottenham that was packed with incident and saw Andrew Robertson sent off for the visitors.Manchester City's 4-0 victory at Newcastle earlier meant Liverpool could not top the league at Christmas for the first time in four years, with Jurgen Klopp's side now three points adrift.Harry Kane ended his Premier League goal drought when he found the bottom corner from Tanguy Ndombele's pass but Spurs wasted a number of opportunities to double their lead.Diogo Jota made the hosts pay on 35 minutes ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Covid-19-hit Chelsea held by Wolves

Christian Pulisic of Chelsea controls the ball away from Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on December 19, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. Covid-19-hit Chelsea slipped further behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League title race as they were held to a goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.The visitors had a request for the fixture to be postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak rejected on Sunday morning - with manager Thomas Tuchel saying they were "a bit angry" with the decision.Consequently, the Blues named just four outfield players on the bench at Molineux. The first XI was still strong enough to be competitive but they struggled to create as they were held to a second succes...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Leaders Man City extend winning run to eight with convincing success at Newcastle

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City scores their sides third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on December 19, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Reigning champions Manchester City recorded their eighth successive Premier League victory as they swept aside struggling Newcastle United at St James' Park.The league leaders were gifted a fifth-minute opener as Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark failed to attack Joao Cancelo's hooked cross and Ruben Dias had a simple task to head City ahead.City doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Cancelo collected the ball 35 yards out, beat two Newcastle players and fired an unstoppable strike into the top corner from outside the penalty area.Riyad Mahrez scored his 50th Premier League goal ...
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BUNDESLIGA

Borrussia Dortmund slump nine points behind Bayern Munich

Marco Richter of Hertha BSC celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund at Olympiastadion on December 18, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Marco Richter scored twice as Borussia Dortmund lost 3-2 at mid-table Hertha Berlin to slip nine points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at the halfway point of the season.Second-bottom Arminia Bielefeld - facing coronavirus absences and down to 10 men - had earlier on Saturday stunned RB Leipzig 2-0 away to inflict a first defeat on coach Domenico Tedesco.Borussia Monchengladbach looked set to snap a four-game losing streak with a win but fourth-placed hosts Hoffenheim levelled in stoppage time for a 1-1 draw.Surging Eintracht Frankfurt went fifth with a 1-0 home win over Mainz, Union Ber...
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LALIGA

Sevilla beats Atlético to close on leaders; Gavi leads Barcelona

Gavi of FC Barcelona scores their team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Elche CF at Camp Nou on December 18, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.  Seventeen-year-old Gavi Páez teamed up with two more of Barcelona's young talents to beat a resilient Elche 3-2 in the Spanish league on Saturday.Ferrán Jutlgà and Gavi scored their first goals for Barcelona to give it a 2-0 halftime lead.Elche rallied with two goals early in the second half, but Gavi assisted 19-year-old Nico González to score the 85th-minute winner from a pass by Gavi.“The only thing I was thinking was that that ball had to go in one way or another,” Nico said about his winner. “We are very happy. At 2-2 we knew we were facing a tough rival and recently things have not been going our way.”Barc...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal thrash injury-hit Leeds United

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021 in Leeds, England.  Arsenal consolidated their position in the Premier League's top four with a 4-1 rout of Leeds in the only Premier League match on Saturday to survive a wave of coronavirus postponements.Two goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka's deflected strike put the Gunners 3-0 up before half-time.Raphinha's penalty pulled a goal back, but Emile Smith Rowe rounded off a miserable week for Leeds after their 7-0 thrashing at Manchester City on Tuesday.Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa described his side's performance at the Etihad in midweek as the worst in his four years in charge and there was no sign of any improveme...
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SERIE A

Abraham scores twice as Roma wins at title-chasing Atalanta 4-1

Tammy Abraham of AS Roma celebrates his second goal with his team-mate Jordan Veretout (R) during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Bergamo, Italy. Tammy Abraham scored twice as Roma claimed its first win against one of the top Serie A teams by 4-1 at Atalanta on Saturday. Abraham scored his first less than a minute into the match and Nicolò Zaniolo doubled Roma’s lead. An own goal from Bryan Cristante made it 2-1 at the end of the first half. Cristante had another own goal ruled out shortly before Chris Smalling all but secured the win in the 72nd minute. Abraham capped a brilliant match for Roma 10 minutes later. Roma moved to fifth, five points below fourth-placed Napoli and six below Atalanta in third. League leader Inter M...
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