NEWS – Page 87 – Football Flame

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Pellegrini double lifts Roma past Parma in Coppa Italia

Lorenzo Pellegrini of As Roma looks on during the Coppa Italia match between Parma Calcio and AS Roma at Ennio Tardini on January 16, 2020 in Parma, Italy.Lorenzo Pellegrini scored twice to give Roma a 2-0 win at Parma on Thursday and a place in the Italian Cup quarter-finals.Roma will face Juventus, who have won the trophy a record 13 times — including four of the past five editions.After an unimpressive first half, Roma appeared transformed right from the start of the second period and took the lead four minutes after the restart.Pellegrini played a swift one-two with Nikola Kalinic before placing an angled drive into the bottom right corner.The home side pushed for the equalizer but instead, Pellegrini converted a penalty the 76th minute following a handball from Parma midfielder Antoni...
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Xavi Hernandez reveals why he rejected dream Barcelona job

Al-Sadd Head Coach Xavier Hernandez gestures during the FIFA Club World Cup 5th place match between Al-Sadd Sports Club and Esperance Sportive de Tunis at Khalifa International Stadium on December 17, 2019 in Doha, Qatar.Former Barcelona midfielder and club legend Xavi Hernandez has explained the reasons he rejected the offer to replace Ernesto Valverde as the first-team coach at the Camp Nou Stadium.Barca spoke to Xavi after their Supercup defeat to Atletico Madrid a week ago, but the midfielder, who is currently coaching the Qatari club, Al Sadd, rejected the chance to replace Valverde.Speaking in a press conference ahead of his club's game in the Qatari Cup final, Xavi confirmed that he had received an offer to become Barca coach, but added: "It is too early for me to coach Barcelona, a...
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Dybala Netted Brace as Juventus Defeat Udinese 4-0 in Coppa Italia

Paulo Dybala of Juventus FC kicks the ball during the Coppa Italia match between Juventus and Udinese Calcio at Allianz Stadium on January 15, 2020 in Turin, Italy.Argentine Paulo Dybala scored twice as Juventus brushed aside Udinese to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.He combined brilliantly with Gonzalo Higuain who prodded in the opener before scoring a penalty after keeper Nicolas tripped Federico Bernardeschi.Dybala then scored with a delightful clipped shot and Douglas Costa added another from the spot after Bram Nuytinck handled in the area.Cristiano Ronaldo withdrew from the squad after falling ill in the day.The 34-year-old Portuguese forward picked up a sinus infection.Meanwhile, five-time Coppa Italia winners AC Milan defeated SPAL 3-0 to book their place in the last eight.P...
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Tottenham advance in FA Cup 4th round

Giovani Lo Celso of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 14, 2020 in London, England.Tottenham edged into the FA Cup fourth round as Giovani Lo Celso bagged a rare goal in their 2-1 win over Middlesbrough, while much-maligned Newcastle striker Joelinton scored for the first time since August in a victory against Rochdale on Tuesday.Jose Mourinho's side almost killed off second-tier Middlesbrough within the first 15 minutes of the third round replay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Lo Celso, on loan from Real Betis, got Tottenham up and running with only his second goal of the season and his first since a Champions Le...
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Romelu Lukaku scored twice to help Inter Milan beat Cagliari in the Coppa Italia

(L - R)Sebastian Walukiewicz of Cagliari Calcio competes for the ball with Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale in action during the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 14, 2020 in Milan, Italy.Romelu Lukaku scored after just 21 seconds as he bagged a brace in a 4-1 thumping of Cagliari that fired Inter Milan into the last eight of the Italian Cup, while Lazio and Napoli are set for a quarter-final clash after easing past second-tier opposition.Belgian Lukaku has looked like a player reborn since moving to Italy and his double took his hot streak to six goals in his last four appearances in all competitions, with his Serie A tally standing at 14 in 19 games."Inter was the best choice for me, here I can grow as a player and hel...
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PSG 3-3 Monaco: Neymar scores two but Monaco expose PSG's defence

Benjamin Henrichs of Monaco, Neymar Jr of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco (ASM) at Parc des Princes stadium on January 12, 2020 in Paris, France.Paris Saint-Germain's defensive shortcomings were exposed as Monaco snapped the champions' Ligue 1 winning streak in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.Neymar opened the scoring for the leaders, but Monaco, who were playing their first Ligue 1 game under new coach Robert Moreno, hit back with goals from Gelson Martins and Wissam Ben Yedder.PSG levelled with an own goal from Fode Ballo-Toure and Neymar netted his second to put them ahead, before substitute Islam Slimani grabbed a point for the visitors.The result left PSG on 46 points from 19 games, five ahead of second-placed Olympiq...
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Real beat Atletico on penalties to Clinch 11th Spanish Super Cup

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid lifts the trophy with his team after his teams victory in the Supercopa de Espana Final match between Real Madrid and Club Atletico de Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 12, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Thibaut Courtois proved the hero on Sunday as Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout in Saudi Arabia to win their 11th Spanish Super Cup.Courtois and Jan Oblak were both imperious during a goalless final in Jeddah but the Belgian came up trumps, saving Thomas Partey's penalty after Saul Niguez had already hit the post.Sergio Ramos tucked away the winning spot-kick to ensure Real Madrid clinched their first trophy of the season, with La Liga and the Champions League next in their sights."I went through their takers on the be...
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PSG will face Reims in French League Cup Semi-final

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Mauro Icardi of PSG warm up during the French League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue) quarter final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Saint-Etienne (ASSE) at Parc des Princes on January 8, 2020 in Paris, France.The draw for the semi-finals of the French League Cup  (Coupe de la Ligue) took place on Thursday 9 January. Paris will travel to Reims.On Thursday evening, the draw for the semi-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue took place, under the watchful eye of former Paris forward, Pedro Miguel Pauleta. For the club's 13th time reaching this stage of the competition (a competition record), they will travel to Reims.After beating Le Mans in the Round of 16 (1-4) and knocking out Saint-Etienne on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes (6-1), Thomas Tuchel's side will no...
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FA Cup: Tottenham held to draw, Chelsea Ease past Nottingham

Lucas Moura of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at Riverside Stadium.Lucas Moura kept Tottenham in the  FA Cup competition as he prevented a third-round shock at the hands of Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate, who headed Spurs to victory in the 2008 League Cup final – took a 50th-minute lead through Ashley Fletcher’s sixth goal in 11 games.But Jose Mourinho’s men hit back within 11 minutes when Brazilian Moura headed firmly past Tomas Mejias to secure a 1-1 draw and a place in Monday evening’s fourth-round draw.Elsewhere, Callum Hudson-Odoi fired a confidence-boosting first Chelsea goal in four months as the Blues saw off Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Stam...
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Diego Alonso appointed as first manager of David Beckham’s Inter Miami

Diego Alonso, Manager of Monterrey celebrates his sides victory during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 3rd place match between Monterrey and Al Hilal FC at Education City Stadium.David Beckham's Major League Soccer team Inter Miami have named Diego Alonso as head coach ahead of their debut next season in the fast-growing league.The former Uruguay striker led Monterrey to the CONCACAF Champions League title this year and a place in the Club World Cup after managing Liga MX club Pachuca from 2014-18.The 44-year-old, who played for several clubs in Spain, including Atletico Madrid and Valencia, coached in Uruguay and Paraguay before arriving in Mexico in 2014.Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough praised Alonso's "drive, passion and leadership" in a statement."In Diego we found a ma...
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Stuttgart appoint Pellegrino Matarazzo as Head Coach

Pellegrino Matarazzo Head Coach of VfB Stuttgart.Pellegrino Matarazzo has been appointed the new head coach of VfB Stuttgart. The 42-year-old moves from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he’d worked as an assistant coach since 2018 under Julian Nagelsmann and more recently under Alfred Schreuder. Matarazzo has signed a contract with VfB until 30 June 2021.The coaching team is completed by current assistants Rainer Widmayer and Michael Wimmer, goalkeeping coach Uwe Gospodarek plus fitness coaches Martin Franz and Matthias Schiffers. Match and training analysts Marcus Fregin and Emiel Schulze will also remain part of the first-team coaching staff.Chairman Thomas Hitzlsperger:“We took great care in our search for our new head coach and have had several intense discussions in the last few days. In th...
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Ligue 1: Mbappe nets twice as PSG beat Amiens

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in action during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Amiens SC at Parc des Princes.Kylian Mbappe celebrated turning 21 with a silvery-looking haircut and two more clinical finishes as league leader Paris Saint-Germain beat struggling Amiens 4-1 on Saturday.It was a familiar sight as the lightning-fast France star with his new dyed hair — after his birthday on Friday — latched onto a long pass from Neymar and adroitly clipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.Mbappe has been involved in 15 goals in his last 12 league games — 11 goals and four assists — and his partnership with Brazil star Neymar continues to flourish.Neymar danced in front of the home fans after tapping home from close range early into the second half. Mauro Icar...
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Liverpool win their first FIFA Club World Cup title

Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, lifts the Club World Cup after his team's 1-0 victory over CR Flamengo at Khalifa International Stadium.England's Liverpool won their first 2019 FIFA Club World Cup title after beating Brazil's Flamengo 1-0 in the final on Saturday.Champions League winners Liverpool beat the Brazilian side as their Brazilian star Roberto Firmino scored at the 99th minute in extra time at Khalifa International Stadium as Qatar is this year's host nation.Brazilian forward Firmino also carried his team to the final, scoring a vital goal in the injury time of the second half against Mexican club Monterrey.Mexican football club Monterrey defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 4-3 on penalties to finish at third place at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 on Saturday.Following a 2-...
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Belgium named FIFA team of the Year 2019, England up to fourth

Romelu Lukaku (C) of Belgium celebrates his goal with teammates during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Russia and Belgium.Football's world governing body said Thursday that Belgium is the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking's Team of the Year for the second successive time.The team, known as the Red Devils, had held on to top spot in a December table barely impacted by just 19 friendlies toward the end of a year in which 1,082 international "A" matches have been played – an all-time high since the ranking's 1993 inception.World champions France remain in the second place ahead of Brazil in third, the positions they held in December 2018, but the make-up of the year-end top five has changed, said FIFA in a statement.According to the ranking, the "Mover of the Year" is Qatar."The 2022 FIFA Wor...
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Man United boss Solskjaer planning tactical change vs Man City in Carabao Cup semi final

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United speaks with Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows Manchester United need to improve on their recent derby win if they are to triumph against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.Having edged past Rochdale and shocked Chelsea, the Red Devils overcame League Two side Colchester, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, on Wednesday evening.The Essex side made the quarter-final harder than the 3-0 scoreline suggested, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scoring either side of Ryan Jackson’s own goal in a one-sided second half.United’s reward is a January double-header against Pep Guardiola’s City – a side Solskjae...
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Roberto Firmino strikes late to take Liverpool into Club World Cup final

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool (L) scores the second goal of his team during FIFA Club World Cup Semi-Final match between Monterrey and Liverpool FC at Education City Stadium.Substitute Roberto Firmino grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Liverpool beat Mexico’s Monterrey 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the Club World Cup final, where they will play Brazil’s Flamengo.Liverpool, without centre back Virgil van Dijk, who was missing through illness and with Firmino and Sadio Mane starting on the bench, never truly imposed themselves on the game but their trademark perseverance paid off and earned them a place in Saturday’s final.“They fought really hard, we had problems before the game and during the game as well but I think the boys did exceptionally well,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.It was a ...
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Ozil removed from PES 2020 in China

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been removed from China's version of the Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 video game following his criticism of China's treatment of Uighur Muslims.Ozil, who is a Muslim, called Uighurs "warriors who resist persecution".He also criticised both China and the silence of Muslims in response.NetEase, which publishes the PES franchise in China, said the former Germany player had been removed from three existing titles in the country."The German player Ozil posted an extreme statement about China on social media," it said in a statement."The speech hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sports spirit of love and peace. We do not understa...
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Saint-Etienne 0-4 PSG: Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi strike against 10-man hosts to send Ligue 1 leaders seven clear despite Neymar penalty miss

Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates his first goal during the Ligue 1 match between AS Saint-Etienne (ASSE) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.Kylian Mbappe helped Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) extend their Ligue 1 lead on Sunday with a brace in a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-man Saint-Etienne.France forward Mbappe took his league tally to nine in 11 appearances as his side took advantage of second-placed Marseille only drawing at Metz on Saturday to move seven points clear and tighten their grip on the French championship, which they have won six out of the last seven seasons.Leandro Paredes set the ball rolling in the 10th minute with a deflected strike and once Jean Eudes Aholou was sent off in the 25th minute for a dreadful late tackle on the Argentine PSG could stroll the...
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Steven Gerrard: Rangers manager signs new deal until 2024

Steven Gerrard, Manager of Rangers FC looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League group G match between Rangers FC and BSC Young Boys at Ibrox Stadium.Rangers Football Club is today delighted to announce manager Steven Gerrard has agreed a two-year extension which will keep him at Ibrox until the summer of 2024.Steven, 39, joined Rangers in the summer of 2018 and has driven significant improvement in the Club’s fortunes since then.The manager guided the Club through four preliminary rounds and into the Europa League group stages last season with what was a new team which went on to gain memorable results against Villarreal and Rapid Vienna in the sectional phase.That initial success was followed by an unprecedented second consecutive qualification for the group stage this year, where again, t...
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Arsenal beat Standard Liege to reach Europa League knockouts as group winners

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates his goal tying the game at 2-2 with Alexandre Lacazette during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Standard de Liege and Arsenal FC at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.Bukayo Saka provided the inspiration as Arsenal fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Standard Liege and qualify for the Europa League knockout stage.For some time, the Gunners looked to have been slipping down to second place in Group F but a point, coupled with Eintracht Frankfurt's home defeat to Vitoria, meant they avoided the likes of Ajax and Inter Milan in the last-32 draw on Monday.Samuel Bastien and Selim Amallah both scored from deflected second-half efforts for the Belgian side, only for Saka to cross for Alexandre Lacazette to head in before netting the equaliser h...
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