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- [00:00]
Ayo Akimwaleere
Did you hear it's easier than ever to level up your card collecting game with PSA Grading now on ebay. Listings easy and seamless. Here's how it works. Find a raw card over $250, add grading and make your purchase. That's it. Plus, for a limited time, shipping from PSA to you is free. Ready to build the most epic collection? Learn more@ebay.com PSA as you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM. This season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars. Place first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic.
- [01:02]
BetMGM Announcer
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- [01:27]
Ayo Akimwaleere
Don't forget if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on.
- [01:37]
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- [02:14]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
The Athletic FC Podcast network.
- [02:21]
Paul Belous
Welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Ayo Akimwaleere. Inter are through to the Champions League final after a breathtaking semi final against Barcelona. So where does that rank amongst the best knockout matches in the competition's history and our internal favorites to win the tournament? With us today, we've got the Athletics Barcelona correspondent Paul Belous and also Italian broadcaster Max Caligari as well. Right, before we get into it, gents, let's hear from the Athletics Italian football writer James Horncastle. Good to have him back, who was at the San Siro last night to witness all the magic.
- [03:13]
Max Caligari
Greetings from the airport here in Milan. I always think airports are fascinating places to be the day after a big European game because, well, in this case you have solemn Catalans, you know, Barcelona fans slumped in their seats waiting for planes. And then you've got Inter fans who've come from all over the country or even further afield. Very Internationale. Obviously a couple of years ago when Interplay they see Milan there in the Champions League semi finals. Within the city, that guest has greater meaning because it's a derby, because of what's at stake, the chance to make a final and the chance to lift the trophy which eclipses everything that your rivals do domestically. That was difficult to match. Although what I would say about this game against Barcelona is that the atmosphere in the hours leading up to it, you could really sense the excitement that we might get to see something like what we saw last week, that even if Inter played bad and went out, we would get to see and get to tell our friends that we saw Lamine Yamal and instead the game did deliver and then some Inter went through and Lamine still gave people lots of things to talk about. Yeah, to come back to this point about great semi finals or great Champions League games, I think one of the constants in so many of these games is Barcelona, you know, be it the Roman Tada. That wasn't a semi final, but it was one of the most memorable knockout tires.
- [04:54]
Paul Belous
Roma had risen from their ruins. Nadalas, the Greek God in Rome.
- [05:02]
Max Caligari
When Roma came back against Messi, Suarez and Neymar, you might even say Liverpool. Barcelona. I think that's the. The Origi game.
- [05:13]
Paul Belous
Liverpool 3 0.
- [05:14]
James Horncastle
Call it second quickly.
- [05:14]
Paul Belous
Origi.
- [05:19]
Max Caligari
And then of course, you know, PSG, Barcelona, Barcelona. For whatever reason, be it their way of playing, they are always involved in these great spectacles. For better and for words.
- [05:37]
Paul Belous
Thanks, James. So good to have him back. The 7, 6 scoreline equal the record for the most goals Scored in a Champions League knockout tie. And I guess James is right, Paul. You know, Barca have been involved in some incredible matches, especially in the Champions League. But you know, I was thinking actually where this ranks in terms of the best semi final ties. And I'll ask you guys in a second, but I was just thinking what my favorite one is. I'm sorry, Paul. I have to say Manchester City versus Real Madrid. I think it was 20, 21, 22, semi final. Unbelievable. First and then Real just steal it at the back end. I know they're not your team, but Real Madrid have also been involved in some big, big games as well, don't you think?
- [06:15]
James Horncastle
Absolutely, absolutely. I mean, I think there's a lot of sides in the identity of both clubs. We're speaking about Barcelona here, but in the identity of Barcelona, how they take on games, the approach they just have the way that they want to play football, that it just invites the game to be a bit crazy and to have this sort of factor of. Yeah. Beauty in the game. Because this Barca team, despite what happened last night, I think it's a team needs to be honored, needs to be applauded and needs to be admired by the way that they approach the game, which is really close to the identity that the club has since Johan Cruyff managed the club. This fearless wanting to attack all the game. And that's basically. Yeah, if you have a great side on the other side that is in my opinion, really made to capitalize on your weaknesses. Like this Inter Milan side was. This is a match made in heaven, in my opinion. And what happened on the pitch was possibly the best case scenario for the neutral viewer, in my opinion. I don't know if it's the best because it's still really difficult to say that, but it has to be. I mean, top three Champions League ties that we have ever witnessed for the. Yeah. How well both teams were neutralizing each other or were able to punish each other and just. Yeah, all the effort, all the individual showings just as Lamin Diamal, the suffering players making their best out of injuries just to try to be present in there. Lautaro Martinez, who had an injury, crying all week and he appears and then Lewandowski coming back for the second leg just for the sake of it. Yeah. I mean, it just like gladiators on a football pitch. It had all the elements that you won in a Champions League tie for sure.
- [07:52]
Paul Belous
Yeah. I mean, Max, we were just talking before we started recording, saying this was incredible. You know, all the tactics all went out of the window. You said to me it just felt like they played with pure heart and so many storylines. The oldest player on the field scores the equalizer. I mean, the rest goes on. What did you think? Was this one of the greatest ties ever in the Champions League?
- [08:11]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
About the ties, I think that is one of the best ever, even if not the best ever. I do agree with you. The games, the two games, Manchester City four, Real Madrid three and then Real Madrid three, Manchester City one, I suppose was the same level. And there was also another similarity. If you remember that game at the Santiago Bernabeu, a lot of Real Madrid fans were going away from the Bernabeu because Real Madrid was losing again the second leg. And then they came back yesterday in San Siro the same, even if some Inter fans weren't allowed to come back. So they have lost the chance to watch one of the greatest comebacks ever. Yeah, until the last minutes about a single game. I think that yesterday was one of the top three. Because we spoke. You spoke, James spoke about Raymond Tadas. Paris Saint Germain in Barcelona 614 the Blaugrana, Liverpool, Barcelona 4 0. The same Real Madrid, Manchester City from 0 from nil 1 to 3 1. Yesterday it was a game, it was a fight. The first half for Inter, the second half for Barcelona, the extra time, the beginning for Barcelona, then the 4:3 by Fratese, then again Barcelona. So it was a total fight. So I think that we remember for years, for decades in historical game, also for an Italian club, because the San Siro role will be remembered as the Ribenabeiro, the Kapno role, as you know, the Wembley role in different context.
- [10:06]
Paul Belous
I love it. I love it. Look, we did a podcast on this, the first leg of this tie, Max. And you know, we spoke about how people potentially you might, might think Inter were not the favorites coming into this tie. Really? Would you have seen 7, 6 Inter scoring all these goals with the. The age profile of that team in this tie?
- [10:27]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Yeah, and also to be able to stay in the game also in the extra time, you know, because Lotharo Martinez was almost injured. As Paul said, Charlanoguard was really tired. Mkhitaryan was exhausted in trying to help Dimarco and Carlos Augusto every time La mi Amal got the ball. But then they had the capacity to stay in the game. And this is the difference. This is the key. Maybe we talk in that podcast at the Evo. The first leg assets experience is an advantage in a side, but there's also the dark side of the moon. Because this is the last chance for Acherbe, for Mkhitaryan, maybe for Damian, maybe for Somer. But it looked like they were on every ball as it was the last one of their Champions League career and they didn't want to be the last one of their Champions League career. So the goal of Francesco Cherbi is the perfect example.
- [11:32]
Paul Belous
Max, we have to talk about Francesco Archerbi. Look, this is a player who's been playing for around 20 years at the top level, never scored a Champions League goal in his career, at the age of 37, pops up in the box and scores the equalizer. Dumfries, there was no foul and there's another equalizer and extraordinarily it's the veteran, the pensioner, 37 year old Francesco Achavi.
- [12:01]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
He is incredible because he arrived as a player of the coach, because Simone Intaghi managed him, coached him at Lazio and he wanted him at Inter too. There wasn't so such a confidence on him doing what he has done in these years at Inter. When he arrived, he was good defender in the early part of his early career at Chevo Verona. Then he went to AC Milan under Massimiliano Allegri. But then he said, years after, I thought I was already arrived at the peak of my career, I felt I was a great player. And so he didn't play and performed well at AC Milan. He went back to a middle and low team or low team of the league, Sassuolo, then to Lazio. But in that period he was diagnosed testicular cancer, so he had chemotherapy. So that was a moment of his life that changed his mood, his mind, and from that staying well then staying fit. He was one of the key players of Latio with Simone Zaghi, playing a lot of games, a lot of consecutive games, such like the record of Javier Sanetti, two or three games less, I don't remember exactly, but consecutive league games without injuries, without bans, and then to Inter and now he is the hero. I think that he is also one of the leaders of the team because of his character, of his pride, of his style of play too. He played very well against Erling Oland in the Champions League final two years ago. He played again against Haaland, very well in the. In the league phase of this Champions League, against Lewandowski. He would have played, in my opinion, very well as yet played against Harry Kane, maybe suffered more, maybe it's a paradox, maybe he suffered more Ferran Torres for his style of play, speed, quick. But I think that he is One of the heroes of Inter and he's a symbol of Simone Jaghi style of play too, and style of managing too, to manage the World Group and to. Let's feel every player involved in every moment of the season.
- [14:30]
Paul Belous
Paul, Another player who we have to mention from Inter, I don't know, it was a bit of a thorn in the side of Barcelona last night was Jan Sommer. Look, I think it's 14 saves in both legs and last night in particular, two absolutely memorable saves. One point blank and then the one last minute with Jamal cutting in onto his left foot and then that fingertip save. You know, sometimes I think we play football, maybe as amateurs, but sometimes when the keeper is so good, you're like, what do I have to do to get past this guy? And that can give a team momentum as well.
- [15:02]
James Horncastle
Outstanding. Outstanding. And with the Jamal save at the very end of the game, it's like he knows that this shot is going to happen and he's basically jumping before. He's just doing that because he has this game reading. That's what it means to be a top goalkeeper. He's an experienced guy. He's been. He's seen it all in football. And basically Ian Sommer is that sort of goalkeeper. Possibly he has not had the recognition because he has not placed for some of the teams that sometimes you envision as the top teams in the world and everything.
- [15:33]
Paul Belous
He did have time at Bayern, but they didn't want him so much.
- [15:36]
James Horncastle
Right? Yeah, exactly. But then I also want to highlight his influence on the build up because he's really good with the ball in his feet. I think that one of the keys in that tie for Inter Milan was the way out that they found on build up with long balls through Dumfries, who was winning every single aerial duel. And Ian Sommer is key to that. He's absolutely key. And when you play against a team like Barcelona that press you so high, I mean, you have to be really good at this if you want to take risks and if you want to find a proper way out. And that's like leaving aside the amazing shot stopping that he showed throughout the whole time, which was amazing to see. And if you realize, like, you don't win the Champions League if you don't have a goalkeeper like this, every team that wins a Champions League title at some point, they have a performance from their goalkeeper, which is at that level. I think about Thibaut Courtois with Real Madrid. And yeah, there's many examples in the past, but Ian Sommer delivered the performance in those levels and that's what Inter needed to went through against Barcelona.
- [16:36]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Remember guys that it was underrated even when it was voted by Inter because Onana arrived in the year and participated in the year of the Champions League final against Manchester City and was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, also in the league, of course, and then went to Manchester United for 50 million euros and then arrived somewhere for 7 million euros. So there wasn't such an expectation on him and he's doing very well. I think that you have to give credit also we have to give credit also to the technical stuff of Simone and Taghi because they they make every player giving their best on the pitch.
- [17:20]
James Horncastle
There's even when we don't speak about Man United, Man United came up.
- [17:26]
Paul Belous
Love it.
- [17:28]
Ayo Akimwaleere
You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast with IO akamolere. As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM. This season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offer for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least $10. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic.
- [18:11]
BetMGM Announcer
See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text HOPE NY 467369 in New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 Massachusetts 1, 800, bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico, first bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel.
- [18:36]
Ayo Akimwaleere
Don't forget yet. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollars first bet offer on your first wager.
- [18:49]
James Horncastle
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- [19:04]
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- [19:19]
Paul Belous
Let's go.
- [19:20]
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- [19:40]
Paul Belous
We also have to talk about Max Denzel Dumfries, the engine, I like to call him. This kid just never stops running. And also pivotal in both ties. You look at the, the two goals in the first tie, two assists. I mean this guy, you know, we talk about the older ones on the field, but you need an engine like this to carry the load sometime. Dying moments to play incisive passes. And that one to Martinez in the first half was so decisive. That just set the tone of that tie.
- [20:08]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Yeah, it was decisive and I think also that decisive the fact that he was injured in, in the month before, before the game because you know, the freshness. This point of the season is key. But about Dumfries again, when he arrived at Inter, he arrived after a very good Euro championship, but he wasn't so technical, in my opinion, as he is now. So he improved a lot. And we know that he improved a lot because he trained a lot on every technical detail in these years with Inter. But now he is one of the leaders of the team because as Paul said, he is very, very strong. Also with the aeroplay is very quick, he is fresh, he has speed, he has everything you need from a player in that part of the. Of the pitch. Also in a tactical plan, as Simone Zag is one.
- [21:10]
Paul Belous
Yeah, for sure. Paul, we have to talk about the high line. You've touched on it and it was breached quite easily several times by Inter. Is this something Flick has to address or does it go against the way Barcelona play? Because it's high risk, right? But often you see the high reward.
- [21:27]
James Horncastle
I don't think Barcelona have to change it, to be honest. As you said, that's high risk, high reward. Just a matter of trying to do it better, try to be better on the build up. Because the goals that Barcelona conceded were, in my opinion, individual mistakes in the build up. One, Dani Olmo was a bit sloppy and he didn't pass the ball quick enough. And then the other one, I think that Gerard Martin missed the pass. I think that this is an identity trait of Hansi Fleck's team. He has a team that is suited to that, a team that has bought into ideal players that enjoy playing that way. And that's the key. I mean, if you have players buying into your idea like this, I always think that the benefits are going to be bigger than the risk. Having said that, we have to admit that this is a risky approach. We have to admit that. And we have to know that stuff like what happened in San Siro could take place at some point with Barcelona, given that they want to play like this. But it's a way of just fans and everyone embracing the fact that they have to know that this is going to give them more good things than bad things and just go with it. As long as the high pressure is, is adjusted and everything. I think that, yeah, it needs to, it needs to stay up knowing that every opposition team is going to design a strategy to try to unfold it, because that's what Inter did and that's what made them successful at the end.
- [22:43]
Paul Belous
Okay. I mean, Max, you also spoke about, you know, those Inter fans that sadly left a little early because they thought their team was on their way out. But you know, Inter into the Champions League final, what does this mean to that group of fans? You know, because last week, you know, we were speaking about how, you know, the season seemed to have unraveled for Inter getting beaten by Milan in the cup, you know, now three points behind Napoli in Serie A, but they are into the Champions League final now.
- [23:12]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Yeah, I, I read the James Earl Castle article on the eve of the, of this game and his question was, was fair? How is so underrated, even if they are doing such good things under Simone and Taghi? And I have no answers, not a definite final answer on to this question, but I think that when we talked about the game after three losses, we were conscious that we were aware that that wasn't the best moment of the season. And after the game against Roma, they, they looks like they were at the end of the energy. So it's incredible. Unbelievable, in my opinion, that they could have played two games like they played against Barcelona. So now they are in the final. I wouldn't say that they have already won their Champions League because, you know, if you lose the final, you lose the final, you haven't won the competition. But eliminating in this way, Bayern Munich and Barcelona is historical. And they will arrive at the end of the season against Paris Saint Germain or Arsenal with a lot of confidence. Also, I think that the opponent will fear more Inter after these two legs against Bayern Munich and Barcelona and the way they did play and the way as Real Madrid. You said at the beginning in a Real Madrid style, because at the end of the game it was a Real Madrid comeback from Inter. So I think that we have to be proud as Italian observer journalists and fans in general for what Inter done have done in this season, in these three season in Europe.
- [25:19]
Paul Belous
We know there's one side of fans that are extremely happy about their team, the Inter fans. But we have to talk about Barcelona too, you know, because so much has been made of this team and their journey through this tournament. I mean, they've really dazzled the Champions League this season. And also, look, there's still a lot to play for in La Liga, but I imagine the team, the fans and even Hansi Flick must be gutted about the way this has turned out in the Champions League. What did he have to say after the game?
- [25:44]
James Horncastle
Flick was gutted during the game and after the game there was a lot of frustration towards referees as well. As Flick conceded on the press conference after the game, he said that a lot of the 50, 50 decisions in the game went to Intersight, which there were a lot. But at the end of the game, at the end of the day, he also recognized that things really good and that they deserve to go through in a way and wish them the best for the final. As you said, this team has sparked a lot of the hopes in Barca fan towards football and the hopes to watch this team play football, which is something that didn't happen in recent years in the club. Fans were not having this much fun watching Barcelona play. But there is a sense as well of missed opportunity here because the momentum that had been built around this team, the fact that in a way, Barcelona trusted themselves to be, I'm not going to say invincible, but know that they could respond to anything, anything. They came back against Inter Milan in so tough circumstances, both in the first leg and then in the second leg last night, that it tells you a lot about the spirit in this team. Then the remontada against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final as well. Remontada against Atletico de Madrid in the league game that they had as well. So the mentality, the top mentality was there and that's difficult to build this sort of momentum, this sort of structure inside the team, everyone sort of understanding their roles, being happy and being in the same wavelength. And that's why this feeling of missed opportunity was there, because Barcelona have a young squad which has the best years in coming for them. La Mind d'Amal has the platform, has the quality and has everything to be in the big stages of the Champions League in the coming years. And Pedri and Gavi and Pau Cooper C a lot of the spine of this team. But to build this momentum in a football squad, it's not easy and that's what it's going to take for the future. And I'm sure that it's going to be a learning for the future. Like normally the majority of times that this sort of stuff happens, it's just fuel for the future and that's how the team has to take it. I don't know if you've seen LA minimal message in social media, but like he basically said, as I promised you, I'm going to bring that trophy back to Barcelona at some point in my life, so I'm promising that to you.
- [28:03]
Paul Belous
I mean, at 17, he's got a lot of time on his hands.
- [28:06]
James Horncastle
Yeah, he's got a lot of time, but the fact that Lamin just took it personally is something that Barca fans should be happy about because that, that is gonna mean that big things are gonna come.
- [28:27]
Ayo Akimwaleere
As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM. This season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we' special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, use bonus code theathletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code theathletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic.
- [29:04]
BetMGM Announcer
See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers. Not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text HOPE NY 467-369 In New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 Massachusetts. 1, 800 bets off in Iowa. 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan. 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico. First bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel.
- [29:28]
Ayo Akimwaleere
Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager.
- [29:41]
Ziply Fiber Announcer
When the Moore family dished cable Internet and switched to Zigly Fiber, they got so much more. Mr. Moore got more upload speed for next level gaming and live streaming to the masses. With reliable service, Mrs. Moore is no longer her family's IT guru, leaving her more time to stream games into overtime.
- [29:56]
Paul Belous
Let's go.
- [29:57]
Ziply Fiber Announcer
And young Mason Moore got more done quickly uploading HD product demos and video conferencing without FreeSync. The numbers look good. Brad, you're on mute. Switch from cable Internet to Zibli Fiber and get more of what you love for $65 less per month than cable@zibliefiber.com.
- [30:16]
Paul Belous
This is the Athletic FC podcast with IO Acamolera. We have to say something about Simone Inzaghi. We have to, because this is the third, the second Champions League final in three years for Inter. But also I think about teams like Manchester City or Real Madrid and the kind of wealth they have. Not to say Inter are poor, but they're not at the same level financially in those respects. How great is the work that he's done, but also the way he's able to improve players as we've spoken about with his technical staff as well.
- [30:53]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Yeah, he has some very, very important colleagues in his staff. He has one second assistant who is Massimiliano Faris. He has the tactical man who is Cecchi, who is in every game, the man alongside Simone and Jagi. There are very, very good trainers for the goalkeepers. As we said, the players improved. We talked about Mkhitaryan when he arrived at Inter. He wasn't so considered in his last season in Roma. In Italy, many people thought that the Mechhitorian you watched and so in England and also in the Bundesliga with Borussia, Dorton wasn't the same we have seen in Italy and he couldn't come back at those level. And he did. Calanoglu arrived from AC Milan when they couldn't find him the right final position on the pitch and it transformed him, as Mazzone did with Andrea Pirlio in the past. So From a number 10 position to a playmaker and other players dumfries the same at Cherby and many, many others. So a lot of credit to him. But I think that the most important part of his work is to involve every prayer, to manage the group, to be a leader, to be as Ancelotti, in an Ancelotti style, as the Latin said, primus inter pares. So he is the one above others. But he was a good player and you know every angle of life, the player. And as DiMarco said yesterday, for example, after the game, he knows when you are in trouble to feel lighter, how to feel you lighter. So he is very, very, very good in this. And I think also that is a bit underrated also in Italy, because we are talking also in the last week that he is losing the Scudetto and the league more than Antonio Conte and Napoli are winning the Scudetto in the league. I think that it's not so. And I think that they are going to leave the league in the next weeks because they are focused on the Champions League. I don't know if it will be conscious or unconscious, but I also know, and I'm sure that he won't leave no one behind of the group. Everyone will be involved until the last day of the season.
- [33:35]
Paul Belous
Yeah, I mean, look what a run so far and two Champions League finals in three years is no easy feat. Now, Paul, let's give you some. Some light. Lamin. Come on, man. I mean, this boy. There's a piece you and a whole heap of other journalists have got now out on the Athletic, where you've spoken to former managers, you've spoken to agents, you've spoken to coaches from around the global game on what they think this kid can offer and what his potential is moving forward at 17, becoming or feels like one of the leaders in this team, someone that can turn nothing into something. But I think something I got from that piece that you guys contributed in was that actually he doesn't just dribble for the sake of dribbling. There is actually an end product at this early point in his career, and we saw some, some of it in the second leg of that semi final.
- [34:24]
James Horncastle
Once again, the most impressive thing in this tie, in my opinion, is that when things were tough, he was like, pass me the ball, pass me the ball. Because I know what I have to do. And he's 17. And all the Barca players know that this is the way that they should approach the game. They know that the good one, the different one, the chosen one, it's him. And that comes from Pedri Kubarci, Gavi Olmo. They are all class players, world class players. But they know that there's no one in that team like Lamin Dyamal. And that's what speaks for itself and that's what makes the difference. He's just a special one. He has this, like the magic touch and that's what. Yeah, that's what he thrives on. I think that this tie has also been the confirmation that the big stage is what suits him. Like he wants to be there and he just thrives in those challenges. He just likes to be in the spotlight with everyone looking at him, with San Siro fans booing him. When he came into the speech, just like before the game, his name was chanted and like the whole fans in San Shiro were like, boo. And he smiled. He was like, yes, get in. Bring it on. I'm going to take it.
- [35:33]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Yeah.
- [35:33]
James Horncastle
There's just no words to describe the potential and to imagine what he can be because I think that we cannot at this point. It's impossible to say what he will become because it's so big and like football is an industry that is so difficult to deal with that it's impossible to make predictions. But it's going to be down on him. It's going to be down to him and how he handles it, how Barcelona handles his career. Career as well. There's a lot of factors in a football career that has, like, impact in what a player can become. But he's in the place where he dreamed to play. He's surrounded by teammates that understand him. He's surrounded by a club that they are willing to make him like the star in this project. And I think that the sort of impact and the progression that he's had throughout the last year has taught even the veteran players in that squad to just Lewandowski, Raphinha. They have to understand that the kid is like the one. They have to understand that the ball, you don't have to cross the ball to Lewandowski. You have to pass the ball to Lamina now because that's the change of guard and that's what he's proved and that's what he deserves in this Barsa team. Knowing that the club has to ensure that his progression keeps focused and in the right path.
- [36:44]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
And what was very, very good to see at the end of the game, the admiration of Inter players for La Miyamal. Thuram dimarco and others going to console him and to show him how they admired his style of play and also, as Paul said, his incredible personality.
- [37:06]
Paul Belous
Yeah, what is it like watching a player like that from an Italian lens, Max? Because Italy doesn't produce those kind of players. I mean, Lemal at 17 is quite phenomenal, but I mean, I'd hate to be demarco marking him because at half time demarco looked like he was out of steam. But, you know, to watch a play like that in your years of journalism, in your years covering football, it must be magical to see, especially at the big stage like that.
- [37:28]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
Yeah, it's magical. And the thing that is most magical, in my opinion, is that I wouldn't imagine to see a player like him after two or three years of the greatest Lionel Messi era. I thought that we needed more years to see and watch another player that can give you the feeling, the sensation, the emotion that La ML is giving us. So this is the most important thing about him. This is the magical of Yamal and football too. As Paul says, we don't know where he will arrive, it's up to him. But we know that now at this age, at this stage is better than Lionel Messi was at the same age, at the same stage.
- [38:26]
Paul Belous
Well, Paul, look, this is, this is a big season for Barca, regardless of what happened in the Champions League. Look, they've got the classico this weekend. If they beat Real Madrid, that would mean they would open up a seven points gap. Surely the players have to have their eyes firmly fixed on that at least.
- [38:46]
James Horncastle
Absolutely. Absolutely. They are favorite in La Liga. If they win against Madrid, they're going to be seven points ahead of Real Madrid with nine points to play for. So it's virtually sort of like a title decider. Of course, if they win the game and if Real Madrid want to stand any single chance to win that trophy, they must win in Montjuic because, yeah, if not, the distance between those teams will remain at four points. With three games remaining, the season has to be deemed as extremely successful at Barcelona, without a shadow of a doubt. As I said, the most important thing is that the club has revived in a way through this generation of Bamal Kuberski and through the work of Hance Flick who has gave fans back the excitement towards this team. This is just a team that you have fun watching, that you have fun following. The sort of massive following that Barca fans have showed in Champions League away games. The mood around the club is fun again, which, yeah, given the Financial constraints, all the things that we have, all the turmoil that we have spoke in a lot of podcasts. Yeah, it's been forgotten while a game is on and that's the most. That's just priceless, just for everyone at Barcelona. And yeah, looking at the weekend, it's a chance and sort of an obligation or a challenge for other players just to fight back and just to respond from a heartbreak, which was last night. But again, I'm not. I spoke a lot about the mentality of those plays and that's what made me feel a bit, I'm not going to say not worried because of course, it's a classic one. It's going to be a tough game, but I don't have any doubts that the players will have their heads focused on the game and that they will be able to respond against Real Madrid as they should do. My only concern is the legs, the fresh leg, who is available, who is not. Because we saw Inigo Martinez had to be taken out for Rona Larojo, which was not a very successful change for Barcelona, to say the least, given how Araujo defended in the last two goals that interscored. But Inigo Martinez had some discomfort, Eric Garcia had some discomfort, and with Jules Kounde out, this could be a tough absence as well. And let's see who is fit. Basically, Lewandowski was only available to play for 20 minutes last night, and that's what is possibly most concerning for Barcelona. But I think that Flick or the fan base should have no worries or concerns about the mentality in this group of players.
- [41:04]
Paul Belous
All right, gents, let's end it there. Paul and Max, thank you so much for your time and also James Horncastle for your little voice now earlier as well. Wow, what a Champions League tie. Probably one of the best in history. That's it from us. We'll be back tomorrow.
- [41:20]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network Announcer
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.
- [41:28]
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- [41:43]
Paul Belous
Let's go.
- [41:44]
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