Real win the derby and can Italy finally qualify for a World Cup again?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Totally Football Show
Italy World Cup qualification
If you look at the national team, you've got Gigi Donnarumma, who most people would say is one of the top three goalkeepers in the world, and a midfield that is as good as any in the world on paper with Tonali, Barella, and Locatelli. There's a core there which should not be in the position that Italy have found themselves in.
This is a process now that has been going on for 15 years of Italy being in this state of understanding what is wrong with their system and those problems not being addressed. Is it a story anymore, Italy not going to the World Cup?
Dimitri Payet retirement
Dimitri Payet announced at half-time under an umbrella beneath the rain at the Velodrome that he is retiring from football. He was never quite in the right place at the right time, but he was a moments player who left quite a legacy.
Como's rise in Serie A
Como have had the largest net spend in Serie A over the last two years. They are far, far ahead of schedule because of the investment and the decision to appoint and develop Cesc Fabregas as a coach.
Real Madrid tactical analysis
Real Madrid look increasingly good and fine. With this system, without a clear striker and a lot of midfielders playing in this free-flowing way, it's helping them find a stability they had not had this season.
Borussia Dortmund management change
Dortmund are breaking with tradition. They are moving away from the way Hans-Joachim Watzke liked to do business, which was to keep everything in-house, trust the homespun DNA, and promote from within. This is a brave new era.
PSG form
PSG look like the PSG of last season. They are seeing more of that high-octane press that was one of their real trademarks. It just taken them until the end of March to remember how to do it.
Spain national team squad selection
Luis de la Fuente has called up four goalkeepers, which is quite mad. There's a bit of politics and chemistry situation that the manager is trying to adjust before the World Cup.
La Liga relegation battle
The relegation battle in Spain is absolutely mad. Alongside the title race, it is definitely going to be the most interesting thing to watch in this last part of the season.
Dortmund vs Hamburg tactical analysis
Dortmund's XG was 6.2, which is the highest in Europe this season. It wasn't just glaring misses; it was a lot of very, very good goalkeeping from the Hamburg goalkeeper.
