Blog – Page 438 – Football Flame

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LALIGA

Barca and Napoli Set to Clash in First Ever La Liga-Serie A Cup

Barcelona have confirmed that they will face Napoli across a two-legged clash in the United States in the inaugural La Liga-Serie A Cup during their pre-season preparations this year.The Spanish champions and Italian heavyweights will square off in two games played across two states in early August as part of their schedule ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.The first encounter, on August 7, will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, at the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.Barcelona were set to face Girona in a regular season La Liga fixture at the venue earlier this year, though the endeavour was ultimately shelved after it was met with strong opposition from FIFA and UEFA.The second, three days later on August 10, will see the duo take in Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, at the...
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SERIE A

Sarri Targets New Record for Cristiano Ronaldo at Juve

Maurizio Sarri is excited to be working with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus and wants to help the Portuguese “break some new records” after taking a “step forward” in his own coaching career.The Italian tactician is back in his homeland after a season-long spell in the Premier League with Chelsea.He landed a top-four finish and Europa League glory with the Blues, but has been lured back to Serie A by the reigning champions.Sarri is stepping into a role vacated by Massimiliano Allegri on the back of an eighth successive title triumph for the Bianconeri.He is aware of the pressure he will be working under, but is looking forward to taking charge of a star-studded squad that includes a five-time Ballon d’Or winner.Sarri told reporters at his first press conference as Juve boss: “At Chelsea I c...
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NEWS

Uruguay Draws With Japan 2-2 in Copa America

Copa America favourites Uruguay drew 2-2 with Japan on Thursday and delayed until the last round of the group stage its likely qualification to the tournament's knockout phase.Japan, which is playing a young team, was ahead twice in the match at the Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre thanks to midfielder Koji Miyoshi, one of the seven changes the Asian team made after losing 4-0 to Chile in its opening match.Miyoshi netted his first at 25 minutes, hitting the ball hard to the left of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Luis Suarez levelled at 32 after a penalty kick awarded by video review following a foul by a Japanese defender.Miyoshi added Japan's second at 59 in a rebound after Muslera tried to block a cross from the left.At 66 minutes, Uruguay drew with a header by Jose Gimenez after a corner k...
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NEWS

Messi Rescue Argentina in Copa Draw

Argentina couldn't manage more than a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in the Copa America on Wednesday, staying last in its group and facing an early elimination from the South American competition.Derlis Gonzalez opened the scoring for Paraguay in the 37th minute at the Mineirao Stadium and Lionel Messi levelled matters from the penalty spot in the 57th.However, Gonzalez missed a penalty kick shortly after Messi's equaliser, with goalkeeper Franco Armani stopping his shot from the spot.Colombia lead Group B with six points and are already through to the knockout stage thanks to a late 1-0 win over guest Qatar earlier Wednesday.Paraguay are second with two points, and Argentina and Qatar have one each.Argentina trail Qatar on tiebreakers.In the last round on Sunday, Colombia faces Paraguay and A...
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UCL

Neymar’s three-match UCL ban confirmed

Brazilian star Neymar will miss three Champions League matches next season, UEFA confirmed Wednesday, as punishment for insulting a referee following Paris Saint-Germain’s collapse against Manchester United.UEFA first imposed the ban in April before PSG contested the decision, but a final decision was delivered on Wednesday. “The appeal lodged by PSG is rejected. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of April 25 is confirmed,” UEFA said.The world’s most expensive footballer was ruled out of the match with an injury. He watched from the stands as United were awarded a penalty deep into injury time after a protracted VAR decision, which Marcus Rashford scored to knock the French side out in the last 16 of the Champions League.The 27-year-old aimed an Intagra...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd stepping up Max Aarons interest

Manchester United are stepping up their interest in Norwich defender Max Aarons, who they see as an alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sky Sports News understands.United are keen to sign a new right-back following the departure of captain Antonio Valencia, and Crystal Palace's Wan-Bissaka is understood to be one of their top targets.However, they had a bid worth £50m for the 21-year-old rejected this week, and are now understood to be intensifying their pursuit of Aarons.The 19-year-old impressed for Norwich last season, winning the EFL Young Player of the Season award as the Canaries won the Championship and returned to the Premier League.United's interest in the England U19 international comes amid a shift in transfer policy at Old Trafford towards targeting young, homegrown players.Howev...
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LALIGA

Bale Not Leaving Real Madrid on Loan – Agent

Gareth Bale will not leave Real Madrid on loan this summer, his agent has said. The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane, who has "decided he can do without" Bale, according to Jonathan Barnett. Real have already spent over £250m this summer on five arrivals as Zidane begins his rebuild and they are understood to be keen to offload Bale to balance their books. However, Real's high-valuation, Bale's reported £600,000-a-week wages and the fact the winger is settled in Madrid make a departure difficult. A loan move had been suggested as a short-term solution, but Barnett has ruled that out, saying "there's more chance of me winning at Ascot". "A loan move is not going to happen," he said. "I don't think he wants to go out on loan. He's got a lovely life a...
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NEWS

Mourinho Sees Himself at a National Team

Jose Mourinho has dropped hints to his future plans, revealing that he sees himself becoming the manager of a national team rather than another club. The former Manchester United boss has been out of coaching work since being sacked by the Red Devils in December 2018 and has recently appeared as a pundit for broadcaster beIN SPORTS. In an interview broadcast by Eleven Sports however, the 56-year-old revealed he still has the desire to take on new challenges in the world of management. “I want to compete in new competitions,” he said. “I think about the World Cup and the European Championships. “For a long time I have had the desire to try out such an adventure. Right now, I see myself more at a national team than with a new club. “Is Portugal the right team for me? Not necessarily.” The se...
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NEWS

Marta Sets World Cup Record as Brazil Qualify for Round of 16

Six-time world player of the year Marta scored a record 17th World Cup finals goal to clinch Brazil's place in the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Italy, who topped Group C on goal difference.The 33-year-old Brazil legend's nerveless, second-half penalty saw her become the all-time leading scorer at men's or women's World Cups, surpassing retired Germany striker Miroslav Klose.Italy, who had already qualified, went close twice through Juventus' Barbara Bonansea in the first half, but faded after the break in Valenciennes.But an experienced Brazil side, who clipped the bar through Andressinha's fine second-half free-kick, narrowly missed out on second spot as Australia beat Jamaica 4-1 to pip Vadao's side on goals scored.The South Americans now look set to face hosts France in the next round in...
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SERIE A

Genoa Fighting Brescia and Lecce to sign Inter striker Andrea Pinamonti

Genoa are fighting to beat Brescia and Lecce to the signing of Inter striker Andrea Pinamonti, according to Tuttosport.The Rossoblu’s sporting director Stefano Capozucca visited Inter’s new headquarters in Milan yesterday and reiterated their interest for the 20-year-old.Capozucca brought Pinamonti to Frosinone last season and is on good terms with the forward, which he hopes will help secure a deal.The paper did not specify whether Genoa’s interest was for a loan deal or a permanent signing, but Inter are known to prefer the former option at the moment.Brescia, Lecce and several clubs abroad are interested in Pinamonti but Genoa and Inter are on good terms after discussing deals for Ionut Radu and Eddie Salcedo this week.Pinamonti starred for Italy as they reached the semi-finals of this ...
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SERIE A

Real Madrid and Napoli to Complete loan deal for James Rodriguez

According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport, Napoli has agreed to personal terms with James and now just need to reach an agreement with Real Madrid. The report states that Napoli would prefer a one year loan with an option to buy over an immediate transfer. If Real agrees to this then it would bring an end to a 5 year run that has found James struggling to find the form that made him a star at the 2014 World Cup.Real fans had high hopes for James when he joined the squad after seeing him win the Golden Boot at the World Cup earlier that summer. That first season was his best with Real as he managed 13 goals and 13 assists in La Liga in his 29 appearances. Unfortunately, he saw his playing time decrease each of the next two years after Carlo Ancelotti was replaced by Zinedine Zi...
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BUNDESLIGA

Borussia Dortmund Head Coach Lucien Favre Extends deal

Borussia Dortmund have announced head coach Lucien Favre has extended his stay by a further 12 months.The Bundesliga outfit appointed Favre last summer on a two-year contract but the 61-year-old’s has been rewarded with a bumper new deal.Favre’s new contract now runs until the summer of 2021 after Dortmund came close to dethroning Bayern Munich as Bundesliga champions last season.Bayern only sealed the Bundesliga title on the last weekend of the campaign after Dortmund pushed them the entire way.Dortmund even lead Bayern by as many as seven points clear at the start of February before dropping points in seven of their final 15 league matches.Dortmund ended up finishing two points behind champions Bayern but have already set out to close the gap for next season.Favre’s side have already bol...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle Reportedly Set to make Club Record move for Ismaila Sarr if Benitez Sign

According to L’Equipe, Newcastle are ready to make a club record move for Rennes star Ismaila Sarr if Rafa Benitez stays at the club this summer.The report from France claims that Watford have already had a £27m bid rejected for the winger, but claim that Newcastle would be willing to make a superior bid for the highly-rated Senegalese international.Sarr, 21, is rated as one of the most exciting young talents in France, with him bagging 13 goals and 11 assists last season and possessing frightening pace.This would be a hugely exciting signing for the club, especially when Sarr’s been regularly linked with Europe’s top clubs recently, but it’s one we can only seriously consider once we know what’s happening with both Benitez and Mike Ashley.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal Right back Hector Bellerin set to miss start of 2019/20 season with knee injury

Arsenal have been dealt a blow after learning Hector Bellerin will miss the start of next season due to ongoing concerns with his knee injury.In January Bellerin underwent an operation on the anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee, having been carried off in a match against Chelsea.An initial diagnosis had Bellerin ruled out for 'six to nine months', and it is now reported by the Evening Standard that the player will not return in time to feature in pre-season and will remain sidelined as the new Premier League campaign begins. 
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea Reject Barcelona and Atletico Madrid Bid for Willian

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have failed in big-money bids for Chelsea winger Willian, according to reports .The Brazilian is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge after six years at the club. Sky Sports News reports on Monday that both La Liga giants have seen offers of £35 million turned down by the Premier League club. The Blues are said to be determined to retain the 30-year-old despite the risk of losing him on a free transfer next summer. They hope to tie down the Brazil international on a new two-year deal and ward off interest from Barca, who have long been admirers of the forward.
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TRANSFERS

Atletico Madrid Reportedly set to sign Joao Felix for €120 million

Joao Felix is said to be in Madrid and ready to sign for Atletico Madrid  according to Record. The deal could be confirmed in the next couple hours, and would be worth €120 million, with the 19-year-old earning €6 million a year.Antoine Griezmann is leaving the club this summer and reports suggest Barcelona is his next stop. Atletico’s own chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin said as much and said Atletico have known since March but Barca remain coy over the potential transfer. Their president Josep Bartomeu rejected the idea that the dea is just done, but he did say they would see what happens in the coming weeks.Phillippe Coutinho is at the Copa America with Brazil and it is likely that he will have to be sold before Griezmann is confirmed. But Atletico know that whatever happens,...
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TRANSFERS

Manchester City to sign PSV defender Angelino

According to Spanish paper La Voz de Galicia on Monday, Manchester City are closing in on signing PSV left-back Angelino.If Angelino’s name sounds familiar, that’s because the 22-year-old previously left Man City to join PSV just twelve months ago.Back in June 2018, Man City sold Angelino to PSV for 5 million pounds.Angelino agreed a five-year deal with PSV.During his previous stint at Man City, Angelino was restricted to just a handful of appearances.Angelino made his Man City debut against Aston Villa in the FA Cup in 2016, while Pep Guardiola played the defender against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Reports : Arsenal Refuse to Sell Torreira

Arsenal are refusing to sell midfielder Lucas Torreira amid interest from AC Milan, according to Sky in Italy. With Marco Giampaolo set to move from Sampdoria to the San Siro as manager, he is keen to re-sign his former player, who joined the Gunners for £26m last summer. But Milan look likely to switch to other options, including Sassuolo's Stefano Sensi, due to Arsenal's plan to keep the Uruguayan. Torreira made 34 Premier League appearances as the mainstay in Unai Emery's midfield last season, scoring twice, and he played in 16 further cup matches. Torreira broke into senior football at Pescara, having moved to Italy as a teenager, before joining Sampdoria for little more than £1m in 2016.
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NEWS

Women's World Cup : USA Sweeps Past Chile

The United States easily reached the last 16 of the Women's World Cup as they produced another commanding display to beat Chile in Paris. Having opened their campaign with a ruthless, record-breaking 13-0 win over Thailand on Tuesday, the USA quickly got on top of Chile and led early on through veteran Carli Lloyd's crisp finish. Julie Ertz and Lloyd then both headed in from first-half corners, before Chile keeper Christiane Endler pulled off several stunning second-half saves to prevent the holders adding to their lead. The world's number-one side, who rested seven players, also hit the woodwork three times before Lloyd dragged wide from the penalty spot, missing the chance to become the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. A draw with rivals Sweden in Le Havre on Thursday would ...
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NEWS

Uruguay Blank Ecuador to Begin Copa Quest

Uruguay got their Copa America campaign off to a perfect start, beating a 10-man Ecuador 4-0 in Belo Horizonte on Sunday.Nicolas Lodeiro had given Oscar Tabarez's men a sixth-minute lead before Jose Quintero was sent off for Ecuador.That made an already difficult task even tougher and Uruguay capitalised on their numerical advantage in the first half through goals from star duo Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.Uruguay comfortably saw out their win, added to by an Arturo Mina own goal in the second half, to secure a dream start in Group C, which also includes Japan and two-time reigning champions Chile.
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