A (2:35)

It might be the best. I mean I've been around a lot longer than you and I think it might be the. I can't remember a better quality of Football match. There might be a more emotional matches and stuff because it was a first leg and ultimately, yeah, the jeopardy wasn't that high. It's high, but it's not done. So I'd probably put World Cup Final.

C (2:57)

Yeah.

A (2:58)

In Qatar ahead of that because it was A, an incredible match. B, the emotion was mental with. With the Messi stuff and hattrick and all that. And there were some incredible performances, but the quality of the football wasn't that good, particularly from France, I thought Argentina in the first, it played really well for 80 minutes, but in this game it was just incredible.

C (3:25)

But were you at the stadium for that final? Yeah, yeah, because I watched that final. I was in Doha. I watched on a screen just because of where I was working. So I just think for me, the best. I would say the best I've seen live. But, yeah, I agree with what you're saying in terms of the World Cup Final.

A (3:40)

Yeah. And I think perhaps the most famous match until perhaps that World cup final was. Was one I played in. Alex, before you were born in 1986, quarter final of the World Cup, England, Argentina, of which actually, I'll give it a bit of a plug because it's. It's coming out soon. I've taken part in a. About that very game called. And it's done, being made by an Argentinian director who's exceptional. And I've actually watched it over the weekend. They gave me a thing and it's. It's. It's. It's really quite emotive, very powerful and beautifully done. It's called El Partido. The match. The match. And that's. I think it's on in Cannes this week or next week.

C (4:23)

Look forward to that. Look forward to that.

A (4:25)

Anyway, we should get on to some. Some football.

C (4:28)

I did have a funny story about that Paris game. I just want to quickly say. Oh, please tell us. I don't know if you saw, but I was completely stitched up by Marquinhos.

A (4:36)

No, I didn't.

C (4:37)

I missed match. Well, probably because I didn't put it on my Instagram. So all the players say what languages they speak and we get given a form by UEFA with the players in the languages. So we can work. Yeah. Ahead of time. We get matched at minus one and we get a list of every single player and the number of languages they speak. So we know who to request.

A (4:57)

So it'll be like Mbappe, French, English, Spanish.

C (5:02)

Yeah, yeah.

A (5:03)

Who's got the longest list that you've seen?

C (5:05)

I think it's Romelu, Lukaku. I think he speaks seven. It's Flemish.

A (5:13)

Sorry, that's Romelu. He's cool.

C (5:16)

He actually used to live in my building. Oh, yeah, he lived in the penthouse. That's for next week. No joking. Right, okay, Right. The languages are Flemish, Dutch, French, French, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Lingala.

A (5:31)

That's eight.

C (5:32)

That's eight.

A (5:33)

Wow.

C (5:34)

I said seven, so I robbed him of one.

A (5:35)

But what an intelligent individual. And he's been a great player as well.

C (5:39)

Yeah, I've got a few more to learn to compete with him. So we, we got Marquinhos, who speaks Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian. And he doesn't put English on it. Okay. So he says he doesn't speak English. So they actually brought him to us and I to him, okay, what language do you want to do? And he said, in Portuguese, definitely Portuguese. So I was, okay, fine. So started doing my translation with him. First question, second question, all good. And then the third, just when I asked the third question, he replies in perfect English to me.

A (6:16)

Because you just translated it into in English.

C (6:19)

Yeah. So he's obviously, like, listening to my English and he goes, do you mind if I answer this last question in English? In the most perfect English. Right. So he. He speaks in. It just looks like I'd forced him to do this translation and let me prove that I can speak Portuguese to everyone.

A (6:38)

Tell the truth.

C (6:38)

Well, then. So then I was getting all this sort of like, chat from the others. So when we got in the taxi back to the hotel, I said thank you to the driver in French or whatever. And it was actually, it was. Wayne Rooney was like, alex, you know, he speaks perfect English. Why are you just trying to show off that you speak French? So I had a bit of a tough time post match. But, yeah, Marquinhos is. Yeah, Marquinhos is a great player. And now speaks perfect English. I'll never speak. Speak to him in Portuguese again.

A (7:05)

Wow, that's a very.

C (7:07)

I think a lot of them do speak English, you know, and they say they don't because they're just. We've. We've said it before. They're just worried about saying something and it being misinterpreted. But you can understand that as well, can't you?

A (7:16)

So, yeah, anyway, I fully understand that. Yeah, very much so. Anyway, Real Madrid, they managed to win away Espanol.

C (7:25)

Yep.

A (7:26)

It was goalless at half time. If it had remained that way and Barcelona getting the victory that they did, that would have been the La Liga done.

C (7:36)

Yeah, yeah.

A (7:37)

But now it goes to the classico, which is, I think, the big story first.

C (7:40)

Yeah, I think it's an interesting one because I wonder whether those Real Madrid players actually secretly might have wanted to drop some points and make sure it doesn't happen next week in the Classico. So Barcelona have never won. I. I look back, they've never won La Liga in a classico, but Real Madrid have once back in 1930, but it hasn't happened since then.

A (8:05)

Even I wasn't born, Alex.

C (8:08)

Yeah, so. So Real Madrid have done it before, Barcelona have never done it and, you know, it would be massive for them, wouldn't, wouldn't it? So Real Madrid will do all they can to ensure that doesn't happen, but, yeah, Espanol. Still without a win in 2026. They did okay. They did okay in the game, but, yeah, Real Madrid got the win. Vinnie Jr. With two goals a second. I love the second Bellium's back heel. Then it sort of came off Vinnie's shin, but I think it, you know better than me. But I. I'm pretty sure it was intentional.

A (8:38)

Only Vinny will know the truth. But they were both cracking goals, weren't there? Yeah, both really, really good goals. And it's kind of developed a bit of a conversation, hasn't it, because Mbappe's not in the side.

C (8:49)

You could look at it that way. But you could also look at it in terms of the change of manager, because Vinnie's scored 21 goals this season and 15 of those have come under Alvaro Arboloa. And, and we know there was a bit of an. With Shabby Alonso, so, you know, he's playing a lot better since Shabby left. So maybe it's. Maybe it's to do with that as well. A lot of people say that they can't, you know, it'd be better without Vinnie and Mbappe playing together. But surely, surely, surely there's a way that they can play together, surely.

A (9:22)

Well, that has to be because they're both terrific players. I suppose the talking point really is, is defensively, because nowadays you need your players tracking back and, you know, defending. Whereas you can perhaps get away with one, not that, but with two, not necessarily. So I think it's almost certain there'll be a new coach next season. And Jose Mourinho's name, which I think we've mentioned, we've always known that Perez really liked Jose.

C (9:52)

And then the latest name this morning popped up on my phone. Unai Emery. Well, which I must say I was quite. I was quite surprised by. But, but top manager, great manager. I think he'd be a good fit. Real Madrid, but. But we'll see. We'll see. I think. I think Klopp is number one, but. Well, probably won't happen. But if Jose comes, does Vinnie leave after what happened earlier in the season, or do they just make up and move on?

A (10:21)

I think it would be a step into the. Probably tried and trusted for Real Madrid. You know, what you get with Jose is dealing with individuals and getting them to play as a team, and that's what Real Madrid need. They definitely need strengthening as well, I would say, certainly in. In midfield, that kind of. More of the holding kind of player, perhaps. They've got Jude, who's brilliant going forward and he showed that again. He looks like he's getting back to full fitness. I think a bit of positive for England as well the last couple of days. You've got Jude now looking more like the Jude Bellingham that we know. Trent's playing some football now. We don't know whether he's in the plans of Thomas Tuchel or not, but he won't be overly tired. You've got Harry Kane that won't overly tired because these. These minutes have been managed quite cleverly and they can do that at Bayern Munich. You've got Saka coming back who's missed a lot of the season, but started to look like the sacker at the weekend. So I'm a little bit more positive this week.

C (11:20)

It's coming home. It's coming home.

A (11:21)

No, shut up. Because. Yeah, I think that's a jinx, that. That nonsense, that coming out.

C (11:35)

It's not coming home. We just keep saying it's not coming home and.

A (11:37)

No, no, be a cast.

C (11:41)

Yeah, well, yeah, no, it is looking good. It is looking good. Although Alvar Aloa was getting a little bit frustrated with Trent yesterday. You could see it. He was. He was sort of. He was shouting at him from the sidelines.

A (11:51)

For what?

C (11:52)

Just his defending or lack of. Anyway. No, it was. It was a. It was a big win for Real Madrid. And I must say, I really liked one moment in the game when they. When they panned the crowd and there was an Espanol fan just clapping the second Vinnie Jr. Goal.

A (12:08)

Yeah, I did see that.

C (12:09)

Good. I love to see that. You'd never see that here, would you?

A (12:12)

I think if it was something extraordinary.

C (12:15)

But it wasn't. It wasn't extraordinary.

A (12:17)

I've seen crowds like. It's Old Trafford, you know. Pl. Didn't he get a stand Innovation. Was it. Was it Ronaldo? Brazilian Ronaldo, yes. When he scored A hat trick there or something. So you do see things like that occasionally happen when they see something that's. That's truly great.

C (12:34)

Yeah, but. But they should be worried, the fans. They should be really worried, not clapping. Real Madrid, they've had it. They've had a terrible year.

A (12:41)

Yeah, well, they had a really good start to the season.

C (12:44)

Yeah, true, true. They were up. They were up in fifth, I think.

A (12:47)

Yeah, they've fallen away into probably a position where we'd have predicted at the start of the season. I mean, they're not going to go down, I don't think. Well, they're not.

C (12:54)

No, no.

A (12:55)

So they'll be all right.

C (12:56)

They. They did well. They did well. But Real Madrid picked up the three points and it all goes down to the classico. But Real Madrid could win the classico and we'd still have Liga. It would still be Liga next week, but. But you know, Barcelona will want to win that, won't they?

A (13:10)

Oh, oh, I would say they want to win.

C (13:13)

Parade planned for Tuesday. This Tuesday had had Real Madrid drop points. They've had to postpone that.

A (13:19)

Postpone it till.

C (13:20)

Yeah, we'll see. We will see.

A (13:24)

Let's talk Barcelona and the possible league title after a break. Some follow the noise. Bloomberg follows the money. Because behind every headline is a bottom line, whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion dollar swings. There's a money side to every story. And when you see the money side, you understand what others miss.

C (13:51)

Get the money side of the story.

A (13:53)

Subscribe now@bloomberg.com. Welcome back to the Rest Is Football with Alex Alger. Me, Carolineke. Barcelona kept us waiting a little bit. Marcus Rashford had to come on in the game against Osasuna and also sooner or later they got there. Sorry, that's terrible.

C (14:20)

We've been practicing that one.

A (14:22)

No, I just suddenly thought of it. Genuinely. I just came out.

C (14:25)

That is good. That is good.

A (14:26)

I thought it was an exquisite. A little bit of play from Rashford. The way Pause, waited, waited. Lewandowski did his little bit of movement and he hit a. A pinpoint little curly cross from, from the right hand side. He's where he's kind of featured in the last two games when he's. He's come on.

C (14:44)

He's done well, hasn't he? What do you think is going to happen there? Do you think they're any closer to a decision?

A (14:49)

I genuinely don't know. I sense might not happen because I think it's one of the reasons is he's not Starting games, they might think, well, we can't do this deal or the next season.

C (15:03)

You think he'd be starting these games now if they.

A (15:07)

Well, maybe, considering the injuries that they've got, I find it a little bit baffling as. As to why otherwise? Because whenever he's come on, he's done really well.

C (15:15)

Yeah.

A (15:16)

And including again yesterday. And I'll go back to my point prior to the break about English players. Rashford. I mean, he's got. He's played the perfect amount of football not to be knackered for the World cup, when a lot of players will be. And I think he'll play on the left for England. I'd be surprised if he did. But he's. He's. Every time I've seen him, he's played really well. He's done what's asked of him. He seems to, you know, bought into it. He's not complained, which is maybe one of the reasons why he's not. He's not had much of a look in. I. I genuinely don't know. So you can. You can guess and pretend you do, but I don't think any of us does, including probably Marcus. I mean, I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and, you know, I don't think he knew. Do. Genuinely don't. At that point. I think he wants to stay and who.

C (16:05)

Who wouldn't. Well, who wouldn't want to live in Barcelona?

A (16:08)

Yeah. But it's not just that. It's playing, of course, successful. It's going to be. I mean, it's all. I mean, even if they don't do it in the Classica, they'll certainly do it after that.

C (16:19)

Yeah.

A (16:19)

And it'll be his first league title.

C (16:22)

Yeah.

A (16:23)

Yeah. So that'll be special. That would be special.

C (16:25)

Absolutely. Absolutely. And he certainly played his part. I thought it was funny that Hansi Flick didn't. What did he say? He didn't watch the Real Madrid game because he was going to El Mago pop. And he's quite a famous magician in Spain. That's quite funny. He probably had it on his phone, didn't he? I'm sure he had on his phone. Check it.

A (16:43)

I think it's the only chance that Real Madrid have got is some magical trick, to be honest, but.

C (16:47)

Yes. Yes.

A (16:48)

What about Hansi Flick? He'll still be there next season, won't he?

C (16:51)

Yeah. Hansi Flick, I'm sure, surely.

A (16:53)

No, he's done an excellent job. They're a joy to watch. Very much along the lines, aren't they? We mentioned in the first half of PSG and Bayern. I think the three teams in Europe that you really, really want to watch at the moment are Bayern Munich, PSG and Barcelona because, you know, they absolutely utterly go for it. You know, we've got some, you know, very strong teams in the Premier League, but none of them are playing like that. That kind of really high city a little bit more towards the end of this season, I think. But those, those three, fabulous to watch.

C (17:32)

Yeah, no, so good. And Rafinha's back. He was in the match day squad.

A (17:36)

Good news for Brazil, bad news for

C (17:39)

everyone else, but good news for Brazil.

A (17:41)

I mean if you end up playing a semi final and the star players injured against you. Well, yeah, maybe, yeah. Generally, you know, there's one or two big name players, haven't they got injured prior to the World cup and we're all kind of holding our breath killing Mbappe and. And of course mean Yamal without him to be fair. Barcelona, yeah, I mean they've got good strength in depth. Barcelona, the fact that still Marcus Rashford's not starting is, says a lot about that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

C (18:10)

Theon Torres coming off the bench to score the second. But they did leave it late but they got the job done.

A (18:15)

Where's Robert going to go? I presume he's leaving, isn't he? Which pretty much, yeah.

C (18:20)

He's had an amazing season though, hasn't he?

A (18:22)

I mean he does. He still gets in and scores the goal. Well, I think they will. They'll need to replace him and it won't be easy. I mean, I would imagine they'll get someone younger, perhaps a bit more dynamic now because, you know, Lewandowski's late 30s.

C (18:35)

He's still got it though. He's still got it.

A (18:37)

What a performer he's been from Barcelona and what that was a terrific header from. From Rashford's cross as well. So yeah, he's been a. He's a credit to the sport. Actually. I'm long time admirer of Lewandowski, what he's done for the game. Not, you know, particularly, I suppose, at Bayern Munich and latterly at Barcelona and. And for his national team, absolute credit. But it's Barca's league. It's Barca's league.

C (19:01)

But they really wanted the Champions League. They'd have taken the Champions League, wouldn't they? Over. They'd have wanted the Champions League over La Liga. 100%.

A (19:08)

Yeah. I think they want you get a bit closer to Real Madrid's tally, but I don't think anyone's ever going to reach that.

C (19:14)

No.

A (19:15)

I always think the true judgment of your season is. Is your league, though, because that needs consistency. A one off you can lose. Like Barcelona lost against Atletico. But Barcelona were significantly the better side, I think, in both games. Yeah, but that can happen in football. Whereas in the league. In the league, you know, the team that is the most consistent will. You can't say we were unlucky to miss out on the league this season. The best team wins it. It. Best team. Sometimes it's incredibly tight. Might be goal difference or something. But he. But generally. Generally it's not about luck. Whereas it's very hard to win the Champions League. But an element of fortune is always required.

C (19:58)

Yeah, especially. Yeah. Especially in the final.

A (20:00)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So you. What's Eric say about Athletic?

C (20:04)

What's Eric saying?

A (20:08)

They put the reserves in. They put the reserves in, as you would expect. Because that's quite a big game they've got coming up on Tuesday, which I presume you'll be at.

C (20:17)

I am. So I'm off to the Emirates soon and I'll be interviewing our mate, Simeone. No, Eric is. Well, he was happy at the weekend because he made 11 changes, which is. Which is pretty mental. And they won 2 nil against Valencia, Letico, Madrid, B, Atletic Madrid Juniors. I don't know what you want to call it, but yeah, amazing that he. He can do that and. And still get the result against Valencia. I know. Are struggling down the bottom of the table.

A (20:45)

I think they're going to stay up, though, Valencia, aren't they? Just.

C (20:47)

I think, just. Probably. Probably, yeah. Simeone's 1,000th game as a professional coach. 795 with Athletico Madrid. It's a lot of games that. It's a lot of games.

A (21:03)

I mean, that is. I mean, he's amazing, isn't it? Because he's never lost that. Absolute drive.

C (21:09)

Yeah.

A (21:10)

To stay at a club that long. There are not many elite coaches that have done that. I can think of Ferguson, Wenger was there a very long time at Arsenal. But also the commitment, the passion. You see him even in a game where he's put his reserves out and he's standing on the sideline. It doesn't really mean that much. They're certain to get Champions League. They've got a Champions League semi final on Tuesday. Huge game which is tied. Yet when the decision was turned for the second goal, when they gave offside. And then Var looked at it and he was on side and he's celebrating. You Think, yeah, wow. And you're already winning the game.

C (21:51)

It's just so passionate. So passionate. But, yeah, it was two academy players scoring in that. So the kids showed up and. And delivered. I think I'm concerned for Athletico Madrid at the Emirates because I was working the game on Sase at the Emirates and they were so good. I mean, Fulham weren't great, but Arsenal were playing like they were playing sort of back in. Back in the autumn. They played so well. And I asked Califuri. I asked Ricardo Califuria after the game, I said to him, like, what's made the difference? You know, what's made the difference?

A (22:21)

Please tell me.

C (22:21)

He said, me, no, he didn't. He didn't. He didn't. He didn't. I sort of teed him up for that, but he didn't say that. And he's. He's definitely not lacking confidence, but he didn't say that. He said, I'm gonna have to re. Watch the game and then I'll tell you. I was like, okay, re. Watch it. Tell me on Tuesday. So we'll. I'm still waiting to hear. But, yeah, no, they played so well. So I think Atletico Madrid might. Might struggle, but they might not. Julian Alvarez will be back. He's. He's had an injury, but he's going to be fit. Sorloth will be back and Juliano Simeone will be back, so. So the. The big boys are returning. The kids will be back on the bench. Should be a good game. Should be a good game. Probably not as good as. As buying psg. Sort of wish I was there, but still would be a good game.

A (23:05)

Has Eric said anything? Because you just said.

C (23:07)

He said a lot. He always says a lot. I don't know why he said, yeah. The player that most Athletico fans and staff are worried about is Saka. Becoming good at the wrong time of the season at the right time. And then what's he saying? Yeah, he's saying, 2015-16 season knocked out Bayern in the semis. Smash and grab. Beat PSG away from home last season in the group stage 2 1. Another smashing grab. Lewis, Enrique after that game. Tengo master football.

A (23:38)

I've had more than 30 years in football and I can't explain it.

C (23:41)

He says, I'm worried about that Ruggeri flank. He's been very poor these last few weeks. Hauled off at halftime in the Cup Final. So we'll see. We'll see.

A (23:49)

We will. We will. There's one more thing. Yeah, well, actually, I just want to point Molina, because he had again two incredible shots, didn't. Long distance pile drivers that I think we should probably have a quick look at. Now look at. I mean, wow. That's one that hits the bar from about, I don't know, what, 40, 45 yards.

C (24:11)

Yeah. Crashed back off the post into. Yeah. And then. And Largey Ramanzani, our mate Largie. Yeah. He also hit the post late in the first half of Valencia. Another game worth mentioning in La liga this weekend. Villarreal's 51 win at home to Levante. Some brilliant goals scored in that. And it means they have qualified for the Champions League once again. Back to back seasons for the very first time, which is an incredible achievement. But we all know how it went for them in the Champions League this season. They're gonna hope it goes a lot better next season. It was strange that, wasn't it? Because they were playing really well in the league and then just. Just not showing up in the Champions League. Hard to explain. Yeah. But hopefully they can buy some players and. And do better next season. But still a big achievement. And. And finishing third in La Liga is also massive achievement.

A (25:08)

No, it really is. And emphatic victory at the weekend. That will be in the roundup. Alan. Alex. Alan.

C (25:17)

Alan.

A (25:20)

That will be in the roundup, Alex. Which I'm sure you can do for us in your customarily brilliant way.

C (25:27)

Right, let's round out the rest of the results then. Mallorca dragged Girona back into the relegation battle as they leapfrogged them in the table to move up to 15th. Samu Costa's 43rd minute strike sealed the victory on Friday night. Athletic Club moved up to 8th place with a 4 sue win over struggling Alaves. Alaves were 1 nil and 21 up, but late goals from Ohan Sance and a brace for Nico Williams saw the Basque club comfortably take the points. Celta Vigo strengthened their claim for a return to European football next season thanks to a 31 win over Elche. The goals coming from Hugo Alvarez, Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias Raya. Vallecano bagged an impressive 20 away win at Getafe thanks to goals from Sergio Cameo and Randy Niketia. And finally two goals from Cucho Hernandez and a third from Abze Azulli. Gabriel Bettenham this a 30 win over bottom club Rail Oviedo.

A (26:25)

I. I spotted just a tiny little smirk when you mentioned one name in there. I looked, just noticed your lip just turned up just a fraction. And that would be Alex.

C (26:43)

I don't know. I'm not sure. I was just enjoying reading it.

A (26:46)

Randy.

C (26:47)

Yeah. Yeah. Randy. What a name. What? I know. That's good. That is a good name. Anyway, that's our name of the week.

A (26:55)

Okay, well, let's conclude there we'll be back with the rest is football. I think we've got a quiz for you on Wednesday. So which was we've recorded already was a lot of fun. But for this episode of the rest of football La liga, that's it. Goodbye from me.

C (27:14)

Goodbye from me.

B (27:26)

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