LALIGA – Page 58 – Football Flame

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Eden Hazard to miss El Clasico with fractured ankle

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid is injured during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Bernabeu.Eden Hazard is set to miss the Clasico against Barcelona after further tests revealed a fracture in his right ankle, Real Madrid confirmed on Thursday.Hazard was forced off during the draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last week and despite Zinedine Zidane saying after the match he had suffered a "bad twist", Madrid announced the Belgian had been diagnosed with "bruising".But further tests have shown a fracture, with Hazard now expected to be out for around four to six weeks.It would mean he will sit out the Clasico at Camp Nou on December 18."After tests performed on our player Eden Hazard by the Real Madrid Medical Services during...
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Real Madrid Go Top Of La Liga after 2-1 win over Alaves

Daniel Carvajal celebrates their team's second goal of Real Madrid CF during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF.Sergio Ramos scored a goal and conceded a penalty as Real Madrid battled past Alaves on Saturday to go top of La Liga before Sunday's game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Barca and Atletico face off at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid did all they could to take advantage, with Dani Carvajal the unlikely matchwinner in a gritty 2-1 victory over Alaves. Ramos had headed Madrid in front shortly after half-time only to concede a needless penalty for throwing his arm across Joselu, which Lucas Perez converted before Carvajal poked in. 
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Arturo Vidal threatens to leave Barca if he doesn’t ‘feel important’

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal plans to leave the Spanish champions “in December or at the end of the season” if he does not “feel important”, he told Catalan television channel TV3 on Friday.The 32-year-old Chilean international joined Barca last year from Bayern Munich, but has started only three La Liga games this term. “If in December or at the end of the season, I don’t feel that I’m important here, I should make a decision and find another opportunity where I feel important,” he said.“I would like to stay here forever, but I have to be realistic and live from day to day.” Vidal has scored four league goals this campaign despite being a bit-part player. The former Juventus star did not say where he might move to.“There are always offers, but for the moment I’m focused on Barcelona,...
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Arturo Vidal snatches Barcelona victory at Leganes

Barcelona came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at struggling Leganes as Arturo Vidal struck a scrappy late winner that was awarded after a VAR review.The rock-bottom hosts had taken the lead in coach Javier Aguirre's first home game in charge thanks to a superb strike from Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the 12th minute.Leganes spurned two chances to extend their advantage before the break but Barca levelled in the 52nd minute when Luis Suarez glanced in Lionel Messi's free-kick.Barca were unconvincing again away from home but won the game thanks to a fortunate goal in the 79th minute from Vidal.The Chilean midfielder was in a clear offside position when he knocked in from close range but a VAR review ruled him on as the ball had bounced off Leganes' Ruben Perez.Barca temporarily ...
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Messi hat-trick sends Barcelona top again

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick, with two stunning free-kicks, as Barcelona saw off Celta Vigo 4-1 at the Nou Camp to regain top spot in LaLiga.Messi set Barca on their way with a penalty, but Lucas Olaza equalised with a fine free-kick for Celta's first goal under new boss Oscar Garcia.The Barcelona number 10, though, soon had his side back in front just before half-time when he crashed home another superb deadball strike.Messi completed his treble early in the second half, clipping the ball up and over the wall from 25 yards, and Sergio Busquets crashed in a late fourth.Barcelona are level on 25 points with rivals Real Madrid, top on goal difference, while Real Sociedad are now two points behind following their draw against Leganes on Friday.Earlier, Real Madrid hammered Eibar 4-0 to kee...
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Barcelona boss Valverde ‘out of words’ on Messi after win over Real Valladolid

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde said he had “run out of words” to describe Lionel Messi after his stellar display in a 5-1 win against Real Valladolid.Messi struck twice, including a landmark 50th career free-kick, and provided brilliant assists for Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez as Barca returned to the top of La Liga with a seventh straight win in all competitions.Clement Lenglet gave Valverde’s side a flying start, while Kiko Olivas had hauled Valladolid level in the first half.“What else can be said about him? I’ve run out of words,” Valverde told a post-match press conference.“We always know that he will appear, whatever the match.“His talent isn’t comparable to anything, the reality is that every time he touches the ball, something special happens. I just don’t know what to say.”Barcel...
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Zidane dismisses speculation over Bale’s future at Real

Zinedine Zidane insists Gareth Bale was given permission by Real Madrid to travel to London on Monday, and claims the Welshman never talks about leaving the club.Bale has not played since injuring his calf during a game for Wales on October 13 and his trip to England has prompted speculation he will seek an exit from Madrid in January.But Zidane insists Bale had permission to be absent on Monday and Tuesday morning and that he is not aware the 30-year-old wants to be sold.“It was a personal issue and he had permission yesterday to go,” Zidane said in a press conference on Tuesday.“It was a personal issue and he went, that’s it, no story. He also went because he’s not available to play.“But I don’t think he ever speaks about leaving. When he is available he plays, that’s all there is to it....
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Griezmann, Messi, Suarez net in Barcelona win against Eibar

Barcelona put the civil unrest back home to one side as they enjoyed a comfortable win away to Eibar with Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all on target in the same match for the first time.The build-up to this game was dominated by the ongoing clashes in Catalonia, sparked by protests against jail sentences handed to nine Catalan separatist leaders, and even forced Barca to change their travel plans for this match at the last minute.However, the issues didn't seem to affect Barca, who took the lead on 13 minutes when Griezmann took advantage of a slip from Eibar's Pablo de Blasis to race through and open the lead.Barca eventually doubled their lead on 58 minutes in a move which involved all three of their frontmen.Frenkie de Jong played the ball to Suarez before it came to ...
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Dembele to miss Clasico after receiving two-match ban

Ousmane Dembele will miss this season’s first Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid after he was banned for two matches by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Wednesday.Dembele was sent off near the end of Barca’s 4-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday for saying to referee Mateu Lahoz: “very bad, very bad”. The RFEF disciplinary committee ruled that Dembele’s reaction constituted an “attitude of contempt or disregard for referees” and suspended the Frenchman for two matches.It means Dembele is unavailable for Barca’s upcoming La Liga fixtures away at Eibar on October 19 and at home to Real Madrid on October 26. Madrid and Barca are first and second in the table after eight games.Ronald Araujo, a 20-year-old defender, and Gerard Pique both received one-match bans and will also miss the g...
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Messi says tax problems made him want to leave Barcelona

Lionel Messi has admitted he wanted to leave Barcelona when he was under investigation from the Spanish tax authorities but insists now he intends to finish his career at the club.In an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1, Messi also said he had expected Neymar to sign for Real Madrid last summer after Barca failed to strike an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty of defrauding Spain of 4.1 million euros in taxes between 2007 and 2009, for which they paid close to 10 million euros and Messi was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence.Asked on Tuesday night if he had ever wanted to leave Barcelona, Messi said: “In 2013-14, when I started having the tax problems, it was very difficult for me and my family.”“My children were young and we ha...
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Real Madrid: Toni Kroos a major doubt for El Clasico against Barcelona

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has been ruled out of Germany's upcoming fixtures and is a major doubt for the clasico against Barcelona after sustaining a thigh injury during the 4-2 win over Granada on Saturday.A statement from Real said Kroos had injured his left thigh muscle but did not say for how long he would be out, while Spanish media reports said he would be out of action for three weeks.This timescale would mean Kroos was certain to miss Germany's friendly with Argentina on Wednesday and their Euro 2020 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday as well as Real's league game at Real Mallorca on October 19 and the Uefa Champions League visit to Galatasaray on October 22.He will then face a battle to be back in time for the clasico against Real's arch rivals Barcelona on October 26 at ...
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Real Madrid regain top spot after draw against Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid regained top spot in La Liga after a goalless derby with Atletico that saw them move above surprise package Granada and maintain their small lead over a crowded chasing pack.Unbeaten Real are a point ahead of promoted Granada and Atletico Madrid after Diego Simeone’s side failed to break down their well-drilled local rivals, whose disciplined performance at the Wanda Metropolitano was deserving of at least the point they gained.“These matches with Atletico are very physical, this is one of the hardest grounds we have to visit during the season,” Real captain Sergio Ramos told broadcatser Movistar on Saturday.“It was difficult to create chances in attack because they leave such little space. The point does little for us though as we wanted the three even more.” Real are a f...
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Messi limps off as Barcelona secure win over Villarreal

Barcelona secured a much-needed 2-1 home victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Tuesday, racing into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes before hanging on after Santi Cazorla halved the deficit on the stroke of halftime.The victory takes Barcelona up to fourth with 10 points after six games, one point behind surprise leaders Granada, Athletic Bilbao, who visit Leganes on Wednesday, and Real Madrid ahead of their game at home to Osasuna the same night.Barca's win was marred by the sight of Lionel Messi, making his first start this season, receiving lengthy treatment before being replaced at halftime by Ousmane Dembele in what coach Ernesto Valverde insisted was a precautionary measure."He noticed a little bit of an issue with his abductor and we preferred for him not to stay on the pitch, but ...
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Barcelona : Ansu Fati granted Spanish citizenship

Barcelona's prodigious teenage attacker Ansu Fati is set to represent Spain at international level after being granted Spanish citizenship.Local media reports said the 16-year-old, who became Barcelona's youngest ever Champions League debutant after starting Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund, was eligible to play for Guinea-Bissau, the country of his birth, as well as Portugal.Yet he has chosen to play for his adopted country Spain, where he moved aged six.Having completed the required 10 years of residency in order to obtain Spanish citizenship, the 16-year-old’s application was processed by the country's Interior Ministry ahead of next Wednesday's Under-17 World Cup squad deadline.Spain’s senior coach Robert Moreno said last weekend that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) were ...
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Barcelona 5-2 Valencia: Ansu Fati steals the show as LaLiga champions hit five in Camp Nou thriller

Frenkie de Jong scored his first Barcelona goal, 16-year-old Ansu Fati netted again and substitute Luis Suarez struck twice as the Catalans thrashed Valencia 5-2 at Camp Nou on Saturday night.Barca boss Ernesto Valverde picked Arthur in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and De Jong, with youngster Fati in attack alongside La Masia graduate Carles Perez and Antoine Griezmann.The Blaugrana had failed to beat Valencia in three meetings last season: two draws in La Liga and a defeat in the final of the Copa del Rey in May.But the Mestalla-based side had sacked their coach Marcelino against the wishes of their players on Wednesday and Albert Celades, a former Barca player, was thrown in at the deep end for this one.Ansu Fati, on his first start for Barcelona’s first team, opened the scoring af...
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Messi admits he ‘would have loved’ Neymar to return to Barcelona

Lionel Messi says he wanted Neymar to return to Barcelona this year as the Brazilian would have helped the club take a leap forward, adding that his former team mate was looking forward to rejoining the La Liga champions.Barca spent the bulk of the close season negotiating with Paris St Germain to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou two years after he left for a world record €222m but the Catalans failed to strike a deal with the Ligue 1 champions."The truth is I would have loved him to come back to us," Barca captain Messi told Spanish newspaper Sport."I understand some people were against it and that's normal considering everything that happened and how he left us, but thinking about it on a sporting level, for me Neymar is one of the best players in the world."Obviously he would have incr...
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Barcelona handed huge boost as key star poised to make return from injury for Valencia clash

Barcelona have been handed a big boost ahead of their clash against Valencia next weekend, as it’s been stated that Luis Suarez is poised to make his return from injury in time for the match.The Blaugrana take on Valencia at the Nou Camp next Saturday, as they look to gain their second win of the season following their 2-2 draw with Osasuna last weekend.Ernesto Valverde’s side have gained just four points from their opening three La Liga fixtures, with their draw at Osasuna being accompanied by a 5-2 win against Real Betis and a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao.And amid this patchy form, the Spanish giants now have to endure the tricky test of Valencia at home in six days time.However, despite the difficult of this fixture, Barca fans can still look ahead to the match with optimism, as it seems...
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Ansu Fati scores first goal for Barcelona with brilliant header

Barcelona were held by promoted Osasuna as 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the champions' youngest La Liga goalscorer.Roberto Torres gave Osasuna the lead early on with a sweet volley from Brandon's cross.Fati came on at half-time for his second Barca appearance and headed in Carles Perez's cross six minutes later to equalise.Perez then set up Arthur to put Barca ahead with a 16-yard shot but Torres equalised with a late penalty.That kick was awarded after Gerard Pique handled Oier's cross.
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Lionel Messi expected to face Real Betis

Lionel Messi is reportedly "expected to get his first minutes of the season" for Barcelona against Real Betis on Sunday after recovering from a calf injury.The Argentinian missed Barca's opening game of the 2019-20 La Liga season last Friday when the defending champions lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao.The Blaugrana will be aiming to get their first win of the new campaign at the Camp Nou against Betis, and their chances will be boosted if Messi is involved.According to Sport's Jordi Gil, the 32-year-old is "fully recovered" from his injury and will join the rest of Barca's squad in training on Friday and Saturday before a decision is made about his involvement against Betis.Gil added, barring any setbacks, Messi could be included in Barca's starting XI on Sunday, but he is "extremely unlikely"...
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Bale Shines as Real Madrid Beat Celta Vigo

Gareth Bale marked his return to the starting line-up with an impressive assist as Real Madrid survived a red card for Luka Modric to win 3-1 at Celta Vigo in their opening LaLiga fixture of the season.The Wales star had been left out in the cold for large parts of pre-season following a collapsed move to China, but he was handed a start at Balaidos on Saturday and set up Karim Benzema for a 12th-minute opener.Looking to capitalise on champions Barcelona's shock loss to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, Madrid added a stunning second goal through Toni Kroos, but only after Brais Mendez had a strike ruled out and Modric was shown a straight red card.Zinedine Zidane started without any of his new signings, although the quality of his side's third goal - rounded off by substitute Lucas Vazquez - wil...
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