March 2024 – Page 2 – Football Flame

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Report: Bayern Munich accepting Xabi Alonso rejection, Julian Nagelsmann still in the picture

Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of Germany reacts during the international friendly match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium on March 23, 2024 in Lyon, France. Top managerial prospect Xabi Alonso has now made it clear that he would like to stay with Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season amidst heavy links to both Bayern Munich and Liverpool, both of whom are actively in search of a replacement manager.Now both clubs will have to turn their attention elsewhere.Per a recent update from Sky Sport’s Florian Plettenberg, Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann are currently the frontrunners in the now-smaller circle of candidates to replace Tuchel.In addition to Nagelsmann, De Zerbi, and Rangnick, Zinedine Zidane has al...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Jack Grealish points finger at two Arsenal players ahead of Man City’s huge title clash

Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish of Manchester City react prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. Manchester City star Jack Grealish has pointed to Declan Rice and Kai Havertz as potential difference-makers as Arsenal seek revenge on his team at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.City did the double over Arsenal last season, eventually pipping their rivals to the Premier League title by five points. The Londoners have strengthened in the interim, though, and two unbeaten games against Pep Guardiola's men are testament to that.Arsenal began the season by winning the Community Shield on penalties, after a late Leandro Trossard goal secured a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. The Gunners also ...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Lionel Messi will miss Miami’s game against NYCFC, could return for Champions Cup quarterfinal

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts 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's hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for Inter Miami's home game against New York City FC on Saturday, but he could return for the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg against Mexico's Monterrey on April 3.After missing Saturday, Messi will have played in nine of 19 MLS matches since joining Miami last summer.“He is working with the physios," Miami coach Javier Morales said Friday, “but he won't be available because we are doing all we can to get him ready for next Wednesday. There is a possibility he will play in that game — that is what we are working for.”Messi h...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Erik ten Hag issues defiant response to Man Utd’s rumoured interest in Gareth Southgate

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 3, 2024.Erik ten Hag has brushed off the incessant speculation surrounding his future, insisting he ‘doesn’t care’ about talk of being sacked or Manchester United’s rumoured interest in Gareth Southgate.United have endured a difficult campaign with Ten Hag at the helm, with the club languishing down in sixth place in the Premier League table – 17 points adrift of leaders Arsenal – ahead of their trip to Brentford this weekend.The Red Devils also suffered their worst ever Champions League exit, finishing rock-bottom of their group with just one win to the...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Juventus make contact for Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni

Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2024 in Rome, Italy. Serie A giants Juventus have initiated contact for Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni as they look to make a summer move.The Italian has been linked with a Bianconeri move in recent months and Giovanni Albanese has reported about Juve’s interest in the winger. Zaccagni’s current deal expires in the summer of 2025 and that is why he is attractive opportunity for Juve.Cristiano Guintoli has liked him since his time at Napoli and that is why Zaccagni is still of interest now. Contacts with the player’s entourage have already taken place and the Bianconeri management have made it clear that they want to bring...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

‘He will leave’ – Fabrizio Romano confirms Tottenham player will be sold

Tanguy Ndombele of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been unimpressed with one player and he is expected to be sold in the summer.Tanguy Ndombele, the French midfielder, joined the Premier League club in a big money move but he has failed to impress.The former Lyon midfielder has been loaned out a number of times by Tottenham but even those moves have not worked out for the 27-year-old.After signing Ndombele from Lyon in 2019 for a club record sum of £63 million, Ndombele’s career has seen a downfall.Speaking on the Chris Cowlin Podcast on YouTube, the well-known ...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Four Arsenal stars Edu could use as sweetener in bid to seal exciting Odegaard reunion

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal applauds fans following their side's victory in the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux on November 12, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England. Arsenal are keen to shake up their ranks once more this summer.Arsenal could be tempted to attempt to strike a player-plus-cash deal for Alexander Isak this summer. The Gunners have been heavily linked with making a move for the Newcastle striker this summer, and they may be able to negotiate a deal which benefits all parties.Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his forward ranks this summer, with numerous options – including Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen – being explored. However, the Gunners could look to pounce on Newcastle’s profit and sustainability situation to acquire...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Barcelona set up Uwcl semi-final re-match with Chelsea Women

Aitana Bonmati of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Liga F match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid Femenino at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona eventually saw off SK Brann in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finals, while PSG went through against BK Hacken.Quarter-Finals 2nd LegBarcelona 3-1 SK Brann (Agg: 5-2)Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 BK Häcken (Agg: 5-1) Holders Barcelona will face Chelsea in the semi-finals for the second season running, with the first leg 0n 20 or 21 April, the second at Stamford Bridge a week later.Aitana Bonmati extended Barca’s lead over Brann and despite the efforts of goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen and some loose finishing, Fridolina Rolfo doubled the advant...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich “eyeing” shock move for one of United’s biggest ever mistakes – report

Thomas Tuchel, head coach of FC Bayern München reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern München at WWK-Arena on January 27, 2024 in Augsburg, Germany. Bayern Munich’s search for a new manager has seen them linked with many out-of-the-box names, including two former Manchester United figures.The Bavarian giants have already announced Thomas Tuchel will be departing the Allianz Arena at the end of this season, with the former Chelsea manager failing to get the best out of Bayern’s star-studded roster.The situation in Munich has been so precarious that in February it seemed Tuchel’s reign would be ended by the club’s hierarchy before the end of the season.This led to suggestions that Bayern are considering to rope in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to lead the side...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

More than pride on line in Bayern-Dortmund clash

Harry Kane of Bayern Muenchen reacts during the Bundesliga match between SV Darmstadt 98 and FC Bayern München at Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on March 16, 2024 in Darmstadt, Germany. With a 10-point lead with eight games to play, Leverkusen are on course for a maiden Bundesliga crown.Second-placed Bayern could be as many as 13 points behind at kick-off, should Leverkusen win at home against Hoffenheim earlier on Saturday.A Leverkusen title would mark the first time since 2009, and just the fifth time in the past three decades, that neither Bayern nor Dortmund has finished atop the table.Saturday's match between the traditional powers remains crucial for both sides.Bayern risk a first loss at home to their biggest domestic rivals since 2014.They will also want to keep up their...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Sandro Tonali charged with misconduct by English FA over breaches of betting rules

Sandro Tonali runs with the ball during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on February 14, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, already serving a 10-month ban over betting breaches in his homeland of Italy, has been charged by the English Football Association with misconduct for allegedly breaching its own rules on gambling on matches.Tonali, 23, was sanctioned by the Italian football federation (FIGC) last October over betting breaches committed when he was playing for Serie A side AC Milan.The English FA said in a statement: "It's alleged that the Newcastle United midfielder breached FA Rule E8 50 times by placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023."The FA added th...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid prodigy leads his team to another final with game-winning goal

Endrick of Brazil celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the international friendly match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on March 23, 2024 in London, England. With the summer transfer window just around the corner, Real Madrid’s new signing Endrick is already making a strong impression among fans with his performances for club and country.The 17-year-old whizkid achieved a milestone during the international break by scoring at the Wembley against England. He was also able to score a goal at Santiago Bernabeu, in a friendly against Spain.Endrick leads Palmeiras to another finalNow, in yet another milestone, Endrick starred for Palmeiras in the Paulista semifinal against Novorizontino.It was a hard-fought game for Palmeiras, who were unable to break the shackles ...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Leicester City Women sack manager Willie Kirk after allegation of relationship with player

Leicester City Women manager Willie Kirk with Sam Tierney of Leicester City Women during the Leicester City v Chelsea FC - Barclays Women's Super League match at King Power Stadium on March 3, 2024 in Leicester, United Kingdom. Leicester City Women have sacked manager Willie Kirk following an investigation into an alleged relationship with a player.The 45-year-old was suspended from his post earlier this month, with a spokesperson for City confirming he was "assisting the club with an internal process". He has been absent from the touchline for Leicester's last three matches, with assistant manager Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby taking charge of the team in his absence.And the club confirmed they have parted ways with Kirk in a statement on Thursday. "In Leic...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool rule out Xabi Alonso to succeed Jurgen Klopp – sources

Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer Leverkusen, is seen during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at BayArena on March 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. Liverpool have abandoned plans to pursue Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp as manager, sources told ESPN, with Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim regarded as leading candidates for the Anfield job.Alonso, a Champions League winner as a player with Liverpool in 2005, is on the verge of guiding Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title this season.With Klopp announcing publicly in January that he would step down as Liverpool manager this summer -- the former Borussia Dortmund coach informed the club of his intentions in November -- Alo...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Bayern Munich Discussing Tottenham And Newcastle Tracked Teen Talent

Francesco Camarda of AC Milan during the Primavera 1 match between Hellas Verona U19 and AC Milan U19 on March 09, 2024 in Verona, Italy. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur tracked Francesco Camarda’s name is being discussed at German giants Bayern Munich ahead of the summer transfer window. The 16-year-old striker has been prolific at youth level for AC Milan and is now eligible to sign a professional contract. The Rossoneri have been in talks with his entourage over working out an agreement but a deal is still not in place between the two sides. Premier League clubs have been tracking him and Newcastle and Tottenham are interested in snaring him away from the San Siro, but they have heavyweight competition. According to German daily Bild (via Fussball Transfers), Bayern Mu...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mourinho hints at what Spurs couldn’t give him to succeed like he did at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on during the warm up prior to the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2024 in Rome, Italy. Jose Mourinho has hinted that being unable to focus on coaching is why he was unable to succeed at Tottenham and other clubs. The Portuguese boss was recently sacked from his last job at AS Roma after being let go by Spurs in 2021, and is now out of work again.Having replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019, less than six months after the Argentine reached the Champions League final, Mourinho managed to deliver an upturn in results before suffering a poor second season at the club. He did manage to reach the Carabao Cup final in his second term in charge but was dismissed just days before the ma...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Cannavaro: ‘I would’ve coached Napoli for free’

Former Italian soccer players Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini attend the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks on March 23, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Fabio Cannavaro admits he would’ve accepted the Napoli job ‘free of charge’ as it was his ‘dream,’ but President Aurelio De Laurentiis never offered it to him.The former Napoli, Parma, Juventus, Inter and Real Madrid defender was widely travelled, but remains forever connected to his hometown and the club that represents it.When he was spotted sitting near De Laurentiis in the stands during Napoli-Empoli, the final match before Rudi Garcia was fired to make way for Walter Mazzarri, many assumed it meant he was being lined up for the role.“I would’ve coached Napoli free of charge, it ...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Napoli’s Jesus ‘bitter’ over racist probe outcome

Juan Jesus of SSC Napoli is seenduring the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 17, 2024 in Milan, Italy.Napoli defender Juan Jesus says he feels “bitter” at the Italian football federation’s decision not to act over alleged racist comments targeted at him by Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi.The Brazilian spoke out Wednesday the day after the FIGC shelved their investigation into the incident citing insufficient evidence.“Although respecting this decision I have difficulty understanding it and it leaves me feeling very bitter,” he declared in a statement published by his club.Initially Jesus played down the matter following Napoli’s 1-1 draw at Inter Milan on March 17 after accepting Acerbi’s on-field apology for unspecified insu...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona to offer Xavi Hernandez new role if he leaves managerial position

Xavi Hernandez head coach of FC Barcelona giving instructions to Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on March 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez could remain linked to the club beyond the end of the season even if he does go through with his decision to step down as manager. President Joan Laporta is keen to keep Xavi linked to the club, and will create a new role for him.One of Xavi’s key complaints during his time at the club is that he has not felt appreciated for his work, and Laporta will try to show him that he does value his efforts. As per Barca Reservat (via TV3), Laporta will make Xavi the offer to become ambassador of the Barca Foundation alongside Alex Roca...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Canada qualify for the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América

Jacob Shaffelburg #14 of Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of his team during during Play-In - Concacaf Nations League match between Canada and Trinidad & Tobago at Toyota Stadium on March 23, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team have qualified for the CONMEBOL Copa América for the first time and they will open against the reigning FIFA World Cup champions Argentina. Canada have qualified as one of six Concacaf guest nations for the 16-nation tournament which runs from 20 June to 14 July in the United States.Drawn into Group A, Canada will face Argentina on Thursday 20 June in Atlanta, Peru on Tuesday 25 June in Kansas, and Chile on Saturday 29 June in Orlando.Alongside 10 CONMEBOL nations at the 2024 Copa América, the six Concaca...