Barcelona thrash Newcastle while Spurs offer a glimmer of hope – Football Weekly Extra

Summary

Football Weekly: Barcelona Thrash Newcastle While Spurs Offer a Glimmer of Hope

Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Max Rushden
Panelists: Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair, Mark Langdon
Theme: Champions League fireworks, Premier League intrigue, and knockout drama across Europe

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Episode Overview

This lively episode dives into a goal-crazy midweek of European football, focusing on Barcelona’s 7-2 evisceration of Newcastle, Liverpool’s resurgence, Tottenham’s bittersweet fightback, Bayern’s routine brilliance anchored by Harry Kane, and the implications for both domestic and continental competitions. The panel blends sharp analysis with trademark wit, while also highlighting broader talking points like transfer policy, the evolving nature of English football, and the administrative chaos at AFCON.

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1. Champions League Knockouts: Barcelona 7 - Newcastle 2

[01:01–10:59]

The Chaos at the Nou Camp

• Max sets the stage: an “absolute joy to watch,” with 68 goals across the knockout rounds and a surreal 8.5 goals per game average.
• Mark Langdon describes Newcastle’s first-half as “a classic of sorts,” admiring their aggression but also labeling it “naive and foolish to try to beat Barcelona at their own game.” He notes how the Magpies’ approach made for chaos and excitement but ultimately led to their collapse.
  • “For those of us that sort of watch the Premier League and think it’s stodgy… this was an absolute joy to watch.” (Mark, 02:33)
• Barry Glendenning offers a dual perspective: Newcastle “were well in it for three halves out of the four” over two legs, but the second-half collapse is “calamitous… something of a humiliation.” He critiques Howe’s “very naive” man-to-man tactics and highlights poor transfer decisions:
  • “Wisser and Voltimada… did not play a minute… a damning indictment of their transfer policy last summer.” (Barry, 04:31)
• Philippe Auclair wisely notes: “Two things can be true at the same time” (06:08)—crediting Newcastle’s efforts but stressing conceding seven is shameful at this level.
  • Questions the quality of this Barcelona side, citing their defensive flaws and “super, super high line.”
  • “If they meet Arsenal in the semi, they would have big, big, big, big, big, big problems.” (Philippe, 06:32)
• The panel singles out Robert Lewandowski’s second goal for technical brilliance, with Philippe waxing poetic:
  • "It’s the equivalent of dropping a shoulder when you’re shooting… absolutely exquisite." (Philippe, 07:01)
• The recruitment debate intensifies—Philippe critiques Newcastle’s front-loaded spending after the Saudi takeover, leading to PSR headaches, and Mark adds context around Wisser’s injury struggles.

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2. Liverpool 4 – Galatasaray 0: Salah & Szoboszlai Resurrect Reds

[13:42–20:16]

Statement Win & Standout Performances

• Barry hails Liverpool’s display: “Such an emphatic win… they completely steamrollered Galatasaray.” (Barry, 14:03)
  • Liverpool “needed a performance like this after allowing Spurs back in the game at Anfield… massively impressive.”
• Mark sees hope in Salah’s vintage display and his combinations with new signing Ekitike; he notes how Slot’s tactical tweak (diamond midfield, Salah & Ekitike up front) suits the Egyptian by “reducing defensive work.”
  • “It could have been 10, which you don’t normally hear… but it was 16–1 on shots on target.” (Mark, 15:27)
• Philippe lavishes praise on Dominik Szoboszlai. He calls him “charismatic,” with “phenomenal vision and power,” arguing Liverpool and Hungary are finally seeing a talent comparable to greats from the nation’s past:
  • “He’s an absolutely magnificent player. But what is his best position?… I don’t know.” (Philippe, 17:09)
• Quick midfield debate: Barry and Mark agree Szoboszlai is thriving thanks to patience and being played in his natural role recently ("where he was last night is his best position.” - Barry, 19:02).

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3. Spurs 3 – Atletico 2 (but Spurs Eliminated)

[22:22–28:28]

A Rare Glimmer for Tottenham

• Mark: The win was “Tottenham’s best of the season… there was one-touch passing, players moving off the ball. That literally hasn’t happened this season.” (Mark, 23:22)
  • Improved attitude from Coach Tudor, more players in natural positions.
  • Julian Alvarez for Atletico “was sort of, in the end, the difference.”
• Barry remains skeptical, especially of Xavi Simons’ consistency:
  • “He does play well now and again, but… he seems very inconsistent.” (Barry, 26:29)
• Philippe highlights keeper Vicario’s “phenomenal” save, bemoaning that such heroics are often wasted in games where the outcome is already set:
  • “He reacts to save… a statement: you’re pretty damn good, actually, Vicario.” (Philippe, 27:25)
• Mark cautions that any hope is fleeting if Spurs falter vs Forest: “It’s Tudor till Sunday, and then we’ll see what happens against Nottingham Forest.” (Mark, 25:34)

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4. Bayern 4 – Atalanta 1: Harry Kane’s Brilliance

[28:28–34:59]

Kane and Bayern’s Joyful Football

• Philippe: “That goal is ridiculous… 47 for the season now. Third season past 40—most consistent striker in world football. The best center forward in English history, full stop.” (Philippe, 28:58)
• Mark and Barry back the sentiment, but Barry points out the old “big game” narrative persists:
  • “He doesn’t deliver in the big games—semi finals, finals.” (Barry, 30:29)
• The panel discusses why Kane remains underrated in Ballon d’Or conversations and even at home.
• Mark singles out Bayern’s football as “the best in Europe,” noting how the Bundesliga giants, PSG, and Barcelona prioritize style and technique, in contrast to increasingly set-piece-oriented Premier League “giants.”
  • “Not one team wants to play like Bayern Munich… I find that quite sad.” (Mark, 32:33)
• Philippe admires the “element of joy” under Vincent Kompany, especially among young players like Leonard Carl.

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5. Champions League Quarterfinal Draw: Crunch Ties

[35:24–39:29]

• Panel runs the rule over: PSG–Liverpool, Real Madrid–Bayern, Barcelona–Atletico, Sporting–Arsenal.
• Arsenal seen as the only clear favorite.
• Mark: “I’d edge towards PSG against Liverpool… expect Bayern to beat Real Madrid, but every year I write Madrid off, and it never works!” (Mark, 36:41)
• Much speculation over whether Arsenal-Barca or Atletico-Arsenal would be the tastier semi.
• Philippe highlights the financial muscle of the English clubs, contributing to repetitive “big boy” quarterfinals.

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6. Carabao Cup Final Preview: Man City v Arsenal

[41:37–46:41]

“Momentum” vs Meaning

• Philippe: “Many who wish Arsenal well will think of this game not just about the trophy, but about momentum, which is really sad… A trophy that many clubs would dearly like.” (Philippe, 42:20)
  • Intrigue over who starts in goal for Arsenal (Raya vs Kepa) as a window into Arteta’s priorities.
• Barry: “It’s the least consequential of the three domestic tournaments… but it is a cup final, and who doesn’t like winning a cup final?”
• Mark: “I’d edge towards Arsenal… but I think this will be a bad game, decided by maybe one goal either way, probably Arsenal 1–0.” (Mark, 46:41)
  • Discussion of goalkeeping choices for both sides — does Guardiola stick with League Cup keeper Trafford or go for the more experienced Donnarumma?

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7. Premier League Preview & Relegation Battle

[46:41–51:09]

The Top Four and the Bottom Scrap

• Fixtures and permutations: United, Villa, Liverpool, and Chelsea vying for top-four; West Ham, Forest, Tottenham, Leeds in the relegation mix.
• Barry’s attention is on the tense Newcastle–Sunderland derby Sunday (48:37).
• Mark: Forest have been “dominating games but not scoring,” while Villa could slip up against a rejuvenated West Ham.
• Philippe dreams of a Wolves great escape, marking their form as "extraordinary."

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8. AFCON Chaos: Morocco v Senegal

[51:09–54:08]

• The “longest VAR check ever” dispute: Philippe explains the bizarre, ongoing administrative wrangle after Senegal left the pitch and Morocco were controversially awarded the final win.
• Insights into the politics of CAF, with Morocco emerging as Africa’s football “superpower,” but predicts CAS will overturn the result.
  • “Nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody, covered themselves in glory in that episode, which is one of the most shameful… in recent history.” (Philippe, 53:29)

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9. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Two things can be true at the same time.” – Philippe Auclair [06:08], reflecting on Newcastle’s effort and humiliation
• “He is the best center forward in English football history, full stop.” – Philippe Auclair on Harry Kane [28:58]
• “It could have been 10, which you don’t normally hear… but it was 16–1 on shots on target.” – Mark Langdon on Liverpool’s dominance [15:27]
• “That performance was, I think, Tottenham’s best of the season… It literally hasn’t happened this season.” – Mark Langdon [23:22]
• “He’s an absolutely magnificent player… But what is his best position? That’s the question I’m asking you. Because I don’t know.” – Philippe on Szoboszlai [17:09]
• “Wake up. He is.” – Philippe, again, on Kane’s status [29:01]

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10. Extras: Literary Corner & Closing Tributes

[54:19–57:13]

• Philippe plugs his new book, The Mbappé Project: Making a Superstar, focusing on how Kylian Mbappé and his family constructed his career (“It’s totally unique because it’s run by women... and the player himself calls the shots.”)
• Heartfelt tribute to UK broadcasting legend Danny Kelly, who revealed a cancer diagnosis. The panel expresses admiration and wishes him a recovery, referencing his legendary vinyl collection.

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11. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Barcelona–Newcastle: 01:01–10:59
• Liverpool–Galatasaray & Szoboszlai chat: 13:42–20:16
• Spurs–Atletico: 22:22–28:28
• Bayern–Atalanta & Kane discussion: 28:28–34:59
• Quarterfinal draw reaction: 35:24–39:29
• Carabao Cup Final preview: 41:37–46:41
• Premier League & Relegation battle: 46:41–51:09
• AFCON drama: 51:09–54:08
• Book plug & Danny Kelly tribute: 54:19–57:13

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Entertaining and incisive as ever, the pod expertly blends tactical insight with humor and moments of genuine emotion.
• From Newcastle’s doomed heroics to Harry Kane's goal-scoring brilliance, listeners are treated to a wide-angle view of European and domestic football drama—with healthy doses of skepticism (and occasional hope) for Spurs and Newcastle fans in particular.
• Broader themes include the consequences of transfer policy, the Premier League’s evolving style, and the often surreal politics of football governance.
• The closing tributes and book recommendation lend a heartfelt finish to a punchy, news-packed hour.

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Transcript

[Barry Glendenning]

This is the Guardian.

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[Philippe Auclair]

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[Mark Langdon]

foreign.

[Max Rushden]

Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly. Barcelona hit seven bracket seven against Newcastle and New Camp. The Geordies equalized a couple of times but Barca kept scoring and scoring and scoring and Newcastle stopped equalizing and equalizing and equalizing. Liverpool made easy work of Galatasaray. Mo Salah in the second half. At least looking a little like 2024, 25. Mo Salah with Szoboszlai. Brilliant once again. A win for spurs is always a story, even if it was in vain against Athletic and Bayern have another stroll against Atalanta. Harry Kane. Very good. We'll analyze the quarter final draw, then look ahead to the Carabao Cup Final. Is this all about the psychology of the title race or more about winning an actual trophy? There's a Premier League preview. More on Morocco's stunning AFCON victory. All that plus your questions. And that's today's Guardian Football Weekly. On the panel today, Barry Glendenning. Welcome.

[Barry Glendenning]

Howdy, Max.

[Max Rushden]

Rootin Tootin. How are you? Bonjour. Sava. Philippeau. Claire.

[Philippe Auclair]

Max.

[Max Rushden]

And from the Racing Post, Mark Langdon. Hey, Mark.

[Mark Langdon]

Hi, Max.

[Max Rushden]

All right, let's get into the Champions League. Then we'll begin at the Nou Camp. I mean there were 68 goals in the the knockout rounds across all the games. Eight and a half goals a game is ridiculous. Barcelona 7, Newcastle 2. And Mark, for a bit of this game, you thought this is going to be an absolute. I mean I don't know if it's. Does it count as a classic? It doesn't really because they just ran away with at Barcelona. But in that first half hour you were like this could be anything.

[Mark Langdon]

Our first half was a classic of. Of sorts. I'm sure there are managers out there that prefer control and discipline and you know they would have been Jose Mourinho types would have been pulling their hair out at the. The chaos of that first half particularly. But for those of us that sort of watch the Premier League and I think it's stodgy sort of 90 minutes most games now in the Premier League. So we're just waiting for throw ins and. And corners like this was. Yeah an absolute joy to watch. I thought Newcastle. I think it sound like Eddie Howe here because he seemed to forget the result at times as well. But first half they were. They you know sort of made a right game of it, played the way they wanted to very aggressively. I think it was naive and foolish to try to beat Barcelona at their own game but it made for a fantastic watch and you know ultimately they ran out of gas and you know Barcelona turned it on. Second half but first half was. Was absolutely amazing.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. And Barry like Sid writing in the paper saying that, you know and he's right. Newcastle for three quarters of this tie were good. They were superior in the. In the first leg and you know the second half was a real collapse. It was sort of like a computer game how Barcelona were just cleaned through all the time. But in a way I sort of feel we do have to credit Newcastle for what they bought to this tie.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah. I think there's two ways of looking at this tie. The first is that Newcastle were well in it for three halves out of the four over two legs and they certainly deserve credit for that boss and I think it's quite a big boss. They got slaughtered in that second half last night. The credit they get for the first leg performance I think they got too much credit for that. Said it at the time because they should have won that game by I think two or three goals. And I'm not saying that's where they lost this tie but they could have given themselves a much better platform to go into the second leg on Barcelona were terrible in that first leg and I think Newcastle squandered a lot of very good chances to go into the second leg with maybe a 3 1, even a 41 lead that who knows what that could have led to last night. But they didn't and they played well in the first half but the second half was. Was calamitous. I thought Eddie Howe's setup was very naive going man to man. Newcastle and their fans complain a lot about being hamstrung by profit and sustainability rules. Johan Whisser and Nick Voltimada who cost them a fortune last Summer did not play a minute between them over two legs of this tie, and that is shocking. A damning indictment of their transfer policy last summer. On the other hand, you could say that Anthony Lange, who has done little or nothing in the Newcastle shirt today, he got two goals last night, so that's something. Some of their defending last night was catastrophically bad. Well, I think they were quite unlucky not to get a penalty for a foul in Lenga. But I also think they were very lucky that neither Joel Linton nor Kieran Trippier were sent off. So, yes, they do deserve credit for staying in the tie for 75% of it. But sadly, that wasn't enough. And in the end, I think it has to go down as. As something of humiliation.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, I was trying to work that out, Philippe. Like, is there no shame in pushing Barcelona for three halves? Or is there shame in letting in seven in a Champions League knockout game?

[Philippe Auclair]

Two things can be true at the same time.

[Max Rushden]

Very true.

[Philippe Auclair]

And what you've just said is not a contradiction. It's actually two elements, two sides of the same coin. And you tend to remember the way it ended rather than the way it started. And the second half was absolutely shocking. And the other thing that should be forgotten is that this is not exactly the best Barcelona team we've ever seen, even in the recent past.

[Max Rushden]

I mean, it's a good one, though. I mean, it is a. It is a good one.

[Philippe Auclair]

It is. It is a good side. It's not there by chance, but you have to say that the way they defend, because you can talk about the way that Newcastle defend, but you can also talk about the way the Barcelona defend. And this incredible belief in a super, super high line is bound to cost them at one stage. And it's not now that they're going to change their system. I do think that if they were to meet Arsenal in the semi, they would be. They would have big, big, big, big, big, big problems. I don't think they're as, as brilliant as that. There is one thing that I absolutely wanted to mention here is the brilliance of Lewandowski's second goal, which might not seem like something extraordinary, but watch it again. And the way that he almost pretends to hit the ball the first time so that it just induces an imbalance from Ramsdale and then hits the ball again. Romario used to do that as well. Either, you know, take the shot when you least expect him to, and the way he checks himself, there's little movement. It's the equivalent of dropping A shoulder when you're shooting at the ball and it's absolutely exquisite. So when they've got that, yes, it's absolutely fantastic. But when it comes to defending, I don't think that it's a vintage Barcelona at all. And I don't think that the power they've got going up front is sufficient to justify the fact they're taking so many risks defending and that at some point in the competition was not this case. This time they will be found out.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, I mean, I felt the same about the way Rafinha took the first actually. Philippe, you know, just delaying it. Yeah, just that the composure at that pace to. To do that. And that finish, I think it was. Lewis hall slipped over was slightly unlucky, wasn't he, at the start? Mark, do you. Do you agree with Philippe on the sort of level of this Barcelona team?

[Mark Langdon]

I. I was trying to remember that Lewandowski go. I'm gonna. I'm gonna have to watch it back. I'll say.

[Max Rushden]

That's why. That's why I moved on to the Rafinha one.

[Barry Glendenning]

He. He was played in behind by Laminamel. Dan Burns should probably. I think it was Dan Burns should. Should have caught it out, but he kind of tripped over his own feet and that allowed Lewandowski through on goal.

[Mark Langdon]

I will need to watch it again to admire the sort of. The brilliant. I mean, Philippe's described it beautifully by. Yeah, I know it's sort of. I just thought it was a routine sort of shot. In terms of Barcelona, yes, I do think they are flawed. I mean, they've got Atletico next and that last time they went to Madrid and played atletic, they lost 4 nil. Complained about the pitch, nearly pulled it back in the second leg, but the damage was done first time around and you know, lost 4, 3 on aggregate in the Copa del Rey. So they have got like a collapse in them for sure. I would like to see them against Arsenal in the semifinals because I do just like to watch sort of teams that have quite different styles going up against each other. And it would be interesting to see how Arsenal, I think would defend much better than Newcastle, but create just as many opportunities just by being more patient. You know, I just think that Barcelona owners lack of sort of intelligence in sort of game situations is going to cost them at some stage. We saw it last season against Inter. They were by far the better team across the two games, but they just kept going forward and there was no logic, I think at times to playing the way that they did. The Wingers are fantastic. Raphinha and Lamina Mao and they just will create opportunities but they just give up. I think too many. But in this game they created 10 big chances. I mean that is astonishingly bad from a Newcastle point of view but also from a sort of handsy flick looking at that game. I mean that is you know, great attacking play.

[Max Rushden]

I mean the real risk if Barca plays such a high line when Arsenal have a corner. I mean then, then that. That is dangerous, isn't it? But maybe that. Maybe they'll learn. They'll learn not to. I just want to ask you Mark because Barry sort of mentioned on the. On on Newcastle and I thought that whistle thing was interesting in Volta Marder, right. Because there is a randomness to recru like you can get lucky or unlucky. I think also Voltamond was a bit of an unknown quantity. It was a lot of money. But Wisser I feel you can just be unlucky. He got injured. I thought everyone thought that was a really astute signing at the time.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, I mean you know he has. When you miss pre season and then a large chunk of the season you're always playing catch up. It's difficult sometimes just to fit into a new team as well. Brentford have a. A sort of different way of playing to what Newcastle would. You know Thomas Frank would be different to Eddie Howe for inst. So you need to, you know to not have that preseason to bet it in. And this wasn't Newcastle's plan to sell Isak in the summer. You know, I think they felt like they were getting one more year out of him. And the way that it dragged on. You could argue that they should have just taken the first sort of offer and just be done with it. But yeah, they were within their rights to try to stand up for themselves in that respect. Look, Volta Mada is inexperienced player relatively young and is coming to a new league. And you know you look at someone like Florian Wirtz who isn't playing brilliantly every game for Liverpool yet and he would be ahead of sort of where Volta Marder was in terms of sort of big game experience. So like the signing was for the long term but there is a lack of patience. And when you spend that much money trying to replace Isak and it doesn't work straight away as Barry points out, people will be going well it's just a waste of money.

[Philippe Auclair]

Let's try and think of the recruitment not in terms of the players who actually came in. Even though that's pretty difficult. I admit but in terms of how their recruitment process was structured from the moment the Saudis took over and I think a big mistake here is the fact that they decided to go full on in the first two years and were actually over the first two years, calendar years that is because they arrived very late in the autumn. They were the biggest spenders in world football in that terms. And which puts them in a situation where yes, they have to think about PSR rules but they shouldn't complain about it. It was their choice. They knew exactly what was going to happen to them is that they would hit that buffer and suddenly they would have to balance the books at some point. And that has had a big impact on their recruitment policy in terms of the ambition that they could be showing the players they could target and so forth. So in a way that the situation they are in now and we shouldn't just look at this was a success, this was a failure. The jury's still out in terms of the players who've come in but the situation is the result of the strategy they adopted as soon as it took over the club which meant that it was all front packed, you know. So that's the situation they're in. It's very much of their own making.

[Mark Langdon]

And I would also just add as well Ekitike was their first choice to replace Isak and Liverpool took him as well. And you know he's doing great for, for Liverpool as I'm sure we'll get on to.

[Max Rushden]

Well let's get on to that now shall we? Liverpool for Galatasaray nil. Nikki on the pod yesterday said there was no chance of Galatasarai keeping a clean sheet. And she wasn't wrong Barry, was she? They let in four and especially in the, in the sec in the second half actually Liverpool I thought some of their combination play I thought Salah looked good like that. Second half was something we haven't seen a lot from Liverpool.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah I thought K might offer more in this game but they got an absolute hiding. Liverpool scored four, missed a penalty. They had one goal correctly disallowed for a tight offside. Did one goal incorrectly disallowed for a a non existent Virgil foul on the the keeper at a corner. Salah missed a couple of chances. Vert missed a couple of chances. Mallister, Saslai all missed good chances. So I it could have been a lot more than 4N Galatasaray offered very, very very little. Liverpool needed a performance like this after allowing spurs back into the game against Mad Anfield because the Anfield crowd weren't happy with them and they're a lot of the Anfield jewelry still seems to be out on earnest slots and Liverpool did need this performance and it was a massively impressive one. I think any small chance Galatasar I had of winning this tie evaporated when Victor Osterman had to go off with what looks like a broken wrist or arm. Just such an emphatic win like completely steamrollers Galatasara here.

[Max Rushden]

I think if I was a Liverpool fan mark that the Salah goal a because it was just so vintage salad but also Viets is just the sort of combination with this in that moment would just give me so much hope for the for the rest of the season.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah and then Salah missed a penalty assisted goal but looked slightly moody I think still was reminiscent about the penalty miss earlier on so just needed that I think sort of that moment just to lift himself you know he hasn't and hasn't reached the standards that you know he was. He was at last season slot changed the formation to try to sort of get the best out of Salah I think also means he doesn't have to defend as much when they play him and Ekitike sort of closer together up front and the midfield diamond because when Salah plays out there on the wing now in the in the 433 like he just doesn't do anything defensively to to help whoever's playing at right back so that that worked well. I mean Ekitike said it could have been 10 which you don't normally hear from a player but it was 161 on shots on target which stats don't always tell the story but I think they did in this game and Liverpool it's not been a great season for them but they're in Champions League quarterfinals got PSG at Anfield they are capable of you know of special moments. I know that is a cliche but you know they were outplayed. If you go back to last year they were outplayed by PSG weren't they in the first game in Paris. Yeah and then in the second leg Anfield like it could have gone either way. They eventually lost on penalties so I expect them to lose the game in Paris but it's what they do at Anfield that will decide I think whether they can reach the semifinals.

[Max Rushden]

I feel like Dominic Zbozlar has been such a standout player for Liverpool in a season where not many of their players have played so well. The way he strikes a ball I think there was One shot where he. He just hits it so beautifully, like he's been sensational.

[Philippe Auclair]

I think that was one of his. Of his great performances for Liverpool, honestly, last night. And. And he's had a few, but this one had absolutely everything to it. What you can admire the most. I mean, you can admire the. I mean, I think he's a thinker the way that he is one of those footballers who have a very clear idea of the pitch in his own mind with the way that the players are there and are kind of little dancers on the stage and he can see where every single one of them is. Then he's got the physicality, dare I say, he's got the charisma. There aren't many players as charismatic, I think, as Dominik Szoboszlai on the stage at the moment. There is something about the way he carries himself which perhaps has to do with the way he scores his goals. The first goal is just crazy because he's supposed to take that with his right foot. Yes. And the ball is a little bit. Not quite exactly where he would like it to be in the way they probably rehearsed it on the training ground. And then he opens the foot. But the power he gets on that as well as the direction is absolutely astonishing. And you might think for another player that got a bit lucky. But no, he does that all the time at the moment. And also it's the vision. He's exceptional. I think we're only discovering now what people have been thinking about him for a very long time. Because I remember when he first appeared on the scene when he was a teenager, people in Hungary were already talking about him as he is the one player we have got who can be named in the same breath as the great Magyars and Florian Albert. And we haven't had any player of that quality. And I think people have finally come to realize that was not hot air. It's absolutely true. He's an absolutely magnificent player. But what is his best position? That's the question I'm asking you. Because I don't know.

[Barry Glendenning]

Midfield.

[Philippe Auclair]

Midfield. But where in midfield do you give him a lot of freedom as he seems to be?

[Barry Glendenning]

I would say where he was last night is his best position. But people weren't expecting him to be in the Liverpool side this season. Wasn't Vertz brought in more or less to replace him? But he's been their best player. It is remarkable how, you know, he could have thrown a strop or salt, but he just gets on with it. He plays wherever he's put and he generally tends to do well. But I think where he was last night is where he should be.

[Mark Langdon]

And also though Barry, don't you feel like it's there's a patience there like Szaboschelai now he wasn't playing like this necessarily every week when he first arrived. And like we just demand that players play their best in a new country, new team. Like straight away as we just talking there about Newcastle, it just, just doesn't happen like that in I would say just in life.

[Barry Glendenning]

But I do I still think it's remarkable that Visser and Voltimado were brought in for such a huge amount of money and that neither of them featured in that tie at all. I'm not saying they're failures. I'm not saying it was a waste of money. I'm just saying you bring in players for big money to make the difference in games like this. So for them to not even be on the pitch seems baffling to me

[Max Rushden]

on some, you know, this season he couldn't stop Troy Parrott. That was his limit, wasn't it? More, more, more on that next week of course. And also for sobbers like like to play well in a team that are doing well is one thing. To play really well in a team that isn't playing so well is, is much more difficult. But you know, on Liverpool go to play psg. We'll talk about the quarterfinals in a little bit and we'll start part two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

[Pablo Torre]

Hi, this is Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre finds out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile because we spend a lot of time analyzing inefficiencies in sports, overvalued contracts, money tied up in the wrong places and so on. But those inefficiencies aren't just on a roster. Sometimes they're in your own monthly expenses. Boost Mobile says switching to their $25 Unlimited Forever plan can unlock up to $600 in savings a year. That's $25 a month for unlimited data, talk and text when you bring your own phone. If that money is trapped in a pricey phone bill, it might be worth a second look. Visit boostmobile.com to learn more. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers pay $25 per month as long as they remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan savings claim based on a January 2026 Boost Mobile survey of 1,000Americans with single line unlimited plans, comparing average annual payments of major carriers to 12 months on the Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan. For full offer details, visit boostmobil.com

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

this episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[Max Rushden]

Welcome to part two of the guide in Football Weekly. So spurs three, athlete two now mark, I mean the first 20 minutes of last week's pod when athlete beat spurs seems to have gone down in history alongside the witch's curses. One of the great 20 minutes of football Weekly history. We we probably can't get quite so much out of this, but it is a win for Tottenham which doesn't happen very much. In fact hasn't happened yet in 2026, if I'm right in thinking. So like that is that's something to talk about.

[Mark Langdon]

Well, in the, in the Premier League they did win in the latter stages of the league phase in the Champions League. But yeah, I was just thinking if Tottenham would have lost 72 even to Barcelona, like the banter, inverted commas that would have been flying towards them would have been very different. I think to they were in the game for three quarters of the tie and that's something that maybe as a Spurs fan have to put up with slightly.

[Max Rushden]

But I mean, I suppose Mark, you would have to put up with because spurs have been absolutely awful this season. Yeah, part of it.

[Mark Langdon]

I had to remind myself this morning that they'd actually gone out Tottenham because I did have an extra bouncing my step as I was coming into the office. Look, it was like it's small mercies at the moment but that performance and I take that Atletti were probably trying to manage the match. They're three goals up. You know, they don't need to be doing anything special. That performance was, I think it was Tottenham's best of the season and it has been a low bar but there was things happening like players moving off the ball and like one touch passing. That that literally hasn't happened this season. Much more cohesive like from where Tudor was say this time last week where you know, I was just anyone but him and you know, just he was looking back at sort of the Rothman's annuals to see who Had Tottenham connections to, to just bring them in. He seemed to change I think at Anfield with his attitude. He was much more connected to the team in that game. And then like the football was good against, against Atletico. They're just unable to get themselves into a position where they could get it back to just, you know, being one behind in the tide. Tell Mr. A good opportunity to make it two nil. Maybe should have squared it as well. But I always think that's easier sort of on TV to say oh, you know, square in that position. Pedro Porro had the one on one as well to make it three one. So that there was, there was, you know, a lot of encouraging signs. The most game is. Is on Sunday. I would also just like to say that Julian Alvarez is absolutely sensational as well. I thought he like Archie Gray was great for spurs, but I was watching Alvarez thinking like if City made a mistake here in like because Harland doesn't fit what they're trying to do. And Alvarez to me looks like the perfect man. City or slash Pep Guardiola striker. I thought he, he was sort of in the end the, the, the difference, you know, in terms of just making sure spurs couldn't get too close.

[Max Rushden]

Do you think Mark that you know these two performances are Tudored till the end of the season or on Monday's pod when forest have won 2 nil that you know, this is all forgotten.

[Mark Langdon]

It's Tudor till Sunday and then we'll see what happens against Nottingham Forest. But like players mainly were played in the right position. Dragozin was like more right back. I know the team Graphic had it as a back three but it looked to me like Dragons in was almost playing as a right back and Poirot as a right midfielder for most of the game. But everyone else seems to be in sort of their more natural habitat and like Xavi Siemens was, was very good despite getting kicked every, every time he sort of picks up the ball. Graham Sar were excellent in midfield and. And they're also able to bring on Bergval, Udogi and Gallagher. You know, it just makes a difference I think in terms of the, the squad depth and strength which is clearly improving. But it won't matter if they lose on Sunday. They'll. They'll be back in crisis.

[Philippe Auclair]

Sure.

[Max Rushden]

And I did want to ask you actually as a, as Jerry Simmons number one fan, Barry must be nice to see him do something.

[Barry Glendenning]

I haven't been impressed with him since he arrived. He does play well every now and again, but he seems to be very inconsistent and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he was anonymous against Forest. Him and Gray, I think, were the driving forces last night. But the Forest game is more important. And when all said and done, as good as they were last night, they still went out. I think the turning point was when Moose made that save from Poirot. Atletico Madrid scored from the corner, the near post header, and that put the tie beyond Spurs. If Poirot scored that goal, they might have been able to turn it around.

[Max Rushden]

It was a great effort. Outside of the right foot. Effort looks so nice, doesn't it? Sort of. It would have been. And. And as Mark says, it was like a. It was like a move. Players passed and moved and actually found space. It was quite extraordinary.

[Barry Glendenning]

And there were a few of those.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, I know, Philippe.

[Philippe Auclair]

I think many people will say there were many, many great goals scored throughout this round of 16. There were also many great saves, some phenomenal saves. And I cannot not mention the save that Vicario made from that Simeone shot, which is just ridiculous because the ball is deflected on its way, struck very cleanly, going at full speed, kind of SA speed almost, if you see what I mean. And it's that same kind of shot with the laces and the way he reacts to save. And when you think about all the problems there have been around Tottenham and their keepers, I thought actually that's a bit of a statement. You're pretty damn good actually, Vicario, you know, from time to time and people, people have been reminded of this.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. Don't use up those saves in meaningless games.

[Philippe Auclair]

It was not a meaningless game. It might be a game. It was not a meaningless game. It might be a game that actually people reflect on and think, well, this is when actually spurs season started for real.

[Max Rushden]

You're right. When Tudor wins the Premier League next season, this was the moment. Thank you for giving me some hope, Philippe. Let's talk about Bayern. They beat Atalanta 4 1, 10, 2 on aggregate. And you wanted to talk about Harry Kane being good, Philippe. And I thought, I thought Barry was slightly rude to you in the WhatsApp group, saying it's a hot take. Because I. Second goal is so brilliant, Philippe. Yes, I mean it is. You can't do the phone in. Is Harry Kane underrated? But that's 47 for the season now.

[Philippe Auclair]

Yeah. In 39 games. I mean, that's insane. Third season that he's already gone past the 40 goal mark. Most consistent striker in world football for a long time. And I don't think that's a hot take. And I don't think that's banal because I do think that Harry Kane is grossly underrated, particularly in his own country, and that people don't realize he's the best center forward in English football history, full stop. He is. Wake up. It's not a crime. You have a right to say that. And everybody else in the world seems to be aware of that, except the English. For some reason I don't understand, he is the most complete striker on the planet and has been for quite a few seasons. He's a better striker than Kylian Mbappe. Wake up. He is. And the numbers. He might actually. It will be a shootout between the two for the golden Boot. But he's already ahead. And what he showed again, I mean, last night, my goodness. I mean, that goal is just absolutely ridiculous, which was ridiculous. And it's something you've come to expect from him. So, yes, I'm sorry, Barry, if it's a hot take or it seems like Frank to knock down a door that was. To knock down a door that was already open. But I think it needs being retold because I think we're very, in a way blase about some players who do the exceptional week after week after week on such a consistent basis.

[Barry Glendenning]

I don't disagree with anything you're saying. Plea.

[Max Rushden]

I just play the tape, Barry.

[Barry Glendenning]

One I know.

[Max Rushden]

Big game. Bottle of tape about to be played, Barry.

[Barry Glendenning]

Well, I was going to get to that, but I don't know any football fan who doesn't think Harry Kane is brilliant. But, and I'm sorry, but it's a fact he doesn't deliver in the big games, semi finals, final.

[Mark Langdon]

Mark, he hasn't yet. I always think he quite often is just on his feet when you get to those matches. Certainly when he played for Tottenham, he, you know, he had to play up front on his own, you know, without kind of a suitable replacement to give him able rest for England. He didn't look fit in the. In the last tournament. That was a problem for him and also for the manager because, you know, I think it was clear that he was operating below sort of the best of his abilities. But there's always a clamor in sort of the national team for him to be dropped. And it. Do you remember back to the couple of euros ago, Dominic Calvert, Lewin somehow was better option than Harry Kane. It's just like. It's absolutely crazy. And if you look at like the Ballon d' or voting, he never anywhere even remotely close to sort of being in that conversation. And this is somebody that as Philippe sort of says has just been scoring and just a ridiculous amount of goals for. For over a decade now and brilliant goals. And the second one last night again just right out the top draw. So it's not just in England. There is kind of something about him that maybe doesn't screen kind of superstar in terms of maybe the way he doesn't chase some of the headlines maybe off the pitch that others seem to be interested in. He doesn't. Doesn't do that kind of. You have to do the scene, don't you? If you want to sort of be in the Ballon d' or kind of debate. And he just doesn't. He just wants to play golf and just be with his family and just play football and score goals.

[Barry Glendenning]

There's no Timothy Chalamet. He came unstuck doing the scene.

[Max Rushden]

It makes our huge conceivable consistency in the FSA awards even more impressive because I think it's fair to say we don't play the scene, do we?

[Mark Langdon]

But I would also just finally match just on buying because like they play, I think they play the best football in, in Europe. Vincent Co. Took a lot of stick when you know, he got promoted from Burnley to the Bayern Munich job. But I look at the way them Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona play football and you see all the money in the Premier League and there's not one team now with pep seems to have given up trying to play like that. Like not one team wants to play like Bayern Munich or PSG or Barcelona. I find that quite sad.

[Max Rushden]

Do you think that's a physicality thing? What do you think that is?

[Mark Langdon]

I think everybody just wants sort of giants in the team and wants to win on set pieces. I don't want to go all Fabian Herzler, but I. I think that the officiating at corners is a joke now that you're just allowed to do NFL style block and it's quite an easy route to goal. So why would you risk kind of playing more adventurously in open play? I think is maybe the way that the Premier League's gone about it now. But yeah, I just enjoy watching them three teams I mentioned to complement what

[Philippe Auclair]

Marcus just said, it's not just on corner kicks. Some people are not going to like what I'm going to say. But I wouldn't have been surprised if Dominik Szoboszlai's goal had been cancelled. There is an obvious foul by Ibrahim Er Konate who is preventing is not Just blocking, obstructing. He's actually holding the player who could have actually countered the strike by Szoborszlai. And in fact, you can see the Galatasaray player after the goal is called, what the hell? What the hell? What is going on here? But I mean, Bayern, so many things to be impressed by. By the way, the fact that they were already through, but the way they approached this match, that was wow. The concentration, the focus that they had for a game, a tie, that was already dead remarkable then. And it's not something that you associate a lot with Bayern. There is an element of joy in that team and it has to do with the young Karl. You saw his reaction when he scores his goal. That is so proper. I mean, this is just a proper celebration, joyful and which he shared with his teammates. It's a very unusual thing to say about a Bayern team, which we normally equate with, yes, some brilliance, but also not necessarily an awful lot of joy and spontaneity and innocence because it is not an innocent club. But on the pitch they exude something which is very precious indeed at the moment.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. Weird to see 18 year olds with mustaches, you know, like the Everton midfield of the 80s, isn't it? But yeah, that Leonard Carl goal was so nice. It was a lovely move, wasn't it? And then Luis Diaz's finish was brilliant, wasn't it?

[Philippe Auclair]

You've got this beautiful outside of the boot pass by Harry Kane.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah.

[Philippe Auclair]

Which finds Luis Diaz who then cuts the ball and gives the right angle to Carl. It's. It's absolutely gorgeous. Yes.

[Max Rushden]

So the quarterfinals then. Psg.

[Mark Langdon]

Liverpool.

[Max Rushden]

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona Athletic and Sporting Lisbon. Arsenal. I suppose, Barry, when you get down to this level, it's normally eight quite big teams playing each other, but every year I do go, oh, that's good. Madrid buying. Madrid buying. We'll just be talking about buying because I think a lot of people expected City to beat Real Madrid, but Real Madrid are still Real Madrid in this competition in that sort of ridiculous. They've probably had their T shirts printed already for whichever number win this is. And you imagine Bayern should win that game, but then you just. Real Madrid are. Real Madrid.

[Barry Glendenning]

Real Madrid very much have the wood on Bayern Munich. They've knocked them out seven times. I look at the this quarter final lineup, I'm really looking forward to it. The only team I think will definitely progress is Arsenal against Sporting. And there's every chance that may not happen. But the rest of them, very difficult to call. Part of me Would love to see an Atletico Madrid Arsenal semi final. Just out of interest. It would be but par to me. Would also love to see Barcelona Arsenal semi final. They're going to be great ties, you'd imagine.

[Max Rushden]

What do you make of it, Mark?

[Mark Langdon]

I think the Arsenal will comfortably beat Sporting. The other three much more difficult to call. I'd edge towards PSG against Liverpool just because of Liverpool's inconsistencies. Just that that game in Paris might get away from them. I would expect Bayern to beat Real Madrid, but I also expected Man City to beat Real Madrid, so I might as well write them off again and done it for about the last 15 years in the Champions League and it hasn't gone wrong yet. Barcelona, Atletico. I think if it was played on a fair pitch I would. I would take Barcelona. But the Wanda Metropolitano is going to be a difficult one for. For Barcelona because the surface is right suboptimal for a Champions League quarter final.

[Max Rushden]

Do you think we didn't give spurs enough credit because the pitch was bad?

[Mark Langdon]

Actually, Tottenham complained about the pitch less than Barcelona did and just accepted it was one of those things. There has been a suggestion in Spain that this is part of the Simeone dark arts and that they. They quite like it and that it's given them more of an advantage.

[Max Rushden]

It's not like the Abbey stadium in the 90s. It's not like sand in the corners and you know. Or is it like a ploughed field?

[Mark Langdon]

Well, nice. No, it's not like that. But it's just very unreliable in terms of being able to stand up on it, which is quite important when you're running around and trying to twist and turn. I think I'd probably just edge towards Atletico in that one because Barcelona just. Just don't trust them defensively, as Philippe sort of mentioned earlier on.

[Max Rushden]

And you're. If you cast your eyes over it. Philippe, what do you think of the draw?

[Philippe Auclair]

I. The first thing that I notice is that it's some very exciting ties in there. But they're all the names we were expecting Varsity, aren't they? And I just wanted to quote you a few figures, which is the amount of money that the English clubs who haven't exactly been fantastic in this competition so far might change. You never know. Have made. It's absolutely phenomenal. And that's the explanation why we get those kinds of quarters. Even Newcastle made 56 million, Spurs 74, Chelsea 79, Man City 83, Liverpool 95, as did Arsenal. And for Liverpool and Arsenal, they will make well over 100 million. So that was the little apartheid. So that in a way it's completely to be expected to see the big guys, the Deloitte big guys apart from Sporting in those quarters that's not. But when it comes to the ties themselves, I think I agree with everyone and I think it would be if Arsenal were to go out to Sporting, I would just wouldn't be a shock. That would be much worse than that would be a catastrophe and would have a huge impact on everything else.

[Max Rushden]

Just think, one day in a hundred years there will be a team called the Deloitte Big Boys. That will be when football ends tonight. Villa face Lille at home in the Europa League. They're a goal up. Forest needs to turn it around against Michelin. They're one nil down. Palace are in Cyprus in the Conference League. Nil, nil going into the second leg with AEK Larnaca. And that'll do for part two. Part three we'll begin by looking ahead to the Carabao Cup Final.

[Pablo Torre]

Hi, this is Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre finds Out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile because we spent a lot of time analyzing inefficiencies in sports, overvalued contracts, money tied up in the wrong places, and so on. But those inefficiencies aren't just on a roster. Sometimes they're in your own monthly expenses. Boost Mobile says switching to their $25 Unlimited Forever plan can unlock up to $600 in savings a year. That's $25 a month for unlimited data, talk and text when you bring your own phone. If that money is trapped in a pricey phone bill, it might be worth a second look. Visit boostmobile.com to learn more. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers pay $25 per month as long as they remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan savings claim. Based on a January 2026 Boost Mobile survey of 1,000Americans with single line unlimited plans, comparing average annual payments of major carriers to 12 months on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan. For full offer details, visit boostmobile.com

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

this episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situation.

[Max Rushden]

Welcome to part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. Open the Carabao box, Barry. It's the final. Manchester City vs Arsenal. Pep hasn't won a game against Arteta's Arsenal since April of 2023. He hasn't won the Carabao cup since 2021, but they won four in a row, culminating in that one in 2021. Arsenal have only won the League cup twice, which surprised me last time in 1993 under George Graham. Philippe, what's more important to you? I mean, the title race, a lot of people sort of said, looked at this a few weeks ago when the title race was closer and were like, this is a massive game with reference to who wins the Premier League. Is that a sort of. Is that a sad way to look at a Cup final? And do you think that doesn't hold as much now, given Arsenal's lead?

[Philippe Auclair]

Again, two things can be right. Yeah, it's a sad way to look at it. I think many people who wish Arsenal well will think of this game not just about the trophy, but about momentum, which is really sad when you think about that. A trophy that many other clubs would dearly like to win and which would make it a great day in their club's history. And I think there would be a tendency, because of the situation in the Champions League, because of the situation in the Premier League, to see this League cup not as a kind of added problem or added hurdle, but it has to be won so that the momentum can be kept. And that is, in a way, not the right way. You should be looking at a Cup final, even if it's only the League Cup Final. But the one thing we were talking about before, there will be some interesting choices, and one of them in particular is going to be the choice of goalkeeper for that final. And I think when we know what the team is coming onto the pitch at Wembley, we'll see how Arteta is actually approaching this fixture, because there's absolutely no doubt that David Raya is one of the best around and that there is a massive uptick in terms of quality, not just in goal, but in the whole team when he's playing in, not Kepa. So who will he choose? Will he do the Wenger thing and keep Kepa, or will he do the Arteta thing and go for David Raya? And I think that will tell you an awful lot about the way Arsenal are approaching Nding in this game.

[Max Rushden]

And if it goes to penalties, does Kepa refuse to Come off. That's his sort of, you know, that's his patented finishing maneuver, isn't it? In the. The League cup final. I suppose it's nicely poised, Barry, isn't it? Given that man City have the history and. But are not as good as Arsenal at the moment.

[Barry Glendenning]

I think even if they were neck and neck in the title race and they may end up being if. If City win their game in hand and beat Arsenal, which is fanciful enough scenario. But I don't think this would have any bearing on the League whatsoever. I think it's a nice distraction for both sets of fans. I don't know who's going to win it. I can't call it at all. It is the least consequential of the. The three domestic tournaments. There's no getting away from that. But it is a Cup final and who doesn't like winning a Cup final?

[Max Rushden]

This is such a fascinating time for Arsenal. They're in four competitions. They've got favorable draws in the FA Cup. Well, Southampton Sporting is favorable in the Champions. They are clear in the Premier League. You know, this is possibly the greatest season in their history.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, wouldn't be for me. But yeah, I mean, I agree. I think that they have got, you know, really strong chances now, you know, to. To make this historic season for them, whether that is first Champions League, you know, multiple trophies, like their League cup record is poor. But Arsene Wenger, one of the kind of early ones in just not caring about the. The League cup and you would often see even in, you know, when the Greek semifinals and finals like really young teams and he just didn't see it as a priority. Felix mentioned the, you know, who plays in goal for Arsenal. I was thinking about that from Man City's point of view because Donnarumma, if you remember the game at the Emirates, Donna Rumor was brilliant, kind of coming for the corners and set pieces and really managed his box outstandingly well. And Trafford just hasn't got that frame and he's been playing in the League Cup. Does Pep Guardiola sort of keep faith with Trafford? He normally does in terms of cup competitions. But Donnarumma, he hasn't had a goalkeeper like Donnarumma for a while either. And I think City have got a better chance of winning the game if Donnarumma plays than if Trafford does. So I would edge towards Arsenal. I don't want to. I think this would be a bad game. Like we see the one at the Emirates where City scored early and then just tried to defend for 90 minutes. Like these Pep VR Teta games just like they become obsessed with beating each other and kind of out thinking and outwitting each other. And I just see it being decided by maybe like one goal either way really. Probably Arsenal 1 0.

[Max Rushden]

Always worth pointing out the most mind blowing statistic of the season. That James Trafford is 1cm taller than Shannon. I won't believe it. I mean I don't believe I know the phrase. I agree with you. I mean he does have the stature. Like he literally has the stature but he doesn't have the stature I. If you know what I mean. Two things can be right at the same time as we've established. So in the Premier League then the race for the top four. The table as it stands. Manchester United have 54 points. Villa 51. Liverpool 49. Chelsea 48. Man United go to Bournemouth on Friday night. Liverpool go to Brighton. Chelsea go to Everton and Villa host West Ham which obviously has implications for the bottom as well. Out of that Barry, who will be happy at the end of the weekend?

[Barry Glendenning]

I'll be honest Max. I'm slightly disappointed you've overlooked the. The big game of the weekend, cup finals included.

[Max Rushden]

Oh, I see. Okay. We can go to that Newcastle Sunderland game if you want to.

[Philippe Auclair]

Yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

It's a 12pm kickoff on a Sunday which is putting us out of a job, isn't it? Our Sunday part time job. But Newcastle's league form against Sunderland in recent recentish times, let's say is dismal. They haven't won any of their last five at home. They haven't won any of their last ten home and away. And they've lost seven in a row. The corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light in was December was a terrible game of football. But Sunderland won. So that didn't matter. That was the goal in which Nick Voltimar settled it with a comedy own goal. Sunderland have had a week off. Newcastle have had their traumatic trip to the camp new so they have to recover from that. I. I have a feeling Sunderland win this. Actually I may well be wrong. But if they do, that'd be a hammer blow for Newcastle's in hopes of getting a European qualification next season.

[Max Rushden]

I've told you the top four. You can talk about those Philippe if you want. But actually the bottom is probably more tense and. And more exciting. So you've got West Ham. Let me just give everyone the table. If we consider Wolves and Burnley to be gone. West Ham have 29 points. Forest 29. No. Okay, let's carry on. Philippe.

[Philippe Auclair]

I really wish Wolves well and for some reason, I think it would be the most wonderful.

[Max Rushden]

Unbelievable. It would be unbelievable.

[Philippe Auclair]

But their current form is absolutely astonishing. And, you know, you see the teams that they've beaten to give them 1 0.17 chance of not going to be dropped to the championship. That's already extraordinary because they were in the negatives, if such a thing is possible. Spurs. I'm just going to be very, very nice to you both. I think that they will win that particular game, the game that you must win.

[Max Rushden]

I don't know. So, yes. West Ham 29, Forest 29, Tottenham 30, Leeds 32. I just don't know, Mark. I mean, it's so hard to tell. If they play like they did against Athletic, you'd think they should. I mean, their league form is atrocious, but so is Forest, actually.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, I think Forest playing quite well. They just up front has been, you know, just been the problem for them. Dominated against Fulham, dominated against Wolves. Were just unable to sort of score the goal. So I was just looking at sort of what it will take to stay up. I mean, the estimations now are around 40 points, which hasn't been for a long time. So you're going to need roughly sort of, you know, between, you know, depending nine and 11 points, depending on. On where you are. Yeah, I. I would say that if Tottenham play like they did against Atlety, which is by no means a given, I think that it gives him a really strong opportunity to win. I think as well, I can see West Ham causing big problems for Aston Villa, not in great form. And West Ham are definitely. I know they were battered on the statistics against Man City, but generally speaking, they have improved so much in the last couple of months, so would not be surprised at all if they picked up a positive result. Even when they lost at Liverpool 5, 2. I thought they played quite well in that game. So that might be the sort of. In terms of Champions League race, Villa might be the ones that suffer most this weekend.

[Max Rushden]

Bit more on afcon, Robin and the panel spoke about it yesterday. Your thoughts, Philippe, on Morocco's sensational late, late victory in Afcon.

[Barry Glendenning]

Is that the longest var check ever?

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, well, it was the longest var check and it's now the longest var check, isn't it?

[Philippe Auclair]

Yes, because the var check has to be checked. The latest development is the reaction of the president of caf, Patrice Motsepe. The gist of it is that CAF is going to respect whatever decision is taken in the next stage. The Senegalese government, not just the Senegalese fa, has published A statement in which they said that they would fight this decision all the way, which means with international bodies. And obviously this is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It's going to cas, there's absolutely no doubt. And I do think that CAS is going going to tell the CAF Appeal board, this is nonsense, what you've done and is going to throw out the appeal. And then Senegal can rightfully call themselves African champions. And absolutely everybody I've spoken to thinks that that's what should happen. But of course, in 2026 football, what should happen and what happens can be two very different things. But it would be, in a way, a solution that would save the blushes for. I mean, if such a thing is possible, Senegal should have been kicked off the pitch. When they left the pitch, they basically forfeited the game. Let's be absolutely clear about that. It's true that in the statutes of caf, if you do that, you forfeit the game, but you forfeit the game there and then. And the referee. No, that's not what happened. They brought them back on and then happened what we know that Senegal won and you cannot go after on after the event. That's the root of it. So the Moroccan appeal, in a way, is which. And the fact that it was accepted by the appeals board of caf, first of all shows you who's boss in African football. Morocco is a superpower of African football both on and off the pitch. But that decision, I think, will be scrapped. It will enable the Moroccans to say, we should have. It is an unfair decision, we should have had the trophy. And it will enable the Senegalese to say, look, we are the champions. And it would allow Cav to say we followed the right processes. And that's the conclusion. Even though nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody, covered themselves in glory in that episode, which is one of the most shameful, I have to say, in the very shameful recent history of that great confederation. This is where we are so accepted to be, I think, overturned in the future. But for the time being, we're still at the sparring in the sparring part of the year. It might be resolved before Manchester City's case is resolved. That's the only thing I would say.

[Max Rushden]

Well, Morocco need an open top bus parade before Cass have their verdict. Then Senegal can have an open top bus parade after that and they can just keep both celebrating. Philippe, you've written a book. Tell us all about it.

[Philippe Auclair]

Oh, that's very kind. Yes. I've written a book about Kylian Bappe, which is not the biography, but I was very interested to look at the way that the player had been built into a megastar. There are loads of biographical elements in it, obviously, but it's about the system which has been built by his family, by himself, by his entourage, to create this absolute megastar. And it's a completely unique system by the fact that it's very small, it's totally outside of the normal football environment and ecosystem. It's totally unique because the player himself is the guy who calls the Schultz. It's totally unique because. Because it's run by women and there are many other aspects to it. But for me, he's not just an exceptional talent on the pitch, but he's something completely unique of it in the way that his career has been controlled ever since he was 8 years old, to come to the stage now where he is, where he wants to be, at Real Madrid and as a captain of the French national team. So the book tries to explain how all this was masterminded from a very young age to the player and the presence we know now. I'm fascinated by that and that's why I've spent quite a lot of time researching and writing about this. And thank you very much, that bribe was not in vain. For mentioning the book on the pod, I'm very grateful.

[Barry Glendenning]

Is it available in English, Philippe?

[Philippe Auclair]

It is only in English at the time being it will be translated. It is available at all good boot shops, as people say.

[Max Rushden]

Ah, great. The Mbappe Project. Making a Superstar by Philippe Eau Claire. Now, all of us wanted to send our love to Danny Kelly, who announced on Wednesday on Talksport he has cancer of the esophagus. He's going to be taking time out from broadcasting to undergo treatment. He's one of the greats, like, inspiration to me, you know, if I think about the shows that he did with Danny Baker back in the day, and a great man, a brilliant broadcaster. It is much harder to make radio, which is joyous and loving and upbeat and creative with wit and intelligence, and he does that brilliantly. And so I just wish him all the best in the world. And I can't wait for his return. He is having treatment, they found it very early, so fingers crossed with all of that. Mark, you've worked with him, haven't you?

[Mark Langdon]

I have, yeah, with one of my early sort of broadcasting heroes. We did a show together on Sunday nights on European football. It was an immense thrill for me. And so, yeah, I sent him a message last night, just wishing him all the best and, yeah, hopefully Makes a full recovery.

[Max Rushden]

And Barry, you always get excited when I can't do the show and he does it instead.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah. And it's not a slight on you, but with the greatest respect, he's a bit of a hero of mine as well. Lovely man. I wish him all the best. As he said himself, he's a long road ahead. We'll be with him every step of the way in so much as we can be.

[Max Rushden]

And you mentioned, obviously, you know this, he's one of those sort of fountains of knowledge, Philippe. And you wanted to mention his vinyl collection.

[Philippe Auclair]

Oh, it's absolutely amazing. I mean, his vinyl collection is the stuff of legend. He had to build a barn to house it. It's absolutely extraordinary. And it's not just the records he's got. I mean, he's got them, some of them, in several copies, you know, the mint copy, the seal shrink wrap copy, the copy that you play. Because he plays his records. He knows his music wonderfully well. But again, he's not somebody who is going to crush you with his knowledge, which is immense because as a man and as a broadcaster, his first virtue is that he makes people shine. He's a man of great generosity. So, like all of us, I can't wait to hear his quite unique voice and unique delivery back on the airwaves. So all the best, Danny.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, all the best, Danny. We love you. Mark says, how much barbecue did you and Barry eat in Texas? AJ Did Max and Barry enjoy south by Southwest and spending their time with fellow A listers? I will say, Barry, as work trip goes, that was pretty amazing. And I'm not sure how to. I had sit down and tell Jamie that I went for work to just go and watch Alanis Morissette sing Jagged Little Pill. I am yet to work out to what benefit this was to this wonderful institution that is the Guardian. But hopefully we did something good for them while having an incredibly nice time. Time.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yes. And thanks to Brendan Hunt, AKA Coach Beard from Ted Lasso, for taking us out for proper Texas barbecue, buying us tequilas and beers and baseball hats to remember the occasion by. Because I'm pretty sure if I didn't have the hat, I would remember very little of it.

[Max Rushden]

But, yeah, we had a lovely time. And you can hear the live show tomorrow. Thank you to everybody who helped us get there and looked after us while we were there, and Football Weekly listeners that came and we met them. That was a real pleasure because we were worried no one would turn up and given every other panel at south by Southwest was about AI taking over the world. Ours was a slight outlier. Anyway, that'll do for today. Thanks everybody. Thank you, Mark.

[Mark Langdon]

Thank you, Max.

[Max Rushden]

Cheers, Philippe.

[Philippe Auclair]

Thank you.

[Max Rushden]

Thanks Baz.

[Barry Glendenning]

Thank you you.

[Max Rushden]

Football Weekly is produced by Tayo Papula and Jesse Howard. Our executive producer is Ian Chambers. We'll be back with that show from Texas tomorrow.

[Barry Glendenning]

This is the Guardian.

[Pablo Torre]

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[Philippe Auclair]

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