In short
Podcast Summary: ESPN FC - Szoboszlai's Spectacular Set Piece
Episode Overview In this episode of ESPN FC, the crew discusses Dominik Szoboszlai's remarkable free kick against Marseille, assesses Liverpool's performance under manager Arne Slot, reviews Chelsea's lackluster victory over Pafos, and analyzes Bodo/Glimt's win against Manchester City with special guest Jan Aage Fjortoft.
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Key Discussions
- Liverpool vs. Marseille
- Match Overview: Liverpool secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Marseille in the Champions League.
- Szoboszlai scored from a free kick that went under the wall due to Marseille's lack of a "draft excluder."
- Goals also came from Cody Gakpo and an own goal from Rulli.
- Performance Analysis:
- Craig Burley and Stevie Nicholl noted Liverpool's dominance, especially in the first half.
- Despite being calm, Nicholl felt Liverpool could have capitalized more in the final third.
- The discussion also touched on the professionalism of Liverpool's approach in the match.
- Liverpool's Tactical Efficiency
- Stevie Nicholl's Insights: Liverpool displayed improved tactical efficiency, controlling the game and minimizing errors.
- Frank Le Boeuf's Critique: Le Boeuf criticized Marseille's tactics, suggesting they failed to press Liverpool effectively and were easy to play against.
- Chelsea vs. Pafos
- Match Overview: Chelsea managed a narrow 1-0 win in Leon Rosenior's first Champions League match as manager.
- Performance Analysis:
- Frank Le Boeuf observed Chelsea's struggle despite the victory, highlighting that they failed to finish strong after scoring the goal.
- The team was described as professional but underwhelming against a weaker opposition.
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Manchester City
- Match Overview: Bodo/Glimt secured their first-ever Champions League victory over Manchester City with a 3-1 scoreline.
- Erling Haaland's Form: Haaland's struggles continued, scoring once in his last eight matches, and concerns were raised about City's overall lethargy.
- Jan Aage Fjortoft's Analysis: Fjortoft credited Bodo/Glimt's effective counter-attacking strategy, noting their resilience against a fatigued Manchester City squad.
- Player Responsibility and Fan Engagement
- The discussion included Manchester City's players reimbursing fans for their trip following the loss, with mixed opinions from the crew about this gesture.
- Many felt this could set a concerning precedent for clubs and players, emphasizing that fans should not expect refunds for poor performances.
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Key Takeaways
- Szoboszlai's Free Kick: Highlighted the importance of set-piece preparation and the idea of having a player behind the wall.
- Liverpool's Professionalism: This match could signify a turning point for Liverpool under Arne Slot as they aim for consistency.
- Chelsea's Challenges: Despite a win, Chelsea needs to improve performance under pressure.
- Bodo/Glimt's Historic Win: Showcased the unpredictability of football, especially in knockout tournaments like the Champions League.
- Fan Expectations: The reimbursement issue raised questions about accountability in sports and fan experience.
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Conclusion The episode provided an engaging analysis of key matches in the Champions League, focusing on tactics, player performances, and managerial decisions. The discussions highlighted the unpredictability of football while also addressing broader topics such as fan engagement and expectations.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOChampions League Kickoff: Marseille vs. Liverpool
0:40 to 1:44
Discussion starts with Liverpool's comfortable win over Marseille in the Champions League.
“A good result for Anaslots side, very comfortable.”
Liverpool's Dominance and Player Performances
1:44 to 3:06
Analyzing Liverpool's strong performance, player contributions, and tactical decisions against Marseille.
“And they were pretty similar tonight, they were very professional.”
Marseille's Tactical Failures
3:06 to 4:30
Critique of Marseille's tactics and their lack of impact during the match against Liverpool.
“Well, he was asked about Xabi Alonso being available and then they asked him, has Xabi Alonso called you?”
Soboslai's Clever Free Kick Strategy
4:30 to 6:40
Discussion on Soboslai's free kick technique and the strategic decisions behind it.
“and I'm very surprised with the tactic of Mr.”
Coaching Mistakes in Set Pieces
6:40 to 10:00
Examining coaching errors related to wall formations during free kicks and their implications.
“But maybe the French don't want to lie behind a wall.”
Chelsea's Close Call Against Paphos
10:00 to 11:10
Reviewing Chelsea's match against Paphos, highlighting key moments and player efforts.
“First grade is, if there's no one lying behind the wall, there is a chance that you can shoot under the wall.”
Bodo Glymt's Historic Win Over Manchester City
11:10 to 13:20
Discussion of Bodo Glymt's surprising victory against Manchester City and its implications.
“Frank Le Boeuf had the pleasure of watching this for us.”
Bodo Glimt vs. Manchester City Overview
14:00 to 15:00
A discussion on the recent match between Bodo Glimt and Manchester City, highlighting predictions and performances.
“I mean, Borgliem, I'm not saying they outplayed them, but they played as Borgliem always do.”
Performance Analysis of Manchester City
15:00 to 18:00
An in-depth analysis of Manchester City's struggles, including player performance and environmental conditions.
“And I'm very happy for Borde Glimt, of course, but it's a worrying time for Manchester City after that Old Trafford thing and now North Norway.”
Fan Reimbursement Debate
18:00 to 22:20
A heated debate about whether Manchester City should reimburse fans for poor performances, exploring loyalty and expectations.
“Yeah, and it's kind of an excuse that you want to show.”
Show all 23 chapters
Barcelona's Recent Performance
25:10 to 28:00
Analysis of Barcelona's recent match performance, player highlights, and fixture challenges ahead.
“And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities.”
Vinicius Jr.'s Performance and Fan Reactions
28:00 to 29:49
Explore Vinicius Jr.'s recent performance, the fans' reactions, and the impact of support on players.
“So a win for Barcelona and, of course, a win for Real Madrid yesterday.”
The Complex Relationship Between Vinicius and Fans
29:50 to 32:28
Discuss the underlying factors affecting Vinicius Jr.'s relationship with Real Madrid fans and his performance.
“not just for Vinny, you mentioned for Bellingham as well.”
Jude Bellingham's Celebration and Criticism
32:29 to 34:14
Analyze Jude Bellingham's goal celebration amidst recent scrutiny over his performance and social media rumors.
“You know yourself what your situation is and you just have to get on with it, deal with it and sort it out.”
Bayern Munich's Recent Performance and Leadership
37:03 to 39:26
Examine Bayern Munich's recent matches, highlighting their leadership under Vincent Kompany.
“Bayern 2 Union 0 is how it finished in Germany.”
Champions League Prospects for Bayern and Other Teams
39:27 to 42:00
Discuss Bayern Munich's chances in the Champions League and compare them to other top teams.
“I will, if they go to the Champions League, Kane I think will have a good chance to get in there.”
Discussion on Top Football Teams
42:00 to 43:00
Analyzing the current strengths of top football teams like PSG and Arsenal.
“I feel like Madrid shouldn't even be in there.”
VAR Decisions in the Manchester Derby
44:23 to 46:35
Debate on VAR and refereeing decisions in the recent Manchester Derby.
“One last thing, just from what we saw at the weekend, we had quite a bit of discussion about this challenge from Dallow early on in the Manchester Derby.”
Impact of Football on Basketball
46:35 to 48:24
Discussing the crossover benefits of soccer for basketball players.
“Jan, you said this was hardly even a yellow.”
Upcoming Show Preview: The America Decade
48:24 to 49:20
Previewing an upcoming special show featuring Mallorca.
“I was a good athlete, but I was more athletic in balance, coordination, rhythm, timing, creativity.”
Premier League Strength Debate
56:01 to 58:29
The hosts discuss the relative strengths of Premier League teams compared to previous seasons.
“Yeah, they've had a good season, played some football.”
Liverpool's Performance Explained
58:30 to 1:00:26
A deeper look into Liverpool's struggles this season and the impact of spending on performance.
“Because everybody else is not very good.”
World Cup Forward Line-up Discussion
1:00:27 to 1:02:20
The hosts discuss potential line-ups for Norway in the World Cup, including player performances.
“That's why the start of the season, when they're all fit, we're going to win it.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00So good, so good, so good. Spring styles are at Nordstrom Rack stores now and they're up to 60 % off. Stock up and save on Rag & Bone, Madewell, Vince, All Saints and more of your favorites. How did I not know Rack has Adidas? Why do we rack? For the hottest deals. Just so many good brands. Join the Nordic Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite Rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack.
0:34Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas, joined by Craig Burley and Stevie Nicholl. Marseille against Liverpool is where we'll kick things off in the Champions League. A good result for Anaslots side, very comfortable. Soboslai would open the scoring with a free kick just before the break. He put it under the wall, no draft excluder, and they made the most of it. Then we'd see goals from Gakpo, a known goal from Rulli, we'd see Liverpool with a comfortable 3-0 win. Someone on this, let's welcome in, shall we? Frank LaBeouf and Jan Arger-Fjortov. I promise we'll be talking about the success in Norway a little later on in the show, Jan.
1:08But we'll kick things off with Stevie. Hey, you were very calm today. Nothing much to get too excited about. Well, I didn't really have any other reason than to be calm because Liverpool pretty much dominated most of the game, particularly the first half. Second half got a little bit open, but Liverpool got in that final third and had they made better decisions with a final pass, final shot you saw one from Salah there then it would have been even more comfortable so yeah, it was an easier 90 minutes for a change. Yeah, something we haven't said a lot about Liverpool, Jan. Now, you're talking about that Tiran never loses games and everybody complain about it it's 13 now for Liverpool but now I think this was a solid performance they're going to Marseille everybody expected that to be a tough game for them they went out, they did the job they looked more solid at the back they created more chances they were closer to four or five really, it was good to see Salah back it's going to always be interesting when he comes back from AFCON, he had this big, big chance that he wanted to do with his outside of his left foot but Liverpool, they did the job and they did the job solid tonight I think they just had to be professional, as they were in the San Siro, when they beat Inter, when this Salah Storm sort of was just, well, it just started brewing after the Leeds game.
2:37And they were pretty similar tonight, they were very professional. Alisson had to make a few saves here and there, but that's what you'd expect. And I think from Anneli Slott's point of view, just, you know, getting the three points, trying to get some consistency and performance, try to defend better, try to keep more clean sheets. And just after that stupid question he was asked yesterday in the press conference about Xabi Alonso, you know, just to back that kind of nonsense away. when, you know, if you didn't see yesterday's show, he was asked if Xabi Alonso... Well, he was asked about Xabi Alonso being available and then they asked him, has Xabi Alonso called you?
3:16I mean, at that point, he should have ran down and punched the journalist, right? So he's got to have to deal with this kind of nonsense because obviously Alonso is there, he's available and he's hovering, he's a former Liverpool player, he's a good coach who had a bad time at Real Madrid. So if he doesn't get the results, then these silly questions will come along. So all he can do is make sure he's getting the results, pushing Liverpool forward and keeping some of these questions away. One of the things that was slightly frustrating watching Liverpool was the positions Wirtz get in in the first half in particular and was a little bit laboured in the final third.
3:52Still expecting him to be sort of a bit sharper. There was one in particular. The ball dropped him in the box, wasn't it, Stevie? In the first half. It was a bit slow, wasn't it? Yeah, he was a bit slow and laboured. I was expecting him, having watched him for a couple of years in Germany and whatnot, just to find the top corner. But he's just taking an extra touch here and there. But that part, it was a professional evening for Liverpool. I thought Marseille was supposed to be good, Frank. Me too. And I've been very disappointed. I mean, nothing to complain about Liverpool. They did the job and they easily won that game.
4:28But they easily won because Marseille didn't do anything. and I'm very surprised with the tactic of Mr. Dezebri where in fact you know you play in front of a team who have been wondering sometimes you know on the field you know how they would play being under pressure and I think we're going to talk with Jan about Bodo Klim how they handle the game against Manchester City knowing that they had to give the ball to Manchester City and let him play and counter-attack that was the right tactic today the tactic was to put craziness on the field You had 65 ,000 crazy fans waiting for that. And you play clean, proper football, not trying too much, easy peasy game, slow game.
5:11And in fact, you do nothing. And you exactly go where Liverpool wants you to go. So yes, Liverpool did the job. They were very professional. They, of course, deserve to win. But so frustrating for Marseille. I saw nothing. A little bit with Greenwood beginning of the second half. But otherwise, nothing much to say. And the fans, I'm pretty sure that some friends in the stand today say, what was that performance? That was, yes, very bad. Jan, meanwhile, this is why you have someone lying down, isn't it? With a wall? Yeah, remember when Messi did that? That was the saddest day in my football life, when Messi was lying behind a wall once.
5:54Yeah, absolutely, and it is so clever. And you've had so many more lows, to be fair. Swindon won. Swindon, when you see the points we took that year, we would have been UEFA Cup now, or UEFA League, back in the days. But yeah, I was thinking of that, because if you saw when they took the free kick, there were four or five candidates that wanted to shoot that. That was Salah round, Wirtz round. They were all going round, but Slai has been good at that. As Craig was saying, he's maybe been the best Liverpool player whole season. That was very, very clever. We don't see it very often. I remember Ronaldinho did it.
6:35Messi, of course, has done it. But it was very clever. And that is Soboslai. But maybe the French don't want to lie behind a wall. I don't know. Frank would know more about that. Now we surrender. It's easier. We like to surrender. There's not a lot of brains in the coaching setup there from Messi, is there? In what sense? This is something we looked at back in the 90s, even when teams had walls, did they jump or did they not? And obviously now the latest craze in the last, I don't know, two or three years is lying somebody behind the wall. So if you haven't got anybody doing that, then you don't jump.
7:13Don't jump. You don't jump. Is it that simple? Yeah. Thank you, Craig. It should be. And then Sobberzlai has to get up and over the wall, albeit a slightly smaller wall, because they don't jump. but he's quite close to the edge of the penalty box so it's a difficult skill but we've seen him do it before but if you don't have anybody behind the wall lying down and this is something that you do every week you don't jump because Liverpool have looked at it and went hey look at this, so all this money and all these coaches and set-piece coaches and throw-in coaches and you name it and a wall has made the most basic error and it's been picked up by Liverpool and that's how it's called and they've been told to jump.
7:51Why don't you have a draft excluder then? Why don't you have someone there? Well, it's a lack of preparation. Right. That's basically what it is. Would you have it coaching now? Well, if you're going to tell your wall to jump, then you have to have somebody lying behind it to cover the gap. I mean, it's not rocket science. So clearly, somebody has made a mess of it, whether it's the set-piece coach or whether it's just the manager who's told them to jump. But somewhere down the line somebody's made a booboo and so was lies notice that I'm trying to jump when would you restart the jump in the wall?
8:27Well, I'm going exactly I think it was Six I think Velvet jacket I think about the 70s Frank, overall, Somerset said after the game, he said, I'd done my homework, I saw they didn't have a draft excluder, so I knew what I was doing. Yeah, and that's insane, because as the guy explained, if you decide to jump, you put somebody on the floor. But that's crazy. I was told that a wall normally is to stay still and to maybe get on the toes to make yourself bigger, but never jump. I mean, we would have done that, jump and consider a goal like that. I can't imagine the coach in the dressing room after that.
9:21I think he would have smashed us in the face, you know, just for that, you know, because that's insane. And as the guy said, you know, yeah, you do that. Okay, you put somebody on the floor. At least you can cover something. What was the quote from Sobberzlai? He said that he knew that they didn't put somebody down behind the wall in the games that he'd seen. I thought he said he'd done his homework. No, he had done his homework. No, he had. You know, he said that he'd known. Somebody told him. Xabi Alonso called him. He watches my station. Xabi Alonso called him. Xabi Alonso called him. He said, I did my homework.
9:55All right, interesting. Yeah. Yeah, but listen, how hard is that homework then? This is first grade. So that's... No, this is first grade. No, no, this is first grade. Let me finish it, Craig. First grade is, if there's no one lying behind the wall, there is a chance that you can shoot under the wall. Thank you. Your homework, you're doing well. No, but I'm just interested, well, not really, but I'm just intrigued to know that a player who knows he's taking free kicks has watched another team's wall rather than getting that information from the scouting department about what they do and don't do.
10:30I mean, I know I'm splitting hairs here, but that's what I do. Surely you don't even need to do your homework and you can just see. What do you mean? We just look at their goal. This isn't a drafting school. I'm going to put this under the wall. You don't need to do research for it. You wouldn't do that unless you figured that they were jumping. So you'd have to know. Ah, I see. That's the next round. Otherwise, you look very stupid, Dan. Well, of course. If you try and put it under the wall, the wall doesn't move. It's the Champions League. Are we really at that stage of the Champions League?
10:56This is the best conversation we've had about the Champions League so far. It should is. Right, let's go back to the loaves. Chelsea were in action. Taking on Papos. Leon Roscinia's first Champions League game in charge of course at Stamford Bridge and they were made to sweat as well They were far from their best and whatever that is Caicedo here in the end getting the vital goal Yeah, the ball, I think the ball comes off one of the defenders and Caicedo Just makes his run anyway hoping it gets there and it does and he head into the back of the net Yes, indeed that proved to be the difference between the two sides Chelsea and Liam Rossignor then celebrating a 1-0 victory.
11:36Frank Le Boeuf had the pleasure of watching this for us. Frank, Frank, tell us all about it. Yeah, it seems to be that I was the only one watching it. But really, Chelsea did what they had to do. The goalkeeper, Gauter, the Dutch goalkeeper, made some crazy saves, especially the first half. And it could have been like 5 or 6-0. But surprisingly, when Chelsea scored the goal 10 minutes before the end of the game, Parfos were dominant after that, which is unexplainable from the Blues. You know, you should have finished the game and it could have been an easier game. But overall, nothing much to say.
12:16The team played well. They tried hard and they were very professional. They really deserved to win that game 1-0. it's the minimum for Paphos it could have been really worse I knew we were on to you, a good thing talking about that wall there what are you doing? We're going to move on you don't have to say anything, it's fine I'm done
12:40Speaking of Premier League sides the big story of course from yesterday Bodo Glynn beat in Manchester City in what was of course the seventh round of the matches Bodo Glynn winning by three goals to one to register their first ever Champions League victory. Erling Haaland's poor run of form would continue. Just one goal in their last eight games. That was a penalty. The comeback of Rodri has not inspired the team as much as many thought it would. He would be sent off. Two yellows in 53 seconds. City ending the game with just 10 men. Back-to-back losses for City. Two wins in their last seven matches in all competitions.
13:18Manchester City players have decided to reimburse those fans who travelled for Bodo Glympt loss. A nice gesture there from the players. Don't go to Jan. Let's talk about that gesture in a minute shall we. Jan where do you want to start? Erling Haaland be a massive failure or Bodo Glympt with a big victory? I start with Bodo Glympt I think. No it was, to be fair, I mean we say this is breaking news that they're winning at home. I was there when I beat Mourinho 6-1 when he was at Rome. I've seen them playing very good against Tottenham. They were 2-0 up, 2-2. They managed a 2-2 away to Dortmund.
13:57So just to explain this win based on AstroTurf and the temperature, that is not enough. I mean, Borgliem, I'm not saying they outplayed them, but they played as Borgliem always do. 4-3-3, waiting for City, then counterattack. Jens Petter, Haugdahl, we remember from Frankfurt, he won the Europa League for Frankfurt. He was in Milano as well, had a brilliant goal. But before the game, I was sitting somewhere tipping this game. I said 2-1 to Budiglund because I've seen Manchester City lately. They have no energy. They have been tired. And then you go all the way up to the Polar Circle, to the most beautiful country in the world with the Northern Lights.
14:40and they go out there against a Borde Glimt team that is on fire at home. And it was a great game. Kasper Hög, that was also a prediction of mine. I said he has goal allergic. He can't score goals and he scored two. And the second one was brilliant taking against Donnarumma. And he's not functioning at the moment for Manchester City. And I'm very happy for Borde Glimt, of course, but it's a worrying time for Manchester City after that Old Trafford thing and now North Norway. Stevie, you weren't here yesterday. Jan's right, City look really lethargic at the moment. Yeah, I mean, it's tough enough to go and play on that type of surface at the best of times.
15:21But when you're actually struggling and there's no real cohesion, you're kind of unsure of each other all the time. And it's really tough and it showed. And you saw Borel inside who read all the bounces, read all the second balls and then took their chances. As much as it is a shock, I just think people should understand that when you play on that surface... So you're giving City a pass? No, I'm not giving them a pass. I'm just saying that everything conspired against City. That sounds like a pass. Mostly the way they've been playing and they haven't been together and the back line. But you shouldn't discount how tough it is to play on that surface.
16:04The thing is, it isn't a one-off. And that's the whole point of this. isn't it if City had won 20 in a row, went to this bad pitch, cold? Yeah, everything can... You stick at all those things that we've been talking about and the thing you've just talked about, and it shouldn't be a huge surprise that they struggled. Yeah, they should still win the game. It's a surprise. This team hasn't won the championship. They should still win the game, but I just don't think you understand how tough it is on that surface. Well, I think they were in the semi-final, as Jan pointed out, I think semi-final of the Europa League, right?
16:35They're no mugs. Yeah. No, but what I'm saying is, I'm not making excuses for them. Not at all. The surface was nothing to do with the mistakes at the back. The surface was nothing to do with Rodri being sent off. The surface was nothing to do with Ellen Halling not putting some chances away. I read a report. I saw something when Macclesfield beat Palace in the FA Cup, which was one of, I think, the biggest shock ever in terms of the number of places between the teams, that one of the Palace players was overheard. Maybe even when Mark Gay is saying, I don't really fancy this today. and that really inspired the Marcos field players because they thought, this lot, we can get this lot, roll the sleeves up.
17:13They don't want this blood and guts, this muck of this pitch. And I got the feeling that, you know, it's a synthetic pitch, it's freezing cold in Norway, it's a good team, we're struggling if you're Man City, we've got these injuries, we're feeling a bit sorry for ourselves, our manager keeps bringing it up, our strikers hit the buffers a little bit, But, and you could say, before you go through the technicalities of both teams, did City actually fancy the fight away from home in these conditions? And the answer's no, because as a player... Seminat's obviously the derby. They didn't fancy the fight then.
17:52Yeah, exactly. As a player. On a perfect... As a player, when you step on that field, you go, oh, jeez. And it's all about the injuries. That's the first thing you do. I'm giving them no... You know this. I'm giving City no passes. Zero. absolutely zero I mentioned it yesterday they don't recall the kanji from his lawn they know John Stones has played a handful of games in the last two years they know they've got problems at the back but yet they go out and spend in different areas and now he wants to moan about the injuries no sympathy absolutely none whatsoever yeah yeah I just want to get Frank involved on the last bit of news obviously would you pay for fans given your disappointment in the results would you pay for their tickets and their travel Yes, yes, especially with the performance that you had yesterday.
18:39Yeah, and it's kind of an excuse that you want to show. I understand. No, no, it happened to me, and I played against Romso in the first leg of the Champions League in north of Norway. I think he's even more norther than Budokly, maybe Jan would tell us. But we lost 3-2 on the first leg, but the game was different. It was snowing. we had to stop the game three times but we weren't good, we weren't prepared for the fight we won 7-0 the second leg but it was so disappointing for the fans who came over as well so I can understand that the club wants to show something and show some sympathy for the fans who made the effort to come over and I think it's just only fair for me.
19:25It's not the club it's the players. The players are paying. This is pathetic Where does it end? Man City go and play Burnley away, or whoever it is, Wolves. They've got Wolves next game ever, I think is at home. Where does it stop? They have a bad performance. How are they reimbursing? It's disrespectful to Bodo Glimp. It's almost like saying, we should have beaten this team four or five. And we were garbage today, so we're going to repay you because this is just a bunch of guys from Norway who you've never heard of, and we should have beat them. It's downright disrespectful. If you're a supporter, You pay your money, you take your chances.
20:01That's what supporters do through thick and thin. They put their money down and they turn up, home and away, some of them, and they take their chances. It is ridiculous to be shelling out money because you've had a bad game. Because you'd never stop shelling out. It's just ridiculous. So if you're part of that squad, you'd say no. I'm going to get stuffed. Not happening. Stevie? No. No, me. First of all, when it goes to Norway... I've got zips in my pockets. They're Scottish. I don't want to spend money. First of all, the City fans, they went to Norway. They will pay that back again because they went to Norway, which is great to come to.
20:41That is point number one. Point two, it's interesting. It's interesting the analysis we have now because Manchester City did exactly the same mistakes against Budiglim that they did at Old Trafford. And last time I checked, and I was there on Saturday, there were no AstroTurf there. It was more or less the same temperature. Sure, it can get cold in England as well. So let's not hear this thing that is so cold and all that kind. Because if you saw the second goal, did you see they were all over the place, the City defenders, that they've been in so many games. Nothing to do with AstroTurf, nothing to do with the cold.
21:18And it's also a fact that good players, when good players are on form, they are better on AstroTurf because the AstroTurf is not like back in the old days. I don't like AstroTurf at all. I don't think it should be allowed in the Champions League. That's my status. But we can't use that as all the mistakes that Manchester City are doing at the moment. They were very, very tired at Old Trafford. They were very, very tired traveling to North Norway. And of course, Bordegliem, this was the game of their season. They wanted one game at home against either Manchester City or Arsenal, coming to Norwegian football stars' home.
21:56and then away to Dortmund. And they got their game. And that was a fantastic win for Bode Glimt. And in terms of paying the fans, I mean, it could be an excuse, could be a good thing to do. I don't think that is a... I don't bother about that. What would you have done as a player, though, Jan, if the captain came up to you and said, look, this is what we're doing? I would probably be said, yes, OK. I can share that with you guys because we'll do that as a thing. But I don't use it as an excuse. going. And please, Craig, in all disrespect to Burnley, don't compare it to North Norway, will you? This is what I don't understand.
22:35This is what I wouldn't advise going to Burnley in the first place, I have to be honest. This is what I don't understand. This kind of nonsense, right? Appeasing people, where does it stop? What if I'm a fan who wasn't in Norway, but what if I'm a fan who goes to another Champions League game and they're absolutely crap again? and they don't get their money reimbursed, what's the difference? Where does it stop with this nonsense of just trying to appease people to try and smooth it over? It's not like they're not going to go away from home again. They're going to go away at least 50 % of the games, maybe more with the cup competitions.
23:13So are we saying that every time they put in a subpar performance, the captain's going to have to go to the players and get in their pockets? They've got enough money, I understand that. They're very rich people. but it's the sort of sentiment behind it. It's just wrong to me. It just feels wrong. It's even worse in Germany. Have you seen that after a game when they lose? They're standing by the ultras and let them have a go at them, throwing things at them. Sometimes the captain go over to the fence talking to the leader of the ultras and getting all abuse. I hate that. They do that in France.
23:47They shouldn't do that either. They do that in France as well. They shouldn't be doing that either. That makes no sense to me either. A lot more than what we've seen in the Champions League on the latest. No, that's even worse. I've seen a link, Frank. It's okay. Sorry. That's okay. Unless you were talking about the Gavin Jules show being even worse, but that's your own opinion. It does drop, though, on Thursday. Quick timeout. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak Frozen Power Waffles and Flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it, and you're out the door. No long prep, no complicated game plan.
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25:47at times but for us just watching the game you know you're going to get value for your money yeah it was good fun the goals were there it was tough for barca actually it really was the conditions weren't ideal it was a really bad pitch below they had to work at it they went behind barca they shoot themselves in the foot sometimes with their defending that's what must give the biggest headaches the two goals they considered here from from set pieces from corners not well defended but they've got that firepower at the other end we saw that some brilliant goals you saw there from Fermian Lopez, who was the man of the match, and Dani Almo, as you mentioned, just two minutes after coming off the bench.
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26:20So they got the win and they gave them a chance of making the top eight. If you look at the table now, they're in this kind of logjam. I think it's eight teams that are level on 13 points. It'll go down to the last matchday. It'll depend on goal difference, but they've given themselves a chance at least. We were looking before, Craig, at what Newcastle, what Barcelona have ahead, and it's not too bad with regards to the opponents. so Pedri will have time. Yeah, I think Real Oviedo is next out. Obviously, Sid Lowe's team, they're struggling. I think it's at home. Albicete and the Copa del Rey, I think they go to Mallorca.
26:55They've got Elche, who are a decent side. So it's not easy, particularly places like Elche, but it doesn't look like a terrible run. And they've been able to compensate when De Jong or Pedri have been out this season at times. Eric Garcia has done a good job, for example. So I would imagine they're going to be OK, but a bit of a shame for Pedri. They're fun, though, Steve, aren't they, El Barca? Can you imagine if they go out and bought two proper centre-backs? Can you imagine how good this team would be? Yeah. Because right now, it's really... It's an Achilles heel big time. And it's probably going to stop them winning the Champions League.
27:31But, yeah, if you watch, yes, please. Latest on Pedri, we were just discussing it. Is there anything you can tell us, Alex? Yeah, well, TV cameras picked him up limping away from the stadium afterwards. Hansi Flick was asked about it after the game. He said, we don't know. It's too soon. He'll undergo tests. There are conflicting reports, as you mentioned, from journalists who are close to the team. Some saying this looks worrying. This looks a concern. Others saying maybe it isn't that bad. Basically, the bottom line is at this stage, nobody knows. It will depend on those tests that he'll undergo tomorrow.
28:01So a win for Barcelona and, of course, a win for Real Madrid yesterday. Yesterday, a big win against Monaco, 6-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Inevitably, Vinicius Jr. dominates the headlines. That's how the Bernabeu wants you. Vinicius is smiling again, says the front page of Aston Marker. Vinicius Jr. was, of course, the subject of all the questions after the game. Arbeloa came out and said Vinny needs to feel loved and wanted by the fans. Jude Bellingham reiterating the same sort of sentiment. He's a player who thrives when he gets loved. Mastantuano, it's not fair that only Vinny was booed. And then Felicius Jr.
28:37saying, being booed here really hurt me. We need to feel the fans' support to get things back to normal. Alex, you were there last night. Very different, of course, to the atmosphere we saw at the weekend against Levante. But I imagine it isn't necessarily going to last. Yeah, it was completely different. There were almost none of the whistles that we saw in the Levante game. very few whistles and the whistles that were there were very quickly drowned out by cheers. The Champions League is different. We know that the atmosphere in a Champions League game with the Bernabeu is different. And you mentioned Vinicius Junior, he really needed this.
29:11It was an all-round performance from him. It was him back to his best. It wasn't just the goal, that was sort of the icing on the cake. It was the two assists, the other goal he created as well. One interesting thing, it's not all sorted, I don't think. It was very notable that Vinicius Junior celebrated with all his teammates, ran across to hug the coach Arbeloa, who, as you've heard there, has spoken so highly of him. He didn't really engage with the fans. You get the feeling that Vinny is still hurting what he thinks is the way that he's been treated. The fans would say, of course, they've just been unhappy with his level of performance and the contract situation and the feeling that he was involved in the sacking of Xabi Alonso.
29:47But it was a big step forward, a really positive step, I think, for the team, not just for Vinny, you mentioned for Bellingham as well. it did feel like a bit of a weight had been lifted. But the big caveat is Monaco are not a good team. And, you know, let's see. It's much too early still to say that this Arbeloa project is up and running. Yeah, Villarreal, of course, the weekend. Why were you pulling a face when I was reading those quotes, Steve?
30:09Well, there's a reason why they're all booing him and getting on him. Because of the way he acts, the way he is. The way he has carried himself. He's brought every single bit of it on himself. I know everybody's like, oh, I'll give him a bit of love. Well, knock away you go, grow up. Be as great a player as you are. You're unprofessional on too many occasions. And the fans whistling at you, you absolutely 100 % deserve that. And the only way you get them off your back is by A, producing on the field and behaving properly. If he does that, he'll be fine. Alex, is that an opinion that's shared quite a lot in Spain?
30:49Yeah, look, we don't have devices if he is. up until fairly recently, it's been the case that Real Madrid fans have loved him. And it's been fans of other teams that have had a problem that's changed. And like I say, it's these three factors that have come together that I mentioned there. It's the fact that he hasn't been playing well. I think it's only five goals in the league this season. He hasn't renewed his contract. There's been no progress on those contract talks since May last year. His contract's up in June, 2027. He's getting closer and closer to entering the final year of his contract.
31:15And there's this feeling that as we've reported, he was one of the players who wasn't a fan of Xabi Alonso, that relationship wasn't there. He made his feelings known and he played a big part in Xabi Alonso going because the club knew that while Xabi Alonso stayed, there was no chance of that contract being renewed. So all those things together, I think, have affected the relationship with the fans. But as always, fans, I think, are just as fickle. And if he starts performing more often, like he did last night, if he's back to his best, I think he'll get at least the round with the fans back onside.
31:45We know he needs that kind of people fluffing him. You saw it with the Ballon d 'Or, didn't you? Right. You know, it's like, it's just the way he is. It's all a bit silly, but Alex is right. If he hits the kind of form that we know he can, and I think just as important as that, if the supporters see him grafting more than he has, I think that'll go a long way to maybe appeasing him as well as performance, if they actually see him going out there and closing the ball down and showing that desire, that will go a long way as well. But I don't think he needs... As a player, I don't think you need other players coming out and saying he needs a bit of love.
32:28And as a player... You'd be embarrassed, wouldn't you? You know yourself what your situation is and you just have to get on with it, deal with it and sort it out. As I said before, he's got his way. He's got what he wanted. He wanted Alonso out because that relationship was beyond repair. And now it's up to him to go and show the crowd that he is the man. And maybe Alonso was holding him back. But he's going to have to show that. Alex, just a word on Bellingham. Of course, Vinicius Jr. and the whistles, he got somewhat overshadowed. The Englishman, he celebrated his goal today, yesterday, of course, with the inevitable words, I'm the only one who knows the truth.
33:08yeah it was it was a brilliant celebration from jude i don't know how to best to describe that celebration sort of but basically imitating that he was having a few drinks yes i think we can say and that's because there's been unfounded a lot of rumors on social media in particular about the fact that he enjoys madrid's nightlife and he came out afterwards and said look that's that's not the case you know i'm a i'm a professional he said i i'm not happy with the way that people can talk about these things with seeming impunity, but what can I do? Either I can sort of moan and cry or I can send them a lawyer, he said, or I can try and have a laugh.
33:43And he said that celebration was trying to have a laugh. I mean, some fans have taken it maybe not exactly the right way because Bellingham is another one who hasn't been performing in the last few months. I think some fans feel like, well, should you really be sort of joking around with a celebration? And really, you haven't been performing for the team. But it was a nice moment for Jude and he's another one who needed it. He needed that because, like I say, he hasn't been at his best or anything like his best for a while now. So not as extreme a case as Vinicius, I don't think, but yeah, Bellingham needed that goal too and the celebration.
34:15It'd have to be a crack in beard, glasses and false nose, wouldn't it? For Jude Bellingham to go out and not be spotted, wouldn't it? There are places. You boys know that. You boys know that for your days. Thank you very much. There's always places. There's only one person here who's a regular in Madrid. There's always places you can go. Dingy. Dingy places down in a deep hole. There's always somewhere beyond a red velvet rope. Yeah, yeah. Alex, thank you very much, mate. Much appreciated. Of course, just a reminder, La Liga here this weekend. And it's a huge game, isn't it? Villarreal against Real Madrid on Saturday.
34:48Have they really turned a corner? Get ready for this. Or will they be sunk by the yellow submarine? 2.30 Eastern. Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way? You hand everything off and then silence. Days pass. Weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow-up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now, taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full-service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app.
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37:08Bayern 2 Union 0 is how it finished in Germany. Harry Kane would get the opening goal seven minutes into the second half. He then converts a penalty. Kane would be sent off for his second yellow with half an hour to go. In that half an hour, Kane would get another penalty but miss it. In the end, it didn't matter. Bayern win 2-0. Yanagafjortov was keeping an eye on this game for us, Jan. Another good performance from Bayern. When Bayern play, you try to find ways to make the games exciting. In the weekend, they played in Leipzig. Leipzig 1-0 up. There should have been 2-3 up. And of course, Bayern then score five before this game.
37:46Kane hadn't scored in three Champions League games. Now he got two. He should have had three. He scored 34 in 29. Kampani had a problem winning against Guillouar when he was at Anderlecht. That was all the preparation we did before the game. But again, Bayern just doing what Bayern do. And last week, I was seeing them live. I went to Cologne and I saw them against Cologne, of course. Well done, yeah. They had five teenagers on the bench. Lennar Karl coming on. And there is a hunger in the team. There is something about Vincent Kompany's leadership right now at Bayern. It is fantastic. The way they go forward, the demands to the players.
38:33Does that mean that he will win the Champions League? Now, we don't know about that in January, of course, but he will win the both trophies here in Germany. And I must say it's impressive how company has sorted them out. And again, you saw that big chance from David, the Gilloao player. He got a score there, but then probably they will win 4-1 Bayern Munich. That's how they are doing at the moment. They're all over the pitch and company has managed them to kind of fight for their places, fight for their positions and always be hungry for the next goals. I was standing behind him at the end of Köln.
39:10He was desperate to get them going in the 94th minute of the game. And it's just impressive. And people can say, yeah, you should do that all the time. But we know that some teams don't do that all the time, but Bayern do at the moment. Jan, Champions League final. Who's their forward line-up? The Champions League final? Yeah. I will, if they go to the Champions League, Kane I think will have a good chance to get in there. Yeah. And Dia.
39:39See who they choose between Musiala, Karl, what they do. I think that it's brilliant for Musiala that he can slowly get into this team again and we know what he's on and we just hope that after that injury that he will find his balance, and he'll find his mojo. Is that the right thing to say? But we know that you need time, but it's easier to get, when you come back from injury, to go into a team that have the quality that is functioning, and then he can take his time, get 20 minutes, 30 minutes, a half, maybe have a starter against some of the teams. I'm just very impressed by Munich at the moment.
40:20It doesn't say a lot for Tommy Tuchel, does it? The Messiah. No, no. The Messiah for me because you're English Just a very naughty boy You're gonna be banging on in the summer into your England top on you're all puntered up We've that's what they're all said in England. Tommy took who's gonna win it He's the money to get us over the lane you got Vincent company who got really good at the bonnets going in there done a much better job Miss he morning and groaning every week Well, I'm getting no, but I'm just said to cool. They lost the league. He moaned and groaned about we didn't get Pauline yet Vincent Kompany's going in there.
40:54Their squad's been a little short at times as well, to be honest, particularly at the back. He hasn't got everything he wanted, and yet they're getting these results, playing much better football, and yet England think they've got the Messiah. Typical arrogance. Some English, I think. Jan, let's do percentage chance, Bayern win the Champions League. We will always have, we said this on the show before, if we asked us last season about PSG in January, So I can tell, but I will have the favourites up there with the Arsenal, with the PSG. When you see the culture, there is a Real Madrid and Barcelona to go far, you can't write them off.
41:35So I couldn't give you a percentage. But I will have Bayern up there now. I will have them ahead of Arsenal because Bayern Munich got that culture of winning trophies. And Arsenal haven't for some years. City are far too high in that. Apart from the fact they beat them. I mean, how did he get above Barcelona? How is City above Barcelona? I don't know, Stephen. Makes no sense. I know. Why Real Madrid that high as well? You look at it. I feel like Madrid shouldn't even be in there. Yeah. But yeah, Man City. I mean, that's just making a mockery. I think Arsenal, PSG and Bayern are like the three, wouldn't you?
42:11Yeah, absolutely. PSG based on now, but based on now, Dan? PSG? Yeah, but you said it yourself. If you get a feeling PSG can find an extra gear. Exactly. You'll find an extra gear when you took that in. Yeah, absolutely. But we'll see Arsenal if they can do it all the way out. And we also know that when you come to the end of big tournaments, you need the match winners. You do need the goal getters. And I still think that will speak against Arsenal. Yeah, Harry Kane, of course, England's finest. Promo then for the Bundesliga coming up this weekend. And Bayern are early Saturday morning, 9.30 Eastern against Augsburg.
42:49Richard Dortmund, the late game against Union Berlin. This college basketball tournament moment is brought to you by Marriott Bonvoy. We've got to take one game at a time and go up there and try to play our best and hopefully get a win. In the 2003 NCAA tournament, junior guard Dwayne Wade led third-seeded Marquette on a magical run to the Final Four. In the Elite Eight, Wade scored 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists as he carried the Golden Eagles to the upset win over one-seeded Kentucky. Marriott Bonvoy, where game day checks in. Evan Cohen here. Game day brings the excitement.
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44:23One last thing, just from what we saw at the weekend, we had quite a bit of discussion about this challenge from Dallow early on in the Manchester Derby. I think everyone agreed and everyone was surprised that when VAR took a look at it, it wasn't referred to the monitor. We've heard from Howard Webb, who of course is the head of referees. He's come out and said, there's not a great deal of speed in the action, not a lot of intensity. So he agrees with the on-field decision. Does that make sense? No, no. Not a great deal of speed in the action? No, you rake down somebody's knee with your studs.
44:59It's a red card. Right. Frank? No, of course not. It makes no sense. I think yesterday we saw the same thing about a player, I don't remember which game, and the guy was red-carded. And the ref went to the VAR and he goes red-carded. So it doesn't make anything. I don't understand Mr. Webb at some point. That's a clear foul. And Dalot, even if he doesn't do it on purpose, he puts the player, his opponent, in danger. So it doesn't make any sense for me. Look at it one way. Doku was the player, Frank. Doku is actually lucky that the position he was in, you know, he wasn't completely planted. And the movement, he's lucky that he wasn't seriously injured.
45:48That's the kind of challenge it was. And when you take that into consideration, I don't know how Howard Webb, well, I do know why Howard Webb, because he's been getting battered from pillar to post, and rightly so, in the last few months, maybe 18 months. And everybody thought when he took over this role from Mike Riley that he was going to come in and be, you know, strong-arm the refs and lay down the laws and everybody was going to be better. But they're not really, are they? I mean, we sit here every weekend after a slew of fixtures and shake our head at some of the decisions. And I think he's just gone in there.
46:27There's been so many bad ones. I think he's just doubled down on this one, but I think he's made himself look very, very stupid. Jan, you said this was hardly even a yellow. No, I never said that. I was in the stadium. I didn't see it in the match, and I understand that is the argument that they tried to use, but we saw last night, as you were saying, Dortmund-Svenson was sent off. There was also an incident, Copenhagen got a man sent off, and this was, for me, a clear, clear red. The only way I see why Webb is doing that is that there's been a bit discussion that every tackle, when you go slow, it looks terrible.
47:07But maybe use this for that. But I can't believe that you don't see that as a red card. I mean, for me, it's a rot, it's a red. Craig Pawson was an experienced official. Yeah. He was a VAR. Right. And he is refereeing which game at the weekend? Oh, I don't know. Is it Arsenal, by any chance? Oh, there we are. Arsenal, Manchester United. Extra Time, as always, is available over on our YouTube channel. Frank returns. Yeah, Frank, what a funny face. He's back for YouTube. Check it out. Put those words in some of the water. No, he's not an office.
47:45Mallorca are celebrating 10 years of the American ownership. And to celebrate, they brought Sid Lowe to Arizona to speak to some of the main men, of course, including Steve Nash.
47:59I don't know if this is a stupid question, but are there things that basketball can take from football? When you play basketball, are there things that football somehow can influence and vice versa? Am I reaching here? No, no, for sure. I'm not sure I would have played in the NBA if it wasn't from my football background, to be honest. I think it opened up a lot of ideas and things in me that allowed me to be different as a basketball player. You know, to play point guard in the NBA, there's kind of 30 starting point guards in the world, and they're all like incredible athletes, explosive, powerful, generally.
48:34So I wasn't. I was a good athlete, but I was more athletic in balance, coordination, rhythm, timing, creativity. And so without football and the ideas and having to always have an idea and a picture of what you want to do before you receive the ball and thinking of different ways for a ball to get places. When I stopped, when I started playing basketball, I almost felt like I was cheating. I could use my hands to get balls over the top, underneath, spin the ball, slide the ball. Things that were common in soccer but more difficult to teach your feet. So I think I got a great advantage as a basketball player because of my history playing soccer.
49:09That part of a special show that airs tonight, or tomorrow, sorry, 7pm Eastern on ESPN. First Football America's The America Decade with Mallorca. Who is the dummy sap beside? Never heard of him, no idea. Is that not that? Don't know. I used to play for... Bolton? Bolton in the US. Sitting there. That is it, that brings us to the end of today's show. Frank is back to explain his wardrobe, Jan joins us as well. Craig and Stevie to answer your questions on Extra Time, we wish. Which is next.
49:47Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Velvet jackets. Frank, what's it about? Velvet. This is new. Well, that's not new, but because it's on TV for the first time, it's new for you, but it has just a velvet jacket. What's wrong with it? You don't like it? You look... Frank, you're looking so good. You're looking so good. You look like a singer at the Eurovision Song Contest from France getting 12 points. Wow, that is not a compliment for anyone else's. Oh, yeah, it is. It is in Norway. It is in Norway. Norway's standards are very different. It looks like he's going to do a trick, doesn't it?
50:20He looks like he's going to do some sort of magic trick. Well, maybe he can make you disappear. I'd be happy with that. All of you. All of you, maybe. Jan, are you more proud that a Norwegian club defeated City or more disappointed that Erling couldn't have an impact in the lost game yesterday? Bordeglip winning, absolutely. I love that. That is a great, great story. Manchester City and Erling Haaland has been tired lately. Erling because he's played a lot of minutes and he's a guy like everybody else. He's a big guy that needs maybe, hopefully he can get some rest. Yeah, but at Bordegliem, one of the best wins we've had.
51:07Norway is a small football nation, but this is up there with one of the greatest results we've had. And mind you, Bordegliem haven't played a game for six weeks. I mean, they're in the middle of a winter break, a long, long winter break. So that was a big, big win for us. Why would anybody think Jan would be upset with Erling Haaland? I don't know. I like the fact that Erling Haaland's tired. Bless him. Craig, five of the top eight teams in the Champions League table are from the Premier League. Man City's just outside. Can we stop saying the Premier League is weak this year? No, it is. It is.
51:44And this is early days. Tottenham are in it, by the way. Tottenham are up there. Yes. They are absolutely, they were better against Dortmund, albeit they got a man sent off, but they were better. But they've been garbage. So, no, we can't. Premier League. So, how bad is Europe then? Well, again, it's... Well, let's take PSG, right? Last year. They, I might be right. I might, I stand corrected, sorry. Yeah. But I think they just scrambled out. They had that bottom. Let's get a result in the last game. the last game out of that bottom eight. Yeah. So it doesn't really mean anything at this moment in time because some of the teams, I mean, we're watching these games.
52:24There's only a couple of games. There's only the odd game with Jeopardy. Really and truly. And the other teams are playing for a bye. Yeah. To not be in that. I get that, but I'm watching that today, right? And some of Liverpool's football, we haven't seen that all season in the Premier League. Why is that? Yeah, but... Why is that? They've not been very good. I don't know, Steve, you... Well, look, I don't disagree, and I was kind of going along with the fact that, yeah, some of the play from a lot of the teams hasn't been very exciting or enjoyable, but yet Liverpool played some great football tonight, but they haven't been able to play in the Premier League.
53:10Is it to do with the physicality of the Premier League? I don't have an answer but that's what I'm watching when I'm watching that tonight we can't sit here we can't sit here and say the Premier League is strong we can't can I put something on the table for you boys and I don't have the answer but if you see after every transfer window you see the clubs that are spent most in Europe you know and you have Sunderland up there you have so many middle average Premier League teams, so they're getting better. Look at, so maybe it's tighter now in the Premier League table. Maybe that's why we will, someone will brand it boring.
53:54I don't think it is getting bored boring. I think just that the second best team, the third best team, exception Wolves, West Ham, maybe Burnley-ish, but the rest of the teams are getting better and that's why it's getting tighter in the Premier League. That could be a theory. How good could Furman be? I think he has the potential to be top class. Hold on, hold on. The rest of the teams are getting better. Who's getting better? Well, they're getting stronger. Some of them are getting better. They're getting stronger. No, they're not. Liverpool are weaker. Man City are weaker. Chelsea, you could argue, are weaker.
54:27Newcastle have been weaker. Can't win away from home. Thank you for confirming my argument. Thank you, Craig. What? You said everybody's getting stronger. they're getting stronger and it's harder to win away from home because the other teams the weaker teams are getting better it's harder to go to sunderland it's harder to go to full-time how are the weaker teams getting better when boronoff are selling all their players and palace are selling all their players boronoff is an exception it's harder to win away from home it's not like if you see the tables the last 70 years in england it's more or less the same teams but no everybody because of their finances, the second best team, the third best team is getting better in the Premier League.
55:09It's harder to dominate. Wolves sell the best player to Man United. Bournemouth are selling the best players. Palace are selling the best players. They're all selling their best players. Everton are not very good. Better's maybe not the world. The list goes on. Better's maybe not the world. Stronger, stronger, broader. Stronger. Stronger? Stronger. Who's stronger? Well, look at Sunderland. Well, they've just got off. I mean, that's a great example. but that's a great example of how strong they are and it's not easy to play against them. And a lot of the games we watch, a lot of the times the possession's poor.
55:43I think, I can certainly talk for myself when I think, a lot of the time there's so many giveaways you're thinking, hold on a minute, but because the other teams are getting stronger, it's making it harder for the so-called better player. Who's getting stronger? Sunderland have come up and done a great job. Who's getting stronger? West Ham have got weaker. Look at Brentford. Brentford have had a good season. Yeah, they've had a good season, played some football. So, we think of Brentford and we think of Mino, right? But that Mino, at the start of the season, spent£42 million on one player. I mean, things like that never used to happen.
56:19That's just one team. They sold Vissat, they sold Mbemo, they sold Norgard to Arsenal. They changed capers, flecking left. It doesn't matter. I'm not having it. There's no way the Premier League is stronger than better than previous years. We watch it every week. It's a lot worse. Better. Better is a lot worse. And Voltaire. Better and stronger. What the hell? Stronger where? Frank and myself, we know our Voltaire. And everybody has the right to have their opinion. And I respect your opinion. I just think there is a point that when you see always the club that gave out the most money, it's also the second best teams in England Premiership.
56:58Back in the days, that didn't used to be the case. The Swindon, the Reddings and whatever, we could never buy the best players as you can now. They're spending money on full-time top international players and they're fighting against the relegation, meaning that it's harder for the top teams to win away from home. No, it's harder for the top teams to win away from home, apart from Arsenal. It's harder for the top teams to win away from home because the top teams, Arsenal apart, have got worse. City have got lost. Chelsea aren't very good. Newcastle haven't been very good. But... How do you explain Liverpool then?
57:36Liverpool have just been crap. But the Champions League... But why? Listen, Craig. The Champions League table... How can they have gone from there to there? Hold on a minute. If we go from there to there and they spend£500 million in the summer. Right, I tell you what. Liverpool have got lost because the Premier League is super tough. Champions League tables show that you're wrong, Craig, because they are... Champions League table. I don't care with the European teams. No, but you have to decide where you go. How can you say, well, can you explain Liverpool? You go two different directions now.
58:03How can you explain Liverpool? Because we all sat here before the ball was kicked. The same players that haven't played well. But we sat here before the ball was kicked and said, oh, who's going to beat them? Not only did they walk the Premier League last year, but they've just signed all these players. Yeah, who haven't played well. It's not because... Maybe let's wait. It's not because the Bournemouths and the Brightons and all these have got stronger. So let's get nothing to do with that either. Let's wait the end of the season and see who wins the Champions League. Because everybody else is not very good.
58:34No, I never said that. There's a lot of reasons. But that's one of them. I don't know how anybody can sit here and say the Premier League is stronger. I just don't. Frank, would you like to talk about this some more? Just a small thing, you know. just wait for the end of the Champions League to see who wins the Champions League and where the English club will stand. And if one English club wins the Champions League, you can say that it's still the strongest league in the world. And even if I agree with you, it doesn't mean that because you're top of the top and you buy with millions of some players, you're going to get better.
59:13Liverpool is the best example of that. And we have seen that many, many times. We saw Leicester winning the Premier League with players, not average players, but good players, but not top players. So everything is possible. Let me tell you what the conversation is going to be, not just from us, but from other people. When Arsenal win the league, and they will, I'm guarantee the conversation will be, there's not been a challenge. Unless it changes, there's not been a challenge. Not been a challenge. A proper challenge. Craig, who was the challenger for Liverpool last season? Yeah. Nobody. Exactly.
59:54Nobody. And it's got worse. Craig, how good can Firmin be? I think he has the potential to be top. Very good. Let's move on. Very, very good indeed. Fantastic for Barca. How can he bring Liverpool in? How can he explain Liverpool? Seriously. He wants to blame all the Premier... He wants to blame Liverpool's wars on the rest of the Premier League. All of a sudden, it's the greatest... I've never said that at all. No, I just said it's another example. It's another piece. I'll explain to you. It's another piece. OK, they've not been very good. And that's why they are where they are. Freedom to speech.
1:00:28Van Dijk's defending. Kerkhez is defending. Mo Salah. Florian Wirtz. Alexander Rezac. That's why the start of the season, when they're all fit, we're going to win it. There's something wrong on my line. It's only a repeat from Bristol. Oh, hello, hello, hello. I forgot you had Bournemouth. I've got so much wrong. Echo. Echo. What came up, boy? Echol. Echol. Hello, Craig. Hello, Craig. Hello, Craig. He's got stronger. Stevie, why are Newcastle going to win the Champions League this year? Tell me. I don't know. I promise they have to play away on occasions, don't they? That is a big issue. Jan, who would be in your starting forward line-up for Norway if the World Cup started next week?
1:01:10I would start in the forward line-up. Erling number nine, of course. and then I will have Zerlot, so half right, just giving him support, but also working on the long balls because he's a great header of the ball. Then I would have Nusa from Leipzig, who play on the left side, coming one against one, which is doing brilliantly. Then we are a bit worried about Oscar Bob at the moment. We are excited to see what's happening to him in this transfer window. I saw he was linked to Fulham, but I was also talking about going on loan to Borussia Dortmund. So this will be my lineup. Final question, Frank.
1:01:49I think we've talked about this before. Who's Frank's favorite jersey swap? Oh, Frank's. Oh, wow. I think, and it's crazy because I don't remember when I did it, but the best swap was with Rivaldo. Barcelona, the 100-year jersey of Barcelona with the golden numbers and everything and Rivaldo what a player so there my favorite one is that one. Jan yours? Dennis Bergkamp for Holland. That's it then that brings us the end of today's show Europa League. Good job with the last two, isn't it? I know, I was waiting for you. Oh yeah, it's a little long. ESPN FC then back on your screens tomorrow for a bit of Europa League and the other one what's it called?
1:02:39conference europa conference europa conference
1:02:57two teams one cup the primetime stage is set for the tgl presented by sofi finals los angeles golf club versus tigers jupiter links keep up it's playoffs tune in monday March 23rd, 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2, and Tuesday, March 24th, 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and on the ESPN app.
From the publisher
The FC crew react to Dominik Szoboszlai's free kick vs Marseille and argue if the Reds are back to their best under Arne Slot. Plus, the guys lament Chelsea's win vs Pafos and question why the club have looked so lethargic under Liam Rosenior. Jan Aage Fjortoft also joins the show to break down Bodo/Glimt's victory over Man City and explain why Erling Haaland has struggled in the last month.
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