Month: September 2024

7Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Ancelotti trusts 25-year-old Real Madrid defender amidst injury woes – report

The left-back position at Real Madrid appeared set to undergo a big change this summer with Alphonso Davies widely linked with a transfer.In the end, however, Real Madrid did not get the Canadian defender over the line as Bayern Munich refused to accept a lower fee for the youngster. Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia thus started the new season as Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred options in the department with the Frenchman taking the starting role. Both players, however, have seen regular minutes in tandem. Garcia earns Ancelotti’s favourWhile Mendy began the season as the manager’s preferred option at left-back, Garcia only had to wait until match day 2 to get his first start of the season. Benefitted by the Frenchman’s suspension, the 25-year-old played all 90 minutes against Real Valla...

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7Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arne Slot gets major injury boost as Liverpool substitutions start to make sense

A key feature of Arne Slot's early days at Liverpool has been his willingness to bring off players without fear or favour. Subplots and storylines may have subsequently emerged from his substitution of players like Jarell Quansah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the Reds' head coach has not ducked anything so far. Questions around his decision to sub Quansah at half time of the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on the opening weekend were followed up by a simple explanation for the introduction of Ibrahima Konate in his place. "First thing I said was we don’t have to speak about tactics if we lose so many duels and that’s what we did," Slot said. “That’s not that Jarell lost every duel – many of us lost too many duels – but I think we needed Ibou Konate to win these long balls in the air from...

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7Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Hallgrimsson anticipates a defence-heavy encounter with England

Heimir Hallgrimsson initially scoffed at the question of playing “entertaining and “exciting” football against Uefa Nations League opponents England in Dublin tonight. Flanked by his captain Seamus Coleman at yesterday morning’s pre-match press conference, the new Republic of Ireland boss threw the question back at the reporter. “What do you mean with ‘entertainment’ and ‘excitement’? What excites you? What entertains you?”At that precise moment, the ghost of Giovanni Trapattoni hung in the air. “If you want to see a show – go to the opera,” the veteran Italian coach used to lecture the Irish media during his time as Ireland manager between 2008 and 2013. Trapattoni never professed to be in the entertainment business.Hallgrimsson is probably cut from the same cloth as the chari...

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7Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Calafiori sustains injury in bizarre incident during France 1-3 Italy

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is confident Riccardo Calafiori did not sustain a significant injury after the Arsenal man was hurt in a bizarre incident by France’s Ousmane Dembele. The Nations League match at Parc des Princes saw the Azzurri concede a Bradley Barcola goal after 14 seconds, but then fight back to win 3-1 with goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori. It was not entirely without incident, because Calafiori was forced to limp off in the second half after he was clattered from behind by a flying Dembele. Alessandro Bastoni went into the tackle on Dembele after the Frenchman had already run past several Azzurri, sending the forward flying into the air with no control over his landing. Unfortunately for the Italy star, he happened to be in t...

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6Sep By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

LALIGA

Injured Barcelona forward hopes to be back in time for clash against Girona

The objective of any FC Barcelona player should always be to play their best football for the team. Unfortunately, that becomes impossible to do if a player is constantly suffering from injuries and the inevitable repercussions. Even right now, many key Barcelona players continue to suffer because of this exact reason. As a consequence, even the collective team and club begins to suffer as well. La Blaugrana need their best players available, and if they cannot even be fit for selection their input for the team becomes absolutely nothing. Fortunately, however, some key players are now close to returning as well. One of the players whose return is expected sooner than others is Ansu Fati. The 21-year-old Barcelona forward, who still has ownership of the iconic number ‘10’ at the club,...

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6Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Spalletti ‘convinced Italy quality can control France game’

Luciano Spalletti explains his surprise picks as Italy take on France in the Nations League with only one centre-forward and big changes in midfield. ‘I am convinced we can control the game with our quality.’It kicks off at Parc des Princes in Paris at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT). This is the opening fixture of the Nations League group, which also includes Belgium and Israel.Spalletti explains Azzurri changes“We must be ambitious in this job and this type of fixture can give you a short-cut to success,” Spalletti told RAI Sport. Some of his decisions were rather surprising, for example Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus on the right flank of a 3-5-2 and Lorenzo Pellegrini instead of striker Giacomo Raspadori in support of lone centre-forward Mateo Retegui.What was the thinking behind this ide...

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6Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Ligue 1

Fabrizio Romano’s Bold Take: PSG Loanee and Real Madrid Star Should Have Made Ballon d’Or Top 30

The list for the Ballon d’Or was revealed this week, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano believes that three names were omitted. Here are the names that made it into the final 30: Jude Bellingham Ruben Dias Phil Foden Federico Valverde Emiliano Martinez Erling Haaland Nico Williams Granit Xhaka Artem Dovbyk Toni Kroos Vinicius Jr. Dani Olmo Florian Wirtz Martin Odegaard Mats Hummels Rodri Harry Kane Declan Rice Vitinha Cole Palmer Dani Carvajal Lamine Yamal Bukayo Saka Hakan Calhanoglu William Saliba Kylian Mbappe Lautaro Martinez Ademola Lookman Toni Rudiger Alejandro Grimaldo Still, Romano noted in his column for CaughtOffside that there are a couple of players who should have the final 30. One of them is Paris Saint-Germain loanee Xavi Simons, who had an excellent 2023-24 season while...

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6Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool transfer news as ‘approach’ made for $106m star amid Real Madrid battle

The transfer window may be closed, but the rumors keep coming, with some claims that will no doubt raise eyebrows among Liverpool fans. Despite a quiet summer, which saw just Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa signed, the Reds have made a perfect start to the season under new head coach Arne Slot. There’s still a long way to go though, and it won’t be long before the Dutchman gets another chance to add to his squad in January. As things stand, he may not take that chance, although with questions remaining over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool may need to take action. The latest rumors see the Reds being linked with a couple of young defenders. Here is the Football Flame verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the...

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6Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise set to start for France in Nations League match vs. Italy

For those that have been watching the recent career trajectory of Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, it should not have come as too much of a surprise when Didier Deschamps made the decision to call him up for France’s upcoming pair of UEFA Nations League matches. France is set to play host to Italy before hosting Belgium during this month’s international break and Olise was called up alongside Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano. Fellow Bayern compatriot Kingsley Coman did not get a nod this time around from Deschamps. Per information from French outlet L’Equipe (via @iMiaSanMia), Olise is set to be included in the French starting eleven for the match against Italy at the Parc des Princes. In what as been predicted as a 4-2-3-1 lineup, Olise is predicted to start in between Randal Kolo Muani and B...

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6Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Argentina cruise past Chile, Bolivia thrash Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers

Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala were on target as Argentina tightened their grip on South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament with a 3-0 win over Chile on Thursday. Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister swept in a low finish three minutes after half-time to break the deadlock at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires against a defensive Chile side. Former Manchester City striker Alvarez doubled the lead in the 84th minute with a thumping shot from outside the area before substitute Dybala put the seal on the victory with a late strike in stoppage time. It was another clinical victory for the reigning world champions, who are now cruising towards confirming their place at the 2026 finals being staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Lionel Sca...

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6Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Adam Lallana wanted to return to Southampton this season

Ten years after leaving the Saints to join Liverpool in a £30 million transfer move, Adam Lallana completed a remarkable return to the St. Mary's Stadium. Lallana came through the youth ranks at Southampton and spent a season on loan at Bournemouth before establishing himself as a starter in the Saints midfield. Lallana made 265 appearances for Southampton scoring 60 goals and providing 45 assists in his first spell at the club. After that Lallana became a key part of the Liverpool team, which became one of the best European teams under Jurgen Klopp's management. The 36-year-old box-to-box midfielder won the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in the following season before leaving the Reds to join Brighton. Brighton improved their squad with experience and quality ...

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6Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Cristiano Ronaldo told he can ‘become next Man Utd manager’ when he retires

Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to head into management when he retires. The five-times Ballon d'Or winner has scored scored 900 goals in 1,238 matches but still has aspirations of extending his career. The 39-year-old has his heart set on securing 1,000 goals, and could yet extend his contract, due to expire in 2025, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The Portuguese international has already expanded his avenues as time winds down on his career. Ronaldo has recently launched a YouTube channel and has ambitions of surpassing Mr Beast in subscribers. The forward expects to retire in two or three years when he brings his stint with Al-Nassr to a close. Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen believes that after what he saw on the sidelines during Euro 2024, management co...

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5Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Harry Kane impressed with Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany

Bayern Munich start to the 2024/25 Bundesliga season hasn’t been spotless, but two wins in two games is quite hard to nitpick, especially since head coach Vincent Kompany would expect his side to implement his tactics and game plan better as the season progresses. The players seem to have responded well to the change in coaching, too. Count star striker Harry Kane as one of the most enthusiastic. “It was a very good start. I’m really impressed with how much energy he brings. He’s already managed to get all the players to respect him. The coach and we as a team are hungry to have a successful season,” Kane said at a recent press conference following his Golden Shoe 2024 award ceremony (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). Kompany’s rapport with the locker room is a promising early sign — espec...

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5Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen settling into No. 1 gig with Germany

FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was the no-brainer selection to take over for Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with the German national team. For Ter Stegen, the promotion was a long time coming. “My aim has always been to be number one. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to achieve that over the past decade. I had a goalkeeper in front of me in Manu who had an incredible career and always stood up to the pressure. Congratulations to him again on his career,” said Ter Stegen (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). Ter Stegen also touched on the frustration he — sometimes — felt in not being able to usurp the position from Neuer. “There are always moments when you think ‘Phew, that was another blow’. In the end, the decision always went in Manu’s favour, but I dealt with it ...

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5Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Real Betis considering sale of midfielder after receiving €8m offer from Qatar

Real Betis have been very busy in the transfer window over the past 2-3 months, and despite the summer window having closed in Spain, their business may not be complete yet. Rodri Sanchez was strongly linked with a move away throughout the summer, but by the time that the deadline passed last Friday, he was still at Betis. However, he could now be on his way to Qatar, where an unnamed club has submitted an €8m offer to acquire his services – as reported by El Desmarque (via Marca). Rodri’s representatives were the ones to receive notification of the offer, and it has been passed on to Betis. At this stage, club bosses are considering whether to accept. Betis would probably have accepted straight away if the transfer window was still open. However, taking into account the injury setba...

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5Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Son Heung-min earns 128th cap, alone in 4th on all-time S. Korean list

South Korean captain Son Heung-min earned his 128th international cap on Thursday to grab the sole possession of fourth place on the country's all-time list. Son was inserted into the starting lineup against Palestine in the countries' Group B match of the third round in the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match was to kick off at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Son, captain for both South Korea and the Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, had been tied with Lee Young-pyo, former left back and one-time Tottenham player. Son is now five caps back of former goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae for third place. Son's current national team head coach, Hong Myung-bo, and former striker Cha Bum-kun are tied at the top with 136 caps each. Among active players, only Son and defend...

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5Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham’s midfield transfer plan revealed as president confirms £21m option

Tottenham Hotspur have an option to sign Real Betis and USA midfielder Johnny Cardoso for around £21m next year, the president of the Spanish side has confirmed. The two clubs conducted late business in the summer transfer window, as the Lilywhites sent Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso back to his former club on a permanent deal. Betis and Tottenham had previously negotiated Lo Celso's move to North London in 2020, but the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder ultimately failed to make the grade in the Premier League. While discussing the Lo Celso deal, Tottenham and Betis also held talks over USA international Cardoso, whom Tottenham were reported to have struck a peculiar transfer deal for. As confirmed by Betis president Angel Haro - in quotes attributed to The Telegrap...

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5Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Roma include new buys in Europa League squad list

Roma have announced their Europa League squad list, including post-deadline day signings Mats Hummels and Mario Hermoso. The tournament has followed the changes in the Champions League and Conference League, using one large table with all results as the teams face eight different opponents. They open their campaign at home to Athletic Club Bilbao on September 26, followed by trips to Elfsborg on October 3 and hosting Dynamo Kyiv on October 24,Roma visit Union Saint-Gilloise on November 7 and Tottenham on November 28, then take on Braga on December 12. They are away to AZ Alkmaar on January 23 and finish at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on January 30.There have to be players who come from the Giallorossi academy, so they can rely on Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicola Zalewski. The four...

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5Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

I am convinced we can beat Angola – Otto Addo

Ghana will go into Thursday’s home clash with Angola looking to win their third straight competitive game under Otto Addo. The Black Stars are on a good run after back to back victories against Mali and Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June. The visitors are also on a perfect run, and Otto Addo is expecting a big test again at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday. The Gha Boss faced the media at the Conference room of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Wednesday ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier on Thursday.

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5Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich’s squad market value is rising

According to Transfermarkt’s valuation system, Bayern Munich’s team value increased €74 million this summer after the acquisitions of Hiroki Ito, Michael Olise, and João Palhinha. The Bavarians outpaced RB Leipzig (€46 million increase), but aside of those two clubs, values did not rise all that much. There were some steep drops, though.Mainz 05 saw its roster value drop €36 million, while Borussia Mönchengladbach (€23 million) and Bayer Leverkusen (€21 million) took a hit as well: Notable roster losses (player sales, players who left for free, beginning or end of loan assignments) from Mainz, Gladbach, Leverkusen include: Brajan Gruda (Mainz to Brighton & Hove Albion) Leandro Barreiro (Mainz to Benfica)Sepp van den Berg (Mainz to Liverpool FC to Brentford) Manu Koné (Gl...

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