Can Arsenal Handle the Pressure?

15:51Gab Marcotti:Right now, I 100 % agree with him. I think it's done and dusted now. A lot of the reasons for that is the fact that he has gone to the African Cup of Nations. But I think the key was the fact that he actually got on the field against Brighton and actually performed way above what he'd been doing. And then after the game, getting the opportunity before he goes to the African Cup of Nations to be able to clap the fans, see the fans, get the fans got behind him. So I think all of those things have just cleared the whole thing away. And there's some sort of normality now, it seems, in terms of Liverpool.

16:30Gab Marcotti:I think the injury situation for once played into his hand. The fact that he had no choice. He had to play Mo Salah when Gomez came off. He really didn't have another choice. So things have played well for down the slot, but he did the right thing, leaving them out when they played in Milan. And as I said, those two or three things that went everybody's way for Liverpool has just smoothed it over and things are quiet. Of course, when he comes back...

17:02Dan Thomas:Don't talk yourself out of him now. You're good, you're good.

17:06Gab Marcotti:For now, it's all quiet.

17:08Dan Thomas:Okay, are we sold on that front? Did he sell us there, Ale? Do we believe him? Yeah, until he said for now. He was ready to go further with that one. You're right.

17:18Gab Marcotti:I was just looking ahead. No, it's all good. It's all good.

17:21Dan Thomas:Actually, you know what? It's actually the timing of him going to AFCON. It's actually a good thing as well. And that they had this game just before it. Yes, yes, yes. And so, because I think it allows Mwama Salah to take some time to where he's focusing on something else and just, he can have some time to breathe. And maybe, maybe sort of reflect on some of the things that he could have done better himself. Not only performances on the field, but performances in front of a mic as well. maybe he will take some time as well as he is away from the team to kind of go, yeah, maybe that's not the way to go about it.

17:56Perhaps. Again, cautiously optimistic. And I think this time away from the team, it allowed him to get some perspective.

18:04Dan Thomas:The squad could be a little bit thin now. I suppose that's a bit of a concern over this festive period, Stevie.

18:09Gab Marcotti:100 % is thin and we spoke about it pre-season about how he needs to maybe do some things defensively and they didn't do it. And they went top heavy with Izak and Iketiki. And I think right now they're paying for that because of the injuries they have. So there's no question. Liverpool are kind of near bare bones. But they're going to be first. But still good enough to beat Spurs. They're going to be all right. Move on before I change my mind.

18:37Dan Thomas:OK, we'll move on. There are lots of Premier League features coming up this weekend. We will, of course, be talking about all of them on ESPN FC, particularly Spurs against Liverpool. We'll see how Stevie is feeling on the day and after it, of course, too. Make sure to join Ale and Stevie on the latest edition of Extra Time. Our YouTube channel has you covered every single day for that. Game day at my place is kind of a big deal. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor patio setup better be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grilling accessories, Wayfair has got it all, and it shows up fast.

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20:11Dan Thomas:He did say, he was not by Humbug before the game, Stevie. He did say before the game, I think Dortmund are going to do this. I think this is going to be their day. It maybe didn't quite go the way we thought then, but they did do it, Ali, and they got the three points. Yeah. But it's a, yeah. It's not, yeah! It's Merry Christmas. Enjoy the festive period. It's not, go on and party. Everything is settled and everything is great in this club. What we saw from Borussia Dortmund today is no different than what we have seen over the course of the season. A team that at times can create some chances, at times can take advantage of those chances, but not consistently so.

20:50And more importantly, we see always and often a drop-off during the game. And in those drop-off moments, they allow other teams, like Mönchengladbach, that really were not part of this game for the first 30 minutes, they allow them back into the competition, back into the game. And then Mönchengladbach, just because they really had to push some numbers forward, not because they're a great team themselves, they found themselves with some opportunities. And so I don't know what to tell you about Borussia Dortmund other than I'm not surprised. I was hoping that today we would see explosive, dynamic movement in the final third, that we would see really incisive possession of the ball through the midfield, that we would see some of the things that we come to expect from this club.

21:33But I don't know why I'm expecting that anymore because that's not the team that they have been this season. They have been a team that are pragmatic defensively and have been solid. And today was yet another shutout. So I suppose if you're Gregor Kovala and Niko Kovac, you're happy about that. If you're Niko Schlatterbeck and the rest of the back line, you're happy about that. Defensively, they continue to be very solid. But offensively, I have questions. And in becoming a better team defensively, I think they have sacrificed some of the things that they do offensively and what concerns me the most is those drop-offs that I talk during the game in which they can look very good and then they can disappear.

22:06And those times that they disappear is for long periods of time and that allows other games back into the match. So I would say Merry Christmas, Borussia Dortmund. Enjoy it, but let's not get crazy.

22:15Dan Thomas:Let's get the post-match assessment of Archie in Tut and Thomas Hitzelsberger. Who were pitch side today? And there they are right now with Gio Reyna. Archie. Just waiting for the cue. Hang on. Thanks, man. All right. Okay, thank you very much. Gio, not the return to Borussia Dortmund that you would have wanted, how did you see the game overall today? Yeah, I think it was a game of margins, obviously giving up a goal early is always hard to overcome at a stadium like Dortmund but I thought for 50 to 60 minutes of the game we were there, we had chances, we were in good areas so a little bit more ruthless in front of goal and I think we could walk away with a point but a lot of positives and we just have to rest, recover and then we'll be back working after the break Thomas?

22:57I felt you finished the first half strongly. What did you talk about in the half-time? How did you approach the second half? Because I thought there could have been more in this game for you guys. Yeah, just to keep going, really. Like you said, we started slow, and then the last 20, 30 minutes of the first half, we just felt like we could give more, be in dangerous areas, and a little bit better in front of goal, a little bit better final pass, and like I said, maybe walk out with a point. But, yeah, I think there's a lot of positives to take away. credit to Dortmund also a great team it's never easy to play here so yeah the end is what it is but you know we have to take the positives.

23:34I know this isn't the result you wanted however I have to say it's great to see you start for a fourth game running and see you back out on the pitch how does it feel for you that moment in the first half when you nutmegged Felix Mecho we enjoyed that how did you feel about that? Yeah Felix I'm just happy to be playing again you know I love the sport so much, it means so much to me. Obviously, I had an injury at the beginning of the year, so now the club's really taking care of me and building me up to where I can play games and start games and be fit for pretty much as long as I can. Obviously, a lot of good faces here to see.

24:12I'm still close to a lot of the guys. Still building my rhythm, still building game by game. Felt pretty good tonight, but just have to keep going now and working. Going in on the smile there at the beginning there, right? because that smile suggests that you might have had a bit of banter with Felix Mecha about that true or false yeah I mean it's obviously we I wanted to win more than anything but Felix is a close friend of mine you know he spoke at my wedding so he means a lot to me and a lot to me and my family and my wife so yeah it's more than love with Felix yeah so like you said it's a he's almost like a brother to me so it's it's just nice to see all the people I made great relations with.

24:52Next time, maybe you get the points instead of the nutmeg, I'm sure. Yeah, it happens. Obviously, tough game. Proud of the group. Fought really hard. Yeah, I think we all feel like maybe we can walk over the point if things go a little bit better, but yeah, that's football. Gio, thank you very much for coming by. Thank you. Cheers. Thank you. That was Gio Reyna there.

25:14Gab Marcotti:And we're going to send it back to you for now. Thank you.

25:18Dan Thomas:Thank you, guys. We do hope to get some more reaction from pitch side right now. Obviously, just got to hear from Gio Reyna. And the good news is he continues to play. What did you get back, Ale? There's a whole lot of adjusting going on for Gio Reyna. That's all I'll say. Well, I never noticed. We're so nice, guys. We've got to get him new underpants. Good to see him back, though, Ale. Yeah, well, absolutely it is. But I go back to something I said in the pregame, is that while it is good to see him out on the field and to see that he is fit and ready to play and injuries seem to be a thing of the past, for now anyways, you now need to see productivity.

26:01You now need to see him stack up numbers. You need to see real impact. Not just good feelings, good sensations, but actual tangible evidence that he is indeed an impactful player from Wichengladbach. Right now, it's a player that, if you're Archie, you are highlighting the fact that he made Felix Emecha. From my perspective, yeah, that was beautiful, but then when he went to run away from Nico Schlatterbeck, the ball got taken away from him and the play was over. What I would want to see is the continuation of that play that ends up in something, in an assist, in a shot on goal, on something productive in the attack.

26:37And I think you can extrapolate that for the rest of his game. There are a lot of things that are pretty good right now, but you need to take a next step where those things actually become productive, become goals, become assists, become something impactful for your team that hasn't been the case so far.

26:51Dan Thomas:He'll be wanting to take that next step, Stevie, get in this run of games where there's such a big summer ahead for the US.

26:56Gab Marcotti:Yeah, I think so. And I think he's actually got time to add all those things that Ali's on about because, I mean, that's why he's on the field. That's the part of his game that got him to Dortmund in the first place and now Gladbach. But I think if you're him right now. I think his concentration should be staying 100 % fit. Because when you have ability, if you're not fit, you can't show it. And if he can get himself in a physical state where he's now able to show the ability he has and then start adding those assists and those goals that Ali's on about, I think if I'm him, that's my goal. Yes, of course you want to score goals and set people up.

27:38Gab Marcotti:But right now, considering the last couple of years he's had, He just needs to be 100 % fit. Because even if he doesn't produce those numbers between now and the end of the season, he still has to be on the plane if he's fit.

27:50Dan Thomas:Let's get word from one of the goal scorers today, Julian Brandt, standing by now with Atri and Thomas.

27:56Thank you very much, Kay. Julian Brandt here with me. I first spoke to him in English 10 years ago, but it's taken him 10 years to come back round to this camera, so we're very happy to have you here. Firstly, talk about that win and what that means for this team. Yeah, I mean the importance of the game today was huge because I think we had some recent weeks with a lot of draws with some wins but also with the losses and I think now even before Christmas it was really important for us to take that win to you know on a Friday it's nice when you win you can see tomorrow and Sunday the next games it gives us a good position and yeah in the end it was a hard-fighted game to be honest but we took it and that's what makes us really happy.

28:48That's long enough spent talking about the game let's talk about the goal come on how was it for you was it a case of patience just waiting for the ball to come down at the right time? Well I have to say it was a really really nice and soft cross from from Nicky. Yeah I had a lot of space I came from behind and I think I took it really well so so yeah I hit it I hit it quite nicely and for me it was obviously it was a nice feeling because the 1-0 was really important for us but also yeah the goal was I think a nice one. It looked like it must have felt very satisfying for you at least. Yeah, I mean, it's always satisfying scoring in this stadium.

29:34So even if it's a tap-in or if it's a goal like this, but, well, in the end, the goal is the one thing, but the big thing, to be honest, is the win about the game. How have you felt, just finally, about how the last few years have gone for you here at Dortmund? Because it's never been a question about your talent. That's never been in question. But have you always felt at home in terms of on the pitch? with every situation? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, if I wouldn't feel like this, I wouldn't extend my contract two or three years ago. So, no, I feel at home, of course. But I know that it's a bit different than, for example, by a Leverkusen, the trouble is more, the attention is more.

30:20You have to get used to this. But in the end, no, it's a privilege to play in the stadium in front of these fans. and I'm really happy and really like my teammates in this club. So I know sometimes there is a bit of trouble. I think this will never change, but no, I'm enjoying this. How many times are you watching the goal back tonight? Be honest. I don't know. I don't know. Maybe it depends. I don't know. Maybe some friends will send me, but maybe no. So none. If you've got good friends, they're sending you that. Julian, thank you very much. You're welcome. Back to UK.

31:00Dan Thomas:I mean, I can't be good. Today, obviously, be a key part for Borussia Dortmund if they are to keep up this consistency. Well, but that word that you just said there, you can apply that to Julian Brandt. That's exactly what you think of when you think Julian Brandt. Consistently inconsistent. And this is where Dortmund is. A team that I think on moments can give you something that you can build around. hence Julian Brand and the comparison, the analogy to Borussia Dortmund. But then on other times they go missing, Julian Brand does the same thing. So if there was ever a player that really paints a picture of what Borussia Dortmund are, it's Julian Brand himself.

31:42The high points of Julian Brand are very high. The low points are very low as well.

31:47Dan Thomas:Yes, absolutely. And we'll have more Bundesliga coverage this weekend. This has kicked things off for the last match day of 2025. 25, Borussia Dortmund taking on Borussia Mönchengladbach. Here's a look at what we've got ahead this weekend. It all will culminate with Heidenheim against Bayern coming up on Sunday. But we have a whole slate of action for you, as per usual. One done, plenty more to go. You can catch every single one of them on ESPN+. Be sure to be with us for them. And make sure to head on over to ESPN FC's YouTube page. That's where you can see a Harry Kane interview right now with Archie Rintos.

32:25Dan Thomas:Really worth a listen. Go and check that out over on our YouTube channel. If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple ShopPay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10 % of all e-commerce in the U.S. From household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful, ready-to-go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code.

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34:28Dan Thomas:Oh, meanwhile, here's how things are looking for Real Madrid right now. And you take a look at their last three, especially what we saw against Talavera. That got pretty ropey against the third tier side in the Copa del Rey. He is aiming to end, though, a tough period on a high. and he's what he's had to say, insisting that Real Madrid are united from the president down to the players. From the very beginning, from our first conversations, we've had a close relationship built on trust, respect and affection, understanding the project we have and the objectives we share. The demands are high, but it's a long journey.

35:05There will be good moments and not so good moments. And now we're on the verge of the last match, aiming to finish strong and start the next one with renewed enthusiasm.

35:18We all know what the ultimate goal is, right? In this process, what we want to do, how we want to build it, and how we want to carry it out is fundamental. And in that sense, we're all united, from top to bottom, from the president to the players, to everyone working on this project. And the effort we're putting in to do our very best is undeniable.

35:42Dan Thomas:It's a very interesting time right now, Ali, to put it lightly, at Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso. You feel like he's walking a bit of a tightrope. Yeah, well, yes, he is. But he had me convinced, of course, after this press conference, when he says, we're all together. It's all good. It's all built on trust. Ahead of last weekend's match against Alaves, he was being asked about Álvaro Arbeloa. Hey, do you think it could be a good option to take over Real Madrid? Which, that in itself is a question that is out of place, but it was being asked of him in the press conference. As unfair as it might have been, that was part of the questioning.

36:24They win against Alavesa, away from home. Wasn't necessarily great, but they get the win, which is priority number one and which was needed. It was desperate for him and for Real Madrid that they had to have a win, and they got it. And you're thinking, well, from here we're going to build momentum and certainly be able to dominate Talavera. Yes, third tier team. We should be able to do this and continue to build momentum forward. And it's hard to understand how a team and a club like Real Madrid, in beating a team from the third tier, actually feel worse about themselves than they did if they hadn't played that game at all.

37:04They won the game, and yet they feel worse. You watch Xabi Alonso after that game and him sitting on the bench, and it's like, he knows. He knows that that level of performance is not, certainly should not be good enough, should not be the standard of Real Madrid, and it doesn't set him nor the team for success. So here we go into Sevilla with the same questions, if not more questions, that we had going into Alaves. They won two games in a row, and yet it feels that we're back to the conversations that we were having before the Alaves match. This, yet again, is another must-win game for Real Madrid and for Xavi Alonso.

37:41Dan Thomas:Is it more than must-win though, Stevie? We're talking about the end of the year, we've got all this behind him. Is it must-win and then really put on a great display for the fans that makes everybody just go, OK, we can breathe for a minute?

37:52Gab Marcotti:I think that would be the ideal scenario. However, he just needs to win right now, regardless. Because if he's winning, even the hierarchy in Madrid can't get rid of them. I mean, as Ali said, you've got to laugh at the trust. You know, they've said to him, we trust that you'll get his results. And if you don't, trust me, we'll get rid of you if you don't. So it's pretty simple. It's about winning. And even Real Madrid, as much as we all say, yeah, they have to do it in the Real Madrid way. Right now, absolutely in the league, they have to just win. They can't afford to lose. because if they do lose, that trust he was talking about will be severed.

38:34Dan Thomas:We will be covering that game this weekend. Real Madrid taking on Sevilla. Plenty to look forward to in La Liga this weekend. This game, one of them, 2.30pm Eastern, we'll have you covered with all the build-up to see how Real Madrid fares against Sevilla. In today's world, planning ahead isn't always top of mind, but not having life insurance can leave families facing difficult financial uncertainty during already emotional times. In many cases, loved ones are left managing expenses, debts, or long-term obligations without a clear plan in place. Life insurance is one of those ways to help provide financial security and support when it's needed most.

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40:29Dan Thomas:Bad news for Tyler Adams, though. Remember when we saw him pick up an injury in the game against Manchester United? Well, he's going to be out, according to reports, for up to three months with a torn MCL. And you wonder, Ali, what impact this will have on the U.S. men's national team. It's a big one. Tyler Adams is one of the most important players for Mauricio Pochettino, both on the field and off the field. And the national team suffers because of the leadership that he brings, suffers because of the lack of presence and experience that he also brings. I think Marisol Pochettino has in Tyler Adams a guy that he can trust on the field in communicating his thought process, his ideas.

41:13A guy who's very good about, and this may be an underrated or overrated part of the game, if you think it's a part of the game, in actually talking to the media and being sort of a representative for the team, for the rest of the players. Some of the guys that don't want to address the media, he'll get in front of a mic and actually address some of the issues, concerns, or whatever the case may be at the time. He brings a lot to the national team. But the question has always been, and particularly over the last couple of years, is his level of fitness and can he stay healthy. And while this is an unfortunate play, it is a tackle that happens quite often in the middle of the park.

41:51He goes to challenge a ball and challenge a shot. And now he's out for three months. How does this affect him in terms of what his preparation is going to be like going into the World Cup? That is going to be critically important. So now if I'm Tyler Adams, I'm thinking, what do I need to do in order to be ready to play in three months' time and to be at my best level so that I'm giving myself the best chance to be featuring and thriving when the World Cup comes around, not playing catch-up.

42:21Dan Thomas:Yeah, always gutting to see. And we wish Tyler Adams well in his recovery. We'll be covering it on Football America. The latest edition is out now. And look at Ali Moreno. Wait a minute. We're in center. Wait a minute. Christina and Shekka. No, no, no. I was there. I was there last night with Shekka. Yeah, Stevie, go and watch it tonight, all right? Keep up to date with it. Oh, well, good time. If you don't mind. Let's take a look at the title, because we're finding ourselves talking about Aston Villa right now, and that's because they are on a historic run at 33 points in the table. They are only three points behind Arsenal right now, who are leading the table, and Thomas Hinslubberg was still with us.

43:00Dan Thomas:That's why he snuck off earlier when Archie was doing one of those interviews. Thomas, are Aston Villa in the title race? Well, that's a tough question, Kate. You're asking a former player and still a Villa fan. I'd say emotionally this is probably the best I've ever experienced being associated with Aston Villa. And I'd say a lot of fans actually believe Villa is in a title race. But I also have to analyse it. And I think a team that's got a goal difference of eight now, if they continue that rate, they probably end up at plus 20. I don't think any Premier League team has ever won the Premier League with a goal difference of 20.

43:36And also the games they're winning are small margins, Usually it's just one goal difference. So I think analytically, probably not. I wouldn't put too much money on them. But emotionally, you can imagine, I'd love Villa to continue this run and go all the way and hopefully prove me wrong.

43:53Dan Thomas:OK, Thomas, I like that you're being cautiously optimistic here. Talk to us a little bit about the difference you've seen and what Unai Emery is doing with Aston Villa now, that they've got them where they are right now. Well, I think he's changed the club entirely since he first stepped in. and ever since he implemented a style of play that people love watching, he's improved almost every single player because he takes a lot of risk in the build-up. The team is waiting patiently to take a direct route and that's a lot of risk he's taken. And often, you know, they win games and it's entertaining, but sometimes, of course, they lose games because the opposition, they know exactly when to win the World Back.

44:30And I do remember the Liverpool game in Anfield when they lost, playing out from the back. So these things still happen. But this season, I think the turning point was the Europa League game against Bologna when, you know, things weren't going well, but did win the game 1-0. And Morgan Rodgers in particular, he didn't have a very good game and the fans were kind of on his back a little bit. But he turned things around and look at him now. He's one of the best players in the country. He's a starter for England. And it's just incredible to watch the way he's lifted his team. But one of my favourite players is Uri Tielemans.

44:59And I could go through the list because there are so many great individual players, but Una Emery has implemented a style of play that is probably the best I've ever seen.

45:06Dan Thomas:That's a pretty special time at Villa right now, Stevie.

45:09Gab Marcotti:It is right now, yeah. And everybody's not only doing their job, but adding some. And they're not making mistakes. You know, Thomas is talking there about the gamble that they sometimes overdo coming out from the back. And that's why they had such a bad start to the season. Because every mistake they made, they got punished. And if you look at the season, you could split it in half. You know, you make mistakes, you get punished. You start off horribly. now you've cut out the mistakes and all of a sudden you're flying. Can they keep that up for the rest of the season? There's enough, a long way to go.

45:40Gab Marcotti:And so that's why I would say right now, I don't think they are. Title contenders, I think 100 % the top four contenders, which at the end of the day, if you'd given that to Villa and Villa fans at the start of the season, they would have taken it.

45:53Dan Thomas:I'm just laughing that Thomas Hitzelsberg has actually gone because what he's meant to do and after watching you earlier in the show is that he doesn't talk himself out of feeling cautiously optimistic about Aston Villa. So that's Villa who we have to touch on, which means we've got to talk about Manchester United. And Ruben Amarim has given us good reason to do so

46:10Gab Marcotti:because Sir Alex Ferguson has had a recent interview

46:14Dan Thomas:and Sir Alex Ferguson said that his assessment is that Manchester United could be 10 years away from winning the league title again. Ruben Amarim respectfully disagrees and says he understands football more than me, especially English football. I think we are not going to take that long to win a league. I don't know which manager is going to be here, but I truly believe that we can fight for the title in the next few years.

46:41Gab Marcotti:Well, he's got to say that. I mean, if he turned around and went, no, Alex is right. Good point, Alex. Then everybody would slaughter and go, hold on a second. So he's got to say that. However, I'm sorry, I'm in the Sir Alex camp. You know, there's no reason to think that they can win it in the next few years. Why do you think they can? They've got one part of the team, and I say that going forward in terms of attacking, he has absolutely improved that this season. But the middle of the park and then the defence, and my own personal opinion, the goalkeeper isn't a championship-winning goalkeeper.

47:20Gab Marcotti:So you've still got three parts of the team to sort out. You've only got one part that actually seems to be working well. And I'm saying well. It's not extraordinarily great. It's decent. It's good, but it's not championship winning material. So, yeah. I mean, look, it's been a year since Arsenal won it, 20-odd. And they're way behind where Arsenal were the last time they won it. So, yeah, I'm with Fergie. I think this is going to take a lot more than a few years, that I'm already seeing. Imagine what the reality is for Manchester United, that Sir Alex Ferguson is willing to go out there and say, hey man it's gonna be a decade at least at least a decade he and this guy is Manchester United through and through he is the image of Manchester United he is Manchester United and he's telling you yeah no we're not close we're not there because he's seen that it's not only about the shortcomings of Manchester United that Stevie just pointed out, it's also about everybody else.

48:29It's also about Manchester City. It's about Arsenal. It's about the other clubs. It's about Liverpool and the turnaround that we're going to see from other clubs as well. And so they're not by themselves in the world. So they got to get themselves right. And they got to hope that everybody else around them don't take a step forward, that they all take a step back. That's a lot to hope for over the next few years. it's more likely that it will be, yes sir. Alex Ferguson said a decade.

48:59Gab Marcotti:I mean, if you're a player and you've got a choice of four clubs and it's a three plus United that Ali's just mentioned, who are you going to? You're not going to United and apparently United don't have that much money right now. So it takes money and it takes smart recruitment. Two things that right now, United don't have money and smart recruitment. So how are they going to win it in the next few years? You've got to realise that if you're Amarim. What a dramatic pause that was.

49:33Dan Thomas:It was a really dramatic pause. Smart. I just forgot what I was going to say. You almost bawled us. Earlier on today, we got to see Dortmund beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0. After the game our boys Archie and Thomas were able to catch up with the Dortmund manager Nico Kovac. Here he is.

49:56Nico, 2-0 win just before Christmas. How does that feel? It's a very nice gift I would say. So this is what we've planned. It was a I would say intensive game. From my perspective we started very well the first 30 minutes then we dropped a little bit. We had too much mistakes. We've been a little bit sloppy, I would say. But overall, I think we deserved a win. We've been the better team. The second half was a little bit up and down, more or less basketball, I would say. But three points, clean sheet, Christmas, New Year, it's okay. You must be very proud. You played the Club World Cup, no summer break for you.

50:38You're second in the Bundesliga. But do you still think there is room for improvement? Of course, I agree. As you know, it was a very short break between the two seasons because we're the Club World Cup, but physically we're top prepared. We can for sure improve in all the segments, but the first step, I would say, I arrived here in February. Now I'm here for 10 months. I think we can all see the development, but we need to improve more. I look at the way that the players respond sometimes on the pitch and I'd say they seem quite emotional a lot of the time. How much do you feel like you're the father of these players rather than the coach?

51:20Yeah, football is an emotional game, so you need emotions. Without emotions, I think you can't play football. As you know, I was born in Berlin, I'm Croatian, so I have the emotions inside and try to deliver this also to my players and hopefully they got more and more passion. But they are doing well. Nico, thank you. Okay, guys. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. See you soon. Bye, Charles.

51:48Dan Thomas:What stood out to you there, Ale? The last part in which he's talking about there's more for this team to give. And that he is asking and demanding for, as he said, more, more, more. and I don't think he believes he's getting it. And he's right. This team has more in them. There is more potential for Borussia Dortmund than what we have seen in this first half of the season. And I believe that if indeed they're going to separate themselves from the rest, not catch Bayern Munich, but separate themselves from the rest, we're going to have to see that with more consistency. Yes, will 2026 be the year that we see Borussia Dortmund are the best of the rest?

52:26Dan Thomas:Because as Ali says, it doesn't look like anybody's catching Bayern Munich right now. That will do it for the latest edition of ESPN FC. Thank you so much for being with us. Stay right where you are, though, because Extra Time is on the way. These two guys will stay late to answer your questions tonight. And, of course, I'll be with you all weekend right here on ESPN FC.

52:47Dan Thomas:Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. Closing corners today, just the three of us. All right, OK. Hello, Stevie, me. Just a few questions. I'll get started then, shall I? You are? Go on. You want to sing like you were earlier today? What's the name? No, I've got my voice. Sydney Devine.

53:06Gab Marcotti:Sydney Devine. You were bringing it.

53:08Dan Thomas:I think Stevie's better than him. Look him up. All right. Pep has offered to have coffee with Keith Andrews to discuss Kushanov only being shown a yellow in their Carabao Cup match clash. Stevie, did you ever have a sit-down with an opposing manager to discuss an incident in a match? A sit-down over a bag of crisps or a beverage?

53:31Gab Marcotti:Well, unless, certainly in my era when I was coaching, we would go after the game and see the opposition coach and have a beer. And we'd talk about situations like that. So I'm going to assume that they never met after the game then. Because that would be the first thing you'd go to. I mean, if I was Andrews and I'm going to Pep, I'd be jokingly saying, got away with one there, didn't you? And then it's up to him to answer how he feels and generally it's never too serious because it's usually not that long after the game still. So you kind of steer away from certain things, but that wouldn't be one of them.

54:16Gab Marcotti:So if I'm him, I'm absolutely going and speaking to Pep about it. and just smile and say, you lucky so-and-so. It sounds like a built-in excuse to have a beer. Well, it is, but it's always good because I don't care how well you'd get on with the guy on the opposite side. When the game's going on, you're always thinking decisions should be the other way. And then you get a couple of seconds to think about it and you go, yeah, you know what, I was probably wrong there. And then there's occasions when you give each other a stare and a, you know what? You can do. But then once the final whistle goes, as should be with the players, you shake hands and that's it.

54:59Gab Marcotti:That little room. And so if there's an end, then going into the room afterwards, having a beer, whatever it is, is a good chance just to sort everything out, and the end of the need is sorted.

55:09Dan Thomas:Yeah, I used to love hearing all those stories about when the managers had a little catch-up afterwards. Do any that stood out for you?

55:18Gab Marcotti:Erm, I'm trying to remember. I said something really stupid. Oh, you're well. Oh really? Well then, hold on, let's look through many of the... What? You said that as if it's a regular occurrence. Wait. Thanks, Kate.

55:35Dan Thomas:Who was keeping track of this? Merry Christmas.

55:38Gab Marcotti:I was at Notch County and we were going down and Peter Taylor, who was the former England manager, I can't remember the team he was in charge of, but it was one of my first games as a player assistant. So it was one of the first times I was in the room with all the other coaching staff. You know, because normally as a player, you go in the players bar. And they were teetering on the edge. And I've said, I could have been lost. You could have won.

56:10Gab Marcotti:And I didn't know why I said it. Because I was in a place that I'd never been before and wasn't quite sure what to say or do. And I just went, I could have been lost. We could have lost. I just saw Taylor looking at me like that. I was like that. I think I'll keep my mouth shut.

56:29Dan Thomas:Yeah, that's hilarious. Semenyo, move to Spurs, United, City or Liverpool. What's most important, wages, coach or other? Where would you go?

56:40Gab Marcotti:Go ahead, Stevie. You call it the best team. I think the money should be insignificant it shouldn't be about a cent, a dollar, a pound whatever it is it should be about where am I going to be the most successful because you want to win things so straight away you've got to look at City but then you go am I going to get a game every week does that matter as much I mean there are a lot of things that come into it, but the biggest one should be, I want to win things and I want to be successful. And so, if I'm a player right now, I think City's the place you're going.

57:29Dan Thomas:If you're a player right now and you have that decision, they would be the team's LA, where would you choose? If you're Semenyo. Yeah, and so I look at the second thing that Stevie just mentioned there, am I going to play? because if I'm moving from a place where I'm playing, where I feel good, where I'm appreciated, be loved, so on and so forth and I'm having a good time doing it, then this move is gonna be something that is an upward trend, is obviously an upgrade to where I am and sitting on the bench is not an upgrade. Even if it is sitting on an upgrade at a better team. If you're a player that is consistently on the field to go and sit on the bench, it's a problem.

58:10So I myself would not go to City because I'm looking at him. I don't know. I don't think

58:18Gab Marcotti:that, I don't think he's going anywhere. But don't you think the only position that really you're going, I'm not playing, is centre-forward? Yeah. Don't you think if you look at the City's team, somebody like Semenyo will look at Doku, Savinho, they'll be like, hold on a second, why am I not gonna play? In that in that sense, yes. But then that's when you have to have real conversations as to what is the expectation of me as a player. Where do you see me? Because otherwise, if you're seeing me as just being an out-and-out striker, it's like, well, the big guy's going to play. And it's not just for now.

58:56Erling Haaland's contract seems to be for a thousand years. So it feels like you're running yourself into a dead end. I honestly, if I was a minion, I would look at a place like Manchester United and say, I am better than anything else they got there. I know that Manchester United is, it's not...

59:21Dan Thomas:Going to win the title in the next 10 or 11 years. According to Sir Alex Ferguson, but I know that I'm, or in my mind, I'm thinking...

59:29Gab Marcotti:You're not selling yourself short, though. well he's what is he going to go to Liverpool we'll want to win things Ali and obviously if he's in a position where he's got that choice you can't go to United I look at I would take United over Spurs right yes me too and then I look I just said my reasoning for not going to City would be that if my role is going to be a striker and I'm running into a dead end because I'm not playing ahead of Erling Haaland then I look at Liverpool I think you're setting roadblocks up in front of you, Zellio. No, I don't believe so. I mean, look, if you're willing to sit, and more times than not you're going to be sitting in Manchester City, then go to Manchester City.

1:00:16But that's a choice you're making, knowing full well that you're not going to play ahead of Erling Haaland. We can all agree on that, that he's not going to play ahead of Erling Haaland. And Liverpool just got two strikers in the last transfer window. Inekitike and of course Isak, so... And they're having difficulties trying to find places for other players. You've got to go City or Liverpool.

1:00:41Dan Thomas:Well, I know, I hear you. Stevie, what do you make of all the noise around Maresca at the moment?

1:00:48Gab Marcotti:Noise. A lot of noise. I mean, the Pep thing is unfortunate because it's none of his doing. but the other stuff is absolutely his doing. How about you to get your head down for a bit and keep out the papers and keep him out short? I mean, it's becoming... It's almost becoming about him all the time now instead of the team. So, yeah, get your head down. If you don't have to go to press conferences or if you do have to, then you cut them short, keep them simple, don't say nothing, never mind answering the question. just get in, get out and keep your head done

1:01:30Dan Thomas:OK, start, bench or drop potential Christmas gift England winning the World Cup Borough winning the Championship getting a Scottish citizenship Wow

1:01:41Gab Marcotti:You don't really need that, do I?

1:01:43Dan Thomas:Being that I'm a quite Scottish Well, you've got it already

1:01:47Gab Marcotti:If you turned around tomorrow and said I want to play For Scotland

1:01:53Dan Thomas:You could do it Yeah.

1:01:55Gab Marcotti:So you can take that. That's off the table. Yeah. Because you've got it. So it's Borough or England.

1:02:01Dan Thomas:I've had this question before. It's a tough one because you either make a whole country happy or you make a whole town happy. Your town. My town. That I want to be allowed to step foot back into. So Borough winning the championship and then England winning the World Cup. Correct. Correct. And I wouldn't dare say anything otherwise in front of Stevie. I've got to pick my club here. What's a hobby you have that most fans would never guess? Guys. Oh, you want to go ahead, Stephen? I think I've got any. Okay. That's... I'm surprised. Not anymore. I mean, you don't go out and sing a little bit. I know you don't go out and sing.

1:02:38Dan Thomas:No, no. You like your music. You like watching lots of different music things. I think that people would be surprised at the depth of your musical knowledge, Stevie.

1:02:47Gab Marcotti:No, I wouldn't go that far to change knowledge. I would say I know one line of 100 million songs. I think you've got good. I know one line.

1:02:55Dan Thomas:I'd bank on you in a general knowledge kid.

1:02:57Gab Marcotti:I used to be in the darts team. I don't think anybody knows that. I was in the pool team. I think most people know that. But I used to be in the darts team. How was your performance? I was all right. All right. Yeah. Aye. Aye. I kind of went for the beer. I won the odd game. Really? I went for the beer. Let's be honest. The pool was different. I went to win. I wanted to win at the pool, but the darts, that was a social. Love it. And did your darts, whenever the beer consumption increased, did your darts get better or worse? No, worse. It was a little similar to pool. So what we say, between five pints and ten pints, you couldn't beat me.

1:03:41Gab Marcotti:Before five, I wasn't settled. When I hit the five I was settled, I was confident, I was in the zone, and then after the ten pint, the eyesight would go a little bit. Darts was a little the same, probably between three and four pints and six, because I wasn't that great at darts. I was good at drinking beer though. Well yes, that's quite the hug. Ten years, consistently. Yeah, yeah. Mine does not include beer, and it's, I actually like to put puzzles together.

1:04:20Dan Thomas:Jigsaw puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles. And on that same sort of wave, I really enjoy putting Legos together. Yeah, so if anybody wants to give me a gift, a Lego would be a nice thing. It, it, it, you know what it does? One, I go down to the basement, I have an office set up in the basement, and I start putting these things together, and it just, there's calmness, quiet. They're not thoughts in my head. They're not concerns about the family and the kids and this and that or the other. It's just putting these pieces together to get the final product. That's great because I've got loads of Lego for the kids this Christmas.

1:05:02Dan Thomas:Kalale can come over and sit with them and make it. What about you, Kay? What about you, Kay? Well, hobbies. Yes. Bobby, I like crossword puzzles Especially cryptic ones

1:05:14Gab Marcotti:Hold on, do they have newspapers in the book?

1:05:18Dan Thomas:Well, you can actually still get the digital copies online which is what I usually subscribe to the papers for because you can do it on your iPad Oh, are you? Yeah, so I think that would be mine, crossword puzzles

1:05:28Gab Marcotti:I'll get no patience for that

1:05:30Dan Thomas:Yeah, got to keep the brain working

1:05:32Gab Marcotti:I was thinking about you as well After about ten minutes, I'm like that

1:05:38Dan Thomas:I like drawing as well. Oh, there you go.

1:05:41Gab Marcotti:There you go.

1:05:42Dan Thomas:Yeah, that's one thing I...

1:05:43Gab Marcotti:Can you just throw something together quick?

1:05:45Dan Thomas:No, but I'm a good drawer. I'll draw something for you. You can ask me and I'll draw it for you, okay?

1:05:49Gab Marcotti:All right. Not just now, though. All right. He's a good drawer too. All right.

1:05:54Dan Thomas:Thank you so much for sending in your questions. We found out some hidden hobbies tonight here on Extra Time. And we'll be back tomorrow to do it all over again. We're off to do some puzzles. Throw some darts. and drink some beer.

1:06:07Gab Marcotti:What? Oh, God, I couldn't tell the story. Me and Matt are no brawn.

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