August 2024 – Football Flame

Dortmund drops points in 0-0 draw at Bremen after a red card for Nico Schlotterbeck

31Aug

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Dortmund drops points in 0-0 draw at Bremen after a red card for Nico Schlotterbeck

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off as his team held on for a 0-0 draw against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday.Schlotterbeck picked up his second yellow card for a clumsy tackle on Justin Njinmah in the 73rd minute as Champions League runner-up Dortmund lacked the cutting edge from its 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt last week.Shortly before that, Schlotterbeck had a header saved, one of Dortmund's best chances in a game lacking clear-cut opportunities to score.Stuttgart was denied a first league win of the season in dramatic style as Maxim Leitsch's diving header salvaged a 3-3 draw for Mainz.Leitsch scored deep into stoppage time when Stuttgart was on the verge of winning, having taken a 3-2 lead when Fabian Rieder's 88th-minute free kick b...

Brentford ease past Southampton, Aston Villa bag win at Leicester

31Aug

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brentford ease past Southampton, Aston Villa bag win at Leicester

Bryan Mbeumo’s double and a goal by Yoane Wissa earned Brentford a comfortable 3-1 home win over promoted Southampton in the Premier League, sending the visitors to the bottom of the table.Mbeumo put the hosts in front just before halftime with a simple low finish, following up on Kevin Schade’s strike which bounced off the post.He doubled the advantage in the 65th minute with a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net and Wissa bundled the ball in four minutes later before Southampton pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Yukinari Sugawara.Brentford moved up to fifth on six points while Southampton prop up the standings without a points.Everton 2 – Bournemouth 3Bournemouth scored three late goals to stun Everton 3-2 in the Premier League at Goodison Park and...

Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: Gunners drop points after bizarre Rice red card

31Aug

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: Gunners drop points after bizarre Rice red card

Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton after Declan Rice received the first red card of his career at the Emirates on Saturday.LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Kai Havertz of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the lead in the 38th minute as he latched onto Bukayo Saka's through ball before clipping the ball over the onrushing Jason Steele.LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion is challenged by Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on Aug...

Raheem Sterling reveals why Arsenal are the ‘perfect fit’ after Chelsea exile

31Aug

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Raheem Sterling reveals why Arsenal are the ‘perfect fit’ after Chelsea exile

Raheem Sterling believes Arsenal is the “perfect fit” for him after sealing a deadline day move from Chelsea.Arsenal have taken Sterling on loan for the season and the club feel they have struck a good deal with Chelsea over how the winger’s £300,000-a-week wages will be paid.There is no option to make the move permanent next summer, but Sterling will hope that joining Arsenal can reignite his career.The 29-year-old fell out of favour at Chelsea this summer under new head coach Enzo Maresca and had his squad number taken off him.Arsenal have given Sterling a lifeline and the winger believes he can thrive at the Emirates Stadium during the current campaign.“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing,” said Sterling.“It’s one where we kind of left it late but...

Luke McCowan: It’s a dream come true to sign for my team

31Aug

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NEWS

Luke McCowan: It’s a dream come true to sign for my team

Luke McCowan is living the dream as a footballer and as a fan, joining the Scottish champions ahead of an exciting season, both domestically and in Europe, and as a Celtic supporter, now getting the opportunity to pull on the green and white Hoops as a player.The 26-year-old was the third of Brendan Rodgers’ deadline day signings as he moved from Dundee to join Celtic on a three-year deal.And walking out the tunnel at Paradise, it was clear from his reaction just how much it means to him to have joined the club he’s always supported.Speaking to Celtic TV, Luke McCowan said:“It’s a bit surreal even sitting here with the Hoops on. I don’t really know how to put it into words.“It’s just something that I’ve been desperate to get down as soon as I knew Celtic were interested.'I...

Palacios: “I’m proud to be here, and I will give my best”

31Aug

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SERIE A

Palacios: “I’m proud to be here, and I will give my best”

Tiago Tomás Palacios is officially a new player for Inter. Here are his first words, given exclusively to Inter TV:What was your reaction when you received the call from Inter, and how do you feel today?"I was very happy and proud. I’m living a dream right now; all that's left is to train and give my best".You started as an attacker but now play as a defender.How did this positional change happen, and how would you describe yourself as a defender today?"I’m a gritty defender who enjoys playing with the ball at my feet. As a child, I started as an attacker, but as I grew and due to my height and technique, I moved to defence. I’m proud of my position and hope to give my best".Inter has a great tradition of Argentine players, many of whom have made history with the Clu...

Ten Hag: Slot inherited better team than I did

31Aug

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag: Slot inherited better team than I did

Erik ten Hag believes Arne Slot will have an easier time taking over at Liverpool than he experienced when he arrived at Manchester United.Ten Hag says the mess he inherited at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 was "the most difficult thing I will ever do in my life."In contrast, the United boss insists Slot, who has taken over from Jürgen Klopp, has walked into a Liverpool team which is in "a different phase of the lifecycle."The two Dutchmen meet in the Premier League for the first time on Sunday when United face Liverpool at Old Trafford."That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here, to have this challenge," Ten Hag said when asked about the situation he found at the club when he arrived from Ajax."I knew beforehand that this was the most difficult thing I would ev...

Virgil van Dijk relishing being link between Arne Slot and Liverpool team-mates

31Aug

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Virgil van Dijk relishing being link between Arne Slot and Liverpool team-mates

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is enjoying life under Arne Slot and relishing his role of being the link between the new head coach and the rest of the squad.The Netherlands international has had a key role to play in a summer of upheaval at Anfield after the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp and his entire backroom staff.However, the arrival of his compatriot has brought fresh ideas and the campaign has begun well with two victories.Predictions of a struggle without the influential Klopp have so far proved unfounded but after wins over newly-promoted Ipswich and Brentford the first real test comes on Sunday at Old Trafford.However, the mood in the camp is buoyant and Van Dijk has done his utmost to help make the transition as seamless as possible.“I’ve actually en...

Man Utd to face Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in new-look Europa League

31Aug

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NEWS

Man Utd to face Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in new-look Europa League

Manchester United will travel to Turkey to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce among their eight games in the league phase of the new-look 36-team Europa League after the draw was made on Friday.Two Premier League teams have made it to the competition this year, Tottenham Hotspur after finishing fifth and United through their FA Cup victory.Mourinho, who steered Manchester United to a Europa League triumph in 2017 with a 2-0 final victory over Ajax, is poised for a reunion with his former club, where he served as the manager from 2016 to 2018.He recently became coach of Fenerbahce, who were knocked out of the Champions League in the third qualifying round.“Obviously he’s an outstanding coach, it is always going to be a tough place to go and we know that team will be well coached,” Unit...

Predicted Barcelona lineup against Real Valladolid: Olmo set for full debut; Fermin Lopez in for Bernal

31Aug

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LALIGA

Predicted Barcelona lineup against Real Valladolid: Olmo set for full debut; Fermin Lopez in for Bernal

Dani Olmo will make his first start for Barcelona against Real Valladolid, while Fermin Lopez will replace the injured Marc Bernal on Saturday.Barcelona will aim to continue the perfect start to the 2024/25 season when they welcome Real Valladolid to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday evening.Hansi Flick has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.Marc Bernal sustained a long-term knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for nearly 12 months. So, the young midfielder’s season has prematurely ended as he gets set for a long road to recovery.Bernal has joined Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Flick discussed Bernal’s injury and the impact ...