LALIGA – Page 52 – Football Flame

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Barcelona have four options to replace Quique Setien – report

Head coach Quique Setien of FC Barcelona gestures prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona at Stadio San Paolo on February 25, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Quique Setien is expected to be relieved of his duties as Barcelona manager in the coming days, and the club are reportedly have four candidates in mind. According to Sport, Xavi is not on the list because he’s simply not interested in returning to the Camp Nou now (while Josep Maria Bartomeu is still around basically). The report reckons that Mauricio Pochettino is still the early favorite and believe the ex-Spurs boss is “the best prepared for the change of cycle Barca need.” Yet there are a few other names under consideration too. Ronald Koeman’s name has cropped up even t...
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LALIGA

Vinicius: ‘I had two days to choose’ between Real Madrid, Barcelona

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid controls the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Vinicius Junior has revealed Barcelona were interested in signing him but he opted to join bitter foes Real Madrid after being given just two days to make a decision. The Brazil international officially arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in July 2018, a year after Madrid agreed a reported £38.7 million (A$70m) deal with Flamengo. He has yet to hit double figures for the club in terms of goals but was on target in March's huge 2-0 win over La Liga title rivals Barcelona. However, things could have been a lot different for Vinicius as the winger was offered the chance to join Barca in 2017. "I had proposals f...
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LALIGA

On this day in 2004: – Zinedine Zidane retires from international football

Zinedine Zidane of France and Juventus Football Club poses for a portrait for sports clothing & accessories company Adidas a on 21 September 1999 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy. Zinedine Zidane retired from international football on this day in 2004 – only to change his mind a year later. The midfielder, affectionately known as Zizou, made his initial announcement 16 years ago on his personal website with the minimum fuss, stressing that it was far from a spur-of-the-moment decision. “I did not decide to retire on impulse,” said Zidane, who was 32 at the time. “It had been running through my head for a while. “I was thinking about it before Euro 2004 and, whatever the result, I had planned to stop playing for France afterwards anyway.” Zidane made a U-turn a year ...
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LALIGA

Sevilla admit they are worried about Wolves ahead of Europa League crunch clash

Head Coach Julen Lopetegui of Sevilla FC looks on during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Wanda Metropolitano on March 7, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui admits he's worried about Europa League last eight opponents Wolves. Lopetegui said: “They are a tremendous team that has been together for a long time and after Manchester City they are a club that's spent more than anyone. “They are all top level players who have been working with the same coach – that's why we're worried about them. “The way they play, it's going to force us to play a great game. "We will be taken to the limit. Because they are very powerful. “They have proved to be a very, very solid side, so that's why we are worried about them.” Lopetegui doesn't...
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LALIGA

Gossip: Barcelona want to sign Bernardo Silva from Manchester City

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 07, 2020 in Manchester, England. Barcelona may not have any money for big-name signings this summer but that’s not stopping the transfer rumors coming thick and fast. Sunday’s special comes from The Telegraph who reckon Barca want Bernardo Silva and “will try to tempt him to the Nou Camp by making him a key part of the team next season.” The report reckons Barca want to find out if Bernardo would be willing to swap the Etihad for Camp Nou and reckon he’s now behind 20-year-old Phil Foden in the pecking order. Barcelona would apparently be willing to offer cash plus players, and the report ...
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LALIGA

Lautaro’s agent plays down Barcelona transfer rumors

Lautaro Martínez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his goal 1-0 ,during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 11, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Lautaro Martinez’s agent, Carlos Beto Yaque, has played down rumors of a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The Inter striker has been linked with a transfer to the Camp Nou for some time now, although it’s difficult to see currently how Barca can afford to bring him in. Yaque has offered his thoughts on the speculation surrounding Martinez’s future and insists the striker is happy at the San Siro. “Lautaro’s transfer is more in the media than real life. Lautaro has three years on his contract with Inter and is very happy where he is. He’s had a very good season,...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid star gives heartbreaking interview after loss to Man City

Raphael Varane of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on August 7, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. It’s fair to say Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane had a night to forget against Manchester City. The French defender - who many regard as one of the best centre-backs in world football - produced two huge errors to allow Raheem Sterling and then Gabriel Jesus to score during a 2-1 defeat. After just nine minutes Varane was dispossessed in his own penalty area by Gabriel Jesus, who teed up Raheem Sterling for an easy tap-in. Karim Benzema did equalise for Real before half-time to give Zinedine Zidane’s side hope of progressing to the quarter-finals. But that hope was extinguished with a...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid’s Takefusa Kubo moving to Villarreal on 1-year loan

Takefusa Kubo of Real Mallorca celebrates 3-3 during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Mallorca at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on February 21, 2020 in Sevilla Spain. Real Madrid has loaned out 19-year-old Japan international Takefusa Kubo to Spanish La Liga rival Villareal, a source with knowledge of the matter said Friday. Both the clubs and the Japan midfielder have agreed to the terms and a formal announcement will be made after he passes his medical. Kubo, an electrifying talent, joined Real Madrid in 2019 from J. League first-division side FC Tokyo, and was promptly loaned out to Spanish top-flight side Mallorca. He scored four goals and recorded four assists in 35 games for Mallorca, which was relegated to the second division. Villareal, which ...
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LALIGA

Barcelona chief insists talks will be held over target after season has concluded

Josep Maria Bartomeu president of Barcelona during the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League draw on August 29, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that the club are still planning on holding talks with Inter over the signing of Lautaro Martinez this summer. The 22-year-old has had a fine season this year with 19 goals and six assists in 46 appearances for the Nerazzurri while he already has nine goals in 17 caps for Argentina. In turn, it looks as though he has a big future ahead of him for club and country, and so time will tell where that futures lies at club level. As noted by Sport, the Argentine international has been linked with a move to Barcelona, and now Bartomeu has offered an update on their desire and plans to potentially sign him ...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid Striker Gains Heavy Interest From AS Monaco

Luka Jovic of Real Madrid celebrates his team's fourth goal 1:4 with Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid during the Liga match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid CF at El Sadar Stadium on February 09, 2020 in Pamplona, Spain. In their search for another Champions League title, Real Madrid remains confident with the roster that they have. With players constantly stepping up for Zinedine Zidane, one player that has gained interest from other clubs is striker Luka Jovic.   It has been reported that AS Monaco has been eyeing Jovic to be part of their team, per Fansided’s The Real Champs. Despite playing only second fiddle to Karim Benzema, Jovic has been one of the more reliable center-forwards for Real Madrid.  In the latest La Liga season, Jovic suited up for 17 games and was a...
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Eden Hazard: ‘I’m Not Just Thinking About Scoring Goals’

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid controls the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 16, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Despite being famous for his goal-scoring attributes, Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard insists that he is more of an assisting player than a “scoring machine.” Hazard had drastically decreased his goal-scoring this season for Real Madrid. But before he completed a staggering €100 million ($118 million) move from  Chelsea last summer, the Belgium international was in his best form. In a recent exclusive interview with UEFA.com, Hazard made a series of revelations about his career. Aside from recalling some of his favorite memories in the Champions League, Hazard also discussed the passion he developed fo...
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LALIGA

Barcelona’s Lautaro Martinez talks come to a halt

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 11, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that talks with Inter Milan over a proposed move for Lautaro Martinez have stalled amid the coronavirus pandemic. Having registered 14 goals and five assists in the 2019-20 Serie A campaign for Antonio Conte's side, Martinez has been tipped to become Luis Suarez's successor at Barcelona. Quique Setien's side have also been linked with a sensational swoop for former Barca player Neymar, but Bartomeu has admitted that both deals are unlikely to come to fruition in the current financial climate. "Barca have spoken with Inte...
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LALIGA

Marlon warns Barca to be careful against Napoli

Marlon Santos of FC Barcelona during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between AC Milan and FC Barcelona at Levi's Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. Former Barcelona defender Marlon Santos has warned the Catalans they will need to be careful against Napoli in their Champions League last-16 second leg. The two teams return to the competition with the tie level at 1-1 after the first leg in Italy, but Barca do have the slight edge due to home advantage and the away goal. Santos, who left the Camp Nou for Sassuolo in 2018, has faced Napoli twice this season with the Neroverdi and knows all about their attacking quality. “They are a great team but Barca are favourites. Barca must be careful though because Napoli have a lot of dangerous players, especially...
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Report: Atletico Madrid plotting summer move for Hammers goalkeeper

West Ham United goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez during the Premier League match between Everton FC and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 19, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. According to Diario AS (via football espana), West Ham United goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez is wanted by La Liga giants Atletico Madrid this summer. The 33-year-old spent the second-half of the season on loan at Alaves after failing to impress at the London Stadium, but he was solid on his return to Spain and has attracted Diego Simeone’s side from the look of things. Jan Oblak’s back-up and Atletico’s second choice Antonio Adan is close to joining Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, and Jimenez is one of the options that has been identified to take his place. The Spaniard joined West Ham on a two-year dea...
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LALIGA, UCL

Barcelona turmoil continues as Arthur refuses to play in Champions League

Arthur Melo of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona's turbulent season has taken another turn after their midfielder Arthur Melo told the club he does not wish to play for them anymore. The 23-year-old is currently in his native Brazil following the conclusion of the La Liga season, but he was expected to return for the conclusion of Barca's Champions League campaign. Quique Setien's side face Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie on August 8, with the scores level at 1-1 following the first game in Italy. If they are victorious they will then take part in a mini-tournament held in Lisbon between August 12-23, where the quarter-finals, semi-fin...
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Barcelona reject Celta’s Rafinha offer – report

Rafinha of Celta Vigo celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Deportivo Alaves at Abanca-Balaídos on June 21, 2020 in Vigo, Spain. Barcelona have rejected Celta Vigo’s offer of €10 million for Rafinha and are holding out for €16m for the 27-year-old. Rafinha has spent the season at Balaidos and did enough to tempt Celta into trying to land him permanently but the club can’t meet his asking price, according to Mundo Deportivo. Coach Oscar Garcia was keen to keep hold of Rafinha but their offer has been rejected, and the report reckons the midfielder could now head to Serie A. MD claim one unnamed Italian club have already been on the phone to discuss Rafinha’s availability but aren’t likely to meet the €16m price either. ...
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LALIGA

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery named manager of Villarreal

Unai Emery, coach of Sevilla kisses the trophy after the UEFA Europa League Final match between FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and FC Sevilla on May 27, 2015 in Warsaw, Poland. Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been named as the new manager of La Liga side Villarreal. The Spanish outfit have handed Emery a three-year deal to succeed Javier Calleja, who left the club earlier this week. Emery, 48, who led Villarreal's rivals Valencia into the Champions League earlier in his career, has been out of the game since parting company with Arsenal last November. The announcement sees Emery return to his native Spain, where he also enjoyed success with Sevilla, winning the Europa League three years in succession before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. A statement from Villarreal rea...
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LALIGA

Leganes relegated, Messi claims golden boot again

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on July 19, 2020 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. La Liga champions Real Madrid signed off with a 2-2 draw at Leganes, which saw the hosts relegated. Leganes had to win to stand a chance of overhauling Celta Vigo, whose draw at Espanyol proved enough to keep them up by a point. Los Blancos - who had secured the league title on Thursday - took the lead through a header from captain Sergio Ramos. Bryan Gil equalised just before half-time, but Marco Asensio put Real back in front early in the second half before Roger Assale's 78th-minute goal set up a tense finale, but there was to be no late drama. Zined...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid wins La Liga title as Benzema net twice to defeat Villarreal

Real Madrid's players celebrate winning the Liga title after the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on July 16, 2020. Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time on Thursday after Karim Benzema scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Villarreal, winning the title with one game to spare. Benzema's double included a second-half penalty at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium as Madrid moved seven points clear to end Barcelona's two-year hold on the trophy. Barca had to prevail against Osasuna at home and hope Madrid slipped up but their fading challenge ended with a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou, despite a brilliant Lionel Messi free-kick. It means Madrid claim thei...
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Real Madrid one win from La Liga crown after beating Grenada

Sergio Ramos of Real Madird gestures after a tackle against Darwin Machís of Granada during the Liga match between Granada CF and Real Madrid CF at on July 13, 2020 in Granada, Spain. Real Madrid need one victory to secure La Liga after they held off a second-half comeback from Granada on Monday to win 2-1 and move four points clear of Barcelona. With two games left, Madrid will be crowned champions if they beat Villarreal at home on Thursday (tomorrow) regardless of how Barca fare at the Camp Nou against Osasuna.  But they were made to sweat by a Granada team that are gunning for Europe and have been arguably the division’s surprise of the season after being promoted from second tier last year. Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema looked to have set Madrid on course for a comfo...
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