2023 – Page 56 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Year: 2023

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Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins, PREMIER LEAGUE

Villa victory returns Everton to bottom three

 Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the team's first goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on February 25, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Ollie Watkins continued his excellent form in the Premier League as Aston Villa's 2-0 victory sent Everton back into the relegation zone.Striker Watkins netted for a fifth consecutive league game, thumping home a second-half penalty after former Villa midfielder Idrissa Gueye tripped John McGinn in the box. It is a costly defeat for Sean Dyche's men, who return to the bottom three after West Ham United and Leeds United both collected three points. Toffees players and supporters will have left Goodison Park wondering how they went home empty handed, having spurned t...
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Marcus Thuram, TRANSFERS

Marcus Thuram ‘offered to Barcelona on free transfer’

 Marcus Thuram of Borussia Moenchengladbach celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern München at Borussia-Park on February 18, 2023 in Moenchengladbach, Germany.Barcelona have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram. The Catalan giants are currently enjoying a mixed campaign, despite their dominance at the top of the La Liga standings. After an early exit from the Champions League in the group stages, Barcelona were dumped out of the Europa League in the last 32 by Manchester United on Thursday night. As a result, the Spanish outfit will miss out on important continental revenue which they allegedly budgeted for when going on a spending spree last summ...
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Javi Gracia, Leeds United, PREMIER LEAGUE

Javi Gracia ‘An easy decision to accept Leeds United challenge’

Former Watford manager Javi Gracia is seen prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Watford FC at St. James Park on August 31, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.Javi Gracia has acknowledged that it was an “easy” decision to accept the Leeds United managerial vacancy and he is relishing the “challenge” of attempting to steer the club away from the Premier League relegation zone. The 52-year-old was appointed the Whites’ new permanent manager on Tuesday, penning a “flexible contract”, just over two weeks after the dismissal of Jesse Marsch. Leeds have since confirmed that Gracia has been granted a work visa and will take charge of his first game on Saturday at home against Premier League basement club Southampton, who have confirmed the appointment of Ruben Se...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Manchester United

Man Utd draw Real Betis, Arsenal play Sporting

 A view of the draw results as shown on the big screen following the UEFA Europa League 2022/23 round of 16 draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on February 24, 2023, in Nyon, Switzerland.Manchester United will play Real Betis in the Europa League last 16 after overcoming Barcelona, while Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon. United beat the La Liga leaders 2-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday to seal a 4-3 aggregate win in the play-off tie. Arsenal will play the second leg of their tie at home after qualifying as group winners, while Manchester United host Betis at Old Trafford first. The Europa League last-16 ties will take place on 9 and 16 March. Premier League leaders Arsenal avoided the knockout round play-offs by topping Group A with five wins from their six ga...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Juventus, Manchester United, ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Man United storm into Europa League last 16 as Juventus, Roma march on

Antony celebrates victory with Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United at full time during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg two match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford on February 23, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United edged out Barcelona to reach the Europa League last 16 on Thursday where they were joined by fellow heavyweights Juventus and Roma.After the first leg of their play-off ended 2-2 in Spain, United got the better of Barcelona at Old Trafford to progress 4-3 on aggregate with Antony securing the winner.Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty had given Barca the perfect start but La Liga leaders were again undone with the step up to the European stage as Fred levelled early in the second period.Antony then delivered his bigges...
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Ligue 1, Marseille, PSG

Marseille targets French title as leader PSG pays visit

Lionel Messi of PSG, Alexis Sanchez of Marseille (left) during the French Cup football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Velodrome stadium on February 8, 2023 in Marseille, France.Marseille has a genuine chance at winning the French title for the first time since 2010, especially if it beats league leader Paris Saint-Germain at home on Sunday. Victory at a packed and vociferous Stade Velodrome stadium against bitter rival PSG would bring second-place Marseille to within two points of the defending champion. “The title? Of course we’re thinking about it,” Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba said after the team’s victory over Toulouse on Sunday. Marseille’s tally of 52 points is its best top-flight tally after 24 games. Confidence is growing in coach ...
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NEWS, Sergio Ramos, Spain

Sergio Ramos retires from Spain duty after coach call

Sergio Ramos warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session on February 23, 2023 in Paris, France.Sergio Ramos retired from international duty with Spain on Thursday, saying new coach Luis de la Fuente told him he did not count on him. The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 European Championship with La Roja, last played for Spain in March 2021. Ramos, who turns 37 in March, published an open letter on social media in which he indicated the new coach forced his hand. “The time has come, the time to say goodbye to the national team, our beloved and exciting Roja,” wrote Ramos. “This morning I received a call from the current coach who told me that he does not and will not count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my car...
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Karim Benzema, Real Madrid, UCL, Vinicius Jr

Young Vinicius, veteran Benzema make perfect duo for Madrid

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates with team-mate Vinicius Junior after scoring their side's fifth goal of the game during the Champions League round of 16 match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Tuesday February 21, 2023.Youth and experience. Speed and calmness. And lots of goals. The 22-year-old Vinicius Junior and veteran Karim Benzema are proving to be ideal attacking partners for Real Madrid, teaming up to perfection to keep the European champion thriving. The duo came up big again in Madrid’s stunning recovery in the Champions League on Tuesday, scoring two goals each in the 5-2 come-from-behind win at Liverpool in the first leg of the round of 16. They both also had an assist — for each other — as Madrid rallied from two goals down to take a commanding lead into the second ...
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Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Riyad Mahrez, UCL

Mahrez scores but Man City held by Leipzig in Germany

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City at Red Bull Arena on February 22, 2023 in Leipzig, Germany.Manchester City paid the price for failing to make the most of their first-half dominance as they were held to a draw by RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The away side were in complete control in the first 45 minutes and got the breakthrough midway through the half when Ilkay Gundogan pounced on a mistake in defence and fed Riyad Mahrez to drive into the back of the net. But RB Leipzig came out in the second half with more ambition and twice went close to equalising early on through Benjamin Henrichs, who first headed just over before then sweeping wide with ju...
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Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, UCL

Lukaku gives Inter first-leg win over 10-man Porto

Romelu Lukaku of Internazionale (C) celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between FC Internazionale and FC Porto at San Siro Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal as Inter Milan beat 10-man Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Lukaku converted a rebound after his first effort had bounced off the post in the 86th minute at the San Siro. Porto had a double chance at 0-0, but Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana denied both Zaidu Sanusi and Mehdi Taremi. The visitors had Otavio sent off in the 78th minute for two bookable offences and could not keep Inter out. The second leg takes place at Porto's Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday, 14 March. Lukaku, who has played for Chelsea, West ...
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Carlo Ancelotti, LALIGA, UCL

Carlo Ancelotti admits he will ‘think about’ new approach for Liverpool clash

Dani Carvajal, player of Real Madrid, is training with his teammates ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Liverpool FC at Anfield on February 20, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid know exactly what to expect when they face Liverpool – and is confident Reds nemesis Vinicius Jr will not be affected by the ongoing racism storm in Spain.The Spanish giants are at Anfield on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Jurgen Klopp’s side.It is a rematch of last season’s final, which Real won 1-0. The La Liga outfit also defeated Liverpool in the quarter-finals in 2021 and the final in 2018, while Ancelotti led them to home and away successes in the group stage back in 2014/15.And the former Everton boss said:...
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Borja Mayoral, Getafe, LALIGA

Getafe beat Valencia in La Liga relegation scrap

 Borja Mayoral of Getafe CF celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Getafe CF and Valencia CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on February 20, 2023 in Getafe, Spain.New coach, same disappointing result for Valencia.In the debut of coach Ruben Baraja, struggling Valencia have lost at Getafe 1-0 on Monday for their fifth straight loss in Spain’s La Liga, and sixth in a row in all competitions. Striker Borja Mayoral scored his first goal since January in the 82nd minute to end Getafe’s seven-match winless streak in all competitions and move the team out of the relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference. The result dropped Valencia to second last, two points from safety, and is expected to add fuel to the protests from fans against Singaporea...
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Ligue 1, NEWS, Neymar, PSG

Neymar injury blow: PSG superstar in race against time for Bayern tie

 Neymar Junior of Paris Saint Germain (C) lies injured during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille OSC at Parc des Princes on February 19, 2023 in Paris, France.“Oh, not again!” Neymar must have cursed his luck from the depths of his heart when the Paris Saint-Germain superstar landed awkwardly on his ankle after being tackled by Lille defensive midfielder Benjamin Andre during their Ligue 1 clash on Sunday.It is the same right ankle that has caused Neymar severe problems in recent years. The world’s most expensive footballer has sustained ankle injuries in 2018, 2019 and 2021, forcing him to miss Champions League ties against Manchester United and Real Madrid. The Brazil striker also had similar ankle troubles at the World Cup in Qatar, which kept him sidelined f...
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Borussia Monchengladbach, BUNDESLIGA, Marcus Thuram

Borussia Monchengladbach confirm decision on Marcus Thuram future

Marcus Thuram of Borussia Mönchengladbach looks on during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Olympiastadion on February 12, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed their decision to let highly-rated striker Marcus Thuram to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season. Thuram, who was part of France’s squad that reached the final at the 2022 World Cup, has scored 14 goals in all competitions so far this season and has 42 in 124 games for Gladbach since joining from yo-yo French club Guingamp in 2019. The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. With significant interest around Europe, Gladbach had been hoping to sell Thuram during the recent January transfer window and at least command a transfer ...
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Borussia Dortmund, BUNDESLIGA, Karim Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi sidelined for several weeks following injury

Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund crosses the ball into the box for Donyell Malen ( not pictured ) to score their side's second goal, as they hold their leg before becoming injured, during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hertha BSC at Signal Iduna Park on February 19, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany.Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Karim Adeyemi will be missing for up to three weeks, following an injury sustained in a 4-1 win against Hertha Berlin last Sunday. Having opened the scoring on Sunday, Adeyemi sustained his injury when he assisted the second goal after a speedy run and cross for Donyell Malen. Just as the 21-year-old crossed the ball, he fell to the floor holding his leg. Immediately, everyone knew something was wrong. The official diagnosis is a pulled musc...
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LALIGA, Marco Asensio, Real Madrid

Real stumble past Osasuna before Liverpool’s League trip

 Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates with his teammates Alvaro Rodriguez of Real Madrid after scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid CF at El Sadar Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Pamplona, Spain.Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio scored as Real Madrid struggled to beat Osasuna 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, just three days before they head to Liverpool in the Champions League. Uruguay midfielder Valverde and Spain winger Asensio netted in the final quarter of an hour in Pamplona to cut Barcelona’s advantage to five points at the top of the table before the Catalans host lowly Cadiz on Sunday. Ballon d´Or winner Karim Benzema was missing from Real’s matchday squad as coach Carlo Ancelotti rested the France attacker ahead of Tu...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Xavi Hernandez

Xavi admits to Barcelona fatigue ahead of Manchester United trip

Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Cadiz FC at the Spotify Camp Nou on February 19, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.Xavi is concerned by player fatigue following Barcelona’s 2-0 home win over Cadiz. La Blaugrana took their chance to extend a growing title advantage to eight points ahead of Real Madrid with a straightforward victory at the Camp Nou. Goals from Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski sealed all three points for the Catalans ahead of a busy run of matches across all competitions. Xavi’s charges head to Manchester United in their Europa League last 16 play off second leg in midweek and the Barcelona head coach made sweeping changes against Cadiz. He opted to bring in six fresh faces on the night, with a host of second half chan...
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Emerson Royal, PREMIER LEAGUE, Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham into top four with win over West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian defender Emerson Royal (2R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 19, 2023. Tottenham moved into the top four of the Premier League thanks to a home victory over struggling West Ham, who remain in the relegation zone.The Spurs wing-backs linked up for the first goal of the game, with Ben Davies releasing Emerson Royal to shoot into the bottom corner.West Ham had an immediate chance to equalise but Jarrod Bowen’s powerful effort, after he outpaced Cristian Romero, was well saved by home goalkeeper Fraser Forster.Spurs substitute Son Heung-min scored four minutes after coming on when he raced onto Harry Kane’s thro...
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Ciro Immobile, Lazio, SERIE A

Immobile double shoots Lazio into top four at Salernitana

Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Serie A match between Salernitana and SS Lazio at Stadio Arechi on February 19, 2023 in Salerno, Italy.Ciro Immobile struck twice as Lazio took advantage of an Atalanta slip-up with Sunday’s 2-0 win at Salernitana which moved his team provisionally into Serie A’s Champions League places. Italy forward Immobile tapped in Lazio’s opener from Adam Marusic’s cross on the hour mark in Salerno and nine minutes later slotted home a perfect penalty after being fouled by the hosts’ goalkeeper Luigi Sepe. Lazio moved up to fourth on 42 points thanks to Immobile’s brace, which came after his winner against Cluj in the Europa League on Thursday. Immobile has struggled with injuries but is on eight league strikes for the season, t...
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Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford scores double as Man Utd beat Leicester

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the team's second goal with teammate Wout Weghorst during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on February 19, 2023 in Manchester, England.Marcus Rashford scored twice to continue his hot streak and help Manchester United overcome Leicester in the Premier League. Rashford is in the form of his career and is leading United’s resurgence, taking his tally to 24 for the season with goals in each half at Old Trafford. Both efforts were clinical finishes, latching on to passes from Bruno Fernandes and Fred before bearing down on goal and coolly slotting past Danny Ward. Substitute Jadon Sancho finished off a fine team move to seal all three points for Erik ten Hag’s side, but it could h...
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