May 2024 – Football Flame

Month: May 2024

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SERIE A

Juventus remains the highest-valued team in Serie A

 Juventus fans hold up a banner bearing the clubs logo during the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Turin, Italy.Juventus is the biggest team in Italian football, but rival fans are quick to downplay that fact.Many do so because the Bianconeri haven’t won a league title in four seasons.However, on and off the field, the Old Lady continues to demonstrate that almost no team can come close to them.A recent Football Benchmark report shows that the Bianconeri remain the most valuable club in Italian football.AC Milan had a good year, with the report finding that the Milan side had the highest Enterprise Value increase over the last year.However, they ranked only 14th overall among the 32 European teams, while Juventus ranked 12...
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SERIE A

Lazio boss Igor Tudor considering early exit as club fail to renew Daichi Kamada

 Lazio head coach Igor Tudor during the SS Lazio training session at the Formello sport centre on March 22, 2024 in Rome, Italy. Serie A side Lazio are at the risk of losing manager Igor Tudor due to their failure of agreeing a new deal with Daichi Kamada.The Japan midfielder seems close to joining Crystal Palace and unite with former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner and this is having an impact on the managerial situation at Lazio, report La Lazio Siamo Noi.It is reported that Tudor saw Kamada as a key part of his project and the club’s future and the additional demand of wanting a release clause seems to have broken Lazio’s back in the saga. There is said to be state of chaos at Lazio over how things have turned out and the failure to sign the midfielder is directly in c...
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TRANSFERS

Napoli Aim to Keep Kvaratskhelia amid PSG Interest

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 03, 2024 in Naples, Italy. PSG are going after Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with renewed determination, but their offer might be significantly lower than what reported. In any case, the Partenopei strongly wants to retain their ace, La Gazzetta dello Sport informed (via Virgilio).The Ligue 1 giants have formally started from a €60M bid. The figure could grow significantly in the coming weeks. In reality, the Partenopei are ready to resist any sum. The situation could change only if the attacker explicitly asked out.The interest from PSG is inevitably affecting the contract talks between Napoli and Kvara...
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NEWS

Olympiacos beat Fiorentina after extra time to win Europa Conference League

Rodinei of Olympiacos FC celebrates with the trophy and teammates following the victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 final match between Olympiacos FC and ACF Fiorentina at AEK Arena on May 29, 2024 in Athens, Greece. Olympiacos won their first major European trophy as Ayoub El Kaabi’s late extra-time winner inflicted a second straight Europa Conference League final defeat on Fiorentina.A forgettable final sparked into life with just four minutes of extra time remaining as El Kaabi turned home the only goal of a game taking place at the home of Olympiacos’ rivals AEK Athens.While the Greek side could celebrate becoming the first team from their country to win a European trophy, Fiorentina were once again left wondering what might have been a year after losing in the fi...
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NEWS

Atlanta hands Miami first MLS loss with Messi

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami competes for the ball against Tristan Muyumba #8 of Atlanta United during the first half at Chase Stadium on May 29, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Lionel Messi scored yet again, but it was the lone highlight for Inter Miami CF, as its 10-match Major League Soccer unbeaten run was ended by an Atlanta United side that got its first league win in nearly two months.Saba Lobjanidze scored once in each half, Jamal Thiare helped put the game away with a goal in the 73rd minute and Atlanta United snapped a nine-match MLS winless streak with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night.Atlanta was 0-5-4 in MLS play since beating Chicago 3-0 on March 31. But it never trailed on Wednesday, with Lobjanidze scoring late in the first half to put his side on top and adding the seco...
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TRANSFERS

Report: West Ham and Everton Chase French Defender

 Maxime Estève of Burnley during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Burnley FC at Selhurst Park on February 24, 2024 in London, England.According to a report from L’Équipe, West Ham and Everton have both opened preliminary talks to sign Burnley defender Maxime Estève. The 22-year-old French centre-back joined Burnley from Montpellier HSC towards the end of the January transfer window for a fee of €12 million. Despite Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League, Estève has been a standout performer for Vincent Kompany’s side, featuring in every match since his arrival. His consistent performances have caught the attention of Premier League sides looking to bolster their defences. As L’Équipe notes, “West Ham United and Everton have both opened preliminary talks t...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich Kim Min-jae omitted from Korea’s World Cup qualifier squad

 Kim Min-Jae of Bayern Muenchen reacts during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and FC Bayern München at Europa-Park Stadion on March 01, 2024 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.One of Bayern Munich’s, arguably, best defenders recently injured himself on the pitch, creating problems for his ankle. Kim Min-jae then missed a game for the club, and is unfortunately still facing issues with his ankle.The 27-year old Korean personally informed his national teams interim coach, Kim Do-Hoon, that he is still recovering from his injury. Min-jae’s journey to a full recovery is currently inhibiting his participation in training and games, and so he requested the coach that he be omitted from Korea’s World Cup qualifiers squad.The center-back, nicknamed The Monster, put in some subp...
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LALIGA

Official: Barcelona appoint Hansi Flick as new manager

Sports director of the German Football Federation (DFB) Hansi Flick attends a press conference in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on December 16, 2014. The DFB aims to organise the UEFA European Football Championship in the year 2024.Confirming what was known for a while now, FC Barcelona have officially announced Hansi Flick as their new manager.The Blaugrana posted a video welcoming their new manager, in which Flick can be seen saying: “Culers, it’s our moment.”The 59-year-old German tactician will replace club legend Xavi Hernandez as the new head coach.“FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to be the coach of the men’s first team until June 30, 2026,” the statement from the club read.“The new coach signed a contract at the Club’s offices in an event ...
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Champions League

UCL final returns to Wembley

Champions League before the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg football match Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid at the San Siro stadium in Milan on February 20, 2024.On Saturday, June 1, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will meet in the Champions League final on Paramount+. While Real Madrid will be vying for their 15th Champions League title and first since 2022, Borussia Dortmund could win their first Champions League title since 1997. Wembley Stadium in London will be the stage for this clash. England's national soccer stadium opened in 2007 replacing the old Wembley Stadium that stood since 1923. With a capacity of 90,000, Wembley is the largest stadium in Europe for now until the expected capacity of Barcelona's Camp Nou which is currently undergoing renovations.Wembley is no ...
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TRANSFERS

Mario Hermoso open to Napoli, Roma, Inter, Juventus and Milan

Mario Hermoso of Atletico Madrid celebrates after Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund (not pictured) scores an own goal, Atletico Madrid's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 16, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Napoli are reported to be the favourites for free agent Mario Hermoso, ahead of Roma, while Juventus, Inter and Milan could also show interest.The centre-back turns 29 next month and has decided not to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid beyond June 30.According to Chiringuito TV in Spain, Hermoso has a very specific idea on his mind and that is to take the next step in his career in Italy.There are several teams who would be glad to welcome the Spain international i...
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SERIE A

Osimhen: Napoli striker ruled out of Nigeria World Cup qualifiers through injury

 Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after teammate Matteo Politano (not pictured) scored their team's second goal during the Serie A TIM match between AC Monza and SSC Napoli at U-Power Stadium on April 07, 2024 in Monza, Italy. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s upcoming qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup after picking up an injury in the closing stages of the 2023-24 Serie A season.Osimhen ruled out againThe Partenopei leading goalscorer took part in the club’s final league game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Lecce, appearing as a second half substitute to replace Jens Cajuste. He had missed the previous league outing, a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina due to muscular fatigue.He has, however, picked up an injury issue since then, as confirmed by the Nigeria Super Ea...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal sporting director Edu issues ‘very strange’ Man City remark

 Gabriel Magalhaes signs a new contract for Arsenal with Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal Technical Director Edu Gaspar at London Colney on October 21, 2022 in St Albans, England. Arsenal sporting director Edu has claimed "there are things that unfortunately I cannot say" after again missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.For the second season running, the Gunners were pipped to top spot by Pep Guardiola & Co. having led for large periods of the campaign but ultimately falling short.Edu believes the club did "everything we could" but could not stop City from making Premier League history with a fourth title on the trot,"There are things that unfortunately I cannot say what I feel," he told Brazilian outlet Estadao. "It's a strange feeling, very str...
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LALIGA

Xavi leaves Barcelona with his head held high

Xavi Hernandez head coach of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on March 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Xavi is right. Good luck to Hansi Flick.Being the manager of FC Barcelona is not glamorous. It’s packed with pressure.You could have a fantastic tactical mind, and come with a history of success, as Flick does, and still find it hard to triumph at the Camp Nou.For all intents and purposes, Xavi’s strength for his two and half years in charge was his ability to not crumble in the face of media sensationalism, and under the thumb a mercurial president.One day you’re a hero, the next day you’re on the chopping block.Xavi was making plans for another year in charge, after an impressive display in th...
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LALIGA

FC Barcelona Offer Rejected By Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Joshua Kimmich has rejected an offer from FC Barcelona to join the Catalans this summer according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.Kimmich was among Xavi Hernandez's main transfer targets last year and seen as the perfect successor to his former captain Sergio Busquets after he left Camp Nou to reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Milan following a 2022/2023 La Liga title win.As it turned out, however, Barca couldn't afford an approach for the German or Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, and Xavi instead had to settle for a cut-rate Oriol Romeu who cost a fe...
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SERIE A

Inzaghi to meet Oaktree on Tuesday to discuss Inter future

Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, lifts the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Final trophy at full-time following victory in the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Final match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Al-Awwal Stadium on January 22, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A new dawn is rising in the capital of fashion as Inter embark on a new chapter in the club’s storied history following Oaktree’s takeover. On the same night the Nerazzurri ‘Tifosi’ paid tribute to the outgoing president Steven Zhang, manager Simone Inzaghi vowed to hold a comprehensive meeting with the new leadership. Inter and Hellas Verona shared the spoils in Serie A season finale’s dead-rubber affair at Marc’Antonio Bentegodi as Marko Arnautovic’s first-half double inspired the new champions ...
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BUNDESLIGA

3 stars Hansi Flick could easily sign for Barcelona

Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: FC Bayern Munich's memorial service for Franz Beckenbauer in the Allianz Arena. Former national coaches Joachim Löw (l) and Hansi Flick take part in the memorial service for the deceased soccer star and coach. Beckenbauer died on January 7 at the age of 78.Barcelona have chosen Hansi Flick as their new man to replace Xavi, and he brings plenty of fanfare as well as Champions League winning experience to a side that has suffered far too many disappointments in European football’s elite competition – including against Flick himself.But Flick cannot do it alone. He needs the right players around him to ensure his success. Here are three star players Hansi Flick could bring to Barcelona in 2024 to help him in his first season at the helm.Bayern Munich DM Joshua Kimmich...
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Ligue 1

PSG and French football prepare for challenges of post-Mbappe era

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain is seen in action during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes on June 03, 2023 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain finished the season with a domestic double after beating Lyon in Saturday's French Cup final but will now start building for another assault on the Champions League next year, this time without Kylian Mbappe.The France captain brought the curtain down on his seven-year spell at PSG in the 2-1 win over Lyon, in which he failed to add to his club-record tally of 256 goals as Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz netted on the night.It was a deserved victory against a Lyon team who had been the best side in France in the second half of the season, after sitting bottom of the table in December.But...
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SERIE A

The two stars Thiago Motta could push out of Juventus

Thiago Motta head coach of Bologna FC looks on during the serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2024 in Naples, Italy .Juventus are set to welcome Thiago Motta as their next manager, as they already decided to fire Max Allegri after another underwhelming Serie A season in which the Bianconeri were more than 20 points behind arch rivals Inter Milan for the Scudetto.Next up, Juventus will need to navigate the choppy waters of the summer transfer window carefully, as they are at risk of losing key players like Bremer while they still have a handful of pressing needs to address.Thiago Motta is expected to help Juventus recruit within Calcio, as he has already earned a big reputation for pushing Bologna to a Champions League place and ge...
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TRANSFERS

Newcastle United set to sell Miguel Almiron, want £30 million

 Raheem Sterling of Chelsea holds off Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on March 11, 2024 in London, England. Newcastle United are all set to sell their Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron for £30 million in the upcoming transfer window.According to a report from Football Insider, Miguel Almiron could part ways with Newcastle United in the upcoming summer window. The former Atlanta winger is no longer an important part of their first team and they are ready to sanction his departure if any club meets their asking price of £30 million.Almiron made the move to the Magpies back in 2019 from Major League Soccer. He was a then-club record transfer for the American outfit as they received £21 milli...
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NEWS

Barcelona finally beats Lyon and retains Women’s Champions League crown

Aitana Bonmati of FC Barcelona celebrates with the UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy after her team's victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 Final match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at San Mames Stadium on May 25, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain. With a triumph over the rival it could never beat, Barcelona made it clear who's in charge of women’s soccer.Barcelona ended its losing streak against the game's most successful club on Saturday, beating Lyon 2-0 to clinch its third Women’s Champions League title in four years.World player of the year Aitana Bonmatí scored in the second half and former world player Alexia Putellas added a second deep in stoppage time for defending champion Barcelona in front of a record crowd of 50,827 for a final.“This team has made his...
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