September 2023 – Football Flame

Month: September 2023

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BUNDESLIGA

Bayer Leverkusen delivers a lesson in efficiency with 3-0 win over Mainz in Bundesliga

 Alejandro Grimaldo of Leverkusen celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at MEWA Arena on September 30, 2023 in Mainz, Germany.Bayer Leverkusen delivered a lesson in efficiency by making the most of its chances in a 3-0 win at Mainz that provisionally lifted Xabi Alonso’s team back to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday.An own-goal from Sepp van den Berg gave Leverkusen an 18th-minute lead. The Mainz defender was trying to cut out Jeremie Frimpong’s cross but only deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper.Alejandro Grimaldo made it 2-0 with a free kick in the 59th, six minutes before Jonas Hofmann sealed the win with what was just the visitors’ second effort on target. There had been another attempt...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wolves shock Man City to end perfect league start

 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes (left) and Manchester City's Julian Alvarez battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Saturday September 30, 2023. Manchester City's 100% Premier League record came to an end at Molineux as Hwang Hee-chan scored a second-half winner to give Wolves a shock victory against the champions.City manager Pep Guardiola, forced to watch from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban, was unable to intervene as his side failed to take control in their usual manner and free-scoring striker Erling Haaland was limited to a single chance.Still, it did seem as though the visitors were on course to emerge victorious after Julian Alvarez curled home a brilliant free-kick to level Ruben Dias' e...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Havertz scores as Arsenal thump winless Bournemouth

Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's third goal from a penalty during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Bournemouth, England.Kai Havertz scored his first goal for Arsenal with a penalty as they comfortably beat winless Bournemouth in the Premier League at Vitality Stadium.Havertz, who has struggled since arriving from Chelsea in the summer, converted the second of two Gunners penalties to ensure their third consecutive away victory.Bukayo Saka opened the scoring, heading in the rebound from Gabriel Jesus' effort and Martin Odegaard scored a penalty to give Mikel Arteta's side a comfortable lead at the break.The Gunners' dominance continued into the second half, and after Havertz ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Watkins scores hat-trick as Villa thump Brighton

 Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is tackled by Adam Webster of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on September 30, 2023 in Birmingham, England. Ollie Watkins scored his second hat-trick of the season as Aston Villa delivered a ruthless display to thrash high-flying Brighton at Villa Park.Watkins gave Unai Emery's side an early lead, finishing coolly into the left corner after Matty Cash had picked out the forward with a low cross.The 27-year-old went close with a rasping drive that flew inches wide, before doubling his personal tally with a low shot inside Jason Steele's right-hand post.Sharper to the ball and stronger in the challenge, Villa were all over Brighton and increased their lead just ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chilwell out with ‘bad’ hamstring injury

 Ben Chilwell of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on September 27, 2023 in London, England. Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has suffered a "bad" hamstring injury with no timescale yet put on his return, says Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.Chilwell has had a scan on the injury that forced him off late on against Brighton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.Chelsea are already without Reece James until after the international break with a thigh problem."When they're at their best, they are the best full-backs in the world," said Pochettino."At all clubs, important players are missed when they don't play."If the question is 'do we miss them?' Of course. Reece is a top player and [Chilwell] also."Chilwell missed ...
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LALIGA

Atletico win at Osasuna to lift to fifth in La Liga

Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates with teammate Alvaro Morata after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Atletico Madrid at Estadio El Sadar on September 28, 2023 in Pamplona, Spain.Atletico Madrid have kept their momentum after beating city rivals Real Madrid by getting the better of Osasuna 2-0 in the Spanish league.Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme scored a goal in each half for Atletico, who lie fifth in the table with a game in hand over the sides above them.Atletico beat Madrid 3-1 at home on Sunday, with France international Griezmann scoring one of the goals for Diego Simeone's team."It was important not to get caught up with what happened against Real Madrid and to come here to win," Griezmann said."We are improv...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern keeper Neuer returns to partial team training

 Manuel Neuer of FC Bayern Muenchen is catching a ball during the training on September 12, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has returned to partial team training 10 months after breaking his leg in a skiing accident.The 37-year-old German took part in a goalkeeping drill with Sven Ulreich and Daniel Peretz, Bayern's two other keepers, as well as the team's outfield players on Thursday.Neuer, who has won 11 Bundesliga titles with Bayern, broke his leg in December."It's a great feeling to be back on the pitch with my team-mates," he said.Neuer, who has won the Champions League twice with Bayern, had surgery on the lower-leg fracture last year and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.His return was delayed because of complications with hi...
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NEWS

Injured misses Inter miami Cup final defeat

 Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts after a play in the first half during a match between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles Football Club at BMO Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.The injured Lionel Messi watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost 2-1 to Houston Dynamo in the final of US Open Cup.Forward Messi, 36, was substituted against Toronto FC last week because of an "old injury" and sat out Miami's draw at Orlando City on Monday.Griffin Dorsey and an Amine Bassi penalty put Houston 2-0 up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Josef Martinez scored a consolation for Miami in stoppage time.Houston goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made three saves as Dynamo clinched their second US Open Cup in five years.Miami's Spain defender Jordi Alba also missed the game because of i...
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Uncategorized

Arteta hails ‘exceptional’ Ramsdale after Arsenal beat Brentford

 Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds fans following the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023 in Brentford, England.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Aaron Ramsdale as "exceptional" on his return to the team after the goalkeeper played a pivotal role in Wednesday's 1-0 win at Brentford in the third round of the League Cup.Ramsdale had been Arsenal's first choice in goal since joining in 2021 and played all 38 Premier League games last season, but he was benched for the last three games in favour of David Raya, who arrived on loan from Brentford in August.On Wednesday, Ramsdale made a crucial second-half save from Yoane Wissa and also denied Frank Onyeka late in the contest as Brentford put Arsenal under h...
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SERIE A

Sassuolo snap Inter Milan’s perfect start in Serie A

  Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 27, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Inter Milan have had their perfect start to the Serie A season come to an end as they fell to a surprise 2-1 loss at home to Sassuolo.Inter were looking to make it six wins out of six and remain the only unbeaten side remaining in Italy's top flight.Denzel Dumfries fired the hosts in front on the stroke of halftime but two goals in nine second-half minutes -- including a stunner from Domenico Berardi -- gave Sassuolo another impressive win on Wednesday night, following their 4-2 victory over Juventus at the weekend.The result left Inter level on 15 points at the top of the table with city riva...
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LALIGA

Barcelona draw at Mallorca, salvage 1 point in Spanish league match

 Samu Costa of RCD Mallorca competes for the ball with Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Son Moix on September 26, 2023 in Mallorca, Spain. Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona drew with Real Mallorca 2-2 in an away match Tuesday thanks to Fermin Lopez's equalizer.Mallorca forward Vedat Muriqi from Kosovo, a former Fenerbahce player, scored the opener in the eighth minute after Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen misjudged a pass.Barcelona's Brazilian star Raphinha scored from long range to make it 1-1 in the 41st minute before Mallorca took the lead again.Before the break, Mallorca's Abdon Prats finished in a one-on-one after Muriqi headed the ball to find him.Fermin Lopez scored the equalizer in...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Liverpool training

 Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on April 19, 2023 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to training on Monday, the Merseyside club's assistant manager Pep Lijnders said on Tuesday ahead of their League Cup third round match against Leicester City.Alexander-Arnold, who injured his hamstring in a 3-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa earlier this month, also missed England's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and their friendly against Scotland."Trent, he was training yesterday in rondos and counter-pressing and he looked outstanding," Lijnders told reporters ahead of Wednesday's home meeting with Leicester."Tomorrow comes too early for him."Lijnders also provided an update on midfielder Thiago Alca...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag needs to break his own golden rule at United

 Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to 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. Erik ten Hag has already shown during his time at Manchester United that he's not afraid to make tough decisions.His attitude towards player unrest in the camp is a prime example of this. Cristiano Ronaldo was swiftly dealt with after his infamous interview with Piers Morgan and Jadon Sancho currently finds himself exiled from the first-team squad due to his response to the manager's criticism of him following the Arsenal defeat.While Ten Hag isn't afraid to wield the axe if a player steps out of line, he is a creature of habit when it comes to selecting a starting XI for ...
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LALIGA

Barca’s record when De Jong is injured is worrying

 Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona celebrates scoring a goal during the La Liga EA Sports match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica on August 27, 2023, in Villarreal, Spain. Barcelona look set to be without Frenkie de Jong for several weeks due to an ankle injury, with some estimates suggesting he won’t return until November.Xavi has already lamented the Dutchman’s absence and made it clear it’s a big blow for his team.“It’s a big loss. It’s a tough one because of the way we play and the level he has been at. He’s a key player for us, he has been really good since last season,” he told reporters.“We have options to come in for him, so hopefully we won’t suffer too much. We will see how he is after the [October] international break. That’s all we can say fo...
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SERIE A

Rafael Leao: “I aim to win the Champions League with Milan”

 Rafael Leao of AC Milan scores their sides first goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 16, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Rafael Leao has come out with some ambitious words that should delight Milan fans after his recent match-winning goal against Verona.As reported by Portugal GQ magazine (via Sky Italia), Leão said: “I’m sure Milan will soon return to win the Champions League, that’s our goal. I speak for myself. I am young, I am a player who wants to win great things. The Champions League I think is every player’s dream. I aim for it. We are working for this.”The Portuguese winger also spoke about Saudi Arabia, and mentioned that he has no thoughts about going there any time soon. He said that he still has a lot...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brighton still getting used to extra demands of Europe, says Gilmour

 Billy Gilmour of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Brighton, England. Billy Gilmour admits Brighton are learning on the job as they get to grips with the Thursday-Sunday grind. The Seagulls suffered the major disappointment of losing the first Europa League match in their history against AEK Athens in midweek. But three days later they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1 to climb to third in the Premier League. Brighton trailed to Dominic Solanke’s opportunist strike but went in level at half-time after Milos Kerkez headed Gilmour’s cross into his own net. Boss Roberto De Zerbi, who had made nine changes to his starting line-up from Thurs...
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SERIE A

Leao fires Milan level with leaders Inter, Juve fall at Sassuolo

 Rafael Leao of AC Milan on the ball whilst under pressure from Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between AC Milan and Newcastle United FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 19, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Rafael Leao ended a difficult week with the only goal in Saturday´s 1-0 win over Verona which drew AC Milan level with Serie A leaders Inter Milan, while Juventus fell to their first defeat of the season, 4-2 at Sassuolo.Portugal winger Leao netted his third goal in as many league matches in the eighth minute at a sodden San Siro to move Milan up to second on 12 points from five games. Inter defend their 100 percent start at rock-bottom Empoli on Sunday.Leao´s winner was one of the few highlights of a largely uninspiring performance from...
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Ligue 1

PSG rout bitter rivals Marseille 4-0 but Mbappe injured

 Nice's Swiss defender #23 Jordan Lotomba (L) fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #07 Kylian Mbappe (R) during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 15, 2023. Forwards Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos have scored their first goals for Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-0 home rout of Marseille in the French league but the victory was marred by star striker Kylian Mbappe getting injured.Mbappe limped off in the 32nd minute after taking a blow to the left ankle earlier in Sunday's game and trying to play on. He was able to walk off the field at Parc des Princes.PSG coach Luis Enrique said Mbappe's injury was not serious."He was in a bit of pain and it was difficult for h...
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BUNDESLIGA

Leverkusen beat Heidenheim but Bayern lead Bundesliga

 Bayer Leverkusen's Nigerian forward #22 Victor Boniface (C) kicks the ball to score the 1-0 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Heidenheim in Leverkusen, western Germany, on September 24, 2023.Bayer Leverkusen have defeated promoted Heidenheim 4-1 but that was not enough to retake their Bundesliga lead from champions Bayern Munich.Bayern had moved up to the top of the table after a 7-0 win against Bochum on Saturday, with their huge victory ensuring they are still ahead of Leverkusen at the top the standings on goal difference."We were ready for a tough game. We had enough chances in the first half to score the second goal. When they equalised, it was important that we didn't lose control," Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said ...
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LALIGA

Morata scores twice as Atletico beat rival Real Madrid

 Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid scores the team's third goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Alvaro Morata scored twice as Atletico Madrid ended Real Madrid's 100% start to the La Liga season with a fine victory over their city rivals.They led inside four minutes when former Real forward Morata converted Samuel Lino's dangerous cross.Antoine Griezmann then made it 2-0 with another header, before Toni Kroos' fine low strike halved the deficit.But Morata sealed Atletico's victory when he rose highest to meet Saul Niguez's ball in after the break.Victory moved Atletico up to fifth in the table, while Real are third - behind leaders Barcelona and Girona - after dropping p...
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