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23:50They are going to go for it. So hopefully we see a couple of goals. not as many probably as in the first leg but we're going to see some goals and it will be a spectacle I mean it's two fantastic teams meeting up They're not going to let us down Robbo it's not going to be like today is it? No it's certainly not going to be like today I mean we're still going to see both sides try and win the game and go and attack but I think both coaches and both sets of players will be a little bit more aware of when they do lose possession how can they defend better than they did in the last game You know, we can't throw quite so many men forward.

24:26You know, when we're attacking, we've got to have some sort of resistance at the back. So if we do lose the ball, you know, we won't be broken down quite sweet. You can't allow the game to be so open because it becomes pot luck. Who's going to finish off the chances? And I don't think either manager would want that. So I think we're still going to see a great game. We'll see both sides go for it. But there will be a little bit more reservation in terms of making sure you're not caught on the counter attack. If you're a player, you're excited, aren't you? Now obviously you're excited to Champions League semi-finals, a stupid statement, but even more so given what we saw in the first leg.

24:58Stewart Robson:Yeah, I mean, you always want to play in the biggest of games and this is just a monster game trying to get to the final, particularly after what happened in Paris. Hakimi, I think, is out, so that's a blow, you know, with his dynamism and his pace getting forward and his attacking style. obviously Nuno Mendes had a tough time from Alicia. There's so many sort of subplots and sub-stories to this game. I was trying to think back to all the goals and I thought, why bother? How they happened because it was just, I think we said it at the time, you didn't even have to make a big mistake and you got punished.

25:35Stewart Robson:You might have just been on the wrong side or you might have been halfway out of position and all of a sudden a ball was played through or a ball was played over the top. So it's going to be a game of fine margins. Both teams, I think, will try and dominate it. As you saw in the graphic, Bayern Munich did dominate possession, even away in Paris. Did create a lot of chances. Think about the one Alise missed, I think it was in the first half. It was a little bit lightweight from him, which is unusual. So there are so many facets of this game that could go brilliantly for either team or just wrong.

26:08Stewart Robson:Because some of the players that are on the field, they see a pass so early that sometimes it's just difficult to defend before you know it, that ball's around the corner and there's a striker in or there's a wide player in there's so much quality on both sides it's a really difficult game to call I don't think either of these sides will even think about taking their foot off the gas they have sublime confidence in how they go about it and they won't change and that's why I think we saw such a great game in the first leg. And I think we'll see, maybe not nine goals, but I think we'll see another high-scoring one in this game in the Allianz.

26:49And to that point, while I understand what Stewie is saying in that he's probably thinking that these teams are going to be more aware defensively because they know that that little bad decision here, that little bad step here cost you a goal a week ago. I don't think they have it in them to speculate defensively or to speculate with the result, or to speculate with possession. These are teams that want to get up and go. They want to go and attack. They want to get on the front foot. They want to be the ones that dictate how the game is going to play. And eventually, because this is a game of turnover, somebody loses the ball in a bad area, and you're catching somebody out of position.

27:28And now it's Aliza running, or it's Luis Diaz running, or it's Dembele running, or it's Duwe running, and it's Cabra Basquilla this way. and you're thinking each of these players, unlike today for example, each of these players can hurt you individually. So yeah, I don't believe that there's going to be a whole lot more defending than there was last week. There may be slightly better position to start off with, but in the end, once a turnover happens, they're going to get up and go. As for Bayern Munich, I'll throw a number that we were talking about this past weekend. We think about the goals that they allowed to Real Madrid.

28:08We think about the goals that they allowed to PSG. Since April 15th, they have played six matches in all competitions. And this Bayern Munich team that we consider to be one of the best of Europe, potentially the best in Europe, has allowed 16 goals. 16 goals. And it's not just Real Madrid. It's not just PSG. No, no. It's Mainz. And this past weekend, it's three goals against Heidenheim. So, point being, this team hasn't been defending well for a while. It's not just against PSG. And yet, and yet, you know it and you love it. Bayern Munich are going to advance.

28:47Stewart Robson:You wonder if Vincent Kompany is thinking. You know, for those that watched the Real Madrid game, he put Conrad Leimer to, was it right back or left back, to shut down, in the second half, to shut down Vinicius. I was on holiday. To shut, well, he put him on. Right back. He basically put Conrad Leimer on, he took Davis off and he put Stanisic to the other side. Yes, and Leimer. And then Leimer to right back. And he shut down Vinicius Jr., right? He's that kind of player. He's really a midfielder. But he's a good player, really good player. But he can do a real job on somebody if he wants to. And maybe you think to yourself, does Vincent Kovane think, right, do I put Leimer, do I make a little tweak here and who do I try and do?

29:33Stewart Robson:I put him on Vettinia. But then you think, well, I don't just have to worry about Vettinia. I've got Neves and one or two others and Fabian Ruiz if he plays or whoever it is. But does Vincent Kompany have some up his sleeve where he thinks, how do I stop this PSG team? How do I negate some of their biggest threat? And I don't think many would disagree that Vettinia is the heartbeat of that midfield. However, he's not the only one and that is the problem. Or does Vincent Kompany say, you know what? we went toe-to-toe with him the first leg we dominated the possession in the middle of the park we just have to brush up on the defensive errors and he's going to go for it that way so he does have some options but trying to stop both teams is difficult but trying to stop this PSG midfield and the way they operate it is not easy Considering what we saw in the first leg, Jürgen as a coach, once this game kicks off how much of an impact can Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany actually have?

30:29oh they definitely have a huge impact because they give the direction to to both teams and i think you could see in the words of uh vincent company uh very clearly says you know it's it's just about winning um he knows that they are far more under pressure to win this game than psj psj won this this trophy last year in an incredible manner against inter milan they they can actually go far more relaxed into the second leg and say, okay, if it doesn't work out this year, okay, we won it last year. Bayern Munich, for their fans, for their city, they have to win this trophy this summer. They are under a lot of pressure in that way.

31:15I think that's what Vincent meant with saying it's just about the result. We just need to win this game. It doesn't matter really how. There's another kind of little point into this kind of big rivalry now is last year's game in the Club World Cup in Atlanta where the accident happened between Donnarumma, unfortunately, with Musiala. I was at that game and that game was controlled by Bayern Munich until that injury right before halftime. This is a little bit still up in the air. There's so much hunger, as I mentioned before, on Bayern Munich's side that they They have to figure out a way to beat them tomorrow.

31:56It's a must win for Bayern Munich. It's a nice to win for PSG if they go through. And that gives it even far more energy. Let's take a look then at everyone's predictions. We already heard that Ali is going for Bayern. I bet my house at Jürgen is also going for Bayern. Yes, indeed. Convincingly as well. Xhaka has got Bayern to run away with it in extra time. Jules is going for Bayern. Oh, Gillian. It's only myself and Craig that are going for PSG. Robbo, why Bayern? Because I think they have got such attacking talent. I think they've got players in the wide areas that can go past. Also for PSG, but I just think they would dominate possession in the first 20 minutes.

32:41I think they're going to get an early goal. And I think they would eventually grind out the result from 2-1, in my view. And then it would go to extra time and penalties. and I think Bayern will win on penalties. That's how I see it. But what Bayern can't do, they can't think they've got to win the game in the first 20 minutes or get back into the game in the first 20 minutes. That's when they can lose the game. If they allow PSG a couple of chances and they score them, that will be the big problem for Bayern. Let's not forget that this was 5-2 at one point. The reason I'm picking Bayern is because Bayern made it 5-4 and PSG allowed that to happen.

33:16They would have been in full control of this match if they had been able to hang on to the 5-2 or even make it worse, which it looked like it was going to be a likely outcome. They allowed Bayern Munich back in this, and in allowing Bayern Munich to believe, they asked for trouble Bayern advance. Welcome to Team Thomas, Burley. Can I change?

33:36Stewart Robson:Can we change the graphic quickly? All will be revealed, of course, tomorrow. Jürgen, thank you very much, mate. Much appreciated. ESPN FC then will bring you everything you need to know for that second semifinal, of course, the final against Arsenal at stake. Confetti craze five-hour energy tastes just like the best birthday cake ever. Vanilla, buttery, frosting vibes. It's basically a party in a bottle. And here's the best part. All cake, no sugar. So you get that big birthday energy without any sugar guilt. The bottle's small, easy to toss in your bag, and perfect when you need a quick, tasty caffeine boost to cake-ify your day.

34:18The Funfetti flavor is back on 5hourenergy.com or Amazon. Crack open a Confetti Craze 5-Hour Energy shot today. Harry Douglas here. Game day brings the excitement. Your stay should feel just as memorable. With Marriott Bonvoy, official hotel partner of the NCAA and U.S. soccer, you're connected to a portfolio of brands designed for how you travel. Some offer complimentary breakfasts, others give you room to spread out, space to stay productive, or extended stay comforts. So whether you're a traveling fan or part of the team, Marriott Bonvoy celebrates the moments that live on before and after the game.

34:53Marriott Bonvoy, where game day checks in. We discussed this yesterday, didn't we, after that defeat against Forest? But let's just remind you, as if Chelsea fans need any, reminding that they are terrible at the moment. Can't qualify for the Champions League, but for a little caveat, depending on who wins the Europa League. But again, another horrible performance at Stamford Bridge. And Craig, we brought it up yesterday. You looked at those team sheets.

35:20Stewart Robson:You thought, God, eight changes for his team. I mean, the thought process going into the game when the team sheets come out was, what the hell is Vitor Pereira doing? Yes. They have a chat. They have a Europa League semifinal on Thursday against Villa, which they're up 1-0. We get that. But they're in a relegation fight. They're away at Chelsea and he made eight changes. and yet these changes were made and they still took this Chelsea side to the cleaners. I mean, I think, if anything, and by the way, great job from him, great job from Forrest, but if anything tells you, and by the way, then they brought on the big hitters at halftime.

36:01Stewart Robson:They just rolled out Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White, who unfortunately got injured, and one or two others. That's how embarrassing it was. They left it for 45 minutes and said, I think we'll put some of the big hitters on now. And Chelsea were just a shambles, aren't they? Absolutely. From boardroom level to... And there was a cutaway at one point, and all these sporting directors and all these people with their fingers in the pie, trying to impress and just trying to gain some sort of power position. And a club where the manager should be making all the big football decisions, really.

36:40Stewart Robson:and no disrespect, but you've got a young guy in Charles now. And, you know, who the hell is he? He's a youth team coach or whatever he is. And they're putting him in a position where he's got to the FA Cup final, but you and I were at the game. They played Leeds and Leeds were terrible. But they put him in this position for the second time. They've just chucked him in there and said, go on, you sort this mess out to the end of the season until we sort our mess out or try and sort our mess out and make some sort of a decision. I said it a while ago, Man United are gradually getting themselves together, gradually.

37:14Stewart Robson:But Chelsea have turned into the Manchester United of the South. Because they just keep making bad decision after bad decision after bad decision. And you're seeing that on the field where the players are rudderless. They're not blameless, but they're rudderless. Because there's nobody to kick them off the backside. There's nobody there to get them by the scruffy neck and say, hey, you're not doing this, you're out of the team. There's no leaders on the field. There's no captaincy. There's no authority. And that's all the way through the club. There's no authority at that football club. And that goes back to the stupid suspensions or suspension of Enzo Fernandez and one been suspended, one not.

37:55Stewart Robson:It's like, it's just absolutely crazy. Now, they may or may not win the FA Cup final. I don't know, unlikely, but it might happen. But that surely is not going to paint over a season that really has been a bit of a disaster. Riddle me this, Anali. Iriola, Xavi Alonso, two of the managers that are going to be associated to big clubs in the summer. If you're either of them, considering everything Craig has just said about this club, do you still take this job on? I think those are two different cases. Iriola, you do. Xavi Alonso, you don't. Xavi Alonso, I think the market for you is broader and bigger than it is for Iraola.

38:36And as for Iraola, this would be the profile of manager that Chelsea has sort of been looking for, kind of sort of maybe young, up-and-coming, that you can maybe handle as well, that you can control, and that you can put your hands in the pot, that you can put your hands in controlling what players come, what players go. I believe Iraola's profile is more likely to finish at Chelsea than a guy like Xavi Alonso. Xavi Alonso doesn't come close to this. Doesn't touch this because this is radioactive. As for Iraola, I think you believe that you can be the person that can change it, but you also understand that the opportunities for you are not going to be as big a club as there are for Xavi Alonso.

39:24If it comes to those two. But what I would say just in general, whoever it may be, Iraola, Xavi Alonso, whoever the next guy is, the first thing that you've got to deal with is the blank stare that you're getting from players out on the field. The lack of hunger, endeavor, work rate, attitude, juice, vibe, energy. There is nothing right now, and to Craig's point, while they're rudderless coming from the sidelines, on the field isn't that much better. And as a player, I would have thought that once you get this guy in charge, if you want to call it in charge, now the responsibility really is on the player.

40:05It's not on him and whether he's picking the team or not and what choices he makes. It's on you to turn this thing around, and the responsibility is on you to make the best of what's the remaining of the season. And the truth of the matter is that these players could not be less engaged than they are now. There is nothing about these players that says, trust us, we're going to fight. In fact, more the opposite. Do not trust us. We don't know what we're doing, and we have no interest in turning that around. That is a really bad picture right now for whoever takes over this team. Is it a poison chalice, Robbo?

40:38It certainly is at the moment. Going back to Ali's point about players, from my experience, when players, now it's our chance. We can take over. The manager, the young bloke on the sidelines, he's not got much power. It's up to us now to show a bit of fight and authority. Most players will look after themselves. Well, I'm doing all right. I'm going to do what I want to do, and I'm going to make myself look a good player. Don't worry about him. I don't care about him as long as I look okay. That's how players react sometimes, and that's what they're doing at the moment. They're all looking after themselves.

41:07And going back to the other points that have been made, Mareska challenged the ball because he was actually doing an okay job. They had patterns of play. They knew what they were trying to do. It wasn't brilliant, but it was fairly good. Liam Rosinia came in and made a right mess of the job, both with his way he spoke to the press and what he did out on the field. I watched many of the games he coached and he changed the system. He got the tactics all wrong. He got lucky in one of some of the early games, one against Napoli when they nearly went out of the Champions League, when they played absolutely terribly for 60, 70 minutes and Gio Pedro scored a goal.

41:40He was the one that started to confuse the players and the players lost interest, or not interest, but they lost respect for him and it's all gone wrong. You can't suddenly turn it on and off like a tap. Now they've turned off, it's going to be so difficult for them to turn it back on again.

41:53Stewart Robson:And why wouldn't you? And why would you be surprised that you've got World Cup winners and high earners and all these players that could probably get similar money elsewhere? Why would you be surprised that players would talk about potentially, even if it's a little jibe to a journalist or whatever it is, why would you be surprised as an owner, our ownership of this club, that big hitters would want to leave and go somewhere else. Because do you think players are stupid? Don't you think they see the bad decision after bad decision that you're making? Don't you think players see that there's no real continuity within the club, that they'll hire somebody and then a year later they'll biff them off for somebody else when it's not going right?

42:35Stewart Robson:And players will see that and players will want to jump ship to somewhere where they sense they'll get paid the big bucks and they've got a better chance of playing on a better side. and that's all down to this Clear Lake and Blueco or whatever it is you call them, I have no idea try to run the club in the manner in which they run the club and unfortunately, as Robbo said, players will down tools players will look after themselves because there's no blame game here they're not going to fire the players they're just going to bring in an interim manager a youngster as they've done it's on him for the time being if the players go out and don't play well they've got a few boos from the crowd and whatnot but they'll go home, they're okay and when there's no real leadership and nobody to respect and I think that's one of the big things when you're looking at a manager you need to be able to respect him when there's nobody there to respect this is what you get and on the case of Areola I think to me he looks as if he's a strong enough guy and this is all hearsay if he is to take a job like Chelsea or any other that is problematic I think Areola and what I've seen of him is enough about him to think, if I take this job, a bit like Maresca in a certain sense, when people started telling him what to do, he kind of couldn't wait to get out.

43:49Stewart Robson:And I think if he was to take this job, Areola, and six months in, it was crystal clear to him that there was too many people meddling. I think he's the type of guy he'd say, do you know what? I'll just go. I'm going to save my bacon now. He'll say adios. I'm not going to, yeah, whatever. He's like, you even know a word in Spanish? Yeah, adios. Six years in Spain and that's it. Right. So I do think he, but you're right. That is a big decision for somebody like him to go into a place like that that's been run in the way it is at this moment in time. Meanwhile, the Burley family happy, Craig? Forrest, obviously, what, seven points?

44:27Stewart Robson:Yeah, I think there are... Six points. Yeah, I don't think there's... They're fine. I mean, mathematically, yeah, but I don't think there's... Yeah, I mean... Yeah, I mean, those... Yeah, there's a big sort of Forrest thing in the house normally. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Not me, I'm very objective. No, of course you hate everyone. Yes, across the board. I mean, I'll be honest, I want the whole league to go down. Yeah, just that. Including Arsenal. But your grandson, obviously, what's he, 15 now? No, no, he's four. He doesn't go to the games as much now. My son goes though. Right, there you go. My lad goes all the time and obviously, yeah, whatever.

45:01Stewart Robson:But yeah, no, no, look, would you think... For a second he was about to get emotional and then no. Four managers. Four managers have done it, yeah. Four managers, a Europa League semi-final, which they're up in, and probably going to be safe. So, yeah, it's been... When your club is owned by a Greek shipping tycoon, things are always going to be a little... Yep, rocky on the seas. Pestuous. Wow. Look at that stupid grin in your face. FA Cup final is live. When is it? Week Saturday? 16th of May. We will be there. Me and Barley back in London. Oh, God, I love nobody to drink with again. Everybody goes to their bed early in this crew.

45:42Stewart Robson:We're a bunch of boring people. Oh, how selfish. Chelsea Manchester City. Even the boss is half eight. Oh, my God. ESPN 2 and ESPN. An hour-long build-up. Oh, what a treat for everyone. Whoa. Harry Douglas here. Let me ask you something. What if you can enjoy the taste of a cocktail, the warmth of a spirit, and still stay fully in control? That's RK Zero Proof, a pioneer in the alcohol-free spirits category. RK delivers bold flavor and a real warming sensation with zero alcohol, zero sugar, zero carbs, and zero calories. Perfect for nights out, social gatherings, or any time you want the experience of a drink without sacrificing tomorrow.

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47:36Stewart Robson:The stage set for the hottest ticket in world football. It's first against second. The big boys facing each other for the first time this year. Madrid have got a lot to answer for after losing four times last year to Barcelona. Mbappe's in behind here. And yes, he makes it count again. Unstoppable. Give him a chance. He's going to take it. Cut back and there's the equaliser. Bernice Lopez and Barca are level. Vinicius. Back still in play, mind you. It's turning! Jude Bellingham. Jude Bellingham on the back post and Real Madrid are back in front. Finny Jr. to come off and he is not happy at all.

48:14I don't think Javi Alonso is going to like this much.

48:16Stewart Robson:No, should he? Terrible. Straight back down the tunnel, not off to see his teammates. That's a tantrum, there's no other word for it really. It is what, Finny Jr. having an argument, it's not like him. It's all kicking off and mayhem reigns at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. There are four clashes after the game which we do not want to see but we've always said it. This game is a passion play. We saw it so many times. At the bottom line is that Real Madrid with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. A beat Barcelona by two goals to one and they are rubbing that in. The old adversaries locking horns yet again for the first silverware of the season in Spanish football.

48:59Stewart Robson:Rafinha, the opening of the marker, he took one, he hit the goal! Barcelona lead! Canary, he came and passed! There he goes, he's there! There he goes, he's there! He's there! Solo goal! There's his answer! Real Madrid equalized right on the stroke of half time! Pedri, the ball is now for Rebandoz, he hit the goal! He hit the goal! That's 2-1! How have Madrid gone to sleep after scoring? Here comes that corner kick. Oh, and he's hit the bar! And then Gonzalo Garcia has scored! Real Madrid are level! This is incredible! Three goals and injury time in the first half. Who the thought? There's Rafinha, he's got the pick!

49:40He's deflected, he doesn't care about the deflection. Barcelona won two finals against Real Madrid last season and they've done it again here on another night of high drama. Real Madrid and Xavi Alonso have parted ways after Real Madrid lost in the Supercoppa.

50:01Barcelona, of course, can be crowned champions of La Liga with a victory against Real Madrid on a Sunday. You can see that game live on ESPN, ESPN+. Our coverage starts at 2.30 Eastern. Meanwhile, if you're on the West Coast, don't miss our Clasico fan experience and unforgettable our classical watch party live concert by esloven armado featuring appearance by la liga legends carlos fio and eden hazard will be at the torch may the 10th be sure to click on the qr code where you can register ali you fly out tomorrow yes i do you'll be on the ground for us

50:34Stewart Robson:it'll be quite half an hour for us then go to ali go to the watch party sit back have a cup of tea let's find out be sure to stay tuned that could change is next uh robo joining us once again to answer some of your questions.

50:51Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Thank you very much for all your questions. Robbo, your name was used in vain, really, yesterday. We had a wedding invite, and we were talking about the best wedding invitees from the panel, and you were down the bottom of the list, I'm afraid. Who had a wedding invite? We had an ESPN FC. Whoa, whoa, whoa. We had a wedding invite for us all to go. Yeah. It's in San Diego. It was in San Diego. We missed it because of ESPN's post. And unfortunately, so Robbo was down at the bottom of the list with Gab and Nadim as people you don't particularly want at your wedding.

51:24Really? All of us were invited? All of us were invited, yes. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Gab and Nadim? You'd be very surprised then. Not all of us, everyone in the ESPN FC crew. So we did a power rankings of who would be the best people to go to a wedding. Stevie, obviously, was near the top. Frank, Shaka, the ambassador. Unfortunately, your name kind of came up in a bit of a negative connotation. Why? Because Stevie said if they ever got divorced and had a party, you'd be perfect for that. Wow. Why? Just bring the misery, I think.

51:55Stewart Robson:That was it. Divorce is happiness. That's why they're doing it. So apologies for that, Robbo, but there we are. Well, listen. I've just spent two... I'll accept it. I mean, I've been invited to lots of weddings and I get on the top table and I'm part of the entertainment, Dan. You don't know me very well. Yeah, but you're on the top table, but you're an ornament. Rafa's the entertainment. By the way, we're talking about weddings and fun. We just said in the show, I just said in the end of the show, if you missed the show, I don't know if you missed the show, I saw the show, whatever. When we went to London for the FA Cup semi-finals and we're going again for the Cup final.

52:38Stewart Robson:Yep, I'm looking forward to it. We're talking about being the, you know, what of the party? The what party? No, no. Life of the party. Ah, yes, yeah. You know, you're slandering me about weddings. We go to London. Yes. There's the boss, the boss's boss. There's you, your lad. Yes. There's other people. Yeah. And people couldn't, now don't say it was because of me. People got to bed at half eight. All I wanted to do was sit and have a couple of beers and chill out. Yeah. I was with the most boring bunch of people. Wow. What a hard life you have. Oh, you've got my bed at 9 o 'clock. Craig, let me tell you, Craig.

53:21Craig, Craig, let me tell you. Dan said he went to bed at half past eight or went to his room at half past eight. I know he was out on the town at 10 o 'clock. Definitely not, Robert. He did back out once he got... What was he up? Those days have gone with the old liver.

53:34Stewart Robson:What was he up? Was he in central London at Thiena Molland having a dark coat? By the way, his lad, who is a bit of a wannabe. He also went to the opera, didn't he, Dan? I went to the West End, yeah. Did you go to the opera or something? Yeah, I went to the West End, it was great. The theatre, I went to the races, Sorry and Dark. Everything was great. Now, his lad, this lad that lives in England, is like father, like son, Robbo, because he's also a bit of a lightweight when it comes to having a little bit of a night in town. Oh, first night, he was... Oh, I'm so sorry, Craig, you had such a hard time.

54:05You don't have to come to Wembley, I can go on my own. I don't care.

54:10Stewart Robson:Do what you want. Right, did the play... You're not even in my hotel, so shut up. Oh yeah, I'm in the nicer hotel. I don't know how you got that. Probably kissing backside again. Some boss somewhere. Wow. Right, let's do this. This is an easy answer. Did that play out pretty much as you expected it to, Robbo? Absolutely. I mean, I think in the first half there was only one shot on target. that was the goal, then Arsenal defended quite well and in the end, Atleti didn't have enough quality to break them down. It was a very disappointing game. Great atmosphere and excitement for Arsenal supporters, but not for many other people.

54:49Craig, your thoughts on Victor Jokerez's performance tonight? Off the ball, he put in an immense work rate. He did, yeah.

54:56Stewart Robson:He did, yeah. Missed his big chance, but it didn't affect the outcome. So, yeah, work rate good, runs are good. I mean he's had a what would you say decent season not not also win the Champions League and the Premier League I'm talking about him well he's got to be part of that conversation well you know we're taking players on individual merit here the question's about Xochrares I believe yes not about Arsenal right okay right thanks very much turning it to Stevie did anyone on the panel see either Arteta or Simeone actually in their box at any point in the game is it even helpful for players to have managers running up and down the touchline trying to yell instructions over stadium noise?

55:39I'll go ahead if I may then pass on that question to the box police. So Craig obviously said if in the old days you would have kicked him?

55:49Stewart Robson:Somebody would have, well any manager get coach getting that close when the players on that side would have gone. But they do nothing about it. They do nothing about it. I believe, honestly, and I believe this, is you get three chances. Once you're outside, three times or more, whatever it is, you've got to set a bar, you send them to the stand, right? And if you do it, you know, two or three games in a row, you're banned from the sidelines. It's not that big a deal, is it? Well, that's just annoying. You know, as annoying as both Simeone and Arteta can be in the coaching boxes, when you add the amount of assistant coaches that come and talk to Arteta during the match, that, I think, takes the level of annoyance to a next level.

56:46So if we're talking about who won in the battle of who was most annoying inside or outside their coaching box, I think Arsenal won as well.

56:56Stewart Robson:Have you noticed since they haven't quite been as productive of late from set pieces? Yeah, the cutaways of... The little... Yeah, he doesn't show up nearly as often. Nicolas Joubert is not popping up as often in the technical area. He's sat there with his head in his hands. Robbo, who would annoy you more on the sidelines? Simeone or Arteta? Easy answer. Well, I mean, Arteta would annoy me more than anything else. But I'd ask the panel as well. If you had a manager that kept on screaming and shouting and running up the touchline and waving his arms and saying all sorts of things, whatever he's saying, wouldn't you?

57:34I know I would at the time. I did it to a couple of managers. Sit down and shut up. Let us get on with the game. You've given us no information. Sit down. And then you'd have the argument after the game with the coach. But Arteta's given no, from what I can see, and I'm watching him closely, He's giving no instruction. He's just waving his arms around, running up and down, going from side to side, trying to affect the referee. It's a load of old rubbish. That's why you wouldn't invite Robbo to a wedding. Sit down and shut up.

58:02Stewart Robson:Imagine your first dance. Get down. It's a braiding group. Get out. Get out of here. Go on now. Oh, this is going on. You see you're drunk or whatever. The panel. The panel. When have we ever been called? Well, that's a steam panel as well. Yeah, exactly. Well, better than send a couple of Muppets in the studio. No, I'd feel that. I'd feel that. Why did Simeone sub off Alvarez and Griezmann? We touched on this, didn't we? Alvarez obviously suggested that he'd done his ankle. Griezmann can't play. Julian Alvarez was carrying an ankle injury from last week's match against Arsenal. I still believe, though, that I'll take him with a bad ankle over some of the other options, including Alexander Sorla.

58:53I believe that he can give you potentially a set-piece goal, that he has that in him and taking shots from distance, that maybe he can draw a foul, maybe he can see a pass. I think he gives you more, even if he's got a bad ankle, than bringing some of the other options that Simeone brought. And what was really surprising is that he brought those options on in the 66th, 67th minute. With still half an hour to go in the match. And he made the decision, you know what? We're going with Alex Baena. We're going with Diago Almada. We're going with Alexander Zorlach. And the guys who were supposed to be the difference makers, the guys that see a different picture are now sitting on the bench.

59:32The team became, they were already limited. They became even more limited.

59:36Stewart Robson:You'd like to think that Alvarez, you'd like to think that he literally couldn't play on. Because if you could play on to that point, your season's on the line. You're in the Champions League, in La Liga. You're not in the championship race. You're not going to lose your status in the Champions League. So this is your season. So I'd like to think, and I hope he's not badly injured, but I'm not coming off unless I can literally not get above walking pace. If it's just niggling away at me, deal with it later. But that was strange. Why wasn't last man challenged on Xhocres Alli a red? Or is it only when Barcelona players do it?

1:00:26Wow. It wasn't a red because it did not deny a clear goal scoring opportunity given that there was a second defender closing in from a central position. and even had Jokeres gotten away from Mark Puvil, the defender coming from the inside had an angle and had a possibility to make a challenge on the ball. And just as an added piece of analysis, it is Jokeres. Oh, dear.

1:00:52Stewart Robson:And you're leaning into the shot again. You're in a nasty habit. Get your hair cut. With his departure from Europe... With his departure from Europe at the end of the season, how should Anton Griezmann be remembered? As an Atletico Madrid club legend, who had a couple of years at Barcelona that were very sort of forgettable and nondescript and filled with some controversy as to the videos that he filmed leading to that transfer. but that aside, Atletico de Madrid legend. And in some degree, it's a La Liga legend. I think Antoine Griezmann elevated his profile, and by elevating his profile, he also elevated the profile of Atletico Madrid, a team that at the time was a lot about Diego Godin and how hard can we kick people.

1:01:45Antoine Griezmann gave this team a credible threat in the attack and one that could hurt other teams from many different positions, playmaking positions as a striker, wide areas. In his prime Antoine Griezmann was one of the best players in La Liga. Stylistically speaking Robbo, who would Arsenal want to face in the final?

1:02:08I still think they'd want to play PSG rather than Bayern. I know they beat Bayern earlier on in the season but I think they might be able to they defend deeply and I think PSG at times like to play on the counter-attack. So Arsenal would sit deep and PSG would probably keep the ball and not be too positive with it. At times, they'd rely on their front players or their wide players to go past people. Whereas I think Bayern, if Arsenal sit deep, Bayern would dominate them, get crosses in the box, they'd play balls forward, they'd get more opportunities and crosses into the box. So I think they'd prefer to play PSG rather than Bayern.

1:02:43That's my thought. Since you're so good with last names, do you want to have a goal? You want to have a go at that one? No, no. Thank you. Thank you for your question. What's that one? The name? Yes. Final question. Craig, is Saka being special pretty much Arsenal's only chance of winning the Champions League final?

1:03:00Stewart Robson:No.

1:03:05Stewart Robson:No.

1:03:08Stewart Robson:So, no. I mean, if you're going to win the Champions League final against one of these two teams, you're going to have to A defend really well B be competitive in the middle of the park and C be clinical in the final third so yeah fitting in form Saka is going to be a big plus for that but the chance that Xochrez had tonight that he missed that's something that's probably going to have to go in in the final because you're going to get punished at the other end so there's more to it than just Bukaya Saka but it certainly certainly would help Arsenal chances obviously if he was playing well but if Bakaia Saka turns up and plays really well and the others have an average game they're not going to win it that's it lovely thank you very much are you back with us tomorrow Robbo?

1:03:56no I'm not back with you tomorrow no couple of days off going to a wedding he's not invited that's it ESPN FC return Ali have a nice time in Barcelona

1:04:07Stewart Robson:well yeah hopefully well late night hopefully a lot of boring people are not on the trip Go to bed early. I'll be drinking on my own. May 16th. Why would you end up drinking on your own? It's a head scratch.

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