PSG Criticize Arsenal's Tactics

23:17I remember making a bad pass to Ronaldinho playing against Paris Saint-Germain with Marseille in a Classico and Ronaldinho went to score. I couldn't sleep for like three nights and then after it's gone it's my job I take risks and that's what it is

23:33Dan Thomas:well time moves on and time is tight with the World Cup coming obviously Arsenal won their first title in 22 years so they did have to have the celebrations which did have to be put on hold until after the Champions League final here they are celebrating it how hard is it for players to put on a happy face after that Shekhar or is it okay we actually achieved something incredible this season we've got to put that behind us I hope that was the focus and particularly I hope, I firmly believe that that was the focus of the fans who were there for that parade. Letting the players know what was truly important, how monumental their achievement in winning the Premier League was.

24:11Let's be honest, anybody would love to be playing in a Champions League final as well. Okay, it doesn't work out, but for one club, nobody else was able to achieve that this season. So there's a lot for Arsenal to celebrate. But that's a tough mask to put on this soon after that big loss of the Champions League final. As the boys were all saying, hopefully with time it kind of bypasses you. But not that little time. I think it fits with everybody. if I may say I think that the main thing for Arsenal the problem for Arsenal I think they will come over this Champions League final I think in a longer perspective will be that before the game yesterday I think 9 of 10 neutral fans wanted PSG to win, that is a problem for Arsenal that is a problem for Arsenal because there is a kind of criticism that I think it would be harder for them and it's interesting how that strategy will be now going into a new season because this season they started quite well and when then they came closer and closer to achieve the target to get closer and closer to win the Premier League they kind of got that fluid way of Arsenal play that didn't work out and I think that is a bigger problem for Arsenal because I think they deservedly won the league this season and I respect them for that But this public kind of analysis of the game, people talking about their anti-football, I would never use that word because I don't like that word, because I see so many good players in that team.

25:59But I think that that will be very interesting coming into next season. If Arteta will use this final, will he use these last couple of months to see how we're going to develop, how we're going to involve this team to kind of play on the great, great qualities they have also individually in that team.

26:18Dan Thomas:Well, he could, right? Because if you were to pick one of the four, you'd pick the Premier League, surely, if you could only win one of those four titles. And in terms of the Premier League, they kept coming closer and closer. And that's what they've now done in the Champions League. Each season, they've come closer and closer, and now they got to the final. So surely he'll use that as a motivation going forward.

26:35Gab Marcotti:I don't think motivation in any way, shape or form is a problem. The problem is Arteta. This is an Arteta problem. I don't think this is the players' problem. You know, the players went out and played the way they did because of what Arteta told them to do and how Arteta has told them over the course of this season what to do. So it's an Arteta problem. If he calms down and can relax a little bit and let them play more football, because they've got some great football players, Yes, they've got set pieces and they're organised and all of those things, all the time wasting. I mean, they've got most of it down to their fine art.

27:20Gab Marcotti:But what they don't have down to their fine art is stepping on the field against anybody and knowing and thinking we can open up and play and we can beat anybody they put in front of us. So to me, this is an Arteta problem. If he can shake off all the other stuff, then this team could take another step and be an open attacking team. But if he doesn't calm down and he keeps preaching the same thing, you're just going to get the same type of football.

27:48Dan Thomas:We'll see what Jules' kids thought of it. Maybe he talks about it on the latest Gab and Jules show. That will be coming up on Monday. You can check that out wherever you do get your podcasts. If you've ever wanted real energy without choking down something that tastes like regret, Bucked Up is the answer. The flavor is the thing people keep coming back for. insanely delicious which is not a phrase usually associated with energy drinks and they're built on real science-backed ingredients clean energy that actually works without the garbage you don't want bucked up is so confident you'll love their drinks they're giving away an island vacation just to prove it that's the kind of brand this is no purchase necessary giveaway ends may 30th enter and find your closest Bucked Up at BuckedUpEnergy.com.

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28:58Dan Thomas:OK, Arna Slott sacked at Liverpool on Saturday. That news coming through before the Champions League final. Won the title in his first season, but finished fifth in his second year in charge. Did secure the Champions League though, but with only 60 points. And so, Stevie, he is out. Jan and Frank are still here. What's your reaction though, Stevie?

29:19Gab Marcotti:I think it's the right thing to do. I had said all season for the majority of it that he had money in the bank because he won the Premier League however the final the final part of the season was a complete and utter disaster and then the top hat on it was Mo Salah criticising the manager and then half the squad jumping on and agreeing with it when it gets that far there's no way back for a manager with a squad of players There's just no way back. And I was pretty sure, up until last week, when Steve McManning was on, and Macca basically was saying that the feeling at Liverpool was that Arnaud Slott was going to get the start of the season.

30:05Gab Marcotti:And I kind of accepted that. So the other day, when I woke up and found out that Slott had gone,

30:15Gab Marcotti:it was, this is the right thing to do. I think it's just it had gone way too far to the point where clearly the players weren't following what he was saying or they'd lost trust in them. And the worst thing that can happen to any manager is when the actual fans turn against you and they're just sitting waiting on a mistake so they can get on your back. Then, ma, there's no way back. So I think in the end it was the right decision.

30:45Dan Thomas:OK, so we're hearing that Andoni Arraola is the frontrunner right now, Jan. And just a couple of days ago, we were reporting that he's looking close to signing for Leverkusen. And we were just worrying or thinking, was he using Leverkusen for leverage in this situation? Was he ever really in it to come to the Bundesliga? Did he know what he was doing here? Well, you get on the dance floor, you have a look around and you look for the best girls or the best men. And at the time when Raola came in with his John Travolta kind of style, he saw that Leverkusen in the Bundesliga was the best one to appear on.

31:19Yes, I definitely think that he used that. Should we use that word? That was the best club available for him. Now you see the same thing with Glasner. And suddenly, here comes Olivia Newton-John walking on the dance floor. And that is you're waiting for her. And that is Liverpool. And that is Liverpool. That is a big prize for any coach now being available. And to Stevie's point, all the signals out of Liverpool is that they would stick with him. And when you saw Alonso going to Chelsea, but that was also the report, Stevie, probably you heard it by yourself, that they didn't fancy Alonso as much as maybe all others said two plus two is four.

32:00And then Alonso went to Chelsea and you think, well, it calmed down a bit now. And now Iriola, you must understand him, even Oliver Glasner now will think, is there a chance that Olivia will take a dance with me? So this is the big one. So I accept that, that they go for what's available on the dance floor. Leverkusen will see what's happening there. It could end up with Glasner. But everybody says that Iriola is the big favorite. I just came back from Germany today. They were talking about, they've asked Jürgen Klopp for advice. who could be the new Liverpool coach. That makes sense as well. The big wet dream for any Liverpool fans is to get Kopp back, but I can't see that happening.

32:43But still, I do understand that Irola will play with the cards he's got.

32:49Dan Thomas:Yeah, you wonder if Xabi... Craig's been talking about it with the journalists that they'd seen at Wembley. Whether Xabi Alonso was actually ever in it or whether that is true that they decided that it wasn't to be him right now. Because then you think, would Xabi Alonso be having second thoughts with how it's played out? But if he was never in the picture anyway, then it kind of makes sense, doesn't it? It makes total sense. And listen, there's so much about Liverpool, certainly of the last two, maybe three months, that does not make sense. The last two or three months, I thought Slott was out.

33:20I thought Xabi Alonso was in. I have to admit, the conspiracy theorist in me kind of wonders if this Areola deal had been done quite some time ago. And I know the Leverkusen link doesn't fit into...

33:32Dan Thomas:Hence him leaving his role and announcing what he did. Yeah, the Leverkusen link doesn't fit into my conspiracy theory. But kind of given Liverpool kind of dwelling on, well, pulling the trigger with Xabi Alonso, as I say, I felt it two or three months ago that on the slot should be on his way out. And then what kind of cropped up this week unexpectedly, Ibrahim Kanate's contract. We thought that was done and that was signed. Now it turns out that it's not. So now, again, the conspiracy theorist in me is saying, Arreola said, don't sign him. I've got plans for somebody else. We'll see how that pans out at the end of December.

34:10That's me being conspiracy theorist, wondering if this was signed a long time ago and quietly put away. If it was and no leaks, that's impressive work.

34:22Dan Thomas:Frank, you're obviously happy that you've got Xabi Alonso at Chelsea at the end of all of this. Yes, and I'm very pleased if he has all the control and if the board understands the way they have to let him go and deal with the players. So that's going to be very nice. But I just want to go back to Liverpool. I mean, I've never been a big fan of Arnaud Slott. I always say that if he won the title last year, it's because he had the heritage of Jurgen Klopp's team, best in the world. and the mojo, you know, vanished a little bit, little by little, months after months, and we had what Slot didn't bring to that team, a renewal of a way of playing, and it didn't work for me.

35:09And I saw in the graphic that Luis Enrique might be the fifth choice. I think, Jan, I'm with you. I think the guy doesn't want to dance with Olivier Nuttongen. and he prefers to dance with Katrin De Nouve. Oh, my God.

35:24Dan Thomas:Right. We will move on from there, but thank you so much. Yes, make sure to stay up to date with everything you need to know over on our YouTube channel. You can click subscribe while you're there. It's ESPN FC.

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37:06Dan Thomas:The United States beat Senegal 3-2 in a pre-tournament friendly. We got to see goals from Serginio Dest and Pulisic early on. Sadio Mane would pull one back in the first half and then level things out in the 52nd minute. But the U.S. did not drop their heads and Balogun got the winner in the 63rd. It was a bit of a crazy game in the end for a friendly. Joined now by Casey Keller. Frank is still with us. Casey, let's get your reaction to what you saw today from Pochettino's team and your team. Yeah, I think first and foremost, it was a kind of a mixed side. I think, yes, I agree with you, Kay, that it was a strong starting lineup.

37:43But there was also some players that came in, I think, in the second half that we will see start in that first match of the World Cup. But what I love seeing is there had been some criticism with Pulisic in the second half of the season with AC Milan. He hadn't scored for the U.S. national team in quite a while. And he got into this match instantly. And the team got on the front foot very quickly. And I thought Ricardo Pepe did a great job in his contribution as being a striker that didn't particularly score. because I think sometimes we talk about strikers and you have that one striker in certain teams that if he doesn't score, he doesn't do anything else for you in the team.

38:20Where Ricardo Pepe showed that he can kind of come into this side and help build up in the goal scoring. And, you know, but again, for Christian to get an assist in a goal in that situation, you also saw kind of what Serginio Dest gives you. You know, he's the most advanced player is playing as a right wing back to score that first goal. So a lot of good things. And then what I really like seeing is after the U.S. then conceded that goal at the end of the first half. And 10 changes made at halftime to then that they were able to recover a little bit. The start of that second half showed that they were just a little bit disjointed, which you expect when 10 changes were made.

39:04But then to show the composure after Senegal scored the second, to then to be able to get the go-ahead goal and then hold on for the win, because that was something that the U.S. hasn't done regularly under Pochettino, is be able to see matches out. So I like the majority of what I saw. And some of those reasons why I think they conceded the two goals was because of all the changes. But I think it's a big positive going forward.

39:33Dan Thomas:Do you think the same, Shekka? I do. Listen, there's a lot of questions about Pochettino's team and who it may very well be coming to start the workup. I thought, as you looked at this team, to start with, there are a lot of questions, particularly at both ends. I thought the two centre-backs probably won't be in Pochettino's first starting XI. Both goalkeepers that he used today, I don't think will be favoured between Turner and Brady. I think that will be free coming to start the workup. And then up the other end of the park, which I think is the bigger talking point here, is I thought this was Balogun's position to lose.

40:11And maybe quite possibly still is. But I'm with Casey here. Ricardo Pepe put in a performance and a relationship and a partnership with Christian Pulisic that all of a sudden makes, gives Pochettino a headache, a very good headache. But I thought, again, it was Balogun's position to lose. Riccardo Pepe has come in. He's shown himself to be a different striker to Balogun, whereas Balogun is the finisher. Pepe was dropping off, linking a play, getting Pulisic involved in particular. The two wingbacks involved as well, who I think will start or should start for Pochettino. That, for me, is the biggest takeaway here.

40:56Pepe is put on a little bit of a marker.

40:59Dan Thomas:What did you take away from it, Stevie?

41:01Gab Marcotti:Do you know, I think the two most important things about today, when you're going into a World Cup or any big tournament, number one, go in winning. Winning's huge. Regardless of whether it's your first team, a mixture of two teams, your reserve team, it doesn't really matter. When you win a game on your way to a tournament, everybody feels great.

41:22Dan Thomas:So these are really important, these little pre-tournament friendlies.

41:25Gab Marcotti:And probably as important as that is your main man is at his best. Every team, just look at Argentina. Argentina, when Messi's at his best, Argentina play well. And the US are the same. And to see Pulisic today, from the time he was on the field, at his best, scoring, creating, two great things going into any tournament. I have to say, though, the pitcher's awful. and there are a lot of question marks about the pitches and the conditions of them, especially what you saw in the Copa America two years ago I will say I was at the Brazil-France game up at Foxborough and it was I thought the pitch played perfectly on the day but this pitch just did not play well, it didn't allow the ball didn't bounce and I don't think it allowed for the best football game that it could be that for me is also a concern going forward.

42:21Dan Thomas:Yeah, let's get one more point on Pulisic, if we can, from you, Casey. Obviously, to Stevie's point, he looked good today. It hasn't been his season with Milan, but it definitely looked like his day today. Yeah, definitely. And I think a lot of people have been saying, look, trust in this. He's such a great player, and he's showed that at many different times. And all you need is that one little moment to change things up. And clearly, to have this moment going into the World Cup, will just kind of have that big relief and that big monkey off his back to be able to say, you know what, I can go into the World Cup now full of confidence and continue what we saw in that first half.

42:59Now, the one little thing that might be a little bit different is Senegal were very open and very attack-minded. And we know that Paraguay and Australia will not be. So it'll be a little bit of a change because I think they will have to break down lower blocks and not be able to have as much space in behind where that great combination play, particularly in that first 35 minutes, showed. But again, a ton of confidence for Pulisic coming out of that first half performance.

43:28Dan Thomas:Now, Senegal did have some players out today, Frank, but obviously when it comes to the game against France in the World Cup, it will hopefully for them be a full-strength side. How good are they, do you think? How worried are you about Senegal? Well, you definitely have to respect them. and we call them our cousins. And we have a bonding, a very strong link together. And I remember beating us to the first game of the World Cup in 2002 and they were excellent and they have the heritage of the older ones. And really, France will play them with all due respect because we all know that any African team, most of them, most of players play, have played in Europe.

44:18They are absolutely fantastic. So I don't see we saw the real Senegal. I hope for them. I don't want them to lose every game because otherwise, yes, Steve is right. Losing game or winning game is very important before the competition. But no doubt that Senegal will fight hard against France in the first game. And if we don't respect them, if we think that we're going to win and easily win, we can be very surprised. Yeah, good stuff.

44:43Dan Thomas:Okay, thank you so much for being with us, Casey. You can see more from Casey on Football Americas and a lot more of Casey throughout the World Cup, which we will be covering extensively here on ESPN FC. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger 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 Grainger 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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45:29Dan Thomas:Dennis Undev would score twice for Germany in a 4-0 win over Finland, but would also suffer an injury scare in this World Cup warm-up. We also got to see Florian Wurtz and Jamal Musiala on the score sheet too. All right, let's get to some more friendly action and international friendly here from Mainz in Germany. It was Germany against Finland. We're picking it up in the seventh minute. We're going to see Dennis Undev come close here, but it goes over.

45:56Gab Marcotti:Yeah, he doesn't quite connect properly with it. A decent cutback. I mean, he should be...

46:02Dan Thomas:That's a good save!

46:03Gab Marcotti:He should be scored in there. That's a good save. The goalkeeper shouldn't have had a chance.

46:08Dan Thomas:About 34th minute, he would open the score in here with a header after the corner was taken short. Yeah, I'm not sure where the marking is. He's completely free, stooping to head it. Makes no mistake from 8 yards. Stevie loved what he saw here. Because Florian Verts won't get many more easier than this.

46:25Gab Marcotti:Embarrassing, isn't it? I mean, what are they doing? What are they doing? Seriously. I mean why the defender doesn't cut him in half there as well?

46:36Dan Thomas:57th minute, Vene Sundar again, 3-0. This is a really nice run, really nice finish. Has to use his body here just to get across the striker. And then that's a difficult chance to take. Keeper is pretty close as well. He gets injured as well, scoring that goal. Would be replaced by Maxi Bayer of Borussia Dortmund.

46:53Gab Marcotti:He's no daft, he does want to spoil it.

46:55Dan Thomas:Well, we're going to talk about him in just a moment. That is Jamal Musiala getting in on the action to make it four.

47:01Gab Marcotti:Yeah, that's what he's standing like as well. His left foot, great strike.

47:05Dan Thomas:4-0, it would finish to Germany. And a little bit of food for thought, no doubt, for Julian Nagelsmann, if Denis Undev is OK after coming off injured in that one. Jan is back with us. Frank is still with us. Jan, tell us more about what the situation is in attack and what things are looking like in terms of chances for Denis Undev in the World Cup. Well, I try to avoid talking a lot about Julian Nagelsmann because you know I think his leadership the last six months has been terrible. And remember, Denis Undar scored for him and he kind of nearly bullied him and he went out to apologise afterwards because he's the only players up front that can score goals for Germany.

47:43This is a nation who's been used to Gerd Müller, to Mischkloße, always having number nine so you can score goals for them. And they're struggling now with that number nine position. Volta Mare is not in form. He will probably start with Kai Havertz. I think that would be his first not a typical number nine but he put him in the number nine position. But Undaf has shown in so many games that he can do his stuff. I think if you see the attacking formation of Germany you have to look at the ones behind the number nine with the Wirtz, Muziala and Lennart Karl. I mean Witts and Muziala, they haven't played together since November 2024, I think.

48:28So they are the Lennon-McCartney of German football. And now they have George Harrison, the 18-year-old, on the right as well. So that makes it look good for them going forward. But still, Germany would need a number nine. And I think they will need Undav more than Nagelsmann think he will need him. And hopefully for Germany. Because this was a... I agree with Stevie. get a win like this. They're going to USA on Tuesday. Get a win like this will calm down the journalists. They will calm down a bit the fans who are a bit nervous after three tournaments where Germany's been bad now. And they need Unda in form because they need goals as everybody else at the World Cup.

49:11Dan Thomas:Just to revisit the old situation that Frank's referring to, we got you up today, Steve, where Unda, Nagelsmann would have been very blunt after him, saying pretty much that he's concerned about his fitness and his output as a starter and suggested that he was better as an impact substitute. Then Nagelsmann's partner told him he'd been too harsh and he needed to apologise to Wunder, which he did promptly. And now we have this situation, but you couldn't believe that Nagelsmann said it in the first place.

49:37Gab Marcotti:Why would you do that? Why would you criticise openly in the press one of your players? It makes absolutely no sense. but he's a smart lad and he listened to his better half. So apparently... Don't we all? Apparently Undav's happiness.

49:55Dan Thomas:OK, let's get to the goalkeeper situation then, Shaka, because obviously Noya's not playing, not fully fit right now. Is a not fully fit Noya a better choice than a fully fit bowman? No. If you're going into a World Cup, you want your goalkeeper fully fit. Now, listen, 40, 41, whatever Mano Noya is, fully fit, still my preferred, my number one. But if he's not fully fit, if he's not, let's say 95%, I think you go with the goalkeeper who is fit. Yeah, OK. Jan, you got... No, I would just say, again, I'm sorry, but it's not a problem that also the goalkeepers need to compete on their places because sometimes we treat them like four-year-olds that need to have the same candies all the time we all need trust or everything but but but again but again they got themselves in a situation now would Manuel Neuer will be fit but why didn't why didn't he say this why didn't they do this three four months ago and now they can get themselves in a position that in a couple of weeks they have to play I'm not sure that Neuer is playing but he's number one because he just but he told baumann some months ago that he would be number one it's this is the funny one uh and the only comfort for for germany of course is that the last two tournaments when they were bad manuel neuer was goalkeeper too so there are a lot of worrying thing going on in germany right now and still when we take a look at the odds for the world cup We see Germany behind Spain, France, England, Brazil, Argentina and Portugal.

51:39Dan Thomas:And I got the sense, Frank, that you feel as though they're flying under the radar a little bit. Well, you know, you have to respect Germany because of the history of football and what they achieved all around the years that we saw Germany being so powerful in the World Cup. We are in another generation. I don't think they are capable of winning the World Cup. But if you don't respect them, you can be in trouble. And they're going to give everything, whether it's going to be Neuer or not in goals, or it's going to be Hundav or Voltemade in front. They're going to give everything because they know that it's very important for their fans and the country.

52:25And they have a history and they want to be proud of their colors and their shirts. So they're going to give everything and Germany can surprise many people.

52:34Dan Thomas:OK, Frank and Jan, we'll be back answering your questions in the latest edition of Extra Time. You can stay up to date with it every single day over on our YouTube channel.

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53:15Dan Thomas:That's all we've got time for on the latest edition of ESPN FC. Stay right where you are, though, because Jan and Frank are back. So answer your questions with these two in extra time. Anything could happen.

53:27Gab Marcotti:These two. These two.

53:31Dan Thomas:Welcome in to the latest edition of Exit Town. Oh, you just pulled us off the street.

53:35Gab Marcotti:We just pulled these two guys off the street. They'll be joining us today. The small crew joining us today.

53:41Dan Thomas:They'll be joining Jan and Frank. Lovely Jan and Jan. What's your name again, son? Norway. Norway bronze medal at the Ice Hockey World Championship. Yay. Please understand how big this is. We beat Canada. We beat Canada. Please give me a compliment. Even we know that's big. Congratulations. Yeah, that is big. Congratulations, Jan. Thank you very much. I just wanted to have that on. Thank you. We've actually brought this one up in the show, what comes up first. What did y 'all think of the referee addressing Arsenal's time-wasting by ending the first half before the corner kick? Jan's nodding along.

54:14That was great. I think it was brilliant. I think it was brilliant. Please all English referees, have a look at the German, a guy called Siebert. Siebert has done the right thing. they shouldn't be able, Arsenal or no other teams should be able to use one and a half minute, two minutes to wait one corner. Please. Jan, Jan, do you have an answer? Because I know that that ref was referring to the Champions League, but he hasn't been qualified for the World Cup. How come? Exactly. He's not good enough for the World Cup, but he's good enough for the Champions League final? Good question. Good question, Frank.

54:54I asked the same question that was in the studio in Germany last night. And it's apparently a politics between UEFA and FIFA. And the guy who is going from Germany is Felix Weyer. And not Seabird going. So good enough to the Champions League final. Not good enough to be among 200 referees at the World Cup.

55:14Dan Thomas:What's his name again? Jan, one more time. Felix Weyer. I like that.

55:17Gab Marcotti:Felix Weyer. Very aggressive, Jan. I'm Derek.

55:22Dan Thomas:Stevie, until a week ago, it was widely understood that Slott would be here come next season. What could have changed so quickly?

55:30Gab Marcotti:Well, I think I said it last week. I think most people who were saying it's widely understood that he was staying is because FSG didn't say anything. And I prefer it that way. That's how it should be. Clubs, we should know when clubs have acted. Not three or four weeks before when they're coming out and backing the manager. Because as soon as they say that, you know you go, oh, here we go. He's getting the sack.

56:05Dan Thomas:Getting both of confidence.

56:06Gab Marcotti:Because either way, then everybody starts speculating. I think the FSG did it the right way. They said nothing, nothing in the press. That's the way you do it. Touch your class and then you act. And that's what they've done. But also, you had Slott come out and say, yeah, well, we've been planning for next season, had meetings. Oh, boy. Oh, boy, to be a flat wall at that meeting. But that's even better. When the guy who's in the building doesn't even know. Yeah, he's like, I'll tell you what, let's do this for next season. Sure. Sure, Arne. Bye-bye. Oh, boy. It's brutal. The world is brutal.

56:44Dan Thomas:Oh, yes, it is. OK. Okay. Start, bench, drop, sell, managers edition. Irreola, Alonso, Oliver Glasner, De Zerbe. Frank. Oh, boy. Wow. According to the season.

57:02Oh, my God. Glasner. Start, Glasner. Bench, Irreola.

57:13drop Alonso and sell the Zerbi. The Zerbi at the end with Marseille that wasn't efficient. So, yeah.

57:22Dan Thomas:Anybody disagree with Frank? I'm just going after who is polite and who is the nicest in interviews. Tell us then. I make it quite easy. Give us a little insight. I mean, the Zerbi. Yeah, Alonso is the kindest ever. Oliver Glasner is a friend of mine from the Eindra Frankfurt time when he won the Europa League, which you've made us. Iragola is also nice and polite. He's not just like that, that guy who likes it. He just do his job. So I will start Oliver Glasner because he's my friend and Benj Alonso. Oh, this is hard. This is hard. I will sell the Serbi. Yeah, okay. So you guys agree? No, I would,

58:08Gab Marcotti:Glasner? He's a Raola. And then I would go to Zerbe. At the end of the day, Zerbe kept talking him in the Premier League, regardless of what he did at Marseille. And Alonso's last job at Real Madrid was horrible. Hold on, you said Glasner, Alonso? No, I didn't. He's a Raola. He's a Raola, OK.

58:27Dan Thomas:One of the Spanish ones, right, sir?

58:29Gab Marcotti:Stop Glasner, bench He's a Raola, drop the Zerbe and sell Alonso. What are you saying? I'm with Yang. I think I'm ready to say it. Glasner, Alonso, Irola, Dezerbi.

58:43Dan Thomas:Okay. There was a shot of Potts using a MacBook to explain tactics to the US men's national team when there was a hydration break during the first half. Stevie, were you a big whiteboard guy pre-match or during halftime? Don't go, guest TV started on technology.

58:59Gab Marcotti:Whatever you do, don't. Never use the ball, use sheets of paper. Which is probably best for everybody. I'll say no more than that. But for the younger viewers, were there electricity when you were working on a generator? Didn't use a mic. I don't want a flashlight. Oh, boy. That was gas. Mac was the kit man. Max book.

59:32Dan Thomas:Yeah, it was literally Mac's book that he wrote in.

59:38Gab Marcotti:The problem with me having a Mac is I probably won't really get it on. So that went down. And then if you do, then real problem starts. I want to explain you something, but sorry, I don't remember the password. What? Does anybody do a password?

59:59You remember that phone every practice?

1:00:02Gab Marcotti:Start with a capital 16. That's my point, two, three. You see, Stephen will be the only coach in the world who will have a fax machine in their dressing room. And he goes... Or the old dialogue, which is... Yeah, exactly. Take it. Hold on, guys. Oh, no. Oh, I love it.

1:00:37Dan Thomas:I love it. Okay. What do you think of the economist who predicted the last three World Cup winners saying that the Netherlands is going to win this year? His model considers GDP, population, climate and FIFA ranking. That sounds like one for you. No, I'll admit it. Our local economist four years ago picked Canada and Denmark to play the final. How could that be? Yeah, what's me? I'm a local economist. But you know, the thing is, Shaka, the difference is that guy has four players, GDP, population, climate that I never heard about, you know. So I don't know if they can win with those guys. I actually saw that yesterday.

1:01:18You did?

1:01:19Gab Marcotti:I saw it on YouTube. Wow. I saw the guy on YouTube. The guy actually said, he goes, I know people are going to go, well, Netherlands. He said, but I've gone about it exactly the same way. So he's going for Netherlands. So you can't argue with three in a drop. Yeah. Can't argue with the algorithms, yeah? I was about to say, little known, he and I use the same algorithm. Oh, now you can't argue with it then. Has this been on the show before? Where does climate come in in winning the World Cup? Then Sweden got to win with Greta Thunberg or something. What is going on? Yeah.

1:01:55Dan Thomas:What's going on? We'll have to find out. We'll have to go find out more. Stevie seems to be the one who knows more than all of us on this. Type it up, Stevie. Type it up, Stevie. Remember the password. Stevie, remember the password. Come on. Ah, boy. All right. That's all we've got time for in the latest edition of Extra Time. Ah, boy. We will see you next time. Right here on ESPN FC. Ah.

1:02:31This is what everyone's talking about.

1:02:34Dan Thomas:Everything's on the table. This is what champions come to take. This is what everyone came to see. And the slam! No do-overs. No second chances. No more Mr. Nice Guy. This is Winner Take All. And it's all happening now on the home of the NBA Finals. Don't miss it. June 3rd on ABC and the ESPN app.