Blog – Page 446 – Football Flame

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SERIE A

Lazio stuns Milan to reach Coppa Italia final

Lazio reached the Coppa Italia final and ended AC Milan’s hopes of snapping an eight-year trophy drought when a breakaway goal from Joaquin Correa gave them a 1-0 win at a restless San Siro in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.The Argentine struck the only goal of a tense 180 minutes to earn Lazio a place in the final for the third time in five years and heap more pressure on Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso.Milan’s last silverware was the Serie A title in 2011 and they are now under more pressure than ever to finish in the top four of the league and qualify for the Champions League next season.“We’ve beaten Milan and Inter in this stadium and it’s fair that we are in the final,” said Lazio coach Filippo Inzaghi, whose side knocked out Inter on penalties in the quarter-finals and ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola says Manchester City need to stay calm

Manchester City's players need to remain calm in order to win the Premier League title for a second successive year, says manager Pep Guardiola.Goals from Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane gave City a 2-0 win at Man Utd to move above Liverpool into first place in the table.City will retain their title if they win their last three league matches."We're still not champions with three games left," said Guardiola, whose side have one point more than Liverpool."I told the players don't read tomorrow, don't watch the television, just rest and sleep a lot and go in there against Burnley."We go to Burnley and we know how tough it will be. It's important to be calm."
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LALIGA

Atletico beat Valencia to delay Barca title celebration

Atletico Madrid delayed Barcelona winning La Liga by a few days at least after Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann each scored in a 3-2 victory over Valencia on Wednesday.Defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano would have crowned Barca kings of Spain for a 26th time in their history, with the Catalans now set to celebrate at their own Camp Nou on Saturday instead.A Barcelona win there over Levante will wrap up their fourth league triumph in five years and they could even be home and dry before kick-off, if Atletico fail to take a point at home to struggling Real Valladolid earlier in the day.Regardless, success for Ernesto Valverde's side is surely now only a matter of timing given Atletico remain nine points behind the leaders with four games left to play. Real Madrid, who visit Getafe on Thurs...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd boss Solskjaer Welcomes Luke Shaw to squad ahead Man City clash

Luke Shaw is set to return to the fold after suspension for Manchester United against Manchester City.Luke Shaw is available for Manchester United's derby clash Manchester City at Old Trafford.Shaw has missed United's last three games with domestic and European bans but will come back into contention.“Luke’s been very good,” Solskjaer said.“He’s disappointed that he’s missed the three games that he has. He knows he has to improve on that.“Some of his yellow cards weren’t yellow cards but some of them are his fault where he’s taken the easy option. We’ve spoken about that.“It’ll be great to have him back because, both defensively and in attack, he’s been one of our best players.”Phil Jones is a doubt after hobbling off in Sunday's 4-0 defeat Everton Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly and Antonio Va...
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LALIGA

Barcelona set to extend Arturo Vidal contract

Barcelona are ready to offer Arturo Vidal a one-year contract extension, just eight months after he joined in a surprise £27million move.The 31-year-old midfielder, who moved to the Nou Camp after a successful spell at Bayern Munich, was seen a surprise choice by the Catalan club when he put pen to paper on a three-year-deal.But he has gone on to make 45 appearances for the late liga club in his debut campaign, scoring two goals and adding five assists. And now, according to Sport, Barcelona are keen to tie him down until 2022.The Spanish newspaper claim he has become a 'wildcard' for manager Ernesto Valverde and Barcelona are keen to avoid him leaving for free in the summer of 2021.Valverde has reportedly been impressed with the way Vidal has performed against all manner of opponents, and...
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TRANSFERS

Real Madrid reportedly set to loan out Gareth Bale

Real Madrid have reportedly been left having to consider loan offers for Gareth Bale.The Wales international has enjoyed a successful period at the Bernabeu, but the forward finds himself out of favour with Zinedine Zidane and the club's supporters.The 29-year-old continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League but according to Marca.com, there has been little interest in a permanent deal.The report suggests that Real will now start to consider loan bids for the attacker in a bid to reduce their wage bill ahead of next season.Bale is said to be happy with life in Spain, but it has become increasingly evident that the player may struggle for game-time under Zidane.The former Tottenham Hotspur man will allegedly refuse to leave Real unless he is able to earn his current wages else...
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NEWS

Benfica knock out of Europa League in Germany

Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Benfica 2-0 at the Waldstadion to advance to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.An offside Filip Kostic goal and Sebastian Rode strike clinched a famous victory, the result overturning the first leg 4-2 defeat in Lisbon as the German club go through on away goals. Ante Rebic was outstanding for Frankfurt, but it was a total team effort roared on by an passionate and raucous home support. The Portuguese club will lament the offside goal but were largely second best throughout the contest.
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SERIE A

Napoli boss Ancelotti rules out sale of Man Utd target Kalidou Koulibaly

Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has described Kalidou Koulibaly as the "best centre-back in the world" and insists that he is not for sale. The Senegal international has been regularly linked with a move away from the Stadio San Paolo in recent times, earning particular interest from Manchester United.With the Red Devils still on the hunt for a new central defender, reports indicate that they may move for Koulibaly in the summer.Ancelotti has categorically ruled out an exit for his prized asset, however, telling reporters: "Koulibaly is the best centre-back in the world, and he has more room for improvement."He is worth €150m and he is non-transferable. Napoli do not need to sell, the president does not want to sell and the question does not arise."Koulibaly has been used 43 times...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pellegrini excited by Jack Wilshere return

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini said Jack Wilshere's imminent return to first-team action will provide a 'good injection' to his squad.Wilshere started West Ham's opening four games of the season after joining from Arsenal last summer, but has played just one game since due to an ankle injury, which he underwent surgery on in December. With fellow midfielders Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri ruled out of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Leicester, the 27-year old could feature."Jack Wilshere is OK," Pellegrini said on Thursday. "He worked without problems."We'll see tomorrow how he feels. He played already one game for the U23s. We will talk with him but (it) will be soon this week, next week. I hope that he will play some games before we finish the season."He's a midfielder that we n...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool vs Barcelona: Jurgen klopp focus on Cardiff, not Messi

Jurgen klopp is keen to make sure a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona does not become a distraction for his Liverpool players with crucial Premier League games coming up.Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk were on the scoresheet as Wednesday's 4-1 win in Porto secured a last-four meeting between the Premier League leaders and LaLiga's top side.The mouth-watering clash is in danger of making Liverpool's upcoming fixtures against Cardiff and Huddersfield look a little mundane by comparison.But with the Premier League title race against Manchester City as tight as ever, Klopp knows they must stay focused.Asked how his side might stop Lionel Messi and all, the German smiled."Thank God I don't have to think about that tonight and I have a few more nig...
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UCL

Ajax stuns Juventus as Barcelona progress in Champions League

Ajax stunned juventus to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1997 as Matthijs de Ligt’s thumping second-half header secured a 2-1 second-leg victory in the last eight in Turin on Tuesday.Cristiano Ronaldo, bidding for his sixth Champions League title, scored a 28th-minute header to put Juve ahead after a 1-1 first-leg draw, but Donny van de Beek levelled for the visitors before half-time. Teenage centre-back De Ligt struck midway through the second period, though, to seal a 3-2 aggregate win and set up a last-four clash with either Manchester City or Tottenham.Meanwhile, Barcelona earned a convincing victory over Man United tonight to secure their place in the Champions League tonight.Two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Philippe Coutinho saw the Cata...
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UCL

Champions League : Liverpool revealed squad ahead Porto clash

Liverpool will be without Dejan Lovren and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they travel to Porto for their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.The pair both missed training at Melwood on Tuesday ahead of the game and have not been included in Jurgen Klopp's 21-man squad to head to Portgual.Lovren misses out due to illness, with Joel Matip in pole position to replace him in the starting line-up rather than youngster Joe Gomez.Oxlade-Chamberlain, meanwhile, will carry out more fitness work as he continues to get back to match fitness after almost a year on the sidelines.The Reds hold a 2-0 lead from last week's Anfield first leg and are in pole position to secure a spot in the semi-finals.Club captain Jordan Henderson is included having been forced off with an ankle problem in t...
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LALIGA

Barcelona president rules out Philippe Coutinho exit

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insist that Philippe Coutinho will not be leaving the Camp Nou this summer despite rumoured interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool for £142million in January last year but the 26-year-old has not had the same kind of impact as he had during his time with the Reds, resulting in speculation of a move away.Bartomeu, however, has made it clear Coutinho is part of manager Ernesto Valverde's plans unless a club triggers the midfielder's release clause, rumoured to be a staggering £355million.Speaking to Spanish television station TVE, Bartomeu said: "Coutinho is an excellent player and he has the coach's confidence."He has a contract with us and he will remain at the team, unless they (another cl...
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SERIE A

Inter Milan reportedly ready to spend €30 million on Gundogan

     Inter are willing to spend up to €30 million in order to clinch the signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City this Summer according to a report from CalcioMercato.com.The German’s contract with the Premier League outfit is due to expire in just over a year’s time and he is understood to have zero intention of prolonging his stay.For this reason, City are looking to sell him off in order to not lose him for nothing once his deal at the club expires.The report goes on to state that Inter are confident about investing €30 million as it is a sum that they could raise through player sales, potentially through Ivan Perisic alone if Inter’s reported demands for the Croatian winger are met by the trio of Premier League sides keen on him.The next few weeks could prove dec...
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LALIGA

Dembele is better than Neymar, says Barcelona President

       Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu thinks the club's winger Ousmane Dembele has developed into a better player than their former star, Neymar. Neymar left Barcelona in the summer of 2017, joining Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee. After losing the Brazilian, the Blaugrana signed Dembele from Borussia Dortmund and following a challenging first season at the club, in 2018-19 the France international has established himself as a regular in the first team.Speaking to TVE, Bartomeu said he thinks Dembele has surpassed the former incumbent of the Barcelona No. 11 jersey and has backed last season's other major signing, Philippe Coutinho, to kick on too:"I explained that we have a project with Dembele and Coutinho with Neymar's money. Dembele's...
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UCL

Barca boss Valverde says he fears Man Utd spirit

    Ernesto Valverde has admitted he fears Manchester United's "spirit" as he attempts to lead Barcelona into the Champions League semi-finals at their expense.Barca host United in the second leg of their quarter-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, and will take a 1-0 lead into the game following their victory in the first match at Old Trafford. However, United overcame PSG in the last 16, despite losing the first leg at home, and Valverde is wary of allowing a similar fate to befall Barcelona.He said: "What I fear the most is the spirit they have. We respect them as a team, and the history they have behind them."You can feel their spirit on the pitch and I think we will see it tomorrow. If we want to face that we have to show the way we are ourselves."United had just 34 per ...
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UCL

Champions League: Chiellini absent from training ahead Juventus-Ajax match

      The second leg of Juventus-Ajaxis right around the corner. Tomorrow at 8:00 pm GMT, Massimiliano Allegri's side will be looking for victory as they try and move on to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.  Today, at the Continassa, training is underway for the Bianconeri ahead of tomorrow's big match.Juve skipper GiorgioChiellini has not yet recovered from the injury that has already kept him sidelined in the first leg of the quarterfinals in Amsterdam, it is almost certain that the player will be unavailable to Allegri. In other news, Juan Cuadrado is also absent (outside of the Champions League squad list), while young Hans Nicolussiis training with the team.
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern returns to top spot in Bundesliga after easy win

    Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga after Kingsley Coman's first-half brace spearheaded a comfortable 4-1 victory at Fortuna Dusseldorf. Borussia Dortmund went to the summit on Saturday after edging out Mainz but the Bavarians were able to reclaim their position, with Coman setting them on their way after a quarter of an hour.He doubled his and Bayern's tally just before half-time while Serge Gnabry gave the visitors a 3-0 lead in the 55th minute.Dodi Lukebakio, introduced off the bench midway through the second half, pulled one back for Dusseldorf in the penultimate minute but Leon Goretzka restored Bayern's three-goal cushion in time added-on.Eintracht Frankfurt missed the opportunity to consolidate fourth spot after a surprise 3-1 defeat to lowly&...
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TRANSFERS

Inter Milan reportedly eye move for Man Utd star

 Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio visited England for some Champions League action this week and Romelu Lukaku was on his watch list, according to reports. The Italian was in London to watch Tottenham’s 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Manchester City on Tuesday, before visiting Old Trafford to watch Manchester United lose by the same margin against Barcelona a day later. Leggo has reported that the purpose of Ausilio’s second trip to Manchester was to watch Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku in action, as well as Barça midfielder Ivan Rakitic.Bellgium's all-time top goalscorer Lukaku has been touted as a potential replacement for Mauro Icardi, who looks set to leave the San Siro club this summer after being stripped of the captaincy ear...
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NEWS

Europa League : Arsenal beat Napoli, Chelsea win

    Arsenal and Chelsea closed in on the Europa League last four on Thursday after the Gunners saw off highly-fancied Napoli 2-0 at the Emirates, while Marco Alonso's late header earned Maurizio Sarri's side a hard-fought win at Slavia Prague.Unai Emery's Arsenal hold a healthy advantage going into next week's second leg thanks to a fine early strike from Juventus-bound Aaron Ramsey and an unfortunate Kalidou Koulibaly own goal midway through the first half, and can rue missed chances that would have put the tie completely beyond the Italians' reach.       "To keep a clean sheet and score a couple of goals is a lovely way to start the first leg. We're delighted with that," said Ramsey, who should have added the third when he blazed over with nine minutes left...
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