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Beyond the Pitch Episode 59 : Unprofessional commentators, Arsenal stadium woes and Euro leagues round up
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Beyond the Pitch Episode 59
Join Catherine and Nat as they discuss the investigation that has just been launched into remarks made during a match commentary about Ella Toone, Arsenal moving their women out of the Emirates for a men's Carabao Cup tie, and a round up of the Italian, Dutch, German and Spanish leagues.
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Transcript
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and
Introduction to Beyond the Pitch
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
welcome to Beyond the Pitch, a daily women's football podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. Today it's brought to you by me, Catherine, and I'm joined by Nat. Morning. Morning? It's not morning.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
Unprofessional Commentary on Ella Toone
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Today we're going to be talking about unprofessional commentating um around Ellatoon, which I think upset both of us quite strongly. Arsenal being very Arsenal-like and having some scheduled conflicts with their men's team and the Carabao Cup, which isn't really, I don't think it's a major competition, but there we go.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also
European Football Leagues Overview
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
some European leagues round up. And I've been told that you know quite a bit about the Italian league, which is very exciting for me.
00:00:59
Nat
Oh, okay.
00:00:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So welcome.
00:01:01
Nat
Welcome, everyone, and...
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, welcome everyone. Um, so should we start off by talking about Ellatoon? I mean, you, feel free to rant if you need to rant.
00:01:15
Nat
No, it's not a major... Well, it's not a major rant. It's going back to base, I would say.
00:01:26
Nat
um you know, ah for where with the women's football is, especially here in England, you know, um if you want to explain the fact, maybe Catherine first, the serve we I can go around.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course. um So basically it was during the game against Arsenal, Ella Toon was substituted, went and sat on the bench and the commentator said, oh, Ella Toon always has a face like a smack bum, which I mean, I'll do my little rant first.
00:01:39
Nat
you said
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just so unnecessary is the thing. I mean, yes, but I mean, when in the men's game, they talk about players sitting on the bench and say, oh, they don't look very happy. Why does it have to be a special expression like like a smack bomb?
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that just reminded me of have you seen the Spain documentary about the World Cup? And oh, well, there's a bit in there where they talk about being called Bratz.
00:02:17
Nat
No, not yet, unfortunately.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they say, well, you're choosing there to put a word that has like childish connotations on it. You could just
Media Focus on Women's Appearance
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
say, I think they're making unnecessary demands. You could just say, oh, Ellatoon doesn't look happy sat on the bench. Why do you have to use like an infantile expression? It's just, yeah, unnecessary and takes us back to the dark ages.
00:02:47
Nat
Yeah, but also, you know, and that's another point like is what it was not necessarily necessary and you could have said anything else to um to show like to express her moral content.
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
g
00:03:02
Nat
And there is this ah fact to that it comes back ah here and then I'm surprised it comes back here in the in England somehow, because as I said before, I believe ah we moved on ah quite a bit ah in term of commentary or even the way um even the way journalists in general describe but women athletes and not leave it football but women athletes in general there is really focus on the athletic side of
00:03:35
Nat
um of the women that do are also athletes you know which is what i would expect because when i'm reading um sport news i want to know about their performance i want to know about their training i don't want i'm not interested about the way they uh they dress or the way their hair are or who are they dating at this moment i'm not i'm not a gossip girl in that sense ah or if i am i'm looking for those kind of news not in a sport session of a newspaper or even when I listen to a commentary. um And it's kind of going back because I was reading not later than today a tweet about a tennis player that had been challenged in a channel of dedicated to tennis about the way she was dressing and she had to tweet out is like, I'm more interested about
00:04:31
Nat
comments about my performance and feedback about my performance not the way I'm dressing before or after the game which is yeah so as I said I was a little bit shocked at that and i'm that to read that and I'm glad that there will be a little bit of an investigation for the FA because I think Even though it doesn't look serious, I think if it's getting serious, people would just stop doing that.
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Challenging Negative Sports Commentary
00:04:56
Nat
What any a local said is like, it's I'm going to challenge everything that is said in a nasty way about women commentators, women in the game and whatever.
00:05:06
Nat
because if you don't challenge, they won't stop. And and she's having mean um she's legally challenging them and she's having quite a success on that.
00:05:18
Nat
So I wonder if you know you start an investigation, then this person is suspended for a while. Maybe next time we will think twice to do that.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:26
Nat
and
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And for me, it kind of, it also just, it's like, I used to be a teacher and sometimes when a child was really being naughty, you wouldn't tell them off.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
You would tell someone who was being slightly less naughty off and then it would kind of, the rest of the class would start to behave because they would say, oh, so-and pulled off. I'm going to behave now. And I think hopefully it will act as kind of a sign like, oh, you know, we do need to take this seriously. We can't act unfessionally. And I do, I really hope that with the new Sky and BBC deal, there will be more professionalism in it. I mean, there are some very good commentators on the women's games, but yeah, I think that could definitely do with being a bit more professional about it. Right. The other day I was watching, um,
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was, what was I watching? It was yesterday. And they cut the commentator kept saying that um first what Spurs were playing a derby in London, and yet they were playing Man City in Manchester.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's like, to get basic things like that wrong is, yeah.
00:06:40
Nat
okay it's a england derby like in england uh you know but it's considered yes at least in england then yeah
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's in England. Why not? um But yeah.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah but I mean it's just basic for and I think that I mean obviously that's a much smaller scale than actually attacking someone for their appearance but I think it all goes to kind of this unprofessional landscape and hopefully this new deal will help putting all of that investment in.
00:07:10
Nat
Yeah, but nevertheless, you know, I think that we should just unnecessarily comment in an unnecessary way. You can tell that a person is tired or is upset.
00:07:22
Nat
I'm not saying that you shouldn't, but I think would would they use this very expression, as you said, for the man? I doubt so.
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:07:30
Nat
um So, yes.
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they would say, oh, so-and-so doesn't look happy to be on the bench.
00:07:32
Nat
the
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what they would say.
00:07:36
Nat
which is fine, I would get it. But yeah, so I think it was just the the language is so important and mastering the language appropriately that would be, um that should be a requirement on my opinion for everyone works in the game, especially because the WSL is a professional game.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
three
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:58
Nat
Now I'm not going to tear apart, I'm not going to go into details, but because on my opinion, everyone at any age that is
00:07:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:08:05
Nat
is doing their, you know, their athletic or athleticism. or So the, the athletic side of um themselves should be commentated in a professional way.
00:08:18
Nat
But nevertheless, we are talking about professionals. So, so why would you not use a professional way to address to them anyways, glad there's a, glad there is an investigation.
00:08:31
Nat
Let's see how it goes. up
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, absolutely. And I think hopefully this will be kind of a warning um to take it seriously because we should be taking it seriously.
00:08:39
Nat
Yeah.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Global Sports Podcast Network
Promotion of Global Sports Podcast Network
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
is changing the face of football podcasts with dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football, and a daily ah daily Premier League wrap-up broadcasted in five different languages. This is your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find GSPN wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so our second topic, let's talk about Arsenal. i mean They're supposed to be the
Arsenal's Scheduling Conflicts
00:09:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
trailblazers, the leaders of kind of growing the women's game in England. Historically, they have been. So just should I set the scene very quickly for you? So Arsenal are playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It's in the league phase. Arsenal were beaten by Bayern Munich in a very exciting game that as someone who likes Bayern, I loved. They were beaten 5-2. They went two up at
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
by half time and yet Brian just really came back into it in the second half. So this game was scheduled to be at the Emirates on December 18th. I actually had tickets and all very well and good. They've been selling tickets since September. They've sold like over 5,000 tickets um and yet last week the men's Carabao cup fixtures were released and They're playing also at the Emirates on the same day against Crystal Palace. I mean, what are your thoughts on this?
00:10:27
Nat
So I have some reserves in general about the Champions League. We had some ah already some clashes ah with Chelsea and then the the the game against the Manchester United had been postponed. um So I have some reserves in terms of how the Champions League has been organized. Nevertheless,
00:10:50
Nat
ah I wouldn't say this would take priority but possible possibly a discussion and I do appreciate that Arsenal feme was they found arsenal ah team wants their fans in and home and really really pushes them talking about demands to have the cup of whatever it's called. i don't I cannot even say that um at home.
00:11:15
Nat
However, they're playing against Crystal Palace, right?
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:19
Nat
And they just, I mean, I don't know, I come from the youth football, and possibly I'm a little bit naive here, but can they just simply reverse the game? Because this was placed there.
00:11:30
Nat
Also, there is, this is opening up, because it seems that the Arsenal women home stadium, which is but ah bra in the north, but it's not suitable for for the Champions League.
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
me
00:11:44
Nat
sir
00:11:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, UEFA won't actually allow it to be used because of a bunch of things like the lighting isn't good enough, something to do with the pitch, it's loads of regulations, it actually
00:11:53
Nat
yeah so
Stadium Booking Priorities for Arsenal
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
doesn't fit.
00:11:58
Nat
do you know if this is going to be rescheduled somewhere else if so the easiest way now go on
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, there's lots of um I mean, I agree with you. The easiest way why can't and what I really hate is that why that the women's schedule has been in place for a long time now.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why does it now become the women's team's problem that the men have a game schedule of their life? It's their problem. It's their scheduling issue. Essentially, the stadium's booked.
00:12:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like if it if it were a business and you booked it for a party, no one else can book it that day. It's it's gone.
00:12:30
Nat
Yeah, but if you're in the business and Arsenal men are gaining more money, and like the tickets cost more, right?
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But why? Well, yeah.
00:12:39
Nat
I'm just talking about costs.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But against Crystal Palace, I mean, that's,
00:12:43
Nat
But they cost more, so they're like in term of, I'm talking the money here, which me talking money is already from per se.
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:12:50
Nat
But anyways, usually I'm not the money person at all, in and Cathy knows about that.
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
so I mean,
00:12:57
Nat
But anyways, that's another conversation for another pod, which is not this one. um i think and I think it's a matter, like we can be spiritual and say, oh, it's a fancy, but I think it's purely a money thing.
00:13:12
Nat
and
00:13:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you know, they're still up in the air.
00:13:13
Nat
ah but the easiest way is to just reverse i don't know where do you know what is gonna happen now or is still not you move arsenal not this is the logic right you move the arsenal women's game to brenford right
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's talk about Brentford Stadium for some reason. Yeah, I don't know why they can't use Wembley. I mean, and I mean, I know.
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a Brentford.
00:13:41
Nat
But they are in a men's game against Crystal Palace instead of reversing it.
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
we see and
00:13:46
Nat
Oh, let's keep it there.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um no
00:13:48
Nat
I'm very confused.
00:13:51
Nat
it
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I mean, I do understand what you're saying with the money. And I do agree. That's why. And in business, business
Debating Priorities in Women's Football
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
talks, it makes absolute sense. They're going to sell more tickets for the men's tickets will be more expensive. They'll make more money. Therefore, the men should have hierarchy. However, I just think that it would have been what a statement it would have been for kind of They say they're dedicated to growing the women's game Arsenal. What a statement it would have been to prove it, to kind of say, look, we've done this. Look, we are at the forefront of the women's game. And also then to say to Arsenal supporters, like you should come see us. Cause look, we are taking this seriously. We believe in our women's team instead of just kind of saying, Oh, well it's your problem now. The men are using it. So you need to figure out somewhere else to play your little game.
00:14:44
Nat
yeah i Yeah, I think they i the only reason I can say it's money wise, but as you said, I'm completely with you when you say, well, you should be, you know, you are.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:55
Nat
You have led the example so far about the women's game, the structure, the attention, the opening the stadium, and now on the first very first opportunity where you have to really stand up and say, yes, also this one is going to go this way.
00:15:12
Nat
You are crumbly. I wonder, you know, because it's still in discussion, I wouldn't be surprised that but there will be some pressure to say, hey, tough luck, let's reserve, like reverse.
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:15:22
Nat
However, it's a loss of money. for us and also for them.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think there's also questions about, like, different teams are playing and because of the police situation, like, in certain areas of London, two London teams can't be playing at the same time because the police have to, like, split their resources and things.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's all sorts of, oh yeah, I know. For the listeners, Matt's looking at me like, what are you talking about?
00:15:45
Nat
in pre how many sorry pa
00:15:51
Nat
Sorry, but this doesn't stand because of how many Premier League teams are based in London.
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
to But if you see like Chelsea and Arsenal won't play at home at the same time because of that reason.
00:16:06
Nat
Okay, but what about Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace?
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm just, yeah.
00:16:12
Nat
I'm just, I'm just throwing that there. Those are Premier League team as well, aren't they?
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But apparently that is the issue. issue ah one of the issues with the men's why they can't move around because they can't play in the same area where another London team are playing.
00:16:22
Nat
i know
00:16:28
Nat
ah Who is playing south then? Is it Tottenham, West Ham? Who is playing south?
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I i don't know. I don't. I haven't looked that much into the men's Carabao Cup because it's such a, you know.
00:16:40
Nat
but No, because if so if if Arsenal has to play in the north, right, has to, then who else is playing south, which is not Crystal Palace because they're playing north?
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:16:56
Nat
Just that no asking for a friend, you know?
00:16:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, but that's definitely one for people I own.
00:16:59
Nat
Anyways.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who knows what they will come up with? I just know as someone who has a ticket to that game, I would like to know quite soon.
00:17:10
Nat
but yeah true that that would be helpful that would be is that you then that has an influx on that I'm just thinking about I'm just starting to this ah you know this theory that actually is
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it's whenever, because I don't live in London, it's whenever I plan to come to London that something happens because I have tickets to see United Chelsea. and that game got moved, then I thought, oh, I'll go to the Emirates, I like by Munich, I'll go and watch them play Arsenal. Again, it gets changed. Yes, it must be.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
me
00:17:41
Nat
might be you and not everyone i think but think about the the german uh fans that they need to fly and they're like oh actually okay let's book let's book a hotel in north london no you're south you're gonna go to brenford and good luck to get there from north london by the way um but
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's London getting upset that like, and someone else is coming into London.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, like yeah.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
two ah but ah about there but Yeah. Yeah, there are stories about this. If you go on Instagram in the comments
Fan Frustration Over Game Rescheduling
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
underneath Arsenal's posts about it, there are people who say they've already booked flights, hotels, tickets.
00:18:18
Nat
Oh gosh.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, they're just And it's the non-communication from Arsenal about it. They've said this, but like I have a ticket and I haven't been contacted like by email or anything about it.
00:18:32
Nat
yay but
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:35
Nat
not go to be that
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:47
Nat
and the
00:18:49
Nat
ok Here at Global Sports Podcast Network we spend a lot of time selecting our delivery platform, then cast a came out to declare winner. With the 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those arms and halves, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you are ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zancaster.
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, so our last topic for the day, and I'm glad we have a bit of time for this, is a European League Round-Up. um So tell me a bit about the Italian League.
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I told um Kate I do have a slight link to Fiorentina, only because I'm a Manchester United fan.
00:19:43
Nat
Oh.
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah In the men's team, our old goalkeeper David Baheia was my favourite player in the world. and he now plays for Fiorentina. So I actually started watching both their men's and their women's games and their women seem to be doing quite well.
00:20:00
Nat
say fe it in a way okay well um So the Italian League is a little bit peculiar, it doesn't have many our teams on it.
00:20:11
Nat
At the Juventus is leading and thanks ah to the fact that they beaten. ah They won yesterday, actually Saturday, 3-0 against ah um Milan.
00:20:29
Nat
um And that was a a great victory. Juventus this year is quite strong. the They had, I think, a huge revamp during the summer.
00:20:41
Nat
And they are like, they are like, has been predicted as the one that ah was probably winning the champion, the Serie A this year.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
They could win the Champions League.
00:20:51
Nat
ah I was not so convinced to be fair. Yeah, maybe they are doing the Champions League. They are quite okay. I was not so convinced. I'm not a great Juventus fan. I had my heart beat for Roma, but that is another story.
00:21:07
Nat
ah but I mean I can't say anything good like Girali unlocked finally third for um a goal so she was able to score yesterday so yeah Juventus is doing good and the fact that Fiorentina lost against Roma um also on Saturday ah that allow Juventus to jump up. But the results ah overall um of the Italians area were
Italian Serie A Recent Games Overview
00:21:41
Nat
Roma, you ah so they had three games on ah Saturday and two, I believe, on Sunday. ah
00:21:49
Nat
So Roma 1-0 against Fiorentina, Juventus 3-0 against ah Milan, Cessuolo 1-3-0 against Sampdoria. Sampdoria is not clearly... ah We don't know what's happening with Sampdoria. Como, one of the famous Mercury 13, 1-3-0 against Napoli. That was an easy one to be fair. Napoli is not strong enough to be where they are. and oh I mean, Serie A, on my opinion. and Inter Milan 1-1 against Lazio and this is a very important one ah because
00:22:29
Nat
This is the 50th victory ah in Syria for um for Inter Milan and also with the one ah that Como de Trino that means that they are on the table at the same level are um inter as Milan ah women. so quite interesting.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmhmm.
00:22:53
Nat
There are some foremen, WSL players here. ah We know that ah in Latvia there is Pimonta that didn't do great till last year.
00:23:05
Nat
And Everton wasn't really able to show her value. i'm I'm not sure she's doing great in Latvia as well because she's a striker. She should actually score but Lazu is not doing very well, not many goals, not just last, the past, this past turn, but other turn as well. In Roma, I want to highlight, and not because I'm just a fan, which helps, but just two things quickly, and then I'll let you talk because you have a much wider knowledge about the European
00:23:41
Nat
around the and the European Championships. And in Roma, two highlighters, Manuela Juliano, appeared as Ballon d'Or, I don't know the name, like Gold ah gold ah Bull, ah for um ah for the first time. ah She didn't, of course, she didn't win it, but that's to nominate her an Italian player in Serie A that is an amazing person. And last but not least, the Valentina Giacinti-Woody's my favorite player of Italy and Roma. She has been ah um nominating the Hall of Fame for ah the Culture Feminine Italiano, which is the Italian ah women's football, so well done to her.
00:24:32
Nat
And for a career that has been challenging at times, um but we can talk about Valentina Dicinti in another context, maybe during the um Champions League.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, amazing.
00:24:46
Nat
Up to you, yeah.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that was really interesting. Thank you. it's I love learning about different leagues um around Europe. I think it's so interesting. So for this weekend, I'll start with the Netherlands and probably the standout game was Ajax versus FC Trent.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And of course, Trent are the reigning champions. They've won quite a lot of the leagues. um Quite interestingly, They won quite
Ajax vs. FC Twente Game Highlights
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
a few leagues under the leadership of, I'm not going to pronounce his name correctly, but he's Serena Reagman's number two at England, Ayaan Vurink.
00:25:24
Nat
Oh.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I apologize to him, but yeah, he used to be the head coach for FC Twent when they kind of started their ascendancy and started doing really well. Ajax won that game though, 2-0, and so I, that were pitched to the top of the Eredivisae today by PSV, who also won 2-0 against ADO. um And ADO are interesting because from what I could gather from Highlights and Google Translate, they're kind of always seen as the best of the rest. kind of They always are mid-table. In the Eredivis, they have 12 teams. um And they always finish kind of fifth, fourth, sixth, something like that. um But they're really struggling without ah
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
quite a few players at the moment. And yeah, it just seems to be on a pretty bad runner form. So sorry, ADO. I mean, I love your pits. They're yellow and green, which is really nice.
00:26:21
Nat
But.
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But the top is still very open. There are five or six teams within then like two or three points of each other. So there's IACS, FC Twent, there's Firenord as well.
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
and they're all kind of in and around each other. Also, a big thing that might come out ahead of the US are playing in the Netherlands in a friendly soon.
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of the Ajax players, Lily Johans, could be either a US player or a Netherlands player. And she hasn't made that decision yet.
00:26:53
Nat
Oh.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there's a lot of jokes going around online, but whoever wins the game gets to their national team. um So that would be good. ah Moving on to France, PSG won big against Strasbourg. Mary Epps back in the starting lineup, things we love to see, made a couple of good saves. I think we can firmly say that she is PSG's number one. So all of these people saying that she isn't starting. um Yeah, that's wrong. PSG at one point behind Lyon. Lyon won very big.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Somehow they're missing, like this is the thing with Leon, they can miss so many big players, like Lindsay Horan wasn't playing, Fandy Donk wasn't playing for them, and yet they still win like 8-0. It's insane. They're kind of quality in depth. Over in Germany, we have Bayern atop, whoo, but only just. They drew on Friday. They look a bit tired. They're not really in a great run of form.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Of course, Georgia Stanway
Bayern's Recent Performance
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
plays to Bayern, who listeners might know, obviously, from the lionesses. And um yeah, but they're just struggling a little bit, I think, by their own standards. I mean, looking from the outside, they've had two draws, a loss, and then wins in their last, like, 10 games. But for them, that's bad. um But I mean, I'm sure with the international break coming up,
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um that will give them a chance to kind of regroup a little bit. And in Spain, I think the big game to focus on is Barcelona, Atletico. And Barcelona won 3
Barcelona vs. Atletico Game Summary
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
-0, Bonmati scored. That is so unlike her. I mean, when does she ever score a goal?
00:28:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But yeah, i I think I don't know if there's any major talking points from that game. I think it just kind of Barcelona doing Barcelona things and Bonmati doing Bonmati things. Kira Walsh doing Kira Walsh things. um Just a quick also mention of and NWSL. Esme Morgan from the Lionesses is in the starting lineup for Washington Spirit tonight. ah So we're recording this on a Sunday. So she'll be playing, I'm not sure who they're playing, um but she is in the starting lineup for Washington Spirit tonight. It's
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
been really nice to see her under Jonathan Giraldes, who of course used to be a Barcelona. ah She's really improving quite rapidly under his kind of leadership, which is really nice to see. um
00:29:42
Nat
oh fare um let's say yeah What is your favourite country in terms of a championship or in terms of teams or competitions?
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I have So I started this summer, kind of, I just wanted to know more about different leagues. So I started, I picked a team from all the different countries to kind of follow.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Of course, I can't watch the full games for for all of them, unless I do very dodgy things.
00:30:11
Nat
here
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Sometimes ah based on their kits, sometimes just based on talk about them, I tried not to go for the top in every league.
00:30:16
Nat
yeah
00:30:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do like Bayern Munich. I like the way they play. um If you watch, they have a documentary series on YouTube, ah which followed them last season. And that just, they're just very likable. Of course, Georgia Stanway is there as well. So I have kind of an inherent bias because she's my favorite Linus.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:30:45
Nat
Oh.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, I do like Bayern. I do like the Netherlands League because I feel like it is actually quite competitive. um Like you have like four or five teams who are always kind of at the top and then you have pretty much what seems to be the same three or four teams at the bottom every year. um And then you have ah like, as I mentioned, this ADO in the middle. um So yeah, I do like their league. um What's really nice is there seems to be a really nice comradeship amongst the players there. Like today when I watched um
00:31:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ADO play, who did they play today? I talked about it earlier, PSV. Um, they were like committing really physical fouls and then having a hug, which is really nice. Um, so I really liked that. Um, so yeah, I think those two definitely.
00:31:40
Nat
i is snow Well, I think it for today, right?
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think, I think we've covered everything. Um, so thank you for joining us. And we look forward to welcoming you to the next episode of Beyond the Pitch.