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Daily Manchester City: Round 2 at the Bernabeu against Los Blancos
11 Plays13 days ago
Episode 75 - Jools, Jack and Keelin preview Manchester City vs Real Madrid on Wednesday night and touch upon our three new January signings as the potential difference makers.
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to Manchester City Daily, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place you can get your daily news and updates from every Premier League team every single
Champions League Preview: Man City vs Real Madrid
00:00:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
day. Today we're previewing Wednesday's Champions League clash with Spanish giants and record-holding 15-time winners of the competition, Real Madrid.
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
City face a mammoth task after last week's dismal midweek capitulation to the De La Liga leaders, conceding two sloppy goals late on and losing the game. This means that a win at the Bernabeu and only a win is necessary to keep Manchester City's UCL hopes alive.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You wouldn't have thought that the two most recent winners of the competition would be playing and a playoff knockout tie to advance after finishing... 11th and 22nd in the league stage of the competition, but here we are.
Guest Introduction and Banter
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now joining me for the breakdown of this clash of the Titans are my good friends from across the British Isles. Jules Jordan-Probert, how are you, mate?
00:01:06
Jools
I'm good, and it's good to know that we're friends.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it is.
00:01:09
Jools
thats ah That's good, man.
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly.
00:01:10
Jools
We've elevated from colleagues. Happy to be here.
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Exactly, yeah. And Keelan, notice how I said British Isles and not United Kingdom. you know what mean? I have just a bit of respect for you. I don't want to, you know, start things off in a hasty environment.
00:01:22
Keelin
Appreciate that, Jack. I was going to say we were only ever colleagues, but you've changed my mind. i appreciate it And one small thing you almost did miss. Yes, we face the 15-time European champions. They're facing the one-time European champions. So let's remember that.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
let's Let's never forget
Historical Context: Man City vs Real Madrid
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
that, actually.
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's yeah let's never forget that. Anyway, and listen, we've got a big history between Real Madrid and um Manchester City in the competition. It feels like we've played them almost every single year for the past few years.
00:01:38
Keelin
Oh.
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Jules, you're going to little bit more of a detailed breakdown on our recent fixtures against the Spanish Giants.
00:01:58
Jools
Yeah, and it it feels like that because it's actually true. This is the fourth season in a row that these two giants of European football have met each other. But just going back to the start of these two guys, I think there's been 13 games between the two sides, the first of which come in in 2012 when City were relatively new to the Champions League and a 3-2 loss at the Bernabeu and a 1-0 draw at home.
00:02:27
Jools
um signified ah some of the c close matches to come in the future.
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:02:32
Jools
A lot more riding on the next time the two sides met, which was, of course, the 2016 semi-finals, the furthest City had ever got in the competition up until that time. A very, very dire 180 minutes of football to watch.
00:02:45
Jools
But City just got pipped by a Fernando on goal in that one. But that kind of felt when it felt like that was the moment where City had arrived in Europe. I don't know if you boys um felt the same.
00:02:58
Jools
It really felt like City could compete at the top level then. And that's exactly what they did, um showing that they were at the top of the game in 2020, winning home and away either side of the COVID break um in the last 16.
00:03:12
Jools
sixteen That year, the first time City had beaten Real Madrid and did it twice. to build And then we have the start of the absolute shenanigans between these two.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:03:23
Jools
this From 2022, City and Real have faced each other four years in a row. And that first season, that they've had the first of those four seasons in 2022 was in the semifinals.
00:03:34
Jools
City you won the first leg 4-3 in an absolute classic. Then, of course, Blue... what looked like a comfortable passage into the final for the first time with Rodrigo scoring twice an injury time to take the game to extra time.
Man City's Recent Form and Key Players
00:03:49
Jools
and Of course, um We're not neutrals here, but that Modric Travella into Rodrigo Vali, I mean, that was just quality of the highest order, which is what it took to beat a City team that good at that period as well.
00:03:57
Keelin
you
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:04:03
Jools
Benzema scoring the winner an extra time there. But in 2023, and this is what we all want to talk about, City exacted revenge in the most comprehensive of fashions. First leg, saw City beat a better team.
00:04:16
Jools
and take a strong one-all draw away from the Bernabeu. Kevin De Bruyne are levelling things after Vinny's opener. However, the second match is a match that's already, and inevitably so, gone down in the annals of history for Man City.
00:04:27
Jools
Perhaps the club's greatest ever performance, with the treble on the line, the Sky Blues smashed the Kings of Europe off the park, first half-brace from Bernardo, before Cangin Alvarez put the gloss on an outstanding team display, all but cemented city status at the top of the European food chain.
00:04:43
Jools
In fact, since 2013-14, Madrid have only not won the competition five times, winning it more than they've lost games in the competition in that period.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:04:53
Jools
City have been responsible for two of those exits, underlining the importance of the rivalry between these two European giants. Then that comes to last season, where and it was Los Blancos dishing out the revenge and it was cold.
00:05:06
Jools
Over the two legs, City dominated for large parts, but couldn't put the 14 times winners at the time to the sword, drawing in three all away in the first leg in what could only be described as yet another classic. Both teams falling behind and coming back.
00:05:19
Jools
and then 1-0 at the Etihad in a return leg before losing heart in heartbreaking fashion on penalties. And that's our roundup so far.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. You've hit the nail on the head there. I mean, we've got a pretty fierce rivalry with Real Madrid in the Champions League, whether our fans like it or their fans like it or not. Now, if you asked me and Keelan last week, straight after Real Madrid game, we said that, let's face it, there is absolutely no way we're staying in this tie.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Make no mistake about it. We will not go to the Bernabeu and get a result there after that week's performance. Now, Being City fans and being as fickle as we are, all it took was one absolutely magnificent performance against Newcastle at the weekend to draw us back in, to suck us back in and just get ourselves back in to that blue feeling.
00:06:08
Keelin
Thank you.
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keelan, we're going to talk about the difference makers this episode and those difference makers all played a massive part at the weekend. I'm talking about ah the Champagne Cushanova, the Uzbekenbauer at the back that we've got.
00:06:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, I've got a few of these that I'm just going to have to rattle off about, yeah.
00:06:29
Jools
Oh, please rattle them all off.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The Egyptian king up top, and I'm not talking about Mo Salah, I'm talking about the real Egyptian king, Omar Mahmouche, who got a first half hat-trick in his first full Premier League home game at the Etihad.
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And of course, the man who going to be talking about for a long time today is one of my new favourite people. On the planet, Nico Gonzalez, who was just an absolute godsend in that Manchester yeah manchester City midfield at the weekend.
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, Keelan's looking at me funny there. I was thinking about Manchester United losing the other day and I was just overjoyed. and Anyway, i get the only thing that brings me more joy than City winning is United losing seat these days. But anyway, Keelan, how good were those three at the weekend? And do you expect the same type of impact or do you even expect them to start?
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um against Real Madrid in the midweek.
00:07:22
Keelin
Well, they should start. You know, that that that's just the reality. Going off current form, those are the players that you pick. To be honest, and I don't want to bring down the mood because we started so unbelievably well, I still don't think we're going through, but I do feel much more confident about putting up a better fight at least. You know, we have Nico Gonzalez, a.k.a. the second reincarnation of Jesus Cristo himself, which is always brilliant.
00:07:48
Keelin
um We have Champion Kushanova, which has to be a remix. We have to get that done. and
00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:07:54
Keelin
if a We have the best Egyptian in the Premier League, then Ahmed El-Mohammadi and then some other bloke that plays for Liverpool, which is always great.
00:08:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
thank
00:08:03
Keelin
And yeah. I have to say the vibes in Camp City are a lot better. and Obviously, when you beat one of the best in-form teams in England, that that will do that for you. And yeah, it' based on current form, based on the present moment, these are the players that have to start.
00:08:19
Keelin
Nico Gonzalez marshalled a very energetic Newcastle midfield on his own. We saw what Omar Marmush did when he got the ball and actually drove at a defender, which was brilliant to see for once in a while.
00:08:31
Keelin
So yeah, feeling pretty good.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Jules, I mean, there's been a lot of calls recently for an unchanged XI against Madrid. and Now, barring, of course, the few exceptions, Rodri, Oscar Bob, we will likely not see Akanji back for a while now.
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if Ruben Diaz and Nathan Arkay are back in training and back fully fit, do you expect any of them to come straight back into the starting XI or do you think it should remain unchanged?
00:08:46
Keelin
Thank
00:08:57
Jools
It should remain unchanged because and chopping and changing constantly throughout the season has undoubtedly contributed to the lack of defensive solidity. And why wouldn't you start the same team again after the best performance of the season, quite frankly?
00:09:13
Jools
However, this is Mr. Peth that we're talking about and If there's anything we know that bald man loves to do, it's Tinker and before a big Champions League game as well.
00:09:24
Jools
So, yes, they should start. Kusanov especially, I think, would probably be the guy that would drop out, especially if Diaz is even half fit. But he should be starting, yes.
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i completely agree. And I thought that maybe this would be another game that Jack Grealish maybe would have started, but obviously he went off injured in last week's game. and So I think that maybe we'll see Marmouche forced into the starting XI just for a lack of options. Now, and we're going to talk about each and every one of these players just after a quick word from our sponsors.
00:09:57
Keelin
Thank
00:10:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to Manchester City Daily. I'm with Jules and Keelan discussing the pre-match for Real Madrid versus Manchester City at the Bernabeu this week. Now, I want to talk about one player in particularly first, and that was a player who has come in And his Premier League debut made the world of difference and he's kind of papered over a lot of cracks that we've been seeing the entirety of the season.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But it is, of course, Nico Gonzalez who came into that midfield and made us look like Manchester City again. now I want to rattle off a couple of stats here for you, boys. This weekend against Newcastle, that was the first time City didn't concede a single big chance in a Premier League game for the first time this season.
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, opt to define a big chance as a one-on-one, close-range effort, clear path for a shooter or no pressure on the shooter. None of those happened for Newcastle against one of the most in-form attacks in the league.
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alexander Izak, Anthony Gordon, with one of the best midfields in the league behind them, they didn't get a sniff. And I'm not saying that was all down to Nico Gonzalez because everyone played absolutely unbelievable.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think that everyone played absolutely unbelievable in part because of Nico Gonzalez. He allowed us to play like ourselves again. He sat at that base of that midfield and he looked comfortable.
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He won all of his de defense defensive actions. He had the second or third most pressures in the game. um And not even just out of possession because I want to talk about his contributions in possession.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, it's It's all well and good to say that a player makes us defend well when they're playing good out of possession. But it might sound a bit tricky to to say that we defend better when we've got the ball. But it is true because when Nico Gonzalez is in midfield, the players are more comfortable around him and allow...
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
themselves to get back into a defensive shape much easier, much better with Nico Gonzalez on the pitch instead of ah instead of a pivot of maybe it be Mateo Kovacic in an Ilkay Gundogan or a Rico Lewis in an Ilkay Gundogan, any of those kind of combination of players.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
that If you look at the second half versus Newcastle, our line was the highest it had been all season. And that is, of course, in part to the game state. We were 3-0 up against Newcastle. We didn't really have much to do defensive-wise. But I do think that you can also attribute that high line to the confidence that the players around him have in Nico Gonzalez's ability in possession.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
When you've got a player in that midfield who's so comfortable on the ball... The players around him are more confident in their ability to defend on the transition because they know that they're in a better position because the person in front of them is protecting that back line.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they give that ball to Nico Gonzalez, he would progress it. He would get them out of danger. comparing that to times in other parts of the season where we've lost the ball in midfield and our back line is so far back because they're just not confident in the players above them that they want to get a head start on the defenders that results in this massive gap between the midfield and the back line that just allows all of these attackers in the league to eat up so much space about him Jules I mean talk to me about Nico Gonzalez did
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, his impact on the passing and in that game allowed us to play so much better. But defensively, how impressed were you with him?
00:14:04
Jools
I think and that is the most valuable thing that he brought to the team. and I think it's so important for Manchester City to have that rest defence settled. And Pep has even said in interviews this season, and he thinks City are the worst team in the league without the ball.
00:14:19
Jools
They need the ball. the and and City always set up their structure and their ability to stop counter-attacks with how they are on the ball. And if you want City fans to stop calling him the next Rodri, then you're going to have to blame Guardiola himself because in the post-match, he said he was like our mini Rodri.
00:14:38
Jools
And in fact, the last two occasions, a Man City midfielder has had 100 pass attempts, 95% pass accuracy and 10 passes into the final third. was, of course, Rodri in May 2024. And I think, like you say, he gives everyone else the platform to play because he's an all-rounder and he can do it all and he's got the intelligence to read the game just like Rodri.
00:15:00
Jools
So, yes, it might be cliche. He's obviously a Rodri replacement, but he plays like him too, you know.
Impact of New Signings: Gonzalez and Kusunov
00:15:06
Jools
He's excellent on the ball. He's the same about the same size, about the same speed. Well, hopefully he can score goals like him too. But, yeah, I don't think he could have done much more, to be honest.
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and and just on that actually, Jules, the the the previous time before that, that ah Manchester City midfielder had made 100-plus pass pass accuracy and 10 passes into the final third, was also Rodri in April in their 4-0 win at Brighton.
00:15:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
The one thing in common about all those three games was that they were all 4-0 on the scoreline. So maybe all that we need to be asking from Nico Gonzalez is to do the same 100 passes, 95% accuracy.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Surely that means we'll win 4-0, won't it, Keelan?
00:15:47
Keelin
Nico misplaced five passes we're on track
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:15:52
Keelin
well This is all that needs to happen. And listen, you boys have touched on it perfectly there. You know, what a difference it makes when you have an actual midfielder that can protect the back line.
00:16:03
Keelin
You know, this is what happens when the opposition midfielder doesn't have a free reign to just waltz on in towards the defence. Mateo Kovacic, sorry, excuse me, sorry.
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
but like
00:16:15
Keelin
This is what happens when you have an actual defensive midfielder that can protect a back line, like Jack said. You have the confidence to play higher up. You have a midfielder who can win the ball back in the opposition half.
00:16:27
Keelin
You can recycle attacks. You can feed the ball out wide or through the middle, whatever you need to do.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:16:33
Keelin
And I just think, you know watching Nico Gonzalez on Saturday, which was tough because for some reason it was a 3pm kickoff. Still don't know what that was about, but... It was brilliant and it was joyous and I felt joy in my heart again, Jack.
00:16:48
Keelin
This season has been miserable. It has been depressing. It has been grey and gloomy and rainy, mostly because of the players I've had to see in midfield, but that's a different discussion. I felt happy again, Jack. I felt like myself again as a City supporter.
00:17:03
Keelin
And if we can go out and not embarrass ourselves at the Bernabeu, then I can live with that.
00:17:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely and there and there were many many bru brilliant individual performances at the weekend just to touch on them all but Kushanov as well was absolutely wonderful now he was assertive in his defending had good utilisation of his recovery pace when he went into Eagley and made some mistakes which is going to happen and he's young but he's got the pace to recover and his forward passing as well was top notch there was even a time where and He was getting pressed by Anthony Gordon and he just did a little shimmy fakes fake shot, sent him to the shops and then calmly composed, just sent him the other way. Keelan, how impressed were you with him, his performance? And how is he how important is he to our settled defence? It's almost like you got rid of Kyle Walker, who for all of his faults had that impeccable recovery pace and it was a great key, a great tool to utilise.
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
We lost that, we've got it back. How how important is he?
00:18:01
Keelin
well in fairness Jack we haven't even lost the pace because Kyle was slowing down terribly towards the end and that was really all he ever had which he could utilise very well with
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:18:13
Keelin
Abdukadeer Kusunov, give me the Soviet bloc aggression. This team needs that stealing aggression in the defence because it makes all the difference. Don't get me wrong, I love ball-playing defenders. Yasko Vardyol's out doing FIFA Street every game and I am here for that.
00:18:31
Keelin
John Stone's best in the world at moving into midfield. I am here for that. But sometimes you just need old school aggression. And Abdukadir Kusanov has that in droves.
00:18:42
Keelin
Vincent Kompany had it. Our defense was solid when we had him. Nicholas Otamendi had it. Okay, he was a bit of a nutcase, but occasionally he did get it right.
00:18:53
Keelin
The point is, you need steel in your defence, and someone has to provide it I do love Ruben Dias, and I think Dias-Kusinov's a very interesting partnership for the future, but I love what I saw from Kusinov.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:19:06
Keelin
You know, the shoulder barging, the willingness to get his hands dirty. You even mentioned the shimmy on Anthony Gordon sending him back to Everton and back again. You need that.
00:19:17
Keelin
And I was very, very happy with what I saw. I think Abdukhadeir Khusnob is a real stalwart for the future.
Omar Mamouche's Rising Star
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Dead impressed with him, just 20 years old, still getting to grips with living in England, playing in England, learning the language. and Listen, there is so much for us to talk about and the attackers. We had to get some recognition for the defenders, the midfielders in, because Jules is sat there waiting to talk about a certain Egyptian forward. And we will do just that, just after a quick word from our sponsors.
00:20:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, welcome back to Manchester City Daily. My name is Jack Ward. Joining me today are Keelan and Jules. We're discussing the preview for Real Madrid Champions League clash in the midweek at the Bernabeu.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jules, Omar Mamouche on Saturday, first half hat-trick, first full Premier League home debut. What a player he is. What do we have on our hands here?
00:20:38
Jools
a potential global superstar. I don't think there's anything, there's any other way to put it. um At first, I just want to mention that, of course, as any new player coming into the Premier League, especially high profile, everyone wants to assume that they can't do it in the Premier League.
00:20:55
Jools
because the Premier League is so far and away better than every other league in the world that no other good player could possibly come from outside it. Well, Erland Haaland's already smashed that school of thought, hasn't he?
00:21:07
Jools
And Omar Mamouche has rode the crest of a wave of a season of a lifetime and blossomed into this phenomenal footballer that thinks he can do everything and it looks like he can as well.
00:21:20
Jools
the The variation in the in the goals against Newcastle, the delicate lob, then cutting inside and finding the corner and then finishing off moves arriving late,
00:21:31
Jools
That's three unique skill sets all rolled into one confident and fast and direct footballer. What team in the world wouldn't want someone like that?
00:21:42
Jools
And it's come at the exact time. It's exactly what City need. We alluded to to it um in our coverage of the the Newcastle match and the other day, that he just gives City so much more.
00:21:55
Jools
That running in behind is just going to transform this football team. I am absolutely sure of it. And just to highlight how good a season he's had, I just want to bring in um his counterpart for Wednesday's game, Kylian Mbappe, who everyone said is at a bad season, but he has 17 goals in 22 games, six man of the matches and 7.65 rating on who scored.
00:22:17
Jools
Well, let's compare that to Omar Mahmouche. No one in any a football this season, ah know who scored ratings aren't the be-all and end-all, but it's just a signifier for the ability someone's playing at.
00:22:30
Jools
No one comes close to his 8.2 in the league. I haven't seen that since Messi. In fact, I don't think any player...
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:22:38
Jools
has had it ah like that other than Messi, maybe someone like Haaland or Ronaldo wears pure goals. But Mamouche is not just pure goals. In 29 club games this season, he has got 23 goals and 11 assists.
00:22:54
Jools
34 goal contributions in 29 games in his first season and up front. He's never played up front before. And now he's not even playing up front for City and he's still bagging in hat-tracks.
00:23:06
Jools
I think there there's no limit to what he can achieve. And yeah, I might i might be ah ah might be biased and We've got a small sample size, but this is how players like Salah, who he's obviously going to get compared to, this is how they started.
00:23:20
Jools
Forwards explode and then they either revert to norm or they don't. And I don't think Mahmouche will. And if he can get on the ball and find some space in behind, there's no reason he can't take this game by the scruff of the knack on Wednesday.
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think he could honestly find space in a phone box with Gemma Collins at the moment. He's just that good ah with the ball at his feet. But listen, I've seen a few people actually saying the other day when the official Premier League app tweeted that 150 people had triple-capped in Marmouche.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Some of the comments to that was like, oh, come on, who could have predicted this? But as City fans, we were watching his performances before the weekend's game and we were thinking he's playing excellently. The runs that he was making in behind...
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's not to say that any of us predicted a first-half hat-trick, but come on, it was going to come sooner or later, whether it was going to be a goal against Newcastle or you know a couple of goals going forward. He was always that kind of player. And let's not forget, he's not joining at the start of the season with no expectations on his back.
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's joining as the current ah Bundesliga player of the season. If the Bundesliga were to end now, he would win Bundesliga player of the season. He was absolutely...
00:24:29
Jools
He might get it anyway. you might get it anyway.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
might get a home He was absolutely electric for Eintracht Frankfurt. and Some people want to throw around the terms Bundesliga tax, but listen, when it comes to Manchester City, we've signed Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Erling Haaland, Ilkay Gundogan, Edin Dzeko, all from the Bundesliga, just to name a few.
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
How many of them have been failures? Listen, when we sign from the Bundesliga, we sign correct, we sign right. We're going to have an episode coming up over the future of Manchester City and whether that future involves a certain Florian Verts or a certain Jamal Musiala. Keep an eye out for that one.
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But listen, when City go and dip into the Bundesliga, we don't do it for the sake of it. We get the right player and Omar Mahmouche is the right player. I mean, we talked about how good he is when playing alongside Erling Haaland.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who do you even mark? What do you do? I mean, he's made himself undroppable. You know, he eases the burden of Haaland, who gets man-marked, and he has the space to attack due to the man-marking now. So he's got this whole back line that he can just attack, attack, attack.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Couple that with Savio on the right-hand side, who's indispensable at the moment. Leave him one-on-one with a defender, and that's it. It's lights out. You may as well say goodnight. And I'm not trying to get overexcited.
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not trying to, you know, jump to conclusions.
00:25:49
Jools
Yes we are, yes we are.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am definitely very excited we're winning the Champions League we're winning the anyway Keelan it's exciting isn't it it's exciting this attack is it's got something going to it
00:25:51
Keelin
with Jackies.
00:26:01
Keelin
Has anybody ever won player of the season for two different leagues in the same year?
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
not yet not yet but they will now they will now hey listen he could he could it's possible he could go on and win it for well he could still win it for Antwerp Frankfurt I doubt he will
00:26:08
Keelin
Could you imagine this season?
00:26:08
Jools
point.
00:26:11
Keelin
I mean...
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
because Antwerp Frankfurt have started to lose a couple points and drop a couple of games here and there. So whether they finish the strong the season as strongly as they started it, we'll probably have some indication and and weighing up on
Lineup Debates and Match Predictions
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
that award.
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:26:31
Jools
But then that also goes to highlight his value again because they were one of the best teams in the league with him there.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go.
00:26:37
Keelin
Yeah.
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
People saying now that Rodri's Ballon d'Or has never been more evident because of how poorly we've been playing without him. It could be a case of that. We'll see.
00:26:46
Keelin
Listen, Eintracht Frankfurt have become an Eintracht Frankfurt without Omar Marmush.
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But,
00:26:51
Keelin
That's all I'm saying.
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on, Keelan. I started the episode so good with Champagne Cushion over. I mean, you can't you can't leave it there. you I'll tell you what, I'll give you a few minutes. You think of a better one than that. In the meantime, Jules, I'll come to you.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
At the start of the season, we were talking constantly about how it's so poor from Manchester City because if Haaland doesn't score, we don't score. We don't necessarily have that problem now. And it not it's not just because Mahmoud is starting to get a few goals, but just the...
00:27:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
having him on the pitch offers a different outlet.
00:27:24
Keelin
Thank
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
what What do you think that that this could mean going forward? do you think that the goals will now start to get spread evenly across that front line or do you think it'll be Mahmouche, Haaland, those two together, everyone else creating for him?
00:27:37
Jools
Well, other than the last week, Foden's been finding his scoring boots too. So, i mean, you can't keep this quality of player down for that long, you know. um and And it shows the impact that a new signing can have on absolutely everything.
00:27:53
Jools
And it's the profile, like we've mentioned again, that I think is... has caused this like this feeling of revolution because he's stretching defences in a way that just didn't happen before.
00:28:03
Jools
So yes, Savino and Doku have got that pace to run in behind. But Savino, well, they both want to come drop ah drop deep for the ball, don't they?
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:28:11
Jools
But Doku doesn't have the guile to create when he does. Savino does. So I think, as we've mentioned since this game on Saturday, that front four of Foden in the middle, Marmouche on the left, Savino on the right and Haaland up top,
00:28:26
Jools
I mean, am I getting carried away? That's as good as any in the world.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it is completely. Now, Keelan, Pep is going to be faced with a pretty mammoth task. Not an easy one by any stretch. On Wednesday, he's going to have to drop one of De Bruyne and Foden in that number 10 role because Mahmoud and Savino have made themselves indispensable to that starting 11 now and you can't drop the goalscorer.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
You just can't. So, i mean, in recent years, the Bernabal has been De Bruyne's second home. He absolutely loves it there. And you'd think for a game like this, of this magnitude in the Champions League, you need your big players.
00:29:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that front four looks so liquid with Phil Foden playing just behind it. And he wasn't necessarily involved with all the goals at the weekend, but he certainly looked to play a part in how comfortable we looked with the ball.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
When I said earlier on in the episode that Nico Gonzalez had made the second most pressures in the game, the first most pressures in the game by some so considerable distance was Phil Foden.
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was absolutely electric in that front line. So Keelan, if you're Pep Guardiola, what do you do on Wednesday? Drop De Bruyne, drop Foden. Do we keep De Bruyne for maybe that final 30 minutes? Is that a weapon to have off the bench?
00:29:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or do you start your big games with your big players?
00:29:44
Keelin
I think you start your games with your big players. If I'm Guardiola, which I'm not because I have nowhere near the footballing talent and too much hair, this is what I would do. you start De Bruyne in the 10.
00:29:56
Keelin
You play Marmush on the left. You play Haaland through the middle and you play Savinho on the right. Nico Gonzalez plays in the 6. you Maybe even... Hang on, let me think.
00:30:08
Keelin
You could, if you wanted, you could start De Bruyne and Foden, play them as your two eights, but I think you so i think you start De Bruyne... make a good start in the game, at least get a goal up, bring Foden on for the final half hour, because De Bruyne recently has not been effective coming off the bench. He needs time to warm up and get into the game.
00:30:30
Keelin
Foden's energy is easier to get straight into the game than De Bruyne warming up, so I would start De Bruyne, give him half an hour, 65 minutes, and then bring Foden on to see it out, hopefully.
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully. Jules, what do you reckon? What do you Yeah.
00:30:46
Jools
um Well, Bernardo Silva is actually ah City's most formed player against Real Madrid.
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye
00:30:53
Jools
He's got four goals and an assist in in nine games against Madrid since joining City. um And I think he's been the catalyst for all of the good performances that City have had against Madrid, at least in my memory. He's definitely been one of the best players on the pitch in that time.
00:31:10
Jools
So... I know Pep does like to play players of good records against certain teams. I could see Nico and Bernardo in that pivot, but I don't like it.
00:31:20
Jools
But I think it could happen. What what i I would do if I had less hair and more footballing ability, as Keelan was so well put, um yeah I think maybe KDB and Nico next to each other with Foden willing to drop in a bit deeper to make up that extra man in midfield.
00:31:40
Jools
and yeah You've got to start Mamou, Savino and Haaland, absolutely. But I agree with what Keelan said. um If it's a choice between the two of them, you want to maximise what you can get from De Bruyne and you probably are likely to still get the boast out of Foden if he comes on for him later on too.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, there you go.
00:31:55
Keelin
The other thing,
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
There have it. We've become Pep Guardiola today. yeah we've decided for him what he should be doing against the against Real Madrid at the weekend. Well, not the weekend, in midweek on Wednesday.
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keelan, any final thoughts about the the game? What do you expect now?
00:32:10
Keelin
Yeah, my last big point is this. When you're going anywhere, especially the Bernabeu, maybe the Bernabeu and Anfield, the big thing you've got to do at the start of the game is shut the crowd up and take the crowd out of it.
00:32:23
Keelin
Because at the Bernabeu, as we know from very recent history, Madrid's crowd is a 12th man, and you need to earn their respect and quickly. No disrespect to Jack Grealish, he's not going to earn their respect just with the way he plays.
00:32:38
Keelin
If Omar Marmouche... goes up against Fede Valverde or whoever starts it right back for Madrid, if he skins them a couple of times, that shuts the crowd up and that sucks the energy out of the stadium.
00:32:51
Keelin
You have to fight your fight in this game because if that crowd is allowed to stay in the game, you're done for. it You need to get their respect and get it early. And that means attacking, attacking, attacking.
00:33:03
Keelin
You cannot sit back and double pivot and try and build your way into the game. You need to smash these guys with a sledgehammer. I know Marmush will do that.
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, there you go. I completely agree. um And I think that, make no mistake about it, the game on Wednesday will be a mammoth task and it'll be even harder to stop them scoring, just like we couldn't in the game at the Etihad.
00:33:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what we've got to do is score more than them and only a win will suffice. So maybe City's three new January transfer signings could be the difference makers. We'll be back with you for hopefully an immediate post-match reaction from that game.
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for now, we've been Manchester City Daily and I hope you have a wonderful rest your day.