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Free Weekly Episode - AC Milan Dominate Juventus, Napoli Top Serie A, Dybala Injury, Destro Wonder Goal & Much More (Ep. 264)
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From AC Milan dominating a Juventus who run real risk of finishing out of top 4, Giovanni Simeone Napoli's savior, Paulo Dybala scores for Roma but injured again, to Inter's Edin Dzeko scoring century of Serie A goals and Udinese drawing Atalanta in an amazing game, John, Carlo and Nima break down all the talking points from another eventful Serie A weekend.
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Transcript
Introduction and Juventus' Weekend Success
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast with John Solano, Carlo Garganese and Nima Tuvali.
00:00:24
Speaker
Hello, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of the Italian football podcast. We hope you are doing well. I know there's no way Carlo is going to be bringing up his favorite manager today because everything went swimmingly at the weekend. So for those of you who tuned in for any allegory talk, I imagine you're going to be vastly disappointed because
00:00:53
Speaker
I can't imagine anything that anybody would have taken issue with him. That happened. No, no, no. He's back. He beat Bologna and Maccabi Haifa. I mean, he's back. Right. Building blocks, building blocks. He's losing me. I've got to be honest with you. After that performance against you, against Milan, where
00:01:10
Speaker
which we're going to get into. Yeah, let's just do let's do the sound effect and get right into it because this is I'm just going to sit back and let the let the tape play. Just kind of see what happens. Let's just let's see what comes about. All right. Here we go. All right.
Milan vs. Juventus: Tactical Analysis
00:01:31
Speaker
Well, no other place to start Milan.
00:01:34
Speaker
They dominated Juve, guys, 2-0. Although the score line, it may not appear as if it was a domination. Did either of you, at any point in that match, think to yourself, wow, Juve can overturn this? Because at no point did I think to myself, Milan are not winning this.
00:01:56
Speaker
I thought Milan, except for the first maybe 15 minutes, there was no doubt about how this game was going to end. There was no doubt as to Milan going to win this. But for me, the thing that I found the most troubling from a Jueva perspective and satisfying from a Milan perspective is the ease with which Milan
00:02:17
Speaker
just brushed Juventus aside completely brushed them aside and did so in without even it felt like without even breaking out of sweat they were tactically outstanding whatever issues there were in the first 15 minutes purely addressed them immediately in-game and i think we have to start giving credit to purely in-game management who well it's starting to be the i think there's a serious case to be made whether or not he is
00:02:45
Speaker
the best in-game coach in terms of in-game management in the Serie A. The way he addresses and changes things in the middle of a game when things aren't working, just minor tweaks always pays off and the players always seem to respond to it.
00:03:06
Speaker
they just controlled this game from start to finish. And like you said, John, this could have ended 4-5-0 if Milan wanted to. That's the scary part for Juva. Well, if that's what you have to say about Pioli, I can't imagine
Juventus' Tactical Struggles
00:03:23
Speaker
If we were to give some sort of title to Allegri, what Carlo might select? Well, just before I get to Allegri, I want to just give some credit to Milan. I thought that, you know, after they were dominated by Chelsea, I thought they showed a good reaction and they showed their spirit again, which is something which I think has been the biggest strength of Milan this season and even last season.
00:03:50
Speaker
in winning the Scudetto. I actually, to be honest with you, I didn't think they were anything special in this game, but they didn't need to be. As Nimmo said, they didn't even really need to break sweat.
00:04:04
Speaker
And, you know, Teo Hernandez was back and I think Milan had too much for Juventus down their left-hand side. I mean, that was a complete mismatch. You know, you've got Teo and Rafael Liao against Danilo and, well, McKinney in the second half, Danilo and Cuadrado in the first half. I thought Liao was brilliant again and I thought he was the only one against Chelsea that really turned up. I want to give credit to Brahim Diaz.
00:04:30
Speaker
He showed that he is, for me, he's a head of de Kettler in the pecking order for Milan in that number 10 position. I thought he's got a brilliant goal. It was a mistake originally by Vlawovic in the lead up to the goal, but the way that he took it, the way that he went past Bonucci, who was just like a statue in that challenge.
00:04:51
Speaker
And they barely conceded anything defensively. I mean, look at the XG. I think Milan was around about 2.5 XG for this game. Juventus was about 0.5, 0.6. And, you know, again, we saw that Milan have a clear system, whereas Juventus have no system at all. The second half, Juventus were playing with four central midfielders in a 4-4-2.
00:05:18
Speaker
I mean, you don't even need to analyse that, just have to laugh at it. And the other interesting point from the Milan perspective before, I haven't even got to Allegri yet John, don't worry, is Allegri has been saying all season, and I quote, let's see how Milan and Inter do when they've got five players missing.
00:05:37
Speaker
Well, you saw in this game. Yeah, I was going to bring that up. Because the Allegri disciples, those that are still living in 2015 and still think that Allegri's a top manager, have been saying, ah, but, you know, they've been hanging on, those that still remain in them, there's very few of them, have been hanging on to the
00:05:53
Speaker
Well, Juventus have got no Pogba, they've got no Chiesa, they've got no Di Maria. How would your team do if you had all these missing players? Well Milan had actually had more missing players than Juventus have and they've been decimated for the last few weeks and they completely dominated in Juventus with an equally decimated, if more decimated team. And the reason for that is simple.
00:06:15
Speaker
Pioli has a system of play so that when he has players missing, those that come in can fit into that system. They might not be as good. Of course, they're not that good. They're as good as they would be. And we saw that against Chelsea. There's levels against Chelsea. You need your best players to beat them. But at this level, you know, the Milan players that came in could fit into the system, whereas Juventus have no system. So, you know, that's this is what this is the result of that. So. So, yeah, first of all, I want to say, well done to Milan.
00:06:45
Speaker
And I think it's equally, we're increasingly starting to see that this is becoming a two-horse title race between Milan and Napoli. That's the way I see it at the moment. I agree with that. I think Napoli and Milan have shown that even when they struggle,
Serie A Title Contenders
00:07:03
Speaker
they
00:07:03
Speaker
They pull off wins and they manage to control games and proceedings because they're very clear in how they want to play and they have players to play in those systems. Very clear and coherent projects and tactical formations. I just want to give, I think Gabja and Pobega really impressed me as well. Again, young players who have not started too much and they walk into the lineup and deliver.
00:07:30
Speaker
And it was really, really impressive to see. And again, the in-game management, because I think Juva did put up a fight the first 10 minutes, 15 minutes, but after that, they just, they would, they played them off the park, Mila. It wasn't even, there was no, it didn't even, it was never in doubt. And it was so easily, so easily done too, which, which brings me to the next point.
00:07:53
Speaker
I've been I've been very calm in the sense that I think you know should you what should you do and what what can you do and and should I legally stay and not but I think it's it's it's I think I'm starting to question whether or not it's time to move on from him because this is this is not working at all you were
00:08:16
Speaker
don't look like a team at all. They look like 11 individuals, 11 individuals, some of which have great skill, individual skill, and can make it work against lesser teams. But against Milan, they just look, there are at least two levels of quality between Milan and Juve, that we saw on Saturday. And there is a difference, but not that big of a difference. And I put that squarely at the foot of the manager because
00:08:46
Speaker
He clearly has no idea. We're 15 months in and he has no idea what formation he wants to play. He has no idea what style he wants to play. And he's playing the Serie A league as if every game was a cup final. You can't do that. You cannot do that. You can't go into every single game adapting entirely to the opposition.
00:09:08
Speaker
And you could argue, well, maybe you can do that if you have more experienced players. But you have young players, and young players need to play in a system. And then in one-off games, they can adapt. You just don't have that. They've got nothing. There's nothing there.
00:09:24
Speaker
Yeah, the big question for me now is, I mean, I've answered, everybody knows my view, I've been saying it for a year now that Allegri won't succeed at Juventus and they should get rid of him. But the big question for me now, also looking into the medium to long term future of Juventus is, will Juventus miss the top four this season?
00:09:49
Speaker
And for me, if Allegri stays, there's absolutely no doubt about it. Juventus will not make the top four with Max Allegri. No chance. I mean, you just look at their form. They're now, they're seven points off the top four already. We're only at the start of October. They're already seven points off the top four. They're 10 points off the top of the table, off Napoli.
00:10:12
Speaker
And you look at their form, not just this season, but for the last six months. And that form is a team fighting against relegation. The last 17 games
Juventus' Future Under Allegri
00:10:22
Speaker
in all competitions, competitor games, not even including the pre-season friendlies in which they lost most of those as well. Their last 17 games in all competitions, that's almost half a league season, won five, drawn five, lost eight. That's relegation form.
00:10:39
Speaker
The last 12 Serie A games dating back to April, 1-3, drawn five, lost four. I mean, that isn't going to change. That's not just a few games a month, bad form. That's six months form, you know, and whether or not Pogba comes back, Kieser comes back, they're not coming back to the new year anyway, and they're going to need probably a month, two months. Kieser probably won't be back to his best, back to his normal levels till 23-24 season.
00:11:06
Speaker
and Pogba, we don't know what's gonna happen with him. He might have a recurrence. So for me, there's no chance. Allegri in big games. This is a big game against Milan. Allegri in his big games, 17 big games since Allegri returned. Three against Milan, four against Inter, two against Napoli, two against Atananta, two against Villareal, two against Chelsea, one against Benfica, and one against PSG. 17 big games, one win.
00:11:32
Speaker
I mean, if that isn't damning enough, I mean, that is just absolutely shocking. And I can go through more and more stats. You've entered us away from home this season, away from home. Depending on it's McCarby Hiper, they have to win that game in the Champions League. Well, does anyone really, is anyone really confident that they're going to go away and beat McCarby Hiper? Because this season, away from home, they've played five games, one zero, drawn two, lost three, they've scored two goals in those games, conceded six. I mean,
00:12:00
Speaker
The stats say it all. We did an episode, didn't we, a couple, a fortnight ago, where we looked at the underlying metrics in Syria. And again, those all showed. And you were laughing at me. I mean, it is quite funny, to be fair, about how Juventus are actually overachieving this season. That's what's even scary about these stats. Is Juventus, based on their underlying metrics, I know, John, you're really into your underlying metrics as well.
00:12:28
Speaker
Juventus are overachieving. They're 17th for team pressing, 20th for pressing efficiency, 18th for possession, 14th for recoveries, 20th for ball recoveries, 20th for tackles, 8th for chances, 8th for shots on goal, 13th for dribbles. These stats are absolutely horrific. And just to finish,
00:12:53
Speaker
This is why I was saying, before the last international break, at that point, Juventus this season was still somewhat salvageable, in my opinion, if they'd have sacked Allegri before the international break. But unfortunately, Agnelli, in order to save his own job, decided to hold on to his job for a little bit longer, decided to stick with Allegri. Now, for me,
00:13:17
Speaker
The season will be over by the time the World Cup is done. They'll be out of the Champions League and probably maybe even out of the top four by the time the World Cup is here. But even if they sack him right this minute, I think it may not even be salvageable. That's the thing though. I think because given the games that are coming up in the Champions League and the Serie A,
00:13:39
Speaker
It's Maccabi Hifo away, Torino Darby away, that's always a tough game, Juventus at home, Benfica away, Lece away, Juventus at home, Inter at home, Hellas away, and Lazio at home.
00:13:54
Speaker
OK, barring, you know, except for Letcher and Empoli, those are very, very tough games. And I don't think Juventus will win all of those games or even any of them. You could make a serious argument that they won't win any of them. And if that's the case, and on the 13th of November, we're in a situation where they haven't and they're out of the Champions League, they're in the Europa League.
00:14:41
Speaker
Well, if this form continues, if this form continues, then seven points outside the top four, that will be 10, 12, even 15 points potentially. If this form, the form that they've showed for the last six months continues and there's no sign at all to suggest that that form is not going to continue, then that gap of seven points to the top four is going to increase.
00:14:48
Speaker
you have to
00:15:01
Speaker
Even more so this is why things be back to my original point why the hell did they not just get rid of a legary before before this international this last international break when the point of the season where it was actually still salvageable the season now for me it may not be salvageable even if they make the decision now which they're not going to do so so
Locatelli and Vlahovic under Allegri
00:15:20
Speaker
You know, and the other thing to mention is, for those that say that, you know, you can't afford. Well, I read a report today that I think it was in the gazetta, but the Juventus stand to lose over 100 million euros if they don't make the Champions League last 16 and fail to make the top four this season. So for the sake of sacking Allegri, they're actually going to be making a losing a hell of a lot more money.
00:15:45
Speaker
Hmm, for sure. Absolutely. Well, beyond that too, from, so you have it from a managerial perspective where clearly things have not been up to speed. It definitely translates onto the pitch. I mean, if you look at Vlovich, Lukataly, those are the guys we want to elaborate a little bit on here.
00:16:07
Speaker
it's you talk about his dinosaur football and I get that it the way he plays at times it does certainly should come with what you know like those warnings I said do not operate heavy machinery while while partaking and like this medication that is what a leggity football should sometimes come with a warning do not proceed do not proceed past this point there are wild animals yeah well
00:16:39
Speaker
Locatelli, for instance. Manuel Locatelli, he has a fantastic Euro 2020 campaign, comes to Juve, seen as a very high profile signing, which he was. Arsenal wanted him as well. Well, he comes under the wings of Allegri,
00:17:04
Speaker
I don't even know who this guy is anymore. He is unrecognizable to the guy that we saw at the Euros just one year ago. I mean, what do you make of that? Because that results aside, look at the investments they've made. Again, Loketel, Ivahovic, Bremer. I mean, Yuki Maria.
00:17:28
Speaker
Well, yeah, I'm just saying like the more expensive long term players. I mean, you can make the case every single one of them has regressed. Yeah, you can. I don't think anyone can say that. And I think the player that probably has regressed the least is Bremel.
00:17:44
Speaker
But Wlawicz is unhappy. He's been there the shortest, so in fairness, he's probably nearly okay. Probably, probably. You know, you're absolutely right. And I think Wlawicz for sure, he looks, Wlawicz looks pissed off with life in general right now. He doesn't get anything to work with.
00:18:03
Speaker
But yeah, as for Locatelli, I don't know. It feels like this is what happened at Milan with him. He's not a regista, he's a mezzala, and he should be played there. But he's not played in this right position. Allegri seems to have hellbent that he's supposed to play deeper. He's not supposed to play there. And I don't understand why he doesn't play him next to Rabio and Paredes together. The three man would feel, that's what you've got when Pogba's missing. That's how you need to play, but he just doesn't want to do that.
00:18:33
Speaker
and or next to Mckenny if you want someone you know if the game dictates it but regardless this this what he's doing with Locatelli is he just he looks confused he looks his self-confidence is completely shot he he doesn't look all the everything that made him look fantastic into euros and even at Sasolo it's just gone it's vanished yeah I
00:19:01
Speaker
I don't think he's a top, top player. I don't think he's ever going to become a world-class player, put it that way. But I do think that he has the ability and the potential to be a very good, even to an excellent player. I think he is.
00:19:17
Speaker
worthy of Juventus. I do believe that I believe he has the qualities to be worthy of Juventus. But he has to play under a manager and in a team that plays to his strengths, you know, and his strengths are, he's very good on the ball, he's got a very good passing range, brilliant passing range, actually.
00:19:35
Speaker
He's got a very good short passing game. You play alongside midfielders that can keep the ball, keep possession, dominate the middle of the field, dominate possession and territory. Like, you know, we saw at the Euros under Verratti, with Verratti, with Giorginio, with Varela. Okay, these are top players. Okay, most midfielders will look good, will play better alongside those. Of course they will. But, you know, he is very comfortable with playing in that kind of, you know, in that playing that kind of football.
00:20:05
Speaker
But you play under a coach who has no style of play, just basically defends and counter attacks. Well, you know, as with all the midfielders and every bit, all midfielders go to you, go to Turin and die in recent years, but especially under Allegri, you know, he's gonna, he's gonna, he's set up to fail, basically. You know, he's slow. That's one of his weaknesses, Locatelli, is he's, he's pretty slow. What is, what is a slow midfielder like Locatelli gonna do in a counter attacking team?
00:20:33
Speaker
He's not going to do anything. I mean, it's just common sense logic. You don't need to be. You don't need to be, you know, Rigo Saki or Pep Guardiola when it comes to tactics to realize that, you know, he's been he's been mismanaged really horribly. As Nimr said, playing loads is the kind of the deepest player, the deepest lion player, whatever formation that's in. He's been set up for fail because he is a Metsala. He needs to play in the midfield three. No doubt about that. I don't think he can fit in a foot in a in a midfield two either. Also, because of his lack of pace.
00:21:04
Speaker
And, you know, he, you know, he can't, Allegri, like, as we said, Allegri can't develop players, you know, look what he's done to all these other players you mentioned before, John, like Vlauovic, you know, players with the rest under Allegri.
00:21:19
Speaker
And, you know, I think now that if Allegri is going to stay, then he needs to leave the Avengers because his career is gonna... He's on the line. Yeah, his career is on the line. And also you said about his confidence being shot, Nimr. Well, what do you expect? I mean, what do you expect his confidence to be like when Allegri actually comes out publicly
00:21:40
Speaker
and says that he's not even a first-choice play. He considered him as a first reserve. He said, my image of the Juventus was to have Paredes, Pogba and... Ravio? Ravio is the third. And then he actually said it. He actually said Locatelli as my first alternative. So he sees him as his fourth-choice central midfielder. I mean, I find that absolutely shocking.
00:22:05
Speaker
And, you know, Arsenal were in for him. We can say that really, just like with Wlowicz, you know, he made the mistake joining the eventers because we've seen what's happened to his career. And there's reports, I don't know how much truth there is in it, there's reports that Arsenal
00:22:25
Speaker
could come back in for him in 2023, Arsenal need a central midfielder. And the kind of football that they play with young players, playing football, progressive football, playing it the proper way. If I'm a Loca tele, I'm considering making that move to Arsenal. And finally, the other thing I would like to say was this was the reason why in the summer, when Juventus were being linked with, well, they were interested, they actually were interested in him, Raspadori.
00:22:53
Speaker
and he went to Napoli. This is why I said at the time, I'm happy, even though obviously Juventus, you know, I want Juventus to do well. I wanted Raspidori to join Napoli because I'm an Italy national team fan and I want Raspidori to develop as a player. And I know that Raspidori, if he'd have gone to Juventus now,
00:23:10
Speaker
We'd be talking about Rasput Dory now as we are talking right now about Locatelli because that's what Allegri would have done to him. So I'm glad that Rasput Dory went to Napoli and is developing into a much better player. Yeah, it's hard to disagree with any of that. It really is.
Napoli's Unbeaten Run
00:23:32
Speaker
Yeah.
00:23:35
Speaker
Yeah, I don't really know what to add beyond that because you watch them and it's just, again, particularly Locatelli, it's just such a far cry from the guy that we saw. All right, well, let's go to more positive things, the opposite end of the spectrum, Napoli.
00:23:53
Speaker
They win again. They are absolutely flying. They remain unbeaten. It looked like, if you were watching this, it looked like they were actually going to drop points. And then out of nowhere, they just annihilate Cremone SF for three goals in the final 10 to 15 minutes of the match. Diego, or I'm sorry, Simeone, Giovanni, Gio Simeone,
00:24:19
Speaker
My stock is at an all-time high, so I feel great about that. Oh, mine too. Look, in 2018, you and me, remember? Yes, getting ready to cash in. I've always thought that he can be a lone striker, and I thought in Spalletti's system, I think he was really... Every trait he has is what Spalletti wants in a number nine.
00:24:43
Speaker
And this is why I wanted in 2018, when Mauro Icardi drama was going on at Inter with Wanda and Spalletti and Spalletti and then stripped him of his captaincy, I said, well, if Icardi leaves in the summer and Spalletti stays, I think the next number nine, I think they should bring in Cholito Simionna to replace him because of the movement and everything he has. I mean, he works so hard for his team.
00:25:13
Speaker
I remember there's no I'm not making any like comparisons at all between them as players but if you remember I think I think it was Sir Alex Ferguson who said about Raul remember Raul Gonzalez Blanco the Real Madrid legend that he doesn't have any he's not a 10 at anything but overall he's a 7
00:25:32
Speaker
in everything. And I think that's what we can say about Simeona. He's not great dating advice too for all those people. Jesus Christ. I'm going to have to excel at one thing, just being okay at a bunch of different things. Good Lord. But that's what I think about Cholito Simeona. I don't think he's the best or world class at anything. But overall, he's really good overall at lots of most things.
00:25:56
Speaker
And also his attitude. The guy never stopped fighting for the team. He's such a loyal team player. And you saw that. Yes, the goal was a howler again by a good dear friend, Andre Rado. Surprise, surprise. But it's still important that this gives confidence to Napoli. It creates this belief in this team that even when they struggle, and they did struggle against Cremonieza, who played really well,
00:26:23
Speaker
But it builds the belief that they are unbeatable because even when not playing well, they score four goals. They didn't play well in Napoli, they scored four. It's absolutely bizarre.
00:26:37
Speaker
Giovanni Simeone, absolutely. He's really, really won me over. I didn't think he could really play to this level. And maybe he's still not necessarily a starting striker, but he's really showing that he can be a really important player this season for Simeone. And I'll just say one thing, because I've just been looking this up.
00:26:55
Speaker
I actually think Simeone is still eligible to play for Italy. I don't think he's played in a competitive game for Argentina. I think he's only played in friendlies, but Argentina, with Italy needing a number nine, needing a goal scorer, you know, someone to, let's say, in the immobile MO mode. I don't know. I think Italy could do a lot worse than having this kind of option. They lack this kind of player.
00:27:19
Speaker
goal-scoring player. So, yeah, Roberto Mancini, if he doesn't go to the World Cup, I know Di Barla's injured now, he might replace him. Yeah, I would have a look at him, for sure. But yeah, just... No, I wouldn't. I know he's born, I think, in Italy, but no, I wouldn't. I build around Scamaccara Spadori and these young guys, come on. Yeah, but it would definitely be good to have him available, even if it's off the bench, someone to bring on.
00:27:46
Speaker
to, you know, just to come up and it's lucky he's done for Napoli. And, you know, just to expand on the point about, you know, Napoli not being at their best.
00:27:54
Speaker
you know, they weren't at their best, but they still scored four goals and they still had 21 shots and had 70% position. Yeah, that's not bad. That's not bad, is it for a game where you didn't play well, you still had all that, all those attempts. But what I think this game definitely 100% show was again, and I've been saying it all season, Napoli's depth, the depth that Napoli have because they're drawing one all 20 minutes to go.
00:28:17
Speaker
however long it was, and they need someone to come on, you know, they need plays to come on and resolve the game. Will Napoli have such strength in depth? Who scored the three last goals for Napoli? All three of them were substitutes. Simeone, Lozano, and then Olivera. You know, and I think that says it all for the strength in depth, especially in attack that Napoli have. They have the most depth in terms of goal scoring options off the bench, and for me, Napoli. And that's what won them this game. Absolutely. Absolutely.
00:28:47
Speaker
Yeah. All right. Moving on. You brought up Dibala. He gets injured yesterday.
Roma's Challenges with Injuries
00:28:52
Speaker
If you want to find a metaphor for Roma, there is no better encapsulation than Roma winning a penalty, which I thought was relatively soft. Their star, summer signing, who they bring on a free stepping up. He is having an unbelievable season. Steps up, scores the winning goal, but in doing so, he injures himself
00:29:17
Speaker
during the, either during the celebration or in the run up to the kick. Uh, I asked his Roma for a clarification on that. They didn't answer to me yet. Yeah, please. I want to know as well, like when, what, cause that matters because if he's getting, cause I mean, this is not like we've seen video clips of, you know, we were, I remember where Faber gas broke his foot, taking a penalty, but that, but he really hit that ball hard.
00:29:42
Speaker
And Vialy, because Vialy did it once. Yeah, I mean, but they hit the ball hard. This was not a hard, like, I don't, was this, he, did he know that this was his last thing he was going to do in the game and he just kind of, you know, because it wasn't a hard kick, also meaning that the injury was already there, or did he actually injure himself when he kicked, when he made that kick? Because then that's, that's not a hard kick.
00:30:07
Speaker
Well, he was coming off of a muscle tweak. So I don't think this is that big of a deal. I know, Carlo, you're going to want to go in on the guy. No, I think it's more Mourinho. Why did you play him if you know he had an injury? Well, I think...
00:30:24
Speaker
But if you look at the output, he's the only person scoring goals for Roma. But is it worth it? Because now he's gone until January. I mean, how he's going to miss six to eight games. And these are really important games. We will know tomorrow.
00:30:40
Speaker
I don't think he's going to miss the World Cup. I will just say that King Jose, the last couple of injuries, he's put a little bit of embellishment on it. Yeah, unless he's torn it, unless it's a tear, he's not missing the World Cup. Yeah, he's not missing it. He might not go full fitness, but then when his development, Devala ever fully fit. And he's only going to be a sub-player anyway at the World Cup. He's going to be a 15-20 minute player off the bench, isn't he? Well, I just want to say,
00:31:10
Speaker
I know you, Carlo, were not his biggest. No, I'm a big fan of him. I love Di Barla. I absolutely adore what you've done. I'm saying the past couple of years at Juve, particularly for the number he was asking for in his renewal.
00:31:27
Speaker
Yeah. I think he's been reborn this season. Goodness. You know, Romanita because Tammy Abraham, I don't know. Clearly he is pressing. He's struggling. He just cannot find the back of the net.
00:31:47
Speaker
And had it not been for Paulo de Bala, I sweat. I break out in a cold sweat to think of where Roma would be because he has carried the attack the entire season. Yeah, I agree with that. Because there's no really other options. I mean, look at...
00:32:04
Speaker
Zanyolo struggling. We need to talk about that as well because... Talk about what? The red card or... Yeah, but not something he's done on Instagram. No, I don't care. No, but it's Liam. I'll just say about Di Bala. Look, just before we get onto Zanyolo, my point with Di Bala is, I mean, I adore him as a player. I love him. There's not enough footballers like him around anymore. You know, there's just full of robots now in football. I wish there was more players like him.
00:32:32
Speaker
Unfortunately, his body is, you know, for me, as brilliant as he is, and he has been absolutely fantastic this season for Roma. You're absolutely right. Everything you say, John, he has carried Roma's attack. You know, Tammy Abrams just going for a complete crisis. He's also been really unlucky, I think, Tammy, like yesterday.
00:32:49
Speaker
He just doesn't want to go in for him. And when he does go in for him, he gets really unlucky offside. But DiBala, his body is, and I've said it before, he has the body of like a 36 or 37-year-old with his muscles, especially that thigh muscle. Go and have a look at how many thigh injuries he's had.
00:33:08
Speaker
over the last two years is ridiculous there's something there's something wrong structurally or there's something i don't know i'm not a medical expert but there's something is definitely something wrong his muscles are. You know i'm breaking down because he had six six injury layoffs last season.
00:33:27
Speaker
all muscular, all of them, all muscle injuries. He missed half the season before that. And this is his second injury this season already, and we're only in October. And like I said, they're always muscular injuries. They're always muscular problems, usually the thighs. So obviously, his body just doesn't really seem to be able to take the rigors of modern football. And it's really unfortunate because the guy has shown this season that
00:33:55
Speaker
Yeah, he's still a wonderful footballer when played in the right system. And I think Mourinho has been playing him in the right way. Playing him in the right formation to get the best out of him. And he is, you're absolutely right. He is carrying Roma's attack. And yeah, you would be a little bit worried as a Roma fan.
Zaniolo and Jekyll's Performances
00:34:10
Speaker
You know, how are they going to fill in the input of Di Barla now that he's going to be out probably till the World Cup?
00:34:18
Speaker
We need to talk about Zagnolo because now I've always been in favor of, you know, give him, you know, give him the benefit of the doubt. But yesterday he was, I thought he was dreadful yesterday.
00:34:30
Speaker
Yeah, he was not good yesterday. Very anonymous performance. I mean, look at these numbers. He completed eight passes. He missed three. So 11 passes overall. He lost the ball once. He won it once. And he went into five challenges for the ball. Lost four, one, one. It's dreadful. This is simply not good enough. And his attitude and the way he looks and the red card against Real Betis,
00:35:00
Speaker
I mean, I don't know, man. I wonder if Roma shouldn't have cashed in on him and sent him to Juve if there was an opportunity to cash in on him. I'm starting to think that was a mistake. What do you think, John? The frustrating part is the talent is there. The goals are not. I know that's such a simplistic way of looking at it.
00:35:29
Speaker
But it is so weird how one moment you will see him pulling something out of the bag that only he is capable of. And then in the next breath or within the next action, you know, you see him doing something so stupid, you see him getting sent off. I really, really don't know what is going on with him. Part of me wants to say, okay, perhaps it is.
00:35:58
Speaker
the system, but I mean, Tammy Abraham, Paolo Di Bala, they're getting plenty of goal scoring opportunities with Zagnolo. He's not even getting in the positions to get goals. So I don't really know what the answer is.
00:36:19
Speaker
Again, numbers is his tangible numbers in terms of goals as an assist this season, John, seven, seven games, zero goals, one assist. I mean, that's just not good enough, especially for a team that Roma, okay, you're massively underperforming your XG, but I think you've been the second most creative team. I mean, you've got an incredible attack in terms of actual talent and goals and
00:36:42
Speaker
The XG is incredible. Yeah. I mean, to have zero goals and one assist in a team with that much attacking talent, for me, that's extra concerning. And even if you look at his numbers last season, I think he only had two Serie A goals, one assist in Serie A last season, a case called the winner in the Cup Final. But, you know, so his numbers are not good. And I think that underlines your point that
00:37:05
Speaker
there doesn't seem to be anything tangible coming from Zagnolo on the football pitch. Yeah, it's been frustrating. And I know if you look at him too, you can tell he's frustrated as well. From the mental point of view, he's just not in the right frame of mind. Okay, let's move to Inter.
00:37:29
Speaker
Jekyll, Edin Jekyll, former Roma striker. He scores twice and he gets to 100 goals in Serie A.
00:37:41
Speaker
Nima, I know you are a huge fan of his, mostly because of how quick and agile he is on the pitch and just how lightning quick he leads the front line. But in all seriousness, what did you make? It's painful. It's painful to watch him because I really like it. Edin Jeko at his best was one of my favorite players. I think he had so much to offer as such a high football IQ.
00:38:06
Speaker
was a lovely player in the build-up face. I loved him at City and I loved him at Roma and I think he's such a great player and now it's not his fault, he's old, he's 37 so he can't make those, he can't run, not at the level required.
00:38:24
Speaker
And it's painful to watch, but I'm happy that he scored, but he reached a century of goals. I think he deserves to be that recognition. I think he is a very underrated striker, one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. And the fact that he can score now is more down to his ability to read the game, which has always been fantastic.
00:38:51
Speaker
So I'm really happy for him. He won the game for Inter with those two goals, but in the build-up play and the other aspects of the game, he just doesn't work. Him and Lautaro cannot play together. And this is the last season he is playing at Inter.
00:39:09
Speaker
and so I hope for his sake that he gets to end it on a on a high before moving to the Middle East or MLS or wherever he wants to you know continue. Oh no but he needs to hang it hang it up. No I'd like to see him in the amount he deserves. I hate watching him move like this it's difficult. Well that's what I mean it it hurts me. Yeah it does because it's it's a player I really like but one
00:39:32
Speaker
But yeah, no, it's for me, the most what I take away from from this is Isinta looked again, continued to they didn't panic after Sasolo equalized.
Inter and Udinese's Tactical Evolution
00:39:43
Speaker
They were in control. They created lots of chances in Zagis building from the back. He's lowered the entire balance of the team 10 meters down the pitch. He's he's realized that he's got the players he's got. He can't play like he did last season.
00:39:58
Speaker
their confidence isn't there, they look confused so he's building from the back and that means not as much ball possession as they had last season, it's a counter attacking side which means that he gets the best out of the players he has when they're fully fit like Denzel Dumfries who is
00:40:16
Speaker
who can't dribble past his man, but he can beat pretty much most players for pace when he's got space to attack into, and therefore he had a really good game. And I really liked Andre Ohnana, I thought Acherbi was outstanding in defense. This is why I was, why I kept saying that Acherbi is an upgrade on Anokia to come in and be act as a backup.
00:40:39
Speaker
He, you know, the things are looking to fall into place now. The team looks more confident. They didn't panic. They continue to drill on and play on. And Mikitaria, I mean, the guy is he's he's such an intelligent player. And I think for me, Mikitaria was the man of the match, not Edin Jekyll.
00:40:57
Speaker
I thought from the minute Mikitarian came on, Inter was so much more composed, cool, in control. And if it wasn't for the Festival of Mischances by Lautaro Martinez, then Inter would have won this game 4-5-1. Yeah. Well, that's the sweet spot because that's what made you question Lautaro to begin with. So I guess if he can go back to that, we can go back to the
00:41:26
Speaker
the point in which you were hammering him and then he responds with a bucket load, of course. So I don't know. All right, we have to move on because this is the team that I just, I love talking about them. And I love, it's not very often that we get to say, I love or I enjoy even watching Udenese.
00:41:48
Speaker
The last time we were probably able to say that was, what, Toto Tinetale in the last year or two. Since then, it has been a myriad of mediocrity, a festival and a litany of slow, boring, drab, mediocre play. Nothing eye-catchy whatsoever. However,
00:42:12
Speaker
I don't know what is in the water up there in the northeast of Italy. Well, actually, I can tell you what's in it. I just don't want to. Jesus. I don't want to elaborate on it. But, but Utinese Atalanta was so fun to watch. Now it ends two to two. However,
00:42:33
Speaker
Udenez, they look like they're headed for their very first defeat and, or I'm sorry, is it their first defeat? Second, whatever it is. Udenez says it would have been their second. Their second defeat, second defeat. Down two to zero, there's 20, 30 minutes remaining. And they hit Atalanta for two goals within this man of like 10 minutes.
00:43:01
Speaker
with, of course, podcast legend, all right, Gerard de la Feu opening the scoring, and they end up drawing two to two. I don't want to get ahead of myself. We talked about Juva in the top four. Carlo already waving the white flag. Not yet, but getting close to waving the white flag. He was putting it on the stick, preparing to wave it. At what point,
00:43:30
Speaker
Because it's already too late to say, do we take Uteneise serious? The body of work that they have already showed for this season, I think is proof enough to, at least for the time being, they deserve to be taken serious and they deserve all the praise they receive. What do we make of them long-term for the rest of the season? Can they sustain this? Because I hope so, because they are so fun to watch, so fun.
00:43:56
Speaker
Well, yeah, we did debate this last week, didn't we? Nimr felt that he saw them as definitely top 10.
00:44:06
Speaker
Possibly. Oh wow, how nice of you. Big prediction there. Possibly Europe, possibly conference league, but not further than that. And to be honest, I'd probably go with that myself. I mean, first of all, I have to say this was an amazing game. Amazing, amazing game. It was one of the games of the season. It really was. It was brilliant.
00:44:30
Speaker
I actually thought that, because I've been saying that Atalanta have been over performing this season. If you look at their expected points before this game, there were about six, nearly seven points up on what they should have got, really. So they've been over performing and that will go back to the mean. Udenezi would also be over performing a little bit, not to that extent by about three or four points. So this was between two over performing teams. Now, I was making a few notes on this while the game was on.
00:44:57
Speaker
I actually, up until Delafeyo scored the free kick, which was with about, what, 20 minutes to go, I actually had actually noted down that this had been Uddit Atalanta's best performance of the season. I thought they were absolutely perfect. They barely conceded any chances. They controlled and dominated the game. They were disciplined, as really disciplined as they have been all season. They were showing really, really good maturity. I thought Muriel, who is somebody that
00:45:25
Speaker
that we've questioned whether maybe he's not starting to go on the slide. He was brilliant in both goals. Brilliant. Won the penalty and also absolutely fantastic assist. Fantastic assist for the goal from Lukman, which he got a ridiculous yellow card for, for celebration.
00:45:46
Speaker
And, you know, so I thought brilliant. But then the Udinese showed, and this is why I think they can maybe keep overachieving this season and maybe even get into Europe, is because they, you know, they made substitutions, brought some artistry on who made a difference, success came on as well. But they showed this great spirit and that there seems to be a real great, Sotil seems to put a real great togetherness there, as well as being tactically very good.
00:46:13
Speaker
They seem to, they don't know when the game is over. And we've seen them this season score so many late goals. You know, they're the late winner against Inter. The late comeback last Monday, a week ago today, when they away, it was an employee, wasn't it? Where they scored in the 93rd minute. And again, in this, you know, two late goals, they actually could have won it afterwards. And they should have won it. I think Arslan missed a big chance, didn't he, to make it 3-2.
00:46:42
Speaker
So they've shown you that they've got, you know, they really are building something great there. And so well done to them. And they, you know, it was a two or two, or maybe they're probably the fair result in the end. I don't think either of them will finish in the top four, though. Maybe Atalanta, maybe Atalanta could do. But Atalanta, I think, are good for Europe play this year, definitely.
00:47:05
Speaker
Yeah, I think both of them are a little bit overachieving and I think we'll see them both regress. I see both of them outside of top seven. I don't think they'll be able to maintain it because I just don't think they've got what it takes either one side, one team defensively, the other side in attack.
00:47:26
Speaker
to to maintain to finish in the Europa League position or top four. But now for me, I think they're doing really well. This is I mean, let's remember this is Sotil's first coaching job in the Serie A and he's doing an absolutely fantastic job. He's getting absolutely everything he's got from this squad. But I don't see I don't think they'll be able to to maintain this neither of them. But they're very two very good sides.
00:47:54
Speaker
And it's interesting to see how someone like Sotilla handles going two goals down and working himself into that. That's an important part of a coach's career and learning curve is to handle when things aren't going your way. And evidently, he handled it brilliantly against Atalanta. They could have even won the game, Udenese. So no, it was definitely the most entertaining game of the weekend.
00:48:24
Speaker
but I still want to wait a little more. I don't think either of these teams will finish in the top four. Maybe conference league, that's where I have them both. That's a lot, maybe more Europa League, but we'll see.
00:48:37
Speaker
All right, so elsewhere today, we have Fiorentina Lazio. Elsewhere, Salernitana, Verona, the former, they win 2-1. We also have Torino Empoli, which, Mattia Destro, he either does not score or he scores these sort of goals. Destro in Nacional, that's all I gotta say. Yeah, you're right. That old hashtag, Destro in Nacional.
00:49:05
Speaker
Well, I mean, this is so indicative of the guy. I just think there's no better way to summarize his sort of career than that goal. It's a stunning goal. It's an absolutely stunning goal. It's an unbelievable goal. But he does it for ampley. I don't know.
00:49:25
Speaker
he should have done way more but oh my that goal one of you describe it because i i mean it's the way you know it's it's it's like the way he does it i mean just just just to take you know the control to receive the ball like that and then to even think and execute all of this happens within a second the bicycle kicking it's not it's not in a position where
00:49:46
Speaker
you normally do that and he's got no other choice than to do that and then he hits it brilliantly in the curve of the ball. Now it's for me it's the goal of the season candidate for sure.
00:50:11
Speaker
Yeah, it's great, Kyle. We don't see many bicycle kicks anymore, to be honest. We don't see as many as we used to. Especially from guys of that size. I'm not saying he's particularly out of shape. I'll tell you one thing, though. Torino absolutely battered Emply in this game. Absolutely battered them. But I'm looking at the XG now. Torino had a 2.74 XG, which is obscenely high.
00:50:36
Speaker
But they don't have a goal scorer. I mean, they don't have a goal scorer. Roma had a 3.62, actually. I was going to say this must be the highest XG of the weekend, but it's actually second to Roma again, who underscored once again, John. But yeah, Empoli had an XG of 0.15, which would have all been that goal, basically.
Empoli's Highlights and Emotional Moments
00:50:57
Speaker
Maybe probably even less, actually. It probably would have been even under 0.1.
00:51:00
Speaker
XG. Torino were really unlucky in this game. Two goals disallowed and they had lots of chances. But that's the thing. I can't say that it's just bad luck because this has been like this since Yurich took over Torino. Last season Bellotti was injured for most of it. This season he left on a free. They don't have a goal scorer and that's why they're struggling.
00:51:23
Speaker
and they should be higher up because they play the pressing, the way they play, clear lines. Now, look, I've said it before, if Simone and Zaghi leaves next season, I want Ivan Yurich to replace him. It would be the most natural replacement for sure, in my opinion. And also Bologna Samtoria,
00:51:47
Speaker
It was very, I mean, for Inter fans, this was an emotional moment, wasn't it? I mean, you have two former treble winners and heroes, Mota and Stankovic. They're embraced before the game, they're a bromance before and after it. It was nice to see. But for me, the thing that I take away the most from this game is,
00:52:12
Speaker
Arnautovic flick before the opening goal. Go see that. It was, I mean, oof. Arnautovic, he's such a, it's his career, isn't he? I mean, bucket loads of talent, but not been able to get most out of it. You know, been able to express that on the pitch.
00:52:32
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, it'd be interesting to see how Stankovic does. Yeah, I really wish him well. I really wish him well because I mean, it's another one of those trouble heroes and one day if he has a good career, he could be good enough to coaching that and he would not have any problems adapting to the environment, shall we say.
00:52:52
Speaker
So I do... Can you explain one thing to me? I don't know. Why is Davide Nicolo under threat at Selenium Town? It makes no sense to me either. I don't understand. What did they expect was going to happen? They're exactly where I expect them to be. Yeah. Ten points from eight games. I mean, there's nothing...
00:53:13
Speaker
no nine games but yeah i mean they're mid-table i mean which is what they can which is which is exactly what you can ask from them and the same thing with trophy where they're saying you know hellas vero another he's under fire as well look at your team i mean it's not better than this yeah sacking the coach is not going to solve anything yeah i think the relegation race is really open i really think that the january chancellor window is going to decide oh yeah
00:53:37
Speaker
is gonna decide everything. Because I really think, if you actually look at the bottom, the bottom seven teams in Serie A are all the teams that I said at the beginning of the season, I thought that could go down. I said all of those. I said Monza, but I said, I thought Monza would end up, actually said that Monza would end up being mid-table, but. Yeah, me too. So, you know, Samp cremenes in Verona, Bologna, Lecce, Spezia, Empley. I mean, I mean, I really, I think, I find it very difficult to pick between
00:54:06
Speaker
any of those really i think emply will stay up um but yeah i think you could make a case for any of those teams going down i think i mean i think those teams to me just don't they're just not good enough samptoria given the the other teams and i think i expect bologna and emply like you said but the gap between these teams are so close in my opinion yeah that a good
00:54:32
Speaker
or a bad transfer window, I think could can literally will make the difference. And some people do think something in January for sure. Yeah, well, they will if they get bought by the Qatari. And I know the who the who the there's some new owners on their negotiations. Yeah, well, nothing's done yet. I mean, nothing more federalized to sell the club. So we'll see. But no, it's OK. No, but I think regardless, they're going to do something.
00:55:00
Speaker
Right, okay, John's just had to nip out. So we'll do a Champions League preview now. Match day four coming up. So the Tuesday games, we'll start with the Tuesday games. So we've got, first of all, Milan versus Chelsea. We just touched upon this briefly before. Now, for me, Milan have to get a draw at least. If they lose this game,
00:55:25
Speaker
I think that they're in big, big danger of not qualifying because if they lose and Salzburg beat Dynamo Zagreb away, which isn't a given actually, Dynamo Zagreb have been very competitive actually in all the games they played in this group, including against Milan, they were actually competitive in that game. And then
00:55:48
Speaker
they were very unlucky not to get a draw against Salzburg in the first game. They actually had a goal disallowed right in the end to get a draw, which was very, very tight for offside. So there's no given. But if Milan lose to Chelsea, Salzburg win. They're four points ahead of Milan with two games left. So it's out of Milan's hands.
00:56:10
Speaker
So yeah, Milan need to get a draw in this. Ideally a win, obviously, but with the number of injuries they've got, again, it's going to be difficult. Again, the good thing is they've got Teo and Liao back
Champions League and Europa League Previews
00:56:23
Speaker
on that left-hand side, so hopefully those two can work their magic.
00:56:30
Speaker
No, I'm not. He McCarvey, you've enters also on Tuesday, once again, absolute must-win game for you, Ventus. You've enters don't win this game. They're out. Um, and that's obvious. Um, so, um, yeah. And then they need PSG to, to win. And PSG just, if I'm not, if I just saw that messy is going to miss the game against befica. Is that right? Yeah. Is that confirmed? So yeah, I think it was official.
00:57:00
Speaker
Um, they said the missy's missing that game. So saw something online now about that, but no, it's no, you went to have to win. There's no doubt about that. And, uh, as for just a final comment on Milan, Chelsea, look, I think a draw, but, but Milan, if they don't qualify from this group, it's a failure. Let's, let's be honest. We praise purely for sure. I think he's done an excellent job, but this is, it would be an absolute failure if Milan don't qualify from this group, I think. Yeah.
00:57:29
Speaker
No, I will be. They had a very, very, very accessible group. Absolutely. And Salzburg did a good team, but you know, they got a couple, they got some good forwards. Okafor, I really, really like. Sesco as well thinks a huge talent. Well, he doesn't always start. So still very young, but but yeah, I think Milan, yeah, they absolutely have to be qualified from this group.
00:57:51
Speaker
Okay. Yeah, Wednesdays. Napoli have been, we discussed this on Thursday, didn't we? For me, they've been the best team in the competition so far. Certainly the most exciting team in the competition. They've scored more goals than anyone else. 13 goals. 4-1, 3-0, 6-1. I mean, you couldn't really ask for any more. All they need is a draw to qualify.
00:58:13
Speaker
against Ajax and they won't be able to be caught if they win this because they're already six points above Ajax with the head-to-head advantage. But they really, yeah, they go for the win, try and finish top. They absolutely have the chance to finish top. I really believe that now. They put themselves in a position that they could finish top. Two home games now against Ajax and Rangers and if they win that and Liverpool who don't look good at all,
00:58:39
Speaker
No, if they drop one if they drop a point here or there then that's it. They've won the group But yeah, absolutely and even if they even if Liverpool win their next two games and the rapidly win their next two games I mean Liverpool have to go in free nil and field which is
00:58:53
Speaker
Usually you would back them. I mean, you back Liverpool to always win Anfield, but when it's do or die by any score line, just ask Barcelona. But yeah, I look at Liverpool now. They really look like a team on the decline. They do. Something doesn't seem right there. And there are question marks over his future and whether he's maybe burnt all those players out.
00:59:16
Speaker
And finally, the big one. So yeah, I really want to hear your thoughts on this one. So Barcelona versus Inter. Inter with that incredible win. Osama bin Zaghi ball win last week. I think he's going to go, he's going to go Osama bin Zaghi ball again in this because from what I've seen, they're going to go, they're going to go three, five, one, one. Is that right?
00:59:39
Speaker
Yeah, and that's something I've wanted to see this interplay for a long time in order to create, you know, to have some control over midfield. And I think he's going to do that.
00:59:49
Speaker
And I think that's the wise decision, the wisest decision to do that, because Jeko, there's no need to burn Jeko out. Lautaro needs to play and he needs to continue leading. And I think that if they play him in that number nine role, he will, I think they need to keep playing him in that position for him to continue to be the number nine that they need him to be, so to speak.
01:00:20
Speaker
It's going to be 3511. I think it's important for Inter not to lose this game. That's the main thing. If Inter were to be very unlikely, but if they were to beat Barcelona, then they've secured minimum second spot, which is incredible.
01:00:40
Speaker
for me, you have better head to head. I mean, six points left to play for six points ahead of Barcelona. And yeah, well, you know, it's, it's mad. Yeah. And, and I, I didn't watch the Barcelona game, uh, last night against, was it Seltovigo Barcelona played last night?
01:00:59
Speaker
They won one nil, but yeah, I don't know if you watched the game, but I spoke to a colleague this morning about it. And apparently it was very, very similar to the inter game in that, you know, they just against deep line defenses, they just seem to struggle to break them down. So yeah, as we discussed earlier about, you know, about Insaghi and he's playing a deeper line now in these last games. Yeah, it'd be interesting to see what happened. If the inter can somehow get ahead in this game,
01:01:28
Speaker
You know, it's maybe a bit too much to ask them to defend for 90 minutes in Mourinho 2010 style. You know, in this day and age, it's difficult to do that. You have to try and attack a little bit, but they can get ahead in this game. I would back them, to be honest. The most important thing is not to lose. That's the only thing that matters here. They cannot lose this game.
01:01:50
Speaker
No, they have to draw is all right, because then then you go to. You just have to beat Victoria Pozen. Yeah, at home. You just have to beat them at home. Yeah. Yeah. Listen, listen, listen, Nzagi is taking a draw all day long. You put a piece of paper, draw this game. He signs it right now. Yeah. He signs it right now. And believe me, if Inter get a draw in this game, this will be like Mourinho said in 2010, this will be the most beautiful draw in Inter's history.
01:02:20
Speaker
It's really called the defeat, isn't it? Yeah, the most beautiful defeat of my career. Anyway, just quickly, Europa League. All four teams on four points in the group, so they need to make home advantage half token. Betis against Roma. Roma are on three points, and Betis are on six, and Ludogorets are on four. For me,
01:02:49
Speaker
Nodibala as well. Roma are in big trouble in this group. I think they're going to go out this group. I think they're going to go out. They could go to the conference league. Oh, is that what happened? I think if they finish third, they go to the conference league. Is that how it works? I think so, yeah.
01:03:06
Speaker
Okay, I just I just assumed that they just got eliminated straight away I need to I need to do some revision on my European compositions. Okay. Well, yeah, I can see them finishing third I think they're in a big they need to get a result here. Yeah, they need to win I think to be honest Well a draw they need at least a draw because if they can get a draw
01:03:24
Speaker
Then even if Ludogorets win their game, there'll be three points behind Ludogorets, which means Roma will be in the position where they can win their last two games and qualify. If they lose this game, then Ludogorets will go four points ahead of them. And then, again, exactly the same as Milan, they'll be out of their hands.
01:03:46
Speaker
So I think Roma need to get a result here, but I'm not sure they will. I think Betis are a very, very good team, especially at home. Fiorentina hearts, Fiorentina should be fine to qualify now and I expect them to win quite comfortably again like they did last week. That's in the conference league.
01:04:02
Speaker
Okay, right. Final segment before we get to Badger and Prime Face of the Week. So just quickly, we can discuss this more detail in March when the Euro 2024 qualifiers go on. But on Sunday, we had the draw for the Euro 2024 qualification campaign in Italy. Despite being top seed, basically get pretty much the toughest draw they could have got. England,
01:04:30
Speaker
who were the toughest draw they could have got from the second season, along with after France, let's say, or along with France. So they got England, then they got Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta. They're only in a five team group because they're in the UEFA Nations League. So that also limits the room for error that Italy have.
01:04:51
Speaker
They can't afford to make many mistakes. One of the toughest draws they could have got, but the good news is that two teams qualify from this one straight to the Euros rather than one plus a play-off as we had for the World Cup.
01:05:13
Speaker
Really, Italy should be OK, but at the same time, it is a difficult draw. It's a difficult draw. Ukraine probably won't be playing their games at home, unfortunately, because of everything that's going on in the country with the war with Russia. And so that will obviously benefit Italy as well, not having to play away those games. What do you think? And the North Macedonia, the revenge.
01:05:36
Speaker
Will they play that game in Palermo again? Well, will they play it? I mean, stuff like that and knowing Italians and how superstitious they are, I don't think they will. Look, now the England game, the England Ukraine game, I mean, those are the main ones, but Malta, North Macedonia, these are teams that Italy should be beating. And I expect Italy to, if I'm not mistaken, don't the top two go through from like the top two qualifying, the third goes off to a playoff.
01:06:02
Speaker
I believe that's correct. Yeah. The top two are instant qualifiers, but I believe that Italy might actually be already a guaranteed of a playoff place. I think because of they got to that they won their nation's league group. I might be mistaken of that. I might be mistaken of that because it's really limiting. Yeah. It's a little bit difficult. Yeah, it is. No, it's it is what it is. But no, I expected Italy to win Italy and England to finish top.
01:06:26
Speaker
2 top 2 places. The good news is, and I actually see this as good news, is Italy actually played England first at home. That's what I've been told. I've been told that the official pictures haven't been released yet, but I've been told that Italy played England first.
01:06:41
Speaker
in March and then the return game is in October which I think is a good thing because Italy always in September mess up their games in September because they're never fully fit and it's not a worse team to play in September than England who always start their season a lot earlier and always straight up to pace of the Premier League pace and so I think that's a I think that's at least a good thing. Okay let's get on to Badger and Prem Face of the Week.
01:07:08
Speaker
Badjo. Well, I know who you're going to go for. Yeah, it's Mattia Destro for that fantastic goal he
Spectacular Goals and Records
01:07:16
Speaker
scored, which was absolutely stunning. Go and watch that on YouTube, Seria's official account and the highlights of that. He was absolutely stunning. And also an honorable mention to Marco Arnautovic for that beautiful flick for the
01:07:28
Speaker
for Bologna's opening goal and finally also Skamaka who's scoring for West Ham. I was so worried when he made that move and I said this on this podcast, I'm worried that he could go down the Sebastian Hallier route when he went to West Ham.
01:07:44
Speaker
but it's looking like it's starting to come together for him. Yeah, no, he's in great form. He's in great form at the moment. He's scoring consecutive games in the Premier League and in Europe and he's looking really good now. I also have to single out Inter as well for beating Barcelona. I mean, that is as a collective bad show of the week, Inter and that for sure. Well, for me, that's more of a five easy.
01:08:11
Speaker
That's one of a Barrezi or Bergum, your Calabarro or Maldini of the week, because he was so outstanding. No, no, no, no, no, no. A Virgil van Dijk of the week. A Virgil van Dijk. Of course, of course. The greatest defender of all time. He's the greatest defender of all time. Got it, got it. Yeah. Speaking of prem faces. Yeah, it was Mike Colawi, by the way, who called Virgil van Dijk the greatest of all time. Yeah. Plus, plus many Liverpool fans as well. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So who is the prem face of the week? Because I've got one.
01:08:40
Speaker
Yeah, I think yours is the winner. Because I've seen that clip on social media. I have no idea who this idiot is, but it's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. One of the dumbest things I've ever seen. Yeah, go on then. Do you want to take it away? No, you go for it. You can say what you said. OK, right. OK, I used to work with this guy. Oh, you were? I didn't know that. Yeah, he did a bit of work for a media company who I will not name. But yes.
01:09:10
Speaker
Yeah, Rory Jennings, basically, who's I think his nickname I've been told by some Chelsea people from Chelsea, his nicknames Rory the Tory. And yeah, he's yeah, he said that Alan Harland won't even score 15 goals this season.
01:09:26
Speaker
I think he's already scored 20. He's scored 15 in the Premier League alone. In the Premier League, yeah, but in all competitions he's scored 20. He's on course. I actually worked it out before the last game, before the last Manchester City game at the weekend, in which he scored one, didn't hit the weekend.
01:09:46
Speaker
I think City scored four, didn't they, on Saturday. I forget who they played against now. So before that game, anyway, I worked it out. If Haaland continued scoring at his then-current rate, he would finish the season for Manchester City with 101 club goals for Man City.
01:10:07
Speaker
this season if he continued at that current rate. If he played every single game that was possible to play, so obviously the chances of that are quite slim, since he would have to get to the final of every cup competition, he would have to play all the games in those cup competitions plus the Premier League, no injuries, blah, blah, blah.
01:10:25
Speaker
if he continued at the current rate, he would score 101 goals. My favorite part of that clip is when he says, when he misuses the term, the establishment, he doesn't even know what it means, probably heard it on the radio on his way to work, whatever he does. He's a Tory, I'm sure he knows what the establishment is. No, well that's the thing, clearly there's no way to route to the establishment to say that Harlan's a world-class striker. That makes absolutely no sense, that's one of those things where you throw a bunch of words together and it sounds really clever to
01:10:55
Speaker
It means absolutely nothing. It doesn't mean anything. That doesn't make no bloody sense at all. What are you talking about? You absolute idiot. What establishment? What are you talking about? Never mind. The bloody thing is, did he name Czech Salah as a member of the establishment? Wasn't Salah top scorer in his first season in the Premier League? Or am I getting that wrong? I'm pretty sure he was top scorer in the Premier League. I think he was. Didn't he equal Ronaldo's record even?
01:11:24
Speaker
in his first season or was it his second season? I can't remember. I think it was his first season for Liverpool. So when did he leave Roma? Was it 2017-18? I'm pretty sure he finished top scorer. So like, you know, the kind of idea that, oh, it's your first season in the Premier League and you're not going to be top scorer straight away in your first season. This is a video and the guy holding his face in disbelief
01:11:47
Speaker
he just embodies what everyone watching this cringe fest of a clip is feeling. Yeah he's got his hand guy, face plumbing isn't he? Yeah it's so embarrassing. Salah was top scorer in his first season and he was joint top scorer in his second season.
01:12:04
Speaker
Guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Guy has no idea what he's talking about. And what he means to say is established players, but he just doesn't. He's trying to make a hot take. And it was, I think it was the most, having Erling Horland be the Premier League's top goal scorer was like, it's one of those situations where I don't even think the betting companies would accept bets on that. He was such a given.
01:12:26
Speaker
But he's also infamous for saying that any football fan who doesn't go to watch their clubs at the stadium are not real football fans. That's what he also said. He created a big anger among the Chelsea fans, global Chelsea fans, who
01:12:50
Speaker
know don't live in england so actually that's so stupid that's such a dumb thing to say especially in today's game where it's so expensive with tickets and travel and and you know people who don't live he live outside of the eu and europe getting tourist visas and i mean that's just so stupid why would you say something like that
01:13:11
Speaker
Yeah. He also said that Billy Gilmour should be playing instead of Georgina. He doesn't like Georgina. Of course he doesn't like Georgina.
01:13:22
Speaker
I could have bet my... Hated Sadi as well. Of course he did. Of course he did. And let me guess, he wanted Declan Rice for £100 million as well. Yes, of course. Of course he did. Tick every single box. Yeah, check, check, check. The Chelsea face. Let's call them the Chelsea face. It's homo sapiens, premier faces, Chelsea, whatever, the Chelsea breed of the prime face. Right.
01:13:52
Speaker
Okay, do you want to do you want to say goodbye today? Oh, okay. I always miss something off. Yes, you do. We'll be back tomorrow with a question and answer episode, which is only available to patrons, as well as the Thursday pod, which we will be reviewing all the midweek action that the Selyak clubs are involved in. We'll focus on the Champions League and Fiorentina Lazio. This is obviously a free episode. So if you wanted to, if you want to give us a five star or
01:14:21
Speaker
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