LALIGA – Page 40 – Football Flame

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Barcelona reject the chance to re-sign former midfielder from PSG

Rafinha Alcantara of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Reims at Parc des Princes on May 16, 2021 in Paris, France. Days after reports emerged that Barcelona had turned down the chance to re-sign former midfielder Ilaix Moriba, it seems like the Catalans have rejected another opportunity to bring back another La Masia product to the club.Indeed, El Nacional is reporting that Barca had been offered a chance to sign Rafinha Alcantara from Paris Saint-Germain, but the club have distanced themselves from a move for the Brazilian.The 28-year-old came through the La Masia ranks, alongside his brother, Thiago Alcantara. The versatile midfielder made his first-team debut under Pep Guardiola in 2011, at the age of 18.While Thiago moved on to...
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Karim Benzema goals lead Madrid’s La Liga charge

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF controls the ball during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 12, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Karim Benzema has scored the 400th goal of his professional career before he soon added another to lead La Liga leaders Real Madrid to a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.The victory came just hours after defending champions Atletico Madrid slumped to a fourth consecutive league defeat, going down 2-1 at Granada, extending their worst run in the competition sinceA total of 12 players between Madrid and Bilbao missed the game after testing positive for COVID-19 -- including the visitors' Luka Modric and the hosts' goalkeeper Unai Simon.Benzema opened the scoring with a superb curling strike four m...
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Barcelona 15 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga after more dropped points

Papu Gomez of Sevilla FC competes for the ball with Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on December 21, 2021 in Seville, Spain.Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by second placed Sevilla on Tuesday, a result that helped Real Madrid open a five-point lead at the top of La Liga.Playing under heavy rain, a much-improved Barcelona desperately tried to score a second goal after Ronald Araujo drew them level with a header in the 45th minute, but they were thwarted by an equally determined Sevilla, who were reduced to 10 men after Jules Kounde was shown a straight red card in the 64th.Sevilla went ahead after Papu Gomez latched on to an Ivan Rakitic corner kick and fired home a low strike.Barca are se...
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Valencia down Levante in La Liga derby

Carlos Soler of Valencia CF scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Levante UD and Valencia CF at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on December 20, 2021 in Valencia, Spain.Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Soler have each scored twice as Valencia came from two goals down to secure a 4-3 derby victory at La Liga basement side Levante.The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute after being awarded a penalty for a Mouctar Diakhaby handball.Jose Campana has his spot-kick saved by Jasper Cillessen but put the ball away on the follow-up.Three minutes later Levante doubled their advantage as Roger Marti finished off a counter-attack.Valencia pulled a goal back just before the interval via a superb Guedes strike from the edge of the area after a neat one-two.Soler equalised five m...
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Xavi Hernandez explains Sergino Dest omissions amid transfer links

Sergino Dest of FC Barcelona in action during the spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between FC Barcelona and Granada CF at Camp Nou stadium on September 20, 2021, in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has provided an update on Sergino Dest.Dest has come under criticism for his performances this season, struggling to impress new boss Xavi.The USA international has only played in one of Barcelona‘s last six La Liga outings, and some have suggested that is down to his poor form.But according to Xavi himself, Dest’s omissions have simply been because of his injury struggles.He said in today’s press conference, as streamed on YouTube: “His problem is physical, otherwise we would have used him more.“He has had a very hard lumbago, now he has overloaded a...
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Sevilla beats Atlético to close on leaders; Gavi leads Barcelona

Gavi of FC Barcelona scores their team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Elche CF at Camp Nou on December 18, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.  Seventeen-year-old Gavi Páez teamed up with two more of Barcelona's young talents to beat a resilient Elche 3-2 in the Spanish league on Saturday.Ferrán Jutlgà and Gavi scored their first goals for Barcelona to give it a 2-0 halftime lead.Elche rallied with two goals early in the second half, but Gavi assisted 19-year-old Nico González to score the 85th-minute winner from a pass by Gavi.“The only thing I was thinking was that that ball had to go in one way or another,” Nico said about his winner. “We are very happy. At 2-2 we knew we were facing a tough rival and recently things have not been going our way.”Barc...
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Celta score convincing win over Espanyol

Iago Aspas of RC Celta de Vigo and Adrià Pedrosa of RCD Espanyol in action during the LaLiga Santander match between RC Celta de Vigo and RCD Espanyol at Abanca-BalaÌdos on December 17, 2021 in Vigo, Spain. Back after missing two matches, Iago Aspas scored and played a part in two more goals to lead Celta Vigo to a 3-1 win over Espanyol in the Spanish league.The veteran striker, who missed one game because of suspension and another because of injury, set up attack partner Santi Mina to open the scoring three minutes after kickoff.Aspas doubled the advantage two minutes after halftime when he curled a shot around two defenders and goalkeeper Diego Lopez before the ball went in off the post. It was Aspas' eighth goal of the season.Iago Aspas of RC Celta de Vigo in action during the LaLiga Sa...
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Granada and Getafe suffer shocking defeats in the Copa del Rey

Copa del Rey trophy is seen at Real Club Recreativo de Tenis on September 11, 2021 in Huelva, Spain. Seven La Liga teams fixtured in Copa del Rey game yesterday, and all managed to secure victories aside from Granada – they managed to lose 1-0 to Atletico Mancha Real – and Getafe – they managed to lose 5-0 to Atletico Baleares.It’s an incredible result – Atletico are in the fourth tier of Spanish football and Getafe have been in the top flight since 2017. Elsewhere, Valencia won 3-1 at Arenteiro, Real Betis won 4-2 at Talavera de la Reina, Mallorca won 6-0 at Llanera, Cadiz won 1-0 at Albacete and Osasuna won 2-1 at Deportivo La Coruna.All results can be found below:• Arenteiro 1-3 Valencia• Talavera de la Reina 2-4 Real Betis• Amorebieta 1-2 Almeria• Llanera 0-6 Mallorca• Lugo 1-2 Mirande...
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Man City legend Sergio Aguero announces his retirement from football due to heart problems

19 Sergio Aguero of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santader match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Barcelona.Barcelona striker and Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from professional football.During a press conference at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday, the Argentinian confirmed he is hanging up his boots after recently being diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia."This conference is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football," Aguero said in front of a crowd that included current Barcelona boss Xavi and Man City coach Pep Guardiola.Aguero, 33, was taken to hospital following a 1-1 draw against Alaves in October after suffering chest pains and breathing difficulties during the ma...
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La Liga strugglers Cadiz and Granada draw

Santiago Arzamendia of Cadiz celebrates a goal during the spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between Cadiz CF and Granada CF at Nuevo Mirandilla stadium on December 13, 2021, in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz and Granada have hardly improved their La Liga positions after a 1-1 draw.Both southern clubs are struggling, and the seventh league draw for each maintained their status.Santiago Arzamendia of Cadiz CF celebrates scoring their teams first goal with team mates during the La Liga Santander match between Cadiz CF and Granada CF at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on December 13, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain.Cadiz remained in the relegation spots and Granada were only three points above the drop zone. Santiago Arzamendia scored the opener for Cadiz in the 32nd minute but was injured and repl...
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LALIGA: Real Madrid win derby and only Sevilla and Betis can keep up the pace in top-four

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid competes for the ball with Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 12, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid took another step towards this season's LaLiga title with a 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid in the city derby on Sunday night.A first-half goal from Karim Benzema and an excellent strike from Marco Asensio gave Carlo Ancelotti's men a win against a rival, who were their equals for long parts of the game, but suffered from the loss of several first-choice defenders at key moments.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to frustrate the chances that his former club did create, producing fine saves to deny Antonie Griezmann in the first half a...
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Barcelona concede late goal in Osasuna draw

Ruben Garcia of CA Osasuna competes for the ball with Nicolas Gonzalez of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Sadar on December 12, 2021 in Pamplona, Spain. Barcelona's patchy run of form continued as they conceded a late equaliser at Osasuna in La Liga.The result sees Xavi's side stay eighth in the table, 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid, who play later on Sunday.Teenagers Nicolas Gonzalez and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, both 19, scored for the visitors.But the hosts twice fought back, with David Garcia and Ezequiel Avila ensuring they claimed a deserved point from the contest.Barcelona had come into the fixture looking to make amends for consecutive defeats by Real Betis and Bayern Munich.Midfielder Gonzalez, gave them a perfec...
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Mallorca-Celta Vigo share points in draw

Franco Russo of RCD Mallorca and Manolo Reina of RCD Mallorca react during the La Liga Santander match between RCD Mallorca and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio de Son Moix on December 10, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain.Mallorca needed its goalkeeper to salvage a scoreless draw at home with Celta Vigo in a Spanish league match affected by high winds on the Balearic Islands on Friday.Celta was without top scorer Iago Aspas due to a suspension for accumulation of yellow cards. The visitors then lost striker Santi Mina early when he had to be helped off the field after a powerfully struck ball hit him in the head.But Celta had all the clear scoring chances anyway. Thiago Galhardo, who replaced Mina, Nolito Agudo and Brais Méndez all drew saves from Mallorca's Manolo Reina.Gusting winds altered the trajec...
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La Liga: Barcelona suffer first defeat under Xavi Hernandez as Real Betis snatch victory

Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembele shoots during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 4, 2021.  Barcelona suffered their first defeat under Xavi Hernandez on Saturday as a 1-0 loss at home to Real Betis inflicted another blow on their hopes of catching La Liga's top four. A surprise defeat at the Camp Nou damages Barca's bid to qualify for next season's Champions League, four days before they attempt to avoid crashing out in the group stage of the current one. Barca have to win at Bayern Munich on Wednesday to be sure of going through.This was hardly ideal preparation as a brilliant Betis counter-attack, finished by Juanmi in the 79th minute, consigned Barca to their fourth league defeat of ...
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Messi worthy of seventh Ballon d’Or victory, says Xavi

Lionel Messi of PSG holding his 7th Ballon d'Or for world's best player in 2021 is honored before the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice (OGCN) at Parc des Princes stadium on December 1, 2021 in Paris, France.Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said former team mate Lionel Messi deserved his Ballon d'Or win, describing the Argentine's record-extending seventh victory as "total justice".Paris St Germain forward Messi, 34, beat Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea's Jorginho to lift the prestigious award after winning the Copa America for the first time with Argentina in July.Lionel Messi of PSG holding his 7th Ballon d'Or for world's best player in 2021 is honored before the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Ni...
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New Dembele-Barca meeting ends without agreement – report

Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona in action during the Santander League match between Villareal CF and FC Barcelona at the Ceramica Stadium on November 27, 2021, in Valencia, Spain.Barcelona’s Mateu Alemany reportedly met with Ousmane Dembele’s agent again on Thursday to continue negotiations about a contract renewal.Cadena SER report the meeting lasted for three hours and Alemany was informed the Frenchman has “very important offers” from clubs in Europe.Barca were also told that Dembele wants to renew but the forward’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, is in absolutely no rush to get a deal done.Dembele and his agent are said to want more money than Barca have offered so far with the Catalans obviously hampered by their financial difficulties.Diario Sport reckon that Barca’s offer was a decrease in D...
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Benzema sends Real Madrid seven points clear

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates 1-0 during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Athletic de Bilbao at the Santiago Bernaubeu on December 1, 2021 in Madrid Spain.Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points by beating Athletic Bilbao.The France international scored his 17th goal of the season when he diverted home Luka Modric's wayward shot five minutes before half-time.The visitors pressed late on but were unable to find an equaliser and remain eighth, without a win in six games.Victory extended Real's advantage over defending champions Atletico Madrid.And Carlo Ancelotti's side were dominant for long periods, having 62% possession and 17 shots on goal.They made the breakthrough when Benzema tur...
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Vinicius Junior’s Real stunner nabs win

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates with teammate Eder Militao after scoring their side's second goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 28, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.Vinicius Junior has scored a stunning winner for Real Madrid as they fought back to beat Sevilla 2-1 in an electrifying match at the Bernabeu.The win left Real four points clear at the top of La Liga and frustrated the visitors' hopes of leapfrogging them at the summit.Vinicius received the ball on his chest out wide, cut in from the left and unleashed an effort from outside the box in the 87th minute to complete Real's comeback after they fell behind early.Sevilla went in front in the 12th minute with a header from Rafa Mir, but a mistake by goa...
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Iker Muniain helps Bilbao salvage La Liga draw

Iker Muniain of Athletic Club in action during the Spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between Athletic Club and Granada CF at San Mames stadium on November 26, 2021 in Bilbao, Spain. Iker Muniain set up one goal and helped force the equaliser that gave Athletic Bilbao a 2-2 home draw with Granada in the Spanish league.The attacking midfielder passed for forward Raul Garcia to score the 10th-minute opener, but Darwin Machis made it 1-1 in the 25th with a shot that went in off the post.Jorge Molina then swept in a poorly defended shot by Machis that hit two defenders before reaching the striker to send the visitors into half-time with the lead.After almost equalising with a long shot that hit the crossbar, Garcia's headed pass to Inaki Williams started a team move ...
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Ter Stegen: Everyone sees the change with Xavi

01 Marc Andre Ter Stegen of FC Barcelona during the Group E - UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Benfica at Camp Nou Stadium on November 23, 2021 in Barcelona.Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen says the changes Xavi has made to the team since arriving are clear after Tuesday’s draw with Benfica.The Catalans played out an entertaining stalemate at the Camp Nou that leaves Barca’s destiny in their own hands ahead of the final round of fixtures, although Benfica have the easier fixture on paper.01 Marc Andre Ter Stegen of FC Barcelona during the Group E - UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Benfica at Camp Nou Stadium on November 23, 2021 in Barcelona.Ter Stegen spoke to reporters after the match and was proud of his team’s performance despite the re...
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