Blog – Page 443 – Football Flame

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SERIE A

AC Milan miss out on UCL spot despite SPAL win

AC Milan endured a bittersweet 3-2 win at SPAL in the last round of the Serie A, finishing the campaign outside the top four after their nearest rivals both booked their Champions League berths on Sunday.The result left Milan fifth on 68 points, one behind third-placed Atalanta and fourth-placed city rivals Inter, meaning they will have to be content with the Europa League next season.Atalanta came from behind to beat Sassuolo 3-1 at home while Inter eked out a 2-1 win against relegated Empoli at the San Siro.“I am happy with the development of my players, I think many of them have improved a lot,” said AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose future with the club is uncertain. “We can still get better although it will not be easy to improve this season’s 68 points.“The biggest regret is...
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BUNDESLIGA

Lewandowski Brace Helps Bayern Win DFB-Pokal

Robert Lewandowski's double and a thumping finish from Kingsley Coman ensured Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 3-0 to win the DFB-Pokal and complete a domestic double in Niko Kovac's first season.Having secured a seventh straight Bundesliga title last time out, Bayern went ahead against a resilient Leipzig - featuring in their first ever major final - thanks to Lewandowski's wonderful 29th-minute header.Things would have been different if not for Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who on his return from injury pulled off a pair of fantastic stops to deny Yussuf Poulsen and Emil Forsberg.Thiago Alcantara passed up a golden chance to extend the lead, but his miss mattered little as Coman made sure of Bayern's first domestic double in three years before Lewandowski's delicate chip rounded off a fin...
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LALIGA

Valencia Shock Barcelona to Win the Copa del Rey

Valencia are the new Copa del Rey champions after beating Barcelona and denying the Blaugrana a fifth consecutive cup success.After their woeful Champions League capitulation against Liverpool, Barcelona sought to placate their frustrated fans with a domestic double having wrapped up the league title with three games to spare in April.But goals from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo handed the champions a shock defeat at the Benito Villamarín Stadium that piles more pressure on Ernesto Valverde – with Lionel Messi’s effort with 18 minutes left nothing more than a consolation.The Catalans could have won their fourth domestic double in five years on Saturday but it was not to be.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea Reportedly Want £130m for Eden Hazard

Chelsea want £130m for Eden Hazard, as per reports. Real Madrid value the Belgium international at no more than €100m (£88m) due to the fact that he is entering the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea are under no pressure to sell and negotiations over a proposed deal are being handled by Blues director Marina Granovskaia.Hazard revealed earlier this month that he had made a decision on his future and expected it to be resolved following the Europa League final against Arsenal on Wednesday.Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, who will also have talks over his future following the game in Baku, insisted the club needed to "respect" the decision Hazard has made about his future.
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NEWS

Tuchel Expects to Stay at PSG Next Season

Thomas Tuchel expects to still be Paris Saint-Germain head coach next season, but he acknowledges the situation could "change every day".PSG won the Ligue 1 title, but crashed out of the Champions League and Coupe de la Ligue early, as well as losing the Coupe de France final to Rennes on penalties.The shoot-out defeat to Rennes came in the final weeks of the season as PSG won just three of 10 matches in all competitions, also including Friday's 3-1 loss at Reims.Champions PSG were completely outplayed away from home in their last game of the campaign, yet Tuchel was positive for the future at full-time."I think I can say yes [I will stay]," Tuchel told a post-match news conference. "But, in football, it can change every day."You often ask me, but I am here. If it changes, it will not be d...
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NEWS

Monaco Scrape to Ligue 1 Survival

Monaco have secured Ligue 1 survival despite failing to get the point they needed to guarantee safety on the final day, instead ending a dreadful season with a 2-0 defeat in Nice.Leonardo Jardim’s men knew only an improbable set of results – defeat at Nice, victory for Caen and an eight-goal swing – could send them into a relegation play-off after last week’s vital home win over fellow strugglers Amiens.Jardim had urged his side to keep their fate in their own hands, and Cesc Fabregas hit the crossbar after 12 minutes – but Benoit Badiashile’s own goal left them relying on Bordeaux to put in a performance against Caen.Mickael Le Bihan doubled Nice’s lead after 67 minutes from the penalty spot, but Younousse Sankhare’s opener for Bordeaux proved enough to save last season’s runners-up and r...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pochettino 'Motivated' to Stay at Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino says he is "motivated" to stay at Tottenham and take them to the next level.Pochettino's Spurs future has been uncertain following comments he made before the Champions League semi-final victory over Ajax, in which he suggested he could walk away if they were to win the competition.There has also been speculation in Italy that he is of interest to Juventus, who recently parted ways with Massimiliano Allegri.But Pochettino told talkSPORT on Friday: "Tottenham, for me, is the best club in the world."When we talk about facilities - this training ground, a stadium that is the best in the world - there is no better club."Then it's London - there is no better city. And the Premier League is the most tough and the most exciting league in the world."We need to make that step. O...
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TRANSFERS

Everton Sign Huddersfield Goalkeeper Lossl

Everton have signed Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Jonas Lossl on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.The Demark international has signed a three-year deal with the Toffees that will take him through to the summer of 2022.He will join up with his new club on July 1 and begin preparations for next season, where he is expected to provide cover and competition for first-choice shot-stopper Jordan Pickford.Lossl made 31 Premier League appearances for Huddersfield in 2018-19 but was unable to prevent their relegation to the Championship, conceding 54 goals and keeping just five clean sheets in that period.He joined on loan from German outfit Mainz in the summer of 2017 following the Terriers' promotion to the top flight, a deal which was made permanent a year later.Pickfo...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid Slam Pochettino's Training Ground Claims

Real Madrid have issued an official statement slamming Mauricio Pochettino over claims his requests to use the club's training ground were rejected.Spurs will be staying in the Spanish capital ahead of the Champions League final against Liverpool at Wanda Metropolitano on June 1.The Argentine has been heavily linked with the top job at Santiago Bernabeu in recent months and he suggested Perez tried to offer him a compromise to suit both Madrid and Spurs.“Real Madrid? I have no other goals if I am not training Tottenham; football takes you where you deserve," Pochettino told El Partidazo de Cope.“Ahead of the final, we will train at Valdebebas and sleep in a nearby hotel.“I asked Florentino to let us sleep in the sports centre, but he told me that I can only sleep there when I become the co...
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NEWS

Wenger Eyeing Return to Football

Arsene Wenger is eager to return to football, but the former Arsenal boss is unsure if his comeback will be in management.Wenger, 69, ended a 22-year stay with the Premier League side at the end of last season before stepping away from management for this campaign.The Frenchman, who has reportedly turned down numerous opportunities, said he would return, although he is unsure in just what role."I will go back into football, for sure," Wenger told The Guardian."In what position I don't know, whether that is as a manager or not. The appetite, the desire, is still there."Wenger, who also managed Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight during his career, said he would quickly decide what kind of position he wanted for his first job away from the Gunners since 1996."Originally I said I want to m...
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NEWS

Marcelo Lippi Named China Coach Again

Marcello Lippi has been named coach of China for a second stint as they prepare for 2022 World Cup qualifying.The former Italy and Juventus boss was at the helm of China for more than two years before leaving the post in January following a quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup.He was replaced by Fabio Cannavaro, who stepped down last month to focus on coaching Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.The Chinese Football Association (CFA) confirmed on Friday it had once again appointed Lippi.Lippi led Juventus to five Serie A titles in two stints with the club, also claiming the 1995-96 Champions League during his time with the Italian club.He also led Italy to the team's 2006 World Cup triumph, becoming the first coach to win both a World Cup and a Champions League title as a manager.
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich confirm interest in Leroy Sane

Bayern Munich’s pursuit of German international Leroy Sane has passed from rumor to reality: club president Uli Hoeness confirmed to the Suddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday, “We are working on this personnel matter.”Kicker  reported Bayern’s interest in Sane on Monday. Bild reported on Tuesday that Hoeness wants to sign Sane to make Bayern’s wingers the same as the German national team’s — a new FC Deutschland. And just yesterday Robert Lewandowski praised Sane as a “super player with great qualities and great potential... a player who can immediately take us higher, who improves the team.”Hoeness’ comment all but guarantees that Bayern’s interest in Sane is very, very serious. It is reported that Pep Guardiola would like to move on from Sane, and Sane’s only other interest, besides ...
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SERIE A

Reports: Inter Want Lukaku, Moses After Conte Joins

Inter Milan want to sign Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses this summer; once they have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach, as per reports. The former Chelsea boss is expected to replace Luciano Spalletti at Inter next week, according to reports in Italy, and both players are believed to be on his wishlist.Conte tried to sign Lukaku in the summer of 2017 when he was still at Stamford Bridge, but the striker opted to move to Manchester United from Everton instead.The Belgium international has scored 42 goals in 96 games for United, but failed to score in his last eight games this season and often found Marcus Rashford chosen ahead of him as the team's central striker after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became manager.
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LALIGA

Ter Stegen Ruled Out of Copa del Rey Final

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out of the Copa del Rey final due to a knee problem.The Germany international missed the final three La Liga games of the season while undergoing treatment for an issue in his right knee.The club confirmed on Wednesday that Ter Stegen "still has discomfort" and is therefore unavailable for the match with Valencia at the Benito Villamarin on Saturday.It means Jasper Cillessen is likely to start, despite reports stating that he has agreed to leave the club to join Benfica in the coming transfer window.The deal is yet to be completed, however, with the Blaugrana demanding €25 million (£22m/$28m) for the Netherlands international.
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TRANSFERS

Report: Man Utd, Spurs & Everton Offered Strootman

Manchester United, Everton and West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Marseille and Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman on loan.Strootman, 29, was linked with moves to United when David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal were in charge at Old Trafford.He signed for French club Marseille from Roma for £23m last summer and has been a mainstay in central midfield throughout the season.But Marseille need to cut costs after disappointing season in which they are sat sixth in Ligue 1 with one round of fixtures left to play.Manchester United are expected to undergo a massive overhaul this summer, but the emphasis will be on securing home-grown young players of potential.
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TRANSFERS

Borussia Dortmund signs Thorgan Hazard

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach winger Thorgan Hazard.The Belgium international has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga runners-up having spent five years with Gladbach.He becomes Dortmund's second summer signing after Germany left-back Nico Schulz completed his move from Hoffenheim on Tuesday.The final fee for Hazard has not been disclosed by either club, with reports suggesting it could be anywhere from €25 million (£22m/$28m) to €40m (£35.2m/$44.7m).Hazard has had an agreement in place to join Dortmund for some time, with only the technicalities of the deal between the two clubs required to get it over the line.The 26-year-old leaves Gladbach having made 182 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 46 goals and laying on 44 a...
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LALIGA

Varane Wants to Continue at Real Madrid

Raphael Varane confirmed that he will remain with Real Madrid next season as he will look to help the club recover from a season that was far below their usual standards.Real Madrid finished third in La Liga this season, as the club moved from Julen Lopetegui to Santiago Solari to, ultimately, Zinedine Zidane as manager.The club also saw a run of three consecutive Champions League titles snapped with a last-16 loss to Ajax.Varane has been linked with a move away from the club several times, with Manchester United linked to the French defender in the past.But the World Cup winner insists that he will not be leaving the Spanish capital this summer."I'm going to continue here next year, I'm sure we're going to relive strong emotions," he told Marca.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Van Persie: Solskjaer Right Choice for Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man to lead Manchester United and must be given a fair chance to reverse their decline, former striker Robin van Persie told BBC Sport.After impressing as interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, ex-United forward Solskjaer oversaw a dismal end to the season as they missed out on a top-four finish.But Van Persie said: "I think it's the perfect match, it's just they're having a bad spell."He added: "Back in the day it was normal for a manager to get time. Nowadays if you lose six games, you're out. Is that the solution?"Give someone time, especially if it's a kid from the club."United dismissed Mourinho on 18 December and planned to make a temporary appointment until the summer before filling the managerial vacancy permanently.A day later, 46...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Petr Cech Denies Chelsea – Sporting Director Links For Now

Petr Cech has denied reports that he is set for a new role with Chelsea, insisting that he is still solely focused on the Europa League final against his former club.Cech has been with Arsenal since 2015 following a decade-long stay with the Blues.The 37-year-old goalkeeper has won the FA up and two Community Shields since making the move across London to join the Gunners.But reports have stated that Cech is in line for a front office role with Chelsea as he prepares to end his playing career following next week's Europa League final between the Gunners and the Blues.Cech, though, says that decision has not been finalized and that he has not thought of any possibilities that don't involve that Europa League finale."Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before, I’ll make...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Daniel James reportedly agree terms with Man Utd

Swansea winger Daniel James has agreed personal terms with Manchester United, as per reports.The two clubs are yet to agree a deal, contrary to reports, but talks are continuing and James is set to become United's first signing of the summer.It is understood United are close to agreeing a £15m fee with the Championship club for James, who has one year left on his contract.James was named in Ryan Giggs' Wales squad for their Portugal training camp ahead of next month's Euro 2020 qualifying round matches against Croatia and Hungary.
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