May 2023 – Football Flame

Month: May 2023

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa confirm that Ashley Young will leave the club this summer

Ashley Young of Aston Villa celebrates qualifying for the UEFA Conference League after the 2-1 victory over Brighton during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on May 28, 2023 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.Ashley Young is to leave Aston Villa at the end of his contract this summer.The 37-year-old rejoined Villa in 2021 after winning the Serie A title at Inter Milan. ‘Aston Villa can confirm that Ashley Young will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract,’ read a club statement. ‘Everyone at Aston Villa would like to sincerely thank Ashley for his service to the club and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.’ It comes despite Young revealing his hopes that he would sign a new contract extension at Villa Park...
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TRANSFERS

Tottenham, Newcastle, Villa and Roma linked to Hwang Hee-chan

 Hwang hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on May 20, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England.Hwang Hee-chan could be on the move this summer as part of a string of sales Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to make to comply with the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Under Financial Fair Play rules, a Premier League club is not allowed to rack up accumulated losses over £105 million over a three-year period. Wolves reported a net loss of £46.1 million in the 2021-22 season, and then went on to acquire 10 senior squad members last year. Those additions are expected to push Wolves over — or at least dangerously close to — the £105-million mark, pushing the club to sell some playe...
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NEWS

Manchester United’s Anthony Martial ruled out of FA Cup final through injury

 Anthony Martial of Manchester United smiles as he warms up prior to during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham FC at Old Trafford on May 28, 2023 in Manchester, England.Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been ruled out of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City due to a hamstring injury. Martial picked up the problem in United’s final Premier League game of the season after stepping off the bench on Sunday against Fulham and scans have revealed the full extent of the damage. United said in a statement: “Anthony Martial is out of Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester City due to injury. “The France international strained his hamstring towards the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win against Fulham at Old Trafford. “Assessments have since r...
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SERIE A

Mourinho targets 6th European title as Sevilla seek to stay perfect

 Head coach Jose Mourinho of AS ROMA poses for a portrait during the AS Roma UEFA Europa League Final Access Day at Centro Sportivo Fulvio Bernardini on May 25, 2023 in Rome, Italy. Roma manager Jose Mourinho has never lost a European final while Sevilla are six from six in Europa League finals. Something has to give in Budapest on Wednesday. Portugal’s Mourinho has five major continental titles to his name – two Champions League wins, two Europa League trophies and last year’s triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League with the Italian side. The 60-year-old announced himself on the big stage in 2003 when he led Porto to the UEFA Cup, the Europa League’s precursor, and the following year he won the Champions League. Inter Milan became champions of Europe on his watch for the ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Maguire has to decide on Man Utd future – Ten Hag

 Harry Maguire of Manchester United gestures during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham FC at Old Trafford on May 28, 2023 in Manchester, England.Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says captain Harry Maguire has a decision to make on his future at the club. The 30-year-old England defender made only 16 appearances in the Premier League for United this season. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been Ten Hag’s preferred centre-back pairing in his first season in charge at Old Trafford. “No-one would be happy with this situation,” Ten Hag told The Times. “He is not as well. He trains always on best levels, so with 100% effort. “So he handles that situation well and he’s in that manner and in his captaincy he’s important for the squad.” Maguire has mad...
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SERIE A

Spalletti to leave Napoli and take time out of game

 Luciano Spalletti head coach of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on May 28, 2023 in Bologna, Italy.After guiding Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years, manager Luciano Spalletti says he will leave the club at the end of the season and take time out of the game. “I need to take some time to rest because I’m pretty tired,” he said. “I don’t know if you can call it a year’s sabbatical but I won’t be working. I won’t be coaching Napoli or any other team.” Spalletti, 64, who took over in July 2021, had a year left on his deal. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said he would “respect” the decision. Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai, De Laurentiis said: “He’s a free man, he’s given us something and I thank ...
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SERIE A

Giroud fires Milan to Champions League qualification

 Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates the win at the end of the Serie A match between Juventus and AC MIlan at Allianz Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Olivier Giroud secured Champions League qualification for AC Milan with the only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 win at troubled Juventus. Giroud guided home a brilliant header from Davide Calabria’s cross in the 40th minute to guarantee Milan at least fourth place and complete Italy’s line-up in Europe’s top club competition next season. It was the one moment of quality in an otherwise drab match in Turin in which little of consequence happened apart from Giroud’s 12th league goal of the season. Stefano Pioli’s side, who were knocked out of this year’s Champions League in the semi-finals by Inter Milan, join their local rivals, Lazio and...
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LALIGA

Barca win, Valencia draw sends Espanyol down in La Liga

 Ansu Fati of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at Spotify Camp Nou on May 28, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Playing their first home game with a section of Mestalla Stadium closed as punishment for the racist abuse against Vinicius Junior, Valencia moved closer to avoiding relegation from the Spain’s La Liga thanks to an added-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol. Valencia had the first of their three matches with a small section of Mestalla closed behind one of the goals where the abuse targeting Vinicius took place in a match against Real Madrid a week ago. Valencia were initially ordered to close the section for five games but the punishment was reduced on appeal. ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea hold Newcastle to close tough season

 Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea is challenged by Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on May 28, 2023 in London, England. Newcastle United and Chelsea played out an entertaining draw to bring down a contrasting season for both sides at Stamford Bridge. Anthony Gordon opened his account for the Magpies before Kieran Trippier put through his own net to level it up. The result means Champions League-bound Newcastle finish fourth, while Chelsea end up in 12th and in the bottom half for the first time since 1995-96. Newcastle took the lead inside nine minutes. Allan Saint-Maximin found Elliot Anderson on the overlap, and he crossed for Gordon to force home his first goal since a January move from E...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Leeds relegated after heavy home loss to Spurs

 Leeds United's Adam Forshaw (centre) battles for the ball with Tottenham Hotspur's Clement Lenglet and Pedro Porro during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday May 28, 2023. Leeds United have been relegated from the Premier League as they lost their final game of the season to Tottenham Hotspur. The Whites’ fans turned on both their team and the club’s owners as the West Yorkshire side’s three-year top-flight stay came to a meek and pitiful end at Elland Road. Needing to win to stand any chance of preserving their Premier League status, Leeds trailed inside the opening two minutes through Harry Kane’s excellent finish. Pedro Porro then doubled Tottenham’s lead when he fired in from a tight angle early in the second half. Jack Harrison made it 2-1 t...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Leicester relegated despite win over West Ham

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City looks dejected after their sides defeat, resulting in their relegation to the Championship during the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Leicester, England. Leicester City’s nine-year stay in the Premier League came to an end as they were relegated in agonising fashion despite beating West Ham on the final day of the season. The Foxes’ fate was out of their hands heading into the last round of fixtures, and Everton’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth meant the 2015-16 winners slipped into the Championship by two points. While Toffees fans were in ecstasy at Goodison Park, Leicester supporters at the King Power were left to rue a miserable campaign in which they won only nine league...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich wins record-extending 11th consecutive Bundesliga title

 Players of FC Bayern Munich pose for a photo with the Bundesliga Meisterschale trophy after the team's victory in the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Köln and FC Bayern München at RheinEnergieStadion on May 27, 2023 in Cologne, Germany.Jamal Musiala scored in the 89th minute to fire Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title with a 2-1 victory in Cologne after Borussia Dortmund could only draw on the final day of the season. Dortmund, which was leading by two points before the last round, was held 2-2 at home by Mainz on Saturday, allowing Bayern to finish in first place because of its better goal difference. Dortmund needed to win to be sure of ending Bayern’s 10-year reign as champion. It’s just the third time Bayern managed to jump to first place on the last day of the season after it e...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Haaland wins player and young player awards

 Erling Haaland centre-forward of Manchester City and Norway during the warm-up before the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 9, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has become the first player to win the Premier League player and young player of the year awards in the same season. The 22-year-old striker’s 36 goals have seen him break the Premier League record for most goals in a season. Overall, he has scored 52 goals during the campaign. “I am honoured to have become the first player to win both awards in the same season – thank you to everyone who voted for me,” said Haaland. Haaland, who received the most combined votes from the public and a Premier League panel, joined ...
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LALIGA

Marco Asensio set to leave Real Madrid for PSG

 Marco Asensio of Real Madrid in action during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Mestalla on May 21, 2023 in Valencia, Spain.Marco Asensio, the Spanish winger who has won 17 trophies with Real Madrid, is set to leave the club this summer. The 27-year-old has rejected a contract extension offer from Real Madrid and is in negotiations with multiple clubs, including PSG, who have a good rapport with his agent Jorge Mendes. ESPN reported today that Asensio and PSG are in ‘advanced negotiations’. Asensio joined Real Madrid in 2014 from Mallorca and spent two seasons on loan at Mallorca and Espanyol before becoming a regular in the first team. He made his debut in the 2016 UEFA Super Cup, scoring a stunning goal in a 3-2 win over Sevilla. He went o...
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SERIE A

Relegated Sampdoria hold Sassuolo to draw in Serie A

 Henrique Matheus of Sassuolo (L) celebrates with his team-mate Emil Ceide after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between UC Sampdoria and US Sassuolo at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 26, 2023 in Genoa, Italy.Already-relegated Sampdoria have fought back to force a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo 2-2 in Serie A. Sassuolo, who can’t secure a place in a UEFA competition next season, missed out on a first road win since mid-March on Friday. The match had a terrific start with Manolo Gabbiadini scoring first for Samp but Domenico Berardi equalised a minute later. Matheus Henrique’s header then put Sassuolo ahead just two minutes after that. Sassuolo looked headed for the win until defender Martin Erlic scored an own goal in the 78th minute after Fabio Quagliarella, who in his final home game ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd fear Antony has recurrence of ankle injury

Antony of Manchester United reacts as they appear to be injured during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2023 in Manchester, England. Manchester United fear winger Antony has suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury that kept him out of the final two months of last season with Ajax. The Brazil forward was taken off on a stretcher in tears after an innocuous challenge in the win against Chelsea. The 23-year-old missed the last eight games of Ajax’s 2021-22 campaign after suffering the initial injury in a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in March 2022. He has scored eight goals since joining United in September for £81m. Victory against Chelsea secured Erik ten Hag’s side a place in next season’s Champions League and they face Ma...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd secure Champions League spot with Chelsea win

 Casemiro of Manchester United scores the team's first goal past Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2023 in Manchester, England. Manchester United secured Champions League football for next season with a 4-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford. Casemiro headed the hosts in front, with Anthony Martial sweeping in Jadon Sancho’s pass from close range to double their advantage. Bruno Fernandes added United’s third from the penalty spot after being fouled by Wesley Fofana. And another Fofana error saw Marcus Rashford score a fourth before Joao Felix’s late consolation for the Blues.
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NEWS

Iniesta to leave Vissel Kobe but vows to play on

 Spanish footballer Andres Iniesta, former Barcelona star and a present midfielder with Japanese club Vissel Kobe, leaves at the end of a press conference in Kobe on May 25, 2023. Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta will leave Vissel Kobe after five years at the Japanese club. The 39-year-old will play his final match for the side on 1 July, midway through the J-League season. Iniesta, who has made just three substitute appearances so far this season for league leaders Vissel, has no plans to retire immediately. “I want to finish my time here properly and then see what options are available to me,” he said. “I want to keep playing and then retire while I’m still active. That’s difficult for me to do here, so I want to find a place where I can eventually retire.” ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brighton seal Europa League place with Man City draw

  Julio Enciso of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's equalising goal to make the score 1-1 during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on May 24, 2023 in Brighton, England. Brighton’s Julio Enciso scored a fantastic equaliser as the Seagulls confirmed Europa League qualification with an entertaining draw against champions Manchester City. Phil Foden opened the scoring for Treble-chasing City, squeezing the ball beyond Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke on the goalline after Erling Haaland’s assist left goalkeeper Jason Steele stranded. Brighton deservedly levelled through 19-year-old Enciso’s stunning strike, which arrowed into the top corner from 25...
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Coppa Italia

Inter beat Fiorentina to win Coppa Italia

 FC Internazionale players celebrate with the trophy following the 2-1 victory in the Coppa Italia Final between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 24, 2023 in Rome, Italy.Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Champions League finalists Inter Milan came from behind to beat Fiorentina and win their second consecutive Coppa Italia title. Fiorentina opened the scoring at Stadio Olimpico after just three minutes when Nico Gonzales drilled in a cross. Martinez equalised from a tight angle in the 29th minute. The striker got the winner eight minutes later with a volley. Fiorentina face West Ham in the Europa Conference League final on 7 June, while Inter play Manchester City in the Champions League final on 10 June.
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