March 2024 – Page 11 – Football Flame

14Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Man Utd could demand three exciting PSG stars to sweeten Marcus Rashford deal

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on March 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. Paris Saint-Germain reportedly plan to make a second attempt at luring Marcus Rashford away from Manchester United with a £75million offer in the summer transfer window. The Ligue 1 giants are searching for a worthy successor to Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe, and they have already looked to sign Rashford as recently as last year.But United are claimed to value the 26-year-old closer to £100m, which could require PSG to add one of their current forwards to sweeten a deal if they can't meet the asking price.Express Sport runs through three potential options to make up what would be a stellar striker switch-up at the dawn of t...

14Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Uncategorized

Gavi’s woes after Barcelona vs Napoli sting the heart – report

(L-R) Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona, Pedri Gonzalez of FC Barcelona, Gavi of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Napoli at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on March 12, 2024 in Barcelona Spain.The aftermath of the latest FC Barcelona victory was nothing but joy in the Montjuic Stadium. Defeating Napoli with a 3-1 scoreline, the home crowd was exuberant, to say the least. As a result, the Barcelona team could not help but join in as well.Jumping together, cheering with the fans, and acknowledging their support, FC Barcelona once again felt like FC Barcelona. Despite being away from the warm embrace of Camp Nou, Barça have still managed to temporarily hold onto their home on top of the magical mountain.Yet, if there was one moment of sadness in the co...

14Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Messi, Suarez lead the way as Inter Miami beats Nashville in CONCACAF Champions Cup

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with Ian Fray #24 oafter scoring a goal in the 23rd minute against the Nashville SC during the first half in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match at Chase Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi had a goal and an assist in his return to Inter Miami's lineup Wednesday night, leading the way in a 3-1 win over Nashville in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 matchup.Messi found his former Barcelona teammate, Luis Suárez , in stride for a goal that opened scoring in the eighth minute. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner then added a first-half goal to give Inter Miami an early 2-0 lead.The Argentine superstar checked out of the match in the 50th minute. It wasn't immediately clear why Mess...

14Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG’s Mbappe delivers in Coupe de France

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain walks in the field during the French Cup (Coupe de France) quarterfinal match between Paris Saint-Germain and OGC Nice at Parc des Princes on March 13, 2024 in Paris, France.Luis Enrique is starting to see a return on his treatment of Kylian Mbappe after the France international scored in a 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain win over OGC Nice to reach the Coupe de France semifinals. Mbappe, Fabian Ruiz and Lucas Beraldo all tallied to render Gaetan Laborde's effort nothing more than consolation and now Les Parisiens face Stade Rennais for a place in the final ahead of what could be a domestic double at the end of this season.After he was left out of the starting XI for the 2-2 draw with Stade de Reims last Sunday, Mbappe was recalled by Luis Enrique and made...

14Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Jadon Sancho sends message to Man Utd after sending Dortmund through to quarter-finals

Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund celebrate victory in the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven at Signal Iduna Park on March 13, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.Jadon Sancho thanked Borussia Dortmund for ‘believing’ in him after sending the German giants through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw away at PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their last 16 clash but Sancho’s goal after just three minutes saw them tighten their grip on the tie on Wednesday night.The winger, who returned to the club on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, found the back of the net with a low effort from the edge of the box.Marco Reus wrapped up the win in the sec...

14Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Bournemouth complete stunning comeback against Luton

Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Dominic Solanke during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town at Vitality Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. Antoine Semenyo scored twice as Bournemouth produced a stunning second-half display to recover from three goals down and beat Luton 4-3.On an evening that saw Tom Lockyer return to the Vitality Stadium to thank the medical staff who had helped to save his life 88 days earlier, when this fixture was abandoned after the Luton captain suffered a cardiac arrest, the hosts’ rousing response put a huge dent in the Hatters’ survival hopes.Luton raced into a commanding lead at half-time before a dramatic second-half showing from Andoni Iraola’s side saw th...

13Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich accept UEFA punishment ahead of Champions League quarter-final

Mathys Tel of FC Bayern Muenchen at Saebener Strasse training ground on March 12, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich will play the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie without fans after supporter unrest during the last 16 clash with Lazio.Earlier this year, Bayern were fined and hit with a two-year suspended sentence after fans set off fireworks during the group stage clash with Copenhagen, but the Lazio game was also marred by similar events as fireworks were thrown on to the pitch.Having breached the terms of their probation by repeating the behaviour, Bayern have accepted a ban for their away fans in the next round of the competition.Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: "We have to accept this punishment. Not only were pyrotechnics set off, but also fired del...

13Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Sarri hands in resignation at Lazio

Maurizio Sarri of SS Lazio looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between FC Bayern München and SS Lazio at Allianz Arena on March 5, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Maurizio Sarri has decided to resign at Lazio as a result of their poor form, communicating his decision to the club’s management.The Biancocelesti picked up their 12th defeat of the Serie A season on Monday evening, falling to relegation candidates Udinese in a 2-1 loss at the Stadio Olimpico. Tensions were high after the full time whistle and the squad were booed off the pitch by the remaining fans.Lazio president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani decided to call the squad into a training camp, wanting things to turn around ahead of the final 10 games of the season. The club ...

13Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Brazil’s Vinicius uses football to stimulate young Brazilian minds

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid runs with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 10, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.Perched on football-patterned cushions on classroom floors of artificial grass, they learn on tablets and smartphones using an app created by the Vini Jr Institute, started by the Real Madrid athlete to improve public education in disadvantaged communities."I learn better when I use the app, it's easier, it looks like a game," 11-year-old Ana Clara da Silva told AFP in Sao Goncalo, Vinicius's birthplace on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.Da Silva attends the Visconde de Sepetiba municipal school, one of ten in four Brazilian states to have received educational aid from the institute.Some 4,500 students a...

13Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Xavi speaks out on Barcelona future after win over Napoli

Xavi Hernandez, head coach of FC Barcelona shake hands with Marc Andre Ter Stegen of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has provided a fresh insight into his plans beyond the summer, on the back of guiding his side into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Barca, of course, were back in action late on Tuesday night, welcoming Serie A champions Napoli to Catalunya for the 2nd leg of the Last-16 tie between the clubs. And, when all was said and done, the Blaugrana did enough to march on, thanking goals on the part of all of Fermín López, João Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski for an event...

13Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal fans “Made us win” against Porto

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, and David Raya of Arsenal embrace at full-time after victory in the penalty shoot out following the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024 in London, England.Mikel Arteta thanked Arsenal fans for playing a significant role in Tuesday's dramatic win over Porto in the UEFA Champions League.The Gunners won 1-0 in 90 minutes thanks to a goal from Leandro Trossard. But Porto had won the first leg 1-0 last month so the tie went to extra time and then a penalty shootout at the Emirates Stadium.In front of a 60,257-strong crowd, Arteta's side eventually prevailed 4-2 in the shootout.Odegaard, Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all hit the net from 12 yards, but Gunners keep...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mason Mount returns to Man United training

Mason Mount of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on December 27, 2023 in Manchester, England. Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount is nearing a comeback after returning to training following four months out with a calf injury.The England star was pictured in training with the squad at Carrington on Tuesday, having not played for United since the 1-0 win over Luton Town on Nov. 11.Mount is unlikely to be ready to make his comeback against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinal at Old Trafford on Sunday. However, there is hope that he might be fit to return for the trip to Brentford on March 30 after the international break.Mount has endured a frustrating first season at United following his £55 million move ($69.4m) from Ch...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chilwell, Nkunku – Chelsea injury news and return dates after Newcastle win

Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on March 1, 2024 in Cobham, England. Chelsea ensured they would enter their FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester at the weekend on a high after beating Newcastle 3-2 in an important Premier League clash in the race for the European places. Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Mykhailo Mudryk got the job done for Mauricio Pochettino's side.The victory wasn't enough to lift the Blues out of the bottom half of the table ahead of the upcoming international break but they won't drop further down the league either. They are also just one point from Newcastle now with a game in hand.Chelsea remain within touching distance of seventh-placed West Ham (four points ahead having played a...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Kyle Walker becomes latest player to make big Liverpool mistake opponents never learn from

Luis Diaz of Liverpool and Kyle Walker of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on March 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Manchester City captain Kyle Walker was as good as his word. But, ultimately, it made absolutely no difference to Liverpool."If I play and I win the coin toss, I'm flipping them," the England man had said ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown at Anfield, and promptly did so having correctly called how the throw from referee Michael Oliver would land.Small margins are often decisive in such seismic fixtures - such as a dismissed last-minute penalty shout - and tradition dictates Liverpool would much rather be kicking towards the Kop in the second half.However, Walker appears to have ove...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Dortmund and Terzic host PSV with future on the line

Edin Terzic, Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund, arrives at the stadium prior to the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund at Wohninvest Weserstadion on March 09, 2024 in Bremen, Germany. Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic will know his job is on the line against PSV Eindhoven in Wednesday's last-16 second leg at home.A 1-1 draw in the Netherlands makes the assignment simple: the winner in Dortmund will progress to the last eight.Born and raised on Dortmund's outskirts, Terzic's story of the childhood BVB fan whose first head coaching job was at his favourite club is the stuff of fairytales.Winning the German Cup as interim boss in 2021 before getting Dortmund closer to a league title last season than anyone since Jurgen Klopp, losing out on goal di...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Report: Bayern Munich schedule contract talks with Real Madrid-linked Alphonso Davies

Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern München reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on March 09, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich have reportedly scheduled fresh contract talks for Real Madrid target Alphonso Davies.The left-back has less than 18 months left on his Bayern contract, and there has been little success in contract negotiations between the two parties.As a result, Davies's future has become the subject of much speculation, with Real Madrid emerging as the front-runners to secure his signature.There was a suggestion that Davies had already reached a verbal agreement to complete a move to the Spanish capital in the summer or in 2025.Davies's agent Nedal Househ has since stated that there is currently no agreement...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Arsenal full squad for Porto as Mikel Arteta to make Gabriel Martinelli decision

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates with Kai Havertz, Jakub Kiwior and Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Arsenal FC at Bramall Lane on March 04, 2024 in Sheffield, England. Mikel Arteta is close to having the ideal set-up ahead of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Porto on Tuesday. The Gunners are aiming to overturn a one-goal deficit having lost the away clash two weeks ago.Having been out of Europe for such a long period, and the record in the early to mid-2010s being middling at best, it is the biggest night at the Emirates Stadium for some time. Coming off the back of an emotional but crucial 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday, Arteta is set to have almost his entire squad available.Having welcomed back key trio G...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City’s Ederson Set For A Month Out

Ederson of Manchester City (C) is consoled by Darwin Nunez of Liverpool after a collision with him resulted in an injury requiring his substitution during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on March 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is set to miss a crucial clash against Arsenal in the Premier League title race due to a thigh injury as he faces up to a month out. The Brazilian hurt himself when conceding a penalty during City's 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday. Ederson stayed on the field for the resulting spot-kick, which Alexis Mac Allister scored to cancel out John Stones' opener, but needed to be substituted soon after by Stefan Ortega. Arsenal lead the Premier League on goal difference from Liverpool with th...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Serie A survival hopes improve for Udinese at Lazio

Daichi Kamada of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Lorenzo Lucca of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A TIM match between SS Lazio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on March 11, 2024 in Rome, Italy. Udinese have taken a big step away from the Serie A relegation zone by beating Lazio 2-1 on the road.Udinese's only previous win this year was at Juventus, surprisingly. That dismal run brought them just seven points from a possible 27 and sitting in 17th place, one spot above the drop.Monday night's (Tuesday AEDT) victory, just their fourth of a disappointing campaign, lifted the visitors to 27 points and four places to 13th, while Lazio remained ninth on 40.All three goals came in a five-minute burst early in the second half.Udinese took the lead after 47 minutes when Lorenzo L...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Getafe star forward ruled out for rest of the season as meniscus problem is discovered

Borja Mayoral of Getafe CF is helped off after taking a knock during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and UD Las Palmas at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on March 02, 2024 in Getafe, Spain. Getafe forward Borja Mayoral was unlikely to be much of a factor for the rest of the season, due to the knee injury he suffered against Las Palmas just over a week ago. He was predicted to be out for two to three months, giving him a slim chance of being back for the final games of the season, but he has now been ruled out for at least four.Mayoral, 26, was enjoying the best season of his career, and his 15 La Liga goals were more than any other Spanish player in the division, and just one shy of Jude Bellingham in the Pichichi race. He was also in the Spain preliminary squad fo...