2023 – Page 5 – Football Flame

Year: 2023

SERIE A

Zapata double helps Torino beat misfiring Atalanta

 Duvan Zapata of Torino FC scores first goal evades challenge from Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC during the Serie A TIM match between Torino FC and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 4, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Two goals from Colombia forward Duvan Zapata have helped Torino into the top half of the Serie A table courtesy of a 3-0 win over Atalanta.Atalanta, winless in their last four games, won on their last four visits to Turin's Olympic stadium, but the home side took the lead midway through the first half and never looked likely to relinquish it.Zapata reacted quickest to a low cross from the left and, with the visitors' defence static, he had time to twist and fire in a low shot.Antonio Sanabria doubled Torino's lead 10 minutes into the second half when he converte...
PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham offer £25,000 reward after Zouma burglary

 Kurt Zouma of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at London Stadium on November 12, 2023 in London, England. West Ham have offered a £25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of burglars who broke into Kurt Zouma's home.Thieves broke in before Sunday's game with Crystal Palace while the defender and his family were in the house.No-one was harmed but "items of significant value and of huge personal and sentimental importance" were taken."To have someone break into your home is a terrifying experience," said West Ham joint-chair David Sullivan."I hope this reward will help bring the individuals to justice and prevent others from going through a similar ordeal."Zouma, 29, did not play in...
TRANSFERS

Roma Eyeing Up Manchester United and Milan Target

 Serhou Guirassy of VfB Stuttgart celebrates after scoring his teams second goal from the penalty spot during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at MHPArena on November 11, 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany.Roma are working on two acquisitions, one for the future, Serhou Guirassy, and the other for January, Arthur Theate. They have to overcome relevant difficulties in both instances, though. The Stuttgart striker continues to fill his boots in the Bundesliga and just bagged his 16th goal.According to Calciomercato, Manchester United are ready to activate his €17M release clause. However, the Red Devils and the other suitors, with Milan also in the picture, need to convince him to switch sides in January. He’d like to stay to lead his team to a historic Champions...
Ligue 1

Mbappe leads 10-men PSG to hard fought win at Le Havre

 Arouna Sangante of Le Havre, Kylian Mbappe of PSG in action during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Le Havre AC (HAC) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Oceane on December 3, 2023 in Le Havre, France. Paris Saint-Germain ground out a tense 2-0 victory away to Le Havre on Sunday courtesy of strikes by Kylian Mbappe and Vitinha, after ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saw red early on.Despite the two-goal win, PSG had to show great resilience to keep the hosts at bay and move four points clear of second-placed Nice in the table.After going down to 10 men in the 10th minute, a fine Mbappe goal, his 15th in the league this season, gave the embattled visitors the lead, but the points were only wrapped up right at the end when Portuguese midfielder Vitinha doubled the score with one...
LALIGA

Felix’s Barcelona strike sinks parent club Atletico

 Joao Felix of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-0 with Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona, Raphinha of FC Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona, Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on December 3, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.The law of the ex has returned to haunt Atletico Madrid, with Joao Felix scoring against his parent club to give Barcelona a 1-0 win in La Liga.Felix, at Barca on loan from Atletico after falling out with the Madrid club last season, scored with a neat shot over goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the 28th minute to give Barcelona victory.The result put Barca back within four points of leaders Girona and Real Madrid, who both won on Saturday.Felix rec...
BUNDESLIGA

Leaders Leverkusen hit back to draw at home to Dortmund

 Bayer Leverkusen's Nigerian forward #22 Victor Boniface (R hidden) celebrates scoring the 1-1 goal with teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund in Leverkusen, western Germany, on December 3, 2023.A late Victor Boniface leveller has maintained Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten record in the Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund.With second-placed Bayern Munich's home game against bottom side Union Berlin postponed on Saturday due to snow, Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen had an unexpected chance to extend their lead at the top.But they were stunned in the sleet after just five minutes when Norway full-back Julian Ryerson netted after a fine team move by fifth-placed Dortmund.The hosts dominated but could n...
SERIE A

Inter put three past Napoli to clinch convincing away victory

 Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 3, 2023 in Naples, Italy. It was not a good evening for Napoli on Sunday as they were comprehensively defeated by Inter in their Serie A clash. A fourth league defeat at the Stadio Diego Maradona, and a fifth consecutive game in all competitions without a win, leaves them 11 points off the title pace in only the first week of December. For Inter, it was a night to remember with three goals and a fine display.A clinical, confident Inter went to town in Naples, scoring three goals worthy of champions against the defending Serie A title holders.Napoli will wish they cou...
LALIGA

Real Madrid top of LaLiga after win over Granada

 Brahim Diaz (2ndL) of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal with teammates Antonio Rudiger (L) Ferland Mendy (2ndL), Rodrygo Goes (2ndR) and Joselu Mato (R) during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Granada CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 02, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid returned to the top of the LaLiga table with a 2-0 win against struggling Granada.Rodrygo continued his impressive scoring streak with his seventh goal in his last five Real appearances to seal victory at the Bernabeu following Brahim Diaz’s first-half opener.It means Real are now tied on 38 points with Girona at the top after Cristhian Stuani’s late brace saw the latter beat Valencia 2-1.Hugo Duro gave Valencia the lead and they looked set to see out the win, ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Gordon goal gives Newcastle win over Man Utd

 Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring the opening goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 2, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Anthony Gordon scored a 55th-minute winner as Newcastle United outplayed and defeated Manchester United for the second time in just over a month.But the victory came at a price as goalkeeper Nick Pope suffered what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury.In-form Gordon tapped in Kieran Trippier's low cross at the far post to give Newcastle a richly deserved success that took them above their opponents and to within reach of the Premier League's top four.It came 31 days after Eddie Howe's side recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory at OId Trafford in the...
SERIE A

Juventus go top of Serie A after dramatic finish at Monza

 Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus during the Serie A TIM match between AC Monza and Juventus at U-Power Stadium on December 1, 2023 in Monza, Italy. Juventus ended Monza's unbeaten home record in Serie A this season after a thrilling finale crowned with a 94th-minute winner on Friday, as they leapfrogged Inter Milan into top spot.Juventus' 2-1 victory was an uninspiring affair bookended by moments of great drama in the first 15 and last five minutes, with a 91st-minute Valentin Carboni equalizer, that looked to have saved Monza a draw, before Federico Gatti struck to wrestle back the spoils three minutes later.Nine minutes into the meeting, Georgios Kyriakopoulos pulled on Federico Chiesa's shirt in the box and the referee deemed it enough to be a penalty.Dusan Vlahovic's resulting wea...
NEWS

Liverpool pass Europa League group stage by beating Austrian club Lask 4-0

 Ivan Ljubic of LASK and Luis Diaz of Liverpool during the UEFA Europa League Group E fixture between Liverpool and LASK at Anfield on November 30, 2023 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool beat Austrian club LASK 4-0 in a UEFA Europa League Group E match on Thursday.Colombian forward Luis Diaz's header brought an early lead to the hosts in the 12th minute. Then just three minutes later, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo’s tap in of Mohamed Salah's assist made it 2-0 at Anfield.Egyptian star Salah then took the stage in the second half as the skipper netted his 119th goal for the Reds with an accurate low shot in the 51st minute.Gakpo scored another one with a good shot to the top corner in the 92nd minute and the match ended 4-0.Liverpool top Group E with 12 points and passed the group stage...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Palmer given new Chelsea role as Pochettino faces two issues before Brighton tie

 Chelsea's Cole Palmer gives a thumbs up to a fan during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea FC at St. James Park on November 25, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Mauricio Pochettino has been dealt a major headache ahead of Chelsea's clash against Brighton this weekend. The Blues will welcome the Seagulls to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as either side looks to climb the Premier League table.Chelsea will be keen to return to winning ways following a disappointing defeat to Newcastle United. The west Londoners had gone on a decent run up until their visit to St. James' Park, picking up a win over Tottenham Hotspur and getting a hard-fought point from Manchester City.As for Roberto De Zerbi's side, they're unbeaten in four Premier League ...
Champions League

Arsenal win Champions League group with Lens rout

 Kai Havertz of Arsenal scores his side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and RC Lens at Emirates Stadium on November 29, 2023 in London, England. Arsenal reached the Champions League knockouts as group winners by thumping Lens at Emirates Stadium.The Gunners scored five in a phenomenal first-half display as they reach the last 16 in their first appearance in the competition for seven years.Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard all scored in the first half, before Jorginho added a late penalty.Arsenal progress from Group B alongside PSV Eindhoven, with Lens out."I didn't even dream like this," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "The team from the beginning showed a lot of aggression and determination t...
Champions League

Man Utd let two-goal lead slip in classic match with Galatasaray

 Andre Onana of Manchester United interacts with Lucas Torreira of Galatasaray AS during the Group A - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Manchester United at the Ali Sami Yen Arena on November 29, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey.Manchester United's Champions League hopes suffered another setback as a horror show from goalkeeper Andre Onana allowed Galatasaray to earn a draw in a classic match in Istanbul.Erik ten Hag's side did so much right and twice held a two-goal lead but errors from Onana threw Galatasaray lifelines to leave United bottom of Group A with their hopes of reaching the knockout phase in the balance before their final game at home to Bayern Munich.If Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena later on Wednesday, Manchester United will be kn...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool suffer double injury blow as star player targets return vs Man United

Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 04, 2023 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool have suffered a double injury blow with goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota sidelined ahead of next month's Premier League showdown with Manchester United.Jota is set to miss the Anfield match with United but Liverpool are hopeful Allison will be fit to face Erik ten Hag's side. The goalkeeper picked up a hamstring injury during the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad.Liverpool expect him to miss five games with the United fixture the targeted return date for the Brazil international. Forward Jota also suffered a hamstring problem early in the second half. He has scored eight goals in 17 appearances this term.Liverpo...
TRANSFERS

Report: Real Madrid keeping tabs on Jobe Bellingham

 Sunderland player Jobe Bellingham in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Birmingham City at Stadium of Light on November 11, 2023 in Sunderland, England.Real Madrid are reportedly keeping a close eye on Jobe Bellingham's performances at Sunderland.The 18-year-old is the younger brother of Jude Bellingham, who completed a big-money move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund during the summer transfer window.Jude Bellingham has been in outstanding form for Los Blancos this term, scoring 14 goals and registering three assists in 15 appearances in all competitions.The England international started his career at Birmingham City before moving to Dortmund, spending three years with the German side ahead of his switch to the Spanish capital.Jobe Bellingham, me...
TRANSFERS

Liverpool target European star that did this against Man City

 Lois Openda of Belgium during the Group F - UEFA EURO 2024 European Qualifiers match between Belgium and Azerbaijan at King Baudouin Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.RB Leipzig forward Lois Openda starred against Manchester City in the Champions League - and Liverpool are keen on him.Openda, 23, scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season at the Etihad Stadium as his side fell to a late 3-2 loss against the reigning European champions, but he stood out.He gave the German side a shock 2-0 lead after two well-taken first-half goals but goals from Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez saw his side beaten on the night.Amid the plaudits he received from the footballing world last night, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Liverpool are one of the ...
Champions League

UEFA Champions League: Barcelona, Dortmund, Atletico and Lazio into last-16

 Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona celebrates the victory during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v FC Porto at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on November 28, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Lazio all qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League on Tuesday.Manchester City bounced back from 2-0 down to beat RB Leipzig with both teams already qualified, while Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle drew 1-1 and both need a result on matchday six to go through.Atletico Madrid booked their place with a sumptuous volley from defender Mario Hermoso and two own goals firing them to a thrilling 3-1 win over Dutch champions Feyenoord.“I am very happy for the players. Today, we knew how difficult our opponent would be,” ...
Champions League

Late Immobile double ends Celtic’s Euro ambitions

 Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio celebrates the victory after the UEFA Champions League match between SS Lazio and Celtic FC at Stadio Olimpico on November 28, 2023 in Rome, Italy. Celtic's European hopes ended in frustrating fashion after substitute Ciro Immobile's late double denied them what would have been a creditable draw with Lazio.Brendan Rodgers' side needed to win to preserve any hope of progression in the Champions League, or even the consolation of a Europa League spot. And while the Scottish Premiership side were resilient in Rome, they struggled to eke out chances.Lazio endured an exasperating evening themselves but ultimately could rely on the quality of Immobile.The Italy striker flashed a deflected Gustav Isaksen cross past Joe Hart in the 82nd minute, then capitalised...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool predicted lineup vs LASK – Europa League

 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Manchester, England.Liverpool have another chance of securing their place in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday night when LASK visit Anfield.For that to happen, Liverpool must better Toulouse's Matchday 5 result. The Reds play host to bottom-dwellers LASK, while the French side host Union Saint-Gilloise.Jurgen Klopp's men are still in a very strong position to avoid the extra two games that come with finishing second in the group and entering the knockout round playoff. They're two points ahead of Toulouse and four points from their remaining fixtures will confirm their status as group winners.Klopp will once again ...
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