Euro Leagues: Golden coins at Villa, farewell to Griezmann but welcome back Szczesny
Oct 3, 2024
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Guillem Balague, a renowned football journalist, joins forces with Julien Laurens, a French football expert, and Mina Rzouki, an Italian football analyst. They dive into Aston Villa's thrilling victory over Bayern Munich and Lille's triumph against Real Madrid, uncovering key game strategies. The team reflects on Antoine Griezmann's surprising retirement from international play and the legacy of the legendary Andres Iniesta. Controversy brews around Luis Enrique's choices at PSG, while Wojciech Szczesny makes a swift return to the pitch.
Antoine Griezmann's retirement from the French national team highlights his struggle with team dynamics and player transitions post-major tournament.
Wojciech Szczęsny's unexpected return to football after announcing retirement emphasizes the unpredictable nature of athletes' career decisions in high-level sports.
Deep dives
Antoine Griezmann's Retirement from International Football
Antoine Griezmann announced his retirement from international football, citing a lack of happiness in recent performances and a feeling that he no longer fits into the team dynamic. His departure comes after a string of significant changes in the French national team, with many of his longtime teammates having moved on. This decision is particularly striking, as it follows shortly after a major international tournament and indicates deeper reflections on his career and place within the squad. While Griezmann has had a remarkable career, his exit raises questions about how France will cope without a player known for his unifying presence both on and off the pitch.
Andres Iniesta's Retirement Announcement
Andres Iniesta, a beloved figure in Spanish football, has announced his retirement, marking the end of an era for a player hailed as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Known for his exceptional ball control and vision, Iniesta played a pivotal role in Spain's success, including their World Cup and UEFA European Championship victories. His impact extended beyond the pitch, as he openly discussed mental health issues and the challenges he faced during his career. Iniesta's departure is felt deeply among fans and players alike, with many highlighting not only his achievements but also his sportsmanship and humility throughout his illustrious career.
Vojciech Szczęsny's Return to Football
Vojciech Szczęsny surprised the football world by coming out of retirement to sign with Barcelona just weeks after announcing his exit from Juventus. Initially expressing a desire to focus on family life after an ascent through so many professional challenges, his decision to return raises questions about his motivations and the allure of high-level competition. Szczęsny is expected to take the starting goalkeeper position, potentially reawakening his career at a time when many believed he was stepping away for good. This unexpected turn sheds light on the complexities of retirement in professional sports, where opportunities can draw athletes back into the game.
Usman Dembélé's Exclusion from Paris Saint-Germain's Lineup
Usman Dembélé was left out of the Paris Saint-Germain lineup for their match against Arsenal, following reports of a disagreement with coach Luis Enrique over team discipline. The incident highlighted the challenges within the squad, as Dembélé, who had previously maintained a positive relationship with Enrique, clashed over expectations during a previous match. This absence underscored the importance of communication and respect within the team, particularly as PSG navigates a transition towards a younger roster. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will affect both individual performances and overall team coherence.
John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Mina Rzouki.
After another busy few days in the Champions League, they pick out their moment of the week, discussing Aston Villa, Lille, Real Madrid and Juventus.
They also ask why Antoine Griezmann has decided to hang up his boots for France and reflect upon the career of Andres Iniesta. Other topics include whether Luis Enrique was right to leave Ousmane Dembele out of the squad that lost at Arsenal, the return of Wojciech Szczesny and Brest’s brilliant start to life in the Champions League.
Timecodes:
0 min: Introduction.
1.25 Julien Laurens discusses meeting Conor McGregor and the Laurens family derby.
2.35 Mina Rzouki explains why she was so pleased with Juve’s win over Red Bull Leipzig.
4.18 Guillem Balague on Aston Villa’s win over Bayern Munich – including how he got one of the golden coins that were handed out afterwards.
7.10 Lille’s superb win over Real Madrid – and the problems at the Spanish club.
11.50 Why Antoine Griezmann has retired from playing for France.
21.00 Remembering why Andres Iniesta was such a special player.
27.12 Why Luis Enrique left out Ousmane Dembele at PSG on Tuesday – and the message that sent.
34.10 The swift return of Wojciech Szczesny.
39.04 Brest and their brilliant start to life in the Champions League.
Live football coming up on BBC Sounds….
Thursday 3rd October – Porto v Manchester United 8pm ko – Conor McNamara and Paul Robinson. The producer is Rob Schofield. Europa League on 5 Live
Saturday 5th October – Manchester City v Fulham 3pm ko – Ian Dennis and Chris Waddle. The producer is Gary Flintoff. Premier League on 5 Live
Saturday 5th October – Everton v Newcastle 5.30pm – John Murray and Stephen Warnock. The producer is Rob Schofield. Premier League on 5 Live
Sunday 6th October – Aston Villa v Manchester United 2pm ko – John Murray and Clinton Morrison. The producer is George Cummins. Premier League on 5 Live
Sunday 6th October – Chelsea v Nottingham Forest 2pm ko – Charlie Slater and Stephen Kelly. Premier League on 5 Sports Extra
Sunday 6th October – Brighton v Tottenham 4.30pm ko – Chris Wise and Steve Sidwell. Producer is Rob Nothman. Premier League on 5 live
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