2024 – Page 101 – Football Flame

Year: 2024

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LALIGA

Xavi says Barça should renew Sergi Roberto: ‘He knows what Barça is’

 Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Las Palmas v FC Barcelona at the Gran Canaria Stadium on January 4, 2024 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Spain.Barcelona boss Xavi Hernández thinks the club should keep captain Sergi Roberto around for one more season. Roberto’s deal expires in six months and he’s widely expected to leave in the summer, but the coach doesn’t want to see him go.Speaking to the press on Saturday, Xavi said he has recommended Roberto’s renewal to the club and praised the captain’s leadership and qualities as a player. He also defended Roberto, who is a target of much criticism from press and fans.“I would recommend to the club that they renew Sergi Roberto. They already know it. He is important, he can play in many positions. Y...
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SERIE A

Inter Milan captain after Serie A win vs Hellas Verona: ‘We weren’t at our best, but we needed to win’

 Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 6, 2024 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez feels that the important thing was winning against Hellas Verona, even if the performance wasn’t perfect.The Nerazzurri captain spoke to InterTV, via FCInterNews, after this afternoon’s 2-1 Serie A victory against relegation-battlers the Gialloblu.In the end, Inter emerge from this evening’s match with three points.That means that no matter what the result of tomorrow’s match between Juventus and Salerntiana is, the Nerazzurri will finish the weekend top of the Serie A table.It was not the most convincing of perfo...
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NEWS

Isak double seals Wear-Tyne derby win for Newcastle

 Dan Ballard of Sunderland fouls Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United for a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on January 06, 2024 in Sunderland, England.Newcastle made comfortable work of rivals Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.The Magpies piled on the pressure from the outset and eventually found the breakthrough 10 minutes before half time when Sunderland defender Dan Ballard sliced Joelinton's cross into the back of his own net.It took less than a minute after the restart for Newcastle to take full control of the first Wear-Tyne derby since 2016 when Miguel Almiron robbed the ball from Pierre Ekwah before squaring for Alexander I...
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SERIE A

Bologna secure draw with late goal against Genoa

 Albert Gudmundsson of Genoa CFC celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his teammate Ruslan Malinovskyi of Genoa CFC during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and Genoa CFC at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on January 05, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. Bologna have scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time against Genoa to snatch a 1-1 draw at home in Serie A.Icelandic striker Albert Gudmundsson put the visitors ahead on Friday with his third goal in four games when his free kick from the left sneaked in through a crowd.However, just when it looked like Bologna would lose two games in a row for the first time in a year, Lorenzo De Silvestri popped up in the penalty box to score a dramatic equaliser.Genoa will be furious at switching off so late in the game but the result ma...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid suffer double injury blow ahead of busy run of games

 Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez players of Real Madrid are training at Valdebebas training ground on January 02, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid have revealed that Lucas Vazquez is facing a spell out with a hamstring problem, while Toni Kroos will be absent against Arandina on Saturday due to an ankle issue.A medical report issued by the club on Friday afternoon confirmed a thigh problem for Vazquez, who would have been in line for a start against Arandina in the Copa del Rey this weekend."Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Lucas Vazquez, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his right thigh. His progress will be monitored," read a statement on Real Madrid's official website.The 32-year-old has ...
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NEWS

Tottenham knock Burnley out of FA Cup after Porro stunner

Pedro Porro of Tottenham Hotspur scoring the 1st goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 5, 2024 in London, England.  Burnley were knocked out of the FA Cup following a narrow 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur after Pedro Porro's 25-yard special.A replay at Turf Moor appeared on the cards until Ange Postecoglou watched full-back Porro make the breakthrough with a superb strike in the 78th minute.Clarets boss Vincent Kompany could take positives after a solid display and they will now concentrate fully on staying in the Premier League.Spurs had already beaten Burnley 5-2 this season, but they were missing their hat-trick hero from that sunny September day with Son Heung-min away for the Asian Cup...
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NEWS

Swansea City appoint Luke Williams as new head coach

 Luke Williams poses for a picture after signing a contract to become manager of Swansea City AFC at The Fairwood Training Ground on January 04, 2024 in Swansea, Wales.Luke Williams has left Notts County to become the new head coach of Swansea City.A month has passed since the Championship outfit made the decision to part ways with Michael Duff, who only arrived in South Wales during the summer.Since then, Alan Sheehan has been in charge on a temporary basis, instigating a vast improvement with 11 points being accumulated from seven matches.However, a day before the club's FA Cup third-round tie against Morecambe, Swansea have announced the appointment of Williams.The 43-year-old takes on the third job of his career having previously managed Swindon Town and more recently been in char...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City’s Rodri & Haaland doubts for Huddersfield tie

 Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring the opening goal with Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Manchester City's Rodri and Erling Haaland are doubts for the club's FA Cup third round tie against Huddersfield Town.Spain midfielder Rodri could miss Sunday's game following the death of his grandmother."Today and tomorrow he will not be here," said Guardiola, whose side won the FA Cup last season."Hopefully he will come back for the game but, if he needs to stay, family issues are the most important thing."Haaland has not played since 6 December because of a foot injury.Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and winger Jeremy Doku are bac...
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NEWS

FA Cup: Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent off as Everton hold Crystal Palace

 Referee Chris Kavanagh shows a red card to Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (not pictured) during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match at Selhurst Park, London. Picture date: Thursday January 4, 2024.Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin was controversially sent off as his side held on for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round on Thursday. Calvert-Lewin saw red after a VAR review of the England striker’s studs-up foul on Nathaniel Clyne late in the second half at Selhurst Park.Calvert-Lewin made only slight contact with Clyne’s leg while winning the ball and Everton boss Sean Dyche was furious with the decision by referee Chris Kavanagh after a long VAR check.The first red card of Calvert-Lewin’s career could have been fatal to Everton’s hopes of progressing in the co...
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LALIGA

Xavi: Champs Barca deserve respect in title race

 Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona consoles Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona who leaves the pitch with an injury during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Las Palmas v FC Barcelona at the Gran Canaria Stadium on January 4, 2024 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Spain.Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández called for "respect for the reigning champions" as his side came from behind to beat Las Palmas 2-1 to remain seven points behind joint LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and Girona.Ilkay Gündoğan scored a stoppage-time penalty to seal the win after Ferran Torres had cancelled out former Barça striker Munir El Haddadi's opener for Las Palmas at the Estadio Gran Canaria."Of course," Xavi said in his post-game news conference when asked if Barça were still in the title race. "Did you see this week's games ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle United’s Kalvin Phillips hopes boosted

 Kalvin Phillips of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium on October 17, 2023 in London, England. Newcastle United target Kalvin Phillips’ preference would be to stay in the Premier League if he leaves Manchester City this month, which is a boost for the Magpies, according to The Northern Echo.Phillips is keen to move on from Manchester City and Pep Guardiola is ready to sanction a loan move away from the club.Newcastle are interested in signing the midfielder but the Manchester City hierarchy’s financial demands have made a deal improbable.The Magpies are not prepared to shell out a massive loan fee or agree to Manchester City’s key condition of inserting a mandatory purchase clause.Juventus are also interested in...
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NEWS

Lee Kang-in, Kylian Mbappe goals give PSG victory in French Champions Trophy

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain reacts after winning the Trophy Of Champions against Toulouse FC at Parc des Princes on January 03, 2024 in Paris, France. Lee Kang-in and Kylian Mbappe scored first-half goals as Paris Saint-Germain won the first silverware of the French season on Wednesday, beating Toulouse 2-0 to claim the Champions Trophy. Lee, playing his final game before heading off to the Asian Cup in Qatar with South Korea, put PSG ahead in the third minute, leaving Toulouse with an uphill battle at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe then added a superb second goal just before half-time, as Paris claimed the Champions Trophy for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons."We were exceptional in the first half. It was our best 45 minutes of my time here," said PSG coach Luis...
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NEWS

Atalanta set up Italian Cup quarter-final with AC Milan

 Mario Pasalic of Atalanta BC jumps for the ball and assists his teammate Charles De Ketelaere's goal during the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Gewiss Stadium on January 03, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. Atalanta beat Sassuolo 3-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the Italian Cup quarter-finals where they will meet AC Milan. On loan from Milan, Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere scored the first two of Atalanta's goals before also providing the assist for the third, scored by Russian Aleksei Miranchuk. Milan defeated Cagliari 4-1 on Tuesday and will face Atalanta at the San Siro on January 10.Holders Inter Milan were knocked out by Bologna in a game that went to extra time last month while champions Napoli were thumped 4-0 by Frosinone.Roma came from behind in a ...
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LALIGA

La Liga leaders Real Madrid extend unbeaten run

 Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammate Rodrygo Goes during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 03, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. La Liga leaders Real Madrid gained a hard-fought win over Mallorca thanks to Antonio Rudiger's late header.Mallorca hit the woodwork twice as Antonio Sanchez's header bounced off the underside of the crossbar on to the goalline, with Samu Costa also hitting the post for the visitors.Those misses proved costly as Rudiger headed in from Luka Modric's fine left-wing corner in the 78th minute.Real are now unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions.The result had briefly taken Real three points clear at the top, before second-placed Girona m...
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TRANSFERS

Source: Dortmund in loan talks for Utd’s Sancho

 Jadon Sancho of Manchester United controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Barcelona v Manchester United of round of 16 at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on February 16th, 2023. Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are in talks over a loan deal for Jadon Sancho, a source has told FootballFlame.Dortmund are keen to sign Sancho until the end of the season but want United to continue to pay the majority of his wages.The 23-year-old hasn't played for United since August following a public row with manager Erik ten Hag.The England forward has been exiled from the first team squad for four months and has been forced to train alone under the supervision of club staff.Sancho has also attracted interest from Juventus and RB Leipzig but, according...
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NEWS

Milan thrash Cagliari to reach Italian Cup last eight

 Luka Jovic of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Samuel Chukwueze after scoring their team's first goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio at San Siro on January 02, 2024 in Milan, Italy. In-form Luka Jovic has eased the pressure on coach Stefano Pioli, scoring twice to help AC Milan beat Cagliari 4-1 in the Coppa Italia's round of 16.With Milan nine points off Serie A leaders - and city rivals - Inter going into the winter break, Pioli had come under fire after a poor run that led to his team being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage.Milan have won the Italian Cup five times but last lifted the trophy in 2003 and haven't reached the final since 2018.They will face either Atalanta or Sassuolo in the quarter-final.Going into Tues...
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LALIGA

‘Insulting’ Greenwood one of three sent off for Getafe

 Mason Greenwood of Getafe CF reacts as he is sent off by referee Jorge Figueroa Vazquez during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and Rayo Vallecano at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on January 02, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Troubled England international Mason Greenwood has been accused of insulting a referee on his way to becoming one of three Getafe players sent off in a 2-0 La Liga loss to Rayo Vallecano.Referee Jorge Figueroa Vazquez said in his post-match report that Greenwood insulted him in the 50th minute with an expletive in English, something the player and his club denied."He doesn't speak Spanish very well, he told me he was saying something else," Getafe coach Jose Bordalas said."He was frustrated because the referee was not calling any fouls on him, but he ne...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

‘Smart’ Brighton earn first clean sheet of season

 Brighton's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi (L) shakes hands with Brighton's English midfielder #41 Jack Hinshelwood at the end of the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Stadium, in London, on January 2, 2024. Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi praised his side's "very smart game" after they kept their first Premier League clean sheet of the season at West Ham.It was the first time in 24 league matches Brighton have not conceded a goal, ending a club-record run.Brighton had more possession and better chances in a largely dour game to open 2024 for both sides at London Stadium.But they were unable to break through a West Ham defence which in contrast has now kept four consecutive clean sheets.De Zerbi said the f...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Reguilon returns to Spurs as Man Utd end loan deal

 Manchester United's Sergio Reguilon during the pre-match warm-up ahead of the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at City Ground on December 30, 2023 in Nottingham, England. Manchester United have triggered a break clause in Sergio Reguilon's loan move, allowing the defender to return to Tottenham.Reguilon was signed by United in August following injuries to the club's left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.The 27-year-old made 12 appearances, most recently as a late substitute at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.He started on seven occasions, most recently in the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 9 December.With Shaw and Malacia expected to return to action this month, United have opted to let Reguilon return to Premier League rivals Tottenham.Spu...
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NEWS

Stunning Sima strike helps Rangers beat Kilmarnock

 Rangers' Ross McCausland (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. Rangers manager Philippe Clement vowed to do "more business" after heading into the Scottish Premiership break with victory over Kilmarnock.Ross McCausland fired the hosts in front after Kyle Vassell was denied when clean through on the Rangers goal, and Abdallah Sima's stunning chest touch and volley added a quick second before the break.Danny Armstrong converted a VAR-awarded penalty following John Souttar's handball - the first Rangers have conceded in 75 league games - but Todd Cantwell restored the two-goal advantage.Rangers, beaten by Celtic on Saturday, are eigh...
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