International Break Recap

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0:35hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC came Marie Alejandro Moreno and Shaka Hislop copy paste it's us three again for you tonight and more talk of international football but joining us to talk more about that we do have Gabriele Marcosi who's going to pretty much carry the show for us tonight all right and Frank Leboff as well in fact we will start with you gab because we asked you for your top five storylines from this recent round of international action. Tell us some more. Some people don't like the internationals, but I do. I'm going to start at number five. I have to start with Germany.

1:13What is going on? What is going on? They play Northern Ireland away. Nico Voltemade off his shoulder, basically rescuing them. at the end, Northern Ireland with a bunch of chances. Look, guys, it's getting a little bit hairy. A lot of the controversies focused on the goalkeeper, Baumann, should Nagelsmann try to recall Neuer? I don't think we're quite there yet, but not good. If you look at that, of course, Luxembourg at home may be a gimme, but then Slovakia in the final game in Germany, and you don't want it to be coming down to that. You don't want the playoffs. Number four, I have Brazil. Okay, yeah, maybe I'm biased because it's Carlo Ancelotti.

2:01They let a two-goal lead against Japan slip and everybody loses their mind. Admittedly, some not very good defending, people taking their foot off the gas, they were 2-0 up. But let's not forget, Carlo Ancelotti made a whole bunch of changes as his team. Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães were still there, as was Vinicius. from the team that we saw that did so well against Korea. But the long trip, let's move on. And remember, it's a friendly. Number three, Tommy Tuchel. How about that? Hey, guess what? England qualify. They're there. They beat Lafayette. And I think they're really good. And, you know, Tuchel challenged the fans to get behind him, to get behind the team.

2:43I think they've kind of earned it on the pitch. Tuchel's shown personality. Look at the way he's handling Jude Bellingham. Are they perfect? No, we can all point to flaws and potential flaws. But I think, you know, they're what? The number two or number three favorite for a reason. And look at that, that incredible run in the last year, having conceded a single goal in competitive matches. Well done, Jordan Pickford. Not much opposition, but still. Italy. Italy have clinched a playoff spot. Not that we really want a playoff spot. because, but after three no wins against Israel, if Italy go into the playoffs, they will face, and this is kind of the stuff of nightmares, they will face either Sweden, Northern Ireland, or potentially North Macedonia.

3:35Look, three of the sides that kept them out of the World Cup in playoffs in the only three times, Italy hasn't qualified for the World Cup. Surreal environment, of course, in Udine where they played this game, They can still get in, but, I mean, everything would have to go their way. Norway would have to drop points in their next game against Estonia, and then Italy would have to beat Norway. I don't think Norway are dropping points. Only other way. Look at that goal difference. There's just no way Italy are making that up. At number one, gotta be him. Why not? Football's first billionaire, Cristiano Ronaldo, So scoring in Portugal's 2-2 draw against Hungary, he has yet another record for his collection.

4:18Bit of a Fugazi record I didn't know existed, but guess what? It's 43 World Cup qualifying goals. He's leaving, I think it was Carlos Ruiz, behind him with that goal. He's up to, what, 143 goals at international level. Mind you, still has 47 to go and cast Christine Sinclair. but those are pretty remarkable numbers but for Portugal that 91st minute goal that weighs heavy it's just going to be a little hairier than they would have liked oh there we go thanks for putting those storylines together for us well Shaka what would you how does listen I understand Gab is Italian so there's a little bit of a bias there but how does Italy clinching a playoff spot supersede Cape Verde qualifying for the World Cup.

5:10Correct. Half a million people kept Cape Verde the most unforgiving qualifying process in CAF. Cape Verde topped their group at home with a win over Eswatini for their first ever World Cup and they don't even get a mention from Gabriele. Yeah, Gab. They will on the Gab and Josh show. I'm just saving my minnow story for when Curaçao qualify for the World Cup. Don't start, Gav. They're in Toronto Begos' group. They're in Toronto Begos' group. I'm still clinging to hope here. Don't kill me. What did you like? Don't worry, Gav. Don't worry, Gav. You will get your revenge on the power ranking. You will just be patient, you know?

6:02Oh, boy. Which story did you like, Frank? What was your favorite of all the picks today? The two-hole one, I would say that it's pretty impressive to see six games, 18 goals, no goals considered. It's pretty impressive. Even if I, you know, we all expect to see England doing well every World Cup for the past four or five World Cups. We see or maybe that's the year for the new generation, that golden generation, the perfect generation. and there's always something blowing out all the expectations. So, so far, so good. You know, I had some hesitation saying that that was a good choice to get to Hull as a German coach heading the English almighty team.

6:53But so far, so good. So you have to congratulate the coach, congratulate the players. The chemistry seems to work. until then, hopefully for the English until the next final of the next World Cup. Well, the greatness of Cristiano Ronaldo is undeniable and these numbers that just keep coming about every time that he scores a goal now seems to be some sort of record that is broken and he's not tired of it. I think he may be the only person in the world who's keeping up with all these records other than Gap so that he can include him in this list, but it is impressive to see. and the fact that he has changed who he is as a player and has now become an instinctive number nine striker, and that has been the case over the last, I would say, three or four years, if not a little bit longer, how he has evolved and changed who he is as a player and what he is as a player and continues to produce at this level, I honestly didn't think that this was going to be the case following the last World Cup, But it's undeniable.

8:01As I just said, it was the opening comment that I made. Cristiano Ronaldo is undeniable. And until he chooses to walk away, apparently nobody else is going to tell him to walk away. Nobody's going to tell him, no, you're not part of this national team. No, you're not part of this mix. And why would you if he continues to score goals? As for the Italy thing, when Gap mentions this, I don't know if you sensed it yourself, but I sense there's nerves. There's already this anxiety that is building up. They haven't even finished the group stage just yet, and he's already thinking about how and what are the scenarios by which we're not making the World Cup again.

8:39It is a scary place to be if you're Italy, because if Gab is thinking it, what about the players? What about the federation? What about the coaches? What about the fans? I'm sure he's not the only one thinking about this. Lots of negativity. Not at all. Where's the negativity? That's my negativity. All right. Make sure to check out the next edition of the Gab and Jewel Show. Is your husband nervous about it? Oh, yes. A little. Okay. Well, there you go. Yes. Undescendably so after the last two playoffs. Yeah. The buckles. Yes, let's see if Gab does talk about Cape Verde and give them their flowers on the Gab and Jewel Show.

9:17Check it out twice a week wherever you get your podcasts. Save$2 when you buy two cans of Superior Products Coverall Tire Dressing. Plus receive four times O rewards points now at O 'Reilly Auto Parts. Coverall delivers long-lasting shine. Visit your O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or OReillyAuto.com. It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair. And let me tell you, game day is serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor setup better be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grill accessories, Wayfair's got it all, and it shows up fast.

9:55I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com to get your outdoor space ready for the season. Wayfair, every style, every home. It has become the definitive German football fixture for the wider world to savor. Bayern against Dortmund. Two different traditions in every way. Bayern the Rekordmeister, the record champions. First recognised the threat from the Huepot in the 90s. Heated battles, extra intensity were the norm and a new name for the contest emerged. Der Klassiker. Bayern pride themselves on Nias and Mia. We are who we are.

10:44And right now, a force of nature. Ten successive wins in all competitions to start the season zestfully. Kane into the corner. Ruthless and efficient. It's party time for Bayern. Dortmund has so often cast in the role of Volga, pursuers. Likewise unbeaten, imbued with the spirit of improvement and showing admirable grit as well as guile. Now the game here! With a rocket! And we have lift off at the Signale Duna Park. Can the Schwarzgelber close to within a point of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga table? Or will it be another victory on this lofty stage for Germany's most decorated club? It's a wonderful round!

11:31Oh my goodness! Football as it's meant to be. The 113th Bundesliga coming together of Bayern and Dortmund, the two most avidly followed clubs in Germany.

11:49This is der Klassiker. Not long to go now until the first Klassiker of the 25-26 season, Saturday, October 18th. Our coverage will begin at 11.30am Eastern on ESPN Plus. Our team are already on the ground. You just heard the voice of Derek Ray there on that promo. You'll be hearing his voice on the live game alongside Archie in Tutsonite, who will be at the Allianz Arena for us. Guys, we're looking forward to the first big one of the season. We are indeed, Kay. And particularly after that stirring trailer there, Derek. what you can do with your voice I'm gripped already I'm glad that you found it stirring so there we go and we hope it's going to be a stirring match on Saturday it has been in the last couple of years when you think about last season in particular a pair of scoring draws excitement until the end and yeah it's not Celtic against Rangers or Barcelona against Real Madrid or Galatasaray against Fenerbahce in terms of the actual rivalry, but it's something very special still.

12:58And if we look at the most recent results there, you've alluded to it there, the fact that Dortmund have been able to start saying to Bayern, hang on, you're not going to have it all your own way every single time, is helpful, I think, to to this game as a spectacle as well, because there had reached a point over the last few years where you were thinking well I know what's going to happen here yeah if you look back to say 2019 until 2023 it was very much Bayern's time but that trend has been reversed and Dortmund know what it is to win in Munich too which I think can't be overlooked and I do like this sort of labeling of the game as perfect Bayern and they have been perfect so far with 10 wins in all competitions against unbeaten Dortmund and let's not overlook that because unbeaten since the start of the season a couple of wobbly games you might say in there Zangpauli and Juventus but they're doing it in a minimalistic way under Niko Kovac not necessarily with attacking fireworks but a lot of grit and determination and organization this perfect buy-in what's impressed you the most about them within that perfection this season?

14:13Well, I think, you know, obviously we can point to the fabulous four, if you want to call them the fabulous four, with Harry Kane front and centre. But in addition to players like that, you have Konrad Leimer, who has stepped up this season, who has improved himself, has been improved. And I think improvement is the watchword, Archie. I think that so many of the players in the squad have got better this season under Vincent Kompany when you look at the totality of their work. Some other little things that I like, the running statistics. Now, for a possession team like Bayern, you wouldn't think they would top the running statistics.

14:52Guess what? That's what they're doing. Intensive runs and sprints. So that tells you a lot. This is not a Bayern team swanning around and waiting for attacking moments. They are putting in a collective shift. Just seeing your man, Conrad Lima, there doing the business more than a pressing monster, as he was labelled by our own Lutz Fannenshteel a couple of years ago when he was in the jersey of RB Leipzig. Talking about Borussia Dortmund then, who causes problems? Who causes the most problems? Because they've got attacking talent of their own, Seiru Girassi, to name probably their most impressive one, but there are others.

15:28Yeah, Girassi is the line leader, and obviously he has to be taken seriously, but the nuisance value comes from Kari Madiemi. And we saw that in the games against Wolfsburg and Mainz in the Bundesliga and able to score very different goals from one game to another. I was commentating on this particular game against Mainz and makes it look ridiculously simple when he does that. He's one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga and he knows what it is to prosper in Munich. He's from Munich himself, has been able to guide Dortmund to top performances in this city. So Adiemi wasn't great, and we were talking about this all fair.

16:08He's either very good or sometimes not so great. Wasn't great against Leipzig in the last match. Exactly. Quoting the great Italian general of midfield, the current national team manager of Italy, Gennaro Gattuso, albeit a little bit of a change you've made there. Thank you, Derek. I want to come back to something you said there. Nuisance value. I feel that, you know, we talk about XG. I think NV, I think, could be a good new thing there. Could have a future as a stat. Because also, actually, I would say that in terms of the Bayern stakes in the newly created NV nuisance values state, I would say that Conrad Lyme is pretty high up there, just behind probably Harry Kane.

16:50Well, here's another stat for you. Let's have it. Yeah, Lyme is the leader for Bayern in terms of setting up shots. This is a new statistic that we have, so you can track who's actually setting up the shots or the attempts. Leimann number one for Bayern, number two in the entire Bundesliga from a fullback. Yeah, that's I mean, fullback seems generous given the way he marauds up and down that line. So moving then to where you see this game being won and lost, because look, let's face it, Bayern are going to have the majority of the ball. But I think that Niko Kovac managing any team equals a certain preparation for we're not going to have as much of the ball.

17:30And you know what? We're OK with that. Yeah. If Dortmund are going to win this game, it will not be by out Bayern-ing Bayern. That's not going to be the recipe for their success. They are going to be sitting fairly deep, you know, not too deep. There's always that balance you have to strike, but fairly deep with their back three, which will doubtless become a back five. I think the midfield, we used the word improvement earlier for Bayern, the midfield has greatly improved for Dortmund, and Kovac just spoiled for choice. Marcel Zabica is the face of that midfield improvement. And then they have to rely on the transitional moments in the game with Adeyemi front and centre there.

18:07So it can be done. Bayern are going to do it their way. They're going to have more of the possession. I think we know that. But what we haven't seen from Bayern this season in comparison with, say, last, These sort of little slack moments that sometimes creep in. Remember a game against Frankfurt last season where slack moments crept in? Barcelona and the Champions League last season. Not so much from Bayern this time. So Dortmund are going to have to be really resourceful. They don't create an awful lot, but they do take their chances and they do know how to defend. This is going to be fascinating.

18:37It will be, Derek. Thank you very much for now. OK, there are only four points separating Bayern and Dortmund. It is crucial for Borussia Dortmund's, I would say smallish title hopes that they get three of them back at the weekend. If they don't, as I know a certain Ale Moreno has said, this could be good night for the title race. Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much, guys. We'll say good night to you and let you get some rest. Big weekend ahead for the boys. It is the big one. It's the classica Bayern Munich taking on. I'm saying it's inaccurate. I would have said good night. So. Sorry. I forgot you.

19:16Okay. Do not doubt German with Ali Marino. Nah. All right. Yeah, lots of action for you in the Bundesliga coming off on ESPN Plus this weekend. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities.

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20:32Tonight, La Quinta. Tomorrow you shine. Terms and conditions apply. who will be winning the 2026 world cup well as you can see the bookies have them as fifth favorite as it stands right now but who cares about the bookies when we have the sports mastermind the algorithm king yeah and the king of the power rankings somewhere in the vicinity right next to me shaka hisslop i'm not sure how all the bookies have brazil over argentina which anyway okay Spain favorites, I spoke about them yesterday, the depth of their squad. France, I think, given their experience of 2022, I think they've improved. Kylian Mbappe is certainly showing his leadership qualities and continues to be a huge impact in the game.

21:20Argentina, so much still hinges around Lionel Messi and why Lionel Messi continues to do Lionel Messi things. At some point, it's going to stop. Third favorite, you just feel he continues, but I'm not sure it's enough to take them to work of glory second time around. England in at four. And then from here on in, I'll be sure, I'm not sure anybody else has a chance to win it. But these are the teams I think have chances of going deep. Norway have been outstanding in work of qualifying. Jan paid me a little backhander to say that as well. Brazil at six, while they have been great. And you're not above taking a little bit of a ride.

21:56Not at all, not at all. Brazil have been great in work of qualifying, but the Carlo Ancelotti effect, you want if that takes hold. Portugal, Croatia, and then I've included Mexico and the US. Because as host nations, you will always get a very kind group to start with. And for that reason, I feel they have a chance of going a little bit further than the others. No little backhanders from Mario Melchior? I tried calling him, but he didn't answer. All right. No backhanders for Merkjord. All right. Well, second to best, France. Frank? You know, when I told you that you will have your revenge, he was able to put Mexico and the United States in the first half.

22:47I'll let you talk about that. Well, I think Spain and France deserve to be, with Argentina, the three contenders for the favourites for the World Cup. But, you know, I would have put Portugal a little bit ahead of what Xhaka did. I think England, yes, is getting better. But I think Portugal are more ready to surprise the world and maybe win their first World Cup next summer. Otherwise, yeah, you know, for the first seven, I would say, OK, the eighth Croatia, it's a nice surprise. but again, Gab, you have free will to talk about the 9th and the 10th. Go ahead. Enjoy. Do it, Gab. Yeah. Like, I'm going to take issue.

23:36I mean, you could take issue with both of them. I do wonder about how this host nation advantage doesn't apply to Canada too. What, like, the frozen north doesn't count for anything. I think we've seen Mexico have had a lot of issues right now, probably more than the US. And I feel like you're leaving some other nations out. Not necessarily Italy, although, by the way, it's funny, you love, well, you can go and adore Norway all you like. They got to come to our house, right, next month. And then we'll see. We can both finish level on points. You don't get extra points for scoring 11 goals against Moldova and Estonia and the Muppet Show and stuff like that.

24:25The point of this game is to win games, right? That's the point of the sport. It's not to run up the score mindlessly and Asgard getting three goals and Holland giving up penalties. And Jan himself points out, we're so wonderful going forward. We all have these large, giant men who score tons of goals. But guess what? But if Utegaard's not there, who's passing in midfield? Sander Burge? I don't know. And at the back, Jan, I'm putting Jan here, so negative about their defenders as well. Nyland, of course, in gold, not starting at club level. I don't know. Having them ahead of Brazil, I'm going to leave this to my sell-as-out tweets out there on social media, Xhaka.

25:10But I think you're cruising for a bit of the bruising on that one. Does this feel like Gab started a breakup qualifier? and went off on his own. He always says, whenever it comes to Italy, we've got so many receipts of Gab getting really angry about Italy. But here's the other thing. Gab himself, in his own ranking or storylines of this World Cup qualifying break, he said that he was concerned about Italy in the playoff. And he himself said that they're going to the playoff because they're not going to make up the difference against Norway. And unless Norway is able to beat, unless Italy is able to beat Norway 16-0, which is not going to happen, then scoring against the quote-unquote Muppet teams counts for a lot.

25:54So we'll put that to the side. We'll put that to the side because this is not a referendum on Gap. This is more a referendum on Xhaka. Yeah. Let's refocus on Xhaka. What did you not like about Xhaka's picks? And to the point that Gav was making about if you're going to put Mexico in the United States, then you put Canada in. Because, wait a minute, right now the best team in CONCACAF is Canada. Whether you like it or not. Currently, where we are. Canada aren't going to go deep in this tournament. Canada aren't going to get up in this. You're saying that in front of Frank who had Canada making it to the semifinals of the World Cup?

26:31How dare you? That's a good point. That's a good point. You're so disrespectful. That's a good point. So disrespectful. Have you mentioned Ali that I didn't say a word about Canada? Because I don't want to make twice the same mistake. And here's the other thing that I would say about Xhaka and his inconsistencies and the algorithm. He has sat here this week, in particular this week, because we have worked together quite a bit, and has ran his mouth time and time again about how down he is on Mauricio Pochettino. And you have been given opportunities to be positive about Pochettino, And instead, you have gone completely the other way and said that you don't understand what he's saying.

27:10You don't understand what he's doing. Why is he saying this? Why is he doing that? And here you are. You have him in the top 10 of the teams more likely to win the World Cup. Xhaka, your algorithm is broken once again. The U.S. are going to get out of their group, as well, Mexico, and then go two games further. I guarantee right now. Put your mortgage on it. So, wait. So they're winning the round of 16 and then they're getting into a quarterfinal. No, no, it's from it's from 48 You know, go for 48 to another one for 16 now. They're going to 48 to 32 And then to 16 so they'll get the run of 16.

27:47I'm saying well You're not sticking your neck out that much saying that but that's what I said though That's what I said outside your top four. I don't think anybody else is winning the World Cup so now I'm looking for who's Most likely to go deeper in the tournament. So I said that from from the get-go so the United States and Mexico, we cannot forget about Mexico in this conversation, they have a better chance of advancing further in this competition than Germany, than Netherlands. And wait, wait, were you not listening? Wait, wait, wait, wait. Hold on. Were you not listening to Colin? He told us that Senegal was going to win the World Cup.

28:27I would put Senegal above Mexico. My thing is is the draw. You're guaranteed that Mexico, U.S., and Canada, but I'm not a sole in Canada. I know what you're saying. I'm not a sole in Canada going anywhere in this tournament. Okay. You're guaranteed that they're going to get an early and easy draw. Why do you hate Canada? I love Canada. Do you, though? I do. I love Canada. But you're guaranteed they're going to get an early and easy draw to start. I like things my way. My coffee, my schedule, and my treatment. So I talk to my doctor about self-injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo Pre-Filled Syringe, which contains F-Gartigamide Alpha and Hyaluronidase QVFC.