The Rest Is Football

Episode: "Valverde Dominates, Premier League Disappoints & Pep’s Odd Choices"

Release Date: March 12, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

Episode Overview

This lively installment dives into a sobering week for Premier League clubs in Europe, analyzing why English sides stumbled across the Champions League last 16, with detailed debriefs on key games. The trio scrutinizes Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s puzzling tactical tweaks, Real Madrid’s timely resurgence led by Federico Valverde, and the fortunes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Spurs, and Chelsea in Europe. The conversation rounds out with honest discussion about managerial pressure at Tottenham, VAR controversies, standout player performances, and a somber note on World Cup politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

English Clubs' Champions League Woes

Opening Thoughts (01:10)
- Gary sets the tone: none of the six Premier League teams in Europe won a match—an “alarming” downturn in form.
- All three react with equal parts disbelief and resigned humor.

Newcastle vs Barcelona: A Silver Lining

Alan praises Newcastle’s performance (01:49, 02:26)
- "Best performance of the week in the Champions League from the English clubs."
- Notes Eddie Howe's successful tactical setup, especially given squad rotation.
- Shearer recalls restraining himself as co-commentator for Newcastle:
  
  “Did you see the little [twitch] when the cross went in from Jacob Murphy? I had to stop myself going ‘Yeah!’” (04:42)

Arsenal’s Fortunate Draw & The Controversial Penalty

Penalty Analysis (06:07, 06:41)
- Debate over the legitimacy of the awarded penalty versus Leverkusen. Alan and Micah agree contact was minimal but justify referee's call ("I thought he'd clipped him and it was a penalty.” – Micah, 06:58).
- Gary notes that Arsenal now look best positioned to advance, though Alan favors Liverpool’s prospects.

Modern Pitch Conditions & Players Slipping

Why So Many Slips? (08:00–09:51)
- Discussion about the impact of new pitch technologies—mixes between grass and artificial surfaces, heavy watering, and players’ preference for molded boots over traditional studs.
- Micah:
  
  “For some reason, you feel more mobile in molds than studs. Studs feel too heavy… When I had molds on, I felt like Cafu down the wing.” (09:20)

Real Madrid 4–1 Man City: Guardiola’s Gambles

Pep’s Tactical Experiments (10:31–15:27)
- Gary notes the “odd” team selection:
  
  “There’s no natural fullback… It was a strange formation and way they played.” (10:31)
- Micah adds Man City were favorites but “defense were all over the shot.” (11:26)
- Discussion of Valverde’s impact, Madrid’s discipline, and Haaland’s lack of involvement.
- Shearer on Valverde:
  
  “That’s as good a hat-trick as you’re going to see for a long while… The finishes were just incredible.” (14:40)

Haaland’s Struggles

Where’s the Spark? (15:27–19:54)
- Micah observes Erling Haaland’s muted presence:
  
  “He used to score not being involved, but now he’s not involved and he’s not scoring.” (15:27)
- Alan & Gary explain the difference between playing as a lone striker and having a partner up top:
  
  “It is a different skill set… you have to make your runs off your partner in many ways.” (17:21–18:58)
- All agree Haaland “will be hating this moment” as he slumps in front of goal.

Did Pep Get It Wrong?

Square Pegs, Round Holes (20:06–21:13)
- Alan: “Defensively they were far outdone… They gave up big chances and got punished.”
- Gary:
  
  “It just seemed like a lot of square blocks in round holes.”
- Micah defends some of Pep’s logic, but credits “the individual brilliance of Valverde that turned the game.” (21:04–22:21)

Are La Liga Teams Fresher for Europe?

(23:09)
- Gary ponders if fixture congestion and lack of winter breaks hinder English teams compared to Spain, Germany, and France.
  
  “They always look after their teams… We don’t necessarily think that way.”

Spurs’ Turmoil at Atletico

Keeper Crisis & Managerial Mishaps (25:37–31:42)
- Gary deems Spurs’ loss at Atletico “not entirely surprising”.
- Alan lambasts manager Igor Tudor for coldly subbing young goalkeeper Kinski after two errors.
  
  “For Tudor to just blank him on the way past… That was the most cutting thing for me.” (27:18)
- Micah: “It was quite embarrassing… Stick with him until half time, show some empathy.”
- Discussion on the club’s decline, likening the situation to Karius’ fall at Liverpool after the UCL final.
- Micah calls for a managerial change, with relegation fears looming:
  
  “I think for his career… and for Spurs to get safe, they need to make the change.”

Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea: Mixed Fortunes

Arsenal – Decent shape after an unremarkable but solid home result.
- Micah raves about Leverkusen’s Grimaldo:
  
  “His left foot is not normal… I just love watching him.” (33:11)
- Gary: “It’s hard to be too critical… Still think they are a bit short up top.”
Liverpool – Expected to overturn a narrow Galatasaray defeat at Anfield.
- Gary:
  
  “On another day, Liverpool could have scored three in that first half—put the game to bed.” (35:43)
- VAR controversy over Osimhen’s disallowed goal ("terrible, terrible decision” – Gary, 37:05) and another handball error.
Chelsea – Praise for attacking approach under Resinha despite defensive weaknesses and a 5-2 loss to PSG.
- Micah bullish:
  
  “I think Resinha is cooking up a storm… Tactically, this guy has got it.” (39:04)
- Alan calls it “a big call when they’ve just been dumped 5-2!” (41:13)

World Cup & Politics: Iran Withdrawal

(41:42–44:40)
- Somber reflection on Iran’s pullout from the upcoming World Cup and the political chaos surrounding the event.
- Gary:
  
  “It is worrying… If only tribalism was left to football, not everything else in life.”
- The trio mourns how politics has become inseparable from football, noting previous World Cup controversies and expressing hope for peace.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Alan on Newcastle vs Barcelona:
“Best performance out of all the English teams this week.” (01:49)
Micah on his preferred boots:
“I felt like Cafu down the wing. I’m telling you!” (09:20)
Gary on Pep’s gambles:
“It just seemed like a lot of square blocks in round holes.” (20:37)
Alan on Valverde:
“The finishes were just incredible… a brilliant, brilliant hat-trick.” (14:40)
Micah on Haaland’s struggles:
“He used to score not being involved, but now he’s not involved and he’s not scoring.” (15:27)
Alan on Tudor’s treatment of Spurs’ keeper:
“For Tudor to just blank him on the way past... That was the most cutting thing for me.” (27:18)
Micah, bullish on Chelsea’s manager:
“Tactically, this guy has got it. I’m telling you, Chelsea, the way they played through PSG...” (39:04)
Gary on World Cup crises:
“If only tribalism was left to football. Just not everything else in life.” (44:40)

Notable Timestamps

01:49: Alan hails Newcastle’s display vs Barcelona.
06:41: Debate over Arsenal’s penalty.
08:00–09:51: Why footballers slip so much—modern pitches and boot choices.
10:31–15:27: Dissection of Man City’s defeat at Madrid and Valverde’s brilliance.
15:27–19:54: Haaland’s frustrations and the nuances of striker partnerships.
20:06–22:33: Did Pep overcomplicate things? Was Valverde just that good?
25:37–31:42: Spurs’ keeper crisis, managerial troubles, and relegation fears.
33:11: Micah raves about Arsenal’s and Leverkusen’s left-backs.
35:17–37:48: Liverpool's missed opportunities and VAR controversies.
39:04: Micah’s bold faith in Resinha's Chelsea.
41:42–44:40: Iran’s World Cup withdrawal, political chaos, and a plea for peace.

Summary

The episode delivers a spirited, humorous, and sometimes sobering analysis of English football’s European frustrations, rich in tactical detail and player insight, laced with witty anecdotes and poignant asides about the world game. Whether impassioned debates about rookie keepers or broader footballing lessons about pressure, confidence, and politics, "The Rest is Football" proves again why it’s essential listening for the devoted fan.