Gab & Juls Show: World Cup Preview Part 1

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0:32I'm Gab, he's Jules. This is the Gab and Jules show presented by Gusto. And in fact, Jules, this is where part one of where we dive into our World Cup previews. We try to make sense of this. Let's get right into it. 48 teams, 12 groups. It's going to take a while. Absolutely. And we're going to do it over two episodes. Group A, we have the hosts, Mexico, one of the three co-hosts. We have Czechia. we have South Africa and we have South Korea. I'm going to come straight in and come out and say this. I wouldn't actually be surprised if Mexico starts slowly with the pressure, with the injuries they have.

1:14This is a weird mix of kind of young and old. It's kind of like getting younger part hasn't quite come through for El Tri. And obviously they'll have a lot of pressure on them early on. Korea, I also have a lot of guys are coming back from injuries and maybe didn't have the best of seasons. but there is a lot of talent there from Holman Son to your boy Canyon Lee. Am I off base here

1:37Julien Laurens:that these are the two outstanding teams in the group? No, I think they are. I think Czechia are a little bit behind in South Africa too. I want to believe in Mexico at home with the support. I know they usually underperform at times in World Cup in the sense that they go to the last 16 and after that, that's where he ended for them. The curse of the fifth game. We've all heard this. Exactly, all of that. But I want to believe in them with the home support and everything being used to those conditions too that i think they would top that group with with the koreans second and hung min son and then check in third in south africa fourth so the thing with checkia is again they're kind of stuck it feels like they always have kind of the same players so thomas such is just still around but obviously he's not the captain anymore um he was replaced because he didn't go and applaud the fans or he told the players not to go and applaud the fans because they've been booing them after a 6-0 win, albeit against Gibraltar.

2:31I think that's kind of interesting. Ivan Hasek, of course, Czech legend in there. This guy at Lyon, people might not be familiar with. Pavel Sok.

2:40Julien Laurens:Yeah, he had a good season. He got injured as well. But really, Patrick Sik would be the leader of that attack and the one, again, that I think the team would rely a lot on to get them through to the next round. All right. And a word on South Africa, too. So now, people, if you hear us talking a little bit more than you would expect about the smaller nations, so to speak, it's because once a tournament starts, we will probably have to focus on the bigger ones. But South Africa are interesting because, again, they wouldn't even be here because of the – or, sorry, they almost missed out because they made a stupid administrative error.

3:15They played an ineligible player who had picked up two yellow cards. Their coach, of course, Hugo Bruce, bit around the block. was he a winger as a player am I blanking on that I don't know I was too young I wasn't but there you go of course you got the charismatic Ronwin Williams in goal and then this guy that people really like from the Orlando Pirates I'm going to butcher his name Relebo Gile Mofokeng Mofokeng yeah so

3:44Julien Laurens:but we don't expect much on him do we no although they've got the core players from Mamelody Sundown who did really well in the club world cup remember and played really nice football so I think this is a tough group for them to come out to but I think they will certainly play I hope so not too defensive brand of football Alright group B another host nation this time it's Canada coached by Jesse Marsh of course it's Switzerland it's Bosnia and it's Qatar Italy in that group Sorry

4:18we chose to let somebody else have a go so kind of you Although, by the way, I don't want to kind of look behind the curtain and be all conspiratorial. It does feel like this group was made for Italy. Just the way it... Yeah, but no. Now it's made for Bosnia. I think on paper, the fun thing about Canada and Jesse Marsh, or not fun if you're Canadian, is kind of their entire back line has suffered long injuries. Bombito, Cornelius, Alfonso Davies, and of course Alfie Jones as well. They're all going to be back. They're all there, but they're all coming off difficult seasons. That can work in your favor sometimes if you are fully rehabbed.

4:59And of course, Jonathan David trying to regain his mojo up front.

5:02Julien Laurens:Yeah, exactly. I was very excited four years ago in Qatar. I did a lot of their games and I was a bit disappointed. It's a different story this time because they will have their home support. Obviously, I think they're very excited. I think they've done well under Jesse Marsh to a certain extent because I think this is a good generation as well. So I've got high hopes for them, certainly in this group, which you know I think between them and Switzerland there is the winner they are the two favorites but yeah I don't want to be disappointed again all right Switzerland I obviously struggle with a little bit because it's always the same people and they're all older but they're there Schock, Rani Chaka who's tremendous at Sunderland Remo Freuler, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez all these old guys they've got a younger good generation like Mozambique for example who I think could be one of the young players to follow.

5:52Julien Laurens:Well, from Freiburg. Yeah. But yeah, but it's that. But then I'm like, Briel Embolo's still there. Briel Embolo's not even that old. It just feels like he's old. Yeah, he's been there. But, and of course, an experienced keeper in Cobo. They're the kind of team I feel that like, they never impress, but they often get results and often go far in the tournament, which is why we have them up there. Yeah, last 16 at least for their misery, I think again. Qatar, they're coached by Julian Lopetegui, former Spain and briefly Real Madrid coach. They had a really tough qualifying. At one point, they'd won one of 11.

6:26I don't want to belittle them, but I think for the second straight tournament, including the last one where they were hosts, I don't think they're getting out of the group stage.

6:33Julien Laurens:No, me neither. I don't even think they get a win again. And I think Bosnia, the chance for Bosnia is really to beat Qatar and with three points, maybe even if they get a draw against Canada or Switzerland, then four points they're guaranteed to qualify. Three might also be enough. So I could easily see Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia in that order making history. Yeah, the interesting thing about Bosnia, who sadly for obvious reasons I'm far too familiar with, far more familiar with than I would want to be, is they did what a lot of smaller diaspora nations do. We've seen it happen in Africa, we've seen it happen with Cape Verde and also with Curaçao in this World Cup.

7:11They looked at, okay, who around Europe is of Bosnian origin? Who can we bring back? i think it's something like 15 players were born and raised elsewhere i'm sure there must be one who was paris born and bred you can work on that one there might be it might be on his way yeah they have the eternal i didn't jack oh yeah of course but they also have this guy kareem maya begovic who he's like the human highlight reel i don't know if he was just like that against italy because we were pretty nice been like that with solsburg all season long he gets so much buzz This is really exciting. And also, I think, one of the more underrated centerbacks in Europe, in Tariq Mujaremovic.

7:50I mean, everything's got to break their way, and you don't want to have a 40-year-old guy walking around the pitch.

7:56Julien Laurens:But if they advance... They will qualify, I think, for sure. And then after that, I think on that day, like we saw against Italy, and more seriously now, I think they can cause problems to a lot of teams. Yeah, just make sure that maybe Lino Gattuso will take over another team. Maybe. Sorry, that was harsh. That was harsh. We'll be back with Group C and D.

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9:37And did I mention that iconic purple ShopPay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. 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. All right, Jules, we're back here on the Gabby Jules Show presented by Gusto, and we're going to tackle groups C and D. Group C, of course, Brazil, the royalty.

10:21Five times, five times, five times World Cup winners. Carlo Ancelotti hoping to make it six. I think this group is actually tight. They're not overwhelming favorites. There's a lot of questions leading on to it. People of the group. It's a group with Morocco, with Scotland, and with Haiti. I almost wonder if you could see them easing in slowly, maybe not winning the group. And Morocco, perhaps if they start hot, I don't know. We're on board with Brazil and Morocco as the two overwhelming favorites.

10:53Julien Laurens:And they face each other in the first game as well, which is one of the best games of this first round of group stage matches. If you want, with the Netherlands-Japan one that we will talk about in a bit. Outstanding start, Brazil against Morocco. the two best teams you're right Gabi they will go there very fascinating to see what Carl Ancelotti does in a tournament obviously that he's never coached in before very good to see very interesting to see you know if he changes things if he adapts if he stays the same than at club level but certainly for this Brazilian team without Neymar we're guaranteed for that first game against Morocco with still a lot of talent going forward certainly more than defensively and for Morocco they've been outstanding for like a good four year cycle now even though Valid Rigraghi of course is gone Do we call them champions of the AFCON or not?

11:37They won't even lost.

11:39Julien Laurens:They won't even lost. So let's not necessarily go there, but obviously a very talented squad. Obviously, in terms of Carlton Cialotti, he's never played in a World Cup, although he should have in 1982, except he got injured. And if he had, he would have won it and he'd be already a world champion. There you go. But hey, ifs and buts. The other two teams in this group, Scotland. Scotland have never progressed to the next round Ever Even when Craig Burley was there He scored in the World Cup Even when Craig Burley was there He scored in the World Cup in 98 Even with Sir Candidale Glees Even with Graham Souness All those generations Never Yeah So this is typical Like country like Scotland A lot of small countries You'll find a lot of talent In certain positions Attacking midfield Of course Scott McTominay John McGinn And then maybe less so In other areas With the With the best of will Towards Shea Adams Shanklin people like that they're probably not on a level of mctominay in the game um no billy guillemot as i as well which is a massive blow for them got injured just before the start of the tournament everybody can use a little guy who can pass the ball to the bigger guys uh on the pitch and finally haiti who are one of the stories of this tournament the way they qualified obviously what this country has been from been through as we kind of discover these players because some of them i know you knew all about ruben providence because of course he's paris born and bred a few paris born and bred that's why they're special.

13:02He's been around the block, by the way. He was at Paris Saint-Germain. He was at Roma. Never quite made it. But then they have this guy named Dukens Nazan, who I was totally unfamiliar with. How cool. He plays in Iran for Esteglal. Which means he gets to play in the biggest derby in the world. Esteglal against Persepolis. It's a discovery journey.

13:22Julien Laurens:Yeah, yeah. Journey for all of them, really, like you said, Gabi, to get there. French national team head coach, as well, obviously, big ties with France, including the language. A few Paris-Borneum bread players like Belgarde for example who plays for Vorenton who's probably their best player and and like we mentioned on the show the last time round Otton Edouard who could have played for them didn't want to take somebody else's place for this World Cup so he won't be there he would have been they would have been stronger with him but he's still a great story although I think they will finish bottom of the group and won't qualify all right group D this is USA Turkey Paraguay and Australia again on paper we We have, I think even though Paraguay can be tough and defensive and make it tough for you, whatever, it's USA and Turkey the favorites.

14:08Julien Laurens:Yeah, great Turkish generation, of course, with Canan Yildiz and all the others. We saw Arda Gula having a great Euros two years ago too. And for you, the US, this is the moment really where you have to step up, raise your game with Pochettino and this generation too. Yeah, it's, I mean, I just wonder, do they feel pressure in the way others do, other countries do when they're at home because of the situation that they're in? there's just so many question marks for the U.S. team, but you still expect him to advance. Turkey, I love the idea of Shalhanoglu. I think the pace of this tournament will suit him, and a tremendous goalkeeper as well, who I think often gets overlooked in Shakir between the sticks for Turkey.

14:47Of the other two, Australia, I got to say, there was this big story, and they brought back Volpato, or rather, Volpato brought himself back, and they immediately called him up. The guy who turned them down, obviously a dual citizen, Italy and Australia insert jokes here they have this Nestorio Irancunda who again looks really good on YouTube highlights I don't know in real life how that works out I would kind of lean towards Paraguay to make life very tough for them just because of the way they set up

15:17Julien Laurens:yeah I agree and tough qualification as well for Australia who changed managers halfway through in the end they made it that's the most important and I think they might have a bit of momentum going into the tournament but I think it's a tough group for them so USA Turkey in the top two and then i agree with you gabby paraguay for me third and australia fourth probably not enough for australia to qualify paraguay might just sneak in i think yeah i don't want to deal in like stereotypes and identity because i always hated it as a kid like oh look the samba stars of brazil oh look england they're all tough and they hit the ball high and germany are all disciplined and whatever and spain always bottle it that's what we always used to hear right except then spain stopped bottling it and started dominating it and whatever but paraguay have such a strong footballing identity, probably more so than any of the other South American sides, with a possible exception of Uruguay, you could see them playing the percentages.

16:10But if they are to be a third-place team, I mean, this is going to be part of the fascinating part in this. It's the best third-place teams, but you're pretty sure that three points will get you there. You're not sure two points and then the tiebreakers. So there's going to be a lot of games in ship. And I guarantee you there will be, in my bold prediction, there will be at least one team that's going to completely misinterpret the rules, not realize what happens, miscommunicate, and screw things up and not pass through to the next round as a result.

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18:04Stop by your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts. We're back. It's the Gab and Jewel Show presented by Gusto. Jewels, we're up to Group E and Group F. Group E, Cote d 'Ivoire, Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao. Take us away.

18:19Julien Laurens:I think this is a really cool group, to be fair. Curaçao, one of the big surprises for their first ever World Cup, obviously, there. with a lot of players with the Dutch background, you know, and all those ties. But Ivory Coast and Germany and Ecuador, three really strong teams with different styles, obviously, but Ecuador, if you look at the defence, is wonderful. And the defensive midfielders, Germany have Manuel Neuer back and Julian Nagelsmann on the bench, for example. And Ivory Coast, okay, maybe they didn't do as well in the last World Cup and AFCON, but are still full of talent like Jan Diomande, who could be one of the young players to watch in the tournament.

18:54And Nicolas Pepe, who's really been on the comeback trail for some time now.

18:59Julien Laurens:Yeah, absolutely. Who missed out, obviously, on AFCON for different reasons. But now he's back after a really good season with Villarreal again. So those three right now, even if you put Germany's favorite, probably, even before that, yeah, I think those three would be quite tight. Yeah, it's two out of three. Obviously, no disrespect to Curaçao, who I believe are still the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup. Touch and go there. I think Cape Verde set the record and then Curaçao qualified. fight they got to keep the record for 130 000 people on you know in the country and i said and also uh i got this wrong before i want to make it right curacao are part of the kingdom of the netherlands right so they're kind of like they're kind of like to the dutch crown what say wales or scotland are to the united kingdom just wanted to clear that up so people called us up on it and and they're right to do so um germany do you believe in germany as in to go far i mean no I believe in Kai Havertz, but I also don't believe that the pieces fit together the way Julian Aglesman wants him to.

19:59The fact that he's going to almost certainly play Joshua Kimmich as a right back, you know, speaks to serious deficiencies in certain areas. A guy who dominates in central midfield for Bayern and then you move him there. And by the way, it's not like they're stacked in central midfield either. In other areas, of course, very, very talented. I wonder if Florian Wurtz can come back. But yes, I have them going through. and then it's Ecuador. Ecuador have two players who started in the freaking Champions League final just a couple days ago. Plus they have Joel Ordonez who's the guy everybody wants.

20:30Plus they have Moises Caicedo who's maybe the best in the world at his position. So yeah, they have some issues up front. Ener Valencia, we were talking about him off air. Still there, yeah.

20:40Julien Laurens:That's the same one. Does he still run fast at 36? He still runs fast-ish and they have the experience. Don't forget about Qatar where they did okay probably could have done a bit better, did okay. And I think that would be important for them to have that kind of like background and having been there before in a way, a World Cup for a generation that is very similar to the one that was there four years ago. And of course, an Argentine coach in Sebastián Becaccheche, we saw him in La Liga at Elche. It feels like, okay, I know there's three Italian managers at the World Cup, because I need a couple of people to root for it.

21:12Yeah, yeah, of course. But it feels like Argentina produces more managers of national teams than any other country in the world. I could be wrong on this, but it certainly feels that way. When it comes to Cote d 'Ivoire, Jules, there's great, there's experience. Cassie Sangaré, that is a warrior-like midfield. I'm already savoring the clash between them and Moises Caicedo, of course. Up front, there's no real centre-forward type.