October 2023 – Page 3 – Football Flame

Month: October 2023

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Latest Chelsea injury news for Arsenal clash amid James and Badiashile updates

 Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Chelsea and Arsenal will meet in a Premier League on October 21,2023 at Stamford Bridge in London, England. Mauricio Pochettino could be without several big names against Arsenal, so the Chelsea boss may be left no choice but to reshuffle the pack. The Blues will welcome Mikel Arteta's side to Stamford Bridge this afternoon as either side hopes to climb the Premier League table.Chelsea claimed their third successive victory across all competitions just before the international break with a 4-1 win over Burnley. Meanwhile, Arsenal stormed past Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium to keep their unbeaten start to the English top-flight intact.While the likes of Reece James and Benoit Badiashile are...
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TRANSFERS

PSG still offering Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe a new contract, but player unsure

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Paris Saint-Germain at St. James Park on October 04, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Kylian Mbappe has been on the cusp of joining Real Madrid on multiple occasions. Yet, the process continually hits roadblocks when the business end of the deal arrives into the picture.The recently concluded summer was perhaps the player’s best chance of signing for his dream club. With one year left on his contract with PSG, the Parisiens were under pressure to sell him in order to recoup some funds.Yet, the plan of action did not pan out how Los Blancos would have wanted. The French phenom eventually opted to stay in Paris with the hope of departing on a free transfe...
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LALIGA

Barcelona evaluate their concerns for rotation ahead of Bilbao clash

 Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League match of Group C between FC Barcelona and FC Viktoria Plezen at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on September 7th, 2022. FC Barcelona return to club football action as their international players return to Catalonia. The international break has finally come to an end, and Barca can consider themselves to be fortunate. No long-term injuries have been sustained during this period away from club football, leaving Barça joyous.Up next for FC Barcelona is a clash against Athletic Bilbao at the Montjuic Stadium. The Catalan giants currently sit on third place in La Liga, behind Girona and Real Madrid. As a result, getting a favorable result against their Basque opponents wi...
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LALIGA

Ramos set for Real Madrid reunion as Sevilla start new era

 Sergio Ramos of Sevilla FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla FC at Philips Stadion on October 3, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. New Sevilla coach Diego Alonso faces a stern test in his first game at the helm and in experienced veteran centre-back Ramos he has a player who can offer plenty of insight into Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid side.Ramos controversially left Seville for the Spanish capital at the age of 19, which some fans have never forgotten, even though the majority welcomed him back with open arms this summer.In the years after his departure, Ramos was keen to goad his former side, while he was roundly booed on visits to face Seville.However, the defender said he could "die happy" after playing for his boyhood club again, an...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United reveal Casemiro will miss Sheffield United clash

 Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat of Manchester United warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford FC at Old Trafford on October 07, 2023 in Manchester, England.Manchester United have revealed that Casemiro will be absent for Saturday's Premier League contest with Sheffield United due to a minor issue which he suffered on international duty.The 31-year-old was substituted during Brazil's 1-1 draw with Venezuela last week due to an ankle problem, but he was able to feature on Tuesday night against Uruguay, playing the full 90 minutes of the contest.The midfielder's presence in the 2-0 loss to Uruguay appeared to suggest that he would represent Man United against Sheffield United this weekend.However, a statement on the club's official website revealed tha...
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NEWS

Gareth Ainsworth speaks out on his QPR future

 Queens Park Rangers manager Gareth Ainsworth during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City at Loftus Road on August 16, 2023 in London, England. It seems that Gareth Ainsworth is confident he will not be leaving his job with QPR any time soon.That's after the R's boss insisted he is confident he still has the backing of the club's board, despite their recent run of poor form.How has Ainsworth done since taking over at QPR?Ainsworth was appointed as QPR manager back in February, leaving his role at Wycombe Wanderers to take over the role.He was able to narrowly prevent the Hoops from suffering relegation from the Championship at the end of last season, but has continued to struggle in the current campaign.In total, the 50-year-old has won j...
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SERIE A

Juventus Coach Piecing Together Lineup to Face Milan

 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A football match n.33 JUVENTUS - LECCE on May 03, 2023 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Piedmont, Italy.Juventus won’t have Danilo, who suffered a thigh strain while on international duties, and Federico Chiesa remains iffy for Sunday’s clash with Milan. The winger continues to log limited sessions due to a lingering thigh ailment. He might heal up enough to be an option while seeing him start is optimistic.According to Tuttomercatoweb, Massimiliano Allegri has a few doubts ahead of the encounter. Dusan Vlahovic has recuperated from his back problem and will most likely be in the XI. Arkadiusz Milik is the favorite to partner with him.The Juventus coach will have to decide how to field the defense. Danilo moves from the ri...
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NEWS

Neymar to require surgery after ACL injury

 Brazil's forward Neymar leaves the field after an injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualification football match between Uruguay and Brazil at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on October 17, 2023.Neymar will undergo surgery after sustaining an ACL injury during Brazil's 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Uruguay.The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward was in tears after being carried off the field on a stretcher in Montevideo and current club Al-Hilal have revealed the extent of the damage.Al-Hilal posted on X: "The medical tests Neymar underwent, confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later."Brazil were trailing to a Darwin Nu...
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TRANSFERS

German star unwilling to wait for Barcelona any longer – report

 Florian Wirtz of Germany runs with the ball during the International Friendly match between Germany and France at Signal Iduna Park on September 12, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany.During the latter days of the last summer transfer window, FC Barcelona and Xavi wanted to sign an attacking midfielder who could create chances for his teammates. Bernardo Silva and Giovani Lo Celso were two of the players who attracted interest from Barcelona, but none of them joined the Catalan club.In recent days, Barcelona have once again been linked with another attacking midfielder, the Bayer Leverkusen player Florian Wirtz. Barcelona have been receiving very encouraging reports on the midfielder for the last two years; however, his chances of joining the Catalan club remain slim for now.Wirtz not going t...
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NEWS

Pakistan create history with 1-0 win against Cambodia in FIFA World Cup Qualifier

 Pakistan's players celebrate their win at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers football match between Pakistan and Cambodia, at the Jinnah Sports stadium in Islamabad on October 17, 2023.Pakistan’s national football team notched their first-ever victory in the FIFA World Cup Qualifi­ers, registering a 1-0 win against Cambodia at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad on Tuesday. The defining moment came when Harun Hamid unleashed a precise strike in the 67th min­ute, marking the sole goal of the match, and propelling Pakistan into the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers for the very first time. This mo­mentous achievement follows a goalless draw in the first leg of the initial qualifiers, held in Cambodia. In the wake of this exception­al triumph, Pakistan’s football te...
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SERIE A

Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli gets seven-month ban from soccer for betting violations

 Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli (44) celebrates after scoring his goal to make it 1-0 during the Serie A football match n.35 JUVENTUS - CREMONESE on May 14, 2023 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was banned for seven months by the Italian soccer federation on Tuesday for betting violations.Fagioli agreed to a plea bargain with the FIGC that included therapy for a gambling addiction.The 22-year-old Fagioli, who has already been seeing a therapist for his problem, alerted the Italian soccer federation’s prosecutor about the case and has been co-operating with authorities to mitigate his punishment.That allowed the minimum ban of three years for players betting on soccer matches to be greatly reduced. Fagioli has reportedly neve...
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NEWS

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi favorite for this year’s Ballon d’Or – report

 Lionel Messi winner of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2023 award signs the wall at the Montblanc Signing Wall during the 2023 Laureus World Sport Awards Paris at Cour Vendome on May 08, 2023 in Paris, France.FC Barcelona have been one of the most represented clubs in the history of the biggest individual award in football, the Ballon d’Or.The upcoming 67th ceremony for this award is scheduled to take place on 30th October at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and once again, Barcelona fans will find familiar faces aspiring to win this title.Messi the favourite for the Ballon d’OrAs SPORT has reported, Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati are two of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or. Both the players had spectacular seasons last year and thus are well-placed to win the most pres...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

‘Ruthless’: Arsenal tipped to sell Emile Smith Rowe in order to sign Premier League duo

 Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal looks dejected following the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England.Kevin Campbell has backed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to sell Emile Smith Rowe in order to sign Wolves winger, Pedro Neto, and Brentford striker, Ivan Toney.Arsenal’s Hale-End star is a very popular player with the fans, but as Campbell pointed out, at times, you have to make ‘ruthless’ calls in order to win, as he told The Highbury Squad.Mikel Arteta wants to win the Premier League title, at any cost, and surely, if you asked the most ardent and die-hard Arsenal fan, they would happily sell Emile Smith Rowe during the January transfer window in order for that to happen.Of course, thi...
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Champions League

Shakhtar fire manager ahead of Barca UCL clash

 Head Coach Patrick van Leeuwen of Donetsk looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto at Volksparkstadion on September 19, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany. Shakhtar have fired manager Patrick van Leeuwen just over a week before they are due to face Barcelona in the Champions League.Van Leeuwen has gone and been replaced by former Croatia defender Darijo Srna who takes over as caretaker boss for now.Shakhtar will play Barcelona next Wednesday at Montjuic and then face the Catalans again in Hamburg on 7 November in the group stages.The Ukrainian side have three points from their first two games so far having beaten Antwerp 3-2 but lost to Porto 3-1.Barcelona have six points from six and know that two more wins over Shakhtar will likely guara...
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NEWS

Austria beat Azerbaijan to qualify for Euro 2024

 Austria's midfielder #09 Marcel Sabitzer celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament Group F qualifying match between Azerbaijan and Austria in Baku on October 16, 2023.Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute to book an appearance at a third straight European Championship for Austria.Ralf Rangnick's side shrugged off a 3-2 home defeat by Belgium last week to join them among the eight countries now guaranteed a place at next year's 24-team tournament in Germany.Austria were awarded a penalty early in the second half when Sabitzer's free-kick was handled by a player in the Azerbaijan wall.His team-leading fourth goal in qualifyin...
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SERIE A

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Opens Up About His Surprising Move from AC Milan to PSG

 Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic attend the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 11, 2023 in Paris, France.Zlatan Ibrahimovic had various stops during his football career, including a four-year tenure at Paris Saint-Germain. From 2012 to 2016, Zlatan lived in Paris and elevated PSG to new heights, becoming a legend for the Ligue 1 giants. During his 180 appearances donning the Parisian jersey, the towering forward netted an impressive 156 goals and provided 54 assists. However, this production nearly didn’t happen. In a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Canal Supporters), Ibrahimovic opened up about his reluctant departure from AC Milan, the club he had joined just two years before his move to Paris. “Arriving in Paris was difficult,” Ibrahimovic...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ange could sign Kane heir in Spurs swoop for £17m gem who’s outperforming Maddison – opinion

 James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammate Heung-Min Son following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023 in London, England.Tottenham Hotspur have already enjoyed a fine start to life under Ange Postecoglou, but he will be far from one to rest on his laurels.Back-to-back Premier League Manager of the Month awards will mean nothing to the Australian, who encouraged his fans to let their imaginations run wild following their fine start to the new campaign: "No, no, no, let them go, let them enjoy it. I've said this before, my role is not to burst peoples' bubbles. Let them get excited and ahead of themselves, that's the beauty of being a supporter."Much of...
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NEWS

Jude Bellingham can make difference for England, says Kieran Trippier

 Jude Bellingham central midfield of Real Madrid and England during the warm-up before the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 7, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Jude Bellingham could provide England the spark they need, defender Kieran Trippier said ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.Bellingham has been in superb form since joining Real Madrid in the close season transfer window, scoring 10 goals in his first 10 starts for his new team in all competitions."He can be the difference," Trippier told reporters. "At such a young age, with the maturity, the quality and the aggression he's got, he's frightening. It's not a surprise at all, the standards that he's set in Madrid."You can see he's playing with freedom and the pla...
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NEWS

Spain, Scotland And Turkey Lock Up Euro 2024 Spots

Gavi of Spain celebrates 0-1 during the EURO Qualifier match between Norway v Spain at the Ullevaal Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Oslo Norway.Spain clinched their place at Euro 2024 on Sunday after a 1-0 win away to Norway, also sending Scotland through from Group A as Turkey joined the growing ranks of qualifiers. Barcelona midfielder Gavi scored the only goal early in the second half in Oslo, bouncing a shot into the corner to help Spain qualify for next year's finals in Germany with two games to spare. "We are very happy because the team has grown a lot and has a great future," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. "We have worked to get to this moment."They moved top of Group A on goal difference, but the result ensured Scotland punched their ticket to the tournament as well, with ...
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TRANSFERS

Wayne Rooney wants former Manchester United goalkeeper at Birmingham City

 Goalkeeper Jack Butland of Rangers FC holds a ball during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Play-Off Second Leg match between PSV and Rangers at the Philips Stadion on August 30, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.New Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney wants to sign Jack Butland, but he may have to wait until next summer to get his man.Rooney has replaced John Eustace as Blues boss, despite the team sitting sixth in the Championship table after an impressive start to the season.The Manchester United and England legend takes charge of his first match on Saturday at Middlesbrough as he looks to make an early impression, alongside coaching staff including Ashley Cole and John O’Shea.Rooney played with Cole at England and O’Shea at Manchester United and he wants to bring in a player who...
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