Benfica – Football Flame

Newcastle now set to battle Chelsea for “decisive” finisher with 24 goals just like Isak

10Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Newcastle now set to battle Chelsea for “decisive” finisher with 24 goals just like Isak

Vangelis Pavlidis of SL Benfica reacts during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between FC Porto and SL Benfica at Estadio Do Dragao in Porto, Portugal, on April 6, 2025. As concerns over Alexander Isak's future continue to rumble on, Newcastle United are reportedly poised to join the race in pursuit of signing a forward who has matched their star man for goals this season. Newcastle braced to stand strong in Isak saga As much as they'll be desperate to avoid it, the Isak rumours aren't going away anytime soon. Instead, Newcastle are likely to face a summer-long saga which will end one of two ways. The Swedish star is one of the most wanted strikers in European football and with Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly on his list of suitors, there is no doubt that he'll have a decision to make in t...

Flick hails ‘brilliant’ Lamine and ‘best in the world’ Pedri

12Mar

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Flick hails ‘brilliant’ Lamine and ‘best in the world’ Pedri

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 11: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona interacts with Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, as he leaves the pitch during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on March 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona boss Hansi Flick hailed Lamine Yamal after seeing the teenager star for Barcelona against Benfica in the Champions League. The teenager set up the first, although it wasn’t quite as he intended as he’s admitted, and then scored a sensational second on a great night for Barca. Flick was thrilled to see Lamine at his best once again as Barca advance to the quarter-finals. “I’m very happy for Lamine, we all are,” he told reporters. “He was ...

11Mar

By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

Champions League

Barca squad named for Benfica 2nd leg

SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN - MARCH 10: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona attends his press conference during the training day of FC Barcelona ahead the UEFA Champions League, football match against SL Benfica at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on March 10, 2025 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) Barcelona will face Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, and Hansi Flick has called up the following 23 players for Tuesday’s game: Goalkeepers: 13. Iñaki Peña, 25. Wojciech Szczesny, 31. Diego Kochen Defenders: 3. Alejandro Balde, 4. Ronald Araujo, 5. Iñigo Martínez, 23. Jules Kounde, 24. Eric García, 32. Héctor Fort, 35. Gerard Martín Midfielders: 6. Gavi, 8. Pedri, 14. Pablo Torre, 16. Fermín Ló...

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

6Mar

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

Champions League

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 5: Raphinha Dias of Barcelona celebrates his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first Leg match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on March 5, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. Raphinha has scored another goal against Benfica in a challenging first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Brazilian winger intercepted a poor pass given by Antonio Silva in order to unleash an unstoppable shot towards the Portuguese's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. While the Ukrainian did not have a chance to save the strike, the ball hit the bottom right corner to hand Barcelona a crucial away win at Estadio da Luz. Raphinha's winner comes after the Catalans were reduced to 10 men after Pau Cubarsi was sent ...

Hat-trick hero Pavlidis stars as Benfica succumbs to Barcelona

22Jan

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

Hat-trick hero Pavlidis stars as Benfica succumbs to Barcelona

LISBON, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 21: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona scores an own goal, scoring SL Benfica's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do SL Benfica on January 21, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) Vangelis Pavlidis stood tall as a chief protagonist in Benfica’s epic UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona, scoring three times in their dramatic 4-5 away loss to the Catalonian outfit. The Greek striker bagged his hat-trick inside the first thirty minutes of the contest on Wednesday morning (AEDT), giving the Portuguese side a 3-1 lead heading into half time. His first came in just the second minute of the contest when he hit the ball home from close ra...