March 2023 – Page 4 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Month: March 2023

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Declan Rice, PREMIER LEAGUE, TRANSFERS

Arsenal are one step closer to meeting condition for Declan Rice transfer

 West Ham United's Declan Rice during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at London Stadium on March 12, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Arsenal’s win over Fulham was significant for many reasons in addition to keeping their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table intact. First-half goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Odegaard were enough to secure a 3-0 win for the Gunners at Craven Cottage and the fixture also marked the return to action for Gabriel Jesus following three months on the sidelines with a knee injury. And aside from responding to Man City’s win over Crystal Palace, Arsenal took another step towards sealing a top-four finish. Now on 66 points, if last season is any indic...
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ARSENAL FC, Folarin Balogun, TRANSFERS

Arsenal ready to sell 17-goal ace for €20-25 million

 Folarin Balogun of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 21, 2021 in London, England.Premier League leaders Arsenal are ready to sell 21-year-old striker Folarin Balogun for €20-25 million ahead of next season. According to Sport Witness, Arsenal are ready to let go of Folarin Balogun ahead of next season. The 21-year-old who is on loan at Stade Reims has been on fire in the Ligue 1. His performances have attracted a lot of attention of late and the parent club are willing to sell him for €20-25 million. The England Under-21 star is an Arsenal youth product who has been a part of the club since 2011. He has gone up the ranks at the club but is yet to get an extended run in their first team. Balogun has been s...
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Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City, PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola urges Kevin De Bruyne to get back to basics in hunt for form

 Kevin De Bruyne and manager Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on March 11, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Pep Guardiola has challenged Kevin De Bruyne to raise his game by going back to basics as Manchester City’s season prepares to enter a defining period. City face RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium tonight and then play Vincent Kompany’s Championship leaders Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals four days later. Whereas De Bruyne has long been indispensable to Guardiola, there have been signs over the past two months of that beginning to change. The Belgium midfielder has failed to start in six of t...
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Alvaro Morata, Atletico Madrid, LALIGA

Late Morata goal gives Atletico key La Liga win

 Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Girona FC and Atletico de Madrid at Montilivi Stadium on March 13, 2023 in Girona, Spain.It took Alvaro Morata and his Atletico Madrid teammates more than three minutes to be able to celebrate the striker’s important winner against Girona in Spain’s La Liga. Morata’s goal early in second half added time on Monday was confirmed only after a lengthy video review, but it finally counted to give Atletico the 1-0 win and sole possession of third place. Atletico entered the match level on points with Real Sociedad, who on Sunday were held 1-1 at Mallorca. Diego Simeone’s team are still eight points behind second-placed Real Madrid, and 17 behind league le...
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Juventus, Paul Pogba, SERIE A

Juve’s Pogba set for another injury lay-off

 Paul Pogba of Juventus during a training session ahead of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match against Sport-Club Freiburg at Juventus Stadium on March 8, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is set for another lay-off after suffering a thigh injury while taking free-kicks. The 29-year-old will be out for about three weeks and will miss the start of France’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. After being dropped for Juve’s Europa League win over Freiburg last week, he missed Sunday’s 4-2 win over Sampdoria. “This morning Pogba was taking free-kicks and felt a twinge in his adductor,” Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said after Sunday’s game. A club statement said that Pogba underwent a medical test on Monday and that he has suffered “a low-grade tear to his ri...
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Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola era ‘will be judged’ on European success

 Pep Guardiola of Manchester City celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on March 11, 2023 in London, England.Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his reign will “absolutely” be judged on whether he leads the club to a first Champions League title, although he “doesn’t agree” with it. City have won nine major trophies since Guardiola took charge in 2016. But he was asked whether his spell will be defined by success in Europe’s premier cup competition. “It doesn’t mean I agree with it but, absolutely, I’ll be judged on that,” said the 52-year-old Spaniard. “Before my first game in the Champions League [with City], people said I was here to win it. “I said ‘what?’ I don’t know, but I accept it. As much as I go...
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BAYERN MUNICH, BUNDESLIGA, Joao Cancelo

Sadio Mane urges Bayern Munich to sign Joao Cancelo permanently

 Joao Cancelo of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 11, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has hailed Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo as “one of the best in the world” and urged club bosses to sign him on a permanent deal. Cancelo had an impressive performance during Bayern’s 5-3 home victory over Augsburg, contributing a goal and an assist. The 28-year-old right-back had not started for the Bavarians since February but proved his worth during the match. In January 2023, Cancelo was loaned to Bayern for the remainder of the league season. “What a player! Today you saw again that Joao is one of the best in the world. So good, really, we are very happy that he is playing...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Raphinha

Barcelona win amid refereeing controversy

 Raphinha (22) of Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during La Liga week 25 match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on March 12, 2023.Still mired in controversy over payments to the company of a former refereeing committee official, Barcelona have restored their lead over Real Madrid to nine points in the Spanish league after a late VAR decision went their way. Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on Sunday after video review disallowed an 87th-minute goal by Bilbao forward Inaki Williams for a handball in the buildup. VAR also was used to confirm Barcelona’s winning goal by Raphinha after it was initially disallowed for offside. The review of Williams’ goal took nearly three minutes. When the decision was announced, it dre...
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, SERIE A

Kvaratskhelia magic moves Napoli 18 points clear

 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates after scoring during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta BC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 11 March 2023.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped move Napoli another step closer to a first Serie A title in more than three decades with a wonder goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Atalanta to push his team 18 points clear. Georgia winger Kvaratskhelia lashed in the opening goal on the hour mark after spellbinding dribbling left Atalanta’s defence wondering which way to look before the ball finished in the back of the net. His 11th league strike of the campaign set Napoli on their way to stretching their lead on Inter Milan who fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Spezia on Friday. Lazio could have risen t...
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ARSENAL FC, Gabriel Martinelli, PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal beat Fulham to restore five-point lead

 Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal has a shot saved by Bernd Leno of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England.Arsenal restored their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League in outstanding fashion with a ruthless victory at Fulham. Mikel Arteta’s side responded to Manchester City’s narrow victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday night by wrapping up this win by half-time as they opened up a 3-0 lead with a devastating attacking display. Gabriel Martinelli had already had a goal narrowly ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), before defender Gabriel headed in Leandro Trossard’s corner after 21 minutes – the first of a trio of assists for the Belgian. Trossard then crossed fo...
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Ollie Watkins, PREMIER LEAGUE, West Ham

West Ham move out of bottom three with Villa draw

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at London Stadium on March 12, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. West Ham earned a point against Aston Villa which saw David Moyes’ struggling side move out of the Premier League relegation places on goal difference.Villa striker Ollie Watkins continued his impressive form as he broke the deadlock with a 17th-minute header from left-back Alex Moreno’s sublime cross for his sixth goal in seven games. The lively Said Benrahma took his opportunity to respond for the hosts from the penalty spot nine minutes later, firing his spot-kick out of reach of World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez after Leon Bailey’s foul on Lucas Paqueta. Benrahma was the standout attacking threa...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Real Madrid

Real Madrid back corruption charges against Barca

 The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, during the first presentation of the 'El Debate' awards, at the Thyssen-Bornemisz National Museum, on 27 February, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid say they will support the corruption charges faced by Barcelona over money paid to the vice-president of Spain’s referees’ committee. Real are prepared to “defend their interests” when proceedings are opened. On Friday, a court heard Barcelona have been indicted for “corruption”, “breach of trust” and “false business records”. Prosecutors allege Barca paid 8.4m euros (£7.4m) to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira and his company in return for favourable refereeing decisions. Barcelona, who deny any wrongdoing, acknowledged the payments were made to Dasnil 95 between 2001 and 2018. The Catalan club...
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BAYERN MUNICH, Benjamin Pavard, BUNDESLIGA

Pavard double sends Bayern three points clear

 Benjamin Pavard of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 11, 2023 in Munich, Germany.Two goals from Benjamin Pavard and a first in Bayern Munich colours for Joao Cancelo saw the Bundesliga leaders romp to a 5-3 home victory over Augsburg, placing the onus back on challengers Borussia Dortmund who play later on Saturday. Four of Bayern´s five goals came from defenders, calming fears the side may be toothless up front after the pre-game scratching of striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Augsburg hit the lead after just two minutes through Mergim Berisha, who scored the only goal in his team´s surprise 1-0 win over Bayern in September. Sensing a potenti...
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Harry Kane, PREMIER LEAGUE, Tottenham Hotspur

Kane scores double as Spurs ease pressure on Conte

 Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 11, 2023 in London, England.Harry Kane scored twice in a comfortable victory over Nottingham Forest as Tottenham consolidated their place in the Premier League’s top four and relieved some immediate pressure on manager Antonio Conte. Liverpool’s surprise defeat at Bournemouth earlier on Saturday means Spurs are six points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side in fourth and seven points above Newcastle, who have played three games fewer. Kane broke the deadlock with a trademark header from Pedro Porro’s delivery before netting his 20th league goal of the season from the penalty spot following Joe ...
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CHELSEA FC, Kai Havertz, PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea win again as Leicester concerns increase

 Havertz of Chelsea celebrates after scoring to make it 1-2 during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at King Power Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Leicester, United Kingdom.Chelsea’s mini-revival continued with a third victory in a row as they consigned struggling Leicester City to a fifth consecutive defeat. Buoyed by their Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea started brightly and Ben Chilwell volleyed in from a tight angle against his old club. Chelsea’s Joao Felix and Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hit the woodwork in the space of two minutes, then Felix had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside. Patson Daka rifled home an excellent equaliser after Ricardo Pereira won the ball off the dawdling Felix outside the box....
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LALIGA, Marco Asensio, Real Madrid

Real Madrid beat Espanyol before El Clasico

 Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's third goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Espanyol at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid secured their first La Liga win in three matches as they came from behind to beat Espanyol. Espanyol started positively as Joselu put the Catalan strugglers ahead after eight minutes. But goals from Vinicius Jr and Eder Militao turned Real’s fortunes around, and they saw out victory with a late Marco Asensio strike. Real, who are six points off the top with an extra game played, face leaders Barcelona in El Clasico next weekend. Carlo Ancelotti’s usage of Eduardo Camavinga as a makeshift left-back proved unwise as he was beaten on the wing by Rube...
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Bournemouth, Liverpool FC, Mohamed Salah, PREMIER LEAGUE

Salah misses penalty as Bournemouth beat Liverpool

 Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts after missing a penalty kick during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Bournemouth, England. Mohamed Salah’s glaring penalty miss helped ensure Bournemouth climbed out of the relegation zone after an excellent win which damaged Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. The Reds were brought back down to earth after last week’s 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United as the Cherries, who started the weekend bottom, did their survival chances a power of good. Liverpool were punished for poor defending when the unmarked Philip Billing struck from eight yards for his sixth Premier League goal of the season after fine work by Dango Ouattara. Virgil van Dijk had ...
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Daniel Maldini, Inter Milan, SERIE A, Spezia

Inter Milan stunned by relegation threatened Spezia

 Daniel Maldini of Spezia Calcio scores a goal during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Alberto Picco on March 11, 2023 in La Spezia, Italy.Inter Milan missed the chance to cut Napoli’s huge lead at the top of Serie A lead on Friday after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Spezia. Goals from Daniel Maldini and M’Bala Nzola either side of a Romelu Lukaku penalty handed fourth-from-bottom Spezia a crucial victory in their bid to avoid the drop. But the defeat was another bodyblow to Inter’s faint hopes of overhauling Napoli at the top of the table. Napoli are now 15 points clear of second-placed Inter at the top of the table and have played one game less. Inter paid the price for failing to take the chances which came their way, w...
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Cadiz FC, Enes Unal, Getafe, LALIGA

Unal converts two penalties as 10-man Getafe earn draw

 Enes Unal of Getafe CF (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal from the penalty spot during the LaLiga Santander match between Cadiz CF and Getafe CF at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on March 10, 2023 in Cadiz, Spain.Enes Unal scored his second penalty in the final kick of the match to snatch 10-man Getafe a 2-2 draw with Cadiz in the Spanish league. Cadiz were eyeing a win that would have lifted them to 12th until a final long ball by the undermanned Getafe ended up landing on the arm of Cadiz defender Luis Espino. After a video review, the referee sent Unal to the spot where he converted to split the points. The Turkish striker has achieved back-to-back braces and 12 goals in the league this season. Ruben Sobrino headed Cadiz in front in the 39th minute. Unal ...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Ronald Araujo

Miserly Barca face Athletic without key defender Araujo

 Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 05, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.Xavi Hernandez’s return to Barcelona as coach indicated a return to the club’s flowing possession game he thrived in as a player, but his team has instead relied on a watertight defence as they close in on the Spanish title. Barcelona visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as they bid to preserve or even extend their nine point lead on Real Madrid, who host Espanyol Saturday – in their last league matches before the Clasico at Camp Nou on March 19. The Catalans last lifted La Liga in 2019 and after heavy investment last summer, a need to produce instant results has influenced their approach. Barcelona have conceded ...
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