March 2023 – Page 5 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Month: March 2023

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Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford Beats Iheanacho to Player of the Month Award

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Manchester United and Real Betis at Old Trafford on March 09, 2023 in Manchester, England.Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho has missed out on the Premier League Player of the Month. The Leicester City center forward had been nominated for the prestigious accolade alongside Berd Leno (Fulham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur), Manor Soloman (Fulham) and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). EA SPORTS in conjunction with the English Premier League announced yesterday that Rashford has won February’s Player of the Month award, earning the prize for the second successive month, and the third time this season. The Manchester United number 10 has ...
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Liverpool FC, PREMIER LEAGUE, Roberto Firmino

Klopp ‘bit surprised’ by Firmino’s choice to leave

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on March 09, 2023 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he was “surprised” by Roberto Firmino’s decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season. The Brazil forward will end an eight-year stay at Anfield when his contract expires in June. Firmino, 31, had been in talks over a new contract but has chosen to leave. “Surprised? Yes, a little bit – it could go two ways and it went one. And I respect that a lot,” Klopp said on Friday. “But it’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club.” Firmino scored seven goals in 13 Premier League games prior to the break for the World Cup but suffered a calf injury that kept him out for two months following the do...
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Napoli, SERIE A, Spalletti

Napoli aiming for quick bounce back in title march

 Napoli during the Serie A match between Ssc Napoli and Ss Lazio on March 3, 2023 stadium ''Armando Maradona'' in Napoli, Italy.After their march to glory was stalled last weekend Napoli can get their Serie A title bid back on track in Saturday when they host Champions League-chasing Atalanta. Defeat to Lazio meant Napoli’s massive league lead over Inter Milan was cut to 15 points with 13 matches remaining. Inter will have the chance to put a little more pressure on Napoli as they open the weekend’s fixtures at relegation-threatened Spezia on Friday night. There is little chance of Napoli not winning their first Scudetto since 1990 as even if Inter were to win all of their fixtures another 25 points would secure triumph for southern Italy’s biggest club. But another wobble against one...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Marcus Rashford, NEWS

Man Utd bounce back to beat Betis, Arsenal held by Sporting

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (L) celebrating his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Manchester United and Real Betis at Old Trafford on March 9, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United bounced back from a historic thrashing by Liverpool to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, while a 2-2 draw away to Sporting Lisbon gave Arsenal work to do to reach the quarterfinals. United equaled their heaviest ever defeat and worst since 1931 in losing 7-0 at Anfield on March 5. Erik ten Hag responded by naming the same starting line-up and was rewarded with a return to form. “You see how a team reacts after a setback,” said Ten Hag. “This is not the first time this season, I t...
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVERTON FC, Sean Dyche

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is showing ‘positive signs’ in training, insists Everton boss Sean Dyche

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on February 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Everton manager Sean Dyche insists there are ‘positive signs’ from striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has rejoined the squad for training. The England international has not played for over a month due to a persistent hamstring injury which has dogged him all season and restricted him to just 12 appearances. But he is edging closer to a return and while Brentford at home may come too soon, Dyche is hopeful he will be available soon. ‘Dom is around it again with us training but it is still making a decision on when he is truly right to come back in and that will be in the next couple of days,’ he s...
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ARSENAL FC, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Arteta

Arteta won’t rush Jesus back for Arsenal ahead of Sporting clash

 Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus (second left) during a training session at the Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney. Picture date: Wednesday March 8, 2023. Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus will not be rushed back into action, manager Mikel Arteta said on Thursday, after the striker returned to training with the team.Jesus, who has scored five goals and chipped in seven assists for Arsenal following his 45 million pounds ($53.30 million) move from Manchester City in July, has been sidelined since he sustained a knee injury at the World Cup with Brazil, having surgery in early December.“We will try not to rush him back, we will try to make a fair assessment between what he needs and when is comfortable,” Arteta told reporters on Wednesday, ahead of their match at Sporting in the Europa League ro...
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AC Milan, Champions League, Divock Origi, Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs out of Champions League after Milan shutout

 Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur in between Malick Thiaw of AC Milan and Divock Origi of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 8, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League campaign ended in bitterly disappointing fashion as they failed to overturn a first-leg deficit in the last 16 against AC Milan. Spurs paid the price for another passive start that allowed Milan to settle into their task – the misery complete when defender Cristian Romero was sent off late on after receiving a second yellow card for a wild challenge on Theo Hernandez. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tested AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan with a powerful second-half shot and Harry Kane headed wide, ...
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BAYERN MUNICH, Champions League, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Bayern cruise past PSG to reach quarter-finals

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks on as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting & Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich celebrate during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they condemned Paris St-Germain to another last-16 exit. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting swept home just after the hour mark for the hosts against his former club, with substitute Serge Gnabry adding the gloss to a professional display late on. PSG have now been eliminated from the competition at this stage in five of their previous seven campaigns and this represented another dismal failure for the Ligue 1 leaders and their under-pressure h...
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BUNDESLIGA, Christian Streich, Freiburg

Freiburg coach blasts Juventus European Super League plans

 Goalkeeper Mark Flekken of SC Freiburg and head coach Christian Streich of SC Freiburg gestures during the Friendly match between SC Freiburg and FC Basel at Estadio Municipalon January 7, 2023 in San Pedro De Alcantara, Spain. FREIBURG coach Christian Streich sees all the pressure piled on Juventus in the Europa League and hits out at their European Super League plans. ‘Big clubs ought to look after their current finances better.’ The first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin on Thursday at 20.00 GMT. “Juventus are the favourites, so people in Italy and in Turin expect Juve to go forward in the competition, but nothing is to be taken for granted in football,” said Streich in his press conference. “We are coming here to get...
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Champions League, Neymar, PSG

Neymar will ‘come back stronger’ from ankle surgery

 Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar uses crutches as he takes a seat in the stand during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Nantes at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on March 4, 2023.Neymar promised to “come back stronger” after Paris Saint-Germain said on Monday the forward requires ankle surgery and will be out of action for three to four months. The Brazilian, who injured his ankle on February 19 against Lille in Ligue 1, “has had several episodes of instability in his right ankle in recent years,” said the club, adding that its medical staff “recommended a ligament repair operation to avoid a major risk of recurrence”. Neymar tweeted he would not be discouraged by his latest injury. “I’ll come back stronger,” he wrote with a pra...
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Benfica, Champions League, Goncalo Ramos

Benfica thrash Club Bruges to cruise into last eight

 Goncalo Ramos of Benfica celebrates 3-0 with Alejandro Grimaldo of Benfica, Rafa Silva of Benfica, Antonio Silva of Benfica during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v Club Brugge at the Estadio Da Luz on March 7, 2023 in Porto Portugal.Goncalo Ramos scored twice as Benfica emphatically beat Club Bruges to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The hosts, who won the first leg 2-0, opened the scoring in the first half with a smart finish from Rafa Silva. Ramos then showed great footwork to make it 4-0 on aggregate, before stabbing home from close range. Joao Mario’s penalty and David Neres’ finish wrapped up the win before Bjorn Meijer scored a stunning consolation. It is the second successive season Benfica have reached the Champions League quarter-f...
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Champions League, CHELSEA FC

Chelsea reach Champions League quarter-finals

Raheem Sterling of Chelsea FC celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Chelsea FC and Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge on March 7, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Graham Potter enjoyed his finest night as Chelsea manager as they overcame a first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Potter was under huge pressure after a dismal run of results following Chelsea’s huge outlay in the transfer market, but he will hope the manner of this performance and the advance into the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition will deliver a measure of calm and stability to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fully deserved their win, although they squandered several big opportuni...
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Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, PREMIER LEAGUE

Fernandes should not captain Man Utd again – Sutton

 A dejected Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United with Alisson Becker of Liverpool after losing 7-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on March 5, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.Bruno Fernandes should not captain Manchester United again following Sunday’s humiliating 7-0 defeat by Liverpool, says Chris Sutton. The Portuguese, who deputises in the absence of club captain Harry Maguire, was criticised for his behaviour and attitude in the game. “There are people that are far better qualified to be captain,” Sutton said. “Fernandes is not their best leader. There are more suitable candidates than him, Casemiro being one.” Speaking on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Sutton, who also suggested Raphael Varane...
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Brentford, Ivan Toney, PREMIER LEAGUE

Toney scores as Brentford win west London derby

 Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after scoring the team's second goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Fulham FC at Gtech Community Stadium on March 06, 2023 in Brentford, England. Brentford’s impressive Premier League season continued as they overcame west London derby rivals Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium to keep their hopes of European football very much alive. Bees’ striker Ivan Toney was the talisman once more, making it 22 successes out of 22 from the penalty spot for Brentford as they closed to within three points of sixth-placed Newcastle United. Toney is playing under a cloud as he faces a ban after accepting breaking Football Association betting rules, but he was outstanding here as Brentford secured a deserved three...
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David Moyes, PREMIER LEAGUE, West Ham

West Ham United ‘have no plans to sack David Moyes’

West Ham manager David Moyes during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Brighton, England.West Ham United reportedly have no intention of sacking manager David Moyes, despite another disappointing week for the club. On the back of two seasons which resulted in European qualification, the Hammers were again expected to challenge for a top-seven finish in the Premier League standings. Instead, West Ham occupy 16th position, only one point above the relegation zone, after collecting just 23 points from 25 matches. Ahead of a meeting with Nottingham Forest at the end of last month, it was suggested that defeat in that fixture would result in Moyes being removed from his position in the dugout...
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Adama Traore, PREMIER LEAGUE, Wolverhampton

Adama Traore focused on Wolves’ survival fight

 Julen Lopetegui the head coach / manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates the 1-0 victory with scorer Adama Traore during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on March 4, 2023 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.Adama Traore has refused to be drawn on his future and vowed to focus on Wolves’ survival fight after his first goal since October earned a crucial 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday. It lifted Wolves five points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone after a fourth win in eight games. Traore – linked with Tottenham and Leeds last month – is out of contract in the summer and talks have dragged on with no agreement but he remains committed to keeping the club up. “My mindset is to give everything to the team, after...
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Gianluca Mancini, Roma, SERIE A

Roma beat Juventus, boost hopes for Serie A top four

 Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma celebrates with his team mates after scoring a goal during Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 5,2023 in Rome Italy.Gianluca Mancini’s stunning strike has proven enough to give Roma a 1-0 win over Juventus in Serie A, despite the visitors hitting the woodwork three times. Mancini struck early in the second half of Sunday’s match to help Roma move into fourth place in Serie A in a tight fight for the Champions League qualifying spots. There was further misery for Juventus as substitute Moise Kean was sent off in the final minute, seconds after coming off the bench, for violent conduct. Roma are above fifth-placed AC Milan on goal difference alone after the defending champions lost at Fiorentina on Saturda...
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Luke Shaw, Manchester United, PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United too relaxed since League Cup triumph – Shaw

Luke Shaw of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on March 5, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.Manchester United’s level of performance has dropped since the team lifted the League Cup, defender Luke Shaw said after they were thrashed 7-0 by arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday in their worst loss in 92 years.United travelled to Anfield on an 11-match unbeaten streak but suffered the club’s worst defeat since losing 7-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1931. The defeat came a week after United claimed their first trophy since 2017 by winning the League Cup, having beaten Newcastle United in the final. “It was completely unacceptable,” Shaw told MUTV. “Our standards have clearly dropped since we won t...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Raphinha

Raphinha header sends Barcelona 10 points clear

 Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football Match between FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 5, 2023.Barcelona went 10 points clear at the top of La Liga for a few hours at least after beating struggling Valencia. Raphinha put Xavi’s side into the lead with a header from Sergio Busquets’ dinked ball over the top. They looked set to take control of the game when they won a penalty in the second half but Ferran Torres hit the post against his old team. Ansu Fati struck the woodwork a minute later and Barcelona ended with 10 men after Ronald Araujo was sent off. The Barca defender was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Hugo Duro, who was running on to Jules Kounde’s poor header. Barc...
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Liverpool FC, Mohamed Salah, PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool smash seven past shambolic Man Utd

 A salad banner is shown as Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 4-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on March 5, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.Liverpool delivered the complete performance and Mohamed Salah became the club’s record Premier League goalscorer as Manchester United were overwhelmed at a joyous Anfield. United’s renaissance under manager Erik ten Hag already has the tangible reward of the Carabao Cup but Liverpool unleashed a brutal reality check on their progress with a severe thrashing. Liverpool took control of what had been a tight game, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford missing presentable chances, when former Old Trafford target Cody Gakpo applied a smooth finish to Andy ...
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