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Julian Nagelsmann, NEWS, UCL

Nagelsmann talks collapse in latest twist to Chelsea manager search

 Former head coach Julian Nagelsmann of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München at BayArena on March 19, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. Julian Nagelsmann will not become the next manager of Chelsea after talks between the two parties collapsed. The Blues had made the German one of four candidates to succeed interim boss Frank Lampard in the summer, along with Mauricio Pochettino, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and another unnamed candidate. However, talks collapsed on Friday with the club and coach not seeing eye to eye on the decision to undertake a lengthy process to hire the new manager. Chelsea were left unconvinced that Nagelsmann, 35, was the right man to take the club forward after receiving mixed feedback on him during...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Jose Mourinho, NEWS, UCL

Mourinho: ‘I’ve seen it all in Europe, Dybala found joy at Roma’

 AS Roma player Paulo Dybala and coach Josè Mourinho during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at Stadio Olimpico on April 20, 2023 in Rome, Italy.Jose Mourinho hails Roma for knocking Feyenoord out in extra time to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final, explains why he has ‘white hair and have seen it all’ and how Paulo Dybala rediscovered his joy. The Giallorossi had a battle on their hands at the Olimpico to overturn the 1-0 first leg deficit and were on the verge of elimination when Igor Paixao’s free header cancelled out the Leonardo Spinazzola opener. However, Dybala came off the bench and his fantastic control and turn forced extra time. Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini – with a long VAR wait for the Tamm...
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Michail Antonio, UCL, West Ham

West Ham thrash Gent to reach semi-finals

 Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates with Lucas Paqueta after scoring goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal second leg match between West Ham United and KAA Gent at London Stadium on April 20, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.West Ham booked a Europa Conference League semi-final meeting with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar after a rousing comeback against Gent at London Stadium. Michail Antonio scored twice, with Lucas Paqueta converting a penalty to make amends for his part in the visitors’ 26th-minute opener. Skipper Declan Rice added a brilliant third, finding the net with a low shot at the end of a surging run that started in his own half. It was too much in the end for Gent, who were outclassed after taking the lead on aggregate through Hugo Cuypers’ first-half...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, UCL, Youssef En-Nesyri

Dismal Manchester United dumped out of Europe by sensational Sevilla

 Yousseff En-Nesyri of Sevilla FC runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Victor Lindelof of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League Quarterfinal Second Leg match between Sevilla FC and Manchester United at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 20, 2023 in Seville, Spain. No one anticipated that it would happen, but Spanish side Sevilla, who sit 13th in La Liga, have knocked 20-time English champions Manchester United out of the Europa League thanks to a well-deserved 3-0 triumph at home, and will take on Italian powerhouse Juventus in a two-legged semifinal on May 11 and 18. The stunning victory at their boisterous Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on Thursday night means Sevilla have now come out on top in all seven UEFA Cup and Europa League quarterfinals they have...
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Achraf Hakimi, NEWS, Saida Mouh, UCL

Hakimi’s mother breaks silence on son’s fortune transfer

 Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (R) is greeted by his mother at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.Saida Mouh, mother of Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has broken her silence on the trending wealth transfer saga. She however emphasised that if her son had not done so, he would not be able to get rid of his ex-wife, Hiba Abouk. Hakimi’s wife, Abouk, had filed for a divorce, seeking to get 50 percent of the player’s assets but was told in court that his assets and wealth are registered under the player’s mother’s name. The pair started courting in 2018, married in 2020 and have two sons. She filed for divorce in March 2023. Reacting, Mouh told Moroccan media – Mor...
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PREMIER LEAGUE, Toti Gomes, UCL, Wolverhampton

Julen Lopetegui delighted with Toti Gomes’ Wolves form

 Julen Lopetegui, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, drinks prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford FC at Molineux on April 15, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England. Julen Lopetegui has heaped praise on Toti Gomes for taking his chance in the Wolves team. The 24-year-old had to wait patiently after featuring on January 17 and then waiting two-and-a-half months for his next appearance, when he started at left-back against Nottingham Forest on April 1. Gomes has kept his place in the last three games and put in superb performances, which prompted Lopetegui to praise the defender’s patience and attitude. “Toti has been out of the squad list for a lot of matches but he continued working and he was ready,” the head coach said. “When the alarm clock c...
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Champions League, Erling Haaland, NEWS, UCL

Man City see off Bayern to set up Real Madrid semi

 Erling Haaland of Manchester City reacts to Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal second leg match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester City at Allianz Arena on April 19, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Manchester City set up a Champions League semi-final clash with holders Real Madrid as Erling Haaland’s goal ended Bayern Munich’s hopes of a comeback. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel felt his side needed a miracle to go through after losing the first leg 3-0 – and they squandered plenty of opportunities to get back into the game. Haaland made them pay as he lashed home a shot into the top corner to cap off a swift counter-attack, 15 seconds after Ederson had saved Kingsley Coman’s shot at the other end. That was the Norwegian’s 48th goal for City this s...
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Champions League, Inter Milan, NEWS, UCL

Inter see off Benfica to set up Milan derby semi-final

 Rafa Silva of SL Benfica is challenged by Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between FC Internazionale and SL Benfica at San Siro Stadium on April 19, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan secured a historic Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals AC Milan despite being held by Benfica at an ecstatic San Siro. Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Lisbon, Inter increased their aggregate lead following Nicolo Barella’s sumptuous finish before a bullet header by Fredrik Aursnes gave Benfica hope. Argentina World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez and substitute Joaquin Correa made it 5-1 on aggregate before Benfica scored two late goals through Antonio Silva and Petar Musa. Inter have lost four of their past five games in Serie A to ...
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVERTON FC, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL

Dominic Calvert-Lewin drops major hint over Everton injury return date

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Fulham FC at Goodison Park on April 15, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has dropped a major hint that he could finally be ready to return from injury to spearhead their battle to beat the drop. Calvert-Lewin has not played for the relegation-threatened Blues since February when the talisman picked up a hamstring injury in new manager Sean Dyche’s first game in charge. His season has been blighted by setbacks and Everton have only had their No.9 fit and available for 11 matches in the Premier League. But could the England international be pencilled in for a first-team return on Saturday afternoon? Sitting one position above the bottom three, on goal differe...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Marcus Rashford, NEWS, UCL

Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw return to Manchester United squad for Sevilla clash

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United reacts during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground ahead of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg match against Sevilla FC on April 19, 2023 in Manchester, England.Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has named his 21-man squad for the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla at Estadio Ramon on Thursday night. The headline news is that there is a return to the squad for Marcus Rashford, who has missed the team’s last two matches with the problem that he suffered against Everton on April 8. A statement from Man United in the aftermath of the match said that the England international would be out for ‘a few games’, and he was absent for the first leg against Sevilla, which finished 2-2, an...
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LALIGA, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos, UCL

Toni Kroos hints that he will sign a new Real Madrid contract

 Toni Kroos of Real Madrid CF looks on during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, England.Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has appeared to confirm that he will sign a new contract at Real Madrid. The German midfielder’s contract is up at the end of the season and he has previously said that 2023 would be the ‘appropriate’ year to retire. However, speaking after Real Madrid’s win over Chelsea in the Champions League, he hinted that he is set to sign a new deal to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. As reported by Diario AS, he told reporters: ‘Everything is on the right track, but I also respect what the club wants: how and when it communicates. ‘There is a good relationship t...
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EUROPA LEAGUE, Juventus, NEWS, Rafa Benitez, UCL

Rafa Benitez backs Juventus to win the Europa League

 Former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is seen working for TV company BT Sport ahead of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 4, 2023.Former Napoli manager Rafa Benitez has backed Juventus to win the Europa League despite their current struggles and believes it could even serve as extra motivation for them to win the competition. The black and whites have had a turbulent season both on and off the pitch, but they could still win the Europa League and Italian Cup, which will make the season a success. The black and whites know these two competitions would give them an amazing chance to give something back to the fans after a terrible season. There are tough clubs left in...
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CHELSEA FC, Real Madrid, UCL

Chelsea exit Champions League as Real finish job

 Toni Kroos of Real Madrid holds off the challenge from N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Chelsea’s hopes of salvaging success from a season of abject mediocrity were ended ruthlessly by Real Madrid as the holders advanced into the Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were always battling against the odds to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in the Bernabeu and their cause was not helped by a familiar failing as a battling performance was undermined by missing a succession of clear chances. N’Golo Kante missed a glorious first-half opening while Marc Cucurella was blocked by former Chelsea keeper Thibau...
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AC Milan, Olivier Giroud, UCL

Milan see off Napoli to reach semi-finals

 Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2023 in Naples, Italy.AC Milan reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2007 as they saw off Serie A rivals Napoli in an incident-packed game. Milan could face Inter Milan in the last four, with their city rivals going into Wednesday’s second leg with Benfica holding a 2-0 lead. Serie A champions-elect Napoli dominated early on – but Milan won a penalty with one of their first attacks, although Olivier Giroud’s spot-kick was saved by Alex Meret. The veteran Frenchman got the opening goal, though, to make it 2-0 on a...
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Etihad Stadium, Manchester City, NEWS, UCL

Man City to expand Etihad to over 60,000 capacity

 General view of Etihad Stadium before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester City have submitted a planning application to expand the capacity of their Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000, while adding a hotel, museum and other facilities in a £300 million investment. The plans will add around 7,000 new seats to the stadium as well as a new covered fan zone, club shop, museum and 400-bed hotel. Last week, the Etihad was included on the list of 10 stadia which would host matches if the UK and Ireland’s joint bid for organising Euro 2028 is successful, with the bid quoting a planned new capacity of 61,000. “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-...
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Massimo Moratti, SERIE A, UCL

Moratti: ‘I would’ve fired Inzaghi at Inter and made a mistake’

 Massimo Moratti attends the presentation of Ivan Zazzaroni's new book 'Diventare Mourinho' at the Rizzoli bookshop in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on October 13, 2022 in Milan, Italy. Former Inter President Massimo Moratti admits he would’ve probably fired Simone Inzaghi already this season, but also acknowledges ‘that would’ve been a mistake.’ The Nerazzurri have one foot in the Champions League semi-final after a 2-0 first leg win away to Benfica, with the decider at San Siro on Wednesday evening. However, there are strong reports that the club could pull the plug on their coach if he fails to make the landing stick and get into the final four. “We are all waiting for the game against Benfica, which becomes more important because we’re doing so badly in Serie A,” Moratti ...
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Ligue 1, Marseille, UCL

Vitinha double lifts Marseille to second place

 09 Vitor Manuel CARVALHO DE OLIVEIRA VITINHA (om) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Troyes at Orange Velodrome on April 16, 2023 in Marseille, France. Marseille new signing Vitinha scored his first ever Ligue 1 goals in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Troyes that lifted the south coast club into second behind Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old Portuguese was on the mark for the first time in the league since a 32 million euros move from Braga in January, as the goalmouth predator began to deliver for his new owners. For relegation-threatened Troyes this was a 14th Ligue 1 match without a win as they remain level second bottom. Marseille’s win edged them above Lens into second, and trimmed PSG’s lead to eight points, with seven games left to play, a day after the l...
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Argentina, NEWS, UCL, World Cup U-20

Argentina replace Indonesia as U20 World Cup host

 Leather soccer ball in empty gate behind net on green football field.Argentina has been chosen to host the Under-20 World Cup after Fifa stripped Indonesia of its right to stage the tournament. The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) bid for the tournament after the official draw for the tournament, which was to be held in Bali, was cancelled. Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israel team. The draw will now take place in Zurich, with the Under-20 World Cup set to be held from 20 May to 11 June. Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and protesters recently held marches demanding Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament, in support of Palestine. Indonesia was awarded hosting rights in 2019, before Israel qualified for the tournament ...
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CHELSEA FC, Julian Nagelsmann, PREMIER LEAGUE, UCL

Chelsea hold talks with ex-Bayern boss Nagelsmann

 Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann arrives in his car at the headquarters of German first division Bundesliga football club FC Bayern Munich in Munich, southern Germany, on March 24, 2023. Chelsea have held talks with Julian Nagelsmann as part of their search for a new manager. The German was sacked by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in March after less than two years in charge. Football Flame understands Chelsea do not yet have a preferred option to replace Graham Potter, who was sacked in April. Despite holding talks with Nagelsmann, 35, the process to find a new manager is ongoing – with Luis Enrique also reportedly of interest to Chelsea. Potter left Stamford Bridge less than seven months after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion to replace Thomas Tuchel. Nagelsm...
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UCL

Lampard insists Chelsea “not broken”; defends owner

 Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard talks to Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 15, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Chelsea are not a “broken” team this season and co-owner Todd Boehly had every right to address the squad he has invested in, manager Frank Lampard said on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Chelsea, who trail Real Madrid 2-0 on aggregate after losing the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, come into the game on the back of a six-match winless run, with interim boss Lampard losing his first three games in charge. With Chelsea 17 points off the top four despite spending more than 600 million euros ($655.50 million) on new player...
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