The Game

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Did key Kane call cost Pochettino and Spurs? Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

It’s the last ever Game podcast for one Gabriele Marcotti. And there are plenty lining up to pay tribute to the man who has made this podcast his own.

On the agenda this week, the Champions League final as Liverpool lift their 6th European Cup after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham. They showed nous and it may have been Alisson’s 27th clean sheet of the season but did the Reds even defend that well?

From the Spurs side of things, it was a case of what might have been. Was Mauricio Pochettino right to start Harry Kane? Did Poch have enough up his sleeve tactically? And where next for Tottenham’s in-demand manager?

The Europa League trophy was lifted by Chelsea in Baku last week. But will it prove to be Maurizio Sarri’s last act as manager at Stamford Bridge?

And with the Nations League finals just around the corner, we ask just how seriously should Gareth Southgate and England be taking this trophy?

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Champions League final preview May 27, 2019

Show notes

Gab Marcotti and Natalie Sawyer bring you a special bumper look ahead to the Champions League final and Europa League final, in the company of Oli Kay, Paul Joyce, Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant.

Liverpool and Tottenham get ready to do battle in the biggest club game in European football on Saturday night. Will Firmino and Kane make it for Madrid? How can Tottenham stop the Reds’ rampaging full-backs? And would Mauricio Pochettino leave Spurs on the highest of highs if he was victorious on Saturday?

The first final featuring all-English clubs is on Wednesday night. Oli is among those boarding several flights to Baku, as controversy continues to reign around the Europa League final venue. We discuss the absence of Arsenal’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the future of Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.

Plus we debate whether Petr Cech’s reported summer move to a directorial role at Chelsea represents such a conflict of interests that he should not be picked in goal for the Gunners. And what will be Mesut Ozil’s legacy?

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Football, Bloody Hell! How United won the Treble May 23, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer introduces a special one hour documentary from talkSPORT looking back at Manchester United's amazing treble winning season. You'll hear how;

- The United board wondered if Fergie had taken his eye off the ball

- Martin Edwards asked Fergie to cut short his holiday and return for talks

- the players placed demands on their coaches.

Featuring Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, Steve McClaren and Martin Edwards.

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Bale and Man City – struggling to be loved May 20, 2019

Show notes

Gab Marcotti and Natalie Sawyer are joined by Matt Dickinson and Alan Smith after a historic weekend in English football.

Manchester City equal the biggest FA Cup final win ever with a 6-0 victory over Watford at Wembley, becoming the first English men’s team to complete the domestic treble. But Pep Guardiola is forced to answer some difficult questions about finances while certain fans feel City aren’t getting the credit they deserve. Will City ever truly be embraced, even with the wonderful football they play?

On the pitch, we discuss Vincent Kompany’s legacy at City after his decision to become player-manager at Anderlecht and the role of City assistant Mikel Arteta, a pivotal figure as revealed by Paul Hirst’s behind the scenes story of the season in The Times.

Gareth Bale appears to have played his last game for Real Madrid after failing to acknowledge the fans after the final match of the season. Who could possibly afford him? Is the narrative of Bale being mistreated a bit wide of the mark? Does Bale need to act like Arjen Robben?

And there are managerial movers in the form of Allegri, Potter and Pulis.

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Gracia, Griezmann and Lampard’s young Rams May 16, 2019

Show notes

Less football but no fewer football talking points for Gab Marcotti, Natalie Sawyer, Oli Kay and Bill Edgar to pore over.

Manchester City look to complete the domestic treble with an FA Cup final win as we examine the historical significance of that feat. Are they the greatest team we’ve ever seen. Or are Watford, and manager Javi Gracia, better equipped to upset City than many think?

Both Guardiola and Gracia will be joined in the Premier League by another up and coming English manager in the form of Dean Smith or Frank Lampard. Aston Villa play Derby in the Championship play-off final. What do the panel make of Lampard’s first season in management?

And with Antoine Griezmann announcing he is leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, possibly for the Nou Camp, what are the knock-on effects for Premier League clubs in terms of players Barcelona would have to let go? Does it accelerate Eden Hazard’s departure from Stamford Bridge? Or Wilfried Zaha from Selhurst Park?

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Phenomenal Liverpool more limited than Manchester City May 13, 2019

Show notes

The most relentless title race in Premier League history is over. Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Paul Hirst and James Gheerbrant to determine where the trophy was won.

Manchester City become the first team in a decade to retain the Premier League title, sealing the championship on the final day. Have Liverpool done well to keep the gap to just a point? Do Liverpool have a more limited squad than City? Do City create more chances? And for Jurgen Klopp, how do you possibly improve on a 97-point season?

We discuss the sacking of Chris Hughton as Brighton manager, where James proves himself to be as merciless as Tony Bloom. Will a more progressive manager get the best out of Brighton’s buys?

There’s a bumper quick hits on every other Premier League club. We’re expecting big things for Bournemouth and Wolves if they have a good summer. Plus there’s seagulls and grasshoppers in their underwear.

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A night to remember for Spurs and who will claim top spot on Sunday? May 09, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are lucky to be joined in the studio by Alan Smith, and down the line Henry Winter gives his take on past performances and the big challenges to come with the final day of the premier league season approaching.

A night to remember for Spurs with the comeback of all comebacks, making an all English Champions League final! What a weekend it promises to be: the final chapter in a title race that has driven Manchester City and Liverpool on to an extraordinary test of their abilities and nerve.

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Arsenal’s big rebuild and a plea to see the real Tottenham May 06, 2019

Show notes

A big weekend in the Premier League and a big week to come in the Champions League. Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Alyson Rudd and Oli Kay to discuss it all.

Arsenal’s top 4 hopes are over after drawing at home to Brighton. How big a rebuild do Unai Emery and the Arsenal hierarchy have on their hands?

The Gunners do have the second chance of a potential Europa League final on their hands. But Manchester United definitely won’t be in the Champions League next season after drawing at Huddersfield. Who needs to be held accountable? Solskjaer or the players?

We look ahead to the Champions League semi-finals. Do Liverpool have any chance of overturning a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona, especially without Salah and Firmino? And can Tottenham grab their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reach the final or will they implode as they did at Bournemouth on Saturday?

Plus George Elek from the Not The Top 20 podcast joins us to discuss the impending play-offs in the Championship. It’s Bielsa versus Lampard but can Grealish lead Villa to the promised land of the Premier League?

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Celestial Messi as Rafa awaits the Reds May 02, 2019

Show notes

After an enthralling midweek of Champions League semi-finals, Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Henry Winter, George Caulkin and Bill Edgar to break it all down.

Liverpool play well and lose 3-0 at the Nou Camp, as Barcelona are inspired by Messi magic, inspiring Bill to get lost in Messi stats. How will we judge this Liverpool season if they end up without a trophy?

Standing in their way in the Premier League title race this Saturday is their old manager Rafa Benitez. To what extent will he feel conflicted? And will this be Benitez’s last home game in charge of Newcastle?

The other Champions League semi-final saw Spurs undone by Ajax in North London. But the major talking point surrounded the treatment of Jan Vertonghen’s concussion. With Mauricio Pochettino insisting they followed the protocol, is the protocol right and how should it be changed?

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Bielsa back in the good books while Spurs squad enter breaking point Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by James Gheerbrant and Paul Hirst after a weekend of unique talking points in the world of football.

Manchester City clear another hurdle in the title race. With Pep Guardiola’s men now having taken 192 points in almost 2 seasons in the Premier League, can we expect this trend to continue. And is Burnley’s style of play inhibiting Sean Dyche’s chances of employment at a bigger club?

Natalie was at Leeds to witness extraordinary scenes at Elland Road in the Championship. Leeds score with Villa having stopped playing, then allow Villa to score an equaliser. What happened? Why did it happen? Did Marcelo Bielsa do the right thing? And would he have done it if it wasn’t for Spygate?

Plus we look ahead to the Champions League semi-finals? Can Tottenham patch together a team capable of beating Ajax? And are we underestimating the chances of Barcelona’s defence up against Liverpool’s attack?

Elsewhere there are meltdowns for PSG and Dortmund, as we try to get Wilder.

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