Month: September 2024

27Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Nils Schmadtke set to join Bayern Munich

Following on from recent reports that Bayern Munich is set to release chief scout Markus Pilawa, it seems that, according to Florian Plettenberg the club has found their replacement in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Nils Schmadtke: Nils Schmadtke is on the verge to become the new overall chief scout of FC Bayern to replace Markus Pilawa. Schmadtke is expected to sign a two-year contract. Max Eberl was determined to bring Schmadtke to Bayern. Nils is the son of Jörg Schmadtke, who has been working as a sporting executive in German football for over 20 years and even had a brief stint at Liverpool FC until earlier this year. @iMiaSanMia captures Philipp Kessler confirming this report, while offering some context: Nils Schmadtke is expected to replace Markus Pilawa as Bayern chief scout. Pilawa w...

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27Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Madrid return to scene of last defeat for Atletico derby clash

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid were unstoppable last season, unless they were facing city rivals Atletico Madrid. The only two defeats Los Blancos suffered were inflicted by Diego Simeone’s side, who host Real Madrid on Sunday in a spicy La Liga derby clash. Atletico were the last team to beat Madrid in the top flight, just over a year ago, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men unbeaten in 39 games since. The Rojiblancos also turfed Madrid out of the Copa del Rey in January 2024 in the last 16, which is the only loss Madrid have fallen to in the calendar year. Madrid are without star summer signing Kylian Mbappe after he suffered a thigh injury in the midweek win over Alaves, but still have a galaxy of attacking stars to call on. Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, often the target of abus...

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26Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Lazio Hero Against Dynamo Kyiv Praises Team’s Bounce-Back Ability

Lazio enjoyed a dream start to their first UEFA Europa League campaign since 2022/23, strolling to a 3-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv in Hamburg. Boulaye Dia stole the show at the Volksparkstadion with a first-half brace to inspire the Biancocelesti to a much-needed victory. Dia joined Lazio on loan from Salernitana in mid-August. However, a lack of match fitness after a troubled 2023/24 saw him make his first Serie A start for Marco Baroni’s side on matchday three. He scored immediately to help his side register a 2-2 draw against Milan. The 27-year-old forward got on the scoresheet again against Hellas Verona in the following round before drawing a blank against Fiorentina last weekend. Lazio lost that game 2-1 despite leading at halftime, and Dia believes Wednesday’s triumph was a perfect...

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26Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Spurs expected team vs Qarabag – Mikey Moore decision amid Postecoglou changes

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou must decide how many changes he makes to his team to face Qarabag in the Europa League Ange Postecoglou has to balance his changes for Tottenham's Europa League clash against Qarabag on Thursday evening. The Spurs boss made eight changes to his starting XI for the Carabao Cup tie against Coventry and the disjointed performance almost cost the north London side their place in the fourth round. With that in mind, Postecoglou will be wary of making as many alterations for the visit of the Azerbaijani side to N17 even though it is only the first of eight matches at this stage in the large new league format. Postecoglou could hand minutes to Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr and he might also decide to hand 17-year-old Mikey Moore hi...

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26Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Liverpool thrash West Ham United 5-1 in Carabao Cup

Liverpool’s journey in the Carabao Cup continues as they secured a resounding 5-1 victory over West Ham United, advancing to the fourth round with a display that underscored their offensive prowess. The match at Anfield started with an unexpected twist as Liverpool fell behind due to a Jarell Quansah own goal, giving the visitors an early lead. However, the Reds quickly shook off this setback, showcasing the resilience and strategic acumen that characterises their play under pressure. Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s attacking dynamo, turned the game around with two crucial goals, demonstrating once again why he is considered among the elite forwards in the game. Mohamed Salah, ever the difference-maker, further tilted the game in Liverpool’s favour with a decisive strike. The turning point, howev...

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26Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag – Man Utd didn’t give 100 percent in Twente draw

Erik ten Hag questioned his players' mentality after Manchester United's 1-1 draw with FC Twente in the Europa League by saying that the Dutch side "fought for every yard and we didn't." United led through Christian Eriksen's first-half goal, but were pegged back in the second half when Sam Lammers took advantage of Eriksen's mistake to score the equaliser. Eriksen said afterwards that FC Twente "wanted it more" and when the assessment was put to Ten Hag, the United manager agreed. "Yes, you saw it was the game of their life," said Ten Hag. "They fought for every yard and we didn't and 99 percent is not enough, you have to give 100 percent. "You have to kill the game, you have to finish it off. You have to go for the second goal and then you kill the game. "We are very ambitious and when y...

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26Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Hansi Flick discuss goalkeepers, Ansu Fati, Robert Lewandowski and Getafe after Barcelona win

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was a happy man after seeing his team beat Getafe 1-0 on Wednesday to maintain their perfect start to the Liga season. BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Robert Lewandowski salutes Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 25, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images) The Catalans had to work hard against a typically tough Getafe side, with Robert Lewandowski the match-winner for the hosts.Here are the best bits from Flick’s post-match presser:Flick on potentially signing a goalkeeperI’m only talking about the players I have, and Inaki is our goalkeeper. I’m happy today. We have three more points. Inaki is 25 years old an...

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25Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Jose Mourinho hits back after being fined amid latest controversy

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at critics after he missed a press conference for Fenerbahce at the weekend. Mourinho was inked in to speak to the media after Fenerbahce's Turkish Super Lig showdown at home to Galatasaray on Saturday. The charismatic Portuguese, who also managed Manchester United during his Premier League days, didn't attend the press conference after Fenerbahce's 3-1 defeat at the hands of their fiercest rivals, and was subsequently fined. A few days later and Mourinho was on media duty, once again, as he looked ahead to Fenerbahce's match against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League this week. DUZCE, TURKIYE- JUNE 24: Fenerbahçe team went to its first training session with new coach Jose Mourinho, and the training took plac...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Vincent Kompany vs. Xabi Alonso: Battle of the coaches as Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen

New Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany will face his biggest challenge yet as his side host reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: head coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen gestures during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-Final second leg match between West Ham United FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Olympic Stadium on April 18, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) In the opposite dugout will be Xabi Alonso, the former Bayern player who has already made the transition from world-class player to title-winning manager, and someone Kompany is trying to emulate.It has been a fantastic start to life at the Bayern helm for Kompany. In fact, the Belg...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Raheem Sterling is expected to make first Arsenal start for tonight

Raheem Sterling is expected to make his first Arsenal start since his shock arrival from Chelsea against Bolton in the Carabao Cup tonight. The experienced attacker joined the Gunners on loan on transfer deadline day but is yet to start a match for his new club. Sterling, though, is in line to play at the Emirates Stadium this evening in a clash that will see Mikel Arteta make a host of changes following the weekend's exhausting visit to Manchester City which saw the Gunners play the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. The 29-year-old has made two substitute appearances since arriving from Stamford Bridge, one in the Premier League win over Tottenham and another in last week's European draw against Atalanta. But Ster...

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25Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid confirm Kylian Mbappe injury blow ahead of Atletico derby

Kylian Mbappe is expected to ruled out for three weeks after suffering a thigh injury during Real Madrid's LaLiga victory over Alaves on Tuesday night. Mbappe, who scored in a fifth straight match to put his side 2-0 up five minutes before half-time at the Bernabeu, was replaced by Arda Guler in the 79th minute after seemingly feeling some discomfort. A Real statement on Wednesday read: 'After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid medical team, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the (left thigh).' No further information was disclosed as to the expected timescale of Mbappe's recovery. Mbappe, who signed a five-year deal with the Madrid club in July after his contract at Paris St Germain expired, has made an impressive start to life in Spain. The 25-...

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25Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Milan’s San Siro loses 2027 Champions League final

UEFA has said that it has revoked the decision for Milan's San Siro stadium to host the 2027 Champions League final and reopened the bidding process for the right to stage the event due to uncertainty about the iconic ground's future. The ground could be set to undergo a major renovation after it hosts the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. There is uncertainty because Serie A giants Inter and AC Milan have not yet decided whether to continue to use the facility owned by the city council, amid bureaucratic problems regarding a renovation, or build new stadiums of their own.

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City issue Rodri injury statement as Pep Guardiola faces ‘problem’

Manchester City have revealed Rodri has suffered ligament damage to his right knee - although the full extent of the injury remains unclear. The midfielder has been in Spain this week consulting specialists after limping off during the first half of City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. A statement on mancity.com read: "Manchester City can confirm that Rodri has suffered a ligament injury to his right knee. The injury was sustained during the first half of this weekend's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League. "The midfielder travelled to Spain to seek specialist consultation this week, following initial tests in Manchester. Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and mancity.com ...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Raphael Varane, former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender, retires from football at 31

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has retired from professional football at the age of 31 after suffering a knee injury. Varane had joined Serie A club Como earlier this season after his contract at Man United ended. However, after suffering a knee injury recently the former World Cup winner decided to retire from football. He played just one match for Como in the Coppa Itali but was substituted after just 20 minutes. Varane’s most successful tenure at the club level came at Real Madrid where he played for 10 seasons and won 18 trophies including three La Liga titles and four Champions League top prizes. He won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup with Man United and the World Cup in 2018 with his national team France. He made the retirement announcement through I...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Ligue 1

PSG Attack in ‘Complicated Period’ Ahead of Crucial Arsenal Clash, Expert Warns

Over the last two matches, Paris Saint-Germain have struggled with their attack, needing luck in the goal against Girona FC and only scored off a header from Ousmane Dembélé on the road at Stade de Reims. The French giants must resolve their scoring woes before their marquee UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal on October 1. PSG’s performance is worrying, especially considering how well their opponents in the competition played this past weekend. Arsenal managed a 2-1 win over Manchester City despite being down to 10 men, VfB Stuttgart thrashed Borussia Dortmund 5-1, Manchester City grabbed a stoppage-time equalizer against Arsenal, and Bayern Munich have racked up 20 goals in their last three games. With the road match a few days away, Football Transfer’s Robin Bairner shared why ...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

The tops and flops of Serie A round 5: Fonseca flips the script on Inter

For those who still dare suggest Italian football is predictable, the mayhem witnessed throughout the weekend should be enough to dispel such an unfounded claim. Perhaps Udinnese’s reign on top of the table turned out to be brief as expected, but Torino seizing the top spot was certainly an unforeseen spin. What’s more? Thiago Motta’s Juventus are impregnable at the back, yet futile upfront. Did anyone see this coming? Nevertheless, the biggest twist of the weekend was reserved for the Derby della Madonnina, with a struggling Milan turning the table on their arch-rivals. So let’s review all these astonishing events and more while identifying the Tops and Flops from Serie A Round 5. Top (Player): Artem Dovbyk Last week, Artem Dovbyk opened his Serie A account in the 1-1 draw against Genoa...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Vincent Kompany and Christoph Freund praises Michael Olise’s impact at Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich announced Michael Olise before he was called up to the Olympics and got him for a lesser fee before the player exploded with the French Olympic football team. New Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was just as impressed with the 22-year-old despite arriving at the club later than the rest of his teammates. “I didn’t think it was bad that he played at the Olympics,” Kompany opined (as captured by X account @iMiaSanMia). “He came back very fit. He’s already playing a good role and will make many good steps. Now he should stay calm and keep it up.” Club sporting director Christoph Freund had a similar take and had a good first impression of him. “He played very well at the Olympics,” Freund began (via @iMiaSanMia). “Of course, a lot is new for him, new club, country, culture...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United ‘considering’ another Bayern Munich transfer as Liverpool battle emerges

Manchester United are being linked with two new defenders, according to the latest transfer rumour mill. United had a busy summer transfer window with five new signings in total. Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte were all signed by the Reds to strengthen Erik ten Hag's squad. With the exception of Yoro, who is currently sidelined through injury, all of United's summer signings have earned regular minutes in the early weeks of the season. The next test for Ten Hag's side will be on Wednesday night when United face FC Twente in their opening fixture of the Europa League. Football flame takes a look at some of the latest United transfer news and rumours that have circulated over the last 24 hours. United are being linked with a move for Bayern Mu...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

La Liga rivals joins Barca stars in sending support to Ter Stegen

Barcelona players have been quick to send support to Marc-Andre ter Stegen after he suffered an awful knee injury against Villarreal that has seen him undergo surgery. Raphinha dedicated Barcelona’s win to Ter Stegen after the match when he spoke to the media, and team-mates have been quick to post messages on social media to their goalkeeper. Lamine Yamal posted on social media: “A lot of strength Marc, you are strong,” while Marc Bernal said “We are with you, captain” and Fermin Lopez added “With you captain.” Inigo Martinez posted on X: “You’ll come back stronger, captain. We’ll be waiting for you! Good luck Marc!” Sergi Roberto was also thinking about his good friend and former team-mate, writing: “Be strong Capi. I’m with you. Once again you will show your mentality and I have no doub...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool ‘want’ three Bayer Leverkusen stars as £16m target ’emerges’

Liverpool are already being linked with several potential new signings months before the January transfer window even opens. The Reds had a relatively quiet summer, with Federico Chiesa the only new addition to the squad for this term. Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia, but the goalkeeper will spend the remainder of the campaign on loan with the La Liga club before moving to Anfield in 2025. It now remains to be seen if Liverpool will look to strengthen their squad further when the transfer window reopens in January. For the time being, attention remains on the fixtures ahead, with Liverpool facing West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. The Reds go into the fixture on the back of a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League at the weekend....

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