Vini Jr. Drama Spoils Clásico Win

23:38Can they make it again? Can they do it in a consistent way? Can they do it three back-to-back or three, four games? Because back-to-back is only six points and you're still far away from the top two. And you need to keep that consistency. So that's the main concern. Now Pablo Barrio is going to be out, hopefully not for many weeks, because definitely it's a very important play into the middle of the park. We're waiting for Almada to get back to the fitness. Cardoso is still not on the list. So this kind of situation are not helping to Atletico Madrid to keep that consistency that is needed. And if you want to arrive to the last part of the season with options to win the league or at least be closer to the top three teams or top two teams on the table, you need that consistency.

24:20Consistency in the last third, scoring goals with Solod, with Julio Alvarez, with Griezmann, with Alex Baena, with all of those players in top form, counting with Juliano and Nico, of course, but also at the back, not conceding goals. So very important today, clean sheet. Now they have to build on this. If you are going to play against Sevilla and conceding again goals, then you are back again on what we've seen at Atletico Madrid so far this season. So not enough. You need the consistency. All right. Well, Real Betis won't have very long to lick their wounds because they are back in action again during the week because the Copa del Rey is back on ESPN, Again, an absolute plethora of games that you can choose.

25:00All the action starts on Tuesday. As for Betis, they're in action on Thursday against Palma del Rio, 4 p.m. Eastern time for that game on ESPN+. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required. Compatibility and availability varies 18+.

25:37Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with power boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell.

26:09Let's switch focus now and have a look at the Premier League standings. Arsenal, after a big 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, are now four points clear at the top of the table. Yes, ahead of Bournemouth, who are in second, Spurs in third, and Sunderland, who are in fourth. Manchester City and Manchester United level on points. Who would have thought? And yep, you have to keep scrolling down to find Liverpool in seventh position. Mario, I'm coming to you first, especially after what we saw this weekend, because you had, in your early season predictions, Liverpool winning the league. But now it looks like Arsenal could start to run away with it, given the problems we're seeing from the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

26:54So which of these teams, either City or Liverpool or anyone else, do you realistically see challenging Arsenal now for the title? I mean, if you look at both, I think, you know, they both are unsettled. I think they're both going through a difficulty. Maybe we highlight the Liverpool more because, you know, it's a new pattern after you won the league. So that's why we're more focused on them and saying so. That's why I say, OK, if he gets them going again, they for me are still the prospect who might create a bigger upset. Why? Because City, if Haaland doesn't score, like we saw this weekend, it becomes a difficulty for them.

27:33And that's why I feel like it's more pressure on them in the sense of getting the goals. And I think Liverpool is just because the machine is not running. But we hope it kicks off and then Arsenal will get a problem. Because at the moment, even if you don't like football, you know Arsenal is a favourite. Xhaka, Ali, do you want to chime in? Do you think it will still be Liverpool to challenge Arsenal?

27:57Frank Leboeuf:Right now, yes. And I kind of wondered about City, given the fact that before this weekend, City were still three points behind Arsenal, despite not playing well. But again, you see the reliance. And while on one hand, it's great to have somebody like Erling Haaland, even somebody with his numbers needs to have a supporting cast. And you just feel that some of those players, some of the players that you expected, whether it's Foden or Reinders, maybe Cherokee comes good as he gains full fitness and has kind of found his feet within the city team. Maybe he's the one that kind of changes the fortunes.

28:35Frank Leboeuf:But right now for Liverpool, and it's just been such a turnaround for them from what we saw to start the season to what we've seen over recent weeks. And if you're on a slot and you're looking for positives from the game on the weekend, there are a couple. No, there's a lot for you to work on. But Kirkus, who struggled, found it back in the net. Mo Salah, who struggled, found it back in the net. Is that something that you can build on? is that can they take confidence from that in kind of jump-starting, let's be honest, jump-starting their season? Because even when Liverpool weren't defeated, they simply weren't playing well.

29:17Frank Leboeuf:So can that be the spark that jump-starts Liverpool at this point? Right now, those are ifs, ands, and buts, but we're talking Liverpool and City here. The truth is, what we've seen from Arsenal is just far and away better than everybody else. They are so solid, so secure in every single department. They've got numbers in every single department. This is, the only team that can stop Arsenal at this point is Arsenal. As if they just manage to shoot themselves in the foot. And while there's been no signs to suggest as much, you know, I don't see, given that there are no signs, I don't see either City or Liverpool really eclipsing Arsenal.

30:04So if we're going to make an argument for either one of these teams, whether it's Manchester City or Liverpool, I would suggest that Liverpool would be the most likely to make a push. But the bigger question is, how does Liverpool go about making a push? because right now they do not know how they're going to win the next match. Never mind making a push. They don't know with certainty. And for anybody that has been in successful teams, when you walk into the locker room every Monday as you're preparing for the game on the weekend, there is a certainty that you feel you're going to win on the weekend.

30:46Whatever we're working on, whatever our game plan is, the execution is going to be there and we're going to win it. You're not even thinking about the team that you're playing against. You're concerned about yourself and how good you feel about yourself. That's when you're playing well. That's when you're consistently winning. This is not happening with Liverpool. The other side of that conversation is when you walk into the locker room on Monday preparing for the game on the weekend, you have no certainty whatsoever as to how you're going to go about winning the game. You don't really trust the tactical plan.

31:23You don't really trust the players that are being selected. You don't really trust that that guy is going to do the job and that guy is going to do the job and you're not sure that you're going to do the job because you haven't been playing well individually. And that builds negative momentum. And it's so very difficult. Even for a team as talented as Liverpool, it is so very difficult. to turn that around. And in order to turn that around, you have to have structure. You have to have organization first so that everybody knows where they're supposed to be so that they can do the job with clarity.

32:00Arnest Lutz's job right now is to provide this team with clarity, not this guy goes here, that guy goes over there, and freedom for that guy to move there, and freedom for that guy to find the space. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. We're going to make it clear for everybody what your job is. Within this structure, this is what we want you to do. These are our starting positions. Let's start here. And then the talent will take over. It's going to be a difficult, long road back for Liverpool to get back into this race. And, to your point, Xhaka, they're going to need help from Arsenal in order for that to be the case.

32:33But Liverpool right now need to figure out a way to win the next game. Well, speaking of looking good and structure and organization. Let's talk about Manchester United, shall we?

32:47Frank Leboeuf:What a big win against Brighton at the weekend for Ruben Amorim's men, and that made it three wins in a row. Yes, indeed, Mario. And look, things are looking better at Manchester United. I didn't necessarily say good, but do you feel like things are finally starting to click? I think what's happening with him now is that the players, I think, are starting to understand what he wants. And he has worked really hard because we know all the critique and all the people that went through him, during that storm that everybody's going to him, he still kept his calm and managed to, you know, come up with records like this.

33:28Because the game against Brydon, Brydon is a team that we all know, you understand, they can be very creative and come up with things that you sometimes go like, wow, how can they, you know, They don't invest as much money as the bigger ones, but they still manage and capable to do things. But then they play that game, and it was one of the key things what I saw in that game, we will see it later, is clearly, okay, the Cunhas and Buemo, those are key guys. Why I say those are key guys? Because the energy that they bring into their team is actually what they were missing. because everybody was kind of slowing down and taking the time.

34:08But there is a goal that's going to come from Embraimé's last goal, not this one. I'm talking about the last one. If you see what Fernandes does in this moment, he lets the ball run, and then he picks it up. That goal for me, you can only do if your players started to understand what is expected from them, and you understand what the player is, What is he good at? What does he want? What does he need? And I think that was a clear moment where you saw Fernandes knowing that he looked at Embuame and then he let the ball go. And then he knew he was going to go behind him and take the ball on because they looked at each other at one point.

34:46If you saw it from a different angle. And I think that was one of the key things at Man United now. They understand and they want to do the work what the coach expects from them. That has been a key thing, hasn't it, Xhaka? Just because you look at who Manchester United had up front before when, you know, Ten Hag brought in the likes of Xerxi, Rasmus Hoyland as well. Even though there were quality in their leagues there, but they were not perfectly proven. And then you look at Mateus Cunha, look at Brian Mbomo now, and just how they're able to just, you know, hit the ground running. That's been the biggest thing for United.

35:15Frank Leboeuf:That's not been the biggest thing for United, in my opinion. Let me just say, I mean, it's contributed. But let me just say, and what a difference a couple of weeks makes. You know, had Manchester United lost to Sunderland, I really question whether Amarim would have seen all the week as Manchester United manager. But Ali spoke a couple of minutes ago about how pained Liverpool players look on the pitch. You contrast that with Manchester United right now, and it is an absolute 180, or as Craig would phrase it, an absolute 360, as to how good, how comfortable, how much these players just seem to be enjoying their football.

35:55Frank Leboeuf:And that's the biggest thing for me, Alexis. Just how different the body language is on the park of Manchester United's players now as compared to two, maybe three weeks ago. Now, to your point, you did not have the quality to get the opening goal like you saw from Cunha last season. You didn't have the quality of runs from Mbwemo as you saw for his two goals. As you've seen for much of this season, indeed from Mbwemo, who has been one of the brighter attacking sparks of Manchester United all season long. There's still question marks about Casemiro and his mobility through midfield. But let's also know, and while there are question marks about Manchester United, this is a good Brighton side.

36:43Frank Leboeuf:This is a good Brighton side that dragged Manchester United back to 3-2. and again, three, maybe four weeks ago, you would have seen Brighton at least get an equalizer if not going on to win it. Yet, Manchester United did not seem ruffled. Just kept their... Well, a little. Well, but... A little. But they got the win. Yeah. And it didn't feel fluky as maybe if this had happened three or four weeks ago, it would have felt fluky. It didn't this time around. They made it a little... Manchester United made it a little too nervy, but then they were able to get over the line. And I think they should be commended for that because even with the same 11 players, I'm not sure we could have been seeing that three, maybe four weeks ago.

37:31Ale? If I think of the turnaround of Manchester United and if I'm going to make it about one player as to what he was before when this team was all over the place as to what he is now, I'm going to go with Mario's boy, Matthias DeLigt. Who, you could make the argument, has been horrendous for Manchester United for a long period of time. And you see him the last couple of games and you go, wait a minute, is he back at Ajax? Look at this guy. Sliding challenges and winning balls and winning 50-50 and distributing play and showing leadership and passion and really sure of himself and confident in the way he's playing.

38:20And if you just take the league and you extrapolate that and spread it all over the field, that's what you're getting from Manchester United. Guys who three weeks ago looked like, oh, mommy. Nope, this is not going to work out. Now, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, look at them. Look at them knocking the ball around and combining and scoring goals, and you're going, not the same team. Not the same team. Now it's about keeping this thing going, keeping it on the rails and moving forward. Because, to your point, Shaka, you call it a little shaky. It was a lot shaky. It was a lot shaky. Don't go back to that.

39:02Yeah. And I don't think it takes much for a team that has been there for so long to go back to that. You got to keep this train moving forward and forget the disappointment. Use it as a platform for you to look back and say, no, no, no, no, no. Over there, scary. Over there, that's dark over there. We don't want any of that. We have to continue to move this thing forward. Manchester United have done that over the last three games. Mario, do you want to jump in on what Ale had to say about the licht? No, about the licht, no, definitely. His confidence is growing. I think that's also to see in the team.

39:40You know, like if you look at a team, when a team is starting to win games, you understand, you as an individual, you grow. And I think the Ligt, what happened when he came there, there was always a whole different system for him to play. He arrived with a different coach and he wanted to play like four at the back, now three at the back, sometimes he's the right side. We talked about it last week about a throw-in. They crack jokes that he couldn't throw the ball in right. But I'm happy that his confidence is growing because that is what Ali is highlighting. because you can see that now there is an individual that is feeling happy.

40:10And also you can see the celebration when they score goals and when he sees his team winning. You can see there is more passion out of the game. And passion comes from, you know, when you believe in yourself and you are happy that the way everything is going. And I think that is one of the key things at Man United. Defensively, the key thing for the whole team is he made it more compact because playing against Brighton, they will open you up. And luckily, Amaranth didn't get exposed like that. He kept it compact, and that's why he won the game. All right. Well, there was a lot more Premier League talk and Manchester United talk on the latest edition of the Gab and Jules podcast.

40:45But nope, that is not Julianne Laurent. Instead, Gab is joined by Stuart Robsellon. A new episode of the Turtleneck Variety. Where is his neck? Where is his neck? All right. Just a reminder, in earlier La Liga action, Atletico de Madrid went up against Real Betis and Atleti won that game by two goals to nil their first away win all season. I'm sure it was a big moment for Cholo Simeone and his men. Alex Kirkland managed to get some post-match reaction from Jan O 'Black. Jan, it finally arrived, that victory away from home. What was the difference today? It finally arrived. I don't remember when we win the last time outside.

41:34So, really important three points. And the difference, honestly, I don't know. I'm just happy about three points. That's the most important. I think we did really good in the first half. We played good. We were good with the ball. We had chances to score. Then in the second half, I think we went too much back. and we were in low block where we are not comfortable. But in the end, 2-0, like I said, important victory. And happy for the team. Love to hear that Jan Oblak is not a fan of that low block. Anyways, for more La Liga content, you can head on over to our YouTube channel. And while you're there, make sure to subscribe.

42:24MLB.tv on ESPN is your home for every out-of-market game, live or on demand. Catch your favorite teams and players, plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like Multiview, syncing your stats, key plays, bets, and fantasy, all in one place. Sign up now for MLB.tv in the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required, blackouts, and other terms apply. Visit stream.espn.com slash MLB TV for more information. All right, well, time flies when you're having fun. Go on, Raul. That's it. We're leaving it with Raul. Yeah, Raul. Bang, bang. Bang, bang. And bang, bang. We're out of here. That's it for this edition of ESPN FC.

43:06But don't go anywhere, because Extra Time is next.

43:22Welcome into Extra Time. Mario is still joining us, as well as Xhaka and Ale. We've got your questions right here. It's not just any Xhaka. Oh, no. No, no. Bundesliga Xhaka. Yeah, yeah. Bundesliga Xhaka. Yeah, yeah. For those who don't know, Xhaka Hisslop made his triumphant return to our Bundesliga coverage after he almost ruled himself out on purpose. Yeah. almost ruled himself out. He had ruled himself out, but he's back, baby. He missed the production meeting on purpose. And we take our pre-game, pre-show meetings very seriously, but now Xhaka was back on Bundesliga coverage. Nobody has been more disappointed.

44:07Just read a question, read a question, please.

44:09Frank Leboeuf:Read anything. Just read something. When our scheduled game, No, no, no. This is true story. When our schedule came out, there was an empty spot on Saturday for Shaq, which means that he was off. But I knew he was on Bundesliga assignment. And then while we were doing the show, he received an email and said, the schedulers made a mistake. You are on Bundesliga on Saturday. and this man could not have been more depressed.

44:48He went from an off day to Bundesliga coverage real quick. But he did it so eloquently. See, that's not true.

44:57Frank Leboeuf:That's not at all true. Bundesliga. Yeah. Bundesliga. I love it. All right, let's get into the first question. And somebody might have... Sorry, I apologize. No, go ahead. Somebody may have celebrated quite a bit that this assignment was put forth. Let's start a reason, Alexis, please. We're going to read the question. Considering Carvajal's injury and Bellingham's return, should Xabi Alonso switch formation to 3-4-1-2, allowing Trent to play in a wingback role, Jude to operate in the hole, and plenty of freedom for Vinny and Mbappe up top? Ale? Right. Upon review football, respectfully, this is what I would say to you.

45:38This team is first in La Liga, just beat Barcelona in El Clásico, and now we're going to change formations just because we feel like it so that we can have Trent on the field. Trent's still injured. But eventually when he comes back... Well, okay. Again, let me repeat what I just said. They are first in La Liga. First. And they just beat Barcelona in El Clásico. This is not the moment to be changing formations to fit people and shoehorn people into the team. You continue to play the way that you're playing. And until somebody proves that they can beat you with that, with your best, and playing at your best level, you don't even think about changing.

46:26If it ain't broken, don't fix it, Mario. Amen. You just said it to me. If it ain't broken, and Ellie, you said it, yeah, why would I change it? Give me first a reason why I have to change. then I will change. But if there is no reason, let me continue on because what? To play them two on top? No, they clearly can do it the way they're playing now. He plays left, Mbappe's right through the middle. We talked about the offside moments. Okay, I think it's moving, guys. You don't need to change anything for me. And mind you, Mbappe is flying. The last thing you want to do is mess with whatever he's got going on.

46:58No, you hot. You keep playing the way that we've been playing. All right, and Shaq is going to agree with both. I concur. All right. We love that. Next question is also about Real Madrid. They took Real Madrid a full season to truly gel with their big signings. Do you think Liverpool will need the same amount of time before they're firing on all cylinders, Shaq?

47:19Frank Leboeuf:By the looks of it, Liverpool need that amount of time. It shouldn't. And while we could talk about Real Madrid and their relative failures last season, they did finish second. And while, to the point, they weren't playing anywhere near as good as they are now, and it takes some time, I'm not... This game moves so quickly, I do not think you, if you're Liverpool, you just accept that, well, this is not going to be our year. And accept that. Not giving the money that you spend. Anastasia has to sort this out this season and get them competing. Otherwise, all that equity that he built up last season kind of starts to deteriorate really quickly.

48:03Not there yet, but... Can I ask Liverpool for a favor? Just do us a solid. We need you to start winning games. See, I don't care whether Liverpool finishes first in the Premier League or not, whether they win the title or not, but I do like Stevie Nichol, and I want him to be around. So, look, this man, there is tension now that it has been building up. There is a lot of stress. And that is not a body that can take some stress. So let's just, you know, we need some wins.

48:39Frank Leboeuf:A stress TV affects everybody. A stress TV affects everybody. It affects the dynamic. It affects the dynamic. It affects the dynamic. It affects the dynamic. Yes. He's a lot. Hard work. But I still believe in Slott. I understand what you guys are saying. I expect him to at least be a good captain and steady the ship. And don't, you know, because I saw Sabas Lai. He played three positions. That made me a little worried. Right back, midfield. Right back, mid. I don't like that so much. But I hope he steadies the ship because they need it right now. And I expect him to have the capabilities to do that.

49:11You know who? Show us live. Remember, it reminded me of the other day playing right back and then winger and then in the middle. I was like, is that Mario Melchiorate? Oh, no. He winger. Is that? Look at him going down the line. Is that Mario? Oh, yeah. There he is. Oh, not the Mario shimmy. There he is. Oh, bang bang. Bang bang. Bang bang. Bang bang. Oh. And, Alex, you know now, I watch a lot of Looky Luke. Don't worry about that. Looky Luke was my man, the cartoon guy, the cartoon guy. I watch bang bang. We love it. We love Mario's analysis when he just does a little bang bang with a little shimmy.

49:49I'm here for it. I'm here for it. I'm here for it. I'm here for it.

49:51Frank Leboeuf:Now I need to know who's Looky Luke, but carry on. Just Google while I ask the next question. Next question, who misses out on top four, Mario? City, Chelsea or Liverpool? Missed the top four. Oh, that's a tough one. That's a tough one. For who? Why are you doing that? Because all three for me, I still think they can move around. But City, you know what I will do? City will be in some difficult situation and that will be on football. So that might affect the team. Oh, all right. He's going with City. Breaking news over here. So if one of those miss out, who gets in? I'm not asking you. I'm not asking you.

50:35Frank Leboeuf:I don't know why I'm asking you. I'm just a messenger. So you're suggesting that none of them are missing out? No, I'm just asking. I'm just asking, so who is the likely candidate to displace them? Ask first. No, no, don't ask her. I'm not even looking over there. I'm not even looking over there.

50:56I can think of one team. I can think of a team in red. I'm not looking over here. Of Northeem Manchester who's on a three-game win streak. Three-game win streak when you got the likes of Mateus Cunha. I believe you, Ali. I believe you, Ali. Spurs, maybe? You're not saying this, but she turned the chair now just looking around.

51:20I'm feeling high and mighty for a bit. I regret. How's that question? I'm like, oh, no.

51:28Frank Leboeuf:What am I doing to myself? Shaka, you are right into that one. I did. Right into that one. Somebody asked me to walk into it. The answer to the question is, Shaka, I think City will miss out and Manchester United will make it. All right. Wow. Shaka? Yeah. Oh, okay. All right, let's go to the next question. Is Van De Ven better than Van Dijk this season? than Mario. I feel like that's a you question. Yeah, we're talking about look Van Dijk clearly for me, you know, is a legendary footballer you understand because what he have done for Liverpool and I think that people have to understand but if we're talking about form right now, I think Van der Wijn is definitely knocking on his door and saying like hey let me in because this kid is in form now.

52:14He's playing great football. The coach wants him to extend his deal so that's another confidence boost for him and he became the captain of his team and his team is winning so Spurs is doing well so that's why I say yeah he's he's um this season van de Venners having a better season than van Dijk so far yeah we're not done yet absolutely that's the only thing I care about is Mario that's all I saw all I saw is the truth I had no whoever had it oh yeah Bang bang. Guys, guys come one day. I hope one day they allow you guys to come enjoy the sun in L.A. Mario, you know exactly who to ask. We're going to let you speak to the big bosses.

52:57So guys, anyone wants to chime in? Van Der Ven better than Van Dyke this season?

53:01Frank Leboeuf:Well, right now, clearly, yes. I mean. But do you seem growing through the season to a point where he could be better than Virgil? I don't think there's any question that Van Der Ven is not standing in the center back. I mean, the question around Van Der Ven is can he stay healthy? or how long can he stay healthy? Van Dijk is still one of the best in the world, going through a lean spell, but kind of give him what he's seen from him with some consistency for as long as I can remember. If I were picking a team right now, I'd still pick Van Dijk. But to the question, if we're talking about just this season, nothing else.

53:34Frank Leboeuf:Yeah, of course, Van Dijk. Well, the next question is for Xhaka. Xhaka, will Sunderland finish above your beloved Newcastle this season? Well, contractually, I have to say absolutely not. It's in my lifelong agreement with Newcastle United that I cannot see Sunderland finishing above Newcastle. We'll be all right. Don't worry. Newcastle will be all right. Yeah. Table isn't telling the truth right now about Newcastle and how we're playing. I've been a promoted team that started well. Is the table telling the truth about Manchester United? We ask it. We ask it me or Alexis. No, I don't. I ask you.

54:29We're coming. We're coming. I asked you the question, Shaq, and all you see is her gathering her fingers. I thought she was going to throw them. I thought you were like,

54:41Frank Leboeuf:I can do. No, no. Not yet. She's so smart. She was smart. She moved it to me. She moved it to me quickly. And I think, hey, let me divert it to Meryl. So then everybody stop talking. Three games in a row. See you, Joe. My hair was blown. Oh, boy. Bang, bang. Bang, bang. All right, on that note.

55:07Frank Leboeuf:Say no more. We are going home. We are going home indeed. But thank you everyone for sending in your questions. We'll be back with more ESPN, SPM, Bang Bang Talk tomorrow. Yeah. Oh, gee.