Manchester City are struggling due to a lack of confidence and decisiveness in the final third, despite maintaining possession. They are also conceding more goals, with 21 conceded since November, the most in Europe's big five leagues. Teams are exploiting their midfield's lack of legs and setting up defensively to counter-attack effectively.
Bukayo Saka has been consistent, brilliant, and effective in both attack and defense. His ability to beat defenders with simple yet effective moves, combined with his work rate and energy, makes him stand out. He has been instrumental in Arsenal's strong Champions League campaign, including scoring two goals in a recent match.
Liverpool have maintained a 100% winning record in the Champions League, winning all six of their games. They are solid defensively and have shown resilience, even when not at their best. Real Madrid's manager, Ancelotti, praised them as the best team they've faced, further cementing their status as favorites.
Pep Guardiola faces the challenge of rebuilding confidence and addressing the team's lack of intensity, especially in midfield. The absence of key players like Rodri has exposed vulnerabilities, and teams are exploiting their high press. Guardiola acknowledges the patch but remains confident they will overcome it, though he cannot predict when.
Arsenal have shown growing confidence and belief, performing well both at home and away. Players like Saka, Odegaard, and Jesus have been key, with Saka particularly standing out. Their adaptability under Arteta has been crucial, and they are in a strong position to finish in the top eight of the Champions League.
Jude Bellingham has been outstanding for Real Madrid, showcasing his work rate, technical ability, and versatility. He has been instrumental in linking play, scoring goals, and contributing defensively. His performance against Atalanta was particularly impressive, earning him player of the match honors.
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Hello and welcome to today's episode of The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker. It's been a busy week of Champions League action as this year's league phase of the new format starts to get to the business end. That means we're beginning to get a feel for who is going to make it through to the knockout rounds and who is in danger of missing out. Before we go any further though, you two have been on your travels. Yes.
You go first, Al. Oh, my goodness. Leipzig. I mean...
What a place to get to. There's no direct flight then from the UK anywhere. Into Leipzig, you've got to get out and go Newcastle, Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Leipzig. So yeah, just spent the last sort of three days other than 90 minutes of football travelling here and everywhere. So it's just a hard place to get to. Thankfully, it was a great game, so it all made it worthwhile. I was thinking, I was watching it because you probably thought, hmm, this might not be great because Leipzig hadn't got a single point in the competition. Yeah.
Villa haven't been playing as well as earlier in the season, although they've returned to form a little bit. Micah, I've seen you all over socials. This week has been entertaining to say the least. We did match of the day, didn't we Gary? Last Wednesday. I go to Abu Dhabi on the Thursday, do a bit of schmoozing on the Thursday, Friday, and then I go to the F1 on the Saturday and Sunday. And then
Monday, I fly back to... I was supposed to fly back to London. Instead, I flew from Abu Dhabi straight to Milan. Milan, then to Bergamo, and then...
From Bergamo, I went to Turin. And then from Turin, I went back to Bergamo. And that's where I am now. It's been an absolute hell of a ride. I've got no trim. That's why I look like Samuel L. Jackson. I look like Samuel L. Jackson, the way he wears his hat. I play golf with him once. Oh! LAUGHTER
Micah yes Alan where's Abidabi Abidabi Abidabi Abidabi is that better okay yeah yeah I thought that was better yeah yeah I was wondering where Abidabi is alright okay it's got a national shirt up north Alan Abidabi is that a general phrase up north yeah
Alan is from up north, Micah, even more north than you. It's not proper north, do you know what I mean? And you've been mixing with the stars as well, Micah. I saw you with Del Piero. I've seen you with Jude Bellingham. Wow.
I mean, working with Del Piero is amazing anyway, but you don't realise how much of a legend he is. Obviously, you go to Turin, you're walking through and he's like God. And I'm not exaggerating. Everyone, and you know Italians with the football, love the football, are passionate, but he can't go anywhere. I think it's the worst I've ever seen. I've been with Thierry to Arsenal.
And obviously to Barcelona. I've been with Gerrard. I worked with Gerrard when I was at Liverpool. And obviously they love him there. But this was different. He won't beat Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires, I'll tell you that. Oh, okay. That's next level, that. That was next level bonkers. I had three days with him. Just pick that name up there you've just dropped. Maradona. And then I'm going back in for Samuel L. Jackson just there as well. Oh my God.
If you're going to drop them, drop them big. Oh, they're big. What a player he was, Ed Del Piero. Oh, my God. I was doing some, before the game, I was doing some interviews and stuff with him and I walk around the pitch
So I did a little bit of, you know, Googling just so I made sure I was properly prepped. And obviously I know who Del Piero was. I watched him play, but you don't understand. He was there 19 years, 19 years. He stayed with them when they went down. He come back up with them. He won the World Cup. He won the league multiple times. He played with some great players as well. He was talking about that as well. And then I got a cheeky little interview with Jude as well.
And I tried to give him a little nudge. Jude Bellingham, for those who, if you don't know who Jude is, Jude Bellingham, give him a little nudge about Corridor of the Ponder. And he didn't say no. There's your headline. He didn't say no.
So apply the pressure, guys. Apply the pressure. We're about to find out how much he likes you then. We'll see in the next 12 months if he comes on or not. I can assure you Jude Bellingham, within the next 12 months, remember I said it here, big leagues, said it first, within the next 12 months, is coming on. I love it.
Deliver me. Deliver. You've got to deliver. And we should probably talk about some football. Yeah. I really do like this format. I must say. I sat last night and I watched the first 20 minutes of City, the second 25 minutes of Arsenal.
And then I put the goal show on, which is really good because obviously it's a little bit like Soccer Saturday where they're talking about the games, but you actually see the action with it. So when the goal is going, so it's quite good to keep across all of it. And then you constantly checking my phone for the league table and how it did.
kind of changes every few seconds and it keeps it really interesting every game's big every game's really important I don't think Jason Muhammad would be too happy with that I mean BBC have got a programme called Final Score Gary I mean you reference all Final Score all Final Score you do know you went for the BBC for 30 years you know that
But in my defence, Micah, at that time of day, I'm sitting in the office watching football. So I've never seen it. But,
But actually... Reverse, reverse. I think Final Score's a much better programme. Much better programme. But Final Score doesn't need a lift up from me, whereas that other show on Sky does. Well, I love the BBC and Sky, so I love them both. You work for everybody, Micah. Exactly. You work for everybody. Let's start with Manchester City. I mean, God, blimey. One winning ten now. Nothing's happening for them. They've just lost their mojo at the moment, haven't they? Completely. I was at the game and...
you know when you watch it on TV and watch it at the game you look for certain things or something a little bit different I really believe they're doing okay with the ball until sort of the final third so I think they had like 65% it's quite an important bit though isn't it yeah but when we talked about City in previous seasons they'd keep the ball but
but then they'd find a way to score. So when Kevin De Bruyne played it through to Haaland, previously, he would have scored that and they might have gone on and got the second and the third. So...
I wouldn't say it's confident by looking at them because they're all trying to get on the ball and teams are setting up differently against them. I'm just saying, okay, well, in midfield, we know they've not got the legs as before. We're going to target that area. We're going to sit a little bit deeper as they did and then hit them on the counter-attack because they can't deal with that at the moment. But,
I think it's just, and Alan always says it, it's at both ends, isn't it? I mean, they're not scoring and they're conceding a hell of a lot of chances. And sometimes...
In previous seasons, they'd get away with that, especially with Kyle Walker's recovery pace. But at the moment, they just look too easy to play against. Since the start of November, Micah, since the start of November, they've conceded more goals, 21, across all competitions than any other team from Europe's big five leagues. You never dreamt in a million years you'd say something like that ever before.
of a pep guardiola team. Can you imagine if they didn't make it through to the next round, if they got eliminated? I mean, they've got PSG next, haven't they, away? Yeah. PSG are outside. They're in danger also of being knocked out. But my goodness, what a story that would be if they failed to qualify. Well, you know, when you guys are watching them, what's different for you guys? I mean, I watch City pretty much every week and there's little tweaks that they need to do.
I would say there are some players who are struggling with confidence and they're not being decisive. But what is it from you guys' eyes that you see in that? What I see is that energy to win the ball back immediately when they lose it.
The high press from everybody, that dynamic press that they do, that thing where they've got to try and win it back within five to seven seconds all over you. I don't see that at the moment. I think teams are finding a way through them. There's a big, seems to be a lot more space in midfield. Now, obviously, we know Rodri's not playing, which is a big miss. And then obviously it will be in the head a lot of it.
It will, because we know what form's like. It's a very strange thing. You know, suddenly from, you can be everything everyone believes you believe. And then suddenly you get a little bit, well, things are not quite they were and a little bit tentative. But I just think they've just lost that little spark and the energy levels have dipped a bit. But I'd sort of pair,
talking in his pre-match conference and I thought he'd spoke a lot of sense about yes it's a patch but he said how they've played so well in the previous six seasons is more interesting and more fascinating how they've managed to keep that for going so long a bad patch is much easier to explain but he also said we'll overcome it I said I can't tell you when but we will and I'm sure he will but it's
It's an interesting challenge for Pep Guardiola and a real test for him, for one that he's, you know, he's always passed his tests so far, but this is a different kind of test. It's the legs, the lack of legs in midfield for me, the turnover, you know, they're all right in possession and they're still passing it and they were still creating, but
It's the turnover, you know, it's gone, the recovery. I think that's one of their biggest issues where they're so open. With Bernardo Silva, with Gundogan in that midfield, you're lacking a bit of intensity, I think, and certainly what Gary says, the legs and that press.
when you've lost the ball. That's a big change minus for me, I think. Huge. I think you're absolutely right about that. So they're under pressure, as you said, PSG away, and then they've got Club Bruges in the last game. That's at home, you'd expect them...
to win that. I still think they'll creep into that middle block and end up in the playoffs. Don't forget, NAC pauses until January as well. We've never had Champions League games in January before, but that will be a first. The other three England teams, however, are all in the top five going well. I think there's only three points separates the teams from third to 19th. So it's going to be very interesting over the next
two games. But Arsenal have got themselves into a really good position with a comfortable win against Monaco. It had been going well in the Champions League. So their final two games are Dynamo Zagreb at home and Derms Girona away. So they're in good shape, Arsenal. Saka again, man. What a season he's having. Two goals last night. Yeah, Arsenal are looking comfortable. They're looking good. So I would be more than hopeful that they would finish in the top eight. Yeah.
It's looking good for Arsenal though, isn't it? And I think it's good to see because there's points in the season where we was talking about them being a different team from when they was at home, when they was away. I think we're starting to see consistency from Arsenal now and you can see they're growing in confidence and belief and no matter who they play now, they're putting in good shifts and
I always said with Arteta, I think because he's so adaptable, it makes him a very good manager. I think they've still got to build on that confidence when they come to play bigger teams. Play like they did the other day. They were brilliant. Saka was pressing. Odegaard was excellent. I thought Jesus did quite well.
as well. Not in terms of like putting his chances away, but in terms of work rate. He just can't get himself a goal, can he? Just can't get himself a goal. You feel so sorry for him, but the work that he puts in for the team was brilliant and has been brilliant. I know he started so well. It's been frustrating. He got the injury, come back from the injury. He's been a shadow of the player for
But a lot of the good work with Arsenal come from his hard work and he got his assist, didn't he? So I was happy for him.
He does run himself into the ground. He's got a lot of quality. He's in a rut, isn't he, in terms of the goals thing, but I'm sure he'll come out of it. You mentioned Saka there, just saw a stat. I don't know who decides these things, but he's the highest rated player in the Champions League this season. Well, yeah, he's an awesome player, whatever the stat is. I mean, you don't have to look at the stat to see that. What a player, man. He's just unbelievable. Consistent, isn't he?
consistent how many times have you said it Al he's so good you know he's so it's hard to explain consistent and brilliant you know what he a lot of people like Cole Palmer they do things that are I'm going to say different but Saka he's just he does the basics really well with good energy work rate and
And then he's consistent. Yeah, he's a player, man. He is. He's a top player. Top, top player. He's absolutely a top player. The way he goes, he makes beating defenders look very easy, isn't it? He can go both ways. But it's just a drop of the shoulder. That's all it is. It's nothing like... They can't cope with him. It's not Ronaldinho, is it? Or it's not a lovely flip that Cole Palmer would do. It's just that balance and drop of the shoulder and...
he goes past people so easily he's amazing to watch a little word on a youngster who came in and played at fullback Miles Lewis Skelly I thought he did really well to come in because obviously Arsenal have got one or two injuries I think Arteta said after the game he's got a chance of claiming that left back spot for Arsenal which is high praise indeed and
So it's good to see young players coming through and thriving. Yeah, I think even Arteta made a point of talking about him after the game, didn't he? I mean, that would be great for him and for his belief going forward and confidence and all those things. So yeah, good to see. I think when a team's, and all players are fully, you know, with Timber and...
Ben White it would be difficult but it was great to see we always want young players to get a chance but when they get a chance take it and he took his chance yesterday so yeah it was great No certainly did let's take a little break when we come back we'll talk about the Tuesday night fixtures we're recording this on Thursday morning Liverpool March on back in a moment Hey Fidelity What's it cost to invest with the Fidelity app?
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Welcome back to The Rest Is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. We're talking all things Champions League. Well, Liverpool maintained their 100% winning record. Arnie Schlott, I saw in an interview saying he was delighted with the result, but not really happy with their performance. But, you know,
you know, three points is the main thing. They've now got a three-point lead at the top, six games played in the Champions League league stage, six games won. Rolling on, rolling on. I'll have to be led by you guys on this one. I saw the main incidents in the game, but...
because I was doing the Aston Villa game, which we'll talk about in a minute. But Salah penalty, did you think it was a penalty? It was a bit harsh, wasn't it? I think it was one of 50-50 ones, wasn't it? I think it's if they give it, they stick with it. If they don't, they overturn it. I don't know. But they do seem to give things more in Europe anyway, I find. I mean, they do seem to give penalties for anything. Liverpool, man, it's just like six out of six and it's just been unbelievable, hasn't it?
their form all season
And in particular, in the Champions League, it's phenomenal. They're just so solid, aren't they, at the back as well? Yeah, they are. They're solid, aren't they? Even losing Canarte, Gomez could come in or Kwanzaa can come in. And I keep saying it, they've still got a level to go. Liverpool are in this great position now, but they still can play better. Even Slott was talking about it. He wasn't happy with the performance. They let teams...
playing the first half if a team was a scoring that first half it's how they would react to it but for somehow they're managing to keep sort of clean sheets or keep the game down to a bare minimum and in the second half they're like lifting off it's mad to see but
Yeah, the favourites aren't there for everything. It was in the press conference with Ancelotti after the Real Madrid game as well and he was saying Liverpool are the best team that they've played in the Champions League and I think that's just it's massive coming from Real Madrid managers so yeah
They look dangerous at this moment in time, don't they? Yes, you probably. They most certainly do. Let's move on to the two games that you were at. You saw Real Madrid play in Bergamo against Atalanta. Micah, yeah? Yes. And Alan, you watched, as you've said, Leipzig against Aston Villa. That looked a cracking... I mean, I saw quite a bit of it. Again, I was flicking around and watching the goal show, which is very similar to final score. I don't know whether you've watched it, but you also...
You also get to see the goals as well. Actually, seeing them makes it a bit difficult. I've got that shovel here. I was just digging ever deeper. Cracking game though, Alan, wasn't it? I mean, it really was. And what a result for Villa. They've got themselves in with a real chance. Yeah, I'm pleased it was a great game because it was a...
trying to get there it was bloody freezing was it well it's the old East Germany wasn't it it's that side yeah it was cold it was but the game more than made up for it was brilliant and Villa came up with all had all the answers again I mean the
They made it difficult for themselves after getting off to a great start, scoring after a minute or two. John McGinn with a lovely finish, lovely goal, cross in, headed it back and he was there to give them a great start. But Martinez made a huge error. Which is very unlike him, isn't it? I don't know, he's made a couple of late and certainly it was his fault for...
for that first one the other night. And then it all just went, it went mad in the second half. I mean, he took Ollie Watkins off, I think it was probably an injury he was carrying, and brought Ted John Duran on, who I tell you was absolutely fantastic. Everything he did, he's a hold-up player, he's running with the ball. I mean, he scored another long range, albeit I think the keeper should have saved, I don't know what he was doing. But to have the...
confidence to shoot from there anyway. He was fantastic. So the manager's now got a decision, I think, there. I mean, it's great that they're pushing each other and they've got two very good centre-forwards, but he'll be banging on the door to start on a more regular basis because a lot of his game time has been from the bench, hasn't it? And he had a goal to sit out as well, didn't he? Yeah, he did, yeah, from really tight offside, yeah. Ollie Watkins will obviously be under pressure. Can you plan both? Not to start at the minute, no. I think in...
if they're chasing games and that's certainly an option but he seems very reluctant to put them both up front because of what they want to do in the midfield I think and stiffen it up in midfield and be tighter in there so I don't see him playing them both on a regular occasion no yeah
I probably agree with that. I sort of questioned whether they should play both of them up top as well. It's just, I just thought they'd play 4-4-2 at times because that's how they press, you know? But Alan's right, you know, when they sort of drop in position, they sort of go and have that midfield really compact. So that's probably why they've not opted for it. But,
You know, unless a team at home, maybe we'll see them both together. I would like to see the option just to see how they play together because normally people always talk about strikers. One go long, one go short and vice versa. They both like to do the same thing at times, don't they? Even though Duran can hold it up. But remember back in the days when it would one striker go down the line and one would run the channel, come back and the other would run the channel.
We don't see that in today's tactics, but yeah, I'd like to see them play together. You know, Avila are having some season. I know they've been through a sticky November, didn't they? They had a tough time. But they won the two league games, Southampton and Brentford, I think it was. They won the other night. What helped them hugely that night was what they had. Firepower off the bench. They brought Duran on, they brought Barkley on, they brought Buendia on. They're a really good team. And with his experience, Unai Emery,
And his success in European competition. Absolutely, yeah. I mean, they're obviously in automatic qualifying place at this moment in time. That would be a great achievement already if Villa were to finish in that top eight. And they've got a great chance of doing so. Really impressed with them the other night. Yeah, they've got Monaco away and then Celtic at home. Yeah. Ooh!
And Celtic have given themselves a chance. I mean, another 0-0. They've had a few of those. Kasper Schmeichel, clean sheet yet again. They had one or two near misses, but they've got a chance of getting in that middle section, 9th to 24th. And 9th will play 24th, 10th will play 23rd and 11th will play 22nd and so on and so on.
It's what they promised this competition. They promised it would, you know, it's got jeopardy right to the very end on pretty much every game that's played. And I think we're often critical of things when they fiddle with the game a little bit. The only downside to me would be that players are being asked to play more games. But aside from that, I think that it's been a resounding success. And we've not even got to the
really exciting bit which will probably be the last group of matches and then the playoffs as well. Totally agree. I'm definitely for it. I think it's worked very, very well. The excitement going into games seems as if on
The vast majority of the games, there's always something to play for and there will be right up until the last game because it'll be incredibly tight. And I think for clubs and teams like Celtic, it can give them huge hope. And I think it's suited them because they have now got a really good chance of staying in that middle section.
Just going back to the Villa game, Alan, what did you make of Morgan Rodgers' performance? And be kind here because he's going to come on the pod in the next week or two. Yeah. So you can look forward to hearing that. Aston Villa fans particularly, of course. I actually got asked that. I was travelling back with some Villa fans on the plane and they were chatting and they said the same thing. I think there's a superstar in there. There's obviously many things can go right or wrong in your career. But if he can brush up on...
on his finishing a little bit. Yeah. And that ball in the final third, I think there's a potential superstar in there. I really do. I think the way he travels with the ball makes it look... And the way he goes past midfielders, defenders, he makes it look stupidly easy. So...
Yeah, I think there's a potential superstar in there. There's no doubt he's got unbelievable ability, but I think he can go past that if he brushes up on those one or two little things. Just need to be careful with him because...
I remember when Ramsey was coming through under Gerrard and he was talking about him as being top, top level. And I still think he can be top level, but he had an injury and then the change of the team and stuff like that. But I think Morgan Rodgers is special. And I've said that from day one. Tell us about your game, Micah. Oh, what a game it was. Atalanta, Real Madrid, you were there. I was there.
in Bergamo oh what a trip it was I mean the stadium is fantastic the players that they have entertaining as well they were at the top of the top of Serie A at the time yeah they are yeah top of Serie A as well they play some great football they play like how can I explain it like a man's city with their press but then Liverpool the way under Klopp the way put everyone forward and
and they can be gut at at times but they really do play entertaining football Gasparini has got them playing brilliantly well How did Madrid play with Vinicius and Mbappe I know Mbappe did come off injured did he? So Mbappe came off injured in the game Mbappe played as a number 9 but there was rotating a little bit but Mbappe
Mbappé was class in the game. He was class. It's the best game I've seen him play for Real Madrid this season. He was sharp. He took his goal well. He was linking up. He was running into space. Vinicius played good roles because Vinicius was basically running in behind and leaving all the space for Mbappé and then he would switch. But then for one of the goals, Vinicius comes really deep and
attracts them out because the pressure really high and they're going behind it was a really good performance but my player of the match was Jude Bellingham by far Jude Bellingham was outstanding you know what we never talk about his work rate enough he works so hard he runs himself ragged doesn't he but when you're watching it live and because there's an Englishman there he said okay
Remember the old player cam? The old player cam, you're like, okay, I'm going to watch you for 90 minutes. I'm going to see what you do.
And he gets the ball deep. He runs in behind. He goes and tackles, but it's his feet, the way he moves, because he's quite a big lad, you know? But he's so nimble on his feet as well. He took his goal, just a little drop of the shoulder, comes on into his left foot and then just caresses it into the net. What a superstar he is. He's got absolutely everything. We had an interview afterwards. He just, he speaks sense. He's so happy now.
but he believes in his... I'm not sure he speaks that much sense, Michael, because I heard him say to you, Michael, you're so professional. Because you know what? On CBS, we're lighthearted. We've tried to make the interviews fun, tried to get the personality out.
But you have to ask a couple of... I was on the road, and I'm not a reporter, you know. It's the first time I've been on the road with CBS as an actual reporter. Sometimes we go to the games as a team, and we ask, you know, they come to the desk and we ask them questions. But I was actually leading the reporting, so I thought, come on, I've got to do three serious questions to start with. And then I asked about his mentality and all that, and where does that come from? He gave some good answers.
And after that, yeah, we just had a little bit of fun. You seem really pleased to see him, Micah. We got hugs. We got hugs in, of course. Yeah, you got hugs. We got hugs. Yeah, he was happy. Big Mix is mixing with the stars, man. I'm taking her places.
I'm taking us places. You know what I mean? You're the old boy, the old legends. I'm bringing the new school through, you know? I'm keeping us relevant, baby. Fantastic stuff. Let's round up one or two other things. Barcelona are in second place. That was a crazy second half there with Dortmund. Goal is a half time. I mean, they do play a bit...
riskily let's say Barcelona they do allow a lot of chances against them but they back themselves going the other way it's a very handsy flick kind of side they've struggled in the last few weeks a little bit with it after that breathtaking start that they had this season another incredible Luminia mile pass was involved in the game so it was it was brilliantly entertaining I was
watched quite a lot of that in the second half because it kept coming up on the goal show, which is actually nearly as good as final score. You'll be getting an email. I've got a question from you, Micah. It's the point of some sacking me now, though, isn't it, really? I mean, I've only got a few months left anyway. So,
I've got a question for you, Micah. Bayern Munich won 5-1 away from home. Some great performances, which we'll talk about in a minute. But obviously Harry Kane's missing at the moment. So are Bayern Munich a better side without Harry Kane? Oh!
Yes or no. Yes or no, Michael. They definitely see a little bit more dynamic. There was no more pace. More dynamism. Is that a word, Gary? It is now. Yeah, you can say dynamism.
No, they're not. Harry, we love you. Harry, we love you. There was a very curious decision in that game. Yeah, there was some grumbles going on in the group between you two here. I mean...
What goal was he talking about? The Musiala disallowed goal? No, it wasn't a foul, was it? No, it wasn't a foul at all, was it? I was just trying to wind you boys up. I was just trying to get some gum to say. You were trying to say it was offside, Alan. Do you know what? I went back to the clip. I didn't even say it. I was sat in the airport, bored. And I was just trying to create an argument. I was wondering what the hell you were on about. Because you said, you said, yeah, but it's offside and under the current laws. That's what it is. I went,
I went back to watch the goal about five times and I'm thinking...
I couldn't be offside. And then I thought, well, the only way, because the guy ran into the back of the net before, as he took the corner. And I thought, you can't be offside from the corner. And you're going, no, I was offside. And I'm thinking, what's he on about? I hadn't even seen the goal. I then, for the first time ever, went to AI, right? I went to AI. And I went, hey, Gemini. And I went,
No, genuinely. Hey, Gemini, can you be offside from a corner in football? And he went, no, you cannot be offside from a corner in football because that is not possible. Honestly, you have been going and Haz was joined in going, I can't see an offside. I can't see an offside anywhere.
So I'm thinking they gave it against, foul against the goalkeeper. Honestly, you've had us going there for that. 15, 20 minutes, you complete idiot. Sorry boys, I was just bored shitless in the airport, so yeah. Did you see the Alise goal? Oh,
Defending wasn't great, but my goodness, he glides past players and finished it with a brilliant block. Sat the keeper down as well, didn't he? Brilliant goal. I know you'll want to finish with this because I've seen you chuckle at this many times, Micah. Breast. You're so mature, Micah. I'm so mature. It's because he's a tit. LAUGHTER
They were an amateur side 20 years ago, but I mean, they've got a chance of a top eight place, which would be incredible. So I think they deserved a shout out, if only to hear Mike would chuckle. I'm not allowed to talk about breasts to put it in my contract.
No, but it's a great story, isn't it? Yeah. It is a great story because before they got into the Champions League, you're looking at their players and you're thinking, there's no players that you know. Or the manager who basically, I think was a pundit for 10 years and then comes into the team and then takes a team and takes them to the Champions League. It's just a crazy story. It's okay yet, Micah. Exactly. Exactly.
Big weeks. I've got a chance. I've got a chance. Definitely. Premier League manager. Easy. It's easy. All right. Well, let's call it a day. We'll have a happy ending with breast. Okay?
That's all for today's episode of The Rest Is Football. We'll be back on Monday to review all the action from the weekend. And of course, that means the Manchester Derby as well as Newcastle versus Leicester. I'm sure there'll be plenty to discuss. Have a great weekend, everyone. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me.