In short
ESPN FC match review of Real Madrid vs Inter Milan in the Champions League (Real win 2-1), plus broader discussion of other Champions League results and Ballon d’Or debate.
Guests
Frank Le Boeuf (former France World Cup winner; former Chelsea/France defender; goalkeeper-focused commentary) and Stuart Robson (former England defender/analyst). Hosts: Dan Thomas and Craig Burley.
Key claims
- Real Madrid “get back on track” by sitting deep and punishing Inter’s first-half errors; Inter dominated possession but were wasteful.
- Mourinho’s plan worked, but Real’s defensive energy/structure was poor (21 away shots for Inter).
- Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield didn’t work defensively; he stayed too far from opponents and lacked a “defensive brain.”
- Vinicius Jr. has been less decisive/slower off the mark; needs simpler decision-making.
Notable examples
- Mbappé’s goal after a defensive mix-up; Valverde’s follow-up after a goalkeeping howler.
- Inter’s Augusto goal late, but Real held on.
- Man City beat Porto 2-0 (Haaland twice); debate continues over who’s best for Ballon d’Or (Kane vs Mbappé vs others).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOMatch Overview: Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
0:45 to 1:16
A recap of Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.
“But it will be Real Madrid who will get a 2-1 victory, really because of Inter's mistakes in the first half.”
Game Analysis: Performance Insights
1:16 to 2:24
Discussion on the match dynamics and performances of both teams.
“But I'll tell you what, Craig, that was a fun match.”
Mourinho's Strategy and Player Performance
2:24 to 3:46
Analysis of Mourinho's tactics and key player performances.
“But again, still, we watched them at the weekend last Friday in their game against Batiste, which finished in a bit of controversy, but they did not play well.”
Defensive Concerns and Player Roles
3:46 to 6:20
A deep dive into Real Madrid's defensive issues and player roles.
“Robbo, just take us into the mindset of Mourinho as to why he's playing Trent where he did today.”
Inter's Mistakes and Game Management
6:20 to 7:48
Examination of Inter Milan's mistakes and their impact on the game.
“But I think his game time is going to be pretty limited this season.”
Real Madrid's Momentary Success
7:48 to 9:20
Discussion on Real Madrid's ability to capitalize on moments.
“I think Mourinho just want the result and he's changing the mind of the player, making them like he did the second, the first time that he came, or the second time that he came, changed the mindset of the player.”
Vinicius Junior's Performance Assessment
9:20 to 11:52
Analyzing Vinicius Junior's current form and performance.
“But Champions League is going to be fine because of this group stage that it is and all the teams.”
Manchester City vs Porto Recap
11:52 to 13:15
Recap of Manchester City's match against Porto and key moments.
“Yeah, I agree, even if I enjoy seeing him coming back and tracking back and working hard.”
Player Performances and Future Outlook
13:15 to 14:01
Discussion on individual performances and future expectations.
“Marks his first Champions League tie with City with a win.”
Manchester City's Midfield Partnership Insights
14:01 to 18:20
Discussion on the performance and potential of Enzo Fernandes and Boadi at Manchester City.
“just get some more continuity, they're going to get better I think.”
Show all 26 chapters
Comparing Manchester City and Real Madrid
18:21 to 20:18
Debate on which team is better prepared for the competition, with insights on player performance.
“So I would say with Mourinho's nous and the experience they've got, I would say Real Madrid for me at the moment.”
Ballon d'Or Candidates and Controversies
20:19 to 23:04
Discussion on potential Ballon d'Or winners and the criteria for selection, including Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.
“Villa with that 3-2 victory over Bruges and 1-0 for AAK Athens.”
Lamine Yamal and the Ballon d'Or Debate
23:25 to 28:00
Continued discussion on Lamine Yamal's candidacy for the Ballon d'Or and the implications of recent performances.
“The way that he drops, the way that he passes it, the way that he finishes.”
Analyzing Laminya Mal's Perspective
28:00 to 29:40
Discussion on Laminya Mal's maturity and focus on winning major titles.
“We want to win the Champions League, which they haven't done under Hansi Flick.”
Intensity and Team Performance
30:52 to 33:14
Discussion on the importance of intensity in football and its impact on team performance.
“I think it has to change about their intensity.”
Liverpool's Tactical Changes
33:14 to 34:57
Insight into Liverpool's tactical adjustments and struggles to regain intensity.
“Me and Robbo have worked so long together, he knew.”
Contract Talks and Player Performance
34:57 to 40:06
Discussion around player contracts, performance, and the future of Liverpool's squad.
“But right now, they're not capable of doing that.”
Evaluating Liverpool's Midfield Strategy
40:06 to 42:01
Analysis of Liverpool's midfield strategy and the suitability of current players.
“But he has to use that as a driving force.”
Assessing McAllister's Fit for the Team
42:01 to 42:50
Discussion on McAllister's suitability and fitness for the team under Iriola.
“Well, they've looked at him over the last year or so and said, Well, of the three midfield players, he's the one we least fancy at the moment.”
Evaluating Liverpool's Midfield Strategy
42:59 to 44:04
Analysis of Liverpool's midfield strategy and the suitability of current players.
“shop pay button you see at checkout, the one that makes buying so incredibly easy?”
Frank's Theme Park Conference
44:43 to 45:24
Frank shares his experience attending a theme park conference on French history.
“Why have we not got laptops in front of us?”
Analyzing Mourinho's Tactics
45:25 to 47:28
Discussion on the tactical mistakes made by Inter during a match against Mourinho's team.
“So I've been invited and it's about the history of France, you know, from the Gaulois to through the Celts, the Middle East and everything.”
Goalkeeper Accountability and Pressure
47:29 to 49:20
Conversation about goalkeepers' responsibilities and the pressure they face after mistakes.
“So I wouldn't say it was a great performance, but going forward they were excellent.”
Mental Aspects of Gameplay
49:21 to 52:44
Insights on how age affects players' mental approach and decision-making during games.
“I imagine that wasn't exactly one of your favourite parts, goalkeepers.”
Building Confidence Through Wins
52:45 to 54:14
Discussion on how Villa's Champions League victory can boost their league performance.
“getting in your own head well Well, you know what?”
Comparing Host Dynamics
54:15 to 55:39
Dan compares the dynamics of different host combinations on the show.
“Yes, because there were some good patterns of play.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01Low energy, unfocused, foggy, you might be dehydrated. Whether it's hot yoga, over 100-degree weather, or too much sun, Gatorlite, with a specialized blend of five electrolytes, was scientifically designed to help move fluids into the body faster for rapid rehydration. Shop now at retailers nationwide. Gatorlite hydrates faster than water. Is it in you? Symptoms noted are signs of mild to moderate dehydration. Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
0:35Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas, joined by Craig Birdley. The Champions League return today as we head to the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid taking on Inter Milan. Jose Mourinho up against his old side, which of course he led to a Champions League victory. But it will be Real Madrid who will get a 2-1 victory, really because of Inter's mistakes in the first half. Horrible mix-up at the back, which is Kylian Mbappe, who opened the score in. And then a goalkeeping howler would see Valverde then double their advantage. Real Madrid had more chances in the second half. Inter, though, would get a goal from Augusto, but in the end, the hosts hold on for all three points.
1:12We welcome in Frank Le Boeuf is with us, as is Stuart Robson. We're going to the boys in a minute. But I'll tell you what, Craig, that was a fun match. Good game, really open. You know, you saw by the stats here, the stats generally don't lie. Inter were the dominant side, they were the more fluid team. But Real Madrid happy to sit back, wait for a mistake, which Inter gave them to, wait for them to cough that up and then take advantage. It's a weird game because both sides could have scored a barrel of goals, but certainly Real Madrid, even though they were not in the ascendancy in this game, could have had the game dead and buried before that Augusto goal that put them under a little bit of pressure at the end.
1:49It could have been three or four. Easily had Diaz or Mbappe or indeed Bellingham, when they tried to chest it, had taken those simple chances, this game would have been dead and buried, yet it felt Inter were the better side. But Mourinho, I'm sure, will say at some point, look, this was the plan. The plan was to get outplayed. The plan was to sit back. The plan was to wait on mistakes. And maybe it wasn't. If that's the case, fair play. But it certainly felt to me that had Inter had a bit more about them in the final third, Real Madrid could have been in a bit of trouble in this game. But as it turns out, they get the points, they get the win.
2:26But again, still, we watched them at the weekend last Friday in their game against Batiste, which finished in a bit of controversy, but they did not play well. And again today, we're still looking at a Jose Mourinho side. Alexander Arnold played in midfield, didn't really work. He played in front of the back four, didn't really work. So that's more food for thought for Jose Mourinho going forward. Disjointed performance or a much-needed win, considering what happened on Friday, Robbo? Well, I needed the win, of course I did, but it was disjointed again. and Craig's absolutely right. There was two sides to Real Madrid.
3:01When they had the ball on the counter-attack, because they didn't really build up the play, they had no patterns of play throughout the game, but when they won the ball back in their own half and a couple of times in the opposition's half, they counter-attacked at pace. Bellium looked strong and powerful. We know Vinicius Jr.'s quick and tricky. Mbappe obviously scored his goal early on and looked a constant threat. But if you sit back and allow the opposition to have the ball, you've got to defend better than Real Madrid did. It was too easy for Inter to pass through them, to pass around them and to players to get turned and play the next forward pass.
3:31There wasn't enough energy in the back four and the midfield four when they didn't have the ball. And that's why you saw Inter have 21 attempts at goal away from home in a big Champions League game. If they play like this against the very best, they would get bitten quite comfortably. So good things going forward, not so good defensively. Robbo, just take us into the mindset of Mourinho as to why he's playing Trent where he did today. Well, he's got injuries in midfield, but I presume he wanted him to get on the ball, because that's the only reason you'd play in midfield, to get on the ball, to spray passes, to dictate the game.
4:04He looked very nervous today. He didn't really get on the ball, and he was one of the players, and I was watching him closely. When the opponent he's playing against had the ball, he never got closer than five yards away. He stood five yards away and said, OK, you pass it round me, but I'm not going to get outrun. You're not going to run beyond me. his defensive performance summed up a lot of the defensive problems that Real Madrid had and he didn't get on the ball enough and create the opportunities with his forward passing as he's supposed to do so it didn't work as Craig said you said similar yeah when we were chatting before we go to Frank so what he's done today now we've often talked we've talked a little bit in this early La Liga season about Alexander Arnall going to struggle to get a game on the right side because of his defensive issues that's why they've signed Denzel Dumfries so now we've had a couple of small discussions about will he play him in midfield and I think there is that opportunity but to play him in midfield further forward what he did today, play him in midfield in front of the back four, as Robbo said to get on the ball, to spray those passes which he can do but unfortunately he doesn't have a defensive brain and to play in the central midfield in front of a back four you can't just be a good passer of the ball you have to be able to read the game you have to be able to smell danger you have to be able to see where you have to position yourself to stop a ball going into a front player you have to be like Rodri you know why he's one of the best and Golikanti why he was one of the best there have been several, Makaleli there's many many many over the years that they just know where to position themselves so I could see Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield but not as deep as that because defensively and this shouldn't be a surprise he's a defensive liability and that position requires you to have a brain when you don't have the ball when the other team have it where am I going to be?
5:49Who am I protecting? Who do I need to cover? He never thinks about anything like that. He just thinks about, he's watching the game and, oh, I've got the ball, I'll play a pass. That's where I think he's going to have an issue that I don't think you can put him in there, particularly when you've got clever players floating around, because he's not going to cover anybody. Yeah, he can pass the ball, which he didn't do particularly well in the first half today, I've got to tell you that. He did look a little nervous in there. But he's got no defensive, or very lack of a defensive mindset. And that's why I think if we do see him in there, we may see him a little bit further forward.
6:23But I think his game time is going to be pretty limited this season. Yeah, him in that realm which I feel was overrun for much of the first half, Frank. That's why Inter will be so disappointed about those two goals they conceded, very much shooting themselves in the foot. Exactly. And I'm like all of you, I would say that I didn't enjoy the game in a way that I found so many mistakes. I found overplaying from Inter, having possession of the ball, keeping the ball for sometimes nothing, creating chances but not being able to finish and offering Christmas before time to Real Madrid. I mean, the two goals, the two first goals, it's unbearable for me.
7:08I understand the meaning of getting the position of the ball, trying to be perfect, trying everything to keep the position of the ball. But when you go too much, you really play at risk. And that is what happened. And I found it appalling to see that in a big game like that, when you want to see a big fight and you see gifts after gifts. And you don't see a Real Madrid forcing themselves to do something better. You just wait for that. And, of course, when you have players like Kylian Mbappe at front, you don't need too much to get a chance to score. So I was disappointed by more Inter. I didn't expect anything from Real Madrid because I know they're not ready.
7:48I think Mourinho just want the result and he's changing the mind of the player, making them like he did the second, the first time that he came, or the second time that he came, changed the mindset of the player. But from Inter, yeah, it's nice to play like that. I like the coach, I like it. I like him, but stop over playing. You know, be more effective, be more vertical. it's annoying to see so many mistakes at that level this could be a first ever can't it? watching the Champions League whilst auditioning for Game of Thrones or is it Outlander? I don't know which one is it? I don't know what he's auditioning for but it's one of them shall we talk about Frank's castle a little later on?
8:34I liked it this is weirdo, we must hate Real Madrid Real Madrid won, I can hear it fans, well not Real Madrid TV They've got the win, but they play in moments, don't they? It's moments. They're looking for crumbs to get onto and then punish you. And that's fair enough at this moment in time. But looking at the two teams, I get what Frank's saying. Real Madrid got two goals because Inter coughed up two horrendous mistakes. I liked a lot of what Inter did, though, as a team. Whereas Real Madrid, again, they're playing these little moments, but they were very open. but when you've got players like that up front, you can punish teams.
9:15But in terms of them, they themselves being a fluid team, they are not yet. And it's still early for Jose Mourinho. I get that. But Champions League is going to be fine because of this group stage that it is and all the teams. Barcelona have started really, really well. So they need to get going quickly. And on another day, I think they could quite easily have lost that game. So there is a lot of food for thought for Real Madrid. And for Inter Milan, it is quite simple, as Frank said in a sense. When you make mistakes in those areas of the field, the better teams will punish you. And that was their downfall today.
9:50Robbo, we're five games in. Venetius Junior has played all of them. I'd give him, what, five out of ten so far? Yeah, maybe six. Yeah, he still looks a threat when he's counter-attacking. But his decision-making has been poor at times. Yes, he's working slightly harder when he hasn't got the ball. I think Mourinho's got a bit more out of him. But in terms of his final decision, his final shot, his pass, it's not been quite good enough. And he's finding great positions as well. When they win the ball back, the ball gets out to him. He's in open space. Now, maybe a couple of years ago, you saw him going past people and getting his shot away.
10:24I can't remember that today particularly or in the games we've seen so far. He hasn't been at his best. Will he get better? I'm not sure. He looks as if he's dropped it. I mean, he probably hasn't, or he maybe has in terms of his sharpness. He looks to me, and I'm not suggesting anybody's putting a lot of weight on, but he looks a fraction slower off the mark, to the point Stuart's talking about there. He doesn't seem to be running away from people like he was when he was in his pump or when he was playing at his best. He seems to be giving defenders an opportunity to get back in and make a challenge, whereas if you gave him a yard or two, you were looking at a clean pair of heels.
11:01He was gone. and although he's maybe working a bit harder and all that and I don't know if he is, the stats may tell you he is or he isn't I'm seeing the same thing with him this year I'm not seeing a guy who at this moment in time is taking defenders to the cleaners and I'm not seeing a guy that when he does get a bit of space makes a great decision or plays a great ball thus far it's not been terrible but it certainly hasn't been brilliant bear in mind he gave him a new six year deal I'm sure they're paying him a nice sum of money so I think at some point, and Diamandi's a youngster, he hasn't, again, he's came off the bench for the most part, but he looks raw, he does look raw, so they're going to have to get it from the other side they're getting it from Bellingham, they're getting it from Mbappe, we saw a bit from Diaz today, we've seen a little bit from Adegula when he's played, but we haven't seen enough as one of the star men this season thus far from Vinicius Junior.
11:53Thoughts Frank? Yeah, I agree, even if I enjoy seeing him coming back and tracking back and working hard. And we saw that, especially the first half. Yeah, I agree with Craig. It's something that you can feel in his game where it slows at some times where before he was using a second gear to escape from his opponents. And it's something that maybe it's a lack of confidence, maybe too much wondering what he has to do. He has to make it simpler, I think. He was capable before making good passes, good assists, and he makes it a little bit too complicated. So he has to calm down maybe and go back to the basics.
12:34Hopefully we will find it because we cannot deny that he has been a great player and you can drop like that. You cannot drop like that without psychologically having an issue. Real Madrid, though, back to winning ways. They'll be looking to continue that form domestically in La Liga this weekend. Just a reminder, every game live for you on the ESPN app. Saturday sees Real Madrid take on Real Valladolid. It's at 2.30. Real Sociedad de Atleti's late game on Sunday. Levante Barca at 9.45 for you on the same day.
13:09Manchester City 2. Porto 0 is how it finished in Portugal. Erling Haaland getting both goals. No surprise there. There's Enzo Maresco. Marks his first Champions League tie with City with a win. Robbo, thoughts on this tie? I thought in the first half they sort of dominated the play they had the three big chances which you've just shown then the game got a bit scrappy in the second half they didn't like the challenge by Gay the Porto players and then it became a bit aggressive in the second half the referee let a lot go and I thought Man City got caught up in that instead of just passing around the pressure and calming themselves down they got involved in it all and they didn't have the control that they'd had what I thought it thought in the first half and they yeah they didn't give away too many chances they were always the better team, they were always going to win it but it wasn't the perfect performance but you don't expect it away from home against Porto, 2-0, I think they'll be very happy with the result, they'll be quite happy with the performance, probably need to just get some more continuity, they're going to get better I think.
14:05Yeah, job done Yeah, job done and you know, Enzo Fernandes is in the mix he's signed now, all that Chelsea thing is over, Haaland's in the goals you know, Foden's game time, I mean we were watching more or less the Real Madrid game if we're being honest with you, this one was on the side you know they need a strong season from Semenil who was a big sign in January who did well we know what Cherokee can do obviously Boadi he played came off very very talented youngster so they've got the makings of a really good squad there but you know going away from home Champions League didn't play particularly well at the weekend against Coventry but 1-1-0 that wasn't convincing but going away 2-0 this early in the competition he'll be pretty happy What did you make of the Enzo Boadi?
14:48Of course this could be the future of Manchester City the partnership in midfield, Frank? I loved it. I loved it. Bouhadi was very confident about his football. He knew exactly what to do. He took some risk. Sometimes he was under pressure, but he knew what he had to do. I loved it. He was strong. It's going to be a question mark for Anderson, whether he's going to be on the bench or he's going to play. Well, the season's going to be long, so I guess there's going to be some rotation. But Boadi proved that he deserved to play for Manchester City and was very confident. The only thing I can say about that game is I don't think Gouard should have stayed on the field.
15:29You know, he deserved the second yellow card that the referee didn't give him. But overall, yeah, Manchester City was very efficient. And it's crazy to see Alan. Four chances, two goals. I don't know. Maybe he touched like 10 balls. He did. I mean, I would have been so frustrated if I was him, unless to only R.P. about the scoring goals, which I guess he is. He was upset about the yellow card he got at the end. But when he touched like 10, 15 balls a game, that must be so frustrating, I guess. Did you notice, as we look at the chaps that have scored a lot of goals, did you notice when you asked Frank there about the partnership?
16:13Yeah, he didn't talk about it. He never even mentioned Enzo Fernandes. It's like an ex-wife. Don't want to discuss it. He didn't even exist. Well, you know, the thing is, when you don't score, that's the thing. We've discussed Haaland at length and mostly in the Premier League seasons. When he's had these quiet games and he hasn't had much involvement and the Manchester derby at Old Trafford spring to mind, but it doesn't really matter. It only really is a moot point unless when he's scoring goals it's a moot point and when he's not scoring goals and he's having 8-10 touches then it is a talking point but I think for any manager you know as long as the rest of the team are doing what they are doing if he's chipping in with that couple of goals more often than not then you're accepting the fact that he's not taking part in a lot of the game because Man City play in a certain type of way that's not always the best for involving strikers until they get into that final third but he's that type of player he misses a couple of what you would call easy chances or easiest chances in the first half but he just, at the moment he's as good as anybody at just shrugging it off and not letting it affect him and just, you know, some players, some strikers in particular when they start missing chances it starts to affect them and then the next time it comes they snatch at it or they rush it he to me has never really been in that category it looks like he accepts the fact that he's going to miss some because he knows the bulk of them he's going to put in the back of the net.
17:42Who will go further in this competition, Frank? Manchester City or Real Madrid?
17:50It's too early to say, but right now, Manchester City seems to be more prepared, but they played Porto, with all due respect. Real Madrid played Inter Milan. I think it's a different level. I want to believe that Real Madrid is going to be better with a better mentality because I want to believe that Mourinho is going to do his job and a good job but right now if I have to answer I was more impressed by Manchester City Robbo? I'm going to go the other way because I still think Manchester City have got a bit to do I wasn't overly impressed with them today I still think they've got a great squad but with Bellingham playing at his very, very best and Mbappe playing at his best which they did at the World Cup, both of them or in the main and they come back and they're playing well now Real Madrid will always be a threat going forward they have to be and if they can get more out of Vinicius Junior Diamande out on the other side if he gets into the team I think they'll go a long way in the tournament You have the deciding vote, Craig?
18:54I'm going against Game of Thrones I think that sometimes the Champions League can be made for a team not like Arsenal in the Champions League final that was too much but it's sometimes made for a team to sit in and wait and pounce we saw the great Bayern Munich sides under Heinke's I think it was I think they won the Champions League and they were getting like 30-35 % possession but they had a lot of pace on the counter-attack that was around 2012-2013-2014 that time that Bayern team just waited and pounced Mourinho's inter-team did that a couple of years before and you just feel that Man City will try and play in the Champions League, but still could be a bit open and a bit raw.
19:37So I would say with Mourinho's nous and the experience they've got, I would say Real Madrid for me at the moment. Frank wants to say something? You know, yeah, Dan, just one thing that we forgot to mention today is Courtois again. I remember when they won the Champions League at the time when Benzema and Courtois were making miracles after miracles. I think Courtois is at the top of his game today again. how many saves that he made. That's unbelievable. So I'm going to be ready to change my mind if Courtois stays like that within like two, three months. Still very much the best goalkeeper in the world.
20:12So confirmation of some of the other results. Real Bet is impressed with a 3-2 win over Lille. Borussia Dortmund beat Villarreal 3-2. Villa with that 3-2 victory over Bruges and 1-0 for AAK Athens. More talk on these games on Extra Time. That is available on YouTube as we stay late to answer your questions. What does it feel like to have a better laptop like the Dell XPS powered by Intel Core? With a premium design that's thin and light, it feels smooth, very smooth. For a better feel in your hands and less weight on your shoulders. With a responsive touchscreen, it feels fast and precise. For better scrolling, zooming and swiping so everything just flows.
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21:40Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eisen. Terms and conditions apply. So the shortlist of 30 was announced for the Ballon d 'Or today. Harry Kane is your odds-on favourite according to the bookies, followed by Laminya Mal. Rodri is there to win it once again. Kylian Mbappe, Kamat Skelia, given his performance for PSG. Lionel Messi and Fabian Ruiz, very much an outsider, but if you're voting on trophies, he's won more than anyone. And that is why Don is going for Fabian Ruiz first. Jamal, Kane, Mbappe and Alise, his top five. Don's not... He's not... Donski's been on the loopy juice.
22:23Ian Dark tweeted, as much as Harry Kane would deserve to win the Ballon d 'Or, Kylian Mbappe's case is pretty strong too, having won the Golden Boot and become the highest scorer in World Cup history. I know this is completely the wrong panel for this discussion. But the Ballon d 'Or, right? A Ballon d 'Or winner. Listen, let me just put it one way. Fabian Ruiz is a very good player. Yes. Fabian Ruiz was not a regular for Spain at the World Cup. I don't believe that got chopped and changed right again we're not talking you're right this is the wrong panel yes this is just the wrong panel full stop to even bring this up no that's the wrong prize it's the wrong panel however what I'm going to say is it's not it can't it cannot just be about trophies right it cannot and I know people say well yeah it cannot just be about that because that's team that's a team so would you have Kane I would because that's an incredible what was it 61 incredible consistency incredible consistency all the way through and I don't I don't care what he's won or what he didn't win that that's what about those that would say yes but if Kylian Mbappe was playing in Germany and playing for Bayern Munich then he would have eclipsed well I would say that well Kylian Mbappe is not playing in Germany so you know so we don't know that's a hypothetical for those hypothetical morons out there I don't know I don't have the answer to that Harry Kane's all-round game, as well as the goals, is something to behold.
23:53The way that he drops, the way that he passes it, the way that he finishes. So I think that would be, if he loves the Ballon d 'Or, he may or may not, be a good recognition of the way he's conducted himself with club and country through his career, finishing off with a spectacular season at Bayern last year, rather than the usual suspects. And I don't know where Don is pulled. I don't know where he's from. Frank? Yeah, I mean, to answer to Don, you know, remember in 2022, I put Julian Alvarez because he won four trophies. He was the one in the world who won the most trophies. And of course, Messi got the ball on door.
24:35So I'm pretty sure Fabian Ruiz won't get it. But it's crazy because why don't you put Kubarsi as well as a favourite? Because he won everything. as well. He had a great season. He had a great World Cup. He's a great kid. But of course, he's a defender, so he's not going to get it. It's why we are the wrong panel because it doesn't mean anything, and we all know that. And it's always the same people who are going to get it. So I would be happy to have Harry Kane winning because that guy is more for his career, say, overall than his performances last season. But I don't even know what to say. I'm fed up with that.
25:12Really, it's boring. It doesn't mean anything. It's settled on nothing. So carry on enjoying it, but leave me alone with that. Robert? At least I tried. No, you did try. I appreciate it. I wouldn't have anything against Kane winning it. I wouldn't have anything against Mbappe winning it. But I'm going to go on. Who I like to see most, who I like to watch most, who excites me most, it's Jamal. Whenever he gets the ball, whenever he's playing, I just love to see him. We're just going to shut up and get a segue to his press conference. It's interesting you say that, Robert, because Luis Nimao talked about the Ballon d 'Or yesterday.
25:51Oh, my God.
25:56Firstly, it doesn't depend on me. It depends on you.
26:04This year has been incredible with Barca and with Spain.
26:11There's a chance I could win it because I have had a great year.
26:19I don't think I need to run a campaign. I'm proud of the year I had, winning the World Cup and La Liga.
Read the full transcript
26:33I can't answer anything else.
26:39there are other players who've been an incredible level but it's your job and i'm not going to beg for anything
26:48slightly different to what we've seen from ballon d 'or candidates in the past frank he's not going to run a campaign he's not going to tell you what he wants it's up to you yeah and and so you know what I kept I don't follow La Liga it's not my duty and but I kept on on hearing I kept on hearing last season that Lamin Amal wasn't at the same level that he was two years ago that he was injured that he needed he needed some time to recover so what do you want to put at the bottom though if he had six months that he was average I didn't think you cared I didn't think you cared oh I don't care so then why why are you telling me that Lamin Amal doesn't deserve it if you don't care well no No, according to the situation, normally you have to have a great season, scoring many goals because it's only about scoring goals and number 10 are strikers.
27:38The others, we don't care. So that wasn't the case with Lamine Yama. It's what I heard from everybody saying that last season. So why would he be one of the favorites if he didn't have the season that he had the season before and didn't get the season before? I'm just saying that. But I wish him good luck because he's very young, very talented. I love him and I wish him to win whatever he wants what's the Spanish word for Muppet you'll not know El Muppeto you'll not know this because he's basically saying what Lemony Mal is basically saying is all you Muppets out there don't really I've won the Liga I've won the European Championships I just won the World Cup you know Ballon d 'Or he's basically saying I mean I'm sure he wouldn't turn it down but he's basically saying look I've got bigger fish to fry you know we want to retain we want to win La Liga for the third year in a row.
28:27We want to win the Champions League, which they haven't done under Hansi Flick. We want to win the big things. And I'll let everybody else, you, he's saying, get this guy in, I'm going to high-five him. You, the media... I'm sure that'll be the highlight of his year as well. Get down to FC. Now, you, the media, can talk about all you want. I've got bigger things to worry about. That's a very mature answer. Yeah, it was a mature answer, wasn't it, Robbo? Yeah. It was a mature answer, you know. and I'm not sure where Frank gets his information from. He was only about the last six games he missed and up till that point, he was absolutely magnificent.
29:01It was Rafinha who had a difficult season because he was injured a lot more. Laminya Mal was absolutely magnificent. Didn't play his best at the World Cup, but what a player. There you are. Passive-aggressive Robbo. Good way to end that segment. He's not having a go at Rob Palmer. He's having a go at Frank Le Boeuf. No Cristiano Ronaldo on the list. Even the media could drop him, unlike Roberto Martinez. No Pedri either. Pedri, of course, missing a lot of the campaign as well because of injury.
29:30Football Americas will definitely be talking about Ballon d 'Or on the next edition, 8.30 Eastern on Thursday. Buster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. When work takes you on the road during football season, it's nice to have a place where you can unwind after the day's done. At La Quinta by Wyndham, spacious suites give you room to spread out, Catch the game. Kick back and relax before another day on the job. Because after a long day, comfort makes all the difference. Plus, earn Wyndham Rewards points with every qualified stay. Tonight, La Quinta. Tomorrow, you shine. Book your next trip at LaQuinta.com.
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30:51This is what Sobherslai had to say. I think it has to change about their intensity. This is what we missed last season. If we can bring this intensity back and that we want it more than the others, we have the quality and this together, no one can stop us. A bit of a stretch. Is this a thing? Is this a thing? Is intensity a real thing? Yeah, yeah. I mean, there definitely has been a drop off in the intensity of their play, particularly under Arne Slott. and it wasn't just last year, it was the finish of the year that they won the league. They did not finish strongly. They started like a house on fire and had the thing won by middle of January, end of January.
31:32They then went out, I think they lost the Carabao Cup, I might be wrong, to Newcastle. They went out to Plymouth in the FA Cup, they went out in the Champions League and they finished with a bit of a whimper. They signed a bunch of players but they never ever got that back. They never got that drive back last year. They never got that control back. They never had that fear factor really back. Everybody was going to Anfield pretty much last year and having a bash at them. And so what he's saying is, I think, listen, any club, any team in any league, you have to have intensity about your game at the right time.
32:06And that doesn't mean charging about like a headless chicken. That's not good intensity. That's just brainless. But at the right times when you've got the right shape and you win the ball back, whether it's pressing or whether it's winning the ball back and going forward with a purpose quickly and driving forward with intensity and taking advantage of that. It could be any of those things. So he's clearly seen as an experienced, he's a captain of Hungary, has been for quite some time. He's obviously seen and watched and felt that there's been a drop-off. Where I would completely disagree when he's saying if we get that back, no one can stop us.
32:42That's factually incorrect because there are several holes still in this. Even if they get the intensity back, that doesn't mean Florian Verts is going to play any better. Isaac had himself a good game against Ipswich, but it was Ipswich. You know, they've got to do it against the bigger teams. So getting that intensity and work rate and purpose back will certainly help Liverpool, but it won't go all the way to bridging that gap to where Arsenal are. So if this isn't a new problem, as Craig said, you could trace this all the way back to their championship winning season. Why is it taking so long to fix it?
33:16why can't they fix it? Who do you ask? You've never asked anybody. I asked Robbo. No, you didn't. Me and Robbo have worked so long together, he knew. He didn't. He just threw a question. He knew that he was there and it would have worked fine without you two Muppets jumping in. He didn't ask me. So I'll go back to what Craig said something really good there when he said, as long as the organisation is right, you can get the intensity and you've got to have the intensity in both sides of the game. And if you're not particularly well organised, you're not quite sure what the game plan is. When you go and close down, when you haven't got the ball, you go and close down, you're not sure whether everybody's going with you.
33:55So you go by yourself and then you get played around. So next time you don't go. When you've got the ball, it's no good somebody going off short to get the ball and it goes long. So you're now miles away from the play. Everybody needs to know what the role of the team is and the game plan is so you can get that intensity. Today was a great example of seeing a team play with intensity on one side of the game, Real Madrid, and low intensity when they were closing down. And that's what Liverpool have had over the last couple of days. It's not easy to get back. You have to make sure you're all working together.
34:25The coach is on board with what he's trying to do. And if one or two players don't quite get it, then you've got a problem. And that's why they can't get the intensity back. Well, I haven't been able to get it back for a while. World Cup winner, Frank Leboeuf.
34:41Well, I really want to see Liverpool going back to what they were capable of doing like two years ago before, as Craig mentioned, the ending of the season when they won the league, but they played awfully during those four or five months. it's something that you create that intensity but the work you do and the mentality that you have that you want to make sure you work all together as Stuart said it's a tactic that you have to put on it's how Liverpool were capable of not allowing the opponent of breezing when they had the ball they were so good at it it's where they were unplayable at some point It's maybe what Zobelzai wants to talk about.
35:31But right now, they're not capable of doing that. Some players are getting older. They don't have maybe the stamina that they used to have. Maybe they have to change some personal. McAllister, Van Dijk, they are different players with not the same strength that they used to have. What the heck's going to happen in this game, Robert?
35:54Well, we saw Athletico at the weekend, didn't we, They played particularly poorly. They didn't play with a front player. They were slow in possession at times. There was no continuity in their play. They did OK in the first half. But then when they went a couple of goals down, where were the goals going to come from? Where did they cause any problems? The coach, as he so often does, made four changes all at once and it didn't affect the game whatsoever. I still think Liverpool are going to be favourites to win this game. Atletico will be quite deep and they'll try and defend, but they're not as good defensively as they used to be.
36:27And Liverpool will just about, on a Champions League night, in front of 60 ,000 Anfield fans, they'll just about get a victory, I think. Yes, a tough one to predict, isn't it? Wouldn't be a good look if Atleti pitch up and outplay them, for all the reasons that Robbo mentioned, and they were horrible at the weekend. Because Athletic Club have not been strong at the start of the season. We watched them get pasted by, not in terms of scoreline, but in terms of the overall match with Barcelona. So this is a bit of an early season gauge for all these things, Sabozlai is talking about. Because of Atleti's problems, because of the whole Julian Alvarez debacle, which certainly put them on the back foot, it seemed like that's all anybody at Atletico Madrid was talking about.
37:05Whether it would be the chief executive or the manager or the agents. Every day, Julian Alvarez. And he didn't go and he stayed. So the atmosphere around there is as toxic you would imagine as it was. Put that on top of bad results. Going away from home, you've got to fancy Liverpool that's why I say if Atleti pitch up and get a result and outplay them it would probably kind of tell us where Liverpool are so I think this is a good early gauge of how their season is going to go Liverpool that is. It's an interesting summer at Liverpool didn't we see a few players were given new contracts we spoke with Zoboslai as well we also saw Gravenbach given a new contract not for McAllister though his contract ends in 2028 and he He wasn't shy about talking about it in the press conference ahead of this tie.
37:57How much of a chance was there that you may have left Liverpool Football Club in the summer? Well, I mean, there was a chance, of course, as I think, as everyone knows. I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which of course makes me very very sad because I think everyone can see that I give my 100 % for this football club every single day in training, games of course I can have very good games, bad games like everyone but I always give my best and of course for example I see Dominic and Ryan renewing his all day contracts and that makes me very happy because they deserve it.
38:47But at the same time, it makes me a little bit sad that I didn't get mine. Well, stop feeling sorry for yourself and go out there and earn it. Contracts are not given out for giving 100%. That's a given. Giving 100 % is a given. Every day in training, every match. That's a basic of any sport. Go and earn the contract Gravenberg didn't play well He didn't play well last year But McAllister was as bad as them all And Dominic Sabozlay Went from pillar to post and did a great job Wherever he went, whether it was right back, whether it was right wing Whether it was left wing, central midfield He was their best player Don't feel sad I mean yeah You can go behind the scenes and say Why?
39:39I know he's won the league At times he's been brilliant for Liverpool, but that was a couple of years ago. They're not giving a contract for winning World Cups and stuff like that and getting to World Cup finals. They're giving you a contract because what can you do for me going forward? And he's got to go and prove that he can be that player again for Liverpool Football Club. And then they'll probably sit and possibly sit and give him a contract. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. But he has to use that as a driving force. to go and prove them wrong. And if, listen, and if he goes out there and he's back to the million, that player that we know can link the play and score goals and tackle, all those things, and they don't give him a contract, he'll get a big move somewhere else.
40:24So this is his bait to go and perform. This is not the bait to feel sorry for yourself because he hasn't done enough. And that's why Liverpool are probably sitting and saying, we're just going to wait here. They threw money at Mo Salah. They threw money at Virgil van Dijk. One of them's still there. And we're yet to see if van Dijk is going to have a great season. But we saw what Mo Salah was all about last year. And it just wasn't good enough. And that's going to make Liverpool, I think, sit back and evaluate the situation with a cooler head. What a strange thing to go public with, Frank. Yes, I agree with you.
41:02Especially, as Craig mentioned, you didn't have a good season. Yeah, maybe you can give 100%. But it's not satisfying. It's not good enough. And I agree also with Craig where Ryan Gravenberg didn't have a good season, but nothing to say about Dominic Zobelzai. He was absolutely fantastic. He was maybe the only one working very hard week in, week out and being effective. So McAllister has been, yeah, not that good for a while. I would say a year and a half ago, even with the national team, even more with Liverpool. So that was just normal for me that Liverpool didn't extend his contract. He's 28.
41:44He still has a contract until 2028. So he would be 30 years old. So it's just maybe a good thing for Liverpool to wait and see. Maybe within two years, they will give him one more year. But they shouldn't rush. It's only fair. Rob Ho? Well, they've looked at him over the last year or so and said, Well, of the three midfield players, he's the one we least fancy at the moment. We're not sure about his athleticism. We're not sure whether he can get around the field. If we do want to play with greater intensity, as we did two or three years ago when we were winning things, we need to have the fittest and most agile players we've got.
42:21Now, McAllister's a good pass for the ball. He can do this. He can do that. But maybe he's not the sort of player that Iriola would like. So we'll have a little look at him for another year. And if not, he can go. the club are telling him at the moment you're not the player that we think we're going to build the club around we'll be looking back at Liverpool against Atleti on the next edition of the show Stevie will be watching it with us Craig he'll be all sweary and punter Stevie won't he giving us bad info but stuff around the world that's happening it's a long story if you've shopped online chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify you know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout, the one that makes buying so incredibly easy?
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43:41And 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. Harry Douglas here. Game day brings the excitement. Your stay should feel just as memorable. With Marriott Bonvoy, official hotel partner of the NCAA and U.S.
44:21soccer, you're connected to a portfolio of brands designed for how you travel. Some offer complimentary breakfasts, others give you room to spread out, space to stay productive, or extended stay comforts. So whether you're a traveling fan or part of the team, Marriott Bonvoy celebrates the moments that live on before and after the game. Marriott Bonvoy, where game day checks in. Football W returns tonight. Why have we not got laptops in front of us? Because people do research. It's one of the great mysteries of this show. I don't know. I don't know if it would help if I start with a mark in front of me.
44:59Well, there you go. You'll switch it on first. Stay tuned. Extra Times next. Frank's back from his castle along with Robbo.
45:11Welcome in to the next edition of Extra Time. We've been wondering at all show. Let's get an answer. Frank, where are you? I'm in a hotel. It's a theme park. And I have a conference tomorrow evening. So I've been invited and it's about the history of France, you know, from the Gaulois to through the Celts, the Middle East and everything. And every part of the park is dedicated to a part of the history of France. It's beautiful. It's on the west side of France in the Puy-du-Fu. So are you speaking at this conference? I do. I have to speak for an hour to explain my beautiful life. Wow, that's a dream.
45:56You're going to have to cut it down to your normal speech. So all these people are turning up at this place, which is obviously steeped in French culture. And he's going to pipe on about himself for an hour. Yes, exactly. Go on, that's the booby prize. Don't be so jealous. Are there roller coasters and things at this theme park, Frank? it doesn't you're not saying no no it's about actors you know and scenes that they reproduce and everything it's one of the biggest they have like 3 million people visiting the theme park every day it's one of the biggest shows what are you doing there then Frank if it's for actors what are you doing there I'm not because they don't pay the actors so I don't do anything it seems like a great day out doesn't it no I mean I get the theme park that's fine but the other part What's Ian Frank talk?
46:47The Le Boeuf. The Le Boeuf bar. I mean, we've had him in New York in the summer. I know we're at that. Thoughts on Jose's tactics today, Robbo? Classic Mourinho or Inter's mistakes on the first two goals cost them the game? Well, Inter's mistakes, the first two goals were big mistakes. I would like to know whether they were false-back or whether he chose to sit back right from the start of the game. I thought he might have been false-back because they just didn't defend well enough all over the field and the shape that Inter had, they could switch the play out to their, you like this, the wing backs, and they get it into their front players quite easily.
47:20Or was that his tactics? But if it was his tactics, they've got to defend with more urgency and defend better as a unit and be more compact than they were in that game. So I wouldn't say it was a great performance, but going forward they were excellent. Probably in the Champions League we're going to see more of that than their attack in football. How aware of you are the cameras after you've conceded from your own mistake, Frank? And have the guys ever had a go at a keeper who shakes his head or starts shouting at someone else after making a mistake himself? And that's inspired by Martinez, who of course made the mistake and started shouting at everybody else.
47:53You've no point asking Robbo about the cameras. No, exactly. What, they didn't have them in his day? Where are we going?
48:03Of course, that's where I'm going. Of course, you don't think about it. No point asking Robbo about the cameras. You're like schmucks. What about someone like Jordan Pickford shouting at you, Frank? Were you ever in that situation? It happened a couple of times, and I hated that. And I was shouting back, saying, shut the fuck up. Sorry.
48:28Sorry, guys. But I was very, very upset with the people doing that. It's like I'm not going to mention one guy that every time you were making a mistake, He was looking at the bench as the coach. And he was doing for everybody but him, of course. And that was very annoying. And I talked to him one day in the dressing room. I said, what do you have to prove? Why do you do that? He said, I'm not doing it. He said, I'm going to show you during the game. You know, maybe hopefully you can see it. And every time he was doing it, he said, see, he just did it. But that's what it is. But goalkeeper shouting to you for nothing is the worst of the worst.
49:05Take your responsibility. And that's good. Which goalkeeper was it, Frank? I'm not going to mention anybody. And we're going to get cancelled tomorrow because you're swearing. You may as well say it now. Oh, yeah. It's true. So, what's the point? Rob Oaks? I imagine that wasn't exactly one of your favourite parts, goalkeepers. No. One of the worst things I saw at club I was at, I was playing for West Ham and we lost the game quite badly at home in the semi-final, I think it was, of the League Cup. and our centre half who couldn't run gets the ball played over him. I think Ricky Hill, who was playing for Luton, ran past him, had a shot and the goalkeeper didn't make the best of saves.
49:44And the centre half looked to the crowd, went to the goalkeeper, look, it's his mistake, what's he doing? The goalkeeper never played another game for West Ham. Wow. Because the crowd got on to him. Who was the centre half? The centre half. I'm not going to tell you who the centre half was, but I have to say that he did it on many, many occasions. Wow. I think I know the very centre half he's talking about. You can name him. He's Watson Radio. Oh. I think. I don't think he works on radio. I think he works more on TV. There we go. Oh, that's another one. Yeah, right. Yeah, yeah, there's another one.
50:19Come on, isn't it? No, I'm not. I have nothing else to say after Frank's little faux pas. Faux pas. That's all right. He's French. Robbo, Enzo... Robbo... Cable TV. Robert, Enzo is clearly going to thrive at City. What are your thoughts on Buadi? Well, as Frank said during the game, I thought he played well in the game. He's a controlled player. He played slightly deeper. He was the one that was getting off the centre-halves. He went in between his centre-halves at time. He looks like he's a confident boy. He can pass the ball. He's a good enough athlete to defend. And if he plays with Enzo Fernandes, Enzo Fernandes will make more forward runs.
50:55If he plays with Elliot Anderson, as he did in the last few minutes of the game, Elliott Anderson played next to Boadi and Enzo Fernandes went further forward. So against the very best teams or away from home, they might go with that formation in central midfield and leave Cherki out. Bellingham said, I got in my own head, Craig, when talking about his mischance. You said, why didn't he head it when he chested it down? Has that ever happened to you? Yeah. You must second guess. That's just natural, isn't it? Just second guess yourself on the pitch.
51:27If he comes in the final, I got on my own head. Right, OK. Yeah. Ah! Sometimes you do that. He just made a bad... He made a bad... A slightly bad call by his standards, you know, in a split second in that moment. But it didn't affect him. But I was surprised he never just... Is it something that gets worse with age?
51:52No Am I the right person to be asking? No, I meant on the pitch as a professional like when you're young you're not really thinking about you going out there and playing, enjoying it as you get older do you dwell on things and mistakes that you make? It actually gets worse I felt, I always felt when you're going through a period of not playing particularly well or you're low in confidence that's when you start second guessing yourself Right When you're having a run when you're playing regularly on the side and you're playing well or you're scoring goals from midfield or you're defending reading everything at the back and intercepting everything it just becomes like second nature I tend to this is only me I tend to I found a little bit that I was a little bit more hesitant when I was going through a rough patch but he's not going through a rough patch he's had a great summer Jude Bellarm and he's had a great start to the season Frank getting in your own head well Well, you know what?
52:49Football is an instinctive game. So therefore, if you start thinking too much, and it's why maybe some football players have been absolutely excellent without being too smart, is because if you... Name names. Oh, well, I couldn't name one. And read up guys like that. But it's true that if you start thinking a little bit too much, especially when you play up front and when you have to take a decision, when the ball comes, whether you're going to volley it or control it, if you start thinking you don't do anything good. Let your instinct deciding, and it's where you're going to be the best. And it's why, I'm sure, if Billingham would have stopped thinking, he would have scored the goal with the header.
53:32Frank, Robbo? Dan, you asked a very good question. I don't often say that. Did you think more about the game when you got older or when you were younger? When I was younger, I never thought about making mistakes. I never worried about the game. You went out and enjoyed playing, and I wanted to do the best I could and I was always thinking of the positive things. As you got older, you start to think what might go wrong. And when you do make a mistake, oh dear, it's a terrible thing. And you think about it and think about it until you play the next game. That's how I was when I was young. I played with no fear.
54:04As I got older, I played with more fear. Do you agree, Robbo, with Emery that Villa's win in the Champions League will help give them confidence for their next matches in the league, which is against Forest, Coventry and Spurs? Yes, because there were some good patterns of play. I liked some of the things they were doing. I know we talked about the sender forward. Jackson. No, I can't remember his name now. Sender forward. Jackson. I thought he actually played quite well. He was better with his back to goal than I've seen him play for a long time. And the way they play, he's got to be good with his back to goal because they like to play quite slowly.
54:38Then they played balls into the front player and he had to link up the play. There was good movement between Wan-Bissaka down the right-hand side and the captain, McKitt McGinn, who played on the sort of just in the inside right position. There were some good patterns of play. The win will do them. The world are good. I think they'll get better and better as the season goes on. Final question, Dan, when you compare sitting across from Shaka, Stevie or Ali to today's guests with Craig, Frank and Robbo, which combination is actually easier for you to keep on script and does today's panel rank higher or lower?
55:06Hold on. Script? Yeah, script is very much a loop. No, that's instinctive. It's instinctively. There's a script. I think on the evidence today, I don't think Frank is very particularly high on that rank, considering... I'm sure. And I'm very sorry again about that. That's all right, Frank. That's okay. Don't worry. They'll cut it out. They'll beep it out. It's all right. We're all grown. We're all grown up, Frank. It's okay. Don't do it in your big speech tomorrow, though. Yeah. They wouldn't like that very much. No. That is it. That brings us to the end of today's show. ESPN FC returns to your screen tomorrow.
55:43Stevie in the studio to reflect on Liverpool. Ali and Craig here as well. Barcelona, of course, opening their Champions League campaign.
56:02Buster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. When work takes you on the road during football season, it's nice to have a place where you can unwind after the day is done. At La Quinta by Wyndham, spacious suites give you room to spread out, catch the game, kick back and relax before another day on the job. Because after a long day, comfort makes all the difference. Plus earn Wyndham Rewards points with every qualified stay. Tonight La Quinta, tomorrow you shine. Book your next trip at LaQuinta.com. Terms and conditions apply.
From the publisher
The FC crew react to Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Inter and explain how two early mistakes from the Italian side crushed their opening momentum. Plus, the guys praise Erling Haaland for his brace vs Porto. The crew also react to the Ballon d'Or shortlist and compliment Lamine Yamal for his mature response when talking about the award.
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