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Mbappe strikes in Real Madrid win over Celta Vigo as rape investigation reports swirl

20Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Mbappe strikes in Real Madrid win over Celta Vigo as rape investigation reports swirl

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Vinicius Junior during the LaLiga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Balaidos on October 19, 2024 in Vigo, Spain. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior’s goals earned Real Madrid an entertaining 2-1 win at Celta Vigo yesterday to pull them level with La Liga leaders Barcelona. France striker Mbappe started and sent the Spanish champions ahead amid reports he is being investigated for an alleged rape during a visit to Sweden. The 25-year-old was criticised in his homeland for not appearing in his country’s recent Nations League matches before the Swedish media reports emerged following his trip during the international break, which Mbappe labelled “fake news”. Williot Swedberg level...

19Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag: We have to meet the standards

Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on October 18, 2024 in Manchester, England. Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must shrug off any absentees in the 15:00 BST kick-off with Brentford. There was mixed news on the fitness front in training, with Kobbie Mainoo joining Harry Maguire on the sidelines, but recent recruit Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte are among those available. The Bees are certain to be awkward opponents but, during his pre-match interview with club media, the boss was full of expectation that the selected XI will deliver the three points required at Old Trafford. “It’s always about the players who are available,” Ten Hag told MUTV’s Mark Sullivan. “Because it’s what you have to work with and those ar...

12Oct

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Curtis Jones departs England camp

Curtis Jones has departed from the England camp amid the ongoing October international break due to a personal matter. The Liverpool midfielder was a late addition to Lee Carsley’s senior squad for this month’s round of UEFA Nations League fixtures, and was an unused substitute in Thursday’s meeting with Greece at Wembley. Jones, however, will not travel to Finland for the Three Lions’ second game of the break on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have announced Reds captain Virgil van Dijk is to depart their camp. A red card against Hungary on Friday night means he is suspended for the next Dutch fixture.

Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry on his steady improvement

11Oct

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry on his steady improvement

Serge Gnabry has been on a journey of growth at Bayern Munich, especially after battling injuries that disrupted his 2022/23 season. Despite having some extremely crucial skills, Gnabry’s form dipped due to frequent setbacks. However, his return to fitness has reignited his brilliance on the pitch. “It was impossible not to read [the speculation]. But I was focused on myself. I used the summer to get back in shape and prepare well. I have a lot of joy playing football again after I was injured a lot last season,” Gnabry said in an interview with ESPN FC (captured by @iMiaSanMia), reflecting on his mental strength during recovery. This focus and determination has clearly paid off. Early in the 2024/25 season, his dribbling looks sharper, his finishing more clinical, and his overall contribu...

Spalletti: ‘Italy could not have done more,’ takes blame off Pellegrini

11Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Spalletti: ‘Italy could not have done more,’ takes blame off Pellegrini

Luciano Spalletti concedes the red card ‘threw everything out the window’ in Italy’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, but takes some of the blame off Lorenzo Pellegrini for that incident. ‘We could not have done more.’ They had got off to the ideal start at the Stadio Olimpico when Andrea Cambiaso put the ball in the net within 61 seconds, followed soon after by Mateo Retegui’s tap-in from another save on Cambiaso. However, with the Azzurri seemingly in complete and total control at 2-0, Pellegrini lunged into a red card offence on Arthur Theate and Italy went down to 10 men, allowing Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard to equalise for Belgium. “There are incidents that can throw everything you prepared and did out the window,” confessed Spalletti in his press conference. “We must be better at reac...

Real Madrid eye William Saliba transfer as Mikel Arteta mistake identified

11Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Real Madrid eye William Saliba transfer as Mikel Arteta mistake identified

Arsenal are in the midst of another international break and the Gunners will be hoping they can pick up where they left off when they return to action. Since their dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month, Arsenal have won their last four games across all competitions and scored 14 goals in the process. They will travel to Bournemouth on October 19 when the break is over, before hosting Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool the following week. And while many of Arsenal's stars are now focused on their international fixtures, there is still plenty of news coming out of the Emirates. Here, Football Flame takes a look over the latest headlines. Real Madrid eye Saliba Real Madrid have made William Saliba their "top priority" ahead of the summer transfer window, according to French outlet Le...