Barcelona's performance has dropped due to teams finding ways to exploit their high defensive line and aggressive pressing style. Injuries, player fatigue, and a slight regression to the mean are also contributing factors. Specifically, the absence of Lamine Yamal has impacted their ability to win matches.
Atletico Madrid is performing well due to a combination of form, tactical adjustments, and the strong performances of players like Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez. The team has found a balance between defensive solidity and attacking prowess, with 31 goals between assists and goals from Griezmann and Alvarez.
Kylian Mbappe is answering his critics by scoring important goals, including in the Intercontinental Final against Pachuca. He has nine goals in 15 La Liga games and is showing improvement, despite some initial adaptation challenges. His performances are getting better, and he is becoming more integrated into the team's play.
Pep Linders lost his job at RB Salzburg due to poor results and performances, including a fifth-place league position and underwhelming Champions League performances. Despite his tactical genius in certain areas, he struggled to implement a coherent game plan and failed to bring the intensity and system expected from Salzburg.
Stade Brest had a successful 2024 due to their impressive domestic and European performances. Under manager Eric Roy, who had not coached for 11 years, they finished third in the league and are currently seventh in the Champions League, outperforming many established teams. Their success is a remarkable turnaround from their previous history.
Marcus Rashford is unlikely to sign with Paris Saint-Germain in January because PSG's recruitment criteria and the current squad setup do not align with what they are looking for in a forward. Despite previous contacts and Rashford's relationship with Kylian Mbappé, the club's needs and priorities make it an unlikely move.
Are Barca blowing it? Is it Atleti’s season? Or Real Madrid to triumph? John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein for the final Euro Leagues of 2024. They discuss what is shaping up to be a brilliant tussle for the title in Spain. The also debate whether it will become increasingly interesting in Germany after Bayern Munich’s first defeat of the season. What went wrong for Pep Ljinders at RB Salzburg and how it all went so well for Brest are also discussed. The team also discuss whether Marcus Rashford will end up in Paris. Plus – with the year almost at an end – what was their favourite moment? And who was their favourite player?
Timecodes…. 0 mins: Intro 3.35: Do fans in Germany and Spain wish there was no winter break? 5.32: The title race in Spain – starting with the problems at Barcelona. 12.31: Could this be Atletico Madrid’s season? 17.27: Or will Real Madrid succeed with an increasingly in-form Kylian Mbappe? 21.27: Why it seems to be getting more interesting at the top in the Bundesliga. 25.20: The sacking of Pep Ljinders at RB Salzburg and his prospects of getting another job. 29.27: Why 2024 has been such a great year for Brest. 31.33: Julien Laurens explains why PSG will not be signing Marcus Rashford. 32.40: The team select their moment of the year. 36.49: The panel then select their play of the year.