Is the Premier League as strong as everyone thinks?

When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters.

But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more.

Granger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers

and no room for shipping delays.

That's why Granger offers millions of products and fast, dependable delivery.

So you can keep your facility stocked, safe, and running smoothly.

Call 1-800-GRanger, click ranger.com or just stop by.

Granger. For the ones who get it done.

Buying furniture for your business can be full of compromises, confusing choices, and little support.

National Business Furniture is here to change all of that.

We believe that every business deserves furniture that lasts.

Service that cares in a partner who gets it at a budget that works.

At National Business Furniture, that's our commitment to you.

Find the right furniture for you and your team at National Business Furniture.

Visit nbf.com and use promo code pot10 to save 10% now.

With almost half a million customers and over a trillion dollars of secure payments,

Bill isn't new to intelligent finance.

It's the proven way to simplify bill pay and maximize cash flow.

Want to learn more? Visit bill.com slash proven for a special offer.

The Athletic FC

Welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Io Akimolevich.

For all the talk of Premier League dominance in Europe, no English sides won in this week's Champions League.

So ahead of the second leg next week, is this just a blip or a rude awakening?

Alright, in with us today we've got a Chelsea correspondent Liam Tumey in Paris,

Arsenal writer James McNicholas, who will join us later from Leverkusen,

and also we'll hear from our Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee as well.

Alright, let's start in Paris, a rematch Liam of the Summer's Club World Cup final.

Talk to me about that match because from a neutral perspective,

it was an absolute spectacle to witness.

Yeah, it was a really fun game and for 74 minutes, a very even one.

PSG clearly went into it, feeling like they had a point to prove after the Club World Cup final.

They approached it with a different level of intensity, different level of seriousness,

even from the group stage of the Champions League.

And Chelsea, I think, raised their game too.

They played really well for the bulk of the game, which I think makes the frustration

at the way they collapsed in the final stretch even more acute.

Yeah, I can hear you still at the airport, so appreciate you joining us for this.

Can we just talk about the keepers as well?

Obviously we've had Kinski in the Tottenham match in the Champions League already on this podcast.

A change in the net for Chelsea as well, no Sanchez, but what did you make of the keepers performances yesterday?

Yeah, Philip Jorgensen has been plunged in to the fire at a defining stretch of the season.

In that sense, it is quite similar to Anthony Kinski.

I will say this was not a Kinski performance, and I say that with compassion for Tottenham's goalkeeper

because I think it was just something that was horrible to watch, obviously.

It's like, let's kind of drink.

Jorgensen actually played well until suddenly he didn't.

It was the dynamic of the game that was set up to be really hard for him.

I think about as hard as it can possibly get for a goalkeeper that is being asked to play

the ball out with their feet because PSG were pressing ferociously through the middle of the pitch,

and Chelsea were absolutely determined in a way that they weren't really in the club World Cup final

to build out from the back through the middle of the pitch often.

And so the way PSG's third goal came about with Jorgensen's pass being picked off by Bradley Barcola

and in a rapid cascading series of events, the ball ending up at a feet of a teenager

to beautifully lob him into the net.

It felt like something that was on the cards all game.

Chelsea as a whole were dancing on the jaws of a crocodile, essentially,

with the way that they were playing.

It was a real high wire act just to escape their own third against PSG.

The risk reward equation obviously meant that when they did beat that press,

they were really dangerous, and they caused PSG a lot of problems,

and they actually created more chances if you look at the XG than PSG did.

But there are mistakes in this Chelsea team, not just with Jorgensen,

not just in the goalkeeper position, and PSG punished them absolutely ruthlessly.

My matchpiece ended up being about the fact that Resenia has essentially muddied the waters

Chelsea's goalkeeper in a situation at a crucial stage of the season by putting Jorgensen in.

Sanchez's form had undoubtedly dipped.

He's not the first Chelsea coach to bench Sanchez, either.

This is a recurring pattern.

The conclusion really that's impossible to avoid is that for Chelsea to play this style of football,

particularly, they just need a better goalkeeper than both of them.

And that's not easy, because there really aren't many goalkeepers that are genuinely world-class

with their hands and their feet.

And Chelsea haven't found one, despite spending not insignificant sums on goalkeepers under Blueco.

And I think they're hoping that Mike Penders is the solution.

He won't arrive in time for the second leg against PSG,

so it costs them dearly in Paris, and it will continue to cost them in games against really high level opposition.

Yeah, I don't want to sort of twist the chat around disciplinary issues,

but we have to talk about Pedro Netto and the ballboy situation.

What did you read into that?

And I know he apologized greatly, and I think he offered him his shirt at the end of the match as well.

Yeah, I mean, as a reporter, you know that games are going to throw up unexpected things,

but I didn't expect to be reminded of Edden Hazard versus the Swansea City ballboy from 13 years ago in the league cup.

It was a bizarre situation, obviously frustration from Netto.

You can see that he pushes the ballboy to get the ball back.

What I can say is the ballboy, he could play at the highest level of football with that reaction,

the way that he fell to the floor straight into the hoardings, clutching his face in a screaming heap,

elite world-class gamesmanship, and it prompted a mass confrontation as these things always do.

Netto, to his credit, didn't look to escalate it further.

He looked like he immediately knew that he'd screwed up,

and his discipline in particular has been in the spotlight since that silly red card against Arsenal.

But I think the officials took a common sense approach, and there wasn't really enough in this.

I thought it was probably a yellow.

He was lucky to escape without a booking, but they let it go.

I think the bigger frustration for Resignia is that almost immediately from the restart PSG scored their fifth goal.

Chelsea didn't get that moment out of their system, they didn't get their heads back into the game.

They pushed forward in crazy numbers, really, giving the situation and just allowed PSG to counter and score.

A goal that turns the second leg from a very difficult task to, you'd have to say, a near impossible one.

Yeah, Liam, on Tuesday we discussed PSG and how they aren't the same team there were last season.

Could this be the kickstart to this season, though, much like how they've come to life in the knockout stages last season?

It was about this time last year that they decided to click up a gear and became the best team in Europe for three months,

and wipe the floor with everyone, and it is too early to say if that will happen again,

but they certainly flexed Champions League winning muscles against Chelsea.

And maybe you can say that Chelsea were naive and played into their hands to some degree,

but I think they really upped it.

I watched PSG's tie against Monaco, both games, and they were really lucky to escape. They were so sloppy.

They had moments of real sloppiness against Chelsea.

Bradley Barclay just completely didn't track Malogusto for Chelsea's first goal.

Second goal, Nino Mendes plays almost a blind switch of play.

Pedro Neto picks off beats Marquinhos for pace and picks out Nino Mendes to score,

and they could have considered a third.

It was a fractional offside that prevented Xiao Pedro from scoring Chelsea's third goal that would have made it three-three,

and maybe a different game.

But PSG have so much firepower, and they also have this really coherent identity when they commit to their press,

and they bring the level of intensity that they did at part to press.

I think ruled on by that crowd massively helped them.

They're just really, really difficult to live with,

and when you can do what they did for 74 minutes,

ask the questions that they did of Chelsea defensively,

and then bring on Farah Scalier,

who's one of the best players in the world, and played like it.

I mean, his first goal was delightful, wasn't it?

Yeah, the first goal was incredible.

Farah Scalier trying to find a route to go!

Did he do that?

I think he plays like no one else in Europe,

but he has an ability to bend games to his will

in the way that the best attackers can,

and he did it against Chelsea.

I think they looked like a team,

even in the low-did half of the Champions League draw

that can beat everyone all over again.

This is the Athletic FC Podcast, with I.O. Akmalere.

This episode of the Athletic FC Podcast is sponsored by Pebble.

Now, one thing no one tells you about hiring globally

is how unclear the cost can be.

It looks simple at first, but then the fees start stacking up.

While Pebble brings clarity with up front all in hiring costs

and enables you to hire the world.

Pebble is an AI-powered global human resources platform

built for founders, HR leaders and operators

who are hiring and supporting teams worldwide.

Pebble helps you hire, pay, and manage talent

in over 185 countries with fast onboarding

that can be done in minutes.

Instead of juggling separate tools for contracts,

payroll, benefits, and compliance,

Pebble brings everything together with built-in guidance

and local expertise to support you,

which is especially helpful

if you're managing teams internationally or planning to grow.

The fastest growing companies in the world

use Pebble to stay organized and reduce risk,

and founders use it to scale faster without feeling

like they need to become HR or compliance experts.

The bottom line, Pebble simplifies global people operations

so you can spend more time growing your business

and supporting your team.

Pebble's new standard discounted price

at $399 per month per employee helps you contain costs.

So go to highpebble.ai to get a free estimate.

That's h-i-p-e-b-l.ai for a free estimate.

One last time, highpebble.ai.

We'll get back to the podcast in just a minute,

but right now I need to tell you that

Fabletics has just dropped denim.

Yes, real denim, not at leisure,

but inspired actual structured durable premium denim.

You'll already know Fabletics for their performance gear,

and millions of loyal members trust the style,

fit and quality of their clothing,

and they're bringing all of that and more to their denim range.

But top of the line denim is pretty pricey, right?

Wrong, Fabletic VIPs unlock major savings

on their first purchase.

And trust me, you won't want to hang around

these prices and this stock won't last forever.

Head on over to Fabletics to see the range for yourself right now.

They have all the style, straight, slim,

baggy, even baggy utility.

So whether your style is classic and clean

or a little bit more trend forward, you're set.

I absolutely love the wash black trucker jacket.

It's comfortable, if fits just right,

and looks great over a classic grey tee.

Fabletics already has incredible deals,

and here's an exclusive offer for FC listeners.

Get $29 denim when you sign up as a VIP.

Just head to Fabletics.com,

slash Athletic FC, take a quick style quiz,

and be sure to select Athletic FC

when prompted to unlock your offer.

That's Fabletics.com slash Athletic FC.

My dad taught me a lot,

including how easy it is to forget to cancel things.

So I downloaded Experience, my BFF,

big financial friend.

Experience could help me cancel my unused subscriptions

and lower my bills, saving me hundreds a year.

Get started with the Experience app today.

Your big financial friends here to help you save smarter.

Results will vary, not all bills

or subscriptions eligible,

savings not guaranteed, $631 a year,

average savings with one-plus negotiations

and one-plus cancellations,

paid membership with connected payment account

required to the Experience.com for details.

Experience!

I did my trucking day as a guy,

you didn't get that!

It's a hat shirt!

It's the Finnade Valverde show in the Bundesliga!

As well as Chelsea losing by three goals,

Manchester City lost 3-0

to Real Madrid thanks to Valverde's hat trick.

Now, before we get your take Liam,

let's hear from Sam Lee,

our Manchester City correspondent

who was at the Bernabéu.

Who saw that coming?

I suppose you can always rely on Real Madrid

to do something like that.

They played against City for the last five years

and every time, every time I've been here,

they've had the ball at the back,

put it forward and scored.

Their ability to do that, no matter how down they look,

no matter how good they look,

no matter how bad they look,

is unrivaled.

They just keep doing it.

I suppose you could also have predicted

that maybe Guadalupe would throw in one of his overthinking moments.

Generally, I'm not really like that term over the years.

I do feel like there's always a reason

for his decisions.

I feel like there's always a reason.

There's always logic.

And look, there's plenty of times

when he's picked a team

that nobody really understands.

And it's a city of one,

or we all forget about it.

This though, I think there was logic in a lot of the decisions,

but all of those decisions did involve ripping up

the entire blueprint,

not just the blueprint of this season,

and what's been working recently,

the box midfield,

the two strikers,

the wide fallbacks,

all of that stuff,

firstly ripped up the entire Guadiola philosophy

of going into these games,

big away Champions League games,

and keeping things really tight,

trying not to lose matches.

In the first leg,

that's an a favour to him.

He just wants to keep things tight,

get a draw,

or win if you can,

and then go,

but they're really open.

The changes,

they left an artist silver,

and Roger Eisle had in midfield.

And then I suppose,

it's on top of that.

The defending was shocking.

Bar Verdi was fantastic,

but basically city does watch him be fantastic.

But look,

next week, everybody's going to be talking about whether they can turn it around.

Probably not,

but we'll see.

Yeah, what again, that was

no imbap,

no bellingham,

Liam,

we've spoken about Friday's Scalier,

on the other side for PSG,

but you know, big players like Val Verdi,

when they needed,

they stepped up.

I mean, what a game that was,

Real Madrid showing their pedigree once again.

Without wishing to maybe

cap his ambitions for what remains of his career,

I think that won't get better than this.

To score three goals like that,

in a Champions League game,

in a Champions League half,

against the team of Manchester City's quality.

It's incredible.

It seemed like you had,

like, an out-of-body experience.

And we all know he's been a great player for a long time,

and a great player who is very versatile,

in terms of the jobs he could do for a team,

but he's not typically someone who,

who carries the,

the goal threat in the way that he did,

so brilliantly in that game.

And it seemed to really catch City out.

What amazes me, though,

is just Real Madrid's muscle memory in the Champions League.

When all else fails,

they revert to this DNA.

It doesn't seem to matter who's on the pitch for them,

what the circumstances of the tie are,

what stage the tie is in,

what, what the scoreline is,

how hopeless the situation is,

they always back themselves to turn it around.

And it, I mean,

it often comes across as arrogance,

but it's not arrogance,

if you repeatedly back it up.

It's just really impressive.

And logically,

you would look at it and say,

given the season they're having,

they're not among, probably,

the two, three,

biggest favourites to win this competition.

But they have to be in that conversation

because they're Real Madrid.

And I think now,

Manchester City,

look like they're in an incredibly difficult situation.

They have enough firepower

to score three, four goals

without reply against Real Madrid.

And we've seen them do it

in this competition before.

But it's just really hard,

not to see Real Madrid

maybe finding one goal

at the edge he had

and getting through.

Yeah, it's so interesting,

much like PSG Madrid,

aren't having the best season in La Liga.

But I mean,

it probably will be either

then we'll Barcelona to win it anyway.

But this is just show

what they're able to do

in the Champions League though.

I mean, no one knows

if they're going to win it necessarily,

but you just can't write them off,

as you've just said.

Yeah.

And this is where the coach

that no one knows if they really believe in,

who may not be there beyond the summer.

I mean, I guess that's kind of true

of every Real Madrid coach ever.

But there seems to be this just

institutional continuity

and institutional strength

that carries them in this particular competition

that doesn't always apply to La Liga

and doesn't always apply to

how well they're doing

with a given coach or style of play.

They just find a way to get it done.

And I think that's to their immense credit

and that you would have to think

if they get through this round,

the circumstances are going to improve for them

that they will get and back pay

and maybe belling and back at some point

and have a bit more individual fire power

to go with what they showed against City.

Habits to make it one-one.

To make it one-one.

Into the corner at once.

No celebration from Kai Habits.

Let's move on to another Champions League game.

Let's talk about Arsenal,

who went away to Germany

to play it by a Labour Cousin.

Joining us now, we have our Arsenal correspondent,

James McNicholus.

James Gray to have you with us.

I mean, look, many would have looked

at this fixture and thought, perhaps.

Arsenal would have made it much easier

for themselves away at Labour Cousin,

bearing in mind that the riches available

to both teams, but they made a meal of it.

But also wonderful that Kai Habits

comes to rescue the day.

Well, quiet.

And I think Arsenal's result probably looks

a little bit better in the context

of some of the other European results

that happened later in the evening

and, of course, the day proceeding.

Those expectations that you mentioned coming into the game

were shared, I think, by many of the by-lever Cousin fans

I spoke to out here in Germany.

They were not particularly optimistic ahead of this game.

Soar Arsenal was having an outstanding season,

whereas they're having quite a difficult campaign,

having lost a number of key players last summer.

But big credit to Liverpool's,

and I thought they equipped themselves very well.

They were organised, very diligent, defensively.

They carried a threat on the counter attack,

particularly through 19-year-old striker, Caffana,

who I thought was really impressive.

And Arsenal were not at their best,

but, as has often been the case this season,

even when they've not performed at their level,

they find a way to avoid defeat.

Liam, Kai Havott, Champions League,

you know, with a Chelsea hat on.

He has a nap for performing well in this competition.

Yeah, he is a big game player.

Whatever else he might say about him,

the things that he can and can't do,

he does raise his game for the big occasion.

I think it wasn't just the goal against Manchester City

for Chelsea, a lot of his best moments.

Four Chelsea came in the Champions League,

and in finals, he also hit a nerve-wracking penalty to win.

What used to be called the club well cup,

it's confusing now.

The one that Chelsea won in 2022.

But yeah, it wasn't a surprise for me to see Kai Havott step up.

And it's nice to see him fit again after struggling with injury.

Yeah, James.

We need to talk about Arsenal's attack,

because Osaka probably didn't have the best game,

captain in the team yesterday in the Champions League.

Madureke, we saw, came on,

and obviously showed a bit more impetus.

Why do you think Arsenal is still struggling in attack,

especially in the Champions League,

where we've seen them play much better sometimes

than we have in the Premier League?

Yeah, I think typically in the Champions League teams

have been a bit more open.

They've played with a bit more ambition,

than many of the teams Arsenal have encountered in the Premier League.

And that has suited them.

Arsenal have players like Victor Yokarez,

Gerbera Martinelli, who like to run into space,

and that space has to be present, has to be there.

I thought Leather Kuzan, they really collapsed into their shape effectively.

And someone like Kai Havott, he did not have the best game individually,

but there were many moments in the game where he was faced with

not just two defenders, but sometimes three or four.

The Leather Kuzan was forming a little quadrant on that left-hand side

to stop Arsenal progressing down the right flank.

But big credits in Oli Madureke.

He came on.

Michalata's instruction to him was very clear.

Come on and change the game.

He did that for Arsenal.

It might have been a bit fortuitous, perhaps the penalty award,

but it came as a consequence of his direct running,

his dribbling ability.

That is his strong suit.

And he's been quite an impactful player for Arsenal over the last few weeks.

Yeah, you mentioned it earlier, perhaps Arsenal came out of this,

probably the least scathed of all the Premier League teams in the Champions League.

It really sets it up nicely for the Emirates, doesn't it?

For Arsenal to try and win this and really grab this tie.

Absolutely.

I mean, this tie reminds me a little bit of the Newcastle Barcelona game,

in that the home side got their lead,

and I think had they taken that 1-0 advances into the second leg,

it would have felt like a big landmark, a big milestone result.

But the favourites ultimately grabbed their equaliser,

and now you'd have to say Arsenal looking at a pretty strong position ahead of that home leg.

But they'll have to play better than they did last night.

I mean, it's an intriguing aspect of this outstanding season,

Arsenal, having that I do think over the last six weeks or so,

performances have dipped a little bit,

and there are some signs of I think mental fatigue, physical fatigue in the displays.

They deserve credit on the one hand for continuing to churn out results.

They are a very, very effective machine in that regard.

But I think fans will be hoping,

that as we get into the home straight,

the final part of the running,

that the performance level lifts a bit too.

Yeah, I was just wondering how important knockout football will be to win

in general for someone like Mika and Arthetta.

Arsenal is still, we mentioned in a previous podcast,

the link for the quadruple, James,

all those cup competitions,

Arsenal are still in really good space for.

I mean, for Mika and Arthetta,

even to get to the final of the Champions League this season,

will be another great notch on what has been a really good tenor so far.

Arsenal.

It would be, and you'd have to say,

that in the cup competitions this year,

the draws have been relatively kind for them.

I mean, the FA Cup, they've faced a lower league opposition in every single round.

They've got that coming again,

with the trips and championships that'll happen.

In the Carabell, they had a relatively kind run.

They made the final of that competition.

And in the Champions League,

it opens up for them quite effectively.

I mean, if they can progress against Liverpool's,

and it looks very much like it'll be Boda in the quarterfinals,

I think any Arsenal fan would have taken that.

And then you might have a really intriguing tie against Athleticum and Dread

or a Barcelona in the semi-final.

That would be a huge test for this Arsenal side,

but it's 20 years since their last Champions League final, Paraso 6,

and they'll be desperately hoping to get to Budapest for this one.

You know, Joe's mentioned fatigue,

and also how physically debilitating it can be in this competition.

But how much of a factor is the scheduling around domestically game?

So PSG basically don't play this weekend,

and also they played on Friday ahead of face in Chelsea.

Could more be done from a penalty league perspective in terms of scheduling,

especially when these teams are having to face such high levels going into the Champions League?

Yeah, I think more could be done, but I also don't think the Premier League cares.

I think the Premier League is about the Premier League,

and I think the mentality of the Premier League has always been,

we are the top league, the top competition,

and the Champions League is just kind of an appendage.

So I don't think Premier League teams can expect meaningful help.

It's never been the case. I don't think it ever will be in Champions League competition.

And that's particularly tough right now, because I think, you know,

we've spoken before about how the Premier League's middle class is probably better than it's ever been.

The average Premier League game is more taxing on a team than it's ever been,

and that means that a Premier League season is more draining for a squad than it's ever been.

And you see every year, but this year is no exception.

A real dichotomy between the teams, like maybe Manchester United,

who can focus fully on a Premier League without Champions League games in between,

and teams like Chelsea, who haven't necessarily upgraded their squad that much from last season,

and have suddenly gone from Premier League conference league,

which they could easily handle to Premier League Champions League,

which their squad depth absolutely cannot.

So as far as it applies to Chelsea PSG, it is definitely an advantage for PSG.

Even if they didn't have a free weekend though, they can usually get away

with making eight or nine changes in legal and not paying too high a price.

So yeah, it's an uphill battle for Premier League clubs in that sense.

But on the other hand, they have all the money and have the capability to build squads that can handle it.

Yeah, that's exactly it, James. That will be playing the tiniest violin for Premier League teams in sympathy.

With what they are able to bring to the Champions League in comparison to,

I mean, if you look at Bodo Glim to what they're doing,

I mean, they're astronomically performing above their standards.

Yeah, that's right. I don't think there will be too much sympathy on the continent

for Premier League sides with the resources at their disposal,

particularly in a case like Arsenal where, you know, we're talking about an equalizer

that conjured last night from two players who started on the substitute bench,

Noni Madouette coming on, a 50 million pound signing,

and then Kai Havats, who is even more expensive around from Chelsea

and is a previous Champions League winner.

So there are a lot of riches at the Premier League's disposal,

and I think it's still, despite all the demands on a club like Arsenal competing on multiple fronts,

I think it's absolutely right that they're considered among the favourites for this competition.

Okay, James, let's let you go. I know you're in Labour Cousin. Have a safe flight, mate.

Pleasure. Thanks for having me on.

Shipping, building, admin, payroll, marketing,

you're managing all the things.

So why waste time sending important documents the old fashioned way?

Mail and ship when you want, how you want, with stamps.com.

Print postage on-demand 24-7 and schedule pickups from your office or home.

Save up to 90% with automated rate shopping.

That's why over 1 million small businesses trust stamps.com.

Go to stamps.com and use code podcast to try stamps.com risk-free for 60 days.

Hi, friends. Sean Linda from Two Black Guys with Good Credit here.

Whether you're running a nonprofit at school or a small business, Walmart business here to support your mission.

They make it easy to order what you need from tech and cleaning supplies to everyday essentials.

All at low prices and with helpful tools like spend, tracking, and tax exempt purchasing for eligible organisations.

Because when your operations are smooth, your impact can be bigger.

Visit business.waltmart.com to get started.

Hey, this is Adam Grant, host of Ted's podcast, rethinking with Adam Grant.

If you heard of Bill, it's the intelligent finance platform that uses AI to help you avoid costly errors and optimize cashflow.

In fact, Bill reports that over 90 of the top 100 US accounting firms trust them to manage, move, and maximize money, proven by over a trillion dollars in secure transactions.

Eliminate the friction and start scaling with the proven choice.

Visit bill.com slash proven to talk with an expert about automating your business finances and get a $250 gift card as the thank you.

That's bill.com slash proven.

Turns in condition applies to offer page for details.

You're listening to the athletic FC podcast with Iawakima Leroy.

Let's talk about the English clubs and let's look ahead to those second legs because no English club side one in the Champions League this week despite the odds being stacked in their favour.

Manchester City Spurs, Chelsea, all trail Liam by three goals.

Any chance any of those teams are going to turn it around.

I bet you're going to say Chelsea are doing it, aren't you?

No, no.

No, I mean, I do think Chelsea show the part to Prince that they were capable of scoring three goals against PSG.

They very nearly did away from home.

And of course, they didn't club World Cup.

But three goals without reply against the PSG team that look like they get a serious mode.

I don't see it.

And I just don't see Chelsea putting together a perfect 90 plus minutes, which is what they would need in order to have a chance of getting that done.

So now I think it's gone for Chelsea.

I would give Manchester City the best chance just because we know what they can do at their very best.

They can find a gear that could get them there.

But as we just said, you know, Real Madrid, Real Madrid and his competition for a reason.

It wouldn't surprise me if Real Madrid toyed with going out before getting the goal that they need to get through.

And Tottenham, I think, I mean, will they even play there a real team for the second game?

Given their situation in the Premier League, I would question that.

Do they have a real team to play at this point, given the situation in their squad?

Their situation is completely hopeless.

So interesting to watch a team like Bodo Glimpton, we've spoken about it on this podcast before.

Not the greatest resources, but for some reason, gradually watching them build and build and build over time.

Three nil at home against sporting.

I mean, dreams come true.

I would love to see how much they've racked up just in general from European competitions.

Because even this one on the Champions League would have definitely put some money in their pocket.

Yeah, they've provided a real lesson to far bigger and richer clubs in just how to build something really coherent.

That really works at the highest level and can enable you to punch massively above your weight.

My big hope now, beyond the residual hope that Chelsea come back and give me some more Champions League football to cover this season,

is that Bodo emerges like the Greece 2004 of this Champions League.

I mean, the landscape is not the same because in that tournament, the big teams basically cleared the path for Greece to come through and win.

There are a lot of big teams who don't look ready to clear the path in this Champions League knockout stage.

But it would be just like the biggest story ever.

It would be less to win in the Premier League times a thousand, wouldn't it?

I mean, even if they don't, you know, even if it ends probably in the next round now rather than this round,

what a fantastic story and what a great credit to everyone involved there.

Okay, just a quick one on Bayern Munich, who absolutely obliterated at Atlanta.

They put six past them and they look in imperious form, both in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League.

Me and Tom Williams basically had them to win this competition. Do you agree?

Well, I probably would have agreed until I saw what I saw from PSG last night because that makes me doubt it slightly.

You know, we saw PSG beat Bayern at the club World Cup as well.

And I do still think PSG ultimately have a gear that no one else can quite reach.

And it's a question of whether they can hit that gear consistently enough to win in the loaded half of the draw.

Bayern are in that half as well.

But I do think they're at worst, the second strongest team on that side.

I think they're better than Real Madrid and Manchester City, certainly on form.

The problem they've had in recent years, Bayern, I think, is that they win, but the Bundesliga so easily,

that they very rarely come into March, April, May in peak form.

But they certainly look to be at the moment.

And you know, you look at the way someone like Michael Alisa is playing in particular.

And it's just so pleasure to watch him.

So I think they've got world-class quality in almost every area.

Company seems to be doing a very good job there and they really believe in him.

So it looks like the most unified and coherent that Bayern had been for several years.

Liam, appreciate your time.

You're another one with a flight to catch as well.

Get home safe.

James and Sam, thanks for joining us earlier.

And also thank you guys for joining us as well.

We'll catch you soon.

You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast.

The producers would guide Clark, Mike Stavroup and Jay Beale, with editing by Paul Eiliff and Nick Thompson.

The executive producer is AD Morehead.

To listen to other great Athletic podcasts for free, including our dedicated club shows,

search for the Athletic wherever you get your podcasts.

You'll also find us on YouTube at the Athletic FC podcast, so make sure you subscribe.

The Athletic FC podcast is an Athletic Media Company production.

You're locked into a lot of things you can't change.

Weather, traffic.

Hey, stay in your lane.

Your wireless carry is latest price hike.

But you can unlock a better way.

Unlock the savings at boost mobile and save up to $600 a year.

Switch to the $25 a month unlimited wireless plan.

No contracts, no price hikes, and you keep your phone.

Stop being locked into their games.

Unlock the savings at boostmobile.com slash unlock.

Based on average annual single line of payment of AT&T for rising and T-Mobile customers,

compared to 12 months on the boost mobile unlimited wireless plan as of January 2026.

For full offer details visit boostmobile.com.

Over 90 of the top 100 US accounting firms trust Bill to simplify and secure Bill Pay.

That's proven financial infrastructure built on over a trillion dollars of secure payments.

Visit bill.com slash proven for a special offer.

With its two juicy beef patties, three slices of melted cheese and tangy bigot sauce,

the big arch is what happens when you start making a McDonald's burger and never stop the big arch.

The most McDonald's McDonald's burger yet for a limited time.