April 2024 – Page 13 – Football Flame

8Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

“It depends on Newcastle” – Magpies player says he’s tempted to be elsewhere next season

Yankuba Minteh of Feyenoord celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Almere City FC and Feyenoord at Yanmar Stadion on February 25, 2024 in Almere, Netherlands. Last summer, Newcastle United signed Yankuba Minteh from Danish side Odense Boldklub and offered him a contract until 2028.The winger is currently on loan at Feyenoord and has impressed for them this season, scoring 10 goals and registering four assists from 32 games. This includes a brace and an assist in the Eredivisie side’s 6-0 crushing victory over Ajax on Sunday.After the tie, the Newcastle owned player spoke to ESPN’s Hans Kraay Jr. and his quotes are relayed by Feyenoord Pings.Kraay Jr pointed out to the 19-year-old that his deal with the Magpies lasts until 2028, b...

8Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Kingsley Coman: Bayern Munich needs confidence back to compete in Champions League

Kingsley Coman of FC Bayern Muenchen in action during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground on March 29, 2024 in Munich, Germany. For a first game back after a long injury layover, this was not how Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman imagined.The French winger got around half an hour to stretch his legs but could not turn the tide as the Bavarians fell 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund — a result that all but confirms them to second place in the Bundesliga this season, behind Bayer Leverkusen.For Coman, Bayern, and outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel, however, there is still the Champions League — if they can get past Arsenal FC.Tall order? Coman is taking it one step at a time.“First of all we have to focus on our next game. We won’t win the Champions League if we don’t win our lea...

8Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Cardiff City Women presented with Genero Adran Leagues trophy

Cardiff Women beat Wrexham 5-1 before being presented with the Genero Adran Leagues Premier trophy at Cardiff City Stadium.Championship ConferenceAberystwyth Town 0-0 Swansea City (Att: 140)Cardiff City Women 5-1 WrexhamThere was going to be no spoiling of the Bluebirds big day, as Rhianne Oakley, Mikayla Cook and Siobhan Walsh all struck for a 3-0 interval lead. Eliza Collie and teenage substitute Olivia Basham added one each, before Carra Jones netted a consolation for the visitors.Aberystwyth Town finished their season by holding runners-up Swansea City to a goalless draw.Plate ConferencePontypridd United 0-3 The New Saints (Att: 102)Barry Town United 1-2 Cardiff Met (Att: 83)The New Saints had already clinched top spot in the Plate Conference and ended with a 3-0 win at rel...

8Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Max Allegri proud of Juventus ‘Progress’ after Fiorentina win

Juventus' Italian defender #04 Federico Gatti celebrates with teammates after winning 1-0 the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Fiorentina, at The Allianz Stadium, in Turin on April 7, 2024. Federico Gatti’s first-half goal settled a dramatic contest at the Allianz Stadium as Juventus squeaked past Fiorentina 1-0 on Sunday. Buoyed by a 2-0 win against Lazio in midweek Coppa Italia action, Massimiliano Allegri’s side ended a disappointing four-game winless run in Serie A.It wasn’t a convincing performance from Juventus by any stretch of the imagination. They only attempted two shots on target, though it’s worth noting Dusan Vlahovic had his first-half goal disallowed for offside. This game resembled November’s reverse fixture in Tuscany as Allegri’s team fought ...

8Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona want to open contract renewal talks with Pedri

Pedri central midfield of Barcelona and Spain during the warm-up before the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona at Estadio de San Mames on March 3, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain. Barcelona have reportedly told Pedri they plan to offer him a new contract at the club and want to sit down soon and start negotiations.Pedri’s current contract runs until 2026 and contains a 1 billion euro release clause, but Barcelona want to extend that even further, according to Mundo Deportivo.The Catalan giants see Pedri as a key player for the future and therefore don’t want to take any risks when it comes to his contract.Barca want his long-term future secured to avoid him heading towards the final year of his contract without an agreement having been reached.The club are also said...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

“That is why they punish us” – Mauricio Pochettino on Chelsea’s draw to Sheffield United

Oliver McBurnie of Sheffield United consoles Thiago Silva of Chelsea who looks dejected after the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea FC at Bramall Lane on April 7, 2024 in Sheffield, England. After showing signs of turning the corner during their sensational last minute victory against Manchester United, Chelsea dropped yet more points against relegation candidates.Thiago Silva, returning to the Chelsea lineup, scored first for the Blues, but Sheffield United right-back Jayden Bogle leveled the score. Cole Palmer assisted Noni Madueke’s goal before their key player, Palmer, was subbed off, though Mauricio Pochettino clarified it wasn’t due to injury. And then in the dying moments, Oli McBurnie equalised for the home side.Pochettino criticised his team’s fa...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle United star major doubt to face Tottenham Hotspur – 11 players already ruled out

Joe Willock of Newcastle United battles for possession with Alex Iwobi of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on April 06, 2024 in London, England.Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock is a major doubt for Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur (kick-off 12:30pm).After coming on as a substitute during the midweek draw against Everton, Willock was recalled to the starting XI for yesterday’s 1-0 win at Fulham. However, the former Arsenal man lasted just 40 minutes at Craven Cottage due to an ongoing Achilles problem.Willock has twice sustained the same injury this campaign and only recently returned from three months out. He could now be set for another spell on the sidelines.“Joe is still feeling his Achille...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Italy Star To Miss Udinese Vs Inter Milan Serie A Clash Through Injury

Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale in a ction during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 01, 2024 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni will miss tomorrow evening’s Serie A clash between Udinese and Inter Milan due to injury.On Friday, defender Bastoni picked up a knock to his thigh in training.The injury is not a serious one. The Italian international should be able to fully recover from the problem in a matter of days.However, the match against Udinese is already coming up tomorrow.And so there is very little time in which to get back to fitness for Bastoni.The priority will therefore be not to take any risks with the former Parma and Atalanta defender’s fitness.It has been clear that Bastoni would ...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

De Rossi looks ahead to Milan clash after derby win: “We’ve seen them 1000 times”

Daniele De Rossi head coach of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and SS Lazio - Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico on April 06, 2024 in Rome, Italy.AC Milan and Roma will both go into Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg full of confidence after two big wins over the weekend.Milan made it seven wins in a row across all competitions with a 3-0 victory against Lecce at San Siro yesterday, with Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao all getting their name on the scoresheet.Meanwhile, Roma beat Lazio in the evening kick-off as Gianluca Mancini’s header from a Paulo Dybala corner proved enough to give De Rossi a victory on his Derby della Capitale debut as a head coach.De Rossi was interview by DAZN after the game was asked about the immediat...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca to capture first Copa Del Rey trophy in 40 years

Oihan Sancet of Athletic Club kisses the Copa Del Rey trophy following victory in the Copa Del Rey Final between Athletic Club and Real Mallorca at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 06, 2024 in Seville, Spain. Athletic Bilbao ended a 40-year wait to win the Copa del Rey by beating Real Mallorca 4-2 on penalties on Saturday following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The Basque side lifted the trophy for the 24th time, behind only 31-time winners Barcelona, as they edged underdogs Mallorca at La Cartuja stadium in Seville.Dani Rodriguez sent Mallorca ahead in the first half but Oihan Sancet levelled soon after the break and the sides could not be separated until penalties.Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved Manu Morlanes’ penalty and Mallorca’s Nemanja Radonjic lashed another sp...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Thomas Tuchel has no explanation for Bayern’s collapse to Heidenheim

Thomas Tuchel, head coach of FC Bayern München looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and FC Bayern München at Voith-Arena on April 06, 2024 in Heidenheim, Germany.Arsenal will undoubtedly take note of Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel's post-match comments after he had no explanation for their collapse against promoted side Heidenheim.Bayern was leading Saturday's Bundesliga game 2-0 at the break after goals from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry, then conceded three in the second half to lose 3-2 for its second consecutive Bundesliga defeat.Tuchel, whose team next visits Arsenal for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday, had no explanation.'In the first 15 minutes of the second half, we gave away everything we had built up. Within t...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal return to Premier League summit with win over Brighton as Man City cruise

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Community Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Brighton, England.Arsenal leapfrogged Liverpool at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-0 win at Brighton after Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in Manchester City’s victory at Crystal Palace.Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard lifted the Gunners to 71 points -- one clear of Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are tied on 70 points with defending champions City.Liverpool face a trip to mercurial Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday in the next chapter of a thrilling three-way title race.Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have now won 10 of their pa...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton beat Burnley

Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Burnley FC at Goodison Park on April 06, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Dominic Calvert-Lewin capitalised on an Arijanet Muric error to score his second goal in as many games and help Everton to a priceless win over fellow strugglers Burnley, whose own survival hopes were dealt a major blow at Goodison Park.The bizarre goal earned the Toffees their first top-flight win in 14 attempts - since a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on 16 December.Calvert-Lewin, who ended a run of 23 games without a goal in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Newcastle, opened the scoring at the end of a poor first half, when Muric's attempted clearance struck ...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Kevin de Bruyne shines as Man City maintain title challenge

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (left) celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on April 6, 2024 in London, England.Manchester City maintained their title challenge in ruthless fashion as Kevin de Bruyne claimed his 100th goal for the club in a comeback victory at Crystal Palace.In an entertaining encounter, Palace stunned City with an early opener from Jean-Philippe Mateta, before De Bruyne's wonderful finish pulled the visitors level in the first half.Mateta raced on to a pass from Adam Wharton and slotted the ball inside the far corner in only the third minute as noise erupted from the stands at Selhurst Park.But De Bruyne's curling effort was a sublime equaliser just 10 minutes later.Pa...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Allegri: It’s always hard-fought vs Fiorentina

Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus during a training session at JTC on April 4, 2024 in Turin, Italy. On the eve of Juventus-Fiorentina, scheduled for Sunday, 7 April at 20:45 CEST at the Allianz Stadium, Coach Massimiliano Allegri previewed the weekend's match in his usual pre-match press conference.COPPA VICTORY"The whole match was important and not just the second half, we returned to winning ways, but it was a different competition compared to the championship. Now we have to make up for it in Serie A, consolidate our position and maintain our concentration. The next match is always more complicated than the previous one, there are 50 days left of the season and we need to have great enthusiasm and desire to achieve the objectives we have set ourselves.THE TEAM"Boys grow by pl...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool legend insists Roberto de Zerbi won’t replace Jurgen Klopp

Roberto De Zerbi head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg training and press conference at Stadio Olimpico, on March 06, 2024, in Rome, Italy. A Liverpool legend has ruled Roberto de Zerbi out of the running to replace Jurgen Klopp by insisting Reds decision-makers wouldn't 'go anywhere near' the Italian.The Brighton boss is one of the names in the running to succeed Klopp at Anfield after the German announced the shock decision to leave the club at the end of the season.Current Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is favourite to takeover Liverpool in the summer after Xabi Alonso made the decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, but De Zerbi has also been mentioned as a potential successor.Doubt has been cast by De...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Report: Manchester Utd Optimistic Over Important £10m Move

Sporting Director Dan Ashworth watches from tjhe sidelines on day three of the Austrian Pre Season Training Camp on on July 13, 2022 in Saalfelden, Austria.Manchester United’s pursuit of Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director is a tale of tactical negotiations and the high stakes of Premier League football. Amid reports from TeamTalk, it’s a narrative that signals a new chapter for United, reflecting their unyielding commitment to restructuring at the highest level of the club’s administration.Crafting the DealThe negotiation table is an arena of its own, and United have seemingly played their hand with due diligence. Initial standstills have given way to optimism, with talks of a £10m compromise to secure Ashworth’s services before the summer transfer window. This figure is emblemati...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Juventus interested in Lille’s Edon Zhegrova

Edon Zhegrova #23 of Lille OSC looks on during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 round of 16 second-leg match between Lille OSC and Sturm Graz at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on March 14, 2024 in Lille, France.Serie A giants Juventus are already planning for the summer transfer window and a new name on their shortlist is Lille star Edon Zhegrova.The Bianconeri could lose Federico Chiesa and Filip Kostic this summer and have been strongly linked with Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood. La Gazzetta dello Sport state that apart from Greenwood, Juve are looking at another wide option and that is Lille’s Zhegrova, who has impressed at the Ligue 1 side this season.Juve and club sporting director Cristiano Guintoli have already signed up to the chase for Greenwood, but it remains to be seen...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Barcelona key defender suffering from discomfort ahead of PSG encounter

Pedri of FC Barcelona receives medical treatment after picking up an injury during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona at Estadio de San Mames on March 03, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain. Just four days away from their biggest test of the season so far, Barcelona are continuing their preparations for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal showdown against PSG.The first leg of the tie will take place on April 10, next Wednesday, away at Parc des Princes, and Barcelona are sweating over the fitness of a few key players.Pedri’s involvement remains uncertain as he still continues to recover from a thigh injury, although the chances of Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen arriving for the game are much higher.Amidst all this, Javi Miguel of AS has now claime...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Borussia Dortmund reluctant to meet Jadon Sancho’s asking price

Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven at Signal Iduna Park on March 13, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. A lot has been written about Jadon Sancho in the past year – most of the stuff negative rather than positive.The Manchester United winger returned to Borussia Dortmund on a short-term loan in January, but there was little hope – from where we’re sat – that he’d rejuvenate his career after being exiled from Erik ten Hag’s side following a high-profile dispute.While Dortmund want to bring back Sancho permanently, reports in Germany state that United’s transfer demands could be an issue for the Bundesliga club. Yes, the same club that s...