Blog – Page 25 – Football Flame

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Conceicao says he accepted Milan job ‘to win the Champions League’
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SERIE A

Conceicao says he accepted Milan job ‘to win the Champions League’

Sergio Conceicao, head coach of AC Milan, watches the Serie A match between US Lecce and AC Milan in Lecce, Italy, on March 8, 2025. Sergio Conceicao has stated that he decided to join AC Milan to win the Champions League, which is his coaching dream. Conceicao accepted the Milan challenge at the very end of 2024, following the sacking of Paulo Fonseca, and since then it has been a tough period despite the Supercoppa win. Indeed, there is already talk of an exit in the summer. Building from the back… “Today everyone likes to build from the back. I also like to play wide, but for that you need players who can do it. At Porto, I had a fantastic goalkeeper who made it possible, and at Milan I have one too.” The flop February… “In 30 days, we played nine games. We didn’t have time to trai...
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Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t want to see history repeat itself
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Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t want to see history repeat itself

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 19: Head coach Julian Nagelsmann speaks to the media during a Germany press conference ahead of the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 19, 2025 in Milan, Italy. Former Bayern Munich coach and current German national team boss Julian Nagelsmann is a student of the game and someone who respects history. That said, Nagelsmann has no interest in re-living Italy’s win over Germany at Westfalenstadion back in 2006. “I remember 2006. I’m still not happy that Germany didn’t win. But for me, it’s more important to talk about the present and not the past. We want to write our own history. I’m not afraid. We’re in good form, we’re alert. We have good solutions for tomorrow, and then it will be important to cre...
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World Cup qualifying: Wales open with a win
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NEWS

World Cup qualifying: Wales open with a win

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 22: Daniel James of Wales jumps over the challenge of Yan Vorogovskiy of Kazakhstan during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between Wales and Kazakhstan at Cardiff City Stadium on March 22, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. Wales opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan. Daniel James gave Wales an early advantage before a near-capacity 32,473 crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium but that was wiped out by Askhat Tagybergen's penalty, awarded after Connor Roberts had handled. Kazakhstan were threatening to throw a spanner in the works but skipper Ben Davies and Rabbi Matondo, with his first Wales goal in the final minute, ensured a winning start for Craig Bellamy’s side. Elsewhere in Group J, Aleksandar Trajkovski, Visar Musliu and...
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Manuel Neuer suffers injury setback
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BUNDESLIGA

Manuel Neuer suffers injury setback

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer is set for an extended period on the sidelines after the goalkeeper suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury.The 38-year-old sustained the knock in the first-leg of Bayern's successful UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen on 11 March. MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 05: Manuel Neuer of Bayern Muenchen is injured in the match and has to be substituted during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at on March 05, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images) He subsequently missed his club's 3-2 defeat against Bochum and the 1-1 draw away against Union Berlin, with 21-year-...
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Como midfielder admits admiration of Milan star: “My goal is in this direction”
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SERIE A

Como midfielder admits admiration of Milan star: “My goal is in this direction”

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 15: Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) AC Milan have always had a heap of good players, and despite their current struggles, this much remains true with a Serie A midfielder admitting he idolises Tijjani Reijnders. In the past season, there has been no player as consistently brilliant as Reijnders has been. The Dutchman has elevated his own game since last season, and as a result, the team now play better. However, Milan are not the only benefactors. As we saw in midweek, the midfielder is also having a more positive impact on his national team, scoring a beautiful goal ag...
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Real Madrid have two midfielders on shortlist for summer move
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TRANSFERS

Real Madrid have two midfielders on shortlist for summer move

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on February 1, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. Real Madrid could be busy this summer, with players wanted across three positions: right-back, centre-back and centre midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are the favourites to the players that address the first two, but the latter is much less straightforward. In recent months, Martin Zubimendi has emerged as a player that Real Madrid like a lot, and they believe that he could be the player to fill the large void that was left by Toni Kroos last summer. However, the issue is that Arsenal are pushing very hard to finalise the signing of the 26-year-old Real Sociedad...
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Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi injured
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LALIGA

Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi injured

Pau Cubarsi centre-back of Barcelona and Spain during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on March 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Spanish LaLiga side Barcelona's young defender Pau Cubarsi has been injured. According to a statement on Barcelona's official website on Saturday, Cubarsi has suffered a strain to the anterior tibiofibular ligament in his right ankle. The 18-year-old Spaniard will be reevaluated on Monday after 48 hours of conservative treatment. Cubarsi had to come off injured in the 41st minute of Thursday's 2-2 draw between Spain and the Netherlands in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals, leaving his place to Dean Huijsen.
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Champions Argentina one step closer to WC qualification
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NEWS

Champions Argentina one step closer to WC qualification

Uruguay's defender #16 Mathias Olivera and Argentina's midfielder #11 Thiago Almada fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on March 21, 2025. Argentina, without their array of stars including Lionel Messi, have beaten Uruguay 1-0 away in convincing fashion in their South American World Cup qualifying match. Thiago Almada scored the winner with a powerful curled shot from the edge of the box on Friday, putting the defending World Cup champions one point away from a direct spot in the tournament next year. Argentina lead the round-robin competition with 28 points after 13 matches, and could secure their place with a home draw with Brazil on Tuesday. Coach Lionel Sca...
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Osimhen shines as Nigeria triumphs over Rwanda
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Osimhen shines as Nigeria triumphs over Rwanda

Victor Osimhen’s impressive performance, scoring twice, ensured Nigeria’s commanding 2-0 victory against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium during their World Cup qualifier on Friday evening. This win was vital for the Super Eagles, propelling them to fourth place in the Group C standings as they aim to rejuvenate their campaign and secure a spot in next year’s international tournament in North America. From the outset, Nigeria dominated the match, controlling possession and dictating the pace of play. Their first breakthrough came early in the 11th minute when Ademola Lookman’s expertly delivered freekick found Osimhen, who deftly converted from close range. The dynamic duo of Lookman and Osimhen continued to create opportunities, setting up Moses Simon for a promising chance, but Rwanda’s goa...
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Egypt cruise past Ethiopia to open a 5-point gap in World Cup qualifiers
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NEWS

Egypt cruise past Ethiopia to open a 5-point gap in World Cup qualifiers

Egypt’s national team cruised to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia on Friday in their African 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, extending their unbeaten run to five games and edging closer to securing a spot in the finals. Egypt skipper Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 31st minute, while winger Ahmed "Zizo" El-Sayed sealed the victory five minutes before halftime. The win solidifies the Pharaohs’ position atop Group A with 13 points after five games, five points ahead of second-placed Burkina Faso, while Ethiopia remain at the bottom with three points. In a clear show of offensive intent, coach Hossam Hassan fielded five attackers, with Mahmoud Trezeguet and Zizo feeding Osama Faisal, Omar Marmoush and Salah. Egypt threatened early, with Trezeguet testing ...
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Antonio Rudiger reveals transfer verdict amid Real Madrid exit links
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TRANSFERS

Antonio Rudiger reveals transfer verdict amid Real Madrid exit links

Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid plays during the La Liga match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid at La Ceramica Stadium in Villarreal, Spain, on March 15, 2025. Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger insists that he has no intention of leaving the Spanish giants "any time soon" despite increasing transfer interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. At 32 and into the final 14 months of his contract, there is naturally speculation around Rudiger's future. Madrid have been strongly linked with numerous youthful centre-backs, including the Premier League pairing of Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen and Arsenal star William Saliba, as they prepare for what the Spanish press have dubbed a "transfer facelift" this summer. However, Rudiger isn't quite ready to get cut. "In football you never k...
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Saudi Arabia defeat 10-man China 1-0 in 2026 World Cup AFC Qualifying
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Saudi Arabia defeat 10-man China 1-0 in 2026 World Cup AFC Qualifying

Saudi Arabia's midfielder #7 Musab Al-Juwayr shoots during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between Saudi Arabia and China at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images) China suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qualifier on the road in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, continuing to struggle at the bottom of Group C. The decisive moment came five minutes into the second half, when Saudi midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari found the net from close range, capitalizing on a rebound after Chinese goalkeeper Wang Dalei had made a valiant effort to block an initial shot. China's task became even more challenging just before halftime, as Lin Liang...
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Arsenal handed Riccardo Calafiori injury concern as Luciano Spalletti provides update
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal handed Riccardo Calafiori injury concern as Luciano Spalletti provides update

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 20: Antonio Rudiger of Germany gives a pat on the head to Riccardo Calafiori of Italy as he receives treatment from medical staff during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern after Riccardo Calafiori was forced off in Italy's 2-1 defeat against Germany on Thursday. Italy boss Luciano Spalletti included the Arsenal defender in his starting lineup for the UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg. The Azzurri fell to a narrow loss at the San Siro despite taking the lead through Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. To compound their misery, Italy were dealt an injury blow in stoppage time when Calafiori had to go off af...
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S. Korean lead in World Cup qualifying group slashed to 3 pts
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S. Korean lead in World Cup qualifying group slashed to 3 pts

GOYANG, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 20: Oh Hyeongyu of South Korea is tackled by Ahmed Al-Khamisi of Oman during the FIFA World Cup Asian Third Qualifier Group B match between South Korea and Oman at Goyang Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Goyang, South Korea. South Korea's lead in their group in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers now stands at three points with three matches left in the ongoing round. South Korea stayed atop the Group B tables with 15 points after getting held to a 1-1 draw by Oman at home Thursday in the third round of the Asian qualification. Then in the wee hours of Friday morning in South Korean time, Jordan defeated Palestine 3-1 to reach 12 points and jump to second place in the group. Iraq, following a 2-2 draw against Kuwait, also have 12 points, but they dropped to third plac...
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Hossam Hassan: Salah Deserves AFCON Glory
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Hossam Hassan: Salah Deserves AFCON Glory

Mohamed Salah right winger of Liverpool and Egypt during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan discussed his vision for the national team, including winning AFCON and securing World Cup qualification. Speaking before the upcoming matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Hossam Hassan discussed a host of topics. The national team manager said he believes that it’s time for Mohamed Salah to win the Africa Cup of Nations and praised Omar Marmoush for earning his place at one of the world’s biggest clubs. Hossam Hassan also discussed the ambitions of the squad and the coaching staff, including winning AFCON 2025 and securing qualification for t...
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Croatia beat France 2-0 in Nations League quarter-final first leg
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Croatia beat France 2-0 in Nations League quarter-final first leg

SPLIT, CROATIA - MARCH 20: Ante Budimir of Croatia celebrates a goal during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Croatia and France at Stadion Poljud on March 20, 2025 in Split, Croatia. Croatia's Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic struck to secure a deserved 2-0 win over France in their Nations League quarter-final, first leg on Thursday, as the return of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele failed to get the visitors to fire. Croatia also missed an early penalty when Andrej Kramaric’s spot-kick was saved by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and the 2023 runners-up were full value for a win that might easily have been achieved by a greater margin. France created chances and tested Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic several times, but it was a below-par performance on a n...
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Qatar thrash North Korea, cling to WC playoff hopes
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NEWS

Qatar thrash North Korea, cling to WC playoff hopes

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 20: Ahmed Al-Rawi and Akram Afif of Qatar celebrate scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Qatar and North Korea at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. Qatar kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive with a 5-1 win over North Korea in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Thursday. Akram Afif played a captain’s role as the victory took Qatar level on 10 points with the United Arab Emirates, nine behind leaders Iran and six adrift of Uzbekistan, with only the top two teams to qualify automatically for next year’s global showpiece. Defeat for North Korea left them rooted at the bottom with two points. Hoping to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit after hosting the 2022 edition, Qat...
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FIFA world cup: Japan the first to qualify for 2026 finals
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NEWS

FIFA world cup: Japan the first to qualify for 2026 finals

SAITAMA, JAPAN - MARCH 20: Wataru Endo of Japan celebrates after scoring the team's first goal later disallowed through the VAR review during the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier Group C match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Saitama, Japan. Japan have become the first nation to book their place at next year’s World Cup, having sealed their spot with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain. In doing so, the Samurai Blue have reaffirmed their status as one of Asian football’s powerhouses. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “Omedetou [congratulations], Japan, for being the first country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 26 in addition to the host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. “You deserve this qualification. We all remember the emotions...
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Kane ‘surprised’ England appointed Tuchel
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Kane ‘surprised’ England appointed Tuchel

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the Champions League round of 16 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich at BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany on March 11, 2025. Harry Kane has admitted he was "suprised" when he heard that Thomas Tuchel had been appointed as Gareth Southgate's permanent successor as England manager in October, adding he "didn't expect it" as he did not think of the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss as a national team coach. Tuchel is England's third foreign manager and the job marks his first at international level. He has signed an 18-month contract that will see him lead the country until the other side of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The German coach was available after leaving Bayern at the end of last...
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Former Juventus coach tells Motta straight – “Turin is not Bologna”
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SERIE A

Former Juventus coach tells Motta straight – “Turin is not Bologna”

Thiago Motta head coach of Juventus FC leaves the pitch dejected at the end of the Serie A Enilive match between ACF Fiorentina and Juventus FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 16, 2025 in Florence, Italy. Thiago Motta is under intense pressure as the manager of Juventus, with the former midfielder now facing the real possibility of being sacked. The Bianconeri appointed him at the start of this season, backing him with several new signings, knowing that he would need quality players to succeed. Despite this support, the team’s performances have been disappointing, and they are now embarrassingly losing matches. In January, Juventus bolstered its squad even further, but the results have not improved, and the club is seriously considering a managerial change. Several other managers...
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