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- [00:00]
A
This podcast is brought to you by Carvana. Car shopping shouldn't feel like preparing for a marathon of paperwork. That's why Carvana makes buying and financing your car easy. From start to finish. Search thousands of vehicles with great prices, all online, all on your time. And when you're ready, your new car shows up right at your door. It doesn't get better than that. Buy your car the easy way on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. This episode is brought to you by Peloton Break through the busiest time of year with the brand new Peloton Cross Training Tread plus, powered by Peloton iq. With real time guidance and endless ways to move, you can personalize your workouts and train with confidence, helping you reach your goals in less time. Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push and go. Explore the new peloton cross training tread +@onepalaton.com hey, it's Brooklyn Adams and I'm partnering with Abercrombie to tell you about the newest drop from their active brand. Your personal Best YPB leggings are made with buttery soft fabrics that hug you in all the right places and common Abercrombie's viral curve love fit designed to eliminate waist gap. Paired with sports bras and super soft sweatshirts. It's activewear that supports every part of my busy lifestyle and gives me my best butt ever. Heading to the new year, feeling your personal best Shop Active by Abercrombie in the app, online and in stores.
- [01:26]
B
Coming up on today's show, Barcelona were crowned Spanish super cup champions after a thrilling El Clasico match against Real Madrid. Back in Spain, Villareal picked up an important three points to keep the pressure on at the top of La Liga with a comfortable win against Alaves. Espanyol, however, couldn't capitalise as they were held to a draw against relegation threatened Levante. Stay tuned for all the. Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football La Liga episode with Alex Aljo and me, Gary Lineker. Well Alex, we've been thrown a curveball here because we actually we've we're now recording this on Monday evening and the news has broken that Xabi Alonso has parted company with Real Madrid. The club have issued a statement. I'll read that in a minute. So we actually recorded most of the podcast this morning, but I know you're on a night out Alex, but you were good enough to jump on for five minutes to discuss the situation because obviously the club was completely inconsiderate towards our podcast and and so it would have been slightly Dated if it had gone out as currently is. So what we'll do, we'll talk about the Alonso situation now and then we'll hand over to the rest of the podcast where we discussed, obviously, the super cup game in which Real Madrid lost to Barcelona by three goals to two, and subsequently a few La Liga matches that took place this weekend. But obviously it's been muted. For some time he was under pressure, then he lost this particular classico, although it was in style, I thought it was a cracking game of football. Are you surprised?
- [03:25]
A
Yeah, really, really surprised. Massive shock. I've heard most of the Real Madrid fan base in shock as well. Nobody saw this coming. I was saying on the podcast earlier that they. They played well. There were loads of positives to take from the game. It's not like they got thrashed by Barcelona. Had they been thrashed by Barcelona, I would have said, of course, yes, it's the end of Xabi Alonso. That would have been the front page of Marker and. And asked this morning. But it. But it wasn't. It was a good performance and it seems like they're building something good there. So, yes, a huge shock. I have been speaking to people in Madrid that know more than I do right now, and they were saying the issue was the respect, wasn't there. So actually the respect from who to who? The players, the players, towards Xabi Alonso as a manager. Because obviously we've spoken about how good he was as a player and. And how all the players, I'm sure, have a huge amount of respect for him in that sense. But I've heard that during this trip to Jeddah, the players weren't taking things overly seriously. And then walking out of video sessions and not wanting to listen to Xabi Alonso and anything he had to say, which is obviously the beginning of the end, when your players aren't listening to.
- [04:36]
B
The manager, if you lose the dressing.
- [04:37]
A
Room, of course, and I think that's what they were saying. An example is I was there at the Clasico back in October when Vinicius Jr. Wasn't happy about coming off the bench and he made it very clear and he should have been benched for the next game. You know, the way he spoke to his manager in front of everyone that day, and it was. It was not a good look and he should have been disciplined, he should have been benched. But Xabi Alonso did not have the power to bench him the next game, which was against Valencia. So I think he started that game. Double check that.
- [05:06]
B
So you're saying when he Said he didn't have the power to bench him. You think powers that be from above the pressure. Lonzo said to him, no, you can't do that.
- [05:14]
A
We're talking about Florentino Perez here overruling Xabi Alonso. I'm sure wanted to you bench Vinicius because you can't. You can't behave like that, can you? The way Venice's junior behaved that day. But from what I heard, these talks were already happening prior to the trip to Jeddah before the new year. I'm actually hearing that he's being linked to to Liverpool.
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B
So they have got a coach that won the league last season. I mean, it is a mad world though. They've had a good run lately in.
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A
Football, don't they Gary?
- [05:42]
B
Yeah, they really do. Let me read out the club's statement. It goes as follows. Real Madrid, the FA announces that by mutual agree agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to terminate his contract. As head coach of the first team, Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madridistas as he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home, our club. Thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication throughout this period and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of of their lives. He's been there seven months, Alex. He did a brilliant job at Leverkusen for two years. I mean you look at his record and by most clubs standards this would be really pretty impressive. But this is Real Madrid, of course. 34 matches, 24 wins, four draws and six defeats. In all games in La Liga there was second, of course. They've played 19, won 14 drawn, three lost just two games. And in the Champions League they're currently seventh, which is in that top block, which would mean automatic qualification. For the last 16 they've played 614 and lost two. They reached the semi finals, the Club World cup, which we covered of course, before they got spanked by PSG 4 nil. The man taking over is Alvaro Arbeloa, who we know of course, they're very good friends.
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A
They're really.
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B
They might not be any longer.
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A
Oh, I'm sure you're.
- [07:11]
B
Well, he's currently in charge of Real Madrid, Castilla, the second team.
- [07:17]
A
So we'll see how that goes. But surely this is not what the club wants.
- [07:22]
B
Well, it's turmoil, isn't it?
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A
And what the fan base as well. They love Jabby Alonso.
- [07:27]
B
Yeah, I mean, I don't understand it personally. I think if you bring someone like that, he's relatively young, he's probably still learning his, his trade in many ways and it's a big job. It takes time. I suppose you've got massive egos in that dressing room and if they are.
- [07:44]
A
Labor cues in dressing room.
- [07:45]
B
Yeah, very different, Very different. And club, he'll. He'll know that though he was part of Real Madrid, he's one of their players. A terrific footballer at Real Madrid for, for years.
- [07:56]
A
Although he's not one of those players, he never was one of those players with a massive ego. I remember he played there when I, when I worked there back in the day and he was one of the nicest, you know.
- [08:06]
B
That's good to know. It doesn't surprise me. It comes up, always comes over as a real gen. I think personally it's premature, obviously we don't know everything and if the players are causing trouble, if you lose the dressing, you're in trouble. We all know that. And one man really decides there and he doesn't tend to be particularly faithful. The president, Trentino, Perez. Yeah, exactly. And they're ruthless. It's a ruthless football club. I. It seems a strange timing though. I think that, you know, they've still got lots to play for this season. I suppose it's just until the end of the season at the moment. Arboloa, is he going to be better than Xabi Alonso? He's not been doing particularly brilliantly with Castilla, so I'm not overly surprised.
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A
I'm disappointed.
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B
I'm disappointed because I really like him and I loved what he did at Leverkusen and that first season achievement was extraordinary.
- [09:00]
A
He needed time. Just look at Mikel Arteta as an example, a young manager of that Arsenal team and he. Time. And I know we all joked about the trust the process, trust the process, but actually sometimes you just need to trust the process a little bit. But Real Madrid aren't very good at doing that. That'll be a job for Xabi and I wish him all the best. I wish him successful because he's a good guy and I think a top manager as well. So.
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B
Yeah, I agree. I think he'll get another ex. Very good job. It's, it's, it's very difficult football club to coach at because obviously it's a club, you know, they buy superstars, that's what they do and then it's up to you to sort them out. They don't necessarily go, right, who do you want? How do we fit into Your system of playing all this.
- [09:43]
A
He had no say. Well, that's what I've been told.
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B
That's amazing. You've got no say, right? This is what you're going to get. You've got no say, but as soon as it goes wrong, you are the one that gets the sack. And that's for me.
- [09:56]
A
Yeah.
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B
And that's the way the game's going. And it's not just Real Madrid either. I think, let's be fair, there's lots of clubs like that. We've seen it in here in the Premier League in recent weeks, haven't we? You know, the suits are taking over the game and is that. I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing. I think they've always been this way at Real Madrid.
- [10:13]
A
Yeah.
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B
Considering the way they do go about things, it's remarkable how. How successful they've been, but generally, if you can just go and buy the world superstars, it's. Yeah. So I. It baffles me a little bit. I'm not overly surprised, but I think, I mean, they lost to Barcelona, obviously, in the. The super cup, but they also beat Barcelona this season.
- [10:34]
A
Yeah, he did.
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B
And if you go back to last season and they could have.
- [10:39]
A
Easily taken it, you know, that a couple of really good chances at the end there and things could be very different, you know, had they lifted that trophy last night. Don't know. Xavi Lonzo would probably still be in the job.
- [10:49]
B
So let's. Let's assume that Arbolo is just interim until the end of the season. I mean, what names will be talking about? Zinedine's a damn. But there's a lot of talk that he's hanging on for France, the national team.
- [11:01]
A
Yeah.
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B
I don't know there's any truth in that. Someone like Jurgen Klopp, obviously, I think.
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A
Would be a good fit.
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B
You know, Jurgen Klopp be a good fit for anyone. He's so, so brilliant. So that's a possibility. Anyone else you can think of?
- [11:14]
A
This Carlo Ancelotti, what wins the World cup with Brazil and has comes back to Real Madrid.
- [11:20]
B
Why not do it a third time? You know, I mean, the Ancelotti way is probably the way to. To coach your manager at Real Madrid. Let the players have a bit of power, lean into them a little bit, let them do their magic.
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A
It definitely worked.
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B
Although it didn't work last season.
- [11:36]
A
No, it worked. It worked.
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B
It does. It does work for a time.
- [11:42]
A
It's not an easy job. One of the toughest jobs.
- [11:46]
B
It's really. All right, Alex, I'll let you go on your night out. Now, please interrupt.
- [11:51]
A
Me. I'm not blaming Xavi Florentino.
- [11:54]
B
Yes. So inconsiderate. So considerate. Never. Never didn't bear us in mind at all. But the rest of the pod where we talk about the game will be with you. Well, right now, the Spanish super cup has been taking place in Saudi Arabia. Athletic, Bill Bao, Athletic Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona took part. We ended up with a classico final between the two big dogs. And, well, it didn't disappoint, that's for sure. So we'll spend the first half of the show, which I imagine will be a bit more than a half because there's lots to discuss on. On the Super Cup. And in the second half, we'll. We'll see what happened in one or two of the fixtures in La Liga. But before of that, Alex, where you. I don't recognize that background.
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A
I'm in Manchester. I was covering the FA cup this weekend.
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B
Which games did you do?
- [12:57]
A
I was at Wrexham. Oh, that was amazing.
- [12:59]
B
That was a good game.
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A
Through, through on penalties, knocking Nottingham Forest out. Then I was at Everton, Sunderland. And then I'm on my way up north, further north, where I'm gonna. I'm actually gonna see Alan Tomorrow. Ahead.
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B
Mr. Shearer.
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A
Mr. Shearer. Mr.— Shearer. Ahead of Newcastle Manch leg in the League Cup.
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B
Guess you're meeting him in a pub.
- [13:20]
A
Yeah. 4:30 in the afternoon. And I said. I said, are you gonna start on the beers that early? And you know the answer, so.
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B
Well, the answer probably would have been no. I'd have already started at lunchtime.
- [13:32]
A
Exactly, exactly. So, yeah, fun few days. Fun few days.
- [13:36]
B
Very nice. Well, we'll kick off with the final. Obviously, there were two games prior to that. Barcelona thumped Bilbao 5 nil. And then Real Madrid beat Atletico. Maybe fortunate, probably a little bit fortunate, maybe this is the moment we get Eric's take on because he's an integral part of this podcast now.
- [13:59]
A
Yeah, yeah. I spoke to Eric this morning. He said Real Madrid always seem to win the derbies that matter, apart from the one in 2013. More on that later. He said a very decent performance against Real Madrid. So he's actually really positive this morning. Well, I think that did play well for Eric. Defense look better, boss the midfield for long periods of the game, they have more possession, which never happens against Real Madrid and doesn't happen too often against any team, for that matter. He said Green shoots. Perhaps Green shoots. Cover Del Rey. Up next. Simeone might actually show some interest as it is the best shot we have at a title. And then he's just saying it's going to be an interesting transfer window as well with Gallagher, Raspadori and Almada, maybe.
- [14:42]
B
That's remarkably upbeat. Remarkably upbeat. I would say that one. Eric, I'm so good to hear.
- [14:48]
A
It was. It was a narrow win for Real Madrid. The highlight for me of that game was Fede Valverde's unbelievable goal. So good. What a player and what a goal. But yeah, Real Madrid 2 1, 21 win to get to the final to set up a classico.
- [15:04]
B
And it was a classic classico, wasn't it? Breathtaking. I mean, the mental 10 minutes before half time where both teams scored twice, including a wonder goal from Vinicius Junior.
- [15:16]
A
He hadn't scored for 16 games either, had he? So ended a long goal drought for him. So he'll be delighted to be back on, on the score sheet because when you have gone, it's a long old time, isn't it, without scoring. How does that affect a player, would you say, Gary? 16 games without a goal?
- [15:32]
B
No idea. Alex can't imagine going that long without a goal. But it has to have some sort of effect. He's been getting a bit of grief as well from some of the, some of the supporters. There's a lot of talk about, you know, whether he'd be exiting Real Madrid. I would imagine, however he plays in his head, he would have found it very, very difficult. But what a way to come out of a run like that. I mean, it was such an individual effort, obviously, to describe it. I mean, he, he took on Kunde, didn't he, down the left hand side of the pitch and then he cut in, he nutmegged him, cut inside and then finished it with some style. Breathtaking goal. It's actually the equalizer, wasn't it, because. Because Raphinha had already given Barcelona the lead and that wasn't a bad goal either.
- [16:21]
A
Yeah, Yeah. I was actually surprised that Vinnie Jr. Was taken off. I don't know whether he had a niggle or felt something because I would have thought that taking off Rodrigo may have been a better idea. Maybe the fact that he'd brought Kylian Mbappe on him and wanted to give, give him more, more room or whatever. But I, I don't know why, I don't know why I took Vinnie Jr. Off because he was having an. A brilliant game.
- [16:46]
B
Yeah, I mean, make some interesting decisions sometimes. Yeah. Balonzo, and particularly I think around Vinicius, I, you know, that everyone's saying, no, there's nothing going on there, it's fine, everything's great, as you would expect them to say. But particularly I've been, you know, ended that gold drought. Because what often happens after a gold drought, once you get one, whether it bounces off your backside or you beat two or three men like Vinicius did, then once you get one of those, then, then it tends, you tend to start scoring again. I mean, I've been through spells where I haven't scored nothing like as long as that.
- [17:21]
A
Two, three games.
- [17:23]
B
I was, I was, you know, I was a striker as well. He's more of a winger, isn't he? Let's be honest. And you go a few games and then suddenly you get one break and then it's like you can't stop scoring again. So it wasn't. I thought, I thought the same. It was a strange thing to take that point. Unless, of course, there was a reason. Unless, you know, you never know, do you? Few knocks or so, but, you know, this is a big game. Well, it doesn't work because you'll be judged ultimately by what happens after you make those decisions.
- [17:53]
A
Speaking of strange Jabi Alonso decisions, I was actually really surprised at the way Real Madrid set up to begin with. It was so, so defensive, which is not what the Madridistas want to see. They sat back and I was just, just. I was really surprised by that. And they let Barcelona take it to them, which, which, which they did. But in a massive game, a big final. This is Real Madrid. Why are they doing that? I'm sure the Madrid weren't overly happy.
- [18:17]
B
I imagine it was part of a game plan where he thought that if we counterattack against Barcelona's high line, because if they press right up, I would think if he just thinks if we defend properly, hit them on the counter attack, then it will give them a better chance of victory. So I think that was a tactical ploy. Obviously it didn't pay off because they didn't win. Yeah, but I think that was half how they played the first time when they had a bit more success against Barcelona. So, yeah, I, I think that would have been a tactical ploy. If it doesn't work and you lose the game, then it's, It's a double negative in a way.
- [18:58]
A
Yeah.
- [18:58]
B
Because people will then go, well, Real Madrid, that's not how Real Madrid play football. We don't play counter attack football. But I understand it from a tactical perspective of what he was trying to achieve. But Barcelona are a hard team to Defend against. Even if you sit in a relatively low block.
- [19:14]
A
Yeah.
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B
I mean, they've got so much talent and I mean, I love the way Barcelona play. At times it seems crazy the way they do it without pressure on the ball, but I hope he continues to have success playing this way. Hansi Flick, what's the eight finals he's.
- [19:29]
A
Now been in and he's won and. And Barcelona, eight out of eight. That's unbelievable, isn't it?
- [19:37]
B
I'll give you an even better stat that obviously was put on the group chat this morning. So you would have seen it. Barcelona have scored 256 goals under Hansy Flick in just 88 games. 2.99 goals per game. And I reckon that is almost three again.
- [19:59]
A
That is a crazy stat, isn't it?
- [20:01]
B
It's incredible. I mean, I know they've got amazing talent and I know sometimes they'll wipe the floor with teams, but that consistency and, and it is. It's largely caused by the way Flick plays because he plays so high. I mean, it goes against everything that you learn as a young player, particularly for defenders and stuff. But. But boy, didn't half bring joy to the game of football. It's just we'll outscore you. Will outscore you. That's his attitude. And also they'll get. Create many more opportunities because they're so high when they win the ball. If you win the ball up high, you've got not as far to go. The only thing I would say on it sometimes is that when teams are attacking you, you've got no pressure on the ball and they actually. Defense actually go towards the ball rather than drop off. Is. Is. I mean it's, it's. It's mind boggling. But it's fun.
- [20:56]
A
Yeah, it is fun. And I think they're all on the same page, which is. Which is important as well. They look like a proper team, don't they? And you say there's so much talent in that Barcelona squad, which. There is. There's also so much talent in that Real Madrid squad. But I think the difference is, and we saw it with Carlo Ancelotti, is that they rely too much on those moments of brilliance. That Vinicius Jr. Moment we were, we were talking about just now. And I think that is the issue with this Real Madrid team. They're still relying on individuals as opposed to that overall team performance, which is. Which is what we saw from Barcelona. The commentator last night actually compared Barcelona to Pep City team, which.
- [21:33]
B
Pep City team though, which now compared now.
- [21:37]
A
Yeah, and I Don't know about that. I'm not sure.
- [21:41]
B
Well, no, they're not Manchester City. I mean, Manchester City play high.
- [21:46]
A
Yeah.
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B
And there is a degree of truth in that. They love to win the ball back very high. If they give it away, they're immediately all over you. And there are similarities in that sense that where the similarities probably change. And Manchester City can be vulnerable to the counter attack, naturally for a team that plays really high. So I get, I get why he's making the comparison. But Manchester City don't push forward from their back four very often if there's no pressure on the ball. And the thing about that is when you've got time on the ball to make a pass forward, it's very easy for the forward to time he's run and you can even run deep from midfield. So I don't see that crazy nature of. In Manchester City's side. And I would say at the moment, overall, Barcelona probably have better players.
- [22:40]
A
Yes.
- [22:40]
B
What they've produced at Barcelona, mainly through. Mainly through their academy, is quite remarkable. And it's not the first time it's happened.
- [22:47]
A
The player of the match, the mvp. I know you love that, Gary. MVP of the Spanish Super Cup Final.
- [22:54]
B
The Americanization of that game.
- [22:57]
A
Superior player of the match. The man of the match was Rafinha.
- [23:01]
B
Yeah, I'm quite right.
- [23:02]
A
Good was Rafinha. Honestly, two goals and I think he's. Since he's come back from injury, he's just been so key and he was a contender for the Ballon d' or last season, wasn't he?
- [23:12]
B
Well, a lot of people thought that he, he should have won it.
- [23:15]
A
Yeah.
- [23:16]
B
And he, he was certainly a just, you know, justified contender. No question about that. I mean, obviously it counted against him, the fact they didn't win the Champions League and Dembele did. There wasn't a lot in it last season. I don't think between three or four players he could have conceivably won it. I don't think there been too many complaints. But also I think Dembele probably deserved it for the amazing year that, that he had.
- [23:40]
A
Surely Champions League is now main priority for Hansi Flick as well this season. You mentioned the eight finals. He's won the eight finals. But the Champions League is the one, isn't it, for Barcelona this season.
- [23:52]
B
The remarkable thing I thought that he wasn't named in the best 11. FIFA's best 11, wasn't it? Which I think Hansi Flick actually was quite outspoken about his disgust at that decision. I think most of us Would concur. He was brilliant last year and he's come back from injury, a long injury, as you said. And he's. And he's. After a few games, he's now absolute. I mean, he did actually miss a chance before he scored a minute or two. Yeah. Where he pushed one wide and you thought, oh, I might pay for that two minutes later. The brilliant finish. Yeah, I mean, I think we all knew we saw talented player at Leeds United. I mean, obviously he's not playing with the players like he's playing with in Barcelona, but the way he's kicked on over there has been absolutely spectacular.
- [24:37]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah, spectacular. So good. And Lewandowski at it again as well. Gary, he's having a brilliant, brilliant season, isn't he?
- [24:47]
B
I loved all the goals, actually. And that was also a very clever, very Lewandowski type finish. I mean, he's, he's late 30s now, but he's still, he's still churning out the performances. He's still scoring the goals when they count. And yeah, it was, it was, it was a very clever little finish. I mean, he's a very intelligent center forward.
- [25:11]
A
Gonzalo Garcia on the score sheet again. Killian Mbappe back from injury. Obviously he came on at the very end, but the fact that he's back is key. They have Copa del Rey next. But I can't see. I'm gonna have to say it now. I'm gonna say it now. I can't see Real Madrid winning La Liga this season. I don't think there's going to be any stopping Barcelona.
- [25:32]
B
That's a concession right there. Take it.
- [25:34]
A
Yeah. On the what date of the it. 12th of January.
- [25:38]
B
Yeah. Well, I must say, I mean, Barcelona Watts has 10 wins in a row. The last defeat, of course, was that exhilarating performance by. By Chelsea. And at that stage of the season, if someone has said to you, right, Maresca will be sacked shortly and Hansi Flick will go from strength to strength. So you never know what's going to happen.
- [25:56]
A
Around the globe is wild. And also, they obviously lost the Classico. I went to that Classico back in October. Real Madrid won that. Things were looking good. So things change very quickly in football, don't they?
- [26:08]
B
Marcus Rashford, he didn't come on till quite late on. I did see a thing from the club saying they're very pleased with the way Marcus has settled in. I know he didn't get much of a look in, in the super cup or even in. He came on just after half time in the, in the Other game in the super cup against Athletic and it's, you know, with Rafinha in that sort of form, it's going to be difficult for him to play too much football. But then, you know, as we saw in the first half of the season, Lamine was injured for a spell, Lewandowski was injured for a spell, Rafinha was injured for a spell. They can see that he's doing really well and apparently they want to see if they can negotiate with Manchester United. I don't know whether you've heard that as well.
- [26:52]
A
No, no, I haven't heard that. But I think this does show that that probably isn't a place for. Got Marcus Rashford in their strongest starting 11 for the big games. But the fact that he does come on, he almost scored in the 83rd minute, didn't he? Just shot wide. Came when he came on for Rafinha. So I think Rashford can say it's certainly been a positive season for him. Even if he's not starting week in, week out. Injuries, as you say, a lot of football to play. He's still going to play a key, key part for Barcelona.
- [27:25]
B
I think he rotates a lot as well. Yeah, I mean, he really does. I mean, when you've got that sort of talent and there's no real drop off, particularly with the players that they've got, particularly in those front positions. So I think he'll play plenty of football and he seems really happy there.
- [27:42]
A
100. He just seems like a right fit, doesn't he? And I think you can see it, for example, Trent at Real Madrid, that just has not gone well and.
- [27:49]
B
Well, largely because of injury, of course, though.
- [27:52]
A
True. But then there's a lot of chat that, that. Well, there's always a lot of chat, isn't there, in Madrid? But just saying that he hasn't really fully settled there and he's already been linked with a move back to England.
- [28:02]
B
And it's really important to get off to a good start. You know, he's had some. He's had bad luck, he's had two significant injuries. So he needs to be given more time and once he gets back playing again, hopefully it was. It was a shame because before the last injury, the two or three games before, yeah, he was actually really good and people saying, ah, this is the player that we signed and then to get another injury. So it shouldn't be too long. I don't know.
- [28:27]
A
I think, I think he is fit again. He traveled to Jeddah but obviously didn't, didn't play so, yeah, let's see what happens for the rest of the season. But not good. As you say, Real Madrid hate losing. The fact that the front page of Marker this morning is what we saw. The headline was over. Raf, was it.
- [28:49]
B
Shake the shake Shake.
- [28:52]
A
Obviously it's. It's important. It's a trophy. But there are maybe more important trophies to win this season.
- [28:59]
B
Absolutely.
- [29:00]
A
I'm not bitter or anything, but I'm.
- [29:02]
B
Just saying, slightly bitter. And you've already conceded the title, so we'll shake things up a little bit in the second half. We'll be back shortly. Save on appliances at the Home Depot with up to $1,000 off, plus up to an extra $500 off select appliances like Whirlpool that can keep up with your busy routine. The Home Depot has Whirlpool Laundry appliances with Fan Fresh. This feature fans and tumbles your laundry after it's done to help keep your clothes fresh until you're ready to grab them. Shop now and get up to $1,000 off plus free delivery on select appliances at the Home Depot. How doers get more done Free delivery on appliance purchases of $999 or more. Offer valid January 8th through the 28th. US only C store online for details. New year Same extra value meals at McDonald's. So now get two snack wraps plus fries and a medium soft drink for just $8 for a limited time only. Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher in Hawaii, Alaska and California. And for delivery, Kraft Mac and Cheese is better than 90s hip hop. We'll remind you of your childhood.
- [30:04]
A
Childhood without making you feel incredibly old. Kraft Mac and Cheese.
- [30:08]
B
Best thing ever. Welcome back to the Resties. Football La Liga with Alex Aljo and me, Gary Lineker. We discussed the Classico the Super cup in the first half, but there was not too much domestic football taking place because obviously four of the sides were away in Saudi Arabia. But Vireal did use their opportunity to close the gap at the top with a 31 win against Alabes. I actually really enjoyed all three of these goals in different ways.
- [30:49]
A
Vial eight points off the top with a game in hand. Stranger things have happened, Gary.
- [30:55]
B
No, they haven't.
- [30:56]
A
You never know. Champions League Basketball and. And Villarreal win the league. Imagine. But Alberto Molero has been one of the signings of the season. He came from Las Palmas. They got relegated obviously last season, so he joined Villarreal. But it was a Golaso, wasn't it? That opener. Golaso. And then he set up the third as well for Jorge Michalazzi. Gerard Moreno with. With the second. Yeah, another great goal. Three brilliant goals. And then a consolation goal. Villarreal got caught trying to play out from the back. Alaves scoring that. Tony with a Golf Alavez. But a really, really good win for Villarreal. Obviously making the most. The fact the big boys were out of the country and a big three points for. For Villarreal. So. So we'll see what happens. But they're going very, very, very well in La Liga, I think.
- [31:50]
B
More interesting, which you obviously avoided, you just did the gap to the top. I think more reticent one is Vireal and now four points behind Real Madrid with a game in hand, Alex. So they could. Well this season. Yeah, I suspect. I suspect the top two will be Barcelona and Real Madrid in. In one order or another. But the, the front three we talked about there. Malero. I know, I know. Gerard Moreno came on as a substitute in this game, but Mo has scored eight goals and three assists. The signing, as you said, from Las Palmas, Georgi M. Is seven goals and three assists and Gerald Moreno, five goals in just 10 appearances. So, I mean, that is very consist. But again, in the Champions League, they've hardly scored a goal.
- [32:41]
A
That's crazy.
- [32:42]
B
But what they are doing is making sure because it's very unlikely that they'll be in the Champions League knockout stages, I suspect.
- [32:50]
A
Yeah.
- [32:51]
B
But what they are doing is probably assuring that they'll be, you know, whether they challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona is very, very unlikely. But it does appear that they will qualify again for Champions League, which is a great effort. It.
- [33:04]
A
Yeah. Because the only sides they've lost to this season, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid. So surely if they want to. To finish above them up there, they're going to have to beat one of those sides in the second half of the season. But yeah, incredible record. What? Last 10 La Liga games, one eight drawn, one lost, one. So, yeah, unbelievable. Marcelino really getting the most out of those players.
- [33:29]
B
Yeah, he has a way of playing. I mean, they're very solid defensively, aren't they? That counter attacking style, it's. It's. It's probably a star you could get away with with via, but probably not Real Madrid, as we discussed in the first half.
- [33:43]
A
Yeah. And down the other end of the La Liga table, very, very tight. Four points separating 11th and 18th. So Ayliga, as they say in Spain.
- [33:54]
B
I Liga, there is a league. There is a league.
- [33:57]
A
Lots to play for. Yeah, that's why we love it.
- [34:00]
B
Which takes us perfectly into the round of Paliks. And until you make a mistake, you're going to do it everywhere week.
- [34:07]
A
Okay?
- [34:07]
B
Because I'm lazy, that's why.
- [34:09]
A
Let's have a quick roundup of the other results from the weekend. A1 all draw between Levante and Espanyol. Unlike Villarreal, Espanol couldn't capitalize on the likes of Atletico Madrid being away in Saudi Arabia. Despite Carlos Romero giving them the lead, they were pegged back just two minutes later by an Icar Losada equalizer. That means Espanyol are four points behind Atleti in the race for Champions League football. For levante. They're now three games without defeat but still sit 19th in the table. Girona beat Osasuna 1 0. The big winners from the weekend were the red and whites of Girona, as Vladislav Van Aert's second goal in two games was enough to win it against Osasuna. They've now won three of their last four games to jump out of the relegation zone. They're up to 13th. It was almost a precious three points for bottom side Oviedo after Ilias Carre gave them a lead after the hour mark. But with just seven minutes left, former spurs man Giovanni Lo Celso equalised for Real Beta, who will see this as two points dropped. Rayo Bacano beat Mallorca 2 1. Jorge de Frutos and Issy Palaton both found the net as Rayo Valcano picked up their first league win since October. But ATM Ricci's 11th La Liga goal of the season wasn't enough for Mallorca, who left Madrid empty handed a 1 all draw between Valencia and Elche. A very late Pepelu penalty rescued a point for Valencia as they remain in the relegation zone and see their difficulties difficult season continue. Former West Ham and West Brom player Grady d', Angana, who's going by the name of Deang out in Spain, had given Elche the lead before the late drama. Getafe lost 2:1 at home to Real Sociedad. Friday night's game also had plenty of late drama as John Aramburu scored a 96th minute winner for Sociedad. Juan Mi had actually scored a 90th minute equaliser for Getafe as they thought they'd nicked a point late on before Real Sociedad's dramatic winner saw them leapfrog their opponents. Opponents in the table.
- [36:03]
B
Yeah, good to see one of my favorite names as well gone on the score sheet. Jorge De Frutos, Fruity George fruity George.
- [36:12]
A
Do you prefer that or do you.
- [36:13]
B
Have George of the fruits? No, I think Hard Hugo is the best one, isn't it?
- [36:21]
A
Yeah. Yeah.
- [36:21]
B
Probably my favorite two names. Great stuff. Okay, let's call it a day there, Alex. I'll be back tomorrow with Micah and Alan and a recorded show that we've done around David Beckham.
- [36:37]
A
So luckily it's recorded because Alan's going to be on the biz tomorrow, so.
- [36:40]
B
That's a very, very good point. Go steady. Be careful. He's a very bad influencer.
- [36:47]
A
He's normally a good influence, but maybe in Newcastle. He's in his. His world, isn't he? So.
- [36:53]
B
Well, yeah, he's, he's, he's, he's all or nothing Alan. I think he's. Enjoy your trip. Okay, that's it. Goodbye from me.
- [37:01]
A
Goodbye from me. Sa.