Month: September 2024

14Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag: Utd need wins for club to keep faith in me

Erik ten Hag has accepted Manchester United must start winning if he's going to retain the faith of the club's hierarchy. The Dutchman has come under increased pressure following the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break. Speaking before the Liverpool game, CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth both backed Ten Hag as the right man for the job. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on September 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) But ahead of the trip to Southampton on Saturday, the 54-year-old had admitted the support will only last if results pick up. "In...

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14Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona lineup vs. Girona: Predicted XI for La Liga clash

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick could select an unchanged lineup for Sunday's Catalan derby against Girona at Estadi Montilivi. BARCELONA CATALONIA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 11: FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick arrives at the wreath laying at the monument of Rafael Casanova, on the occasion of the Diada, at Ronda de Sant Pere-Ali Bei, on 11 September, 2024 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The Diada day in Catalonia begins with the floral offering to Rafael Casanova, to which a retinue of all institutions and parties, except PP and Vox, is expected. In addition, today is the first September 11 without a pro-independence president at the head of the Generalitat for 12 years and therefore, there will be no representatives of the Executiu in the pro-independence demonstration. (Photo By Lorena Sopena/Eur...

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13Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arteta issues Odegaard injury update ahead of North London derby

Mikel Arteta has revealed the latest on Martin Odegaard’s fitness after the Arsenal captain was injured on international duty for Norway. LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal 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 Visionhaus/Getty Images) Odegaard sustained an ankle injury while playing for his national side against Austria on Monday and was consoled by Premier League title rival Erling Haaland. Arsenal take on Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, but are likely to be without Odegaard, and Declan Rice has already been ruled out of the match when he was shown a red card against Brighton. Arteta said at the press conference ahead of the...

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13Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Douglas Luiz to make first start in Serie A for Juventus

Multiple reports in Italy claim Douglas Luiz will make his debut as a starter for Juventus tomorrow, in a Serie A game against Empoli. TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 12: Douglas Luiz of Juventus during a training session at JTC on September 12, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) According to multiple Italian sources, Douglas Luiz is set to start his first Serie A game at Juventus. La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport claim that the Brazilian star will be in the Bianconeri’s starting XI tomorrow, Saturday, September 14 when they visit Empoli at the Stadio Castellani Computer Gross Arena. Douglas Luiz to make first start in Serie A for JuventusDouglas Luiz joined Juventus from Aston Villa in a €50m deal in the 202...

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13Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool to hear Mohamed Salah contract news as injury blow outlined

Arne Slot will preview Saturday's visit from Nottingham Forest at 9am at the AXA Training Centre on Friday. The Liverpool head coach has been back at work since the start of the week and has no doubt been watching on with his fingers crossed as many of his squad were involved during the international break. After getting his international contingent back at the £50m Kirkby base on Thursday, Slot was able to put his players through their paces ahead of the return of Premier League action this weekend. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) ...

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13Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

SERIE A

Intermediary Shares Tidbits on Huijsen and Lukaku Moves

Andrea Pellegatti is part of the Epic Sports agency, which brokered some of the most meaningful deals of the summer, like the transfer of Dean Huijsen from Juventus to Bournemouth and the quick return of Romelu Lukaku to Serie A. The former Bianconeri prodigy joined the Cherries after being linked to a few sides. The intermediary dished on what swayed him to Radio Sportiva (via Football Addict). “Their style was decisive. They try to play with quality in a physical league. They build their actions from the back, and he excels in that. Coach Andoni Iraola helped him embrace their technical project, without forgetting the role of Tiago Pinto. They already crossed paths in Rome. Bringing the player to a context coherent with his age and level and the championship were factors that contribut...

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13Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth – Premier League

Chelsea are aiming to return from the September international break with a bang this Saturday when they journey to Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Blues have endured a difficult 2024/25 - their six-goal thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers aside - and Enzo Maresca is still attempting to instil his philosophy at the club. Chelsea's gargantuan squad, filled to the brim with young talent, will naturally take time to adjust to a new and distinct style. However, the Italian may not be afforded a significant adjustment period, which is why it's so important that he tops up his support from the club's hierarchy with positive performances and convincing results. Here is how Chelsea could line up for a tricky trip to the south coast. Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1) GK: Robe...

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13Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG refuse League order to pay Mbappe disputed $60M

The LFP oversees all matters concerning the top two tiers of football in France, but PSG said they would seek a legal ruling elsewhere. The 25-year-old striker says PSG owe him 55 million euros in wages and bonuses, but the Parisians say Mbappe agreed to waive the money in August 2023. On Thursday, the LFP commission told PSG to pay, reportedly within a week, sparking a response from the Qatari-backed club. "Given the limits of the Commission's legal scope to make a full decision on this matter, the case must now be pursued before another court." "PSG will look forward to presenting all the facts over the coming months and year." Lawyers representing the two parties met early on Wednesday after Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid this summer, had referred his case to the LFP's legal committee.

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13Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

LALIGA

Injuries a factor for Real Madrid as La Liga returns

La Liga returns after the international break with a game where injuries are likely to play a key role as Real Sociedad entertain Real Madrid on Saturday night. Real Madrid are without Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, Aurelian Tchouameni and David Alaba with various injuries, while Jude Bellingham is a doubt due to a muscle problem he picked up before the break. The absences leave Carlo Ancelotti with a jigsaw puzzle to complete in defence and midfield and Dani Carvajal or Jesus Vallejo could start alongside Antonio Rudiger in the heart of their defence. Real Sociedad have lost their two home matches this campaign and are also struggling with a long list of absentees that includes Mikel Oyarzabal, with a badly twisted ankle, Hamari Traore, who is out for the season and creat...

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13Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Yamal: I want to stay at Barca forever & become a legend

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has appeared on Spanish television and chatted about a range of topics following his rapid rise to superstardom. The teenager spoke about comparisons with Lionel Messi and how he hopes he can stay at the club for his whole career. “I want to stay at Barça forever, I want to be a legend,” he told El Hormiguero. “I like to be compared to the best player in the history of football, but I want to be myself. Reaching Messi’s level is impossible.” Rather inevitably, Lamine was also asked about his good friend Nico Williams after a summer where Barcelona were regularly linked with the forward. Yet Yamal had a pretty diplomatic answer when asked about the prospect of playing alongside his good mate at Barcelona. “I would like to play with him every week, hopefully,...

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13Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Erik ten Hag: I don’t care what Ronaldo has to say about me

Erik ten Hag has brushed off Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest criticism of him by insisting: “He’s far away from Manchester.” Ronaldo reignited his feud with Ten Hag by saying the Manchester United manager sent out the wrong message by claiming, in an interview during the summer, that the club were a “long way” from being able to win the Premier League and Champions League. The former United striker – who has been playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League since leaving in late 2022 – also cast doubt himself on United’s ability to win the league, claiming it would be “difficult”. But Ten Hag gave short shrift to Ronaldo’s comments when quizzed on the subject ahead of United’s game at Southampton tomorrow and implied he was not too concerned about the opinions of a player 3,200 miles away in Sa...

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12Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

PSG ordered to pay Kylian Mbappé’s unpaid wages

Kylian Mbappé (25) looks to have won his long-running dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain concerning unpaid wages, as reported by Le Parisien and L’Équipe. Mbappé went unpaid for the final three months of his PSG contract, from April to June, prior to his move to Real Madrid. The refusal to pay the wages came amid a dispute and a messy divorce between the two parties. Les Parisiens believed that they had an oral, gentleman’s agreement with the France captain that they wouldn’t lose out financially, in the event that he left on a free transfer, which of course he did. That agreement, the club has argued, was stated publically in January, when Mbappé said the following: “With the agreement that I made with the president this summer, regardless of my decision, (at the end of ...

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12Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Gavi returns to Barcelona training after ACL tear

Barcelona midfielder Gavi returned to training on Thursday as he edges closer to a return to action after almost 10 months out with a serious knee injury. Gavi, 20, has not played since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing for Spain against Georgia in a qualifying match for the European Championship at the end of last year. BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 12: Pablo Martin 'Gavi' of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and AS Monaco at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images) A source has told Football Flame that no date has been fixed for a possible comeback at this stage, with the next steps dependent on how he responds to a gradual increase ...

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12Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta signs new Arsenal contract and vows to ‘do much more’

Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year contract with Arsenal, committing his future to the club until 2027. The Spaniard, who has been in charge since late 2019, had entered the final 12 months of his previous deal at the start of the season. LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Signs a new contract at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 12, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arteta has helped transformed Arsenal’s ambitions since replacing Unai Emery, leading the club to Premier League title challenges in each of the last two seasons. Although the Gunners fell short to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in both years, Arsenal finished the last two seasons on 84 and 89 points - their hig...

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12Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Mourinho ‘I will die and never forget Roma Final, Osimhen dives too much’

José Mourinho says he ‘will die and never forget’ the 2022-23 Europa League Final his Roma side lost against Sevilla and insists he has no problems with Victor Osimhen: ‘But he dives too much.’ ISTANBUL, TURKEY - AUGUST 13: Head coach of Fenerbahce looks on during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round match between Fenerbahce and Lille FC at Ulker Stadium on August 13, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Fenerbahce coach Mourinho released an extended interview with Turkish media HT Spor, where he discussed several things related to Italian football. Evidently, he still hasn’t forgotten about the 2022-23 Europa League Final that his Roma side lost against Sevilla, especially after a recent referee controversy that saw his Fenerbahce side elimin...

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12Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Paul Pogba’s brother to stand trial in extortion case involving France football star

A brother of World Cup winner Paul Pogba will stand trial with five other men as part of an extortion case that targeted the footballer two years ago, the Paris prosecutor's office said Tuesday. A judge ordered the six men to appear before a court following an investigation into whether Pogba was the target of extortion by his brother, Mathias Pogba, and childhood friends, the office said. The prosecutor's office said Mathias Pogba, 34, was ordered to stand trial “for the offences of attempted extortion and criminal conspiracy."The court date has not been announced. The five others — identified by their first names only — allegedly demanded €13 million ($14.3 million) from the France midfielder, and repeatedly intimidated him, claiming he didn't support them after he became an int...

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12Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona have the two most experienced teenagers in world football

La Masia is back on top, as Barcelona are easily producing the finest prospects in world football, assembling a star-studded lineup where the majority of the key players are homegrown talents. Gavi and Pedri have been anchoring the midfield for the past couple of seasons, Alejandro Balde was a massive breakout star at left back in 2022/23 when Barcelona last won LaLiga, and both Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi emerged as legitimately two of the best players in LaLiga in their respective positions. Yamal, in particular, was a revelation, dominating the competition at Euro 2024 as a key player for champions Spain. Both Yamal and Cubarsi are just 17 years old, so, in theory, Barcelona have two world-class players on their hands for the next 15 years. Cubarsi and Yamal are so good, i...

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12Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez accused of slapping cameraman

A TV cameraman said Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez "slapped me" after Colombia's 2-1 home win in a World Cup qualifying match. Jhonny Jackson told Colombian reporters he approached Martínez after the final whistle in Barranquilla on Tuesday as the goalkeeper greeted another player. Footage he captured shows the World Cup winner, who Argentines know as Dibu, hitting the camera, which quickly falls to the ground. "Out of the blue he slapped me," Jackson told RCN Deportes on Wednesday. "I felt angry, very angry. I was working, just like he was. He was playing and I was shooting with my camera."He also sent a message to Martínez: " Dibu, my brother, how are you? I am Jhonny Jackson, the cameraman you assaulted in the match against Colombia. I wanted to tell you it is all good,...

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12Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

‘No hope’: China coach under pressure with World Cup hopes in peril

China coach Branko Ivankovic was under pressure Wednesday to quit after less than seven months in the job with their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in danger. China are bottom of their group in the third round of Asian qualifying following two defeats in as many games, the latest a 2-1 home loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The Saudis played much of the game in Dalian with 10 men following the 19th-minute dismissal of Mohamed Kanno, but they were the better side in the second half and scored the winner at the death through Hassan Kadish's second header of the night. Boos rang around the stadium at the final whistle with Croatian coach Ivankovic the target of much of the home fans' anger. On the social media platform Weibo, the hashtags "Chinese football. No hope" and "Ivan...

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12Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Christian Pulisic urges Mauricio Pochettino to ‘change the culture’ in USMNT

Like most of their fans, players on the U.S. men’s national soccer team had heard the rumors of the incoming coach. On Saturday night, during a team meal in Kansas City, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, Matt Crocker, told the players that the federation was finalizing a deal with Mauricio Pochettino. But it wasn’t until the pregame meal in Cincinnati on Tuesday that they were told it was done. A few hours later, U.S. Soccer told the public. It was officially time to move forward under arguably the highest-profile coach in the history of the U.S. men’s team. For the players, who have spent the past week or so dancing around questions about Pochettino, there seemed to be a sense of relief that the moment had come. In the wake of yet another disappointing result -- this time a...

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