2023 – Page 43 – Football Flame

Year: 2023

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LALIGA, Real Sociedad

Sociedad close in on Champions League spot with victory

 Real Sociedad's Japanese forward Takefusa Kubo (C) celebrates with teammates scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish League football match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on April 28, 2023.Real Sociedad have taken another step towards locking up a Champions League berth after beating Osasuna 2-0 in the Spanish league. The win allowed fourth-placed Sociedad to open up a nine-point gap over fifth-placed Real Betis, putting more pressure on the Seville-based side to win at leaders Barcelona on Saturday. The top-four finishers in the league earn spots in Europe’s elite competition next season. The game’s opener came in the sixth minute when Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera scored an own goal. But Herrera kept Osasuna in the match by making ...
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LALIGA, Luka Modric

Modric a doubt for cup final and Man City tie

 Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF with the ball during the LaLiga Santander match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at Montilivi Stadium on April 25, 2023 in Girona, Spain.Real Madrid’s Luka Modric is an injury doubt for the Copa del Rey final and the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. The midfielder has what Real say is an issue at “the back of his left thigh”. The Spanish club play the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna on 6 May before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against City on 9 May. “He had an injury in the game at Girona [on Tuesday] and is out of action,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. Modric was substituted after 63 minutes in the 4-2 midweek defeat. Real will play league games against Almeria and Real Sociedad before ...
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Uncategorized

Leeds United’s survival hopes hit as Luis Sinisterra ruled out for the season

Luis Sinisterra of Leeds United receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Leicester City at Elland Road on April 25, 2023 in Leeds, England.Leeds United’s Premier League survival hopes have been dealt a blow as Luis Sinisterra has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Colombia winger Sinisterra, who has scored three goals in his last five appearances, was forced out of the midweek home draw against Leicester due to an ankle injury. Head coach Javi Gracia, whose side play at relegation rivals Bournemouth on Sunday, said: “Luis will be out for the rest of the season. I think it’s something in his ankle, a ligament. “It’s tough for us to lose key players. I prefer to not complain. I have enough players to compete better and try to work with them ...
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Alejandro Garnacho, PREMIER LEAGUE

Garnacho signs new five-year Manchester United contract

 Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United poses with Manager Erik ten Hag after signing a new contract at Carrington Training Ground on April 28, 2023 in Manchester, England.Alejandro Garnacho has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United, even as they decided not to allow the Argentinian to play in the Under-20 World Cup in his home country. United have rewarded Garnacho, who has scored four goals in 29 games in a breakthrough season, with a pay rise and an extended deal as he is set to make his comeback after seven weeks out. Argentina had failed to qualify for the World Cup but then became the hosts when the tournament was moved from Indonesia – but Garnacho is instead staying at Old Trafford to concentrate on United’s bid for a top-four finish and the FA Cup final. Uni...
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LALIGA, Valencia FC

Valencia gain crucial win in Liga survival battle

 Javi Guerra of Valencia cf celebrate after scoring the 2-1 goal with his teammate during La Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Valladolid at Mestalla Stadium on April 27, 2023.Valencia youngster Javi Guerra struck a vital stoppage-time winner to help his side beat Real Valladolid 2-1 yesterday and climb out of La Liga’s relegation zone. Los Che produced a fine comeback at Mestalla to pull themselves towards safety, up to 16th, two points above the bottom three. Espanyol, 19th, sunk deeper into the mire with a 4-2 defeat by Villarreal. Canadian striker Cyle Larin struck in the sixth minute after a lapse in concentration by Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby, who gave the ball away in his own half. However the Guinea defender made amends for his mistake for Valencia on the hour ma...
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PREMIER LEAGUE, Son Heung-min

Tottenham fight back to draw against Man Utd

 Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur and Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 27, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Son Heung-min scored a 79th-minute equaliser to complete a fine Tottenham comeback against Manchester United in Ryan Mason’s first game back as interim boss.United looked to be coasting to a fourth straight Premier League win after goals by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford put them in a commanding position at half-time. Pedro Porro launched the fightback before Bruno Fernandes hit the bar for United when he should have scored. Son equalised from close range after good work by Harry Kane to leave home fans, who had earlier called ...
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Joelinton, PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle win keeps Everton in relegation zone

 Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrates with teammates Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Newcastle United at Goodison Park on April 27, 2023 in Liverpool, England. Newcastle took a huge stride towards Champions League football next season by inflicting a demoralising defeat on struggling Everton, who remain rooted in the Premier League’s relegation zone. A comfortable win at Goodison Park keeps Eddie Howe’s men in third place, eight points clear of Aston Villa in fifth and with a game in hand, in the battle to play in Europe’s elite club competition. Callum Wilson scored twice for the visitors in each half, reacting quickest to poke home the opener before curling a magnificent 25-yard ef...
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Kevin de Bruyne, PREMIER LEAGUE

Kevin de Bruyne: Manchester City ‘at our best’ in emphatic win over Arsenal

 Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Thomas Partey of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Kevin de Bruyne said Manchester City were at their best in the 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night, a result which has tipped the Premier League title race in the defending champions’ favour. De Bruyne scored twice at the Etihad – the first a superb low finish – either side of providing the free-kick for John Stones to head home City’s second after a VAR review. Rob Holding pulled one back for Arsenal, before Erling Haaland added another record to his debut season, his 33rd goal setting a new milestone for most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League campaign. It was the...
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Frank Lampard, PREMIER LEAGUE

Fifth loss for Lampard as Brentford win at Chelsea

 Chelsea's English caretaker manager Frank Lampard (R) passes a stray ball back to Brentford's Danish defender Mathias Jorgensen during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge in London on April 26, 2023.Chelsea lost their fifth successive game since the return of Frank Lampard as Brentford won at Stamford Bridge to strengthen their position in the Premier League’s top 10. The visitors did not have a shot on target in the first half but took the lead midway through when Mathias Jorgensen’s flick from a corner hit Cesar Azpilicueta on his shoulder to deflect into the back of the net. Chelsea once again struggled to create chances and a hugely disappointing first half ended with boos from some of the home supporters. The Blues did impro...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA

Leaders Barcelona lose at Rayo Vallecano

 Alvaro Garcia (18) of Rayo Vallecano celebrates after scoring a goal during the La Liga week 31 football match between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona at Vallecas Stadium in Madrid, Spain on April 26, 2023.Leaders Barcelona suffered only their third La Liga defeat of the season as Rayo Vallecano secured a memorable win. Goals by Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia put the mid-table hosts in a commanding position before Robert Lewandowski scored a late consolation. Barca remain on course to win a first La Liga title since 2018-19, 11 points clear of nearest rivals Real Madrid with eight matches left. They host fifth-placed Real Betis on Saturday (kick-off 20:00 BST). Garcia put Vallecano ahead after firing across Marc-Andre ter Stegen before Garcia doubled the lead. Lewandowski pulled one back...
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CHELSEA FC, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku, UCL

Romelu Lukaku “will be given the opportunity to stay at Chelsea”

 Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Salernitana and FC Internazionale at Stadio Arechi on April 7, 2023 in Salerno, Italy. Romelu Lukaku will reportedly be offered the opportunity to remain at Chelsea during the summer transfer window. Despite scoring 15 goals from 44 appearances during his first year back at Stamford Bridge, it was widely perceived that his £97.5m return to the club had been a failure. As a result, the Belgium international was allowed to immediately reunite with Inter, where he struggled to make an impact during the first half of 2022-23. Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta even hinted that Lukaku would definitely return to Chelsea on the back of his poor form, but the 29-year-old has since improved in recent weeks. Backing up h...
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Jamie Vardy, Leicester city, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL

Vardy salvages late draw for Leicester at Leeds

 Jamie Vardy of Leicester celebrates scoring the goal to make it 1-1 during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Leicester City at Elland Road on April 25, 2023 in Leeds, England.Substitute Jamie Vardy scored a late equaliser to salvage a Premier League point for Leicester City at Leeds United, keeping both sides firmly in trouble. Vardy slotted home a cool finish in the 80th minute from James Maddison’s pass and the former England striker then thought he had won it when converting from close range, but it was ruled out for offside. Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra opened the scoring in the first half with a header at the back post from Jack Harrison’s pin-point cross, but the hosts could not hold on. The draw leaves Leicester firmly in trouble, only out of the bottom thr...
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PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL, Wolverhampton

Wolves close to safety after win over Palace

 Diego Costa of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates his team's first goal with team mates Matheus Cunha, Ruben Neves, Nelson Semedo and Hwang Hee-Chan during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace at Molineux on April 25, 2023 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.Julen Lopetegui insists his Wolves side still need “more points” to stay up despite taking a huge step towards securing their Premier League status for next season with victory over Crystal Palace at Molineux. In a match low on clear-cut chances, Wolves went in front after three minutes when Ruben Neves’ corner bounced off the knee of Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen and in off the crossbar. A scrappy and tetchy affair was eventually settled by Neves’ stoppage-time penalty as Wolves, who wer...
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Aston Villa, PREMIER LEAGUE, Tyrone Mings, UCL

Aston Villa beat Fulham to move up to fifth spot

 Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa scores his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Fulham FC at Villa Park on April 25, 2023 in Birmingham, England.Aston Villa beat Fulham at Villa Park to move up to fifth in the Premier League and boost their chances of playing in a European competition for the first time since 2010. Tyrone Mings scored the crucial goal, his first in the league since November 2021, with a glancing header following John McGinn’s excellent inswinging corner. Fulham saw Andreas Pereira fire an acrobatic volley into the side-netting after only 30 seconds, but struggled to create further clear-cut chances. Unai Emery’s Villa are now unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches and this victory takes them above Tottenham and five points behind third...
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Girona, LALIGA, Real Madrid, UCL

Castellanos scores four as Girona beat Real Madrid

 Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid reacts as Valentin Castellanos of Girona FC celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at Montilivi Stadium on April 25, 2023 in Girona, Spain.Girona striker Valentin Castellanos scored four times as they recorded a resounding victory over reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid. Castellanos, on loan from New York City, headed the opener and then ran onto a long ball before slotting past Real’s Andriy Lunin to make it 2-0. Vincius Jr gave Real hope with a header from Marco Asensio’s cross. But Castellanos, 24, tucked in a cross from Yan Couto and headed a fourth – before Lucas Vazquez’s consolation. Real are 11 points behind leaders Barcelona, having played a game more. They play Man...
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Evan Ferguson, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL

Irish striker signs long-term deal with Premier League club

 Evan Ferguson of Brighton & Hove Albion warms up prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 15, 2023 in London, England. Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has signed a new long-term contract until 2028. The 18-year-old, who joined the Seagulls from joined Irish club Bohemians in January 2021, has scored nine times in all competitions this season, including four in the Premier League. Ferguson also got a first senior goal for the Republic of Ireland in March’s friendly against Latvia. “It’s very important news, he can improve a lot with us,” Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi “In Brighton, there are the right conditions for the young players and he’s still 18. We have to not forget that. “He’s playing very well. Wi...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, UCL

Barcelona secure $1.6 billion for Camp Nou redevelopment

 General view of the Spotify Camp Nou Stadium prior to the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC at Spotify Camp Nou on April 10, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona said on Monday they had secured 1.45 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in funding for a redevelopment plan and would start the renovation of the Camp Nou stadium on June 1. The club said in a statement that the money had come from deals with 20 investors who would receive repayment over periods of between five and 24 years. Barcelona said they would start paying back the loans when the work was completed. In addition to the football stadium the plan, called ‘Espai Barca’, includes spending on other club facilities. It includes 420m euros earmarked for the Palau Blaugrana, home of the club’s basketball a...
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Jose Mourinho, SERIE A, UCL

Mourinho laments Roma’s injuries after loss at Atalanta

 Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on April 24, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy.AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho bemoaned his fifth-placed side’s injury problems after two more players suffered problems in Monday’s costly 3-1 Serie A loss away to Atalanta. Defender Diego Llorente limped off in pain, while forward Paulo Dybala had trouble with his ankle after a heavy tackle. “We ended the match with nine men and still hit the upright, which would have been 3-2. It is very, very difficult for me to be critical of this squad. They play within their limits,” Mourinho told DAZN. The latest injuries add to the manager’s concerns as Rick Karsdorp, Chris Smalling and Georginio Wijnaldum are all sidelined at a time when...
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Giacomo Raspadori, SERIE A, UCL

Juventus 0-1 Napoli: Raspadori fires Partenopei to dramatic win in Turin

 Giacomo Raspadori and Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrate the goal scored by Giacomo Raspadori during the Serie A match between Juventus and SSC Napoli at on April 23, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Giacomo Raspadori’s 93rd-minute volley gave Napoli a dramatic 1-0 win against Juventus on Sunday, securing a rare Serie A double over the Bianconeri. A remarkable conclusion to the match in Turin was entirely at odds with everything that had gone before, a dull first 70 minutes suggesting the two clubs were taking a collective breath at the end of a manic week. Juve are back into the top four following their successful initial appeal of an earlier points deduction, while Napoli’s full focus is on the Scudetto after crashing out of the Champions League. If a point then perhaps suited both sides, ...
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Frenkie de Jong, LALIGA, UCL

De Jong shines on Barcelona return

 Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou stadium on April 23, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain.Frenkie de Jong was highly praised after making his return from injury in Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. After missing the last four matches, De Jong made his return and he played 79 minutes of the 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, who were still without Memphis Depay. The only goal of the game was netted by Ferran Torres. Marca rated De Jong 8/10 on his return and said, “With him, Barça is another team in possession; Xavi’s team will immediately play up a gear. He was one of the best players against Atlético (again) and his return is a blessing ...
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