Arsenal One Step Closer

20:28Luis Garcia:Barcelona are through to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, but it did get tense at the end against Albacete, the giant killers who knocked Real Madrid out. Lamin-Yemal put them 1-0 up in the 39th minute. And then in the second half, we saw a goal from Ronald Araujo in the 56. He was starting for the first time since November when he played against Chelsea. But it did get tense in the late stages in the 87th minute. Moreno scored for Albacete and late on they had another chance as well, which Gerard Martin cleared off the line to secure Barcelona's passage. Luis Garcia was watching this game with us today.

21:05Luis Garcia:Some tense moments in the closing stages there, Luis.

21:11Alex Kirkland:Yeah, it was exciting until the last moment and something that we were expecting from that fantastic crowd at Albacete.

21:18Luis Garcia:Spirit, the dream of becoming a semi-finalist on this beautiful competition. Wasn't in the end come true, but definitely they deserve something else. Because in the last 20 minutes, we saw Albacete that wanted to get that equalizer, trying to get something. And Barcelona, with all the rotation, kind of lost the control of the game, something that I think was the most important. They came out in the second half with a little bit faster moving the ball, faster than we asked in the first 45. They found the back of the knee once again. Again, I think that they should have put a few more goals into the goal because the chances were there.

21:58Luis Garcia:But they allowed Albacete and Ale was mentioning during the halftime. if you allow them to believe, the crowd will push you and in the end you will have problems. That's what we saw in the last few minutes. Excitement, but in the end it was Barcelona who is going to go through to the semifinals. I think they did a good job during the 90 minutes but didn't get that control that we were expecting. They knew it wasn't going to be easy today, Barcelona, didn't they?

22:24Alex Kirkland:Yeah. Obviously, this team beat Real Madrid there and Albacete and you knew that the crowd was going to be intense and the crowd was going to be all over this team and si se puede, yes we can. This whole idea of Albacete once again being able to beat a giant of Spain. When Barcelona scored the second goal, and I said at halftime, Barcelona scored a second goal, this game said match. But see, here's the thing. I'm sitting comfortably in a very nice, cool studio, thousands of miles away from the field. And it's one thing if I believe the game is over at 2-0. It's completely different if the Barcelona players believe that the game is over at 2-0.

23:00Alex Kirkland:And the arrogance with which Barcelona players took on the last 25 minutes of the game is what made this interesting. Now you have Dani Olmo, who gets around the goalkeeper, has a nice, comfortable, easy pass for a tap-in for Ferran Torres, or whoever it may be that was trailing the play. He decides to go with a Rabona attempt because. Just because. And there were plays like that in the second half in which you haven't put the game away. You could put it away. You missed opportunities. Ferran Torres had chances, Marcos Rashford had chances, Lewandowski had chances. They don't put him away. And Albacete then believes that maybe, hey, maybe there is something here for us.

23:36Alex Kirkland:The chances then fell to Albacete. And that's when Jefté had his magical night against Real Madrid. Couldn't quite replicate that today against Barcelona. He had two clear chances, two clear opportunities, particularly the header. And a 2-1. Stress levels high for everybody. Unnecessarily so for Barcelona. And it begs the question, how is Albacete, who seem to be playing at this level as they did against Real Madrid and as they did against Barcelona, how are they 12th in Segunda? Obviously, they're unable to replicate the same energy, the same intensity, the same spirit, the same belief. They're not able to replicate that on a weekly basis in Segunda.

24:16Alex Kirkland:And even though they have won three matches in a row in Segunda since they beat Real Madrid, if indeed they're going to make it to Primera they have to continue to play like this. The problem is that they don't play Barcelona every time they don't play Real Madrid every time and the motivation is not quite there nearly as much as it was today or was against Real Madrid.

24:33Luis Garcia:One player who's definitely motivated for Barcelona at the moment is Laminia Mal. He's had a number of goal contributions in recent games that was a nice goal from him today, Stevie. I mean, we've just kind of come to accept what this kid's all about. I mean, this is a tough chance. He takes it early, he has to time it perfectly it skips up. But because he takes it early, I'm not quite sure the goalkeeper is expecting a first time finish here. Slightly catches him unawares and then he can't get there. I mean that's a tough chance.

25:06Alex Kirkland:It's bounced up at him but again he's made it look so so so easy. It's a great finish from Lamin-Yamal and he had a lot of bright moments today but I must say as well In the second half, there was a lot of La Minya Mal that I did not care for nor did I appreciate. The hands up in the air when somebody doesn't complete a pass for him. The walking back when the team is under pressure. Just this body language that I don't want to see from a 30-year-old and certainly don't want to see from an 80, 90-year-old either. Because nobody got the ball to him or they didn't complete the pass that he wanted.

25:43Alex Kirkland:What if every time that he missed a pass, which he did at times today, people were getting their hands up in the air as well? How does that work? I didn't like it. Didn't care for it. And I love me, John Son, and me, Yamala, and I've been very vocal about that. But in games like today, when you're grinding and you need to put the match away, this doesn't help.

26:03Luis Garcia:Were you going to say something then? Well, that's down to the more experience. As great a player as Yamala is, right? He's only a kid. So the experienced players on that Barcelona team, you know, your De Jongs and all these guys, those are the players who should be on people like him and not let them away with things like that. And those are the types of guys, when Ali's talking about how at 2-0 they think the game's done, those again are the types of guys, your Lewandowski's as well, who should be going around the young guys and anybody who looks as though they think the game's over and be on top of them.

26:40Luis Garcia:And that's the difference with this team. You know, this is a good team, but there won't be a great team because when you let that happen against better opposition, then you'll lose and you'll lose at the wrong time. What do you think of what the boys are saying about Lamin-Yemal, Luis?

26:58Luis Garcia:I 100 % agree. We come from a different generation than this one that we are watching at these stages and we know what it is. Those moments where you feel that you are the best one, you are in a great moment,

27:10Alex Kirkland:And everything around you and everyone around you is praising you and is rubbing you the back. So we understand that you sometimes can lose what is underneath of you, the air.

27:21Luis Garcia:You feel that you are in a different level and the behavior starts changing. And I agree 100 % with Alec talking about those moments of lacking of intensity, of willingness or whatever you want to call it. But it's not something that we want to see on a team that is all about energy and dynamics, intensity. If one player starts losing that, that is contagious and starts getting into the other ones. Raising the hand, complaining about everything, not running, not tracking, not pressing. That's something that we don't want to see. And La Minya Mal has been fantastic behaving like this. Let's not forget they are massive, huge platform that a lot of kids look at.

28:00Luis Garcia:and his behaviour can kind of drive those young players to become like this. And that's something that we don't want. And we are just talking a few moments, not many that we can complain, but definitely something that we haven't seen much and we don't want to see a lot. Joe Cancelo got the start today. He got an early yellow in the 15th minute and then he was lucky or was he? Stevie doesn't think that he should have had a yellow in this moment, but even so, it was enough for Hansi Flick to take him off.

28:25Alex Kirkland:It's not just about this foul. There were a couple other instances in which he was late to a challenge, in which there was a swinging arm as well. And I think Hansi Flick just had enough and said, look, the thing that is going to make this a game and that is going to get this crowd crazy is if we, us, Barcelona, give them an advantage. And the advantage that we could give them is a second yellow card for Joao Cancelo. So it was a no-brainer at halftime. Once you see that this guy was barely hanging on in the first half, Even though it may be disappointing to Joao Cancelo, your Hansi Flick, your job is to make sure that your team advances and put your team in a situation to win matches.

29:04Alex Kirkland:And at that point, if you think he's at risk, he's got to come off. And he did. And I thought it was a correct decision by Hansi Flick.

29:09Luis Garcia:Another player who got the start today was Ronald Araujo. Luis got a goal as well. What did you make of his performance today?

29:18Luis Garcia:He was good. I think it was fantastic to see him back into the game. It was important for the team, for himself, for the supporters that then saw one of his captains just leaving for a while and getting back into the team. So right after, we saw a few minutes of him no longer go in the last game. And today, finally getting involved into the game and fantastic to see him go. I think he's a player who needed it. And today, I think he received a well-deserved goal that is going to help him out from now until the end of the season. Players like him are going to be needed. Rotation, so important. Hansi Flick now.

29:56Luis Garcia:His first start since the game against Chelsea back in November. And obviously Barcelona could do with the best version of him right now in this final stretch, LA. Yeah, and I think from Ronald Araujo's perspective,

30:10Alex Kirkland:it was important to have a game like this. I think he gets more out of this sort of game that ends up 2-1, that is stressful, that it forces him to defend through 90 minutes than if this game had been 5-0. Because then that's just passing the ball around the back, completing passes comfortably. The fact that he was pushed around a little bit and he was able to push back, that he gets a goal, that he goes and celebrates with Hansi Flick. Because I think Hansi Flick was very understanding and accommodating of the situation of Ronald Araujo. And sometimes managers can be, let's just say, uncomfortable with the idea of admitting that their player has issues with mental health.

30:52Alex Kirkland:It's not so easy for managers to, because you can't quite see that. You see a hamstring when you pull it. You see when you blow out a knee. You see when you twist an ankle, but you can't quite see what's going on in here. And if a player tells you that he's not quite there, it's difficult for a manager to deal with it unless you have an open mind and understand your players and understand their behaviors. And so I think the hug with Hansi Flick is one of those, like, thank you, boss. And I'm here. You can use me. I'll do the best that I can. And I'm ready to play for you. I think today's game was important for Ronald Araujo.

31:28Luis Garcia:That was definitely a thanks for trusting me, hug. You know, because at the end of the day, as Alex says, when you're on the outside, you don't know what's going on on the inside. And the fact that he's put himself up for selection and the fact that he's played him tells you that it goes both ways. So that was just a thanks box hog for trusting me. Yeah, great to see. Another thing is that Hansi Flick just seems to know how to manage each of his players in their own way. And one thing we've seen about Marcus Rashford before this game, some comments from Hansi Flick, Luis, where he said, you know, he's got the dynamism and he's got the quality, but I still think he's not unlocking his true potential.

32:04Luis Garcia:And we saw him come close a few times today. What did you think about his showing today?

32:11Alex Kirkland:Yeah, exactly, exactly.

32:13Luis Garcia:I think that it was a message to try to boost him a little bit on the game, to try to give him the trust. It's going to be needed because we need to give some rest to Rafinha. He picked a couple of injuries during the season,

32:25Alex Kirkland:so that means because of his efforts that he does every single game, he needs rest, and Rashford needs to improve, needs to make a step forward.

32:32Luis Garcia:Once again today, he was in a 1v1 situation a couple of times. He missed it. We saw again that on open spaces, he kills you because he's so quick and so fast. but definitely I'm missing that right time at the right place and a little bit of... I understand also because he doesn't have the regularity. He doesn't have the consistency in playing.

32:55Alex Kirkland:Playing five games in a row will make a big difference but with Rafinha in top form, it's going to be difficult for him so he needs to pick those moments, these opportunities and show the manager that he's going to be ready whenever he receives the call. The issue with Marcus Rashford is the issue that has been with Marcus Rashford the course of his career is that he gives you enough to think, man, this guy could be something for us. And then it doesn't quite happen. And just in terms of him getting himself in a position to score a goal today, he runs right through the middle. It's a good ball from Danny Olmo.

33:29Alex Kirkland:It's everything to shoot at. And not only does he miss it, but he misses it by a lot. And that is, I think, the sort of thing that drives you crazy if you're Hansi Flick or any man who has had Marcus Rashford in the past because you're thinking, you're seeing the physical attributes, you've seen the skill set, you probably see it in training quite a bit, and you're thinking, all right, that's going to show up over here in the field. And it doesn't nearly as much as it should. And that has been the common denominator of Marcus Rashford wherever he has been, wherever he has played. This conversation of that, he could give us more.

34:06Alex Kirkland:He could be more than what he has been. And although they're happy with him about Barcelona, but there is that sense that there's more there. Well, there is, but he doesn't give it to you.

34:15Luis Garcia:Stevie, what do you think of this whole situation that Hansi Flick feels there's more there, but he's not quite getting it from Marcus Rashford? I find it hard to argue with Ali. You know, Marcus Rashford in his career, never mind just the Barcelona, has shown at times what he's capable of, but more times than not, it's not there. but there's enough of it to keep thinking it's going to happen and he kind of you know the chance today the one at the weekend he pulls you into a situation where you're like he's going to score but he doesn't and then it's a whole process that has to start again because then he doesn't play for a couple of games so then he has to get back up to speed it's kind of one of those it's like a revolving door it's never going to stop actually and Rashford's going to be the guy for all his quality and his pace and his football brain to get himself in those positions, that finish, this is not a kid we're talking about.

35:15Luis Garcia:This is an experienced international football player who's been around the block and we're still talking about what if. So, still what if. Did we learn anything new about Barcelona today?

35:29Alex Kirkland:Well, no. We said in the pre-game they're going to give up a goal and they did. They're going to give chances, and they did. They're going to create chances, and they did. They had some issues scoring goals against Elche, even though they scored three, which showed how many chances they actually missed. So they missed more chances today. Not a whole lot about Barcelona that we didn't already know. My concern is that winning this sort of games kind of sweep aside issues that continue to build over time with this group. And eventually you will run, and it's something that Stevie alluded to, you will run into a situation in which you are playing against better opposition in a moment that truly, truly matters and a defining moment in the season.

36:14Alex Kirkland:Talk about semifinals or Champions League. We're talking about defining moment in La Liga, and you're not quite able to be solid defensively, to hang on to control of the game, to put the ball away when you need to put it away and put the match away with a goal. that changes the whole feeling of a game. Those are the things that we want to see from Barcelona with more consistency. And I'm sure that Hansi Flick does as well. This is a tremendous team with tremendous talent going forward. Defensively, they have their issues. They don't seem to care about that all that much. None of that has changed.

36:46Alex Kirkland:And none of it or what we saw today was evidence that it's going to change anytime soon. This is who they are.

36:52Luis Garcia:Yes, well, we'll find out at the weekend. Luis, thank you so much for being with us. We will be casting our eyes over Barcelona once again this weekend as they are back in action in La Liga. They're up against Mallorca on Saturday, bright and early on ESPN Plus, 9.45 a.m. Eastern for all the build-off. Following dates, Valencia taking on Real Madrid, 2.30 p.m. Eastern for the build-off to the live game there.

37:16Alex Kirkland:Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way? You hand everything off and then silence. Days pass. Weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow-up email?

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39:21Luis Garcia:Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos now by going to ethos.com slash sports. In as little as 10 minutes, you can get your free quote and up to$3 million in coverage at ethos.com slash sports. That's E-T-H-O-S dot com slash sports. Ethos.com slash sports. Application times and rates may vary. Milan made sure that they stayed within reach of their Scudetto rivals Inter with a 3-0 win over Bologna. Goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku and Adrian Rabiot, who also got man of the match. Gabby Dules will have you covered for all the talk on Serie A and more. Dules wearing a Milan jersey there.

40:05Luis Garcia:Point times were much better for them. Yep, Gabby Dules show. Make sure to check it out over on our podcast feed. Barcelona are through to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey after beating Albacete 2-1. Let's get word from Hansi Flick speaking after the game. Al Pacet has a history in this season and they make it really good. Also today they make it good. I think we create a lot of chances. We missed it again today, so we have to finish it much better. But at the end we can make it much easier for us, especially in the first half, but also in the second half. At the end it was very tight, but also we did serve this.

40:47Alex Kirkland:I wanted to ask you about Ronald Araujo who scored the first goal since he came back. came to you and he hugged you. I don't know how did you see this moment and what do you

40:58Luis Garcia:think about the goal and Adolfo's comeback in a way? I think for him it's really, I would say, normally it's step by step, this is the most important thing for him. Now he scored also a very important goal for us and I think also could help him also to get more confidence, to believe in himself more and this is what we need. We know this is what we need, what he needs and we support him and we help him and he's doing good. And of course at the end you saw that he's also exhausted but it's like that. Clend was at the game for us today. Got a little bit tense in those final stages Alex but Albacete didn't manage to pull off another giant killing in the end.

41:43Luis Garcia:What stood out and is there anything to report on that you saw after the game? it was close wasn't it and I was speaking to the Alba Sete coach and a couple of players after the game okay and you could see it in their faces and hear it in their voices as well they felt like of course they felt you know proud with how they played and happy I think in general with how the night meant but there was a little bit of disappointment there as well a little bit of regret they didn't you know go the extra mile and push Barca and score a second goal because they had some chances at the end there were some big moments at the end they could have got another goal so a little bit of disappointment from their point of view but overall yeah hugely proud of their Copa del Rey campaign this season with everything they've achieved as for Barca I think a couple of really notable things we heard there from Flick about Ronaldo Raojo a big night for him an important night for him you know captaining the side getting a start scoring a brilliant goal took that header so well the hug with Hansi Flick afterwards that's that's important for Araujo I think and the other one is Marcus Rashford Marcus Rashford involved in both of Barcelona's goals in the build-up, you know, pressing, winning the ball back, the kind of thing that we see Rafinha doing when he's playing.

42:45Luis Garcia:He's absent, of course, through injury. Rashford comes in, played a point in that first goal, set up the second goal as well. And of course, we heard Flick in the build-up to this game asking for more from Rashford, saying we're happy with what he's seeing, but I want to see even more. And I think this was a really encouraging performance from Rashford as well. Alex, you seem to be losing your voice a little bit. Were you cheering for Albacete's late goal there? I wasn't cheering. I've got a bit of a sore throat. I had some strep sores on the go during the game. But no, no cheering. Strictly impartial, as always, here on ESPN.

43:16Luis Garcia:Yes, and we're impartial when it comes to which cough lozenges we use as well. There are other brands out there, just so you know that. Thanks so much, Alex, for being with us. We'll hear a lot more from you as La Liga continues throughout the season. But the Copa del Rey will continue as well tomorrow. We've got Valencia against Athletic and Alaves against Real Sociedad coming up on Thursday. It's Real Betis against Atleti Games live on ESPN+. Quick timeout. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak frozen power waffles and flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it, and you're out the door.

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45:28Luis Garcia:Sign up for your$1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com slash network. Go to shopify.com slash network. Shopify.com slash network. And Football W coming up tonight, 8.30 p.m. Eastern. Christina and Ali with some special guests, Mal Swanson and Sophia Wilson. Make sure not to miss this ESPN+. Well, that will do it for the latest edition of ESPN FC, but we're sticking around to answer your questions. Stuart Robson will join the boys, got the questions here, so stay with us. Extra Time is on the way next.

46:14Luis Garcia:Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. It's been a cup extravaganza today and the most exciting of those games was not Arsenal against Chelsea, that's fair to say. Stuart Robson, watch that game for us. He's joining us now to answer your questions. We've got Ali and Stevie here in the studio.

46:30Alex Kirkland:You wanna tell the people about the change of point of attack on your hairdo today? What's different? Tell us, we can't quite figure it out.

46:41Luis Garcia:The wonderful hairstylist, Daniela, parted my sides on the other side that I'm used to. It's not my usual sides. Stevie noticed it, he always notices these things. It feels like I'm driving on the other side of the road. It feels really weird and it will not be happening again. You've got to try. You've got to try. You've got to try. Yeah. I've gone to the other side.

47:06Alex Kirkland:Gone to the other side means that when you do that with your hair, it's odd, it's weird.

47:11Luis Garcia:Well, it's weird because I usually put it over this shoulder, but the parting's over here. So it's these hair things. Sorry.

47:18Alex Kirkland:Well, I mean, I cannot relate. That's what I'm asking.

47:24Luis Garcia:Robbo's not going to help you out here either. Sorry, guys. Whoa, whoa, whoa. That's nice, isn't it? I've just got a bigger part in. I've just got a bigger part in than you. Two of them have got a part in on the left, on the right and on the centre.

47:37Alex Kirkland:Down the middle, too. Right down the middle.

47:39Luis Garcia:I'm like Pep Guardiola. I'm just stating facts, OK? All right. OK, Robbo, if your team was playing in a Champions League final tomorrow and the following were your options in the midfield, who would be the first to slot right into your playing 11? Declan Rice, Frankie de Jong or Vitinha? Depending who we were playing against, but Declan Rice, I think at the moment, is the all-round midfield player because he can defend, he's a good athlete, he can get up and down the pitch, he scores the odd goal here and there, he's great at set plays as well. If I was looking for control of the game, I'd go for Frankie de Jong because over the last few weeks without Pedro playing in the last two or three games, He's been magnificent.

48:20Luis Garcia:And Vettino, we know, likewise, like to control the game and he'll get forward and pick a path. But if you asked me which one I would build my team around, it would be Declan Rice. OK, next question is for you, Stevie. What did you make of Chelsea listening to Craig's idea of keeping more attackers up the field when Arsenal had corners that seemed to work? Well, I think it was only a matter of time that somebody did it against Arsenal or tried it against Arsenal. Because clearly what every team that Arsenal have been playing, whether it's Champions League or Premier League, have been trying to just put men in the box and try and make it uncomfortable for Arsenal as much as Arsenal make it uncomfortable for them.

49:04Luis Garcia:and it's not working. So you've got to think about it rationally and that's how to do it. You stick men forward because nobody, regardless how good they are at set-pieces, is going to let three of the opposition stand on the halfway line on their own. So you have to bring four back. You have to bring three to pick up and one spare. That's the rules defensively. Whatever they have, you need one spare. So they did the right thing. it was still a 50-50 but they didn't score from the set piece so let's hope other teams have got the courage to do it I was just going to say that, do you think we'll see more teams doing it now then?

49:46Alex Kirkland:Well yeah the thing is that Arsenal seem to be so dominant on set pieces one, because of the quality of service let's not forget about that, that the quality of service is really what makes the difference here but it's also now gotten into the heads of other teams And so other teams are not attacking said pieces when they're defending. They're just so concerned about the service and the run and where they're coming from. And you forget about attacking something that is very basic here. The ball. Don't forget about attacking the ball. It seems like teams that are defending against Arsenal are on their heels all the time.

50:21Alex Kirkland:This is a way of actually pushing back. You know what? We're going to put some people over there and see how you react to it. Now we're making you think just as much as you're making us think about you.

50:32Luis Garcia:The key for Arsenal in every single set piece is to take the keeper out of it. I mean, whether they play to the back post, the near post, the middle, the most important thing for them is to nullify the keeper. And so when you play with three forwards against an Arsenal set piece, you're nullifying what Arsenal are they about. When there's such chaos in the box, it's very easy to get away with fouling the goalkeeper, basically, to make it simple. But when there are less people in the box, there's more space, there's more clarity for the officials and you can see everything clearly. And it also gives more space for the goalkeeper to use the advantage of being able to punch it or catch it or whatever it is with his hands.

51:21Luis Garcia:So that's what you're doing. If you can nullify them stopping the goalkeeper, you're taking a huge percentage away. I also think that you're taking...

51:30Alex Kirkland:I agree, Steve. I also think what they're doing is trying to take some of the initiative away from Arsenal in the set piece. In that, right, it almost feels like all of us are hanging on, hoping that we can survive an Arsenal set piece. Now, in doing this, Chelsea are saying, we can actually use one of your set pieces for an attacking opportunity for us. and it makes, I have to imagine, as it did in the game, that it makes Arsenal mindful of what other teams are doing instead of everybody just be concerned and worried about what Arsenal are going to do and having no response.

52:04Luis Garcia:You're going to be seeing more of it, Robbo. Well, apparently they're not the first team to do it. There's been three other teams that have tried it and whether it's worked for them or not, I think Brighton, Monaco was another team that did it to a fair degree of success. but yeah I think more teams will do it. You've got to do something, you can't allow Arsenal to keep doing what they want to do and Ali's absolutely right. Everybody's frightened, oh it's a corner against us, we're going to stand still, Arsenal are going to get players in the box, we hope the goalkeeper can come and get it but he can't and they concede.

52:34Luis Garcia:Now they're taking the initiative away and the player that's taking the corner's now got to think a bit more if they've got three players, I can't hit that first man, if he heads it clear they'll be on the attack so yeah it's a good ploy but it needs to be successful or proved to be successful. Ale, with nearly half a billion euros spent on transfers in the last two years, how long can Diego Simeone go without delivering any silverware till the Atleti management decide to pull the plug on him?

53:04Alex Kirkland:As long as Diego Simeone wants to stay around. This is not the usual relationship manager club. This is Diego Simeone is Atletico Madrid and Atletico Madrid is Diego Simeone. I think before Atletico Madrid were to pull the plug, I think Simeone would take himself out of the picture. I don't believe there's a scenario. It would have to be extreme in order for Diego Simeone to be shown the door at Atletico Madrid, regardless of the money that is being invested. And what Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid and Atletico Madrid fans and those that defend Diego Simeone would say is, well, what is success for Atletico Madrid?

53:48Alex Kirkland:getting into Champions League first and foremost, and they're going to do that once again this year. There's a possibility they're still in the quarterfinals of Copa del Rey. There's a possibility they get into the semifinals of Copa del Rey and maybe even go on and win that competition. They're still in Champions League. And so how many trophies are there realistically available for Atlético Madrid? Realistically available. Copa del Rey, and that's it. You may argue Supercopa de España, maybe. That's already gone. Copa del Rey is still in play. They're not going to win Champions League and they're not going to win La Liga.

54:29Alex Kirkland:And even with all these signings, still, realistically, they're not a team that is at the same level, certainly, of Barcelona. And at their best, they're not at the level of Real Madrid. And so... I think we have to have realistic expectations of what Atletico Madrid should be.

54:47Luis Garcia:Yeah, and we talk about all these signings, one of them, Adamola Luchman. Robbo, what did you make of that? Well, we've seen him play well for Atalanta. He's a striker that's got that little bit of pace. He can play wide, he can play in the number 10 role. He can play as an out-and-out centre forward. I don't think that's what he will play. Or he can play on the right-hand side. He's a good player. He's been inconsistent over the years. But when he's on form and he's had some very good seasons, he's an outstanding player. Will he add something more to Atletico Madrid? We've said that about a lot of front players or wide players that have gone to Atletico Madrid and then they've not had the freedom to go and play.

55:21Luis Garcia:So we'll have to see what sort of impact he has. But I hope he does have an impact because he is a good player. Robbo, let me stay with you and I'll go around to all of you on this question. Is Barcelona a serious contender for a treble as they finish top eight in the Champions League league phase? They're now in the Copa del Rey semis and Madrid don't look like they will win La Liga, though they are one point behind. Or is Barca's high line not good enough for the Champions League?

55:49Luis Garcia:They've got a chance. You know, we keep criticising it and I say sometimes it's flawed, but they do it well enough and often enough, and teams don't seem to exploit it well enough, often enough, to cause Barcelona enough problems for them not to win games. And they are brilliant at creating chances. They are the most fluent football team that there is at the moment. They score goals from nowhere, they can outpass teams, They make forward runs, they find chances when a team is on a low press, they make chances when teams try and press them. So all the time they're making chances, they can go and win the treble.

56:25Stevie?

56:26Luis Garcia:Well the favourites to win the Liga, the favourites to win Copa del Rey, and they are absolutely serious contenders to win the Champions League. So yeah, it's possible they can do it. It'll be the timing of it. You know, there's no question that they're going to get caught out in all those three competitions with that line. And they will get caught out. It just depends when they get caught out. If it's a big moment in a game and they get caught out, Champions League particularly, I think teams in Champions League right now should be thinking about how to break it down. And it really isn't that difficult.

57:03Luis Garcia:It's just, it's a late run. It's a third-man run in behind. and right now it looks as though they can't cope with that. But if a 3-0 up and somebody catches them, it doesn't matter. So it really is the timing of when somebody takes advantage of that high line.

57:18Alex Kirkland:I think it's fair to remind people and adequate to remind people that they were seconds, maybe minutes away from going into Champions League final last year. that for all the concerns that we may have, and I think the concerns that we have as former players is, man, this seems like suicide defending. It goes against anything and everything that we would have been taught about defending. And believe me, I have no affiliation with Barcelona, no connection with Barcelona. I watch them play, and it's stressful to watch them play defensively. defensively. But at the same time, because I have no affiliation and no connection to Barcelona, while it is stressful to watch him play defensively, it's also quite entertaining.

58:07Alex Kirkland:So for entertainment value, we need Barcelona to go as deep as they want and they can in the Champions League because there'll be a team that will allow goals and will score goals. Okay, last question.

58:19Luis Garcia:Ale, would Nico Schlotterbeck be a good option for Barcelona to strengthen from their back line in the summer. I'll take that as a no. I already know the answer to this one, but I'm interested to see...

58:34Alex Kirkland:I'll tell you what, I want to hear Stewie's take on Nico Schroederberg.

58:38Luis Garcia:Okay, Stuart Robson. Okay. Well, this season, I think he's done slightly better, but for the last two or three seasons, he's what I call a gambler. He'll gamble on running up to playoff side. He'll gamble at sliding in. He'll gamble at trying to win the ball in front of defenders. He makes so many mistakes and he's not, in my view, he's not a great centre-half. I don't think he'd be right for Barcelona. I think he'd make too many mistakes. He's a good centre-half that's going to make mistakes. Not right for Barcelona with the high line that they play.

59:13Alex Kirkland:I wholeheartedly, 100 % agree. The last thing that you want if you're a a Barcelona fan, player, teammate, is a guy who takes gambles when your whole setup is already a gamble. The way that you play is already a gamble. You don't need to gamble anymore. What you need is a defender that actually is disciplined, that can read the game, that can anticipate when a ball is about to be played, that can, instead of having to gamble, that his reading of the game forces that ball to have to be perfect in order to get behind him. The posture of Barcelona right now already is a gamble. You don't need any more of it.

59:59Luis Garcia:Okay. I think that was loud and clear. Apparently, we've got a surprise from the producer at the end of the show. I'm not sure what it is myself, so let's see. Okay.

1:00:08Alex Kirkland:Oh! Oh, oh, well. Well, that's... That's what's got in the show. I'll tell you what. Wait a minute. I'll tell you what. What about the part? Is the part on the right side? I'll tell you what.

1:00:21Luis Garcia:Hey Robbo, have you got a picture? No, I don't want any comments, please. Have you got a picture of your father in the 70s? Oh, man. Paul Murrow in the 70s, did you say?

1:00:37Alex Kirkland:Hey, that's Rowan Woodstock right there.

1:00:39Luis Garcia:I like that. I think you look better on the other side, Robbo. I think he looks better as he is. I used to have the parting on the other side. I used to be able to give the old quiff over, the old wedge. Do you remember the wedge haircut? Oh, my.

1:00:57Luis Garcia:That's what they did to me today. I'm back and swoosh. You look great as you are, Robbo. Don't be stealing my hair.

1:01:04Alex Kirkland:Robbo would look like he would be sporting a ponytail with that. That's nice.

1:01:11Luis Garcia:Thank you so much for sending in your questions and giving Robbo some hair for the day. We'll see you next time.

1:01:36Alex Kirkland:From 30 for 30 podcasts.

1:01:45Alex Kirkland:Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami.

1:01:48Luis Garcia:Gunned down. The key to this case, it's Brian. Boy, he ripped it. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit.

1:01:59Alex Kirkland:You want the truth.

1:02:00Luis Garcia:They just want a conviction.

1:02:00Alex Kirkland:Being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us.

1:02:04Luis Garcia:Murder at the U. Listen now.