September 2024 – Football Flame

Italy probe eyes mafia link to AC Milan, Inter Milan ‘ultras’

30Sep

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SERIE A

Italy probe eyes mafia link to AC Milan, Inter Milan ‘ultras’

Italian police arrested 19 people accused of criminal ties with the powerful 'Ndrangheta mafia group in a move that decimated the fan clubs backing Serie A teams Inter Milan and AC Milan. STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY - 2024/09/24: Official Serie A match balls Puma 'Orbita' are seen in a row prior to the Coppa Italia football match between Torino FC and Empoli FC. Empoli FC won 2-1 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) Prosecutors said at a news conference on Monday that possible charges include criminal association, with the use of "mafia methods," extortion, assault and other serious offenses. According to the wide investigation, the criminal ring was linked to 'Ndrangheta -- the Italian mafia organization that has emerged in recent...

Man United make Erik ten Hag decision ahead of Aston Villa

30Sep

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man United make Erik ten Hag decision ahead of Aston Villa

Manchester United are expected to stick with manager Erik ten Hag ahead of facing Aston Villa. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Erik ten Hag Manager / Head Coach of Manchester United as his team acknowledge the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Old Trafford on September 29, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Ten Hag has already insisted he’s “not thinking” about his future at Old Trafford, despite being under huge pressure in the wake of an embarrassing 3-0 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday that left the Red Devils down in 12th in the Premier League table after six matches. Next up for Ten Hag and his players in the league is a trip to Villa Park on Sunday (2pm), with a match a...

Szczesny to arrive in Barca on Monday to complete move

29Sep

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TRANSFERS

Szczesny to arrive in Barca on Monday to complete move

Wojciech Szczesny is now expected to arrive in Barcelona on Monday to complete his move to the club after coming out of retirement. The goalkeeper will fly into the city for a medical and then sign a deal that runs until the end of the season, according to Polish outlet Meczyki. Szczesny is also then expected to watch Barcelona’s Champions League match against Young Boys from the stands. The goalkeeper had been expected at Barcelona last but week but it does seem now that the move is going ahead as planned. There’s been talk Szczesny only wants to come if he’s first choice which should make things interesting after he signs. La Liga is due to pause for an international break after next weekend’s clash with Alaves, giving Szczesny time to work on his fitness and get used to his new club for...

Atalanta Suffer Massive Injury Scare in Bologna Draw

29Sep

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LALIGA

Atalanta Suffer Massive Injury Scare in Bologna Draw

Problems keep piling up for Atalanta at the start of the new campaign as Marco Brescianini faces a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines. The former Frosinone midfielder picked up an injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bologna at Renato Dall’Ara. Brescianini tried to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when he latched on to Sead Kolasinac’s cut-back on the edge of the six-yard box. Despite a delightful first touch, the Atalanta star caught the turf as he was trying to pull the trigger, injuring himself in the process. The 24-year-old immediately asked for medical attention. However, he refused to leave the pitch despite being treated near the end-line. Moments later, he collapsed to the ground again and had to hobble off the field in pain, with Lazar Samardzic taking...

Kane’s late injury overshadows Bayern’s 1-1 stalemate with Leverkusen

29Sep

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BUNDESLIGA

Kane’s late injury overshadows Bayern’s 1-1 stalemate with Leverkusen

Harry Kane went off injured as Bayern Munich were held 1-1 at home by champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga yesterday. Robert Andrich put the visitors ahead after 31 minutes in Munich but Aleksandar Pavlovic pulled leaders Bayern level eight minutes later with an incredible long range shot. England captain Kane, who was largely anonymous in front of goal, hobbled off with a foot injury with four minutes remaining after a collision with Leverkusen’s Amine Adli. Coach Vincent Kompany said it was “too early” to know the extent of the injury but he was hopeful Kane would be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Aston Villa. “I don’t have the exact information but hopefully it’s just a bit of pain and we’ll get him back this week,” said Kompany. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl...

Flick’s first misstep sees Barcelona’s unbeaten run end

29Sep

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LALIGA

Flick’s first misstep sees Barcelona’s unbeaten run end

A first loss of the season had to come at some point but the manner of the humbling at Osasuna could easily have been avoided. Notwithstanding that one can sympathise with why Hansi Flick rotated his starting XI, multiple changes virtually handed the win to the team from Pamplona. On another night, if Barca’s second half chances had gone in, the Blaugranes could even have walked away with all three points, but frankly they wouldn’t have deserved it. Flick’s tactical nous was on show throughout the game, and his switches certainly affected things. Over the course of the season under this manager, Barca will undoubtedly win more than they lose. But he cannot escape criticism for leaving the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marc Casado and Inigo Martinez on the bench. One, or maybe two at a p...

Liverpool go top of Premier League with 2-1 win over hapless Wolves

29Sep

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool go top of Premier League with 2-1 win over hapless Wolves

Ibrahima Konate headed home his first ever Premier League goal and Mohamed Salah converted a penalty as Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (Sept 28). Arne Slot's men have 15 points after six games, one more than both Manchester City and Arsenal, while Wolves are bottom with a single point. "Feels good [to be top], you want to be up there but it doesn't tell me that much at the moment," Slot told Sky Sports. "If you look at Wolves they are down in the table but they played much better than that today. "After 19 games, it'll tell me something but not after six." Konate scored in first-half injury time after Diogo Jota beat his man down the left then served up a pinpoint cross that the 25-year-old cen...

Martinez double at Udinese fires Inter level with Serie A leaders

28Sep

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SERIE A

Martinez double at Udinese fires Inter level with Serie A leaders

Lautaro Martinez struck his first goals of the season for Inter Milan with a brace in Saturday's 3-2 win at Udinese which moved the champions level with Torino and local rivals AC Milan at the top of Serie A. Davide Frattesi's deft finish after just 43 seconds was followed by Argentina forward Martinez's strikes moments before and after half-time. The win in Udine saw Inter bounce back from Milan derby defeat last weekend and move up to 11 points after six matches. Torino, who host Lazio on Sunday, currently hold top spot by virtue of second-placed Milan and Inter having played a game more. "After the derby we kept quiet and worked hard and I think you saw that on the pitch," said Martinez to DAZN. Martinez's brace will be great news for coach Simone Inzaghi whose team host Red Star Belgra...

Leipzig’s young stars on song in big win over Augsburg

28Sep

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BUNDESLIGA

Leipzig’s young stars on song in big win over Augsburg

Benjamin Sesko scored twice in five minutes as RB Leipzig's young attack combined superbly to beat Augsburg 4-0 at home on Saturday. Sesko struck twice and laid on an assist for fellow 21-year-old Xavi Simons, who himself assisted a goal for 24-year-old Lois Openda. After 10 minutes, Sesko drilled a low shot into the bottom left from outside the box to open the scoring, leaping high to head in a David Raum cross shortly after. Augsburg had a chance to fight their way back into the match when Leipzig gave away a penalty midway through the first stanza but Jeffrey Gouweleeuw's effort was well saved by home goalie Peter Gulacsi. Openda beat Augsburg's offside trap just a minute into the second half, latching onto a Simons pass to put Leipzig 3-0 up. Simons then got on the scoresheet himself, ...

Manchester City Draws to Newcastle United, Drops Points in Consecutive Games

28Sep

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City Draws to Newcastle United, Drops Points in Consecutive Games

Manchester City was held to a 1–1 draw against Newcastle United at St. James' Park after an Ederson challenge resulted in an Anthony Gordon penalty. Saturday marks the first time since Dec. 2023 that City has dropped points in consecutive Premier League games. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Manchester City FC at St James' Park on September 28, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Pep Guardiola's side last dropped points in back-to-back outings when it side drew to Tottenham Hotspur and lost to Aston Villa last season. City nearly lost to Arsenal last weekend at the Etihad Stadium if not for a John...