Arsenal UCL Favorites?

From 30 for 30 podcasts. Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami, gunned down. The key to this case, it's Brian. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing what's about. This might be a hit. You want the truth. They just want a conviction. They're placing the arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now. welcome in to latest edition of ESPN FC I'm Dan Thomas joined by Craig Burley later on in the show we'll be looking ahead to De Clasica of course this weekend and we'll be looking back at Haaston Villa are 100% now out of the title race we will kick things off though with the Champions League draw that was made earlier today it's a really good draw in the sense that there are no teams from the same country who face off against each other that's always good in the Champions League. It's excellent if you're an Arsenal fan. They are very much on the easier side of the bracket. They're drawn against Bayer Leverkusen. Bodo Grint, meanwhile, of course, very much the fairy tale side take on Sporting. They'll play the winners of Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen. The other side of that, Newcastle, Barca, Atletico, Madrid, Spurs. But the other side of the bracket, really competitive, very interesting indeed. PSG against Chelsea, repeat, of course, of the World Cup final. Galatasaray against Liverpool. Real Madrid, Manchester City face each other once again and it's Atalanta against Bayern Munich. For more let's welcome in, oh no let's just remind you sorry of the odds, no surprise. Arsenal huge favourites now to go all the way and win their first ever Champions League. They're supposed looking at the other side of the bracket and feel that Bayern Munich are the favourites there. Liverpool 17-2 I suppose that's Galatasaray. Well yeah you've got a lot of work to do as well from there as well. Ahead of PSG. Yeah, let's welcome in, shall we then? Jan Arger-Fjoltov, Julian Laurent, Craig here. Craig, if you're an Arsenal fan right now, you couldn't have asked for a better draw, really, could you? Not really, no. And, you know, barring a disaster, they should make relatively comfortable work over 180 minutes of Leverkusen, and then it doesn't get that much tougher until potentially the semi-finals. So a really good draw from their perspective. if you said to Michael Ateta, what do you want? Pretty much that's what he would have taken. So you can see a pathway for them. Not trying to get ahead of ourselves. I'm getting ahead of myself, an Arsenal fan. You're thinking Bodo Glynn? Yeah, I know. You're thinking Bayer Leverkusen? I know, but sometimes as a player and a manager, you just... All right, God, this is like manager talk. Long game at a time, tough opponents, no easy games in the Champions League. Come on, Burley. It's a gift, it's a lay-up. Well, yeah, it's about as easy as it's going to get for them. But they've still got to go out and get the job done. I think they will. I think Arsenal are pretty much nailed on at the moment, I would say, to be at least in the semi-finals. And bearing in mind they're the favourites to win the Premier League. And if they go on a run in that competition, they could put that to bed a little bit earlier as well. They should have been way further ahead than they are in that. So, yeah, I mean, they've got a Carabao Cup final coming up, still in the FA Cup. When are we talking about the quadruple, which we did with Liverpool last year? Yeah. And it fell flat on its face. This, I think, Arsenal fans will be happy is a slightly different situation. Jules, with your Arsenal allegiance, you can beat anyone on that side of the bracket comfortably at the moment. Yeah, I think this is very good. Obviously, that's the half. We knew one half of the draw would be easier than the other. And when you look at them both right now, there's one side where you have one former winner of the Champions League out of eight. That's the Arsenal side. The other side, you've got six out of those eight who are previous winners, including the reigning champions, obviously, in PSG. So for Arsenal, that's exactly where you want it to be. The pathway certainly to the semifinal and potentially Barcelona, which won't be easy, obviously, with the second leg at the Emirates, because let's not forget, because Arsenal topped the league phase, they're guaranteed to be at home for as long as they are in the competition until the semifinal. Obviously, so it's true, the semifinal is where they were last season as well. So they have to do at least the same, if not better, obviously. Meanwhile, Jan, you look at the other side of the draw, much harder to predict according to the bookies, though it's Bayern Munich that will make their way to the final throughout everyone. Absolutely. I just want to say that Borglip will have the same path as Arsenal. So I look forward to the semifinal at another light in North Norway, by the way. So, yeah, of course, this is unbelievable. And City against Real Madrid, is it a fifth time or something? I mean, sometimes we think they're doing something with a draw to make it easier, but they try just to do it more difficult than anyone. And for Bayern, wow, this is also a big challenge for them. They're also one of the favourites going in there. But having said that, as Burleigh, as you called him, Burleigh started to be like five clichés in one thing. I would say that you have to win. We have to win again everybody to get into the final. Meanwhile, we'll once again see Real Madrid against Manchester City. These teams, of course, Noix are extremely well. Tupou Courtois said it was going to happen, didn't he, after their win against Benfica. just a reminder, they already played each other. Back earlier on this season, and you go back to last year, Real Madrid had the bragging rights over the two legs, and then the quarterfinal, of course, that dramatic win on penalties. Manchester City with that 5-1 win back in 2023, and then really where it all started in 2022 with that incredible win for Real Madrid. Jules, did I see you on the Gal Gadma Jules podcast saying you wish this didn't take place, you're bored of these two? yeah we did a reaction of the draw with Ogi and Gab for YouTube but I am I'm sorry no you're not come on I'm all for the big games I wanted the big games no I want the big games but not a game that we've had like a few months ago and last year and the year before and the year before and the year before as well this is the only thing I will be very excited like all of us and this Haaland against Mbappe Guaduila going back to Spain there's a lot of great narratives great stories, great matchups, everything you want. But yeah, I'm tired of it because every year we have the same. And by the way, Ogi made a good point on the YouTube video that we did earlier. Whoever loses that, it would be a disaster for them. I mean, I don't care if Arbeloa is their next season. For Real Madrid to be knocked out in any season in the last 16 of the Champions League is a disaster. For the City team and the Guardiola, potentially the last Guardiola campaign for City in Europe to be knocked out so early would be a disaster as well. If you remember the game earlier this season at the Bernabeu, sorry, Jan, it was one of Real Madrid's under Alonso's better performances in terms of excitement, but only because it was the most bonkers of open games that I can remember Manchester City playing. And they really allowed, although Real Madrid lost, they really allowed Real Madrid, if memory serves me right, a bit of a foothold in the game because defensively, City were just all over the place. I mean, I know Real Madrid have got their own issues defensively, but it's the one thing that's going to bite this man City side in the backside. Because, yeah, they've got Kylian Mbappe, yeah, they've got Vinicius, I know Mbappe's got a little injury at the moment. And yes, they've got Vinicius, but let's be honest, City have more in their armoury going forward. They're playing better going forward. They have a better group of players in the forward areas to pick from, certainly in better form. But it's their gung-ho attitude at the back that if they approach the games in that manner, then Mbappe and Vinicius can punish them. And as Joe said, they could go spiralling out. And he's unlikely to win the Premier League this year. I mean, he may. He may win the Premier League, but certainly Arsenal are favourites. And if they go barrelling out of this competition at the round of 16, that is not good. So City have to get the defensive aspect of the game right. If they do that, if they do the basics defensively, they win this tie over two legs, I think. If they don't, this very average Real Madrid side with Mbappe up front, running in behind, getting onto any mistakes, any loose balls, any counter-attacks. If City don't get that right, they could well go out of this competition. But if they somehow learn from that game that they won in the Bernabeu, and I know they won it, if they learn from the defending and the openness in that game, over two legs they'll go through. Just quick, Jan, before I come to you, what is Mbappe's possibility of playing in that first leg, Jules, given the injury? That's the hope. We mentioned it on the show last night, that the issue that he's had for weeks and weeks and weeks now, he needs a rest. He's getting the rest now. He won't play against Getafe this weekend, neither the following weekend, but they're really hoping he could be back for the first leg. Calm down, Italians, all right? But I'm going to say it. Who would Bayern Munich prefer, do you reckon? City or Real Madrid, Jan? I can conclude on that because I think it's interesting because we are now sitting here discussing who are the favourites now. We are still in February. We get into March. That is the test of the big months in football. And for example, Bayern now, what are the trends now? There is a small trend that Bayern is conceding a bit more goals now. We know that they've had that trouble before. They conceded a bit more than they used to be. Davis is out, of course. What do you do on your left back? That is one thing. Then you've got Arsenal. And Arsenal, I think, I mean, yes, I think they can get over Leverkusen. Leverkusen did all their job in Piraeus against Olympiacal, because when they won 2-0, and then they got to go over a line at Bayer Arena. But what kind of frame will Arsenal be in the next month? Will they lose the final? My question was about Arsenal. Who would Bayer prefer? Yeah, most of the City or Real Madrid, yeah. No, but I'm just saying that because we can easily say that on the form now. I'm looking for which of these clubs will go into these big games and being in top form. And Bayern, yeah, it's one of them. It doesn't matter if they play City or Real Madrid. That is more or less the same. That's more or less the same for me. But I think we should look for trends. This thing that Arsenal can already book their semi-final ticket, I'm not having that. because Arsenal is playing against a big opposition called Arsenal. They have to win over that thing going into this period now. If they do it, they can go all the way. We all know that. As Jules said, they were in the semi-final last season. So there is a lot of things happening now. And I think we go a bit easy, just to say, on the present form. Didn't you ever go at me at the start of the show? With cliches. Didn't you ever go at me at the start of the show saying, oh, cliches in one game at a time? Because Arsenal is good yesterday, they're going to win tomorrow. I think, come on. They're playing Bayer Leverkusen and then Boudou Glynn or Sporting. I think Bayern would beat, at the moment, or even come the time, I think Bayern, if they play well, would beat City or Real Madrid. Real Madrid have been terrible. I mean, Benfica outplayed them for long periods. Courtois was man of the match if you looked at the XG in that game and all that sort of stuff. We see La Liga every weekend. A lot of teams outplay them. Yeah, they've got some results recently. Yeah, they went briefly to the top of the league. But they are not playing well. They are so heavily reliant on Kylian Mbappe and since he's been out, Vinicius, who looks a little happier now Alonso's gone. But they're just not a well-oiled side. They struggle in the middle of the park. They struggle at the back. They've struggled in the full-back areas. Carver Hals been in, got done by Victor Munoz and they also soon again for Pace, time and time again Trent Alexander comes in in the midweek and gets roasted by the Norwegian winger every time he gets the ball so they have their issues and we obviously have well documented Man City's problems in certain areas as well, particularly at the back and even though, as Jan said, Bayern have dropped a few more clangers of late and a few more goals from back to front, they are a better outfit at the moment than both of those sides, I think. Let me ask you this. Yeah. What was the score when PSG and Chelsea met in the Club World Cup final? I have absolutely no idea. Anyone on the outside? Any guesses? 3-1. I can't hear you. I can't hear you. What was the score? I'll remind you. Was it 3-0? 1-0. 3-0. There you go. But I tell you what, Chelsea, I mean, again, shall we go to this one game at a time? Because PSG are not playing as well as they were last year. Last year, they were just, they were hitting third gear, fourth gear, then they got to five and six. They were absolutely brilliant. That is not the case at the moment. That being said, they're still a better team than Chelsea. if I was a Chelsea player I would take some comfort from the fact that the job they did in Barcelona earlier in the season I wouldn't try and kid myself I wouldn't try and say Barcelona had an off night and all that the Chelsea players are not thinking that they just thought they were brilliant that night we know Bassa were terrible we know that's not the real Bassa but if Chelsea have a couple of big nights like that they have a chance a chance but if PSG get themselves together and you know They have a very good manager in Luis Enrique that you would imagine he will fix some of the issues that they've been having. They are the favourites over the two legs. There's absolutely no doubt about that. But they did get a scare last time out against Monaco. There is absolutely no doubt about that Let look at how the bookies have been set PSG of course are looking to defend their title The first thing to do that since Real Madrid Chelsea are outside as PSG favourites to advance Jules, I suppose the narrative around PSG is, don't worry. Look what they did last year. They found that extra gear when they needed it. We haven't seen signs of that so far. Obviously, against Monaco, they were far from their best. Is it a case of when you play against bigger boys, as PSG proved last season, they can up their game? I wish it was as simple as that, Dan. But even last season, they already had played better. From January, that game against Manchester City that we quite often take as reference for the turning point in the season, that was mid-early January. I think it was January 9th or 10th. So now we end up February and they haven't showed any of that kind of form. They've got still big injuries. Dembele not being there is a massive blow. The biggest one maybe is Fabian Ruiz. Not because Ruiz is like world-class or anything. It's just that midfield three of Vitinha, Joanneves and Ruiz is just what makes this team very special. Yeah, of course, you've got Dembele who won the Ballon d'Or. You've got the two wingers and the two fullbacks, obviously. But that midfield three, when they are so dominant, when they press so well, when they are so press resistant themselves, I think it's very hard to get a PhD. You can't get the ball. You can't play out of their press. It's very difficult. The problem is so far this season is Vitinha right now is far from his best. Neves is just coming back from an injury and Ruiz has been out now for more than a month with a knee injury that we thought was not too serious and actually is dragging on a bit and he's not even sure to be there for the first leg let alone maybe even the second leg of that Chelsea clash. So without Ruiz you've got Zairemri but that means moving Neves to the left hand side that means Hakimi is not as covered probably than when Neves is there. So it makes the PSG midfield more vulnerable than when Ruiz is there with the other two Portuguese players and that for me has been the biggest problem this season. Yes, they're a bit tired probably. They finished very late with the Club World Cup and they've had injuries too. But it's how dominant they were in midfield that they're not anymore. And that was a big reason why they were so good collectively as well. And if you take that away from them, the rest is a little bit more difficult. So I agree with you, they can still raise the level, of course. And I think Ruis Enrique said that after the win against Monaco, the qualification against Monaco. But the Ruis absence is a big, big one. I'm just wondering, Gilles, you mentioned it there. and I was just going to actually bring it up. Is there any talk in France about this potentially as partly a consequence of this ridiculous Club World Cup? Because PSG played the Champions League final against Inter. It was early June, I believe. And then a couple of weeks later, they're off playing this stupid competition. They go all the way in that competition. Is there any coincidence that they've got players who are not as sharp, not pressing as well, and key players who played a big part last season are injured. Yeah, I think Luis Enrique today, I think probably for the first time, kind of hinting into it, he said, listen, we had, when you mentioned the Champions League final, by the way, after that we had an international break, remember, with the Nations League. So a lot of the PSG players then went with the national team, then went to the US for the Club World Cup, then had a week off, and then went straight into the European Super Cup against Spurs in Bergamo. and that was it. And after that, you go along and you try to manage the minutes and the fitness of each player and you lose players to injury. I don't think it's an excuse, it's just the reality. It's the same for Chelsea. I think you saw City with injuries because they went not as far but still quite far and I think that was probably a bit of a consequence of the summer that they had, really, all of them and that's the problem and when you know how much fitness is to this PSG team because they need the intensity, they need to be outrunning you and outpressing you. If you don't have the fitness side of it, it's obviously more difficult. God, I absolutely despise that competition. Jan, who's your pick? Who's your pick? PSG or Chelsea? What is Liverpool's excuse? Did they play in the Club World Cup? They've just been fired. Please have a bit of respect for the world champion, Chelsea. I mean, they're playing PSG. No, I think that PSG will do this. I don't think they will do that. You asked me for my favourite. I thought you would have a serious answer on that. So I still think... You said don't rule Chelsea out. OK. Elsewhere, Newcastle take on Barcelona. Again, two teams we've met recently. They, of course, played in the Champions League group stages. Barcelona into St. James' won by two goals to one. Let's have a look at how the bookies have this one set. Oh, we don't have the odds. I tell you what, Newcastle are definitely long. I would bet Newcastle in this game Over two legs I'll have that bet with you I don't want to bet with you because you want to just give me evens I want proper odds on it Because I just, I think De Jong being out is massive I think Barcelona defensively are a shadow Pedri will be back though Yeah, Pedri back but for how long? I just think overall Newcastle, sorry, have a fighter's chance in this, definitely Yeah, I agree with you Dan I will agree with you I will agree with you. But it depends which Newcastle team it is. I don't think Eddie Howe knows who turns up as well. And I think the way Newcastle play when they are at the upper side of their performers, I think they can fit them very well to play Barcelona. I think that is a good game for them. So you won't have the bet with me, but I can still back you in the bet. Thank you very much. They've got a puncher's chance. I mean, come on. Barcelona are probably the favourites to win La Liga. they have much better players going forward than Newcastle. They have players like Rafinha and Laminya Mal and Ferran Torres and Danny Olmo and Fermin Lopez, Lewandowski, that can all turn the game. We know their problems is at the back and I think it's one of the reasons that we'll see Eddie Howe probably going away that he has done recently with Newcastle, which is not play Volta Madder through the middle and has played people like Anthony Gordon, to utilise his pace to run in behind. And I think that is a tactic they will use against the high line of Barcelona. They will look for their paceer players to play through the middle and utilise the mountains of space that Barcelona leave. And that may well work in terms of causing Barcelona problems. But over two games, this Barcelona side with the attacking flair, even with Frankie de Jong out, But, you know, Mark Cassado can come in there. Mark Bernal is back fit again as a youngster. Eric Garcia has played midfield and done well, can go in and sit alongside Pedri in there. So they have options. You know, obviously De Jong is the glue. And him and Pedri, De Jong and Pedri were the real key to the second half performance at St James' Park. When Newcastle really pressed them and played with a lot of pace, and then those two just stood on the ball and dictated the whole of the second half. So he will be a miss, but I just feel Barcelona are too strong, particularly when Newcastle have to go to the camp now. Jules? I think it's a very fascinating one because we mentioned the young and Riley so, but Bruno Guimaraes won't be back either for Newcastle. And Guimaraes is probably, with Anthony Gordon, certainly in the Champions League, the most important player in this Newcastle team, with and without the ball. And without him, it's not the same at all. And Tonali is probably not still fully free. and Joelinton is just only coming back from an injury. So all that midfield three that for the last two years have been the strength of this Newcastle team, really, and the heart of it and the engine of it, won't be there certainly in a full strength. So that's probably where the game could be played. But yeah, of course, Newcastle have everything really to exploit the high line defensively from Barcelona, as we saw back in September when they lost. Rashford scored two great goals at St. James' Park. But really, I think on that night, the expected goals were higher for Newcastle. They had more shots on target than Barcelona too. It was just thin margins that made Barcelona win that game, but it won't be easy for them for sure. Jules, one last thing. It's the first time I've seen you with your background. We talk about Frank and his lack of humility. What does it tell us about you that the biggest picture frame behind you is one of yourself? So this is producer Mike. This is not my doing. I didn't do anything in this. I promise you. I didn't do anything. There's lovely photos on the other side. No, we can't see that. It's all about you and Mbappe. At the top. Me and Mbappe. And me with the Champions League. Can you see? With Ryan with the Champions League as well. Yes. That's me with the Champions League. One day you might leave the Champions League too. I thought it was a young Gerard Depardieu there on the photo. But then now I see these jewels. There you are. Yeah, meanwhile, in the double tree in Manchester. I'm not really one to talk about hairstyles. But I don't think I'd have gone out with that hairstyle Jules had there. A little on the long side, Jules. That is it, Jules. Thank you very much. As Jules mentioned him, Gab and Oggy did a special Champions League draw show over on our YouTube channel. Gab had to be in the middle, look. So check that out. The quest for the Meisterschale approaching crunch time in the Bundesliga. And for the challengers, Borussia Dortmund, there is no margin for error. Under Niko Kovac, the Schwarz-Gelben have plenty going for them. Defensive acumen, individual quality and an unstinting mentality that you keep believing until the end. Not to mention a sturdy yellow wall of noise to give added impetus and the largest average home attendance anywhere. Dortmund have lost just once in the Bundesliga this season. That was away to Bayern in October. This incarnation of the Ricardmeister, coached by Vincent Kompany, is rich in flair, verve and dynamism. A freer scoring Bayern has never existed and it's only a matter of time before they set a new standard for goalscoring excellence in a single season. Fueled by a striker who ranks among the best the Bundesliga has ever seen. Bayern travel to the bubbling Ruhrpott with an eight point cushion. The onus is on Godfond, on home soil to topple them and reinvigorate their push to claim a first league title in 14 years. All roads lead to Der Klassiker. On ESPN Plus, wow, if that doesn't get you in the mood, nothing will. We've got you covered, of course, across the globe. We've got a watch party in LA as Borussia Dortmund are looking to close the gap on Bayern Munich to five points at the top of the table. Our TV crew, of course, will be in California. On the sidelines, of course, will be Archie Rintat, who I imagine is very much looking forward to this class, Archie. Oh, big time, Dan, because Borussia Dortmund have to show a performance tomorrow. They have to win this, as much as Niko Kovac, their coach, has kind of been on the fence about any cries for the title this season. He's been more putting his players back in their place when they've dared to mention it. And yet, ultimately, they have to close the gap. Whereas for Bayern Munich, this is a chance for a statement. This is a chance for them before what's going to be a huge final few months of the season to say, look, we are well and truly top dogs here. And given the way that they're playing as of late, who would really bet against them as well? That front three of Kane, Elisa and Diaz has really gelled together in such a great way for them this season and just seeing the way that they all seem to complement each other the kind of decision making that they have between them you fear for Dortmund a little bit given the the way that they're wobbling not just away at Leipzig last week and even if they pulled it back to 2-2 but also that performance at Atalanta it's been dubbed locally as a fiasco and you can understand why. Before we talk about Bayern Munich and what they've done so well this season Jan let's reflect on what Borussia Dortmund did wrong midweek. It's inevitable, isn't it, to bring up Ben Sabianni considering his contribution to Atalanta's victory. As a player in the dressing room, how are you acting towards him the last 48 hours? Because this must just be miserable and something very difficult to get over. Yes, it is. And I just come from Germany now and I've been reading all the different magazine of papers. They still love their papers in Germany. And this is all over the place. I mean, This is a fiasco for them. And as Archer was saying, they went to Leipzig and we thought they will get a win there to keep that momentum six points away from them and then beat Bayern at home. But then you don't the three. And now Niko Kovac has done a fantastic job. And as it was said, they've only lost once this season away against Bayern. Now they more or less can ruin, quote, ruin their season in one week. 2-0 down in Leipzig, back to 2-2. Then you expect the Niko Kovac team, then you expect the Dortmund team to just go to Bergamo, be disciplined, get yourself over the line, and then you are 3-1, deserve to live down, and then you got something of a stroke back there, and you start doing something in injury time, and then you do another stupid thing. So, I mean, as a player, you can think that, okay, it's a fantastic chance now that we are playing in our fantastic atmosphere at Signale Duna Park. We have the chance to beat Bayern. So I think that after a loss like that as a player, when you're sitting there, you think, well, we have the chance. We can beat Bayern and can somehow repair a bit of the things that happened in Italy. Players have all been there. They've had really bad games. This was a very bad game. You're looking at me. Well, you know, Villa Park, whatever, blah, blah, blah. Oh, I've been in that. But what's it like? Honestly, what's it like, though? It depends on the individual, because it's everywhere. It's like Jan says, you're the focus of the 48 hours. You've had a nightmare. You're going into another huge game. It really hits a player It hit me hard that particular incident at the FA Cup semifinal at Villa Park And I really took that into the next league game I think it was Aston Villa and it was at home So I'm now, as Ben Sabaini is, he's gone out in front of his own supporters, knowing that they were watching that game in midweek where he had a horrendous game, made a few mistakes. And you can feel that frustration coming through the support, and sometimes, and I know this was from my perspective, sometimes you're so keen to make amends that it's crazy to say that you try too hard. You start doing things that are not normal because you're trying to, obviously in your mind, make amends for the bad game that you had. And he wasn't the only one because if you look at Gregor Cobo there for the penalty kick, what the hell was he doing out there for a cross? So he wasn't the only one. But I know, and there's not a player alive that hasn't had a big game. There's not a player alive that hasn't made mistakes. It's not happened. Not one sports person. But it is difficult to put it. The only way you can put it out of your system is to go out there and have the kind of game that you know you're capable of. If you back it up with another one of those, and that is possible because you're playing, you know, these, Archie mentioned it, particularly those attacking players around Harry Kane, you could find yourself in a real mire mentally. I know for me it was really tough mentally because you think you've let all your teammates down. You think you've cost them a cup final, you've cost them this, you've let 40,000 supporters down. And that sort of mould, people might think that players don't think about things like this, but they do. Unless they've got no feelings at all. So it would have been a tough week for him. I'm sure he would have wanted a bit of an easier game to get back in his stride, but he hasn't got it. So it's straight back out and brush yourself down, roll your sleeves up and get on with it. But when you have a night like Ben Subaini had, then you find out about yourself when you've got to go straight back into the cauldron a few days later. Well, of course, he'll be up against one of the strongest attacks in the world at the moment. Archie mentioned it, the likes of Kane, Alise and of course Luis Diaz, who has been fantastic since making that move from Liverpool. Archie, just tell us a little bit more about that move, because obviously when it happened in the summer, I don't think Liverpool fans were shedding too many tears. I'm not sure how excited Bayern Munich supporters were, but boy, he's been a great asset. He has been, Dan. 13 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga, which is more than any season that Leroy Sane delivered in his five seasons at the club. And I think that's the thing is that Luis Diaz is such a team player that even if Leroy Sane had his moments at Bayern, it's just what he gives to the overall collective structure and what he brings to the party in terms of this chaos, as Vincent Kompany names it, that you look at on the other side, you've got Michael Elise, who's a little bit more cultured in the way that he's trying to slow the game down sometimes and cut inside. and there's a bit more control with that. Whereas with Luis Diaz, sometimes you wonder, does he know what he's going to do when he's getting the ball? And that's the excitement to it. And sometimes he will still fluff the occasional chance, but for the most part, he does some of the most outrageous things. This goal that he scored back in November away at Union Berlin, where he squeezed the ball in, when Bayern had their backs up against the wall in that game. And that's the thing about this Bayern team. Even when it looks like they're in a tight corner, They find a way to squeeze themselves out of it. Serge Gnabry's been revived as well, just behind Harry Kane as well in that number 10 role. Jamal Musiala still working his way back to full fitness. And it's all of these things which contribute to this feeling that, whilst I think it's difficult to place too much currency on how good Bayern have been this season in the Bundesliga, because no Xabi Alonso Leverkusen from last season and Frankfurt without Hugo Eketike and Omar Mamouche have really dropped off. I think that's why Dortmund have stepped up a touch. you still think that they are one of the best teams in Europe and have to be making their mark not just here tomorrow but also in the Champions League and the rest of the season. Yeah, 100% of course. So along with Luis Diaz you've got Harry Kane up front as well Arch. You're putting me on the spot a bit here but if we were to ask Bayern Munich fans exactly one word to sum him up what would that be? Sum up Luis Diaz. Sum up Harry Kane. Ignore that graphic by the way, that's completely wrong. Those are the odds, we're running to the bookies. hurricane is one word that's been used to describe him he is he's been magnificent for them he is beloved because of his professionalism in front of goal but the way he carries himself on and off the pitch he is a guarantee for them i realize that's quite a few more words no but brilliant i think is just the one okay then um no matter what the odds are um what are your predictions for this, Jan? I will say this is what Bayern usually do. This is going to be a statement win for them. We are up for a fantastic football game and I think that, but still think that they will win 2-1 Bayern. Where would you prefer to be, Archie, tomorrow? Tom's watch party in LA with Jürgen, Ali and Kay or on the sidelines? I love it on the sidelines, Dan. LA doesn't sound bad, but I'm happy here just about I was a little confused you know at the start because I just automatically thought Archie was in LA and I thought it's not dark in LA at 2 o'clock is it? Now we've got to recover Meanwhile Friday night action in the Premier League today at Molyneux Wolves of course down no chance of getting back up into the Premier League this season Aston Villa big favourites shortly early on yeah there's no doubt that Wolves have improved under Rob Edwards but it's way way too late I'm strong with the lay off but I actually think it was a touch, I think he tries to control it for himself and he's lucky that, is it Gomez is just Gerald Gomez, right place, right time great finish, Aston Villa were terrible yeah they were, we take it into injury time here, Onana shot cleared off the line and they've got that in them Villa and that's why they're probably, I mean, you mentioned at the top, I mean, it was a long shot to be in the title race, wasn't it? Because they've got too many of these games in them. But they're in a bun fight for the Champions League places. And then on the break, to Gomez's link up, Jao into Roborigo. Yeah, it gets a bit lucky here, but yeah. Vela chasing the tail all over the place. So a big Midlands derby goes Wolves' way, but it's going to be too little, too late. Absolutely, of course, Wolves are down. That was only their second win of the season. Meanwhile, at the top of the table, Aston Villa. Have they got enough credit to make sure they finish in the Champions League? Six clear on Chelsea. It is going to be tight. Very tight as well with ten matches to go. Meanwhile, this weekend, Bournemouth, Burnley, Brentford, Liverpool against West Ham, Newcastle against Everton. The late game is Leeds against Manchester City. The big match on Sunday, of course, sees Arsenal take on Chelsea. Arsenal at the top at the moment obviously front runners, big favourites Pep Guardiola was asked if he had any tips for Arteta Hi Pep you've experienced yourself at Barcelona what Mikel Arteta is going through right now, that pressure of trying to win a first league title as a manager I just wonder what's that pressure like, what do you remember of that time and trying to get over the line and how does that compare maybe to when you were a player going for a league championship I don't remember. I'm not here to give advice to Mikel. Well done. Jan, I know you love this. I love this. This is brilliant. Why should he answer that? I mean, these mind games that they don't say that they don't care about what the other team is doing. We focus on ourselves. We won't even watch the game. Oh, please, please, please. I mean, this is a mind game. Pep Guardiola is a symbol of the mind game just to be his former boss, you know. And Arteta will know that. He will be desperate to beat his teacher. I think I love that. I love this dramaturgy. I'm doing two games and I'm going to Allen Road tomorrow and I'm doing Arsenal then on Sunday. And I mean, you just feel every game. It's so tense. every mistake can kind of cost you the league title or the chance to chase after Arsenal. So I love it. Well done, Pep. And Arteta, please give us an answer in your press conference. Well, he's not going to watch Martin Odegaard playing on Sunday, is he? Wow. Yeah, Jan. Wow. He's out of the team. Did I miss something? Did that journalist ask him, is he any advice for Mikel Arteta? Or the bit I heard, they asked him, what does it feel like when you're in that position? yeah he tried to be clever that's what he did he tried to be clever yeah what's it feel like when you're in that position and Guardiola could have went it's a nightmare yeah and he could have said and Michael Ateto will not be he didn't have to give him a visit he won't be sleeping it'd be a nightmare well done Craig I love that I would love that even more fantastic but waking up in a cold sweat what was that thing about Martin Odegaard what was that thing they miss Odegaard we're going to talk about Martin Odegaard in fact in extra time You know, an extra tie. Let's save it for them. Save it for them. Save it for them. You can check that out over on our YouTube channel. for their running. Villarreal, a weird side, in that they've done well against lower opposition this season, but struggled, obviously. Well, they did OK against Real Madrid at home, but they're the man sent off. Yeah. So that sort of quelled that, and they spun a few chances early on. They were horrendous in the Champions League, but much better in La Liga. But we've seen this before, when the likes of Real Betis and others face up to Barcelona or Real Madrid, and you think, oh, this is going to be a big game, and usually they get three or four goals put past them. But yeah, I mean, if I was Villarreal, I'd feel quite good about the fact that obviously De Jong's not there. Pedri's just come back, so he's going to be short of some fitness. And you can absolutely just, game after game after game after game, you can get it that back four. So it is a potential for Barcelona to drop points. And once again, that would leave the door open for this extremely mediocre Real Madrid side to hang on there in this title race. So, yeah, that's a big game. Is that tomorrow, that one? Tomorrow? It's a big game tomorrow, that one, for Hansi Flick, for sure. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, reports are saying he's going to get a permanent deal. They're going to make that move permanent, of course, currently on loan from Manchester United. Yeah, I mean, again, I wouldn't be against that, but it would be fee dependent, you know what I mean? I wouldn't be paying King's ransom for Marcus Rashford. Because we've seen this movie before, haven't we, where he's looked sharp, he's looked hungry, he's looked interested, he's done some good things, and then he's fallen off a cliff when he gets what he wants. Now, he's playing for the move, obviously, and whilst he doesn't play every week, he certainly had a big impact, as the stats would tell you there. But the worry would be is that once he gets that contract and that move, which looks like it's going to happen, are we going to see the same Marcus Rashford that we saw at Man United and he mails it in? Because that would be extremely disappointing because this move is... He was so lucky to be able to get this opportunity off the back of his attitude in his loan spell at Aston Villa that Barca gave him the opportunity. Hansi Flick gave him the opportunity. To be fair, he's done well. Now the big question is, can he take his career to the next level again or is he going to do what he did the last time, take the money and chuck it? Well, as we mentioned then, that game live on ESPN Plus tomorrow as Barca look to extend their lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table. Madrid, of course, in action on Monday. Let's take it to the Brazilian league. Santos against Vasco da Gama. One reason we're showing you this, really, and this is Neymar. 25 minutes in. Is he going to go at the World Cup? Yes. I think Ancelotti will take him. What do you mean, maybe? I said yes. Why do you have to disagree? Pete in my ear. 25 minutes. Neymar makes it 1-0. and there's the venetius junior celebration right why well because they're they're mates oh they're all right oh they're not mates no they're not mates oh come on how bad was that head but just before the break though baros here will make it one one However, Neymar There you go Oh, God help me And then Neymar though would win the game for Santos making it 2-1 here Oh, he's definitely going, isn't he? There you are Definitely going Ignore the producer in your ear He's definitely going There you go He's saying again He's backtracking now Backtracking Santos 2, Vasco de Gama 1 Meanwhile Messi in a friendly here They're both playing in black Yeah, everyone seems to be playing in black See I don't like this at all I know, you've said this before I absolutely despise this The security should be fired Because you'd never know what can You know, instrument, tool whatever somebody got and they come on all of a sudden you whack a player messy or anybody else you whack him over the edge you got some in your genes because you know some of these idiots can take things into your game and you can't have these people running onto the field. I don't care if it's Messi or, you know, somebody that we've never heard of. This issue of people coming on, although we don't see it very often, is just utterly wrong. Now that's it. That brings us to the end of today's show, of course. A lot of action going on this weekend. A classic. A lot of cliches to me. We've got some more clichés from Jan and Craig. Be sure to stay tuned as Extra Time is next. Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Jan, where are you? Jan is with us today. I am in Manchester doing Leeds tomorrow against Manchester City and then off to London, Arsenal, Chelsea. Why are you not in Leeds? Or the game's at the Etihad? Because I always stay in Manchester, I have that as my base. No, the games at the... The games at the... The games at the... The games at the... The games at Illinois because they played early in the season and made a decent fist of it. Yeah. But I take one extra time at a time, so it's okay, Craig. It's points. If you want any tips on bars in Leeds, I think the gentleman next to me had fun experience there. I was in Leeds a year ago on a golf trip, Jan, I can tell you where I got a good pint of Guinness. Jan, first question is about Chelsea-Arsenal. Should Odegaard move away from Arsenal in the summer? If yes, what are his likely destinations? Absolutely not. He should stay. He's a very vital player in that team. I would be so clear to say if he doesn't get fit, they won't win the Premier League because I think it's very important for them to find that balance in midfield. Very important for them. So is he not playing now because he's not fit? I don't think he's 100% fit and you have the luxury that you can play with. with the guys who are in there. You don't have to let him play. You can't even say Eze's name. Can't even say Eze's name. Oh, Eze, I love Eze. No, no, no. You can even say it. By the way, he can't even say it. Of course I can. He can't even admit, oh, the guy's dropped. By the way, Craig, take down your Declan Rice poster. Come on, come on. Listen, as someone who is genuinely quite excited about how Norway will play at the World Cup because I think they're a very strong side and we saw Bodo Glimp do something similar in the Champions League. How worried would Solbaken and Norway Norwegian fans be if Martin Odegaard's time was limited at Arsenal between now and the end of the season? I think we can take it so far to say, Craig, that we've been very good in the qualification to kind of cover all the weaknesses. But I think if Stoller Solbaken, he will go in the church every day to pray for Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland. He is decisive. We can say we have a lot of talents going forward, but we can't underestimate how important these two players are for us. And hopefully he will be finished with his injuries now, but that is, of course, worrying because we are so depending on him. But Jan, what happens if Odegaard is on the bench for the majority of the games now between now and the end of the season? I don't think... Well, he still plays for Norway. No, he always plays. I was moving on or moving back, but I was moving away from Norway. But looking at his future, will there not be part of him thinking, well, I need to move on? No, because I think, you know, that is the strength of Arsenal. I mean, you feel that there is some bonds between these players. And Martin is a very important player there. And this season has been a bit injuries. Remember, this kid started when he was 15. He has already had a very long career. He's played all over the place. and at the moment it seems that he doesn't get that out of his system, but he has his future at Arsenal, so I don't think there's any chance that he will believe in his summer. He loves it to be at Arsenal. How many English teams reach the quarterfinals? More or less than three, Jan. Oh, then we have to remember the brackets. Okay, so who's Tottenham got? Tottenham got Atleti. Yeah, they're going out. They're going out. Oh, here we go. No, this is really helpful. What a big mess. Right. Arsenal, Liverpool have got Galatasaray. Why didn't you just show the graphic? That would have been the bracket. That would have been a lot easier than this. Arsenal. Arsenal is one. We know who the favourites are. We want to see who's playing who. We want a reminder, not this. Okay. Are you talking about... I'm talking to producer Pete. Okay. I thought you were talking to your wife. I would definitely not speak to her like that yet. If we talk to the... There you go. Here we go. Here we go. Because we could have had the chance that we have Chelsea and Liverpool in the quarter-finals. So that will help. I say we get two teams. Two teams. Just two? Yeah. Arsenal and Liverpool? Yes. Arsenal and Liverpool. Arsenal and Liverpool will go there. I think we'll get three. I think Man City squeaked through. week through against them do you think so yeah maybe I mean you know we're watching Real Madrid every week and covering Liga and they they are not they have not I mean they've got Mbappe and Vinicius is playing a bit better but you should I don't know if you saw the Benfica game again yeah I saw that yeah they were kind of a little fortunate in that game again so yeah that's a very tight one Liverpool have played Galatasaray already this season that was the Sabozlai penalty that he gave away. I can't remember what the score was, but just because of the way Liverpool are playing, that game isn't a foregone conclusion. Yeah. I know Galatasaray are a great side, even though they beat Inter. They're not. Right. But Liverpool have been pretty bad this year, haven't they? Yes. Yeah. No, I think Liverpool will get better and better. I think Liverpool will knock out Galatasaray. I saw them against Juventus. I mean, the first game, they had a kind of flow in that home game. There wasn't a 5-2 game, but still, I think Liverpool would be OK. Curious as to what the guys think. With the World Cup on the horizon, did Craig have that in the back of his mind for the first few months of the regular season? Did it impact your decisions to play? Did you look after yourself more, basically? No, because we were under that pressure cooker of going for a title. And it just so happened, you put the year, that Rangers were going for a historic 10th title in a row. So the supporters were frothing at the mouth because it was going to make history and not in Celtic's favour. And it went to the last game of the season. So there was no time for rest or feeling sorry for yourself because it was all hands to the pump. Simple as that. Plus we won the League Cup that year. We got to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. We played in Europe and the UEFA Cup against Liverpool. So it was a busy year. But as much as you do think about injuries, when you're playing under that pressure, you know, the weekend, the midweek, the weekend again, and you're all in it because they're breathing down your neck. So you don't have time to say, Gafford, do you mind if I have a rest for a couple of weeks? Because you're under so much pressure at your club. Yeah, and where were you ahead of the World Cup? Yeah, I will say, because I was struggling in Swindon. We were in the Premier League and I was desperate for us to be a part of the 1994 World Cup. But this is the 1993-94 season. So I was not playing regularly for Swindon Town at that time. So I arranged to go alone back to Norway because I knew I had to play to even be in the squad. I mean, because we had a national coach. There was no chance that he would give any free passenger going over there. So, and then just, I signed the deal with Lillestrom and then I scored against Ipswich at the FA Cup, and then I scored against Tottenham in the Premier League. And the thing worked out, and I had to cancel that contract back in Norway. But as Craig is saying, the only thing maybe that you... The injury, you can't think of that because you're on or off. If you think of injuries, you will be injured. That is a clear thing when you go into that. But maybe you look after yourself even more. I was quite good at doing that. But maybe when you're in a season like this, you know that at the end of the road, there is this highlight of the World Cup. Maybe you're looking even more after yourself. I just did a quick count there of what I would have said would have been, as a general rule of thumb, the starting XI for Celtic. Nine of them went to the World Cup. Not all with Scotland. Reaper and Vikos went with Denmark. We don't need the list. Yeah, I'll give you the list. It was nine of the eleven in the general week. Went to the World Cup. There you go. What are the two best Champions League matches on the same day at the same time? Yeah, what's happening with them? So Real Madrid and City and Paris and Chelsea are both on Wednesday at the same time. But it's all money, isn't it, Jan? Isn't it all money? It's probably money, but it's funny because we used to have the draws and every round have the draws. And now when you do the draws, you hear this... It's like Star Wars sound back in the 70s and 80s. And we have no clue how they kind of do this. And of course, that's not good. You like to have spread over the day because you want to enjoy them. But I guess money got a thing to do with it. Because they want it in prime time. That's what it is. Imagine the playoffs. Imagine the NFL playoffs, two games playing at the same time. It's just ridiculous. They never do that. Of course not. They split the times, don't they? Absolutely. Just a day. Yeah, because maybe people want to watch both of these matches instead of having to choose one. Yeah, yeah. But there we are. That's never going to change because they want to make the most money. Jan, Bodo lost the league title to Vikings by one point in the recently finished domestic season. Does that mean Vikings are the greatest football team of all time? Vikings is the best team in the world. Imagine how much they would have won against Inter. Imagine if they got Sporting in Lisbon. It would have been 5-0. I mean, that is unbelievable. But Borrego is not even the best team we're having. For the first time in a thousand years, we're going to send that out to Vikings again, and we know what happened then. We conquer the world. What's happened to Rosenberg? As somebody who doesn't really look at the Norwegian league table, do you remember Rosenberg used to be the team that had these great Champions League results and then people used to sort of henpeck their players? Yeah, for those who don't remember, they played in the Champions League 11 or 12 seasons. They had a coach called Nils-Anne Eggen, which was a legendary Norwegian coach. And a bit like Manchester United or Werder Bremen with Otto Rehagel, a manager is staying there forever. And then you, what, should we go for a copy? Should we go for the total different thing? And then slowly they're losing games, they're losing money, and then they want to go back to the philosophy. Just a fun fact, Bordegliemter and Rosenborg are very similar in the way they play. It's also similar in the way that there are nine of 11 players are Norwegians and just one and a half, maybe two players of them, will play for the national team, as was Rosenborg. And the last fun fact, every Rosenborg player that went abroad, except Jorn Karev, who had good success when he went abroad, they didn't have success abroad. And that's the same with the Bordecai players because they're so into this way of playing, I think. You see the captain, Patrick Berg, went to France and played there for five and a half minutes and coming back and now playing Champions League. Same with Haugge, went to AC Milan, winning the Europa League with Frankfurt. So they are gone. Well, I was telling Daniel there, when we signed Harold Bratwijk, he was scoring a lot of goals for Rosenberg. And he did OK at Celtic, but then you're not even known this one. He scored the side of your goal, didn't he, Frank? Yeah, that was that season I was talking about, the last game of the season. He did score that goal, so he'll be remembered for that. I played with a lot of Norwegian players. There was another one, Bjorn Otto Braggstad. Wow, yeah. Rosemorgaswell. There we go. All right. Oh, my God, all the Norwegian. Okay, last question. Let's go on. Should you stumble upon a DeLorean that can go back in time, which year would you be returning to? Would you do 98? What do you mean? Football or life? So you can go back to any year you want. 98, World Cup, Celtic. That's a good year. That was a good year. Yeah? That was a very good year. Yes. That was a very, very good year. Yeah, exactly. That's what I've been like. I thought you might like to go back to it. 1971. Why? I was one. You've grown your first teeth. You're excited. Didn't last long. Jan? Well, there wasn't one. I think it was the 1996 season when we went from Middlesbrough, when we came there, the optimism, going from Ayrson Park, going into Riverside Stadium, first game of the season. We beat Chelsea 2-0. I scored a Buss-Aldring goal. I was the second one. And it was a fantastic time and we got all the players in. We got Juninho in and then unfortunately we got Ravanelli in and then I was off, but that is another story. I was leaving there. But going back to that period, that was a fantastic time. Yeah, very good. All right, great stuff. They're going up, Borough. They are going up. Yeah, but at two home games, I couldn't win. All right, there you go. Yeah. 1999, I think I'll go back to. First year of university. That was a lot of fun. Or 2005, first year in Madrid. That was also a lot of fun. That's it. That brings us to the end of today's show. ESPN FC returns tomorrow. I should stay there. Well, there we are. I will. I'm the one with a bunch. So which Celtic internationals went to the World Cup? That's me. Send me a mail. Send me a mail.