2022 – Page 56 – Football Flame

Year: 2022

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LALIGA

Carlo Ancelotti reveals formation for Champions League final

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Levante UD played at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.Few are enjoying football quite as much as Carlo Ancelotti this season. The Italian manager has secured his first La Liga title and guided Real Madrid to the Champions League final.On Thursday evening he enjoyed his side thumping Levante 6-0 in an excellent display. It was a performance which was worthy of a team celebrating the title, but there are no illusions that the focus is back on the Champions League at Valdebebas.After the match, Ancelotti was asked how Real Madrid will set up for the final against Liverpool. His response was covered by Diario AS. “4-3-3. Sometimes it could end up as a 4-4-2. I don’t think ther...
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LALIGA

Vinicius takes Real Madrid closer to title

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's sixth goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Levante UD at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 12, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.Karim Benzema scored his 323rd goal on Thursday to draw level with Raul Gonzalez as Real Madrid's second-highest scorer, as Los Blancos thrashed Levante thanks to a hat-trick from Vinicius Junior.Benzema netted in the first half of the team's 6-0 rout of last-place Levante in the Spanish league, with Madrid having secured the title a few rounds ago.The result sealed Levante's relegation after five consecutive years in the first division.Vinicius Junior, Benzema's trusted attacking partner all season, scored a hat-trick for Madrid as they continue to prepare for the Champions Lea...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs beat 10-man Arsenal to close in on top four

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 12, 2022 in London, England.Tottenham turned up with pressure on arch-rivals Arsenal in the race for a place in next season's Champions League with an emphatic north London derby victory.Arsenal could have confirmed a place in the Premier League's top four with a win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but endured a dismal night to now stand only one point clear of Spurs with two games left.In a feverish atmosphere, Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead from the spot in the 22nd minute after Son Heung-min was fouled by Cedric Soares, then added a second before the break with a stooping far-post header after Rodrigo...
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TRANSFERS

Official: Barca sell Coutinho to Aston Villa for €20 million

Philippe Coutinho of Aston Villa looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 10, 2022 in Birmingham, England.Barcelona have confirmed that Philippe Coutinho has completed a permanent move to Premier League side Aston Villa.The Brazilian left for Villa Park in a loan deal in January and has now joined the club in a deal worth €20 million.Coutinho has signed a contract with Steven Gerrard’s side until 2026Here’s the club’s official statement:“FC Barcelona and Aston Villa have reached an agreement to transfer Philippe Coutinho for 20 million euro. The club have inserted a 50% sell-on clause for any future sale of the player.“FC Barcelona would like to publicly state their thanks to Philippe Coutinho for his commitment and dedication, and wis...
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NEWS

Lionel Messi tops Forbes rich list with annual earnings of £107MILLION

Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr of PSG during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ESTAC Troyes at Parc des Princes stadium on May 8, 2022 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi was the world's highest-paid athlete over the last year, according to the annual Forbes list released on Wednesday that had the Paris Saint-Germain forward ahead of the NBA's LeBron James and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.Messi earned $130million (£107m), a figure which includes $55million (£45m) of endorsements, during the 12-month period ended May 1, 2022, to sit atop the list of the 10 highest-paid athletes a year after finishing second to Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor.McGregor has now fallen out of the top 10 and hasn't fought since his defeat by Dustin Poirier last summer, when he broke ...
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TRANSFERS

Aston Villa ‘agree €20m deal’ to sign Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 10, 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.Aston Villa have reportedly agreed a deal with Barcelona to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona for €20 million (£17.2m).The Guardian is reporting that a deal has been agreed which will see the 29-year-old’s loan move to Villa Park turn into a permanent one this summer.The newspaper states that the opportunity to continue working under his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard was key to the Brazilian’s decision to accept the transfer.The 29-year-old has impressed during his loan spell in the Midlands after recording four goals and three assists for Gerrard’s outfit since singing in January,Coutinho left Anfield for Barcelona fo...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Martin Odegaard: Arsenal are ahead of schedule

Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on May 11, 2022 in St Albans, England.Martin Odegaard has been limited to the role of Champions League spectator this season – but he wants to end that by leading Arsenal to victory at Tottenham tonight.A win for the Gunners would secure a return to Europe’s elite competition after a five-year absence.Arsenal sit four points clear of Spurs heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and have their top-four destiny in their own hands – even if they lose for a third time in a row in N17.Boss Mikel Arteta has called on his players to get the job done by completing a north London derby double for the season and Odegaard admits the squad have been keeping a watching brief as some memorable Champions League night...
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NEWS

Inter beats Juventus 4-2 in cup to stay on course for double

Samir Handanovic of FC Internazionale lifts the Coppa Italia trophy following victory in the Coppa Italia Final match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 11, 2022 in Rome, Italy.Inter Milan remained on course for a league and cup double by beating Juventus 4-2 after extra time in the Italian Cup final on Wednesday.Ivan Perisic scored twice in extra time after Hakan Çalhanoğlu had converted a controversial late penalty.Juventus had turned the match around early in the second half with two goals in as many minutes from Alex Sandro and Dušan Vlahović after going behind on an early Nicolò Barella strike.For Inter it was the first of what could be an impressive double as it is also tussling with city rival AC Milan at the top of the Serie A standings, although the d...
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NEWS

Barca breeze past Celta to close in on a spot at the Super Cup

Ansu Fati of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-1 with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on May 7, 2022 in Sevilla Spain.A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace earned Barcelona a 3-1 home win against Celta Vigo on Tuesday, putting Xavi Hernandez’s side on course to secure a spot in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia with a second-place finish in LaLiga.With two games left and Real Madrid already crowned champions, Barcelona are second on 72 points. They are seven points clear of third-placed Sevilla, who have one game in hand and will host relegation-threatened Mallorca on Wednesday. Memphis Depay opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a first-touch strike following a br...
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LALIGA

Atletico earns Champions League spot for 10th straight year

Matheus Cunha of Club Atletico de Madrid celebrates after scoring goal during the La Liga Santader match between Elche CF and Club Atletico de Madrid.Atletico Madrid have secured a Champions League spot for the 10th straight season after defeating Elche 2-0 in the Spain's La Liga.The victory moved Diego Simeone's team into third place, one point ahead of Sevilla, who earlier on Wednesday missed their own chance to guarantee a berth in Europe's top club competition next season after a scoreless home draw against relegation-threatened Mallorca.Matheus Cunha and Rodrigo De Paul scored a goal in each half to leave Atletico six points in front of fifth-placed Real Betis with two rounds to go. Betis, who won 3-0 at Valencia on Tuesday, can't surpass Atletico for the final qualification spot beca...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic set to miss FA Cup final after Dan James challenge

Players of Chelsea react as Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea is down injured during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road on May 11, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom.Thomas Tuchel expects Mateo Kovacic to miss Saturday’s FA Cup final after Dan James’ reckless challenge in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Leeds.Kovacic was forced off in the 30th minute with an ankle injury, shortly after James had been shown a straight red card for his high tackle on the Croatia midfielder.Chelsea cruised to victory and edged Leeds deeper into the relegation mire through Mason Mount’s early opener and second-half goals from Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku.But boss Tuchel said the satisfaction of his side’s timely return to form before they face Liverpool at Wembley had been tempered by Kovac...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Vardy double helps Leicester beat Norwich

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Norwich City at The King Power Stadium on May 11, 2022 in Leicester, England.Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester condemned relegated Norwich to a fifth consecutive Premier League defeat.Vardy's double ensured the Foxes ended their own seven-game winless run in all competitions and sees them move up to 10th in the table.It was no more than Brendan Rodgers' side deserved as they dominated possession, although they struggled to make a breakthrough until Vardy's opener, which deflected off Norwich defender Grant Hanley before looping over visiting goalkeeper Angus Gunn.Harvey Barnes, who created Vardy's first, also supplied the second for the 35-year-old, who timed his run...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

De Bruyne scores four to send Man City clear

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on May 11, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England.Kevin de Bruyne's stunning four-goal haul helped Manchester City thump Wolves and restored their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.Pep Guardiola's side now need only four points from their final two fixtures to ensure they will finish above Liverpool and win their fourth title in five seasons.De Bruyne has played a central role in all of those previous triumphs but this was an individual display that must rank among the finest of his stellar collection in a City shirt.The Belgian started the move that led to his side's opener, and finished it too, running on to B...
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TRANSFERS

Tottenham interested in signing Everton trio amid club’s relegation battle

 Wolverhampton Wanderers' English defender Conor Coady (2L) stands amongst Everton's English defender Mason Holgate (L) Everton's Brazilian striker Richarlison (2L) and Everton's English midfielder Ben Godfrey during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on March 13, 2022.Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing three players from Everton should the Toffees get relegated from the Premier League. The Telegraph report that defender Ben Godfrey and forwards Richarlison and Anthony Gordon are the names Antonio Conte’s side will look to buy in the summer. Everton are just a point clear of the drop with just four matches remaining, although they do have a gam...
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NEWS

Inter Milan takes on Juventus in Italian Cup final

2022/02/08: Official Coppa Italia matchball Nike Flight Hi-Vis is seen on a plinth with Coppa Italia logo prior to the Coppa Italia football match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma. FC Internazionale won 2-0 over AS Roma.For Inter Milan, Wednesday’s Italian Cup final could be the first of two trophies. Inter plays Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and then has two league matches in Serie A, where it is locked in an intriguing title fight with city rival AC Milan. Defending champion Inter is two points behind Milan, which also has the better head-to-head record in the league — the first tiebreaker in Serie A. The mood was buoyant in the Nerazzurri camp when they beat Milan 3-0 last month to reach the Italian Cup final. Inter was still behind in the league but had a game ...
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LALIGA

Auba: I hope with all my heart that Dembele stays

Barcelona's Gabonese midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R) celebrates with teammate Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembele after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 10, 2022.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was full of praise for Ousmane Dembele after the two attackers played a starring role in Tuesday’s win over Celta.Dembele picked up two assists in the match, teeing up Memphis Depay for the opening goal and also putting one on a plate for Aubameyang.The Gabon international ended up with two goals, to take his tally since joining Barca to 13 in all competitions, and he spoke about Dembele after the win.He’s my little brother. We have spent a long time together since the first day,” h...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Jurgen Klopp delivers Fabinho Liverpool injury update after Aston Villa substitution

Liverpool's Fabinho is substituted after picking up an injury during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Tuesday May 10, 2022.Liverpool face an anxious wait to discover if Fabinho will be fit for the FA Cup final after he limped off at Aston Villa.Fabinho was replaced on the half-hour after suffering a suspected hamstring injury during the 2-1 Premier League win at Villa Park on Tuesday night.The midfielder, who was substituted for Jordan Henderson, will now undergo scans to ascertain the extent of the damage ahead of Saturday’s showpiece against Chelsea.But Jurgen Klopp offered a cautiously optimistic fitness update when asked if Fabinho would be available for Wembley.I don’t know,” said the Reds boss. “He felt a muscle, not too much. It was not the thigh, bu...
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TRANSFERS

Chelsea defender Rudiger set to complete free transfer to Real Madrid

 Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea celebrates 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2022 in Madrid Spain.Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to complete his free transfer to Real Madrid, according to reports. The German international is believed to have completed a medical and signed a four-year contract with the Spanish giants worth €9-10million (£8m) per year – after tax – with a €400m release clause, according to The Athletic.  Real Madrid will announce the deal after the Champions League final with Rudiger currently preparing for key Premier League games with the Blues in addition to Saturday’s FA Cup final against Liverpool. Rudiger leaves Chelsea after five years at Stamford Br...
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Report: Arsenal could now sign ‘perfect’ striker for £51m after asking price slashed

Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A football match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in San Siro, Milano, Italy on May 06,2022.Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur will have to pay €60 million (£51.37 million) for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez in the summer transfer window, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.The report in the Italian publication, as translated by The Sun, has reported that Inter have now decided to sell Martinez for €60 million (£51.37 million) due to financial issues.Mundo Deportivo reported in March that Inter were looking for €70 million (£59.94m) for Martinez, but it seems that the price has now dropped.The Times reported earlier this month that Arsenal and Tottenham are in...
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SERIE A

Fiorentina beat Roma, go 7th in Serie A

Nicolas Gonzalez of ACF Fiorentina scores first goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AS Roma on May 9, 2022 in Florence, Italy.Fiorentina have defeated Roma 2-0 in Serie A to revive their chances of qualifying for Europe following three straight losses.Nicolas Gonzalez converted a fifth-minute penalty and Giacomo Bonaventura doubled the advantage after only 11 minutes in Florence on Monday night.The hosts move up to seventh place, level on points with sixth-placed Roma and eighth-placed Atalanta.Lazio are fifth with 62 points, followed by Roma (59), Fiorentina (59) and Atalanta (59).While the Champions League places are already set with AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli and Juventus assured of finishing in the top four with two matches remaining, the E...
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