Blog – Page 422 – Football Flame

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NEWS

Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for sixth time

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts after winning the Ballon d'Or France Football 2019 trophy at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.Lionel Messi won a record sixth men's Ballon d'Or award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, beating Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to take the honours.Now aged 32, it is Messi's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and his sixth overall as he moves one ahead of his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished third in the voting.Messi, who attended the ceremony at the Chatelet Theatre in the French capital with his wife and children, succeeds Luka Modric, the Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder who won the prize last year.The Barcelona number 10 previously won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011 and in 2012 before claiming his fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015.This latest ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brendan Rodgers Rules out Leicester departure

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City celebrates after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton FC at The King Power Stadium.Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has dismissed speculation linking him with the vacant Arsenal manager's post.The 46-year-old Northern Irishman has led the Foxes to second in the Premier League and is a contender to replace Unai Emery, who was sacked last week.Rodgers has previously admitted there is an exit clause in his contract but said: "Why would I want to leave Leicester City at this time?"I am very happy so would have no need to look elsewhere."Former Liverpool and Celtic manager Rodgers was appointed at Leicester in February and after presiding over a ninth-place finish last term, he has seen his team win 10 of their first 14 league matc...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich suffers first defeat under Flick, lose at home to Leverkusen

Leon Bailey of Leverkusen celebrating his goal for the lead during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Allianz Arena.Bayern Munich missed the chance to return to the top of the Bundesliga with a home loss to Bayer Leverkusen, the first under interim coach Hansi Flick.Bayern sit fourth in the table and have now lost two league games at home this season having lost just once at the Allianz Arena last term.Leon Bailey scored twice for Bayer Leverkusen, who also had Jonathan Tah sent off late on. Thomas Muller briefly drew the hosts level in the first period.However, Bayern were unusually wasteful in front of goal with Robert Lewandowski unable to continue his remarkable recent goalscoring form.
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LALIGA

Real Madrid Go Top Of La Liga after 2-1 win over Alaves

Daniel Carvajal celebrates their team's second goal of Real Madrid CF during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF.Sergio Ramos scored a goal and conceded a penalty as Real Madrid battled past Alaves on Saturday to go top of La Liga before Sunday's game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Barca and Atletico face off at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid did all they could to take advantage, with Dani Carvajal the unlikely matchwinner in a gritty 2-1 victory over Alaves. Ramos had headed Madrid in front shortly after half-time only to concede a needless penalty for throwing his arm across Joselu, which Lucas Perez converted before Carvajal poked in. 
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City suffer further title blow as Jonjo Shelvey earns Newcastle draw

 Newcastle player Jonjo Shelvey (l) shoots to score the 2nd Newcastle goal despite the attentions of city players Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.Jonjo Shelvey further dented Manchester City’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.Jetro Willems cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s 15th goal of the season but Kevin De Bruyne thought he had won it with a fine 82nd-minute strike.But Shelvey curled home a brilliant 87th-minute equaliser which, coupled with Martin Dubravka’s stoppage-time save from Sterling, ensured the game finished level.City, who started the day nine points behind Liverpool, dominated possession throughout but could not turn the pressure into enough goals to atone for their defensive fragility in front of a crowd of 49,937 at St...
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LALIGA

Arturo Vidal threatens to leave Barca if he doesn’t ‘feel important’

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal plans to leave the Spanish champions “in December or at the end of the season” if he does not “feel important”, he told Catalan television channel TV3 on Friday.The 32-year-old Chilean international joined Barca last year from Bayern Munich, but has started only three La Liga games this term. “If in December or at the end of the season, I don’t feel that I’m important here, I should make a decision and find another opportunity where I feel important,” he said.“I would like to stay here forever, but I have to be realistic and live from day to day.” Vidal has scored four league goals this campaign despite being a bit-part player. The former Juventus star did not say where he might move to.“There are always offers, but for the moment I’m focused on Barcelona,...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Sacked Emery says 'honour' to have coached Arsenal

Unai Emery said it had been an "honour" to coach Arsenal despite being sacked as manager of the Premier League club on Friday after just 18 months in charge. The 48-year-old Spaniard was fired following the 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Thursday's Europa League match, which extended their winless run to seven games. Assistant Freddie Ljungberg has taken over as interim manager with ex-Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri and Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo among the early favourites to be named the next full-time boss.Despite his sacking, Emery insisted it had been an "honour" to manage the London giants."It has been a year and a half full of emotions, of great moments and some other more bitter ones," he said."But not a single day has gone by without me stopping to th...
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UCL

Messi fires Barcelona into UCL Knockout Stage, Liverpool, Chelsea Held To Draws

Lionel Messi marked his 700th game for Barcelona with a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund that sent his team into the knockout rounds of the Champions League on Wednesday.But Liverpool, the competition’s defending champion, could not replicate that feat as it struggled once again against Napoli.The clubs have played four times in the last 13 months, with Napoli winning two of those games. This time, Dejan Lovren’s header rescued a 1-1 draw for Liverpool, which must try again to qualify for the knockout stages against Salzburg on Dec. 10.Chelsea also will have to wait for qualification after a strange goal — a cross that found the net at the back post — saw it draw, 2-2 at home against Valencia, but Leipzig qualified for the knockouts for the first time as the teenage...
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SERIE A

Inter, Barella has successful surgery: the medical report

Following his injury in the match against Torino last Saturday, Nicolo Barella had surgery this morning, Inter issued a medical report for the former Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella was admitted to the Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano this morning for keyhole surgery on his right knee, the operation being carried out in order to remove the cartilage fragment from his kneecap.The operation was a perfect success and the player will begin rehabilitation treatment in the coming days.
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Uncategorized

Hertha Berlin appoint Jurgen Klinsmann as Manager

Former Germany and United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann has been appointed as Hertha Berlin manager until the end of the season after the Bundesliga side sacked Ante Covic.The former Tottenham, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich striker, 55, was named on Hertha's supervisory board in November.Covic, 44, was only appointed in July and leaves with Hertha in 15th."The way we've been playing recently, and the results, have led to this decision," he said.Covic, who was previously Hertha's reserves coach, added: "Since Hertha is not just an employer to me, such a decision hurts, of course. But I have always said that this club is more important than individuals. I love not only this profession, but I love this club with all my heart."Sporting director Michael Preetz said: "It was an extremely difficul...
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UCL

Mourinho praises Tottenham and ballboy after 4-2 win over Olympiakos

Jose Mourinho apologised for substituting Eric Dier and praised a quick-thinking ballboy after Tottenham came from two goals down to beat Olympiakos 4-2 and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.Mourinho’s first home game as Spurs boss looked set to be spoilt as the Greek visitors capitalised on a woeful start by the hosts to lead through goals to Youssef El Arabi and Ruben Semedo.The Portuguese coach reacted by hooking defensive midfielder Dier with just 29 minutes played in favour of the more attacking talents of Christian Eriksen.And the change helped spark a superb fightback as Dele Alli’s first European goal for more than two years, a brace from Harry Kane, and a rare Serge Aurier strike sent Tottenham into the last 16Kane’s first, which levelled the Group B encounte...
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UCL

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero set to miss United derby with injury

Sergio Aguero will miss next month’s Manchester derby after being ruled out for “a few weeks” by manager Pep Guardiola.The Manchester City striker suffered a thigh injury in the Premier League champions’ victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.Guardiola is unsure how long he will be without the club’s record goalscorer but he is already resigned to him missing the home clash with Manchester United on December 7.Speaking at a press conference to preview Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, Guardiola said: “He will be out a few games, a few weeks. I don’t know exactly.”Asked about the United game, the Spaniard added: “Maybe we will have a miracle but I don’t think so.”Aguero’s absence will mean an opportunity for Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus to lead the line...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Harry Kane hoping Mourinho appointment will help Tottenham end trophy drought

Harry Kane brought the curtain down on the Mauricio Pochettino era at Tottenham by visiting his former manager at his house but is now hoping Jose Mourinho can deliver trophies.An eventful week at Spurs saw Pochettino fired and replaced 12 hours later by Mourinho.The Portuguese, back in the game after 11 months out, then led his new club to a 3-2 win at West Ham on Saturday lunchtime - their first Premier League away win since 20 January.Kane was a staunch supporter of Pochettino, crediting him with making him into one of the top strikers in the world, and he wanted the chance to say goodbye."It's a week I've never really had in my career before," he said."It was a big shock on Tuesday night for everyone, the players included, and then it was a quick turnaround."All of a sudden we've got a...
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SERIE A

Chris Smalling scores as Roma beat Brescia 3-0

Chris Smalling scored a goal and had two assists as Roma moved into the top four of Serie A with a 3-0 win over Brescia in Serie A. The on-loan Manchester United defender nodded in Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner after 49 minutes and then set up goals for Gianluca Mancini and Edin Dzeko.Mario Balotelli was left out of Brescia’s squad following a training ground dispute with the coach, Fabio Grosso.Roma remain two points behind their neighbours Lazio, who claimed a fifth successive win thanks to the substitute Felipe Caicedo’s stoppage-time goal giving them a 2-1 victory at lowly Sassuolo.Fiorentina’s lacklustre season continued with a 1-0 defeat at Verona in a mid-table clash as Samuel Di Carmine scored the winner in the 66th minute. The win lifted Verona above Fiorentina to ninth with 18...
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SERIE A

Higuain, Dybala score late to keep Juventus top of Serie A

A late double from Gonzalo Higuain helped Juventus come from behind to beat Atalanta 3-1 in Bergamo on Saturday and go four points clear at the top of the Serie A standings.Robin Gosens gave the home side a deserved lead in the second half after Musa Barrow missed a penalty before the break.But Higuain struck twice in the final 16 minutes to turn the game on its head before Paulo Dybala sealed the points with a late strike.“We lost our heads after the penalty, thinking of everything except the game of football and allowed Atalanta to take total control,” Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri told Sky Italia.“They deservedly went in front. We were fortunate to score the equaliser in a chaotic move against the run of play and from there on showed belief we could win it.”Sarri was without Cristiano R...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich cruise to an easy win in Dusseldorf

Bayern Munich crushed hosts Fortuna Dusseldorf 4-0 on Saturday to climb to within a point of the top with their third straight win under interim coach Hansi Flick.Champions Bayern found no resistance in the first half and had fired in three goals by the 34th minute through Benjamin Pavard, Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry.Although Robert Lewandowski failed to score for the 12th straight league game, ending his record run, he did set up Philippe Coutinho for Bayern's fourth goal in the 70th minute.Bayern moved up to 24 points, one behind Gladbach who were stunned 2-0 by promoted Union for their first league loss after three straight wins.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Firmino rescues Liverpool after Zaha’s late leveller for Crystal palace

Roberto Firmino ended a nine-game run without a goal to help Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the Premier League today.Sadio Mane gave the Reds an early second-half lead, but Wilfried Zaha looked to have earned the hosts a point with an 82nd-minute goal.Yet Brazil international Firmino grabbed the winner three minutes later, as his side consolidated their lead at the top of the table.
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LALIGA

Arturo Vidal snatches Barcelona victory at Leganes

Barcelona came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at struggling Leganes as Arturo Vidal struck a scrappy late winner that was awarded after a VAR review.The rock-bottom hosts had taken the lead in coach Javier Aguirre's first home game in charge thanks to a superb strike from Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the 12th minute.Leganes spurned two chances to extend their advantage before the break but Barca levelled in the 52nd minute when Luis Suarez glanced in Lionel Messi's free-kick.Barca were unconvincing again away from home but won the game thanks to a fortunate goal in the 79th minute from Vidal.The Chilean midfielder was in a clear offside position when he knocked in from close range but a VAR review ruled him on as the ball had bounced off Leganes' Ruben Perez.Barca temporarily ...
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NEWS

Ligue 1: PSG cruise to Lille win

Neymar made his comeback from injury as Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed a 2-0 home win over Lille to move a provisional 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.First-half goals from Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria put the hosts ahead and Lille never seriously threatened a comeback.Neymar had not featured for the champions since October 5 due to a hamstring problem but returned to the starting line-up to help his side ease to victory at the Parc des Princes and declared himself fit for the midweek Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Second-placed Marseille visit second-bottom Toulouse on Sunday.
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BUNDESLIGA

Borussia Dortmund fight from three goals down to rescue draw

Marco Reus scored a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 3-3 draw for Borussia Dortmund against struggling Paderborn on Friday, having been 3-0 behind at half-time, but they still suffered a dent to their Bundesliga title hopes.The visitors played a dream first half, with Streli Mamba scoring twice and Gerrit Holtman also on target as they outpaced the hosts and hit them on the break to leave Dortmund shell-shocked and the home fans jeering the team off at half-time.Jadon Sancho pulled one back two minutes after the restart as Dortmund shot out of the blocks to set a blistering pace but despite their total dominance and a bagful of chances, they did not score again until Axel Witsel headed home a second in the 84th minute.Reus rescued a point for Dortmund deep in added time to move them up ...
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