May 2022 – Page 6 – Football Flame

Month: May 2022

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LALIGA

Barca financial situation could dictate De Jong future: Xavi

Xavi Hernandez head coach of Barcelona gives instructions to Frenkie de Jong during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on February 20, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez suggested on Saturday the club’s dire financial situation could force them to consider selling Frenkie de Jong this summer.De Jong joined Barca for 75 million euros from Ajax in 2019 and while he has been a solid performer and a regular starter at Camp Nou, the Dutchman has not quite lived up to expectations.With the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Nico Gonzalez and Sergio Busquets all competing for spots in midfield, Barcelona could view the 25-year-old De Jong as an opportunity to raise funds.“He is a very important player, he has been a starter almost always. He...
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LALIGA

Sevilla draw, secure Champions League spot

Sevilla's Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on May 15, 2022.Sevilla have scored a late equaliser at Atletico Madrid to clinch the final Champions League spot in Spain's La Liga.A header by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 85th minute secured a 1-1 draw on Sunday and the point that gave Sevilla a place in Europe's top club competition for a third straight season.A loss would have left Sevilla in a tense situation going into the final round next weekend as rivals Real Betis beat Granada 2-0 to close in. The draw kept Sevilla three points ahead with a better head-to-head tiebreaker against Betis.Betis had already secured a Europa League place by winning t...
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LALIGA

Cadiz secure La Liga survival boost with Real Madrid draw

(L-R) Mariano Diaz of Real Madrid, Ruben Alcaraz of Cadiz CF during the La Liga Santander match between Cadiz FC v Real Madrid at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza on May 15, 2022 in Cadiz Spain.Struggling Cadiz have put themselves on the brink of La Liga safety this season following a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.Los Blancos were unable to break down a stubborn resistance in Andalucia as Carlo Ancelotti’s much changed side gear up for the Champions League final.However, despite making a string of changes at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, Real Madrid eased into a early lead via Mariano Diaz’s instinctive finish.That setback sparked the hosts into life before the break and Ruben Sobrino fired home a spectacular leveller.With the momentum changing for Cadiz after the restart, they were offered a per...
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LALIGA

Atletico confirm Suarez to leave at end of season

Luis Suarez of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the La Liga Santader match between Elche CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on May 11, 2022 in Elche, Spain.Luis Suarez will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, the club announced on Sunday.The 35-year-old has spent two years in the Spanish capital and Atletico confirmed his exit before their LaLiga home clash against Sevilla."At the end of the game, the Wanda Metropolitano will pay tribute to Luis Suarez and Hector Herrera, who are saying goodbye to the Red & White family today," the club posted on social media.Suarez moved to Atletico from LaLiga rivals Barcelona on a free transfer in 2020 and played a key role in helping Diego Simeone's team side claim their first league title since 2014.The ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Late Struijk goal gives Leeds survival hope

Pascal Struijk of Leeds United celebrates scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road on May 15, 2022 in Leeds, England. Pascal Struijk headed an injury-time equaliser to keep alive Leeds' hopes of Premier League survival after a frenetic home draw with Brighton.Jesse Marsch's side toiled at a raucous Elland Road but looked to be edging nearer to relegation after Danny Welbeck coolly finished to give Brighton a deserved first-half lead.But the home support defiantly roared Leeds on and Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez brilliantly denied Mateusz Klich in each half, while also turning away a Raphinha free-kick as pressure built.Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt had gone close himself but his persistence was re...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Vardy double helps Leicester thrash dismal Watford

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates their sides second goal with team mate James Maddison during the Premier League match between Watford and Leicester City at Vicarage Road on May 15, 2022 in Watford, England. Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester thrashed already relegated Watford to consign them to a seventh defeat in eight Premier League games.The result boosts the Foxes hopes of a top-10 finish, with Watford, who have now lost 15 of their 19 home matches, dropping to the bottom of the table.With Roy Hodgson's successor Rob Edwards paraded before kick-off, the afternoon had started brightly for the Hornets.Joao Pedro's close-range effort deflected off Timothy Castagne to put them in front, and they had opportunities to extend their lead with Adam Masina hitting the crossbar a...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Title in Man City’s hands despite West Ham draw

Jack Grealish of Manchester City battles for possession with Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on May 15, 2022 in London, England.Manchester City came back from two goals down for the first time under Pep Guardiola to earn a point at West Ham that means victory over Aston Villa on the final day will see them crowned champions.City's grip on the Premier League title was looking distinctly shaky at the break as the Hammers led thanks to Jarrod Bowen's well-taken double.But Jack Grealish struck for the visitors four minutes after the re-start and Vladmir Coufal headed Riyad Mahrez's free-kick into his own net as City avoided defeat after coming back from two goals down in a top-flight game for the ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta happy Arsenal remain in control of their fate

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 12, 2022 in London, England.Mikel Arteta is satisfied Arsenal’s hopes of a Premier League top-four finish remain in their own hands despite a humbling defeat at fierce rivals Tottenham on Thursday.Arsenal were brushed aside 3-0 by their north London neighbours at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, meaning the battle for the final Champions League spot is likely to go down to the wire.Despite such a dispiriting loss, Arsenal hold the upper hand as maximum points from their last two matches – at Newcastle on Monday and Everton next weekend – would render whatever Spurs do irrelevant.Arteta, who will be without Rob Holding at St James’ Park following the ...
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TRANSFERS

Real Madrid attacker wanted by Bundesliga giants in summer move

Sergio Arribas of Real Madrid Castilla runs with the ball during the Primera RFEF Group 2 match between Real Madrid Castilla and Linares Deportivo at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on February 27, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested in signing Sergio Arribas from Real Madrid in the summer.According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Sergio Arribas is the subject of interest from Borussia Dortmund over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Spanish attacker could leave Real Madrid ahead of the 2022/23 season, searching for regular playing time at the first-team level.Sergio Arribas went through his formative years at three Spanish clubs, spending most of his time at Real Madrid after moving to La Fabrica from Leganes in 201...
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NEWS

Infantino Gets Support For Third Term From Southern Africa

Gianni Infantino during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw at Doha Exhibition Center on April 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has thrown its weight behind incumbent Gianni Infantino ahead of FIFA presidential elections next year, an indication that he will enjoy widespread support across Africa.New COSAFA president Artur de Almeida e Silva made the announcement on Saturday in the presence of Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe.“We believe Gianni Infantino represents the best candidate to lead global football for another four years,” Artur de Almeida said.“He has repeatedly displayed his desire to grow African football and has backed up his words with action.”Infantino is likely to stand for a thi...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham star Son Heung-min’s comments will worry Antonio Conte ahead of Burnley match

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (L) is congratulated by Tottenham Hotspur's Italian head coach Antonio Conte as he leaves the pitch during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 1, 2022.Tottenham boss Antonio Conte may be left somewhat preoccupied about one of his star players after Son Heung-min admitted he is 'struggling' to sleep amid Spurs' Premier League run-in. The battle for fourth place looks set to go down to the wire after the Lilywhites thumped their bitter rivals Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday to move just one points behind Mikel Arteta's side.Spurs would go above their north London neighbours if they manage to get three points against Burnley on Sunday lunchtime, with...
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NEWS

Monaco climb to second in French league

Monaco’s French forward Wissam Ben Yedder (R) fight for the ball with Brest's French defender Jean-Kevin Duverne (L) during the French Ligue 1 football match between AS Monaco and Brest on May 14, 2022, at the Louis II stadium in Monaco, southern France.Wissam Ben Yedder's rapid hat-trick has helped Monaco rally from 2-0 down to beat Brest 4-2 for a ninth straight French league win on Saturday and move above Marseille into second place and the automatic Champions League place.Brest went 2-0 up midway through the first half, but Ben Yedder scored a penalty just before the interval.The France forward then netted in the 51st minute with a fine solo goal and a sharp header in the 55th. He has nine goals in the past nine games, and his strike partner Kevin Volland made it 4-2 in the 70th after ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Thomas Tuchel reveals Timo Werner ruled himself out of coming off the bench in FA Cup defeat

Timo Werner (L) and Kai Havertz of Chelsea inspect the pitch prior to The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England.Thomas Tuchel revealed that Timo Werner ruled himself out of coming off the bench in Saturday's FA Cup Final defeat because of a hamstring complaint.Chelsea fans were stunned that £52million Werner was not among the six substitutes used by Tuchel in an energy-sapping 120 minutes at Wembley that ended 0-0 before Liverpool won 6-5 on penalties.Another star Germany forward Kai Havertz, who scored the winner in last season’s Champions League final. wasn’t even included in the Chelsea 18 because of another hamstring injury.‘Kai did not train because of hamstring problems and we thought he would injure himself,’ said Tuch...
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LALIGA

Espanyol held by Valencia to 1-1 day after firing coach

Yunus Musah and Raul De Tomas during the match between RCD Espanyol and Valencia CF, corresponding to the week 36 of the Liga Santander, played at the RCDE Stadium, in Barcelona, on 14th May 2022.Espanyol was held by Valencia to 1-1 at home on Saturday, a day after the club fired its coach and sports director with two games remaining in the Spanish league.The result was somewhat meaningless to both sides, who are destined to finish near the middle of the table and out of both the relegation battle and the berths for European competition.Espanyol striker Raúl de Tomás equalized in first-half injury time after the opener from Maxi Gómez. De Tomás took his league tally to 17 goals.Espanyol fired coach Vicente Moreno and sports director Francisco “Rufete” Pérez on Friday with its fans angry ab...
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LALIGA

Xavi addresses Adama Traore future amid exit talk

Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona, Adama Traore of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Barcelona v Napoli at the Camp Nou on February 17, 2022 in Barcelona Spain.Barcelona boss Xavi has said that the club have not yet made a decision on Adama Traore's future.The 26-year-old returned to Camp Nou on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, and he has made 16 appearances for the Catalan outfit during his second spell, providing four assists in the process.Barcelona have the option to re-sign Traore on a permanent basis this summer, but a recent report claimed that the Spain international was losing his battle to convince the club to bring him back on a long-term basis.The Catalan outfit will allegedly have to pay £29m to sign him, which is a significant figure ...
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SERIE A

Serie A | Verona 0-1 Torino: Brekalo and Juric stun the Bentegodi

Josip Brekalo of Torino celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's first goal during the Serie A match between Hellas and Torino FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 14, 2022 in Verona, Italy.Josip Brekalo’s fantastic early strike proved enough for Ivan Juric’s Torino to stun Hellas Verona and push them all the way for ninth place.Granata coach Ivan Juric faced his past in this head-to-head for ninth place. Marco Davide Faraoni and Wilfried Singo both sat out bans, with Antonin Barak, Antonio Sanabria and Alessandro Buongiorno injured.Gianluca Caprari forced Etrit Berisha into a save with his legs at the near post, but Torino took the lead with a sensational strike. Josip Brekalo went down the left, cut inside past a defender and smashed a right-foot finish in off the unders...
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BUNDESLIGA

Last-gasp Stuttgart survives in dramatic Bundesliga finale

Wataru Endo of VfB Stuttgart scores their team's second goal past Marvin Schwaebe of 1.FC Koeln during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln at Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 14, 2022 in Stuttgart, Germany.Wataru Endo scored in injury time for Stuttgart to clinch Bundesliga survival at Hertha Berlin’s expense after a dramatic 2-1 win over Cologne in the final round on Saturday.Endo’s 92nd-minute winner lifted Stuttgart ahead of Hertha – which lost at Borussia Dortmund 2-1 – to set off scenes of jubilation in Stuttgart with fans storming the field.Youssoufa Moukoko’s late winner for Dortmund sent Hertha into the dreaded relegation playoff against the second division’s third-place finisher to see which will play in the Bundesliga next season.On a day of farewells in the Bunde...
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SERIE A

Pioli urges AC Milan to focus on Atalanta game with title in sight

Head coach of AC Milan Stefano Pioli speaks with the media during a press conference at Milanello on May 14, 2022 in Cairate, Italy.AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli urged his players to focus on their home match against Atalanta on Sunday and not worry about Inter Milan's match, with the Serie A title within touching distance.Milan could become champions if they beat Atalanta on Sunday and rivals Inter Milan, who are second, drop points at Cagliari later the same day.Milan are top of the league on 80 points, two ahead of Inter, with two matches each left to play."We must only focus on the match and that will determine what will happen next," Pioli told reporters on Saturday."I won't think about Inter's game, I don't care. We don't need more motivation than what we already have because we are a...
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TRANSFERS

Ancelotti confirms Hazard transfer plan after Madrid exit speculation

Real Madrid's Belgian forward Eden Hazard (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) round of 16 first leg football match between Elche CF and Real Madrid CF at the Martinez Valero stadium in Elche on January 20, 2022.Eden Hazard will not be leaving Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.Chelsea and Arsenal were rumoured to be considering a bid for the Belgian winger, who has struggled since leaving Stamford Bridge in a big-money move to the LaLiga champions.“We haven't talked about it,” confirmed Ancelotti on Saturday.“His plan is quite clear, he will stay and do so with a lot of motivation because he hasn't had a good time in recent years and he wants to show his quality. He will stay t...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid expected to renew Vinicius Junior contract

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF in action during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Levante UD at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid are expected to reward Vinicius Junior with a new and improved long-term contract after holding talks with his representatives.The 21-year-old has been in electrifying form for most of the campaign, firing home 17 La Liga goals to help Carlo Ancelotti's men canter to the title ahead of Barcelona and Sevilla, and his current deal at Santiago Bernabeu runs until 2024.Vinicius has also shone on the European stage for Ancelotti, playing in all 12 of Real Madrid's Champions League games this season, and he'll likely line up on the left flank against Liverpool in the competition's final - to be played on 28 ...
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