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S1-E108 : CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REACTION SPECIAL!
17 Plays1 month ago
In this very special episodes, members from each of the Each pf the English clubs represented in the Champions League, meet up on the Daily English language GSPN podcast to discuss the final day, their team going forward and dreams of European glory!
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Transcript
00:00:01
Speaker
every club.
Introduction and Host Introductions
00:00:04
Speaker
the Global Sports Podcast Network. hello and welcome to the latest edition of daily english premi league here gspn i am your co-host miha tonisky based right here in california from woch poland why am i saying co-host because that was such a big match day for champions league that it's bes for co-hosting and lo and behold louis easton of liverpool is joining him rest here rass but with joining us right now sorry she said i'm so excited i'm just This tongue's just twisting
Champions League Match Day Overview
00:00:37
Speaker
up. That was a great save. Yeah, thank you very much. um And we've got a lot to hack into today's episodes. And we've got someone from every single club in the Champions League.
Focus on Liverpool: Recent Matches and Strategy
00:00:50
Speaker
So I'm, Louis, I'm going to be representing Liverpool. We've got Josh Vince of Arsenal. How are you doing, Josh? I am relieved and thankful that something is finally going right in the Gunners Camp. It feels good to be in the victory.
00:01:05
Speaker
I mean, that was a hard fought match. We'll definitely get into it later. Nathan making his debut on the English Premier League podcast all the way from Hawaii. How are you doing,
Manchester City: Season Recap and Performance Analysis
00:01:15
Speaker
Nathan? And I um I think you'll probably be quite relieved after that match as well. Yeah, I'm more relieved than Josh um yeah that he's he's qualified because we were so close in eighth position in the end.
00:01:29
Speaker
but um Yeah, so it gave us a run, but we'll, um, we're, I'm definitely a relieved from the way that we played. So yeah. Okay. Just about scraping top eight as well. yeah And finally, Jules from Man City, who, I mean, all of us would probably be quite relieved other than me, uh, Jules from Man City. I would, I'd like to wager that I'm perhaps the most relieved after after that crazy Champions League season. It seems we've covered debate.
00:01:59
Speaker
Happy to be here and um yeah can't wait to get stuck into all the English teams being successful, ultimately. And surprise, surprise, Jules, you're up first because we are about to discuss the city game first. So my question, a little bit provocative, but like let's see how you're going to take it. Exactly how much medication and for your heart condition did you have to take because of that game? um more know that i'd be more than i'd be willing to share publicly i think
00:02:32
Speaker
okay i'm not choice to
00:02:38
Speaker
It's an open secret in the GSP and world that Jules has a very, very serious condition. Yeah, it's called Guardiola, it's called Guardiola like touching his head and basically whatever is happening. That's the kind of condition I meant. Hey, we are high spirits. I love it. I love it. So okay, but all in all seriousness now, like what were you thinking after those first 45 minutes and especially after this considered goal?
00:03:03
Speaker
I'm normally, I would be and thinking the worst, especially after the last couple of months, but, uh, honestly, and I'm not just saying this that after the fact, um, I put into the GSP and man city group chat. I still fully believe city we're going to win. Um, I had a feeling, yes, it was only at home to club Bruges. I know it's not, uh, there would be tougher tests, uh, much like the playoffs, but club Bruges have had a really good campaign themselves. You know, they've, um,
00:03:29
Speaker
They've beaten Sturmgrat, Aston Villa, as Nathan knows, and sport in this year, and sport in Hammond City, so we know how good they are. So they were they were a tough test. They defended well, and they were a threat on the counter. But the second half, everything was completely different. Foden moved into the middle.
00:03:44
Speaker
Thankfully, Savino come onto the left and both of them told Bruges apart really, got the equalizer and then um stayed on top throughout the end. A little staff that was on the broadcast too. ah City kept the ball for the final 10 minutes of the match, but without Bruges touching it. and don't I don't think I've ever seen that in my life. 10 minutes with Bruges not touching the ball in open play. Wow. That is absurd. That is how you shut a game down. And that is what City have not been doing, especially in the Champions League. I mean, that final game, that that was when I took all the medication.
00:04:20
Speaker
But it was it was a great great second off performance. I thought and it was the best collectively. The team had played in a while. The first half was one of the worst, I'd say. Nothing was really going right. But um yeah, very, very relieved and good to see City winning again.
00:04:38
Speaker
And exactly how crucial was Sevigno's introduction to the game by Guardiola, because for me, that was like a real game changer. And to be honest, I was a little bit surprised that some of the ah websites would rate Sevigno's performance like quite low, only like 6.9 out of 10. That is super underrated, consider considering the fact that he actually ah brought some new life into the game, right?
00:05:03
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. and He's someone that regularly loses the ball because he's always trying things. He tries to make things happen in the final third. That was why he's in the team and that can lend to a low sofa score rating or whatever if you lose the ball multiple times. But anyone with eyes can see ah how dangerous he is, how creative he is. And like you say, you've seen that he changed the game. He often does. He often does when he plays for City. And for a 20-year-old, I don't think he can ask much more um from his start at City. Maybe some more goals, because he hasn't got many.
00:05:35
Speaker
but um There's a certain Norwegian in the team who normally takes care of that anyway. But yes, Savino for Gundogan was the game changer, absolutely. Gundogan, Oak Harvatich were the options to come off at half time to go a bit more attacking. And Gundogan was the inevitable call. He struggled a lot in his second stint at City, and doesn't look quite the same player.
Arsenal's Journey: Challenges and Tactical Insights
00:06:00
Speaker
um and Karvachic ended up getting the equalizer, so it turned out to be a bit of a master stroke from ah from the bald maestro yet again. Might I ask very briefly, it sort of in the words of the great Jamie Carragher, has the football left Gundogan? Yeah, it has I think it has. um
00:06:21
Speaker
I want to say no, because I'm biased, but also Also, um he's still getting in the right positions. He's still doing all the right things, but his execution is off. For me, yeah normally when you get older, it's and the player's on in the right positions at the right time because the physical the physicality is not there to allow that. But Gundo, and still on the end of chances, he's still finding space all the time. It's just like his on-the-ball ability has declined, which you'd never would have thought for someone who's on the ball ability is what's carried him to such an illustrious career.
00:06:54
Speaker
but yeah um he does I would be surprised if he ever got back to his best but I'm not willing to entirely and write him off just yet. That plan caused me the biggest heartbreak in my in my entire time watching football by the way. People think it's the Gerrard Slip, no it's that Villa match where he scored i and turned it round from 2-0 down. I was literally just about to say that.
00:07:17
Speaker
those those those moments Those moments are why he will forever be a legend at Man City, and even if he isn't the same player, he's still welcomed with open-armed at the Etihad.
00:07:28
Speaker
that that That villa game where he pretty much single-handedly, or was a big part of the house, said he ended up with a title that year. um And then he got the winner against Man United in the FA Cup as well. So, yeah, what a ledge. Firing shots at all of us, well. I'm clean so far. Wait, just wait until we get to you. I don't think he'll score against you on the weekend, Josh, to be fair. Just one question about like of course those comments after the like once the game was finished that Manchester City could be one of the contenders for the final success of the Champions League. um Well I would just love to hear your take on that because looking at the stats from the first half
00:08:15
Speaker
Of course, like I might be a bit biased, I'm a Man United fan, so obviously I will just just try everything in my power to put some soul on there. But still, like just looking realistically on it, like with such stats from the first half, when Claude Brouche gave you such a hard time during those first 45 minutes, is it really appropriate to say that Man City are still major contenders?
00:08:37
Speaker
um I'll answer this in a few different parts. um first Firstly, um City are still doing much better in a Champions League than United are, that's for sure. i i not I'm not even because it's true. i mean just sad Secondly, I would say, I don't think k Club Bruges give City loads of problems. I think they sat 11 men behind the ball and counted and looked dangerous three or four times, but they did look dangerous. I won't take that away, but I wouldn't say they were the better team or anything. and In the second half until the and um in the second half until
00:09:15
Speaker
ah City equalized, they actually looked more dangerous, I thought. But then City got the goal and took control of the game. um I've actually forgotten what you what you did ask now. i just I'm all riled up about United. Can you win? Oh, yeah. yeah and so So the actual answer to the question. and there's there's two There's two ways to look at it, right? um City obviously not the same team this year. So teams will fancy going up against them. However,
00:09:40
Speaker
They are still Man City. They still have Erwin Harland, Kevin De Bruyne, Savino, who everyone um loves as well. Phil Foden was back bang in form. And everyone that has been injured, Bar Rogery, is coming back. So the signs are good.
00:09:56
Speaker
And City obviously have paired a degree in this tournament after the last, ah after winning of the treble. Until this season, City hadn't lost a game in the Champions League and ah since 2022, losing to Real Madrid on penalties last year. So
Liverpool's Champions League Prospects
00:10:12
Speaker
no one will want City in this playoff round. However, if you're Real Madrid or Bayern Munich who City are going to play, they'll probably both start as favourites,
Aston Villa: Performance and Transfer Speculation
00:10:20
Speaker
I'd imagine. But City can win a Champions League, yes.
00:10:23
Speaker
I have a feeling that once you ah meet like if you somehow waste a miracle go through those knockout stages if by some miracle you so it i some very cool You meet Liverpool there, I think Louis will agree with me that Liverpool will be the favorite i that my honest opinion is it i we We're probably the favorites but I'm never going to go out on a limb and say we're going to win Even any match not just the Champions League final my word um
00:10:54
Speaker
But i I do think it's fair to say Liverpool are favourites. I mean, we saw the final table of the Champions League, two points clear. um And, you know, we did lose to PSV, but it was our children playing. um Bar a couple, you know, Cody Gackpo.
00:11:10
Speaker
It was a big, big emotional day for him, scoring from the penalty and getting a massive round of applause when he went off. He's been probably the best left winger in the Premier League this season. um I don't think that it's too much of a controversial take to say that, but I mean, let let's just keep the momentum going with our first team and we'll see where we get.
00:11:30
Speaker
I think if Real Madrid do face City in the next round and they win, I would have Real Madrid as favourites in the knockout stages, but I can't argue with the quality of Liverpool this season. If they're not favourites, they're going to be there or thereabouts, aren't they? They made a mockery of the Prem this year and of the Champions League, so hopefully the Honest Loft train slows down sometime soon. Are we all writing breast off already? Come on.
00:11:56
Speaker
the surprise package. I hate to just immediately get rid of breasts but this is this is where we are. They got psd and they might have PSG in an axe round and I don't fancy any breast side against that no matter how big they are.
00:12:18
Speaker
Okay. Would you like to add something, Josh? Do we have No, no. Let's not go too far into it. We're falling down the CNN hole. Yeah, absolute. CBS. CBS. Yeah, that's the one. So that was a discussion about Manchester City. Well, wishing Jules all the best, like further, like in the knockout stages. And now we're moving on to Villa, but before, let's move on to some ads.
00:12:43
Speaker
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00:13:08
Speaker
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the description to learn more about Zencaster. Wow, what a voice that man has. Anyway, so we'll move on to... Thank you. We'll move on to the Aston Villa match. um
Arsenal's Champions League Challenges
00:13:23
Speaker
Now, there's been plenty of talk about Aston Villa on and off the pitch today. We'll start with on the pitch, Nathan. ah Morgan Rogers. One word to describe him? Magnificent.
00:13:36
Speaker
I mean, a hat trick for him. There was so much talk about him as well. ah Last time out in the ah Champions League when Buendia started on the left and Morgan Rogers wasn't on the left. He started in the middle. Jacob Ramsey was on the left. And I mean, it was just an incredible showing from him. He stole all of the attention, didn't he?
00:13:55
Speaker
Yeah, I thought he was just a handful throughout the the entire match. The way he's able to manipulate the ball and just hold the ball under pressure and burst away and just seemingly go past players is just a joy to behold. like Any team would want to have that in and their midfield. And you we just rattled Celtic from the first 10 minutes. I just didn't know how to deal with him. He was ghosting into the box.
00:14:21
Speaker
um Ramsey, I don't feel like he gets enough credit for what he actually brings to the team. Again, another strong runner with the ball. um mean He bursts down the left and then Rogers in that cam position. He's able to find those late runs into the box. And that was his first finish. And then the second one with a quick one-two with Watkins, he's able to get his shot away just on the right side of the 18. With a slight deflection, but another great goal to beat Schmeichel, who I actually think had a pretty good game. but Yeah, I think Rodgers is just a standout player this this entire season. And you see when Guardiola is talking to him after one of the games, he's probably saying... Oh, we wanted to keep you and um Palmer and a few other the players we've let go of, so I'm sure he's um sure he's pretty disappointed to lose a player of his calibre. I mean, we've only brought him in for eight million for Middlesbrough, so that just shows the how well we've recruited a player of that. Emery's an quality player and coach bringing players up to a certain level.
00:15:25
Speaker
And um it's it's a bit of a transitional period for Leon Bailey coming back in on the right-hand side. How did you find his performance? I think he's trying exceptionally hard to get back to the form that he was at. I felt like he had a pretty good game, a few wayward passes in the first half.
00:15:45
Speaker
But he was he was going at his man 1v1 down the side throughout. He was very confident. um I just feel like it's not quite coming off for him, but he definitely gave us a good outlet on the right. um And he definitely wasn't shying away from receiving the ball and trying to make it happen. I just feel like he's missing that final piece, that final pass or the final shot in the that leads us to goal. He's just kind of not got it at the moment.
00:16:12
Speaker
But a quality player just probably going to take some time to get him back to his best. And you struggled a little bit, um I mean, for two particular minutes in the first half as well against Ida, and causing problems for you in the 36th and 38th minutes ah specifically. What happened during that match? Was it just a lapse of concentration? ah What went wrong? Yeah, we we almost, we took the lead so early that the game kind of just went into a lull and we were, the first 15 minutes, we were 63% possession. So we were just dominating the game.
00:16:46
Speaker
and then slowly towards the 20th to 30th minute we started to have a few lapses at the back, giving the ball away needlessly from console gave one away camera gave one away and then they were slowly edging into the game And they just opened up space on the left um through, it was Taylor. He was in acres of space and was able to cross it in. um And McGinn, I mean, coming off the bench slid in and it's gone perfectly into Eda's path. And he's unmarked between the two defenders. So that makes it 2-1. And we're kind of shell shot thinking, oh no, maybe we've just got to keep it tight. And then we get out done on the right side of the box.
00:17:29
Speaker
and I think it was Hetate found some space. They opened up a couple passes and then Ida again finds himself between our two centre backs. It just with a tap in. but It was a pretty good finish high to Martinez's right hand. It went into the roof of the net. Yeah, I think we just lost a lot of momentum. We kind of probably underestimated Celtic. They moved the ball with some good intensity. The first 15 minutes, they they were really poor, but they definitely grew into the game.
00:17:58
Speaker
They probably won the 25 minutes to 30 minutes after that first 15 minutes. but We were inviting pressure with some poor passing of guard with me from our defenders. Nathan, if I could just ask you because I'm looking at the stats from the first half here and the expected goals of Celtic was 0.77. Yeah. And they managed to score to create two big chances and to score two goals out of that.
Football Transfers and Team Dynamics
00:18:22
Speaker
yeah Like that that's indicates that those chances were like that they were not really clean cut, were they?
00:18:28
Speaker
No, no. they I've got to admit, that they kind of took me by surprise, like a few of their players, um especially Hatate McGregor was actually decent. And I was i was actually most interested about Nicholas Coon, who I've seen some of in the Scottish league. And um he actually did okay in the first half. But yeah, they were getting touches in our box and they were creating chances and and opening up spaces. And we were getting away with it for a large part.
00:18:59
Speaker
they they eventually um it it was coming
Liverpool's Path in Champions League: Potential Matchups
00:19:02
Speaker
basically especially their first goal they were pushing towards our box and we just couldn't get out and yeah I wouldn't be I wouldn't be shocked to say that they didn't deserve their 2-2 at the half because we were just giving it to And now we'll move on to the off the pitch thing now. ah This has been a huge saga. Josh Vince is already getting excited at the prospect of me talking about Olly Watkins. Got a goal today. Yeah, we we do have to actually, because Arsenal fans have been crying out for a striker all season and now they've put in a bid. It's been rejected, I will say. um That's a player that Villa really can't afford to lose, is it, Nathan? I mean, especially this late in the January transfer window.
00:19:46
Speaker
No I mean Watkins I mean with his form last season he nearly hit the 20 goal mark and it was just irreplaceable I think he had 17 assists as well but he just had an incredible season um that's what 38 goal um contributions in one one Premier League season and he's just a player especially on what the 29th of January that you're not going to find a replacement and we don't without Duran if he he leaves also we're leaving in o ourselves extremely light we don't have a chance of going anywhere in the Champions League or the league. But I'm umm pretty i'm pretty um
Football Fan Allegiance: Personal Stories
00:20:20
Speaker
shocked about the timing of their bid like before a Champions League game. It's very abnormal. Is that disrespectful, do you think? Yeah, I think because we did the double over them last season.
00:20:33
Speaker
ah um um be wased i don't make me respectful as Sorry, sorry.
New Champions League Format Debate
00:20:40
Speaker
I just want to say this quickly. It's almost as disrespectful as bidding 40 million and one pound. one worry you know what I think that's the phone. I think I have to go.
00:20:50
Speaker
I'm not going to lie, with that one, it wasn't his release clause 40, so what actually is the big hoo-ha about? They just made his release clause. I think when they just decided to pay. Overpaid his release clause. They've actually given you a quid extra. You'll get a 19p as well.
00:21:09
Speaker
I don't even know. All I remember is John Henry, the Liverpool chairman, just put tweeting afterwards. What were they smoking over there in the Emirates? Imagine the chairman putting that up. Oh my God. Look, Vanger had his moments, all right? But anyway, we're focusing on Villa. Let's not talk about that anymore.
00:21:27
Speaker
but we also Sorry, Michael, I just want to take over and talk about John Duran as well because he was on the bench um and it looks like he's already off to Saudi Arabia. You know, he's got a medical scheduled in London and I think it was 77 million. is Is that a worry for you or do you think you can survive without him because he has had some ridiculously good performances earlier in the season?
00:21:55
Speaker
I mean, I saw a bid as well like a week ago from West Ham, which was like 57 million, which I think is just absolutely insulting. That can just be put to put to bed straight away. But I don't think we can cope without because Watkins has had spells of injury. So even with one of them and you've got a Champions League schedule, we're still trying to fight for the top four in the Premier League.
00:22:23
Speaker
currently about five or six um points off. um And we know how it went last season with Newcastle with the struggle to maintain Premier League form with the Champions League in their schedule. So having one and the other and how good Duran has been off the bench, especially with all his goals and his contributions, it's just so unsettling. And yeah with our injury crisis in defence now as well, this is just adding another spanner to what is a great squad and Diego Carlos has just left, Hal Torres is injured, Mingz has just got injured. but we're We're putting Bogard into a back three because cash is now injured. You know what I mean? So the injuries are mounting up. We've got two key assets and I think these clubs um probably need to pay way above the odds to get these players from us because 60 million for Watkins. For me in this market, I don't think he's anywhere near what they should be paying for.
00:23:16
Speaker
I mean, what what he does for the team in terms of his running, I mean he was running the 88th minute, he was closing down still, like a madman, so. Kai Havertz does that, he was only worth 65 million.
00:23:30
Speaker
yeah i do have I do have a theory, Nathan. um There's a lot of chatter about Evan Ferguson going out on loan. Do you reckon that might be an option? Getting him in on loan as a backup for Watkins? I mean, it's a scenario which we'd take if Watkins wants to go. But yeah, I mean, what but he's on the market. I've seen Leverkusen have put a bid in for him as well. So he's West Ham are looking for a striker as well, so he's going to have some suitors. The thing Watt puts in the back of my mind, which is scaring me about Watkins, is I know he's an Arsenal fan. I know he actually supports them, so it's just he's always going to have that thing like, I'm going to be an Arsenal player, you know? So it's it's worrying, I've got to admit.
00:24:14
Speaker
yeah Right. So, well, coming back to what is the basically the consequence of of Aston Villa's win against Celtic, you are currently like, well, you finish the league face on the eighth position and, um well, ah you're going to be facing the KO playoff winner of either Sporting Lisbon, Club Brush, Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund. Ooh.
00:24:41
Speaker
Yeah, that is the pool of potential um of of potential opponents of Aston Villa. What are your chances there? Well, we already know we've lost a club Bruges earlier in. I mean, it was a... I don't know whether anyone saw the goal in that game. A weird, weird match. Crazy. All my all my friends are not big fans of Ming's, but that's another podcast.
00:25:04
Speaker
um Atlanta and Dortmund are very, very good European pedigree, especially at Atlanta. So that is not a game that you want to play. ah I know that they beat Liverpool last year in that demolishing and then won the Europa League as well. Yeah. Yeah. Won the Europa League, have have a lot of a lot of good players um and they are going well in the Serie A. You probably want to get sport in Lisbon after Amorim has gone and their form has kind of dipped, but Yeah, i think I think we got a good chance, but ah we'll definitely be looking out for a sport in Lisbon maybe to take ah take a winner out of those, but definitely one to avoid at Atlanta for sure. Yeah.
00:25:44
Speaker
Mm-hmm. Exactly. Well, there is one more team that we're going to be talking about right now, which
Upcoming Matches: Tottenham and Manchester United
00:25:50
Speaker
also finished in top eight after this league phase of Champions League. And this team will be facing either the Feyenoort, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV. And does anybody want to have a guess of what the team might be? Joshua's reaction tells everything. It's Arsenal. Yes, exactly. Arsenal, this is a set of opponents that await you in that the the long round of 16. But, okay, round of 16 will happen. First, let's talk about your game. um I can only rely on the stats here because I was watching Man City game. and So, could you please tell us why Sterling missed that penalty?
00:26:31
Speaker
because he's Raheem Sterling. To be fair to him, ah in this game he was playing off the left-hand side and he actually looked relatively Good to strong word, but better. He looked much better than he has done in an hour. Satisfactory. Satisfactory is a great word, Louis. He was somewhat earning his
Podcast Wrap-up and Closing Remarks
00:27:00
Speaker
paycheck. Like, you know, I'd probably offer him about half of what he's earning for that performance as opposed to like a 10th, which is what he's been doing. But no, he was making some good runs into the box. He was, he created the opportunity. Well, actually, no, he got a yellow card for simulation in the box because again,
00:27:16
Speaker
Raheem Sterling. But um the penalty was actually a well hit penalty. It was right into the bottom right hand corner and it was a really good save from the Girona goalkeeper. It was a weird game. The Arsenal Girona game. It was a very strange game. Yeah. Lots of odd events. Two penalties. They went ahead. We pulled it back. Ethan Wanyeri. The boy. Yeah. A strange 90 minutes. I can say that much.
00:27:43
Speaker
Yeah, ah let's talk about Raheem Sterling a little bit because ah like i'm um I'm looking at his stats from this game and he had an expected goals of 0.84 without scoring a goal. Two shots on target, one off target and out of six dribbles, three of them were successful. um So what does that tell us about Sterling's performance? Looking purely at stats.
00:28:07
Speaker
I mean, looking purely at stats, it seems like a relatively encouraging display from a forward player over. He didn't play the whole game. He was substituted for, ah I know he did play the whole game as Martinelli came on for Wannieri. That was it. So he did play the whole 90 minutes. The thing is, the the stats sound relatively impactful and he was making good avenues down that left hand side. But the problem, it's a little bit like, I can't remember who's saying it earlier about having a lack of finishing quality.
00:28:37
Speaker
he's got that at the moment. Nothing that he is attempting seems to be coming off, whether it be that final ball into the middle of the box, whether it be that shot on target, whether it be a penalty, which I think is where most of that 0.8 XG came from, to be honest with you. and I mean, it was a good say for the penalty. He put in a good position, but Jorginio's was just much better hit and much smoother. And Sterling he's He's just a bit of a frustrating character at the moment. He's clearly not happy playing as little as he is. But there are players ahead of him. Wanyeri starts ahead of him on the right hand side. I'd say Martinelli or Trossard, and I can't stand Trossard, but Martinelli or Trossard starting him ahead of him on the left hand side. So and mean he's going to have a tricky second half of the season, I think. got you Gotcha. Gotcha. You know, I'm just purely looking at the stats because this is the only thing that I can do since I haven't watched the game. fine now I can see that ah Viktor Zygankov, like the Ukrainian right wing of Girona, like he's usually a pretty big threat. He was. Yeah, i would yeah and actually, well, you say that he was during the game. But then again, I look at the i look at Color Fury's rating of 7.3. And I just imagine that Zygankov was completely contained by Color Fury, was he not?
00:29:52
Speaker
Callifuri's been a bit of a revelation. When he can stay fit, and it's a pretty big win, but when he can stay fit, he's been an absolute beast. I mean, he scored um goal of the season against Manchester City. hey sorry Sorry, sorry, Nathan. Ignoring John Duran's Uber strike. But um no, yeah, he's he's been brilliant for us. And he played, I think it was like the first 70 minutes of the game. He's only really just come back from injury again as well.
00:30:19
Speaker
um He's been a big loss while he's been out, but The revelation of Miles Lewis Skelly at left back has been phenomenal, like the youngster who, and they're both kind of vying for that left back position now. To be honest, the, the wing and that you mentioned earlier, he got most joy when it was a switch to MLS in the 70th, 71st or something like that minute. Callifuri came off. He was replaced by Mars Lewis Gate, who wasn't bad, who had a really good defensive display, but he got more luck against Mars Lewis Skelly than he did against Callifuri. And Callifuri is a good forward threat.
00:30:53
Speaker
He actually had a goal ruled off for offside in the first five minutes of Calipari. He broke through the lines, brilliant first time left footed finish, not dissimilar to his half volley finish for us against Wolves at the weekend. And, you know, he's just a cracking player. We love him. We love a bit of Ricciardo.
00:31:10
Speaker
So, ah well, so, since now ah Color Furious has really, they' really gotten so comfortable in that left-back position, I just so take a look at the subs list and I can just see that sad name of Oleg Sanderson-Chenko. What to do with him?
00:31:27
Speaker
What to do with him? Because I can see that like previously Jakub Kivior, by the way, Poland international, he was moved to actually his nominate like position that he feels most comfortable in, which was but which is the center back because he's a typical defender. yeah ah There were some attempts to put him as left back and that kind of worked when Zinchenko was injured in last season. But like now he's just back to his normal natural position. Does that mean that Mikko Arteta has completely given up on the Ukrainian?
00:31:57
Speaker
it It's a weird one. I mean, we've got four left backs at the moment. We've got Kieran Tierney, Alexander Zinchenko, Miles Lewis scale. Well, Miles Lewis scale is more of a midfield, but he's playing left back and Ricardo Calafiori. Zinchenko is a brilliant utility player. And that's how that's what Arteta likes. He likes those utility players who can come in and and fiddle around and Kivio did well last season when he was put in left back. He played for about five or six games there when Zini was injured and he he did all right. I was actually relatively impressed by him. He struggled a little bit at centre back this season but I think it's because he's not playing enough games to be honest to get a proper good groove going.
00:32:33
Speaker
um In terms of Zinchenko, Genoa, it's interesting, me and Jules did a crossover earlier today and I think I said to him, I think Zinchenko and possibly Gabrielle J Zeus are kind of surplus to requirements now at Arsenal. I think they were the first purchases to push us to that next level and now in both positions we need to go another level higher if we actually want to be genuinely contending for the Premier League and the Champions League, which oddly I have a good feeling about the Champions League.
00:33:03
Speaker
um that's ah I'm not going to comment on that one. um That is the most brutal way of putting it down. It reminds me of this of this meme ah from ah Clarkson of basically reacting reacting on like some news about some Romanian car and him reacting like, oh no, anyway. let's Anyway, yeah, I've seen that one. yeah That was brutal. Okay, let's just go back to the potential um opponents of yours again. because i brush it off I did put at the beginning as some sort of like a guess for you, as some sort of like a riddle or a puzzle. But okay, let's just look at it. Feyenoord, Juventus, Milan, PSV. Right. Yeah. ah There's three pretty nasty teams. And to be a fair, Feyenoord aren't pushovers either.
00:33:50
Speaker
ah This is the thing. It's going to be the last 16 of the Champions League. No one's going to be easy. You're going to have to beat everybody. There'll be slightly easier fixtures. I don't want to play Milan. I'm bored of playing Italian teams.
00:34:03
Speaker
And yeah, um, I'd say fan or to be the ultimate choice out of that selection. You've a, I mean, draw they, they can't really win games anyway. They've drawn sort of like 15 games in Syria this season. Um, but they only just lost their first one in Syria to Napoli at the weekend. I'd probably take UVA or, um,
00:34:25
Speaker
or who was the first one again, I've completely forgotten. Fair naught. Fair naught, thank you. I take those two, the other PSV. PSV are an annoying team. I mean, as Louis found out this evening, my PSV are an annoying team. We're about to get to that. We're about to get to that. Exactly. So I definitely want to take one of those two, but you know, it's definitely a way forward to the last eight and then naturally just finishing in the final and winning the final.
00:34:49
Speaker
not yeah european i ti So Arsenal finished third in their Champions League League phase and of course like we just mentioned PSV, one of the potential um well one to potential opponents of Arsenal in the last 16.
00:35:05
Speaker
ah but well Let's just turn all the things all the things to Louis now because he knows best what it's like to play against PSV. Yeah. such a That's a smooth smooth transition. Very smooth, yes. Well, we lost 3-2 and I think our second half was so, so poor. I mean, understandably so because we were playing a lot of our academy players you know poor amaranallo coming on and then a few minutes later getting himself sent off i mean that's not the way to make your senior debut for livable um and we've heard about him for years uh i think quanta had a pretty awful match at center back uh we have really got
00:35:48
Speaker
a lack of depth in centre back position at the moment. It just feels like if Van Dyke was to get injured, that could completely derail our season just like it did during COVID times. But I mean, there were some positives to take out of today. and Federico Chiesa just looked absolutely fantastic. um He started on the right and he had a good go there. ah He got the assist for Elliot's goal, which arguably was a shot, which rebounded off the goalkeeper's hands into Elliot's ah path for a Tapping but when he moved on to the left he looks so positive you know he was doing a step over this it was like seeing him for italy during the euros ah years ago now ah again.
00:36:30
Speaker
and Endo as well, showing ah good outing as well, defensive midfield and centre-back. I still think he actually looks better in centre-back, weirdly, ah when he is a defensive midfielder. I mean, he has been terrific for us there. um and Costas Zimikas, he just had a bit of a poor one today as well. He had very little luck down the left-hand side, um trying to find a way through for a breakthrough down that way. but You know, he had he's a bit of a flashes player and, you know, he's not someone that you can rely on week in week out, I think. I think he's good back up. And, you know, the one of our centre backs today, weirdly, Andy Robertson does look like he is probably the better ah player at left back. And he came off today 64 minutes in. So it looks like he'll probably be starting on the weekend against Bournemouth as well.
00:37:25
Speaker
um So ah a frustrating one, but, you know, I didn't think Liverpool would win ah straight away when I looked at that lineup. um And it's good that we finished top as well, you know, ah very pleased for Atalanta helping us out in that respect. Yeah, a bummer Lewandowski doing score there. But, well, you can't have it all. Still top scorer. Yeah, yeah, yeah, joint. Joint with ah one of the... join essay Yeah, exactly. Yeah. You know what? I'm looking at that list of missing players and, wow, Joe Gomez, Joe Gozota, Curtis Jones, Alison Trent, Alexander Nalod, Virgin van Dijk, Ibrahima Conatay, Ryan Gravenberg, and Alexis McAllister, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Dominic Soboslai.
00:38:11
Speaker
To be honest, I am not surprised that you lost there. Yeah, because like you said, you just put you just put children there. Is it for the standing line for Champions League? Yeah, it's just annoying, though, because we were 2-1 up and then they scored right on the brink of halftime and then scored again in the second half. And, you know, it was quite a hopeless performance. and And also if you look at our bench in that game how many yeah only 21 appearances on that bench Tyler Morton 13 of them it's We were always set out to not really care about this match and I mean I care as a fan, you know when I watch my team lose It's really frustrating and you know being a Liverpool fan. It's weird seeing that this season ah but it's It is what it is. You know, we put out our youngsters and they gave it a good go at quite a hostile, rainy Eindhoven. And it just didn't work out. ah But there we go. It was good to see Kelleher get some more minutes as well. He does really look like an incredible goalkeeper. And I think he will leave at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see where he goes.
00:39:21
Speaker
ah Well, a questionably comfortable a comeback to his own ah fatherland for Anna Slott there, unfortunately. ah But um let's just look at the... Okay, maybe we should just forget about this game, just like you said. Look, you you just basically put up children there. So, come on, let's forget about it. Let's move on. Thank you. Thank you very much. Can I just ask a very, very quick question? Sorry. yeah I'll just have one last very quick question for Louis. Alison, do you reckon he's going to stay for much longer. And if so, would you want to keep Keleher as his replacement? Well, the thing is, we are already getting in Mamadashvili oh course you are in the summer. So he'll, I think he'll be the second choice. And once Alison gets a bit older, he'll just make the natural transition to number one. You know, we've already got good backup as well with Vitislav Jarosh.
00:40:14
Speaker
um who made a good cameo earlier this season. I can't remember who it was against. I remember missing that match, but watching about the highlights and seeing him make a good one-on-one save. And he's already the number three goalkeeper for the Czech Republic, or Czechia, as they're now called. ah So, you know, I'm not too worried about the goalkeeper position. um I just wish the absolute best for Keleher, because I think he will be the one to leave. Quite harsh on him, really, isn't it? Getting Mama Dashvillian. Yeah.
00:40:40
Speaker
it It did feel like a weird one at the time because we already have two, dare I say, world-class goalkeepers in that position and then to get another one in um a year in advance. It's just it's a good thing Keller has been able to get some matches under his belt. and My issue with Alison is he's always injured and for a goalkeeper to be always injured, that's a worry.
00:41:04
Speaker
And he is getting on a bit, so I think his days are going to be numbered from the end of next season, I think. And then Mamadashvili will start getting some appearances. I don't know whether that's true. They had Petrovich out on loan as well. And Tepper out on loan. I don't know how true that is. Could see him at West Ham. And they played the worst one. Yeah, they played the worst one. He'll find a team very easily.
00:41:33
Speaker
very absolutely and a lot of money as well would be worth a lot So, Louis, just to go back to the final stands here at the like for for this league phase of Champions League. Seven victories, one loss, gold difference plus 12, 17 goals scored, five conceded. ah If somebody told you at the beginning of this season that you would top the league phase with only one loss and and five goals conceded, would you would you take it as for for granted or would you just... No, I've never taken that for granted.
00:42:07
Speaker
especially considering the fact that we played Real Madrid and Bayern Leverkusen in the midst of a fixture congestion um and really looking good against Leverkusen especially. I mean it has been a weird ah season in the Champions League getting used to this new format which by the way I still don't really like but That's another conversation. we'll get I mean, come on, it's a bit. OK, we'll get to that. like we'll get it to we'll get We'll get to I mean, seven wins. ah yeah I remember when like two seasons ago when we were lost in the Champions League and we won six from six in the group stage, everyone was absolutely freaking out. We've done one better.
00:42:49
Speaker
It's just frustrating that we couldn't get across the line against PSV, but I'm not being spoiled in that case. I was being spoiled earlier in the Liverpool group chat, not now. I've had some time to breathe. And um I mean, I'm i'm absolutely pleased this punch for Liverpool and, you know, let's do our very best just to do the same in the knockout stage, get all all those wins again.
00:43:11
Speaker
And the opportunity to get those wins against either Monaco, Brest, PSG or Benfica. I must say I do not fancy Benfica at the moment. They look really good. um I mean, what they did to Atletico was brutal. Absolutely brutal. I hated watching that back because Martin Tyler was on commentary and he was talking Monotone the entire time like he always does.
00:43:35
Speaker
and but especially when Liverpool were playing. but um it was it's It's a scary thought getting Benfica and I think that they will probably be the one ah out of those teams. PSG, they have their moments and they're still good on paper like Jules knows all about. but i mean It's probably going to be Benfica and that will be a real challenge for Liverpool, but if there's anyone that can do it, it's us.
00:44:02
Speaker
Well, fingers crossed for all of the English teams. Okay, so just like that we've covered all of the important games for our team here at GSPN, all of the teams of English um of english representatives at the Champions League. um Now we'll do a short break and then we're going to be talking about the format.
00:44:21
Speaker
This podcast is part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only network bringing you exclusive daily news and views on your Premier League team, the Premier League, women's football and fantasy football. A unique listening experience that puts fans first, bringing you the very latest breaking news from your team.
00:44:45
Speaker
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and make us your first listen every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network. Every club. Every day. Exactly so. I did a little bit of ellipsing there. Yes, thanks for mocking me, Michal. I do not. Oh, come on. I've heard that at so many times now. Oh, come on. That was just that just went out automatically. Okay, so so right that's just to set the scene sorry of what we're going to be... ah Is everything okay?
00:45:13
Speaker
uh oh my god yeah oh good sorry sorry we had some technical difficulties before i just wanted to make sure sorry guys back to it so let's set the scene for our discussion season 2024 2025 in 144 matches 470 goals so that is basically wow that's ridiculous which makes 3.26 goals per match 49 penalties, a lot of yellow cards, a lot of second yellows, red, whatever. And attendance for those games, 29 times where there was a Champions League game ah sold out in this season during this league phase, a rounding total of 5,537,541 viewers, which is the average of about 38,500 spectators watching a Champions League game every single... Like during every single... Wow.
00:46:07
Speaker
matches. So crazy this is crazy. and That's the scene for our discussion. So money is there. Definitely more revenue for the class, more revenue for UEFA. Let's, let's be honest. But what is it all about? Yeah, exactly. yeah but Is it an addition for the game? And let's start the discussion.
00:46:28
Speaker
No, I'm not a fan of it. I'll just say that right now. um And the reason i don't ah the reason I'm not a fan of it is just because I think if you're going to be competing in the same table as other teams, you have to play them ah home and away. And for some teams to only have big matches at home or big matches away against ah like European giants, for example, I don't really see the point of I mean, lets let's also take into account, it's a 36 team table and they're only playing eight times. I mean, ah what was wrong with the old format when it was group stage, play each other twice and then straight into the knockouts? That makes more sense to me. um And also more fixtures and then you've got these playoffs which just adds more confusion
00:47:21
Speaker
what ah Why is this a positive change? I don't get it. Sorry, Josh. You you want to you have something left over your tongue there. I'm so sorry. I couldn't disagree more. um I agree that it is extra money for UEFA. That's all it is about. And it is extra games. And there's too many games being played at the moment. I think all of us, regardless of the clubs that we support, will agree that there is too many games being played at the moment. And yeah there needs to be a cut down in some respects.
00:47:47
Speaker
However, I think that the jeopardy that this ah new league has introduced, I think the opportunity it's given to slightly smaller clubs as well to give themselves a real boost in Europe. Because, yeah, ah admittedly in the top eight you kind of had eventually what you vaguely expected. But, I mean, for example, for like I would not have put Aston Villa in the last 16 if it was a group stage.
00:48:10
Speaker
With all respect, Nathan, I wouldn't have put, like, through group stages and then through the last 32 and things like that. It wouldn't have been by a Munich away, in my opinion, and we'd beat them out, for example. oh And you it can give a slight... Isn't that an ultimate test of how good a team is, though? Which is, yeah again, what it's going to boil down to. And also, if you want more matches, just make the groups a bit bigger or add more groups, which is what they are doing at the World Cup next. So that's that's my problem with it.
00:48:41
Speaker
I just feel that the groups have stagnated a bit. yeah god I agree and everyone complained about the World Cup, new that the new the new format there with um the extra teams playing. The Jeopardy at the end is the driving feature of this new format, 100%. However, there actually wasn't much Jeopardy. If you came down to the to the to the last whistle that pretty much ever decided. But in ah in theory, I do agree that it is exciting on the last day, although none of us seen what the other results were coming ah coming into this. so
00:49:17
Speaker
um I don't know how much we can stay on top of it all during unless we want to watch the gold show and I don't. um But yeah but ah yeah, it's all about money for your welfare. That is the only thing that um has caused this to happen. None of the clubs want this.
00:49:37
Speaker
because yes, the players especially. Exactly. The money, the revenue gained from two extra games for the teams already in the Champions League, or at least the majority of them is inconsequential. What is consequential is all the extra injuries and the condition of the players from the mountain fixture lists that UEFA and um well, just any football and governing bodies are putting in place for the players at the moment. Classic City fan to complain about a bunch of injuries and fixture list. Yes, I appreciate that.
00:50:06
Speaker
But I think it's the same for a lot of teams. um So yeah, there's pros and cons. I think it's been okay this season. We need a really good jeopardy last day though, because that will, that will, that will kick everything on. They it they felt like the building to this day did have that. But then I think as, the as the games actually borrowed out, that didn't really happen.
00:50:31
Speaker
But anything that um just makes you wait for more money for the sake of it, I am normally against. But I agree with Josh in the way that the groups did feel a little bit stagnated. They hadn't always been that way either. Before, I think it was 2001, there was two group stages. And before that, there was it was automatically knockouts. So they've always experimented with the format. And if it doesn't work, I think they'll probably switch it to something else.
00:50:55
Speaker
Yeah, but let's just let's let's just recall why why we are in this position with switching all of the formats. Let's not forget about what happened just a couple of years ago when Florentino Perez decided to stage a Super League with all of the giants of European and football yeah without a system of promotions and relegations.
00:51:14
Speaker
So I kind of understand UEFA that they wanted to maintain the integrity. Okay, I would also be the first one to fire at all of those ah romantics in football, which claimed that UEFA stood up for the beauty of the game.
00:51:28
Speaker
they're standing for beautiful the king it' hear anyone say that yeah Yeah, but then again, like people would actually stand in defense of UEFA for ah defending the old ways. But what they didn't understand is UEFA was just as bad as Fiorentino Perez. those Those guys are worthy of one another. And the difference is just that they just... of after different financial interests. If they've got association in the name, sorry, if they've and if any anything in football is association in the name, don't trust them because they are out for themselves and they are out for money and they're not out for the growth of the game or at least not in a pure way. Jules, I think you make a really good point about how many injuries and how many games have been added.
00:52:12
Speaker
And it's actually making the product of football lesser to watch and less entertaining because players, absolutely. Yeah. We aren't, we aren't able to see teams that they're strongest that you might play a team when you don't, when you really need to win, but you've played that many games. And for example, Roger is injured. That's the Ballon d'Or winner, for example. But, but then also with me, it's the trickle on effect of all these games. I mean, I add in the nation's league as well.
00:52:38
Speaker
about like the FA Cup, for example, where the teams don't have replays anymore because the players can get benefit and and it has a trickle on effect as well. But for the product of football itself, there's no beauty of seeing the product of football the way it is with so many games and so lesser players through injuries.
00:52:56
Speaker
That's my opinion. I think also, as well, let's not let's not forget, it's not even that long ago, and I think he's still at it. Arsene Wenger trying to make the World Cup every two years. The whole enjoyment of that is the fact that you have to wait for longer and you have it more to look forward to. And, you know, if there's Champions League played every week or almost every week, it kind of loses the spectacle, as you were saying, Nathan. We've never sat here in the end of January and seen a game. For one, it's usually done before Christmas, before christmas is that right?
00:53:25
Speaker
Yeah, there's two extra games in January, which is like schedule already from Christmas time is crazy anyway for English teams. So because there's no winter bra of a break for English teams is just never gonna happen anymore. Yeah, but you know what, let me just play the other side a little bit because I'm looking at it from like someone could say selfish perspective, but I'm sorry, I'm a poll. So of course, I'm going to be looking from that perspective. I'm looking at two teams from conference league.
00:53:51
Speaker
likeavaava yeahkiloa biwe Those two teams, like polish Polish football was on the brink of introducing two Polish teams in the top eight of conference league. So that was super beneficial for us because of the like the successive of the successes of, for example, Lech Poz 9 from conference league campaign in 2021, where they got to ah quarter 2021, was it?
00:54:15
Speaker
Yeah, it was that campaign when Bosnia got to the quarter-final against Ferrantina. Okay, it doesn't matter. What matters is that now, like all of those accolades from European football, especially from the ranking, they were of benefit to our clubs. And as a result, Leggia Warsaw is right now in the top eight. And the Yagellonia Beowystic, they were super close to reaching top eight. ah They were better seated. And I think that right now, there is a decent chance for both Yagellonia and Leggia to actually fare very, very well in the conference league. And I think that it wouldn't have been possible had it not been for the change of the format.
00:54:51
Speaker
So you think it gives more opportunities to smaller teams? Yeah, of course, of course, because, ah you know, when you need to face either the teams of the profile of Aston Villa, which happened in conference league ah campaign, I believe it was a season ago. yeah Yeah, I think it was a season ago, Aston Villa and Legeo Warsaw, and Batchka Topola, with all the respect to that Serbian team.
00:55:16
Speaker
We have a far better chance of fairing better with those teams as opposed to competing with Aston Villa in Europa League. ah but how how does the How does the format impact that though?
00:55:27
Speaker
Uh, it's just that basically we, okay. Uh, okay. Maybe it's not the format, but it's more of the seeding. Maybe let's, let's, let's talk about this because I actually kind of agree with you because I totally get all of the arguments against it. And I do agree with the congested format issue is a big problem. Like, like Nathan mentioned with injuries, like we've mentioned with the quality of football diminishing because there's being too much play. However, you make a really good point. Jewel said earlier that the amount of money from these extra games is inconsequential.
00:55:57
Speaker
Yeah, it's inconsequential to our Premier League team. yeah When you look at two extra games for young boys, Slovan, Girona, Sparta, Prague, and then in this case as well with Vossor and things like that, it is all about money. There's no denying that. FIFA, UEFA, all corrupt. I mean, Christ, just look at Qatar and Saudi Arabia situation that's going on there with the World Cups and things like that. It's is a mess in that sense. But yeah there are some benefits and there's a slight trickle down. Don't get me wrong, it's not going to go to National League or grassroots or anything like that, but there is a slight trickle down which will help the smaller teams. But is the Champions League meant to be about young boys or is it meant to be about Bayern Munich and Liverpool? That is brutal, but it's very true. The Conference League exists
00:56:49
Speaker
for the reason of those teams, right? i ah But also with the Champions League, you don't need a massive massive league table to incorporate smaller teams. You can just make more groups like they did with the World Cup. And I understand the argument against the World Cup format, like too many matches, so on and so forth. But also, representation of these teams is very important in our sport.
00:57:11
Speaker
And there are ways that they can do that without congesting all of these fixtures for the bigger clubs. They just don't see it. They don't want to do anything other than a big super league because they're so arrogant about it.
00:57:27
Speaker
Yeah, but if the smaller teams were just added to the normal groups, then they'd get battered every week, right? Where this time, like, the fixtures are all completely randomised. So that's why we're seeing... They're going to get money from the Champions League anyway. No, but it's about having success as well, right? Josh is saying that there's smaller teams with a chance of progression. This opportunity is a lot larger with a big League table I think that it would be if you stuck like Poznan in last year's group of death with Newcastle Dortmund and Milan and stuff, you know, yeah, Leela Dastun Villa wouldn't have got through I don't think to the where they got to, but they've they've had a run of games where they were, they had that opportunity.
00:58:12
Speaker
But again, it's random game. You have had other players in the Champions League in the old format as well before though. Yeah. I think it's more likely this way though. I guess it's more likely, but it just doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't like the negatives outweigh the positives. Home and away is really important. I think there should be a nice chance to play home and away just for fairness of ground, like how important it is to play at your home ground. And also these teams are going to go out eventually anyway. Young boys are going to win it.
00:58:42
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. That again, guys, but we cannot forget about that one fact, another factor which drove the change of the format. And that is how to prevent like television having to showcase a game between Dinamo Zagreb and Karabakh.
00:59:01
Speaker
in the final match day with a with with an old format. That's an argument because nobody wants to watch it apart from people from Azerbaijan and Croatia. But would you really want to spend your have like an hour and a half to watch Dinamo Zagreb taking on Karabakh? I don't think so. But i i i never I never really have because there's always other games on, isn't there? Exactly. I'm not sure if that's any different.
00:59:25
Speaker
with this way, but but yeah I suppose ah what you're saying is it gives those teams um more opportunities to be in more important games, which makes it more watchable. But yeah, yeah i I'm not sure where I land ultimately, but I do see the positives and the negatives. like I agree with a lot of what you're saying, Louis, but change doesn't have to be scary either. It might it might be good or it might be terrible, you know but I think it's ah worth ah worth a chance either way.
00:59:51
Speaker
Ultimately, it's been a half-assed Super League that's been somewhat entertaining and a little bit different. And it's given some opportunities to other teams. There are definitely a lot of negatives. I see some positives exactly like what Joel said. So I don't think it's we're going to really be able to take stock of it until maybe the end of the season or even maybe the end of next season to see how it goes then and see how the land lies. Because let's be honest, the the craziness of sort of like, you know, Leo doing incredibly well, something like that.
01:00:21
Speaker
that will probably get figured out next season, you know, so who knows. We do, we do see Leels go through to the knockouts pretty much every year though. I'm not saying Leels specifically, but there's a team like Leels that make it through every year, isn't there? Even the Liverpool game tonight, if for example, ESV um needed a win and they've like rested all of their players, does that affect like the integrity of the game, you know, because it affects other people's positions. Like, yeah because but they're they're they've had that many wins, Liverpool, did that they just ran into whoever they want. They've had seven wins, but it affects other people could complain that Liverpool's saying, and you know we had to fight to get to that position anyway. yeah I agree with that standpoint for Liverpool, but Liverpool have every right to play whoever they want. But at the end of the day, the other team could be like, well, you're not, you should play your best team and win because we we need it, you know?
01:01:16
Speaker
I think that's always existed in football, hasn't it? Yeah, in the Premier League as well. this looks like If someone has won the title with matches to go, they'll play some of their back-up goalkeepers and so on and so forth. Man United got charge exist manion like ah charged with it a few um a few years ago. and They field in a completely changed team against Wolves and it apparently it was unprecedented and they got charged, but I don't think they actually lost a kiss. Remember back in the day with Ian Holloway?
01:01:45
Speaker
and I think they rested every single player and Holloway was not happy when they got charged. Blackpool had 22 players and they're in the prime, no surprises really. guys I think you remember Liverpool playing hungover after they won the league and sort of playing. I remember players like what the hell after that Covid win. It was Villa, wasn't it? Didn't Villa batter them after they just won the league? Yeah. Well guys, we could lead this discussion over and over. Actually, I think it wouldn't be such a bad idea if we got just like a
01:02:18
Speaker
but single episode only devoted to such discussions, because I think that there's really some potential in it. So for example, if they are discussion or discussion about the formats or any other controversies, because ah when there's a controversy, there are millions of opinions. and But for now, we have to wrap it up. Let's just wrap it up with a very short preview of what's to come in games involving Tottenham and Manchester United. Tottenham facing and the Ellsborg side from Sweden. ah Well, I think that Tottenham should have ah problems, or or maybe they should after the last display against Leicester. What do you guys think? They're screwed. No chance.
01:02:56
Speaker
lu Lucas Berval is going to get overwhelmed by having to go back to Sweden and and the whole team is going to capitulate. Apologies in advance to Tottenham and Man United fans for a mockery which is about to happen here. Well, this is it, unfortunately. But like seriously, I think that Tottenham, they shouldn't be so, pardon my language, screwed up.
01:03:20
Speaker
So um to lose against the Swedish side for which who who sit currently 20th in the Europa League standings. I don't get sacked if they lose. the fill if No, they they're through aren't they? I think the thing is with Spurs, they're quite reliant on the Europa League and yes the League Cup since they're already winning against us in the semi-finals. So I think the ultimate test for and are those two competitions and i think if they win the europe they winning the europe league i think is the only way they're going to get into europe unless they just win the f fa cup so it's it will be a big game for spurs um and plus there are only one point of uh the playoffs anyway so they'll definitely put out a strong side for this one
01:04:06
Speaker
um mean that eight points in Well, they cannot get that let that game go in in Europe, that's for sure, because their start point at top eight isn't guaranteed yet. And the same could be said about Manchester United taking over Steewa Bucharesti, or FCSB, as their as their name has been for a while now.
01:04:26
Speaker
ah here Well, Man unit United has got their own problems. I mean, like we've all seen that game. Or if you haven't seen that game, then I guess lucky for you, I had to watch that game against the problem. And wow, was that just... It was just horrible to watch. But you know what? If that's what it takes for Man United now to get some points and get some victories going,
01:04:49
Speaker
Then I guess I just have to be happy. You've been so easy to play against for so long. I think something like this was necessary to be honest, wasn't it? I mean, ah being a Man United fan for almost almost ah well over a decade now has been just nothing but suffering with society. You know, pick the hell of a time to support. Oh my word. Yeah. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You picked the first one. I haven't supported them since 2009. Oh my God. That makes Louis so happy. 2009. I can already feel it. 2009.
01:05:16
Speaker
2009. Now that was still during Fergie times. Okay, fair enough. Fair enough. It serves you right for being a glory hunter at the time. It's because they got to two Champions League Finals. You decide, oh, this is the team that I want to support. Always winning. Serves you right. No, no, no. You never see a win.
01:05:33
Speaker
No, do you know how this story unfolded? This story unfolded that I was given like my very first ah FIFA game, FIFA 09. And when I clicked to instant match, Man United appeared as the very first option. And then I just started playing with them. It was pretty good, you know, Babbitts of Rooney. and I believe it was still, cut was it Carlos Tevez? Yes, it was still Carlos Tevez, van der Sar, and all those other players. And I was like, okay, they're winning.
01:05:59
Speaker
let me just take a look at how they're doing in real life and in that season 2009-2010 they came close to winning the the trophy but they just came up short in that season but it was like okay hey I want to support them so that's how it started and yeah I think I'd still get a good decision. Anyway, exactly. I think they should go through FCSB. If not, there's going to be hell to pay. We'll see how that goes, right, Louis? I'd expect it. Well, I wish you the absolute worst in that one. come I'm going to be honest.
01:06:33
Speaker
Whatever. at least At least we know you're a true fan. that's yeah exactly You haven't switched allegiances based on some bad performances. you know I had to put up with years with Liverpool having an awful time you know in the early 2010s. God, when we went broke with Hicks and Gillette in charge,
01:06:51
Speaker
That was that was a rough, rough time and when we had to sell Alonzo and Mashirana. We did the double over many nights and still didn't win the league. In the nicest way possible. I don't think any of us could talk when Nathan's in the room and Villa have been relegated recently. Yeah.
01:07:09
Speaker
That's true. That's true. You're here on the call now with us. I went to games when we was in the championship and it was brutal. It was horrible. Championship is a following. It's purgatory. it was horrible I think purgatory would be the best word to describe it.
01:07:26
Speaker
ed premmi link touch wow team i think well just get that job in on pi it's that is that That's how the owners see it though, isn't it? You know, like relegation is just catastrophic. Like they don't want to be involved in a team like that. Your owners took over while you were in the championship though, didn't they Nathan? Yeah. The ones you got now. had randy larner who was horrible that he just sold us off when Martin O'Neill left and then we had Tony Gia who got embroiled in some kind of controversy of like finances and luckily we had our ownership now which saved us just before we were going to get done for financial regulation.
01:08:06
Speaker
I don't mean to interrupt Nathan, but we are still recording, so we do need yeah we did need to wrap this up. to really have to wrap up here all night yeah oh well This has been the special episode of the Champions League review on here at the Daily English Premier League podcast here at GSPN. Well, thanks to you very much, Louis, for co-hosting with me. It's been a pleasure.
01:08:31
Speaker
ah Thank you very much. um Well, I feel like you did the ah the vast majority of it, but I'm happy to have the credits. Cheers. So Louis of Liverpool, Josh Vince of Arsenal, Jules of Manchester City and Nathan of Aston Villa. Thank you guys so much for joining. And well, I can't wait to hear your reactions to the draw, which will happen on Friday.
01:08:53
Speaker
It's going to be good. It's going to be super, super good. And we will tune into this. But for now, thank you so much. Michal Tarniecki of Man United. Not switching my allegiances.
01:09:03
Speaker
oh swia dozavateria
01:09:12
Speaker
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