2023 – Page 45 – Football Flame

Year: 2023

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LALIGA, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos, UCL

Toni Kroos hints that he will sign a new Real Madrid contract

 Toni Kroos of Real Madrid CF looks on during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, England.Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has appeared to confirm that he will sign a new contract at Real Madrid. The German midfielder’s contract is up at the end of the season and he has previously said that 2023 would be the ‘appropriate’ year to retire. However, speaking after Real Madrid’s win over Chelsea in the Champions League, he hinted that he is set to sign a new deal to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. As reported by Diario AS, he told reporters: ‘Everything is on the right track, but I also respect what the club wants: how and when it communicates. ‘There is a good relationship t...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Juventus, NEWS, Rafa Benitez, UCL

Rafa Benitez backs Juventus to win the Europa League

 Former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is seen working for TV company BT Sport ahead of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 4, 2023.Former Napoli manager Rafa Benitez has backed Juventus to win the Europa League despite their current struggles and believes it could even serve as extra motivation for them to win the competition. The black and whites have had a turbulent season both on and off the pitch, but they could still win the Europa League and Italian Cup, which will make the season a success. The black and whites know these two competitions would give them an amazing chance to give something back to the fans after a terrible season. There are tough clubs left in...
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CHELSEA FC, Real Madrid, UCL

Chelsea exit Champions League as Real finish job

 Toni Kroos of Real Madrid holds off the challenge from N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Chelsea’s hopes of salvaging success from a season of abject mediocrity were ended ruthlessly by Real Madrid as the holders advanced into the Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were always battling against the odds to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in the Bernabeu and their cause was not helped by a familiar failing as a battling performance was undermined by missing a succession of clear chances. N’Golo Kante missed a glorious first-half opening while Marc Cucurella was blocked by former Chelsea keeper Thibau...
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AC Milan, Olivier Giroud, UCL

Milan see off Napoli to reach semi-finals

 Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2023 in Naples, Italy.AC Milan reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2007 as they saw off Serie A rivals Napoli in an incident-packed game. Milan could face Inter Milan in the last four, with their city rivals going into Wednesday’s second leg with Benfica holding a 2-0 lead. Serie A champions-elect Napoli dominated early on – but Milan won a penalty with one of their first attacks, although Olivier Giroud’s spot-kick was saved by Alex Meret. The veteran Frenchman got the opening goal, though, to make it 2-0 on a...
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Etihad Stadium, Manchester City, NEWS, UCL

Man City to expand Etihad to over 60,000 capacity

 General view of Etihad Stadium before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester City have submitted a planning application to expand the capacity of their Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000, while adding a hotel, museum and other facilities in a £300 million investment. The plans will add around 7,000 new seats to the stadium as well as a new covered fan zone, club shop, museum and 400-bed hotel. Last week, the Etihad was included on the list of 10 stadia which would host matches if the UK and Ireland’s joint bid for organising Euro 2028 is successful, with the bid quoting a planned new capacity of 61,000. “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-...
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Massimo Moratti, SERIE A, UCL

Moratti: ‘I would’ve fired Inzaghi at Inter and made a mistake’

 Massimo Moratti attends the presentation of Ivan Zazzaroni's new book 'Diventare Mourinho' at the Rizzoli bookshop in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on October 13, 2022 in Milan, Italy. Former Inter President Massimo Moratti admits he would’ve probably fired Simone Inzaghi already this season, but also acknowledges ‘that would’ve been a mistake.’ The Nerazzurri have one foot in the Champions League semi-final after a 2-0 first leg win away to Benfica, with the decider at San Siro on Wednesday evening. However, there are strong reports that the club could pull the plug on their coach if he fails to make the landing stick and get into the final four. “We are all waiting for the game against Benfica, which becomes more important because we’re doing so badly in Serie A,” Moratti ...
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Ligue 1, Marseille, UCL

Vitinha double lifts Marseille to second place

 09 Vitor Manuel CARVALHO DE OLIVEIRA VITINHA (om) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Troyes at Orange Velodrome on April 16, 2023 in Marseille, France. Marseille new signing Vitinha scored his first ever Ligue 1 goals in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Troyes that lifted the south coast club into second behind Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old Portuguese was on the mark for the first time in the league since a 32 million euros move from Braga in January, as the goalmouth predator began to deliver for his new owners. For relegation-threatened Troyes this was a 14th Ligue 1 match without a win as they remain level second bottom. Marseille’s win edged them above Lens into second, and trimmed PSG’s lead to eight points, with seven games left to play, a day after the l...
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Argentina, NEWS, UCL, World Cup U-20

Argentina replace Indonesia as U20 World Cup host

 Leather soccer ball in empty gate behind net on green football field.Argentina has been chosen to host the Under-20 World Cup after Fifa stripped Indonesia of its right to stage the tournament. The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) bid for the tournament after the official draw for the tournament, which was to be held in Bali, was cancelled. Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israel team. The draw will now take place in Zurich, with the Under-20 World Cup set to be held from 20 May to 11 June. Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and protesters recently held marches demanding Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament, in support of Palestine. Indonesia was awarded hosting rights in 2019, before Israel qualified for the tournament ...
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CHELSEA FC, Julian Nagelsmann, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL

Chelsea hold talks with ex-Bayern boss Nagelsmann

 Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann arrives in his car at the headquarters of German first division Bundesliga football club FC Bayern Munich in Munich, southern Germany, on March 24, 2023. Chelsea have held talks with Julian Nagelsmann as part of their search for a new manager. The German was sacked by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in March after less than two years in charge. Football Flame understands Chelsea do not yet have a preferred option to replace Graham Potter, who was sacked in April. Despite holding talks with Nagelsmann, 35, the process to find a new manager is ongoing – with Luis Enrique also reportedly of interest to Chelsea. Potter left Stamford Bridge less than seven months after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion to replace Thomas Tuchel. Nagelsm...
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UCL

Lampard insists Chelsea “not broken”; defends owner

 Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard talks to Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 15, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Chelsea are not a “broken” team this season and co-owner Todd Boehly had every right to address the squad he has invested in, manager Frank Lampard said on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Chelsea, who trail Real Madrid 2-0 on aggregate after losing the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, come into the game on the back of a six-match winless run, with interim boss Lampard losing his first three games in charge. With Chelsea 17 points off the top four despite spending more than 600 million euros ($655.50 million) on new player...
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Fiorentina, SERIE A, UCL

Fiorentina’s unbeaten run at 14 after draw with Atalanta

 Arthur Mendonça Cabral of ACF Fiorentina battles for the ball with Berat Djimsiti of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Atalanta BC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 17, 2023 in Florence, Italy. Fiorentina extended its unbeaten run to 14 matches across all competitions by drawing with Atalanta 1-1 in Serie A on Monday. Arthur Cabral equalized for Fiorentina from a penalty kick near the hour mark after Joakim Maehle put Atalanta ahead before the break. Cristiano Biraghi nearly won it for Fiorentina with a free kick off the post. In all, Fiorentina produced seven shots on goal to Atalanta’s one. Atalanta remained sixth, four points below the Champions League spots, and Fiorentina remained ninth. Fiorentina takes a 4-1 advantage against Lech Poznan int...
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Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL

Liverpool hammer Leeds for first win in five games

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores the team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool FC at Elland Road on April 17, 2023 in Leeds, England.Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota both scored twice as Liverpool claimed a first league win in five games by inflicting a second successive home hammering on Leeds, who remain mired deep in the relegation battle. The Reds had not won since putting seven unanswered goals past Manchester United at the start of March, but after a slow start they ruthlessly dismantled hapless Leeds. The home side claimed Trent Alexander-Arnold used an arm to control the ball but he then drove forward to set up Cody Gakpo for the opener before Salah fired in from an angle to put the visitors in control. Leeds were given hope after the break ...
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Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, TRANSFERS, UCL

Romelu Lukaku ‘to return to Chelsea this summer’

 Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale applauds the fans after the team's defeat at the end of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 15, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Romelu Lukaku is reportedly prepared to return to Chelsea after the conclusion of this season, with Inter Milan unable to finance a deal to extend the player's stay in Italy. The 29-year-old joined Inter on loan from Stamford Bridge for this season but has struggled with injuries on his return to the San Sario, managing just 18 appearances in Serie A so far. Despite being sidelined for periods of the season, the Belgium international has provided some telling moments for his side, scoring in the Champions League over the past month against both Porto an...
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Luciano Spalletti, Napoli, SERIE A, UCL, Victor Osimhen

Spalletti: Osimhen ‘gives us that burst of enthusiasm’

 Napoli's Italian coach Luciano Spalletti comforts Napoli's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen (L) after he was substituted during the Italian Serie A football match between Napoli and Atalanta on March 11, 2023 at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples.Luciano Spalletti spoke to Radio Kiss Kiss ahead of Napoli’s Champions Leaguequarter-final second leg against Milan, giving his assessment of the team’s chances and the return of Victor Osimhen.  The influential Nigerian made his return from injury in the Partenopei’s Serie A game against Hellas Verona on Saturday, coming on for 25 minutes of the eventual 0-0 draw.  Assessing his side’s performance in the stalemate at the Maradona, Spalletti believes his side lacked fluidity in possession.  “I expected ...
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Champions League, Manchester City, Real Madrid, UCL

Man City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan on verge of Champions League semis

 Champions League logo is seen on an umbrella during the Champions League football match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli. Milan won 1-0 over Napoli.ManchesterCity, Real Madrid and Inter Milan are all on the verge of the 2022-23 UEFAChampions League semifinals as the second leg games of the last eight will be played this week. Erling Haaland-led Manchester City previously beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the quarterfinals' first leg on April 11 in Manchester to control the tie. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel's men will try to turn the tables in front of their fans at Munich's Allianz Arena. ManchesterCity, who have a massive advantage, will visit Bayern Munich on Wednesday. On Tuesday, defending champions Real Madrid will face Chelsea at London's Stamford Bridge after a 2-0 win in Spain. The S...
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Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL, West Ham

Arsenal let slip two-goal lead to draw at West Ham

 Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on April 16, 2023 in London, England. Leaders Arsenal missed a penalty and threw away a two-goal lead as they drew at West Ham in a blow to their hopes of winning the Premier League. A close-range finish from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard’s volley put the visitors 2-0 ahead inside the opening 10 minutes at London Stadium as they looked to be cruising to the victory. But, just as they did in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool last Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side could not hold on to their advantage and dropped valuable points in their title battle with Manchester City. Said Benrahma’s penalty, after Gabriel had brought down Lucas ...
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Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, SERIE A, UCL

Inter to appeal Lukaku Coppa Italia ban against Juventus

 Romelu Lukaku (#90 FC Inter) during FC Internazionale against AC Monza, Serie A, at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 15th, 2023.Inter have reportedly decided to lodge an appeal against Romelu Lukaku’s Coppa Italia semi-final ban after he was booked for responding to racist insults from Juventus fans. That was his second yellow card, handed out for ‘celebrating in a provocative way’ towards the Juve supporters who were behind the goal. Lukaku insisted that he always celebrates goals like this, with a military salute and a finger to the lips, which was indeed already seen when playing for Belgium earlier this year. It was still considered to be a provocation and the presence of racist chants from the fans behind the goal did not help his cause, but Inter lawyers hope they can at least ...
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AC Milan, Tomasso Pobega, UCL

Pobega baffled by Milan struggles as Serie A dip continues

 Tommaso Pobega of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and AC MIlan at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on April 15, 2023 in Bologna, Italy. Milan midfielder Tomasso Pobega bemoaned a missed opportunity in Serie A against Bologna. Stefano Pioli’s side fell behind with just 33 seconds played, with Pobega equalising five minutes before the break with a thunderous strike. Despite dominating proceedings, Milan were unable to find a winner in the game and dropping points opens the door to rivals Inter and Atalanta in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Having been held to a draw, Milan could end the weekend outside of the top four and have testing fixtures to finish the season – including a trip to face Juventus on the final day. While t...
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ARSENAL FC, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL, West Ham

Key Arsenal man absent for important West Ham clash

 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on April 11, 2023 in St Albans, England.Having watched Manchester City beat Leicester City 3-1 on Saturday, Arsenal, set to play West Ham on Sunday, will know the pressure is back on them if they’re to remain favourites for this season’s title. Preparing to square off against David Moyes’ struggling Hammers, today’s London derby is set to be a fiery encounter and Mikel Arteta will know his young Gunners will need to be at their brilliant best if they’re to come away from the London Stadium with all three points. Arsenal’s chances have been dealt a blow though after defender William Saliba is confirmed to be absent following an injury to his back. Missing the Londoners’ last five matches, there was hope the French...
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Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, PSG

Mbappe sets league goals record for PSG in 3-1 Lens win

 Lionel Messi #30 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates his goal with Kylian Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain and teammates during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens at Parc des Princes on April 15, 2023 in Paris, France.Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have scored a goal each as Paris Saint-Germain beat 10-man Lens 3-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the French league. It was a significant goal for Mbappe, who earlier this season became PSG’s all-time leading scorer when he beat Edinson Cavani’s 200-goal mark. His strike on Saturday against second-placed Lens made the 24-year-old France forward the outright all-time top scorer for PSG in Ligue 1 with 139 goals. Cavani registered 138. Overall, Mbappe has now hit the net 203 times for Paris. Marseille can move ...
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