LALIGA – Page 38 – Football Flame

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Kroos struggling for fitness ahead of PSG

Toni Kroos of Real Madrid warms up during the Spanish League, La Liga Santander, football match played between Real Madrid and Granada CF at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on February 06, 2022, in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos is a doubt to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next week after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the midfielder will miss Madrid’s game against Real Sociedad on Sat-urday.Madrid are tasked with overturning a 1-0 deficit against PSG in the second leg at the Santiago Bern-abeu on Wednesday, but Kroos may miss the game after sustaining an injury, reportedly to his hamstring.Ancelotti said Kroos would need “five or six days” to recover while fellow midfielder Fede Val-verde has been suffering with a fever and will also sit out the match against Real Sociedad ...
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Koeman speaks out on Barcelona sack: “Laporta didn’t give me the same time as Xavi”

Former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman speaks during his official presentation at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 19, 2020.Ronald Koeman was appointed as the manager of Barcelona by Josep Bartomeu after sacking Quique Setien in 2019. The Dutch coach then went on to win the Copa del Rey, and even came extremely close to the league title in his maiden season.It was clear, however, that Koeman was not the coach of the new administration. Joan Laporta was never convinced by him and did not hold back some of his words when the season ended, dropping hints that he is looking for a replacement.Eventually, Koeman was allowed to continue into the new season, but was eventually sacked after a string of poor results. Xavi took his place at the helm, and it seems the treatment the former mid...
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Aubameyang, Barcelona continue hot streak

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-0 with Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Athletic de Bilbao at the Camp Nou on February 27, 2022 in Barcelona Spain.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored his fifth goal in three matches as Barcelona maintained their momentum with a 4-0 thumping of Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay also scored for Barca, who regained fourth place in the Spanish top flight.The win at Camp Nou moved Barcelona within a point of third-place Real Betis with a game in hand, althougn they trail leaders Real Madrid by 15 points.Aubameyang was coming off a goal in the Europea League defeat of Napoli on Thursday and a league hat-trick aga...
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Stop War message clear at La Liga games

The stadium lights up blue and yellow in support of Ukraine prior to the LaLiga Santander match between Club Atletico de Madrid and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 26, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.Like so many times this season for La Liga leaders Real Madrid, when Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior click defences crumble.Benzema scored late from a Vinicius assist as Madrid overcame Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to increase the gap over second-place Sevilla to nine points.Champions Atletico Madrid took a stand against Russia's invasion of Ukraine before beating Celta Vigo 2-0.Before kick-off, Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was lit with the yellow and blue colours of the Ukraine flag and bore the message Stop War.The same message was then flashed inside the stadium during t...
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Levante score rare victory in La Liga

Gerard Gumbau of Elche CF and Jose Luis Morales of UD Levante battle for the ball during the La Liga Santader match between Levante UD and Elche CF at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on February 25, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.Last-placed Levante have defeated Elche 3-0 for only the third win of their Spanish league campaign.Jose Luis Morales, Jorge de Frutos and Gonzalo Melero scored for the hosts, who moved within six points of safety ahead of the weekend matches.Levante's other wins were against Mallorca in January and at defending champions Atletico Madrid this month.They drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo in their last match.Elche were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute following a straight red card to midfielder Gerard Gumbau for an over zealous challenge.Elche, sitting in 13th place, had won four of...
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Carles Puyol is loving Xavi’s work at Barcelona

Ousmane Dembele in front of Xavi Hernandez during the FC Barcelona training session previous at Copa del Rey match between Atletico de Bilbao at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on January 19, 2022 in Barcelona. Barcelona legend Carles Puyol was happy to offer his thoughts on Xavi’s team after Thursday’s impressive 4-2 win over Napoli in Italy.The Catalans put in a superb performance at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League 5-3 on aggregate.Puyol let slip on Twitter after the game that he’d had a little bet when Xavi took over Barcelona and is really liking what he’s seeing from the Catalans.When Barça hired Xavi, I said we would win the league, I bet a dinner, I don’t know if I’ll pay for it, but what I know for sure is that I like this team. And I...
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Scramble to sign Aubameyang starts to pay off for Barcelona

Toni Lato of Valencia CF competes for the ball with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on February 20, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.The last-minute scramble to secure the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has started to pay off for Barcelona.Aubameyang scored his first two goals since joining from Arsenal at the end of the winter transfer window, leading the Catalan club to a resounding 4-1 win at Valencia in the Spanish league on Sunday.Ousmane Dembele, whom Barcelona wanted to leave but ended staying after rejecting a couple of offers at the transfer deadline, made his first start since then and set up Frenkie de Jong’s goal in the first half. Pedri González also scored as Barcelona ended a t...
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Sevilla draw with Espanyol and miss chance to put pressure on Real Madrid

Rafa Mir of Sevilla CF challenges for the ball against Keidi Bare of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga Santander match between RCD Espanyol and Sevilla FC at RCDE Stadium on February 20, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.Sevilla drew 1-1 with Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in La Liga on Sunday afternoon. Rafa Mir opened the scoring in the 36th minute only for Sergi Darder to equalise for the hosts in the 50th. Sevilla’s Jules Kounde was given his marching orders in the 76th.The result is a blow for Sevilla’s ambitions of challenging Real Madrid for the league title. They could have cut the distance to the team from the capital to four points had they won but instead end the weekend six off them following Madrid’s win last night. The result leaves Espanyol in 13th place.Sevilla travel to C...
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Felix leads Atletico to 3-0 win at Osasuna before Man Utd test

Atletico Madrid's Portuguese forward Joao Felix (L) vies with Osasuna's Spanish defender Nacho Vidal during the Spanish league football match between CA Osasuna and Club Atletico de Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on February 19, 2022.Joao Felix scored and assisted Luis Suarez in Atletico Madrid's 3-0 win at Osasuna in the Spanish league on Saturday, giving the struggling defending champions a boost before they face Manchester United.Felix smashed in a poor clearance by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera for the third-minute opener. Felix's pass in the 59th launched a counterattack that Suarez capped with an exquisite left-foot strike — from 40 yards out — over the head of Herrera, who was caught off his line.Angel Correa rounded off the win in the 88th with his team-high 12th goal o...
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Elche fight back for La Liga win over Rayo

Guido Carrillo of Elche CF competes for the ball with Santi Comesana of Rayo Vallecano during the LaLiga Santander match between Elche CF and Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on February 18, 2022 in Elche, Spain.Elche scored two late goals to fight back for a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at home in the Spanish league.The loss kept Rayo winless in six games as they tumbled down the standings following a fantastic opening three months of the season.Fran Garcia put Rayo ahead in the 52nd minute when his shot took a deflection off a defender and looped into the far corner of the net.Guido Carrillo headed in Elche's 76th-minute equaliser when he rushed in to finish off an attempt by Pere Milla that hit the crossbar.Milla set up the winner for the hosts in the 84th when he led a q...
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Atletico Madrid stunned by Levante

Reinildo Mandava (2nd R) of Atletico Madrid in action against Gonzalo Melero (R) of Levante during La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Levante at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain on February 16, 2022.Atletico Madrid have squandered a golden chance to move closer to the top of the Spanish league, losing 1-0 to last-placed Levante at home.Gonzalo Melero scored on a breakaway early in the second half to give Levante only its second win in 24 league matches.The stunning loss kept Atletico from regaining the final Champions League qualification spot. The defending champions stayed fifth, tied on points with fourth-place Barcelona, who have a game in hand.The match was postponed from the 21st round last month. Atletico couldn't play then because they faced Real Sociedad ...
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Mallorca prosper from late Bilbao own-goal

Takefusa Kubo of RCD Mallorca celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the LaLiga Santander match between RCD Mallorca and Athletic Club at Estadio de Son Moix on February 14, 2022 in Mallorca, Spain. An unfortunate own-goal by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon has helped Real Mallorca to a 3-2 La Liga victory.Athletic rallied from two goals down in the second half but conceded in the 88th minute when Takefusa Kubo's shot from close range hit the post and bounced off Simon's head before going into the net.The goal ended Athletic's five-match unbeaten run in all competitions and kept the Basque Country club from moving closer to the European qualification places in the Spanish top-flight.They remained in eighth place, two points from seventh-place Villarreal and five from fou...
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Real Madrid desperate to have Benzema back for PSG clash

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF reacts prior to start the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Elche CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 23, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. Karim Benzema has been sorely missed by the Real Madrid squad since he picked up an injury three weeks ago. With just two days left before their crucial UEFA Champions League last-16 match against Paris Saint-Germain, Los Blancos are desperate to have their prolific striker back in the lineup.On Saturday, Real Madrid allowed Sevilla to get within four points at the top of the La Liga table. They squandered the opportunity to sit on a more comfortable six-point lead after a disappointing draw against Villareal at the Ceramica stadium.The first half had the hosts threatening to score, and manager Carlo Ancelott...
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Sevilla win to close in on Real Madrid

Rafa Mir and Papu Hernandez of Sevilla FC celebrating goal during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Elche CF played at Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on February 11, 2022 in Sevilla, Spain. Papu Gomez and Rafa Mir have scored as Sevilla accounted for Elche 2-0 to close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.Gomez broke through in the 70th minute when the Argentina midfielder got past three defenders and his shot took a deflection in off an Elche player.Anthony Martial, who made his home debut since his loan from Manchester United, crossed for substitute Mir to head in the second goal six minutes later to ensure the victory at Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.Julen Lopetegui's side closed to within three points of Madrid.Madrid visit sixth-placed Villarreal on Saturday without injured striker Karim ...
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Barcelona: Xavi ‘could rotate Adama Traore and Ferran Torres for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’

Barcelona's Gabonese midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang runs with the ball during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 6, 2022. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be set to make his first start for Barcelona since his switch from Arsenal in the January window. The forward joined the Catalan side on a free transfer on deadline day after being stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal and frozen out following a breach of discipline by Mikel Arteta. The Gabon international donned the Blaugrana for the first time at the weekend as he came of the bench during Barcelona's 4-2 triumph over LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid. But he could make his first starting debut for Xavi's side when they face E...
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Report: Xavi desperate for Gavi to sign new Barcelona deal

Xavi Hernandez head coach of Barcelona gives instructions to Gavi during the La Liga Santader match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes on January 8, 2022 in Granada, Spain.Barcelona manager Xavi is reportedly desperate to tie teenage midfielder Gavi down to a new contract at Camp Nou.The Spain international has become a mainstay of the Blaugrana XI at the tender age of 17 but is due to become a free agent in under 18 months' time.Gavi's emergence has supposedly attracted the attention of Liverpool, with the Reds preparing to trigger his €50m (£43m) release clause if Barca cannot agree a new deal with the midfielder.Gavi Paez of FC Barcelona and Stefan Savic of Atletico de Madrid battle for the ball during the La Liga Santader match between FC Barcelona and...
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Athletic beats Espanyol 2-1 to move closer to European spots

Oihan Sancet of Athletic Club duels for the ball with Sergi Gomez of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga Santander match between Athletic Club and RCD Espanyol at San Mames Stadium on February 07, 2022 in Bilbao, Spain.Athletic Bilbao moved closer to the European qualification places in the Spanish league after beating Espanyol 2-1 on Monday.Oihan Sancet and Iñigo Martínez scored in the first half to lead Athletic to the home victory that left it one point behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad. Athletic was four points behind fourth-placed Barcelona in the final Champions League spot.Oihan Sancet of Athletic Club celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic Club and RCD Espanyol at San Mames Stadium on February 07, 2022 in Bilbao, Spain.It was...
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Adama Traore shines on debut as Barcelona claim huge win over Atletico Madrid

Barcelona's Spanish forward Adama Traore (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's Spanish defender Mario Hermoso during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 6, 2022.Barcelona picked up a huge win in their race to secure a a top four spot, defeating Atletico Madrid.Just one point and one place separated the two sides heading into the Camp Nou clash, but Barca have now leapfrogged their top four rivals, climbing into fourth place.It was a goal-fest at Camp Nou, with Yannick Carrasco kicking off the scoring after just eight minutes.Within three minutes, Barca had equalised thanks to a brilliant Jordi Alba volley from the corner of the box.Debutant Adama Traore, who enjoyed an excellent debut, set up Gavi wit...
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Unal nets brace for Getafe in La Liga win

Enes Unal of Getafe celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga Santander match between Getafe CF and Levante UD at Estadio de Butarque on February 04, 2022 in Getafe, Spain.Striker Enes Unal scored a first-half brace as Getafe scored a comfortable 3-0 victory over Levante in the Spanish league.Unal netted Getafe's opener just two minutes after kickoff on Friday when he headed in a corner kick.He added a second goal on the half-hour mark after skilfully controlling a pass while spinning free of his marker before firing into the corner.Unal had not scored this season before Quique Sanchez Flores returned to the club in mid-October for his third stint as Getafe's coach.Since then the Turkish player has scored nine times in 12 appearances."I was needing this spark since...
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Dani Alves responds to Xavi dropping him from Barcelona’s Europa League squad

Dani Alves of FC Barcelona looks on during the Spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Mendizorroza stadium on January 23, 2022 in Vitoria, Spain.Dani Alves admits he’s unhappy with Xavi’s decision to drop him from Barcelona’s Europa League squad but insists he will not bring ‘negative energy’ to the team.Xavi was faced with a dilemma as Barcelona could only register three of their four new signings as Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also moved to Camp Nou in January.Alves was the player who made way ahead of Barca’s Europa League campaign, which begins against Napoli later this month.The coach knows what I think, Alves told Movistar when asked about the decision.When he signed me, we talked about what ...
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