2023 – Page 64 – Football Flame

4Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Manchester United, PREMIER LEAGUE, Rafael Leao

Serie A: AC Milan beat Salernitana to close gap on leaders Napoli

Rafael Leao of AC MIlan competes for the ball with Ivan Radovanovic of Salernitana, during the Serie A match between Salernitana and AC MIlan at Stadio Arechi on January 4, 2023 in Salerno, Italy. AC Milan won 2-1 at Salernitana on Wednesday to resume the Serie A season by closing to within five points of league leaders Napoli. First-half strikes from Rafael Leao and Sandro Tonali in Salerno moved the champions up to 36 points, closing the gap on Napoli who face Inter Milan at the San Siro in the day’s late match. Federico Bonazzoli pulled a goal back with seven minutes remaining for mid-table Salernitana after new goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made a host of saves to deny Milan a wider margin of victory at the Stadio Arechi. Veteran Mexico international Ochoa moved to the southern Itali...

4Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

ARSENAL FC, Joelinton, Newcastle United, PREMIER LEAGUE

Arteta fumes as Newcastle hold Arsenal 0-0

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal sees a chance saved by Nick Pope of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 03, 2023 in London, England.Arsenal were hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points but found themselves drawn into an attritional and dogged encounter by a Newcastle United side with top four ambitions of their own. Chances were at a premium and Newcastle’s Joelinton arguably wasted the best of all when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy in first-half stoppage time. Arsenal went close through defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli, who both sent headers narrowly off target, while Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made a crucial late save with his legs from Eddie Nketiah. The ...

3Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Romelu Lukaku, SERIE A, Victor Osimhen

Lukaku hails Osimhen as the “best striker” ahead of Napoli match

Victor Osimhen (9) SSC Napoli 1926 control the ball during the Italian Championship Serie A 2022/2023 football match between SSC Napoli vs Empoli F.C. on November 8, 2022 at the Stadium Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy.Lukaku has not been at his best for Inter Milan since his return from Chelsea, but he acknowledges Nigeria International Osimhen is the best. Belgium striker, Romelu Lukaku, hails Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, ahead of Inter Milan’s clash with the league leaders Napoli. Following his impressive performance for Luciano Spalletti’s squad, the Belgian believes the Super Eagles forward is the best striker and man of the moment. This, however, follows comments made recently by Italian football legend Francesco Totti, who played exclusively for AS Roma, and former AC Mi...

3Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, NEWS, PSG

Paris Saint-Germain suffer first loss of season

Kylain Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the Ligue 1 match between RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on January 01, 2023 in Lens, France.Paris Saint-Germain, without World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Neymar, lost for the first time in any competition since March 20 last year when they were defeated 3-1 at Lens on Sunday. “Lens deserved their win,” said PSG coach Christophe Galtier. Lois Openda scored one and set up another as Lens, who have only lost once in Ligue 1 this season, closed the gap on PSG at the top to four points after 17 rounds. “We are happy to be four points behind,” said Lens coach Franck Haise. “This victory proves that we can beat anyone in this championship.” PSG’s last loss was more than nine months ago when they fell 3-0 at...

2Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ibrahima Konate, PREMIER LEAGUE

Brentford punish sloppy Liverpool for victory

Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool is put under pressure by Yoane Wissa of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at Brentford Community Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Brentford, England.Liverpool missed the chance to edge closer to the Premier League top four as Brentford punished their defensive frailties in a deserved victory at the Community Stadium. In a desperate first half, Liverpool shipped two poor goals amid an inspired performance from the hosts. The opener came when Ibrahima Konate deflected a corner into his own net after 19 minutes. Liverpool were unable to deal with Brentford’s set-pieces, conceding twice more from corners in the first half only for both goals to be ruled out for offside. Moments after the second disallowed effort from Yoan...

2Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Carlo Ancelotti, LALIGA

Carlo Ancelotti confirms two fitness concerns ahead of Cacereno Copa del Rey clash

Luka Modric and Alvaro Odriozola players of Real Madrid are training at Valdebebas training ground on January 01, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that both Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal are dealing with minor injuries which will keep them out of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey third-round clash with Cacereno. The duo both missed an open training session earlier on Monday, prompting concerns over their availability for both this game and upcoming La Liga clashes against the likes of Villarreal and Valencia. Asked for an explanation for the duo’s absences, Ancelotti confirmed that both Courtois and Carvajal were dealing with minor injuries and will play no part against Cacereno, although he expects both to recover in time to face Villarreal on Saturday. “They have small probl...

1Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Aston Villa, PREMIER LEAGUE

Villa win increases pressure on Spurs boss Conte

Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian defender Cristian Romero (L) vies with Aston Villa's English striker Ollie Watkins (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 1, 2023.Aston Villa increased the pressure on Tottenham manager Antonio Conte with victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. An error by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in his first game back since the World Cup allowed Emiliano Buendia to score before Douglas Luiz doubled the lead. A lacklustre Spurs, who fell out of the Premier League top four on Saturday, have now won only two of their past seven matches. Villa have won back-to-back away league games as they improve under Unai Emery. It appeared this contest would pit the two keepers who faced...

1Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Benoît Badiashile, TRANSFERS

Chelsea and Monaco reach agreement over Benoît Badiashile transfer

Benoit BADIASHILE of Monaco warms up prior to the French Ligue 1 Uber Eats soccer match between Auxerre and Monaco at Stade Abbe Deschamps on December 28, 2022 in Auxerre, France.The Athletic are reporting that Chelsea and AS Monaco have reached an agreement over the transfer of centre-back Benoît Badiashile (21). Badiashile has been the subject of negotiations between the two clubs in recent days, and according to The Athletic, an agreement has now been reached. Chelsea and Monaco have agreed on a fee of around €38m, and the French international centre-back is now set to sign a long-term deal with the Premier League club. As previously revealed by sources contacted by Get French Football News, the Monaco player had already established an agreement in principle over personal ter...

1Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Luis Suarez, TRANSFERS

Luis Suarez signs two-year deal with Brazilian club Gremio

Luis Suarez of Uruguay during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.Uruguayan international striker Luis Suarez has signed a two-year contract with Brazilian club Gremio, the Porto Alegre side announced on Saturday. The 35-year-old had returned to his boyhood club Nacional last summer, scoring eight goals in 14 matches to help them win the Uruguayan league title. Suarez played at the World Cup in Qatar without scoring as his country were eliminated in the group stages. “HE’S AT GREMIO! One of the greatest in the history of Uruguay, Luis Suarez arrives to continue his victorious journey, this time wearing our jersey!” Gremio posted on Twitter. “Scorer, multi-titled, warrior! Welcome, Luisito!” The ...