Blog – Page 453 – Football Flame

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LALIGA

Jordi Alba set to sign a contract renewal with Barcelona

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba is reportedly set to sign a new long-term contract with his club.Alba, 29, has been in outstanding form for Barca this season, contributing 14 assists in 35 appearances.The left-back will see his current deal at Camp Nou expire in June 2020, though, and there have been suggestions that he is becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.However, according to Sport, negotiations have 'accelerated' over the last few days, with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu intervening to speed up the process.The report has claimed that Alba is expected to sign a new five-year contract with the Spanish champions, who are currently preparing for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid.Alba has made 281 appearances for Barca ...
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LALIGA

Copa del Rey Preview : Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Barcelona will visit Real madrid at Bernebeu on Wednesday night for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, with the tie level at 1-1 from the first leg at Camp Nou.Lucas Vasquez sent Madrid into a sixth-minute lead in the first leg earlier this month, before Malcom registered in the second period to leave the last-four tie all square.Madrid will have their captain Sergio Ramos back and available after the centre-back missed the win over Levante on Sunday night through suspension.Ramos for Nacho could well be the only outfield change from the team that started against Levante, with Vinicius Junior and Vazquez once again expected to support Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.Isco is available following a back problem, but it seems unlikely t...
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BUNDESLIGA

Stuttgart earn 1-1 draw at Bremen

Stuttgart struggled to a 1-1 draw at  Werder Bremen in Bundesliga.Stuttgart, who remain in the relegation zone having not won any of their last eight games, claimed a shock lead in just the second minute through Steven Zuber, who tucked the ball away after being played in by Mario Gomez.But Bremen extended their run of scoring to 24 consecutive Bundesliga matches as former Everton midfielder Davy Klaasen notched on the stroke of half-time. The Netherlands international's long-range strike flew past Stuttgart goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.The hosts looked the more likely side to find the winner as the second half wore on. Nuri Sahin tested Zieler with a powerful effort from inside the penalty area before Claudio Pizarro fired just wide.Zieler was on hand again 10 minutes from time to se...
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NEWS

Napoli and Inter advance in Europa League

Napoli and Inter Milan faced no issues as they both sealed their places in the last 16 of the Europa League.Salzburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, Villarreal, Dinamo Zagreb, Zenit, Benfica, Kiev, Rennes, Krasnodar and Slavia Prague also all made it through on an action-packed Thursday night across Europe. After a 3-1 away win in Switzerland last week, Napoli easily advanced 5-1 on aggregate. Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti made it two wins from his first two games in the Europa League with a 2-0 home victory over Zurich. Forwards Simone Verdi and Adam Ounas scored in each half at the Stadio San Paolo.  Meanwhile, Inter advanced after eliminating Austrian club Rapid Vienna 5-0 on aggregate after winning the second leg 4-0 in Rome.Former champion Sevilla advanced after knocking...
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LALIGA

Luka Modric Reportedly to renew his contract until 2021

Luka Modric is reportedly set to renew his contract with Real Madrid until 2021.The Croatian has contributed to the success of Real Madrid in recent seasons, winning four of the last five European cups. His careeer and talent were finally recognized and rewarded, after winning the Balon d'Or in 2018. The renewal will see him extend his stay at Los Blanco for another two years, ending when Luka reaches 36 years old.According to report, He will also become one of the highest paid players within the squad at the same level of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos. With is Renewal it is expected that midfielder would retire at Real Madrid.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Barcelona keep tabs on Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought the best out of a number of attacking players such as Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba with his proactive approach seemingly being preferred by them over Jose Mourinho’s reactive defensive mindset. Barcelona’s search for a new striker is widespread so it’s understandable that Marcus Rashford’s recent return to form has got them interested,  six goals and three assists in 12 matches. According to report, The Catalans are eyeing Rashford, although the club acknowledges that it would be hard to take him away from Manchester United especially with no release clause, so a large transfer fee, potentially over €100 million, would be required. Young English players are always overvalued due to the “homegrown” player squad requirements...
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SERIE A

Juventus Midfielder Khedira sideline for Champions League tie at Atletico Madrid

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira will miss Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.Juventus have revealed the 31-year-old will be sidelined indefinitely while he undergoes treatment for atrial arrhythmia. The condition causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate and can lead to issues including dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness. A statement from the club said: "Sami Khedira remained in Turin for medical examinations, from which emerged the opportunity to perform an electrophysiological study and eventual treatment of an atrial arrhythmia which appeared today."
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd's Midfielder Ander Herrera set to sign a new contract at Old Trafford

Manchester United Midfielder Ander Herrera is reportedly set to sign a new three-year deal at Old Trafford.Ander Herrera current contract expires in the summer but he will sign a new deal worth £100,000-a-week.Herrera opened the scoring against Chelsea on Monday as United beat Chelsea 2-0 to book their place in the last eight of the FA Cup. Pogba scored the other goal, and Herrera believes the platform he has built with Nemanja Matic has allowed the Frenchman more freedom to get forward, and helped the club's attackers."I said to the manager we are running a lot at the moment to make our forwards enjoy it," he told the club's official monthly magazine."Sometimes it's hard for us but as long as they score goals and as long as they make our fans enjoy the games we'll continue doing...
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UCL

Barcelona held to a goalless draw at Lyon

Barcelona were held to a  goalless draw at Lyon in the Champions League last-16 first leg. Lyon had the better chances in first-half, but Barca goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen produced a world-class save to tip Martin Terrier attempt onto the bar.Barcelona asserted their dominance as the match progressed, but failed to find the net ahead of the return leg in March 13, with only four of their 21 attempt finding the target.Barca now have a big 10 days ahead as they move to Sevilla on Saturday before heading to Real Madrid for a double header in the cup and league next week.
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SERIE A

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici confirm club interest in Mauro Icardi

       Mauro Icardi of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio TardiniJuventus sporting director Fabio Paratici has confirmed that the club made inquiries into signing Inter striker Mauro Icardi ahead of the summer transfer window, as rumors continue to swirl regarding the forward's future. The striker was recently stripped of Inter Milan captaincy due to the fracture in relations that his contract extension talks have caused, and this has only increased the rumors of an exit this summer.And, amid this saga, the Old Lady's sporting director has confirmed that La Vecchia Signora has spoken to the Milanese club last summer about taking Icardi off their hands. Speaking to Rai Radio1, as ...
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NEWS

Paraguay appoint former Athletic Bilbao boss Eduardo Berizzo as new coach

     Eduardo Berizzo former boss of Athletic club gives instruction during La Liga match between Club Atletico De Madrid and Athletic ClubParaguay has named former Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao coach Eduardo Berizzo as their new manager.The 49-year- old replaces Juan Carlos Osorio, who resigned last week following five months and one game in charge.The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) announced the arrival of Argentinian Berizzo on Monday.“The Paraguayan Football Association…have successfully concluded the negotiations with Eduardo Berizzo, who becomes the new coach,” read a statement on the APF website.Berizzo, who was sacked by Bilbao in December, has previous experience on the international stage having been Chile’s assistant manager from 2007 to 2010.Berizzo will...
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NEWS

Brighton beat Derby county 2-1 to progress to FA cup quarter-Final

     Ashley Cole of Derby County battles for Possession with Anthony Knockaert of BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion has progressed to the  FA Cup quarter-finals but had to survive a late scare to see off Championship side Derby County at the Amex Stadium.      Anthony Knockaert of Brighton and Hove Albion scores his team's first goal past Kelle Roos of Derby CountyBrighton took the lead through Anthony Knockaert strike just after the half-hour, before Jurgen Locadia reacted quickest to Yves Bissouma's effort coming back off the post to tap home just before the break. Chris Hughton's side failed to add to their lead and substitute Ashley Cole pulled one back for Frank Lampard's side with ten minutes remaining, but the Seagulls held on to pr...
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NEWS

Emiliano Sala funeral take place in his home town in Argentina

       Romina Sala sister of Emiliano SalaThe funeral of Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala took place in his home town in Argentina on Saturday three weeks after he was killed in a plane crash.A public vigil was held in a gymnasium in Progreso, the modest village in the province of Santa Fe which Sala left as a teenager to forge a career in Europe.The 28-year-old died last month just two days after completing a Cardiff club-record £15 million ($19.3 million, 17.1 million euros) move from French club Nantes.The single-engine private plane carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson crashed in the English Channel near Alderney on January 21. Sala had returned to Nantes to say goodbye to his former teammates before flying back to Wales.The player's body was recovered from the ...
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SERIE A

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is eager for Madrid victory

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri says his team's Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid is open and he is eager to find an away goal.The Serie A leaders Juve will travel to Wanda Metropolitano next Wednesday for what shapes as a blockbuster tie.Allegri is desperate for Juve to find a breakthrough in the Spanish capital, but he is wary of Atletico, who have reached at least the Champions League quarter-finals in four of the past five seasons."The team is in good shape. It is a two-legged challenge against a very physical team," he said after Friday's 3-0 win over Frosinone."Atletico plays very aggressive football when playing at home. It is a team that has had great results in previous years in Europe."It is an open match, we have as much chance to go through as they do."The...
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LALIGA

Ernesto Valverde extends his contract as Barcelona manager

Ernesto Valverde has extended his contract as Barcelona coach for at least one more season.Valverde will exercise the option in his contract to continue, the defending Spanish champions said on Friday. They added Valverde also agreed to add the possibility of coaching for the 2020-21 season.The 55-year-old Valverde joined Barcelona from Athletic Bilbao in mid-2017 to replace Luis Enrique.This season, Valverde has helped Barcelona regroup following the departure of veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta.Barcelona leads the Spnaish league, has reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, and the knockout rounds of the Champions League.After a league match against Valladolid on Saturday, Barcelona visits Lyon on Tuesday to start its Champions League round-of-16 tie.
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UCL

Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund: Spurs grab commanding 1st leg lead

Tottenham thrashed Borussia Dortmund 3-0  in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie without Harry Kane and Dele Ali,  The match at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday began in a similar manner to Manchester United v. Paris Saint-Germain the night before, until a lapse of concentration led to Tottenham’s opener and game opened up from there.Heung-Min Son, Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente all scored for Spurs, who take a decisive three-goal advantage into the second leg in Germany on March 6. Meanwhile, it was the third-straight match for Dortmund where they had conceded three goals, and is another huge blow to the club that leads the Bundesliga by five points, with the margin slipping.
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NEWS

Man Utd's Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial are major doubt for Chelsea FA cup clash

Manchester United could be without both Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial for the clash with Chelsea in the FA Cup next Monday.Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s United were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.Though, not only did Man United lose the game against Paris Saint-Germain, they lost two big players in the process. Both Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial limped out of the game due to injury.Alexis Sanchez replaced Lingard in the first half before Martial was substituted at half time for Juan Mata.With Manchester United set to face off against Chelsea next Monday, that is certainly worrying.Now, a report on Wednesday has claimed that both players are ‘major doubts’ for the FA Cup clash.
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UCL

Jan Vertonghen believes Tottenham can qualify for Champions League quarter-finals

Tottenham central defender Jan Vertonghen claimed his side can beat Borussia Dortmund over two legs and qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals.Tottenham Hotspurs were knocked oeut of the league cup by Chelsea and the FA Cup by Crystal Palace last month but have found their form with four league victories on the bounce.Speaking ahead of tonight clash against Dortmund, Vertonghen said:"We can beat anyone. We have shown that last year. Over two games we were the better team against Real Madrid { Four point from two group games} who were the eventual winner of the trophy.That is why it was a shame we could not do better last year because we felt we should have done better. That is why everyone has feeling we can do it this year."
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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo help Juventus ease past Sassuolo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 18th league goal this season as Juventus bounced back from last week draw against Parma to seal 11-point lead in Serie A on Sunday with a 3-0 win at Sassuolo.Ronaldo scored after 70 minutes as Sami Khedira found the net first in Modena with fellow German Emre Can slotting in the third four minutes from time.The seven-time Serie A champions had been held by promoted Parma last week despite the Portugese forward's double, but leave second-placed Napoli trailing after Carlo Ancelotti's side were held to a goalless draw at Fiorentina on Saturday.Juventus had started slowly with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saving twice in the opening minutes as the champions were without injured defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.Juventus broke through after Sassuolo ...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid thrash Atletico Madrid to move second in Laliga

Real Madrid fought their way back into the Spanish La Liga title race with a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in a derby win at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale’s strikes inflicted Atletico’s first home defeat of the season across all competitions and moved the European champions up to second, within five points of leaders Barcelona, as their revival under Santiago Solari continued.Antoine Griezmann equalised for Atletico after Casemiro’s overhead kick sent Real ahead, but Ramos slammed home from the penalty spot before halftime to silence the home fans.Atletico’s Alvaro Morata netted a brilliant lob against his former side but it was ruled out for offside before Bale drilled in the visitors’ third to secure the points for Real Madrid.Thomas Partey...
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