2022 – Page 55 – Football Flame

Year: 2022

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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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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ronaldo backs Ten Hag to deliver at Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on May 12, 2022 in Manchester, England. Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo expressed confidence that incoming manager Erik ten Hag will be a good fit at Old Trafford but warned that the Dutchman must be afforded time if United are to return to winning ways.Speculation has been rife about Ronaldo's future at United following a trophy-less campaign and their failure to qualify for the Champions League this season."What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax (Amsterdam), that he's an experienced coach," Ronaldo told the club website on Friday. "But we need to give him time. Things need to change the way he wants."The 37-year-old has been among the few brigh...
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TRANSFERS

Romelu Lukaku blasts own agent for suggesting transfer talks with Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea celebrates scoring the third goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road on May 11, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom.Romelu Lukaku has appeared to lash out at his agent Federico Pastorello after it was claimed that they were keen to open negotiations over a summer transfer back to Italy.The Chelsea striker, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday (May 13), took to Instagram with a strongly-worded message after Thomas Tuchel was forced to respond to quotes made by Pastorello this week.With Tuchel openly baffled by Pastorello's comments over potential negotiations with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, Lukaku wasted no time in trying to clear the air during a campaign in which he has already apologised to supporters.Lukaku wrote ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Salah, De Bruyne, Son and Saka on shortlist for Premier League Player of the Season award

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 10, 2022 in Birmingham, England. Mohamed Salah, Kevin de Bruyne and Heung-min Son feature on a shortlist of eight who have been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award.The EA Sports-backed award will be voted for by fans, along with the captains of the 20 Premier League teams and a panel of experts to select the winner.The Egyptian has been joined on the list by his fellow Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been a shining light down the right flank for the Reds. He has played a part in 14 goals, two of his own and 12 assists.De Bruyne won the award in the 2019/20 campaign and he is in the mix again. His four goals in Manchester...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City unveil Sergio Aguero statue

Manchester City Club legend, Sergio Aguero during his statue unveiling outside the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Clubs first Premier League title and the iconic 93:20 moment. Picture date: Friday May 13, 2022. Manchester City have unveiled a statue of Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium on the tenth anniversary of the club's first Premier League title victory.Aguero, who retired from football last year due to a heart problem, scored the club's iconic injury-time winner in their 3-2 victory against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011-12 season.On the statue being unveiled, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Sergio Aguero's contribution to Manchester City in a defining era for the club cannot be overstated. He is without doubt...
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NEWS

Son and Neymar to showdown in June friendly match

Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 12, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.Son Heung-min, the captain of the Korean national football team, is having a showdown with Neymar, the Ace of Team Brazil, one of the finest groups of footballers on earth.The Brazilian Football Confederation announced a list of 27 players that will play for the A-matches in June. Currently topping the FIFA World Rankings, Brazil will play South Korea (ranked 29th) and Japan (23rd) on June 2 and June 6, respectively. Historically, South Korea is lagging far behind Brazil, with an official record of one win and five defeats. The only victory South Korea managed to take home...
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SERIE A

Milan on brink of title triumph as relegation battle hots up

Head coach AC Milan Stefano Pioli attends during a AC Milan training session at Milanello on May 12, 2022 in Cairate, Italy. AC Milan welcome Atalanta to the San Siro on Sunday knowing this could be the weekend that they snatch the Scudetto from local rivals Inter Milan.Needing four points from their final two games of the season, Milan stand on the brink of a first Serie A title since 2011 and they could have one of the six teams still fighting relegation hand them the crown.Stefano Pioli's Milan will extend their lead on reigning champions Inter to five points if they beat Atalanta, who are still in the hunt for Europa League football.Inter would then have to win at Cagliari to ensure that an enthralling title race enters a final week, a theoretically simple task given the gulf in c...
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