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Daily Premier League in English - Episode 107: Arsenal convincingly through and Inter await Barcelona in the semis.
15 Plays1 day ago
A thrilling Champions League Quarter Final set comes to an end. Arsenal vs PSG and Barca vs Inter await us for delicious semi finals on the horizon. Eshan Weerasinghe is joined by Nick Bird and Rodney, Craig, and Jamie from the Arsenal Podcast. Enjoy!
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Transcript
Introductions & Current Feelings
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, hello, hello. Welcome to another episode of the Dahlia Premier League in English podcast. How are you all feeling, lads?
00:00:50
Rodney Gooden
unit Over the moon.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Over the moon? All right, so we're going to go quick introductions from everyone, your name, and one word summary of how you're feeling right now.
00:00:53
Nick
On real.
00:00:54
Jamie
On cloud nine.
00:00:54
Nick
un
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's start off with top right, Jamie. How you doing?
00:01:04
Jamie
Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. I'm good. And as I said, I'm just feeling on cloud nine right now.
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cloud9, Cloud9. Rodney, Rodney, how are you, Vlad?
00:01:14
Rodney Gooden
Cool. Yeah, yeah. I'm running, guys. And then how i'm feeling? Sensational. Just like the performance I witnessed across both legs. Sensational. Mm-hmm.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sensational, Cloud9, sensational. Let me get a pen and paper. I need to write these down. um All right, let's get to Nick next.
00:01:27
Rodney Gooden
um
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nick, how you feeling?
00:01:31
Nick
Surreal. can't believe it said 5-1 Arsenal. it said five one to ask
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cloud9 surreal and sensational. And Craig, and we're going to have to lap it up with you.
00:01:39
Jamie
Yeah.
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it best for last or worst for last?
00:01:44
Craig matthews
bossing.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Buzzing.
00:01:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, that's clearly best for last. All right. I am Ishan. Welcome to another episode. Let's get right into it. um Nick, do you want to start us off? how did we Who did you feel was
Player Highlights: Declan Rice & Kivior
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
man of the match tonight? Who do we feel was ah or maybe an underdog?
00:02:04
Nick
Rice was ridiculous. He came straight in from last week winning man of the match with his two ridiculous free kicks.
00:02:05
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:02:13
Nick
And he turns up to the Bernabeu as if he's played there his entire life. He was just completely unfazed. He was sweeping everything up. but He was driving our midfield forwards when I don't think Partey and Erdegaard had particularly great games.
00:02:29
Nick
He was sort of just carrying carried us forward. Just ridiculous levels for a guy who gets criticised so often, especially online, it feels like.
00:02:40
Nick
And I think he shut everyone up today, especially.
00:02:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic. Rice. I would not have had him as my man of the match. Does anyone have a hard disagree or another contender that we'd throw out there?
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Referee, maybe?
00:03:00
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:03:00
Craig matthews
I'm sorry.
00:03:01
Nick
The ref was so you bad.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Took the sting out of the game after that penalty that was called for Madrid in the first half.
00:03:12
Jamie
a
00:03:13
Nick
There's so many yellow cards you didn't give
00:03:13
Rodney Gooden
No.
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jamie, what are your thoughts after the game?
Officiating Critique & Arsenal's Resilience
00:03:15
Nick
as well.
00:03:15
Jamie
i mean we We kind of... like Everyone kind of said it before before the start of the match. And that is... Rice cooks better with the lid on.
00:03:27
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:03:27
Jamie
That is that is ah saying we've heard over and over again.
00:03:28
Rodney Gooden
o
00:03:32
Jamie
And as I sit here, I'm just watching the highlights. And Saka going like this. And then going like this.
00:03:39
Rodney Gooden
Oh, yeah.
00:03:39
Jamie
I mean, what a cold celebration.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who else?
00:03:42
Jamie
But...
00:03:42
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it's amazing.
00:03:43
Jamie
Wow. You know, there was so much talk from the Real Madrid camp about Remontada.
00:03:48
Rodney Gooden
Mm. Mm.
00:03:51
Jamie
Well, what happened to Remontada?
00:03:54
Rodney Gooden
Good. Can't do it. Where is it?
00:03:57
Nick
no
00:03:57
Jamie
and and for those of And for those of you listening that um don't know what Remontada means, in Spanish means comeback.
00:03:57
Rodney Gooden
where is
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, have you been on the internet this week?
00:04:06
Jamie
So... didn't quite Didn't quite happen, but you know over the two legs, all jokes aside, over the two legs, Arsenal really kind of shone through and you know really kind of showed and shocked the footballing world. I mean like kind of titled it last week as as one of the podcast episodes.
00:04:30
Jamie
But just the performance alone over the two legs has been unbelievable. um Got to give Kivior a big shout out here because, you know, for someone like Kivior, he's, you know, he's come in place of Gabriel. And, you know, in previous games, we we have kind of criticised Kivior for not being good enough.
00:04:54
Jamie
But, I mean... He's had two pretty decent games against pretty much one of the best footballing sides in the world.
00:05:07
Jamie
And as well as the performance on Saturday against Brentford, which was not too bad, you know, continue playing the way he is.
00:05:13
Rodney Gooden
Mm-hmm.
00:05:18
Jamie
It's got to be thought at least, or Arteta's got to at least take Kivior a bit more seriously um when choosing his future starting lineups because last few games he's been really impressive.
00:05:31
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:05:34
Nick
I don't think he'll be ah dropping Gabriel for him even when he's fit, but I think he showed...
00:05:38
Jamie
No, I do agree with you in that, Nick.
00:05:38
Nick
think he proved... Yeah.
00:05:39
Jamie
Yeah, absolutely. But, you know, it's good knowing that if Kivyor can continue this, you know, continue ah consistent games, if it's till the end, you know, till the end of the season and say he does well for Poland during the course of like the World Cup and so on.
00:05:40
Nick
Yeah.
00:05:57
Rodney Gooden
Mm-hmm.
00:05:58
Jamie
I mean, I'm sorry, during like the international breaks and and so on. But, I think, you know, it's just good knowing that we could turn to Kivior if, say, Gabriel or Saliba is injured.
00:06:12
Nick
Yeah, i think he's proved a lot.
00:06:13
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, i no, agreed. i think I think for a lot of Arsenal fans as well, they always thought that Kiwio kind of stepping up, there would be a huge drop off in quality.
00:06:15
Nick
You go...
00:06:19
Rodney Gooden
I think there's been times where he's stepped up into that centre-back role before and he's made a few key mistakes. He hasn't looked really that too comfortable on the ball as well. You know that, oh, Kiwio being your first choice for centre-back, even amongst an injury crisis is a bit of a shaky ground and this one was one wow it was an incredible game to step up in and you would have thought that maybe even after the first like you'd see he made one small mistake, not too composed on the ball. Mbappe threw it on goal.
00:06:42
Rodney Gooden
You thought this could spell the end for the tie and really the story for how the rest of the two legs was going to go. but after that, no, I was surprised. He locked in, really kind of decided to perform well. And I was really surprised.
00:06:52
Rodney Gooden
Probably some of the best performances ever i agree very impressive
00:06:59
Nick
I think yeah today he just put seemed to put his head on every single ball. like And like as much as he's been proved unbelievably useful as a backup, there was a some talk from at least people I've watched or like followed online where it's like, maybe we sell him in the summer.
00:07:12
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:07:19
Nick
like He wasn't sort of proving to be anything. And ultimately... is transfer value probably not ever going to be higher than at the end of the season if he continues like this?
00:07:30
Nick
So hes like it's it's helpful for us and even going forward if the club want to part ways at the end of the season for whatever reason, which don't think they will with how well he's playing.
00:07:30
Craig matthews
And
00:07:41
Nick
i It's working out for beautifully at the moment.
00:07:46
Rodney Gooden
No, agreed. No, agreed. Hmm.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I would also agree with Nick.
00:07:49
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Before the Arsenal-Real Madrid games, I think, like many people, I looked at the back line and think thought, there's a hole there with Gabriel gone.
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, he was ah when ah when I looked ahead at the summer window, Kivior seems to be like the easy replacement. Now, I guess maybe it's... There's a replacement in Tomiyasu.
00:08:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Tierney's probably going to Celtic, if I'm not mistaken.
00:08:15
Jamie
Yeah.
00:08:15
Nick
Yeah, he's already agreed.
00:08:15
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:08:15
Craig matthews
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:08:16
Jamie
Yeah.
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Almost locked in for that.
00:08:16
Craig matthews
yeah
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But now, KVR does seem like that perfect squad player. From my memories of growing up in the United, i think that was what United had better than any team, was we had such great squad players. like A Wes Brown could come in for the entirety of the 2008 back end of the season, and then come up with the...
00:08:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:08:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
like the assist to Ronaldo in the Champions League final like having a player that comes in and does a nine out of ten eight out of ten job week in week out when they haven't been getting those minutes when they don't have that from the outside that confidence the people aren't talking about them in that way it's purely internal and think Kavir did a fantastic job today and last week as well
00:08:52
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:09:00
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:09:03
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:09:04
Nick
I think, like you say, especially, like, it was two, three weeks ago, Gabriel got injured. So how quickly he's had to get up to speed as well. And his first full game was Real Madrid, if I'm remembering correctly.
00:09:18
Jamie
Yeah.
00:09:19
Nick
Maybe second. like
00:09:20
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:09:21
Nick
And, yeah, to get up speed so quickly is really impressive as well.
Saka's Redemption & Real Madrid's Tactics
00:09:24
Nick
i think I think some big talking points from today's game as well is, Saka, you have that penalty 10 minutes in.
00:09:33
Nick
And he panenkas it to the side, which I'm not entirely sure if he meant to put it to the side.
00:09:33
Jamie
Yeah.
00:09:40
Nick
ah just watch his seat.
00:09:41
Jamie
That's what I was thinking, yeah.
00:09:42
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. He's a bit scuffed.
00:09:42
Nick
I watched his CBS interview with, and he didn't really address it much. But his bounce back from that, we've seen him go through like pretty crucial penalty misses in the past.
00:09:55
Rodney Gooden
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
00:09:56
Nick
And to have one so early, like his head didn't drop at all. He ends up chipping Courtois in the second half to give Arsenal the lead.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just chipping.
00:10:04
Nick
He's so, so good and just like... It still feels like he isn't rated to the level he should be because he was giving Alaba hell across both ties.
00:10:17
Rodney Gooden
oh yeah
00:10:17
Jamie
He was, yeah.
00:10:18
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:10:21
Jamie
And also, go on, go on, Craig.
00:10:21
Craig matthews
They were just kicking our players in the first half.
00:10:22
Nick
Yeah.
00:10:27
Craig matthews
Every time we got the ball, in crucial areas, were just kicking.
00:10:28
Nick
Yeah.
00:10:29
Rodney Gooden
Oh,
00:10:30
Craig matthews
Rudiger just got sent off.
00:10:32
Rodney Gooden
oh yeah.
00:10:32
Craig matthews
Asensio should be sent off as well. was just doing some disgusting challenges and all that.
00:10:34
Nick
yeah
00:10:36
Craig matthews
So, with this did all we had to do. We got the win, left the Bernabeu, let them cry.
00:10:43
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:10:43
Nick
Yeah.
00:10:43
Rodney Gooden
Hmm. yeah
00:10:45
Jamie
We got the win. so let them cry. my gosh. Oh my gosh.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is sounding a lot like AFTU right here
00:10:58
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
here.
00:11:00
Nick
You talk about that.
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm feeling depressed. I'm feeling depressed.
00:11:02
Nick
I wrote in my notes, the final note I wrote in the first half was there's so much diving and there's so much fouling going on. And then the first thing for the second half was Belling was so petulant.
00:11:12
Nick
Like there was a few times early in the second half, just flying through some of our players.
00:11:12
Rodney Gooden
okay Timber, yeah, he chopped Timber to the ground, which ridiculous.
00:11:18
Nick
And then there's a moment he chucks, I think it was timber to the ground for a throw in. I'm like,
00:11:23
Jamie
Yeah.
00:11:24
Nick
There's another moment he just fucking boots the ball at the end of the pitch. I'm like, what are you doing? And somehow he didn't get a card. It's crazy.
00:11:32
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, there was a few like that. I think Rudiger as well, we were talking about this earlier, so it's still very lucky because he seems to just lose his head in
00:11:38
Jamie
but
00:11:39
Rodney Gooden
him and jude as well just moments where you can see that they're not breaking down this kind of three goal deficit. They're getting frustrated, tossing players to the ground, late challenges as well. Mbappe had one too. was ridiculous. The one on Rice where he ended up injuring himself.
00:11:51
Rodney Gooden
You can tell that the Real players, they're expecting this comeback. There's so much pressure on them. They're at the home. They've got this massive atmosphere pushing them to go forward and they're just unable to break down Arsenal too compact. And you can tell that it's just bleeding out to petulance. And yeah, it ended up kind of stifling the game a little bit, but I'm glad we could play through it and yeah, not let it get us down.
00:12:10
Jamie
you know what's really funny though, right Rodney?
00:12:10
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:12:11
Jamie
because we we kind of I kind of briefly mentioned it to you on our group chat, which was the fact that why did I suddenly get flashbacks from the weekend of mar with Martinelli?
00:12:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Hmm. Hmm.
00:12:24
Jamie
Because me and Rodney were both at the Brentford game and where I was sat, I was sat literally in the lower tier and where the Martinelli challenge had happened, I just thought, right, surely Norgard's got to be sent off. And at that point, I thought, oh, well, surely that's got to be a red there.
00:12:41
Jamie
You know, really reckless, but no. Just no, it didn't seem to be anything near a red. But look, at the end of the day, we've got that win now.
00:12:54
Jamie
All eyes now really are on the PSG game.
Arsenal's Champions League Prospects
00:12:57
Jamie
And I think for Arsenal fans as well, I mean... There's not been a lot of expectation. you know a lot of you know You look back at maybe previous ah previous rounds, you know we've always gone out in the round of 16 and everyone's always said,
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:13:12
Jamie
you know like ah well you know if it's Arsenal against a big team, it seems like you know we might do decent in the first leg at home and then we go away and crumble.
00:13:23
Jamie
But I mean... There was a lot of resilience shown from from tonight's game. And I think, you know, another player that really did well, especially being at the Bernabeu as well, was Myles Lewis Skelly.
00:13:35
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:13:36
Jamie
I mean, the this kid, you know, I said it last week, but it's like this kid doesn't know what pressure is
00:13:36
Nick
Thank
00:13:37
Craig matthews
Probably.
00:13:45
Craig matthews
ah
00:13:45
Rodney Gooden
It's immune to it.
00:13:46
Jamie
It's like he doesn't know what pressure is.
00:13:48
Rodney Gooden
Ridiculous, yeah.
00:13:49
Jamie
Honestly, so, so good. Absolutely, really he's so quality. um The only thing, there is one small doubt, or not doubt, but there was one small kind of point that I was kind of gutted about was not seeing Ethan Wanyeri come on.
00:14:06
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:14:07
Nick
Yeah.
00:14:07
Rodney Gooden
I thought when the substitution came on, that's when you'd see Ethan, but instead Trossard comes up that side, yeah, moves Martin Elliott to the right, was surprised by that.
00:14:07
Jamie
but So,
00:14:11
Jamie
yeah.
00:14:15
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:14:15
Jamie
Yeah, same here. I mean, what do you think? Why do you guys think that maybe Ethan wasn't maybe used for the last maybe half hour, 25 minutes, that? Hmm.
00:14:26
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a great question.
00:14:27
Nick
I think it's think it's the physical like nature. i think Warneri is maybe like slightly like he hasn't learned but how we defend yet, potentially.
00:14:38
Nick
And I think just he's not like got lightning speed either to then benefit us on the break. So I think having Trost out of slightly more, well, a massively more experienced player to come in, I think i think it's understandable.
00:14:53
Nick
um i If he came on, I would have rather seen him come on for Odegaard. But again, like you're not going to take off the guy who's leading the press in a game where, ah as much as we had a three-goal lead, like you need to we don't want to sacrifice that just to give an 18-year-old some minutes at the Bernabeu.
00:14:58
Rodney Gooden
a
00:15:01
Jamie
Yeah.
00:15:10
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:15:13
Jamie
Yeah, no, spot on.
00:15:13
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. yeah
00:15:15
Jamie
Absolutely spot on.
00:15:16
Rodney Gooden
but let's talk about odogad i mean the performance tonight guys what did you think because i agree with nick i like if there was a game to maybe pull him and kind of replace i thought there were definitely moments in this one where and't know a couple miss it pass couple times where it's the wrong decision made in the final third the last action wasn't really clean from odegard two couple moments where he could have easily shot and he's decided to make a little pass and his's lost possession too
00:15:37
Jamie
Yeah.
00:15:38
Rodney Gooden
Good wasn't on his A game, but he also wasn't terrible. But I looked at him and I thought, I thought his performance in the first leg was much better than what i saw of him today.
00:15:45
Craig matthews
I thought that it was 6 out of 10 performance from him today.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:15:51
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:15:51
Craig matthews
It was very poor in the first half. Second half he got better when he set up. He made that counter attack for Saka to score. He got the ball and played it to… It was Mikko Rune playing the ball to Mikko Rune playing the ball to Saka and he scored.
00:16:03
Craig matthews
But I thought maybe the pressure got to him today because he's back at the Bernabeu.
00:16:04
Rodney Gooden
Hmm. Hmm.
00:16:07
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:16:08
Craig matthews
Point to prove. the club that let him go wanted to prove that he never put the reasons for not selling him and all that. But maybe 10th and then got into the way, maybe the pressure got to him. But he still did well in second half to be fair.
00:16:19
Craig matthews
But think in the first half he gave the ball away like 10 times. But such simple passes, he couldn't do a simple pass to the right player.
00:16:24
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:16:26
Craig matthews
He had a chance to play Martini in the first half and he under hit it and it went out for a throw. So, things like that as well. so yeah
00:16:34
Jamie
To be honest with you, I feel like with Martinelli, I feel like it's been a confidence thing. Since he's come back from injury, we've not seen that same Martinelli. The same Martinelli that isn't afraid to try and take a risk. I feel like tonight he was a bit too reserved.
00:16:52
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:16:52
Nick
Assuming we know the card.
00:16:54
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. my never go a god Yeah.
00:16:56
Jamie
Yeah.
00:16:57
Rodney Gooden
but i go to go
00:16:57
Jamie
Yeah, I think with Odegaard, I think since injury, he's too reserved.
00:16:58
Nick
But, yeah.
00:16:59
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:17:02
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:17:02
Nick
Yeah, yeah,
00:17:03
Rodney Gooden
sure
00:17:03
Jamie
You know, he hasn't been he hasn't been that same player we've seen in in previous games.
00:17:07
Nick
yeah.
00:17:08
Jamie
You know, before his injury, you know, the fear in him was... There was basically no fear in him. But I just don't know. Since the injury, I feel like it's ah it's kind of like... Not halted his progress, but it's...
00:17:23
Jamie
you know There's been a change. There's been a bit of a shift.
Odegaard's Performance Analysis
00:17:26
Jamie
But I do agree with what you guys say, though, about how at the end of the day, he you know he's coming to the Bernabeu.
00:17:34
Jamie
he wants to He wants to show the club that let him go. Well, hold on. you know this is what i've done This is what I've done at Arsenal since you've let me go. and
00:17:43
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:17:44
Jamie
you know As Craig said, it was a bit of a 6 out of 10 performance. and you know maybe i don't know maybe maybe I'd like to hope that we can get the best out of him next season. you know It might just be one of them things where we might just have to maybe... you know yes we go on If we can continue going on this brilliant run we're in in the Champions League,
00:18:06
Jamie
you know, and say we go far, say we we end up winning the competition, it still would be nice just to, you know, i would just like to see the Martinelli we had before he got injured.
00:18:16
Rodney Gooden
Where they ought to go, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:18:17
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:18:18
Rodney Gooden
mean, honestly, I mean, I think every player.
00:18:18
Jamie
Oh, sorry, the Odegaard, yeah.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:18:23
Rodney Gooden
I think every player is allowed to.
00:18:24
Jamie
I'm still, like I said, I'm still on cloud nine, guys.
00:18:24
Rodney Gooden
can tell.
00:18:26
Jamie
I'm still on cloud nine.
00:18:27
Rodney Gooden
and so
00:18:27
Jamie
Yeah.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah What I will say about the Odegaard injury is that he had about, um i've just I was just checking right now on the side, he only had about a month and a half after he came back with his injury to play with Saka. So I feel like the biggest complaint about ah the Arsenal season from an objective standpoint, like I don't watch every Arsenal game, but is that they both kind of want each other to operate. Like Odegaard will take some pressure off of Sokka and Sokka will take some pressure off of Odegaard.
00:18:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so the fact that the whole season, essentially, one has been missing has been really, i think, like damning to the overall picture and the fear factor of it.
00:18:58
Rodney Gooden
And
00:19:04
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I think the both of them together, the way they operate, it's quite unplayable at times. So... It's just been a few games back for Saga, so I would say that would be my biggest caveat to the Odor debate.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think it's almost fair to judge him.
00:19:22
Nick
Yeah.
00:19:22
Jamie
Yeah.
00:19:23
Nick
um i'd I'd counter by saying he's also had three, four months to find solutions still.
00:19:23
Rodney Gooden
and
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does that make sense?
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
True, true.
00:19:30
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:19:30
Nick
like And as much as he's come back from injury to a completely different environment, not just Saka being out, but Ben White's been out the whole time. ah But like eventually, as the captain, as the lead creator, he has to find solutions eventually. and Today, i like I'd agree with sort of the pressure of Real Madrid if we hadn't seen sort of the same performances since his comeback.
00:19:59
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:19:59
Nick
Especially that first off, there was a moment like 20 minutes in where Saka's through on the inside of Alaba and he doesn't play the pass, he turns back. There's obviously the Martinelli's through on the left-hand side and he plays it behind him, which his passes like for counterattacks annoy me a lot, generally, because it feels like the other forces the winger too wide just doesn't play it far enough in front of them.
00:20:11
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:20:13
Jamie
Yeah.
00:20:17
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:20:25
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:20:25
Rodney Gooden
we just i close the counter of yeah yeah
00:20:25
Nick
I feel like it's just something he does.
00:20:28
Nick
Yeah. So he wasn't offensively bad, but I think he could have helped us a bit more today.
00:20:39
Rodney Gooden
No, agreed.
00:20:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think this is a good time to take our first break.
00:20:39
Rodney Gooden
And finished. Mm-hmm.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a little bit little conversation there, finally, after all of you guys being on Cloud9. And we'll return and probably talk a little about the Bayern and Inter game. Does it sound all right, lads?
00:20:52
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:20:52
Nick
Yeah.
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. um So I'm assuming not many of you guys watch the Bayern versus Inter game.
00:21:21
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:21:24
Nick
I've seen the goal.
00:21:24
Rodney Gooden
I'm going to take my eyes off the real game.
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just something in my intuition that's telling me that.
00:21:27
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. i
00:21:28
Nick
I've seen the goal. like
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It was a pretty cagey game, I'd say. ah from I obviously had more eyes on the Arsenal game, but I was periodically looking at the Inter and Bayern game.
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kane took his goal pretty well, a snapshot across the box. um But then right after Bayern scored, Inter had looked like kind of flat the whole game, a little bit like more afraid to lose than they wanted to win.
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
They obviously had the goal advantage going into it.
00:21:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:21:56
Jamie
Yeah.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But right after the Bayern goal, it's like they switched into gear and they finally were pushing, pushing, pushing. And then I think it was two consecutive corners, two goals. One, Lautaro Martinez gets to the corner, heads it to ah towards the Not a great shot, but Kimmich goes to clear and just takes that little bit too long and Martinez prods through. And a really very solid Pavard header.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
at the near post where Kim definitely could have got to it if he was more like ah into the a challenge, if he was more like Brexit meets Brexit and like goes into it.
00:22:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, they
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think that just kind of set the tone for the rest of the match. The two goals was for such a physical team. I think... and Inter actually are like, I don't know if you've seen, but they're pretty, they're really like old teams statistically.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, like they, and I like, I think this is because it's mainly because of the like financial troubles that they went through.
00:22:52
Rodney Gooden
lost the speed, yeah.
00:22:53
Jamie
Yeah. Yeah.
00:22:54
Nick
yeah They love pre-contract.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um If you remember when they went to the Champions League final against City a couple years ago, they had sell Lukaku, et cetera.
00:23:02
Rodney Gooden
a
00:23:03
Jamie
yeah
00:23:03
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've seen the financial struggles, which means that they have to have retain, retain, retain players. And even when they bought players like Marcus Turam, he's like 27.
00:23:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's still it's not like a young player is going to bring down the average at all. And I think it shows in the way they play because there's a lot of it's slow, but it's it's so there's a lot of experience, I'd say, behind the gameplay. Did and did you guys catch any of the game? And does anyone want take the reins from me here?
00:23:29
Jamie
to be honest, didn't catch much of it.
00:23:29
Nick
I saw...
00:23:30
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:23:32
Jamie
But we we discussed ah on yesterday's pod that, um you know, we we so kind of said that in a way, you know, Inter kind of really set themselves up for this game, you know, by at least taking, by bringing back a lead, you know,
00:23:50
Jamie
to go to To go away to Bayern Munich and to get a result in the way they did, I mean, for me, that is very impressive because to go to to even go away to Bayern, you know, we've experienced, it as Arsenal fans, we've experienced it quite heavily.
00:23:54
Rodney Gooden
Oh, yeah.
00:24:04
Rodney Gooden
oh yeah
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:24:07
Rodney Gooden
yes
00:24:07
Jamie
um But it's never easy to get a result from Bayern. And, you know, being at home, being in front of a full house you know You know what Italian fans are like. They love an atmosphere. they you know And it's the San Siro. It's such an iconic stadium.
00:24:27
Jamie
And, you know, a lot of people at this you know a lot of people before the before the game was even kicked off in the first leg, you know, ah think, let's be honest, guys, did you did you all see Bayern progressing into the next round?
00:24:42
Craig matthews
Nah.
00:24:42
Nick
No.
00:24:42
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:24:43
Jamie
Really?
00:24:43
Craig matthews
Nah.
00:24:43
Jamie
Really?
00:24:44
Rodney Gooden
when they
00:24:44
Nick
No.
00:24:44
Craig matthews
Nah. I said it to you yesterday, Jamie.
00:24:45
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:24:45
Nick
I really like this inter-team.
00:24:46
Craig matthews
I said it to you last night, because not going progress.
00:24:47
Jamie
Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:48
Craig matthews
I said it to you last night. I said Inter's going to go through. I said that I believe that they're missing a lot of key players, like Neuer's are injured, their backup keeper's not that great, their defence is not that good either.
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Muziala's not injured.
00:25:00
Craig matthews
Yeah, so their defence is not that great.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Muziala was such a miss tonight.
00:25:02
Craig matthews
Yeah. So I felt that Bayern are not going to go through. I felt that inside, especially at home, strong at home as well. They beat Arsenal in the Champions League as well at home. So they're very good at home.
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:25:11
Jamie
yeah
00:25:12
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Inter have only conceded five goals this whole Champions League run. Like, I think that's an incredible feat for any team to do. And I think they kind of slipped under the radar this Champions League run.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've just been, because it's been, but none of them have been like glamorous victories.
00:25:27
Nick
Yeah.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've all been like 2-0, another scrape.
00:25:32
Jamie
Yeah.
00:25:32
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so like, you you know you you don't like puff your chest out after any of those.
00:25:33
Nick
It's all just.
00:25:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they've just been quietly chugging along this whole Champions League run now. I hope it's a more hope it's like a more open game against Barcelona. We'll see how that goes. But I think that there's a lot more quality than they've been given credit for.
00:25:50
Craig matthews
You know what, yeah.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think they'll be given a lot more flowers after today's victory.
00:25:57
Craig matthews
here
00:25:57
Jamie
Definitely.
00:25:58
Nick
i think I think they can do Barca as well. I know we'll willll get on to predictions after the next half break, but Inzaghi's one of the best managers in the world.
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:26:07
Nick
like i don't I don't think he gets enough credit, probably because we don't see as much Italian football over here anymore, especially because they lost a load of their rights.
00:26:14
Rodney Gooden
Thank you.
00:26:17
Nick
But i they just sort of do their job, and I'm really happy for Lautaro, actually, because he's one of those players who feels like,
00:26:17
Jamie
Thank
00:26:26
Nick
When the lights are shining, so often he seems to fall away, similar to likes of Meccano. And he scores a great goal with the first leg. He scores again today.
00:26:37
Nick
So I'm really happy for him. And I think they're sort of a sleeper pick to win this after us.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, let's use that as a segue.
00:26:48
Rodney Gooden
oh
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's take another ad and we'll make predictions and talk about the next leg.
00:26:52
Jamie
Yeah.
00:27:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. um Well, I think it's best to go straight back to the Arsenal boys. And let's let's start with who's who's the least confident out of you four for the next leg?
00:27:40
Rodney Gooden
The
00:27:48
Rodney Gooden
least.
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of the least.
00:27:49
Nick
i mean,
00:27:49
Jamie
Do you know what? You've got to you've got to believe. Now that we're in a semi-final, you've just got to believe.
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:56
Rodney Gooden
Also, the thing about PSD is I understand.
00:27:56
Nick
beaten Real Madrid.
00:27:58
Rodney Gooden
ah Go on, Nick.
00:27:59
Nick
We've beaten Real Madrid. Who cares, man?
00:28:01
Rodney Gooden
Exactly.
00:28:01
Nick
what What's a PSG to a Real Madrid?
00:28:03
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:04
Nick
like
00:28:05
Rodney Gooden
Exactly.
00:28:05
Nick
And as much as they were a different team when we beat them 2-0, we battered them when we beat them 2-0.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you know, it was flattering.
00:28:12
Nick
And even watching Villa last night, a bit of physicality in that midfield and they wilted massively.
00:28:13
Jamie
yeah
00:28:13
Rodney Gooden
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:28:19
Rodney Gooden
crumbled
00:28:20
Nick
So as much as losing party for that, it's a big loss.
00:28:25
Jamie
Yeah, are.
00:28:26
Nick
We saw what Rice did today. Rice in that midfield will be unbelievable.
00:28:28
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:28:30
Nick
So i we got ruled out against Real Madrid. We'll probably get ruled out against PSG. But I don't think the players or the fans will lose any hope going into that semifinal.
00:28:43
Craig matthews
ah ah we Are we at home first leg or are we?
00:28:45
Jamie
yeah we are
00:28:45
Nick
Yeah. Yeah.
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
home first leg
00:28:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Due to migraine. Yeah.
00:28:48
Craig matthews
I think we need to go get a massive score in the first leg and then do what we did against Madrid. think we have to have home as well.
00:28:53
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:55
Craig matthews
I think we've got to and that if we get 4-0 win,
00:29:02
Jamie
It is.
00:29:03
Rodney Gooden
and the vote a ba today
00:29:03
Nick
yeah
00:29:07
Jamie
We've seen it. we've We've seen it before with other English clubs. We saw it with Newcastle last We saw it with Newcastle before. Seen it with Villa. So, you know, going away to PSG never... It's not going to be comfortable.
00:29:22
Jamie
Not going to be comfortable at all.
00:29:23
Nick
not.
00:29:24
Jamie
I do agree with Craig. I think... We've got to, we have to at least go and take a lead. We have to take a lead. Even if it's a 1-0 lead, we've still got to take a lead to Paris with us.
00:29:35
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:29:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:29:38
Jamie
The one, ah there's a few things for me though, is that midfield battle, but it's also the wingers as well.
00:29:44
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
Facing PSG: Challenges & Tactical Plans
00:29:45
Jamie
You know, we we talk about, you know, we haven't spoken about Dembele, you know, what a season he's having.
00:29:45
Rodney Gooden
Scalio. yeah
00:29:51
Jamie
Like, what a season he's having.
00:29:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, lights out.
00:29:54
Jamie
And whoever comes up against him, they they're going to have a job on their hands, put it that way.
00:30:01
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:30:01
Craig matthews
Timber.
00:30:01
Rodney Gooden
Also, the new signing as well.
00:30:02
Craig matthews
Timber on turn.
00:30:02
Jamie
Yeah.
00:30:03
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:30:03
Craig matthews
I've got Timber on turn.
00:30:04
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:30:05
Nick
well
00:30:06
Craig matthews
Timber will deal with me.
00:30:06
Nick
Well, I imagine he'll be down the middle and there'll be Kvarriskeli probably left wing against Timber and Barkler or Dewey against Loiskeli.
00:30:06
Rodney Gooden
That's what I'm saying. Gravis Kalia, yeah.
00:30:13
Jamie
Yeah.
00:30:13
Rodney Gooden
He's the game champion.
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I imagine actually like the hardest thing about Dembele is he's just going to drift. and like that's like I think it'll be a fully conscious like how do we set up our block and everyone like being on it 24-7.
00:30:20
Nick
Yeah.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's the level he's been at all season. I think he's going to know that individually the Arsenal team doesn't have too many holes in it.
00:30:33
Rodney Gooden
Thank you.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So he's going to have to like find gaps in in the game itself. So I'm very curious to see how that works.
00:30:45
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:30:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think PSG Arsenal, and's it's going to be such a good game in both legs. Even if it's cagey, it'll be so like intricate and tactical and be interesting to see.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because PSG just don't have an off switch.
00:30:58
Jamie
Spot on.
00:31:00
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're just going to go. They're just going to go. That's all they know.
00:31:04
Nick
yeah
00:31:04
Craig matthews
Hmm. thank
00:31:06
Nick
I mean, we made Real Madrid tonight resort to just crossing for 90 minutes, which I think if you told Arteta that before the game, he would have just laughed.
00:31:11
Jamie
Yeah.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:31:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:14
Nick
So they are similar, like as much as they play differently and they' even more fluid than the Real Madrid front line.
00:31:14
Craig matthews
and
00:31:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:31:24
Nick
It's like three relatively small, not particularly physical, like attackers.
00:31:31
Rodney Gooden
so
00:31:31
Nick
Like if we can force them to just cross it in, which is easier said than done.
00:31:32
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:31:35
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:31:37
Nick
There are obviously ways to win this tie and I trust Arteta to set up a ridiculous game plan for a two-leg game like he has against Real Madrid.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:31:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that my biggest question is who will be in the midfield for this first game? Because if Partey's out, he is he going to drop Marino back and put somebody else on up top? Or...
00:32:07
Craig matthews
um he couldn't put no i'll put rice at six rice six marina eight and then would have got another ten
00:32:07
Jamie
you know what?
00:32:07
Nick
I don't know Jorginho is injured.
00:32:08
Jamie
That's a good question.
00:32:09
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:32:12
Rodney Gooden
anel yeah
00:32:14
Nick
Yeah.
00:32:19
Nick
Yeah.
00:32:19
Rodney Gooden
Mm, could there
00:32:20
Jamie
Yeah. Yeah.
00:32:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but that's still that still means that there's someone else up top, right?
00:32:21
Nick
I don't know how long Jorginho is injured for.
00:32:24
Jamie
That's, you know what, that's what I was thinking as well.
00:32:25
Rodney Gooden
do it. Yeah, so who's going to be down the middle? Right, is it Gabby?
00:32:30
Jamie
but then But then my thing is, who yeah, who do you play down the middle?
00:32:31
Craig matthews
got more
00:32:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, that's it.
00:32:34
Craig matthews
Martinelli with his pace for this to be.
00:32:35
Rodney Gooden
It's got to be Gabby by now.
00:32:36
Nick
I'd go my own play.
00:32:36
Jamie
Yeah.
00:32:36
Craig matthews
But look at the goal he scored tonight.
00:32:37
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:32:38
Nick
We saw...
00:32:39
Craig matthews
He went through the middle.
00:32:39
Nick
Yeah.
00:32:40
Craig matthews
Through the middle he scored that goal. So needs to go through the middle in the game. And then...
00:32:43
Nick
Especially because... Especially the amount they push on.
00:32:46
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:32:47
Nick
like The wingers are bombing forward like and Marquinhos and Pacho are... It's not ridiculously quick. If we can get it over them, I'd definitely go with Martinelli down the middle.
00:32:57
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:33:00
Nick
all
00:33:01
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:33:03
Jamie
Just quickly, I'll quickly read you Arsenal's European record against Paris Saint-Germain because I've just got it here in front of me. 1994 away, drew 1-0 in the Cup Winners' Cup.
00:33:10
Rodney Gooden
okay
00:33:13
Jamie
Then, at home, we won 1-0. in the cup whens cup then at home we won one nil and then september And then it was September 2016, we drew one all away to PSG, but then drawing 2-2 just towards the end of November.
00:33:21
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:33:34
Jamie
And then obviously in our last Champions League game, we won 2-0. So do you think maybe a bit of history could could maybe give us a little push in the right direction?
00:33:39
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:33:47
Craig matthews
I agree.
00:33:48
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:33:49
Craig matthews
Donnarumma's not a good goalkeeper anyway. He's won the U-Rub.
00:33:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:33:52
Craig matthews
I don't think...
00:33:53
Jamie
Yeah. ah
00:33:54
Rodney Gooden
oh
00:33:57
Craig matthews
No. I don't think he's that great.
00:33:59
Nick
I'm with you.
00:34:00
Craig matthews
I don't think he's that great of goalkeeper.
00:34:01
Nick
a i think I think this Champions League campaign, he's stood up when like needed to be counted a bit more. He made some massive saves yesterday. The second leg against Liverpool, he was unbelievable.
00:34:12
Nick
But like he will not claim a cross despite being seven foot tall.
00:34:13
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:34:19
Nick
It's...
00:34:19
Jamie
yeah
00:34:20
Nick
it's
00:34:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shaquille O'Neal height.
00:34:21
Nick
of like
00:34:24
Nick
It's ridiculous like for a guy that tall to not be able to catch the ball. ah It's even worse than De Gea. It's ridiculous. So I completely agree. He's not a great keeper.
00:34:34
Jamie
To be honest with you, I'd like to see what would happen from like corners.
00:34:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, slender. ah
00:34:38
Jamie
Could you imagine Arsenal corner being whipped in and just Donnarama just running out?
00:34:38
Nick
Yeah.
00:34:44
Rodney Gooden
Well, misses it completely. Yeah.
00:34:46
Jamie
Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:48
Nick
Just tap the edge of the box.
00:34:48
Jamie
And then you probably get someone like Saliba who goes and headers it into an empty net.
00:34:50
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. Saliba Hedner.
00:34:51
Nick
Yeah.
00:34:52
Rodney Gooden
Oh.
00:34:54
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:34:54
Craig matthews
He did it at the start of the season, though, with Breda. Saka had a free kick and he missed the free kick and it went in.
00:34:59
Jamie
He did.
00:34:59
Craig matthews
So, as I said, he's not very good at set-pieces.
00:35:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:35:00
Jamie
There you go.
00:35:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, that's right.
00:35:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:35:00
Jamie
Yeah, absolutely.
00:35:00
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:35:01
Nick
I'll
00:35:01
Rodney Gooden
Ooh.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good recall.
00:35:01
Rodney Gooden
an yeah
00:35:03
Craig matthews
He's not very good at set-pieces as well. He's very cross-hairs.
00:35:05
Jamie
yeah Great example.
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, I think we're going to go quick for round of predictions.
00:35:07
Craig matthews
So, yeah, as I said, he's not a good goalkeeper. ah
00:35:11
Rodney Gooden
okay
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Do we want to do just first leg or first leg and aggregate score? Like do the whole shebang.
00:35:18
Nick
just do the whole tie, think.
00:35:18
Rodney Gooden
who
00:35:18
Jamie
Go on, do it. Go on then.
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
right, I'm not going first. i'm not I don't know i want to target on my back. yeah
00:35:24
Rodney Gooden
Start
00:35:24
Craig matthews
you
00:35:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Let's go Nick first. Nick, are you feeling?
00:35:28
Nick
I think I'm to back us to win both games. like I think we'll go through.
00:35:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
cloud 10 basically
00:35:36
Jamie
Ha ha ha.
00:35:36
Craig matthews
you
00:35:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
how win both games give me a scoreline though let's get creative because and 2-0 have massively different scores
00:35:44
Nick
first leg and then 2-1 again. Yeah, 2-0 first leg, second leg.
00:35:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
2-0 versus 2-1. I'm like, wow. Expecting to go to Paris and win is
00:35:54
Nick
We just beat Real Madrid, Shan.
00:35:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, fair enough. Fair enough. um Jamie, how are you feeling? Another win in both legs?
00:36:03
Jamie
Yeah, do you know what? Like I said, you know we're in a semi-final now. We've got to dream big here. We have to dream big. You don't come this far and think, oh, well, you know, okay I'm in the semi-finals now.
00:36:17
Jamie
yeah You know, we are literally two games away from a final. And for me, since we are at home, I'm also going to go with Nick.
00:36:24
Craig matthews
Mmm.
00:36:29
Jamie
I'm also going to say 2-0 Arsenal. And I think when we go away, I think it's going to be cagey. i see it being I see it being 2-2.
00:36:41
Rodney Gooden
okay
00:36:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, good call.
00:36:42
Craig matthews
Mmm. Mmm.
00:36:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
4-2.
00:36:44
Jamie
So I think that's... What is that? That's a 4-2 aggregate win for Arsenal.
00:36:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I don't think I'm going to get anything different from the next two, but Rodney, where you're going?
00:36:54
Nick
No.
00:36:56
Craig matthews
You
00:36:58
Rodney Gooden
No, I'm thinking, I think, yeah, if they come to the Emirates, I'm expecting us to just repeat the victory that we had over them early in the tournament. I'm thinking that the Emirates come down, I think 2-0. However, I think going to the Parc de France, like, it's going to be tough. Also, they're a different PSG side from what they were before.
00:37:13
Rodney Gooden
I think it will be a cagey second half. I'm going to go with 1-1. Yeah, I'm going to go win it on aggregate. But I don't think the second leg away is going to go as easily or as smoothly as it did against Madrid today. I think, yeah, it might be held us to a draw, but we win it in that first leg.
00:37:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, and back to AFTV. You said 4-0 earlier. for no Are you going to stick me down for your prediction, Craig?
00:37:32
Nick
Yeah.
00:37:33
Craig matthews
Yeah, I think I'll be confident. I think 4-1 at home, one one away. 1-1, it'll
00:37:39
Rodney Gooden
Oh, what a fuck.
00:37:40
Jamie
Wow. Wow.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait, what did you say for the away leg, Craig?
00:37:42
Rodney Gooden
I'd love to see it. I'd love to see it.
00:37:44
Nick
oh
00:37:44
Rodney Gooden
but Yeah. Hold on.
00:37:45
Craig matthews
be a 1-1 draw.
00:37:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
What you say for the away leg? 1-1.
00:37:48
Jamie
What?
00:37:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
and 1-1. four one and one one Oh my goodness.
00:37:52
Jamie
Craig, if if this comes to fruition, I'm going to remember this.
00:37:55
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:37:56
Nick
yeah
00:37:56
Craig matthews
yeah
00:37:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Just to like, you know, pop each of your balloons, I'm going to go with a PSG victory um overall, just to preface it. um
00:38:07
Rodney Gooden
gone
00:38:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think obviously, the I think the first leg is going to be far more cagey than we think it's going to be. I think it's going to be two teams that like want to get to the final, but like, like kind of shudder a little bit. I think it's going to be like,
00:38:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
more caging than we think it's going to be. I'm going to go with like a one one ah But I think the second leg is going to open up. i think I think the second leg is where we see far more action.
00:38:33
Nick
Nah.
00:38:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you're wrong. I'm happy you're wrong. I just want good football.
00:38:38
Rodney Gooden
you you are One one in the first and then in the second, what just PSG smash us?
00:38:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But...
00:38:43
Rodney Gooden
Like, how is it?
00:38:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, not not smashes. i think it's going active, though. I think it's going be active.
00:38:47
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:38:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I could see like... like an Arsenal goal or something that happens early on that gives Arsenal the advantage, but PSG like get angry from and come, come like all guns a blazing.
00:38:55
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:38:58
Rodney Gooden
Come back to school three in the next 15.
00:38:59
Craig matthews
Nah, nah, nah, nah.
00:39:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So I'm going to go like three, one PSG the second leg.
00:39:01
Jamie
Nah.
00:39:02
Rodney Gooden
All
00:39:06
Jamie
Wow.
00:39:07
Rodney Gooden
right. Yeah.
00:39:07
Jamie
Wow. Wow.
00:39:09
Rodney Gooden
or
00:39:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:09
Nick
team Teams correcting us is not a good idea.
00:39:10
Craig matthews
Ha
00:39:12
Nick
Like, I'll be so honest.
00:39:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just had to save the best for last.
00:39:14
Nick
Team...
00:39:15
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:39:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:39:17
Nick
but
00:39:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's move to the next leg because let's face it we're not going to get much more except pure joy out of all of you guys i talking about Arsenal now.
00:39:21
Rodney Gooden
okay
00:39:26
Jamie
that's it
00:39:27
Craig matthews
ha ha
00:39:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Inter Barcelona. I know Nick earlier said that he is going to maybe back an Inter victory. How are you feeling? Let's start with Jamie this time.
00:39:40
Jamie
you know what?
Barcelona vs Inter: Predictions & Opinions
00:39:41
Jamie
To be honest honest with you, at the start, at the very start, I asked the boys who they see winning the Champions League and I came out with Barcelona and I had a lot of surprised reactions to to Barcelona winning the Champions League.
00:39:58
Jamie
The thing is, for me, i think their home form will will be great. But the thing is, and we saw it yesterday,
00:40:08
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:40:08
Jamie
which is the away form. You know, going away, Barcelona do not seem to enjoy away days out.
00:40:10
Rodney Gooden
You just
00:40:16
Jamie
So i think that's going to be really tough. I see it going to extra time, but I'm going to go.
00:40:22
Rodney Gooden
won the rematch, don't you?
00:40:25
Jamie
ah I'm going to really be risky. I'm going Barcelona to win it. I see Arsenal-Barcelona in the final.
00:40:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:40:33
Jamie
That's all I see in the minute.
00:40:35
Rodney Gooden
Yay!
00:40:36
Nick
Yeah.
00:40:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
TT Derby
00:40:36
Craig matthews
yeah
00:40:37
Rodney Gooden
one than two thousand us
00:40:38
Jamie
I want, as me and Rodney were saying, it me, Rodney and Craig, we were saying it, we want to avenge 2006.
00:40:39
Rodney Gooden
guys i
00:40:44
Jamie
ha ha
00:40:46
Craig matthews
yeah
00:40:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that would be sweet. That would be sweet.
00:40:50
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. I love that.
00:40:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or twice a pride, double the fall, you know?
00:40:55
Rodney Gooden
Oh, this is awesome.
00:40:55
Craig matthews
educat
00:40:56
Rodney Gooden
It would be horrible.
00:41:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just going to put a little like villainy in your guys' day.
00:41:04
Rodney Gooden
Come
00:41:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nick, are we backing Inter still?
00:41:09
Nick
Yeah, I think what honestly, Dortmund probably could have got through yesterday.
00:41:15
Rodney Gooden
back.
00:41:15
Nick
like
00:41:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:41:16
Nick
If Dortmund were a bit more clinical, they're through like miraculously. I think it was also just probably Barca's worst game of the season.
00:41:24
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:41:25
Nick
like they were They were showing Jamal on the bench and it was the body language which of a team that was getting knocked out and they still had a 2-3 goal lead.
00:41:25
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:41:35
Nick
don't think it would be easy, but I think
00:41:36
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:41:38
Nick
with how high their line is and how much Inter will be just happy to soak the pressure. Taram, Lautaro, DeMarco and Dumfries going up from wing back.
00:41:51
Nick
I think Barella just going, yeah, Taram just run.
00:41:51
Jamie
Oh yeah.
00:41:56
Nick
I think they can catch them out and just have a really disgusting 1-0, 2-0 across the two legs sort of win.
00:42:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm, that's actually a great shout.
00:42:05
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:42:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I like, so if you, if you look to the first leg, both of those goals came from like eight to 10 passes moves straight from the keeper, just straight out. And we we talk about playing out of the back as like, i think a weakness for most teams. I think that's like the general narrative of playing in the back. It's injury, but it's like, where we're going to make a mistake here.
00:42:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you do it fast, and especially through a high press, Oh my goodness. It's lights out, and I don't know. It's a great shout, great shout. ah Rodney, where do you think it's going?
00:42:37
Rodney Gooden
You know what? As much as I want history to repeat itself, I think I kind of have to back Nick here as well. I said, from what I've seen from Inter and also playing them early in the tournament, they just, teams that like that free-flowing attacking football, Inter just stifle them.
00:42:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:42:49
Rodney Gooden
They just choke them out and then get them on the counter.
00:42:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:42:51
Rodney Gooden
I'm like, yeah, I can totally see Inter beating Barca across two legs. I can even see if maybe, you know, they held the first game to a draw or whatnot and then Inter just edge out on the second leg or whatnot. I can see it. I just don't know if Barca will be able to play the type of football we've been watching as spectacle throughout La Liga against Inter.
00:43:06
Rodney Gooden
So, yeah, I might edge them just to win it. Maybe extra time, maybe pens, maybe they win outright. But I think Inter could really creep up and beat them. It could be a major upset.
00:43:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. I did not expect this. 2-1 to enter right now in in the in the chat.
00:43:19
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry. From what I've seen, it's like, yeah.
00:43:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the Barca win was in extra time slash pens?
00:43:21
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:43:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Wow.
00:43:25
Jamie
but
00:43:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Craig. Where do we think we're going?
00:43:28
Craig matthews
You know yeah
00:43:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Inter or Barca, who you backing?
00:43:33
Craig matthews
what? I think Inter going to do it. you know um
00:43:34
Rodney Gooden
oh
00:43:35
Jamie
Tom!
00:43:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:43:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:43:36
Craig matthews
I've got a feeling. You know why I think Inter might do it? Because they've got good defence.
00:43:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:43:43
Craig matthews
Barcelona's defence is not that good.
00:43:43
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:43:44
Nick
Yeah.
00:43:45
Craig matthews
They've conceded too many sloppy goals. That's the only reason I would Inter. I think Inter will win the first game at home. If they're at home, win the first game at home and then they'll draw Barcelona away. I think I think it'll be like ah first win first two one into win then second leg of your one one draw and then that's it
00:44:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I think they're playing Barcelona away first leg, but yeah.
00:44:08
Rodney Gooden
a
00:44:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
As long as you flip that.
00:44:09
Nick
Oh my god.
00:44:09
Craig matthews
Yeah
00:44:10
Nick
They go there, just stink out a disgusting nil-nil.
00:44:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's... I do see...
00:44:14
Nick
They're laughing.
00:44:14
Jamie
Oh.
00:44:15
Rodney Gooden
And then one nil on the return.
00:44:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:44:17
Rodney Gooden
Wow.
00:44:17
Jamie
Oh.
00:44:18
Rodney Gooden
yeah ah
00:44:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's kind of set up for them. you know It's Barcelona to enter ah Champions League Heritage.
00:44:21
Nick
It's...
00:44:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Semifinals. ah
00:44:27
Nick
It would also be so funny after...
00:44:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jose Mourinho down to 10 men and storms out of the Nou Camp. and Piss in the sky.
00:44:31
Nick
It'll be so funny after everyone's been like sort of guessing how PSG and Barca have been playing, which has been beautiful to watch if you get a final Arsenal versus Inter.
00:44:39
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:44:43
Nick
Just two teams who love to defend.
00:44:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hilarious.
00:44:45
Nick
It'll be so funny.
00:44:46
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:44:46
Jamie
m
00:44:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am going to stick with Barcelona, even though my head says Inter, but more just like my heart of watching Barcelona through the season and how how much I love Jamal.
00:44:55
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:44:59
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:45:00
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:45:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's, oh my God.
00:45:02
Rodney Gooden
Amazing.
00:45:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:45:04
Craig matthews
Quality well.
00:45:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, if Barcelona cook for 10 minutes in these two legs, like there's nothing but like, you know, like where they have one of those periods where they
00:45:05
Jamie
Yeah, so good.
00:45:05
Nick
Ridiculous. ridiculous
00:45:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
inter for some reason, they're floundering, they could be so clinical and they could just put the tie away.
00:45:15
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:45:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I think what, like, we talked about Yamal's body language on the bench, and I think that proves that they're so disappointed, not because they wanted to, like, they thought anything was riding on this Dortmund game, but they they're trying to put a marker down.
00:45:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think they were so upset that they didn't put that marker down. They thought of that as a time to, like, show that they they can stifle a team out, even in the second leg. And they didn't do it. And I think To me, that is a sign of ah team that's going to hit or should hit like a high mark because you're so upset and you want to have such high levels.
00:45:52
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:45:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm going back Barcelona over those two legs.
00:45:55
Rodney Gooden
Fair.
00:45:56
Craig matthews
There we
00:45:57
Rodney Gooden
I want them to here.
00:45:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was a wonderful pod, ladies and gentlemen.
00:46:00
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:46:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
46 minutes, only two ads.
00:46:00
Rodney Gooden
I have a look.
00:46:01
Craig matthews
go.
00:46:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:46:03
Rodney Gooden
Oh, thank you.
00:46:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah Thank you guys so much for coming on.
00:46:08
Jamie
No, pretty thank you for having us on.
00:46:08
Rodney Gooden
It's a pleasure to be here. Hmm.
00:46:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I had a fantastic time.
00:46:11
Nick
Thanks for letting us bask in this win.
00:46:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
like I was very concerned to be on the pod with four different Arsenal fans, but um I think we we weathered the storm, guys.
00:46:18
Jamie
ha ha ha
00:46:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think were I can go back to the sanity of talking to normal football fans. Until next time, hopefully we'll have you and guys on the next one after the PSG games and we can see PSG storm victory.
00:46:36
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:46:37
Craig matthews
Nah, nah.
00:46:38
Rodney Gooden
ah but
00:46:40
Nick
Bye.
00:46:40
Craig matthews
Not going to happen.
00:46:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright, until next time, boys.
00:46:41
Craig matthews
Not going to happen. Take care. Peace.
00:46:45
Rodney Gooden
Take care, guys. All the best.
00:46:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Adios.
00:46:46
Craig matthews
de care hey
00:46:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, shoot.
00:46:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright, well, I'm just going to play this.