Champions League Matchday 6 is complete and the group stage is complete. A few surprises and a few obvious ones.
In this episode we have, special guest, Francisco Flores, he is co-host of the On the Counter Podcast.
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Francisco Flores – @franciscobcp
Group A
Bayern Munich – 16pts
Atletico Madrid – 9pts
Salzburg – 4pts
Lokomotiv Moscow – 3pts
Salzburg 0 Atletico Madrid 2 (12/9/20)
Bayern Munich 2 Lokomotiv Moscow 0 (12/9/20)
Group B
Real Madrid – 10pts
Borussia M’Gladbach – 8pts
Shakhtar Donetsk – 8pts
Inter – 6ts
Real Madrid 2 Borussia M’Gladbach 0(12/9/20)
Inter 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 0 (12/9/20)
Group C
ManCity – 16pts
Porto – 13pts
Olympiacos – 3pts
Marseille – 3pts
ManCity 3 Marseille 0 (12/9/20)
Olympiacos 0 Porto 2 (12/9/20)
Group D
Liverpool – 13pts
Atalanta – 11pts
Ajax – 7pts
Midtjylland – 2pts
Ajax 0 Atalanta 1 (12/9/20)
Midtjylland 1 Liverpool 1 (12/9/20)
Group E
Chelsea – 14pts
Sevilla – 13pts
FC Krasnodar – 5pts
Rennes – 1pt
Chelsea 1 FC Krasnodar 1 (12/8/20)
Rennes 1 Sevilla 3 (12/8/20)
Group F
Borussia Dortmund – 13pts
Lazio – 10pts
Club Brugge – 8pts
Zenit St. Petersburg – 1pt
Lazio 2 Club Brugge 2 (12/8/20)
Zenit 1 Dortmund 2 (12/8/20)
Group G
Juventus – 15pts
Barcelona – 15pts
Dynamo Kyiv – 4pts
Ferencvaros – 1pt
Barcelona 0 Juventus 3 (12/8/20)
Dynamo Kyiv 1 Ferencvaros 0 (12/8/20)
Group H
PSG – 12pts
RB Leipzig – 12pts
Man Utd – 9pts
Istanbul Basaksehir – 3pts
RB Leipzig 3 ManUtd 2 (12/8/20)
PSG 5 Istanbul Basaksehir 1 (12/9/20)
Predictions
Francisco: USA 1vs El Salvador 0
Poll
What is the your favorite type of #Christmas card?
Photo Card- 33%, Christmas Letter- 33%, Postcard- 0%, Gift Card- 33%
Transcript
Santiago Leon 0:12
The sports cast early December not not a December way. If you haven’t yet please subscribe in all our channels YouTube, Periscope and Apple podcasts. And if you’re on iTunes or Apple podcast, please leave a rating and review. It will help us out tremendously. And of course, visit us on our YouTube channel to subscribe and our periscope please follow and you can listen to us live on dap digital radio on the sports cast app. And also on our website the sports cast dotnet the latest and greatest in news. This episode is brought to you by the sports cast app. You could you could get it. You could get it at the apple podcast temple, the Champions League matchday six is completed the group stage has also completed a few surprises and a few obvious ones. And today we have a special guest all the way from Oregon. We are friends with a lot of people from Oregon. Francisco Flores from on the counter podcast, a huge soccer podcast in the country. Francisco Welcome to the sports cast.
Francisco Flores 1:17
How’s it going? Thank you for that welcome. Santiago is an honor to be named the biggest soccer in the nation. sources to be confirmed
Santiago Leon 1:26
it should be and I think it will be you guys I started falling guys back in July, you have a lot of insight stuff that I don’t get from like the guardian or from Talksport, or from like the Daily Mail, but you guys do a lot of digging in there.
Francisco Flores 1:41
Yeah, man I appreciate it’s good to hear some positive feedback because we get a lot of hate, we get a lot of pushback, because, you know, we say what’s on our mind, we see how we feel. And we talk about the soccer, how we see it and no filter included at all.
Santiago Leon 1:55
And tell us how you guys started with the podcast those I mean, a little bit about yourself and your soccer past and tell us how you started the podcast.
Francisco Flores 2:04
Yeah, so I’ll start with the soccer past. Um, so I’ve been basically playing soccer my whole life since you know, I can remember Five, four years old first thing I ever got was a soccer ball as a president as a birthday present. And so ever since then, I have liked the sport playing it, watching it, talking about it, you know, whatever it is, um, I went to high school when I played soccer there. Fortunately, it wasn’t good enough to go to collegiate level. I mean, we already know how it is here. Soccer wise, you know, it’s very hard. It’s very pay to play. You know, if your parents don’t have the money, then you don’t get into the good teams. And that’s basically how it worked out for me. I got to play High School soccer, and then eventually went to Oregon State, which is where I met drew and He is the Creator and the co host of on the Kenner podcast. And it was started about two years ago with Drew and a different guy. And I joined about in September of 2019. And yeah, I’ve been helping it grow, you know, on Twitter, social media wise and YouTube. That’s basically what we’ve been trying to push is our YouTube channel on the counter podcast, which is
Santiago Leon 3:10
Yeah, which is interesting because a youth, you, you kind of cover that like the league that I like to cover is the Premier League, like the Champions League. La Liga as well, no MLS, which I’m actually okay with, by the way.
Francisco Flores 3:31
Yeah, we try to stick to the biggest leagues, mainly Premier League, that’s kind of our big focus. But also another thing we do is, you know, Drew is he likes to push like the whole his whole American narrative. I mean, he is right but since I’m Mexican, you know, he does his little episode series where he talks about the Americans and how well they’re doing in Europe and whatnot and then I talk about the Mexicans are in Europe and whatnot. So that’s kind of another thing we’re trying to, to to lay on people you know, I we do you know, throw out there like we are American soccer talk after dark, you know, and we throw the American in there, but I try to throw a little bit of you know, the Mexican side in there, it’s just so we can get a little more variety and we’re not just focusing you know, on one side and so yeah, you know, I think that that ends up bringing in other content which is Liga Max and we try to do like Liga MX in English, which is not really you know, a lot of not a lot of people talk about Liga MX in English, which is kind of a little niche, you know, market that we’re trying to break into as well. It’s a little hard because it’s already been established, like there’s already tons of other Twitter accounts that that do it but you know, I still make my series I’m up to episode number 25. So that’s 25 weeks straight that I’ve been doing it just covering Mexicans and in abroad in Europe.
Santiago Leon 4:48
Good point. Your podcast does bring a balance to what like a American soccer is I think a lot of people watch Liga MX which, which has the highest ratings in soccer. for television for for all you sports guys listeners, which are mostly college football listeners Liga MX is probably the high is the highest TV ratings in North America. And then of course you got the probably the Premier League over the MLS but I don’t have to look at those numbers for
Francisco Flores 5:21
Yeah, I would agree.
Santiago Leon 5:23
Most likely that is the reason why NBC paid $1 billion for those TV rights. And so your podcast definitely brings that balance is what I like to listen I don’t anyways, anyways, we our time is our enemy today. So we’ll start with the Champions League group, a Francisco Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, house Berg and Lokomotiv Moscow. Let’s go for the scores Atletico Madrid, they beat salsburg we think about this athletic team are they a force to be reckoned with?
Francisco Flores 5:58
As as a fan of La Liga and you know something I don’t like to say that I prefer Premier League over certain league. But my my my love is La Liga and Real Madrid so I’m a little bit biased with Liga and the Spanish team. So this political tree team has came out of nowhere. You know, every year we know that they set up defensively that they’re going to be out here trying to get clean sheets with Chile’s mo which cholo Simoni and, you know, his style, I think what he has done this season with gel, Felix is sort of adapted a little bit changing a little bit and and let him you know, because I think they finally are at the point where they can say, Okay, this is our, this is the guy this is the guy who’s gonna lead you know, we’re gonna have to build around his jaw Felix. So I think they have a good shot at not just the Champions League, but also in the league, because right now they’re in first place. I think it’s a one point lead, but they got two games in hand. And you know, with that motivation of being on top of the league and doing well in Champions League, you know, I think they have a pretty good shot at it.
Santiago Leon 7:01
Bayern Munich, top of the group 16 points defending champions, Francisco at this point, do you see them repeating or do you think they’ll find a challenge somewhere? Then?
Francisco Flores 7:14
For Byron, yes, yes. He said, yeah. Byron Bay me. Um, well, at the beginning of the season, that my prediction was Byron to repeat I remember that using and I think I’m gonna stick with it. You know, obviously, from today’s game, it was a, you know, rotation squad and they were already through so it wasn’t really taking that seriously. But, um, you know, I think the the what, what, um, what’s his name the coach. I can’t remember but the Byron coach. He hansy right. Ozzy flick,
Santiago Leon 7:48
I will look at look it up. I know, it’s kind of complicated. Not as easy as joking. Look, look,
Francisco Flores 7:53
I think that’s his name. But you know, he’s, he’s done a good job with this team. And I think he could get your foot in. Yeah. Okay. And, and, you know, he he’s got a good base. And yeah, I think, why not, you know, Byron, they pretty much have that same foundation as last FC last season, so I can’t see why they can’t repeat. And I’m gonna stick with, with my choice. Um, you know, I’m a Madrid fan. But yeah, I sometimes gotta be real.
Santiago Leon 8:24
Speaking but Madrid, they won Group B. How to win today against Russia won’t go back to nil. This Madrid team has been criticized the dons job was in the line a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, Benzema is all still scoring goals. What are your thoughts about Madrid so far? And what is the prospects for this tournament?
Francisco Flores 8:46
Well, first, I want to say it surprises me how much of an influence that he’ll Ramos has on this team. Like the win, rumble Ramos is in the team, and when he’s not varan is a completely different player. And that honestly kind of scares me a little bit, you know, because as much as Ramos is, you know, a gladiator and a rock and he’s consistent, you know, he doesn’t really get injured doesn’t really go get out, you know, but when we obviously need him, and it’s pretty evident, you know, we lost the matches where he wasn’t playing and we won the matches where he was playing so I think that’s pretty obvious. And you know, I think going forward with with the getting swept by by shocked our and whatnot, and how things you know, ended up going and going to the last match, you know, I think there’s there’s a good place there to kind of reevaluate, you know, take things in with the team, and be like, Alright, what do we actually want to do, you know, takes you down into the staff room and be like, okay, with the team, take a meeting. How far do we want to get you know, how, what are we actually what can we do we believe in ourselves, do we think we could win this, you know, and I think that’s gonna be what’s gonna set them apart, you know, this season and if that doesn’t happen, then You know, I don’t want to say but I feel are an early exit man because you just you can’t do that in the next stage you can’t there’s there’s no second chance there’s no okay well we’ll wait till the next next game there’s two games right but it’s not over a series of six matches like there’s no point schedule there’s no you know you got to be out there you got to beat that team you know whoever it is you’re gonna face you know going top of the group is going to help because we’re gonna be put up against a second place team so hopefully it’s you know someone who’s who can give us a challenge but also you know we could be
Santiago Leon 10:34
second with Madrid How do you see the dawn I know that his job was on the line a few weeks ago or was rumored Do you think he’s still the right man for the job?
Francisco Flores 10:44
Um yeah I fully back z Don I like him as a manager. I like him as a as a person you know, as a motivator as a player obviously, he you know, he was world class and everybody knows get on as a player obviously. And and yeah, I fully back him. I don’t think his law his job was ever on the line. I think that was just the media you know, trying to try to get some clickbait in there. I think Yeah, floating theano backs him and hopefully here in the winter he back some with you know, a player or two that were able to strengthen the squad as well. And of course,
Santiago Leon 11:19
lastly inter tide char Donetsk inter came in last six points. team that we thought that might go to the next round. What happened when, with enter this time around?
Francisco Flores 11:33
Well, I think it was those two really bad performances they had against Real Madrid. Both games they just didn’t show up. And yeah, I think they’ll be really disappointed especially Conte, I think he’s been, you know, trying to, to really get this team to work well together to you know, do things change, you know, players up, find things to to tweak and whatnot to try to get results and yeah, they just weren’t able to get a result in any of those Madrid games. And I think, what moochie gladbach I think beat them once. And yeah, I just, it was just a bad result from them. You know, I thought they were doing well in this area. And, you know, with Kaku and getting him back to goalscoring form and trying to find the players that he could play with and yeah, I thought they were gonna get in I’m pretty sure I’d put Madrid and inter for those two.
Santiago Leon 12:24
Yeah, everyone enter back in the day, but I guess things didn’t come through. Group see Man City tops to group with 16 points. portal. William back goes and Olympic marsay Man City beat Marseille three nil. This man city team they want to win the Champions League. Can they do it Francisco.
Francisco Flores 12:45
They want to win. It’s so bad. so bad. Um, to be honest, I’m not the biggest pet fan. I’m not the biggest fan of the way he sets up His teams of this, like, just get the ball and don’t let your opponent have it. And not not because, you know, it’s not a good style. Obviously it is. He’s won, you know, two Premier League titles with it. But that’s just Madrid bias. You know, he coached Barcelona so I’m not gonna like Pep never have never will. Yeah, he knows it most seriously. I think man see the they’re not being able to have a girl not being able to have Jesus not being able to have a striker and then trying to find players that do play well in the striker position. And all this rotation i think is not good for them. You know, there isn’t really consistency in the lineups you know, anybody could be the starting 11 from one week to another with Pep I mean, they call it the ball frog. I don’t know if you know,
Santiago Leon 13:45
I had no idea. I
Francisco Flores 13:46
had no idea. They called the bot frog because he always like in the press conferences will say I’m gonna start these guys and he ends up with a whole different starting 11 or like he lies about the guy he’s gonna play. But yeah, I don’t. I don’t really have much confidence in density, winning the whole thing.
Santiago Leon 14:03
Porto defeated Olympiakos to nil we think about this portal team.
Francisco Flores 14:09
I like portal a lot. Actually. I’m a big fan of Tikka Tito obviously Corona. winger, right back, left right midfielder pretty much plays anywhere on the right side. And I think I remember it was there in the summer after Bordeaux had won the league. I was like this is going to be the team to look out for in Champions League surprise team but it didn’t really work out that way. I think you know, obviously they still made it through but they haven’t been playing in the same like they’re not as explosive as they were last season. They were pretty much ripping everyone apart in Portugal like no problem 540 and I really haven’t really seen haven’t really seen that from them in Champions League. So yeah, it’s it’s not really playing out. Well, but what the way that I thought but you know, well done for Bordeaux to make it through They have really good, really good base. They also have really good. What is it called? They bring up a lot of young players as well, from Portugal and they’re just the factory they produce they bring in new guys and then they sell them. And so yeah, I like Bordeaux.
Santiago Leon 15:17
Let’s look onto Group D my team Liverpool finish up top 13 points Atlanta at 11 Ajax at seven and Mitchell on at to Atlanta defeated ix one nil. Now this alonza team had a good run last year. Do you see the same for them going this year?
Francisco Flores 15:34
Yeah, super disappointed in the way Atlanta’s season has played out, you know, a lot of those problems with aliases and whatnot with these wife and, you know, he was one of their best players last season. And so yeah, I was I had high hopes for them, especially the the way that they play the way that that their manager wants them to play that open expensive with the three back, you know, which isn’t really a popular formation anymore. But I like that old school, you know, Sarah Italian style, you know, just get in there and, and, you know, you might have to tackle a guy or two, you know, that’s that’s the kind of play style like, and, you know, if Atlanta can, you know, focus and get their stuff together. I think they could pull a surprise a win or two over over some teams.
Santiago Leon 16:21
Liverpool, the Reds comfortably did not need to win today. They tied Mitchell on one, one, somewhere up in the Scandinavian countries. This Liverpool team is still at it. I think Frank Francisco, what do you think about this Liverpool team? I know they’re not first in the Premier League, but it definitely did well in like the Champions League.
Francisco Flores 16:38
Wait, before I get into that, did you say you were Liverpool?
Santiago Leon 16:42
I am a Liverpool fan. So has to be a Liverpool fan. for 10 years. Yes.
Francisco Flores 16:45
Let me ask you. What do you think about us and our hatred towards you know,
Santiago Leon 16:51
I get that a lot. Every everywhere else. Everyone hates Liverpool. This is a time to be hated. I know when when a person was a Man United fans back in the day they’re hated. But hey, you know, it’s part of the glory, you know, part of the glory.
Francisco Flores 17:04
I just just wanted to ask that real quick, because I’m the biggest Liverpool I’m starting to turn drew into Liverpool
Santiago Leon 17:11
more than Barcelona can be.
Francisco Flores 17:14
No, no, no, that’s true. That’s true. More than Barcelona. Plus I can’t hate Liverpool, because you know, they gave us a Champions League. So welcome. But I do like Mo, most ally. I do like Saudi Oman. And I think these guys how explosive they are, you know, we’ve seen them tear it up in Premier League every year for the last three years now. And you know, with with those two, I think Liverpool are always going to have a chance. You know, obviously with Virgil and DB now, that’s, that’s going to be like the biggest downer. But, you know, I think the youngsters like clop has been saying, I think the youngsters have have pulled their strings and pulled their way and they have actually been able to show up and be like, hey, Liverpool isn’t just you know, a strong 11 You know, there isn’t just Virgil, you know, like, we’ve got, you know, these these young guys that could also you know, pull their weight. And, you know, that’s good for me. You know, I like seeing young players getting there and getting a chance whenever they can. So yeah, I’m not not not gonna hate too much on Liverpool, but I do think they’re gonna they’re gonna, you know, get pretty far.
Santiago Leon 18:21
I agree. I don’t I mean, like, the whole virtual loss is gonna be a issue. I can’t say big issue. We’ll see how they can handle without them. But I think cloud has definitely has some backup plans. Let’s look at griep group each. Chelsea, 14 points Ville 13. Casey cross and our five rent is one. Chelsea Thai cross indoor One. One. Drew, your partner is a Chelsea fan. This team looks good. By the way. Great striker. I’ve been here in Chelsea fans saying they need a spark. But of course, Melissa is injured. We think about this Chelsea team.
Francisco Flores 18:55
I like this Chelsea team, everyone except for Christian pulisic. I want to say the nickname that I have for him.
Santiago Leon 19:02
I know. I know. I hear but it’s okay. Well, we’ll keep that up there.
Francisco Flores 19:06
If you do want to know you can go to my podcast on the
Santiago Leon 19:09
counter podcast. That’s right.
Francisco Flores 19:12
But no, no, that’s just a joke. I think, you know, scoring wise and going forward. They’re really good. Defensively, they have been getting better and in Premier League that they’ve been showing that and you know, I think that’s mainly been due to adore Mehndi the goalkeeper who, in my opinion is great, you know he I haven’t seen a goalkeeper block shots like that in a long time. You know, a goalie that actually goes and attacks the ball, tries to deflect the ball out of bounds tries to catch the ball and I think he’s an excellent goalkeeper and they did well to to bring him in and recruit them obviously kept Oh, that was not a good deal. But you know, we’ll move on from that.
Santiago Leon 19:52
You think so? I mean, I saw one time I mean, like his first game and he was good at that. But
Francisco Flores 19:58
maybe like the first time Yeah first season he came in you know because of that motivation of being the highest most expensive goalkeeper but definitely not not anymore you know kind of average I like him to burner so fast he’s like, I don’t know you know those guys that don’t look fast but on the field he just boom smokes you again. So yeah, I think these guys will come in clutch for them in the Champions League, especially Timo I think if you keep feeding that guy the ball he’s just gonna be scoring all day
Santiago Leon 20:27
before we move on to Seville Do you think Polish can be better than Donovan and like down the road or you still need to see more?
Francisco Flores 20:35
Um, I think he has the potential to be better than him. But you know, you’re gonna have to win you know, you’re gonna have to get trophies you’re gonna have to and plus Donovan wasn’t just like, Great at soccer, you know, like he was doing you know, other stuff. And he’s does well with the media. And, you know, I think he was doing well to put his name out there not just as a soccer player, but just be like, Oh, you know, I’m a I’m an American. And this is how we because we need to see more of that, you know, we need to see because I feel like Western bikini all these they’re like embarrassed to be American. Like they don’t want to say that they’re American. And so you know, we want to see that we don’t want to see like, Oh, yeah, you know, at the press conference is like, Oh, yeah, we do. You know, great match today. But like, come on, man. Give us give us something you don’t give us. Give us some of that American culture. Man.
Santiago Leon 21:21
I agree. I agree. And I think you’re right about Landon Donovan. He definitely had a good media presence and has some great when it came to playing. Of course, he’s stayed healthy, who’s been healthy, most of his career doesn’t look good with the health reports. And Donovan was also playing with the whole like, Mexican American thing like you know, like, going with the rivalry thing about Mexico versus us like he played into that like a lot you know, even when He even went down and played in Liga MX Exactly. that’s saying a lot and we’ll see if Melissa could win a game and the Azteca stadium but as a whole different podcast to talk about. Seville second place Francisco, the beat retinas? Three one I know they’re known as the Europa League team. But do you think this team could go deep with this tournament?
Francisco Flores 22:09
Um, well, in the UEFA Super Cup when they played Bayern I actually think they played pretty well I don’t think they played bad um, you know, and I think people will just kind of like to hate on them because of the style that they like to play you know, it’s I don’t know it’s La Liga I guess you know, the people just call it like boring you know, boring soccer just pass the ball. But I think Serbia does well to to, like retire out their opponents and and break them down. And, you know, there’s a history you know, with his coach in Real Madrid with with Julian lopetegui not going to talk about you know, what, what happened there, but, you know, I’m not going to praise him, but I think he’s done well to set up this team with with these with these players. I really like Diego Carlos, like, just guy who works and works and works doesn’t give up and gives everything for the jersey. So yeah, I think they have a really strong base as well. And, well, if they get matched up, you know, against a harder team. I think that team gets you know, overconfident they’re like guys just to be Yeah, I think Serbia will be pulling more surprises than people think.
Santiago Leon 23:21
Group f brusa. Dortmund finished up top with 13 last year at 10 lube club broke at eight Zenit at one point a lot of CO B club group to to to tide that came in second and the group Francisco we think about this last SEAL Team
Francisco Flores 23:39
well Lazio sort of the the underdog I guess you could say the you know they just kind of running under the radar and and for sure this is their first Champions League right.
Santiago Leon 23:54
I got to double check I haven’t seen him in a while but that I can tell you
Francisco Flores 24:00
i think i think it is but the they have have What’s his ixora Mobley who scores a lot but I mean, other than that they’re their squad I feel like is probably one of the weakest of all these teams. So yeah, there’s not really too positive on on them and what they have their bench there they don’t really have a lot of depth in their squad Pippin arena defending your goal is pretty mistake prone as well. That’s old
Santiago Leon 24:27
school Liverpool, man. Still Brown.
Francisco Flores 24:30
You know who is
Santiago Leon 24:33
always a backup anyways, um, brissett Dortmund. A good squad has a lot of potential. They beat a Zinnia to one but anyone can be in it. What are your thoughts about this squad?
Francisco Flores 24:46
Yeah, doormen I like them a lot. But for me, even though a lot of people don’t think so. I think Lucien farmer, their coach, I think that’s what’s holding them back. I think this team could they have a lot more in them than what their coach actually can get them to. To do on the field, I think if they get a different manager and yeah and I know they’re like doing well but to me I think that’s what’s holding them back. And and as far as champions league I think that’s what’s gonna hold them back as their manager. He’s too like he’s too tactical right like he wants to break everything down tactically and like these guys are young you know these guys are like 1918 they’re already in school you know they don’t need to be taught like a you know like a school teacher like this this is how you do it. You know? Like, I think you just need to give these guys the freedom to go out there and do what they want. But you know, I do like their system the three back I think they’ve been able to tweak it and perfect it you know, little by little sometimes going 3412 or 3142 you know, whatever depending on who they play and yeah, I think the the youngsters also they have they’re like Jude Bellingham and Gio Reyna the American you know, like these these guys are just some it’s just a matter of time before these guys pop off.
Santiago Leon 25:55
Let’s look at group g g ventouse. Beat the Catalan giants three to nil. We think about that match and Juventus prospects
Francisco Flores 26:06
Well, if you didn’t know now, you will know I am the biggest Cristiano Ronaldo fan not
Santiago Leon 26:14
probably la Madrid fans are also Juventus fans for some reason
Francisco Flores 26:20
I wouldn’t call myself a you went to fan but I definitely call myself Rinaldo fan. And anytime Ronaldo goes and tears up the camp. No, I’m gonna be there. I’m be celebrating. And yeah, I think with Ronaldo in the Champions League, we already know that he it’s his competition. It’s his place to shine. It’s it’s you know, as soon as he hears that anthem, and he walks out in the field is that blood is running through his veins and he’s going you know, and nothing can stop him nothing has stopped in the Champions League. He is literally wanted you know, whenever there’s a I guess like a a strong team, you know, behind him and this team may may have what it takes to go all the way. And you know, if they get close, whatever semifinals whatever Ronaldo is going to be the go to guy you know, like, he’s going to be up top penalties whatever. This could be like,
Santiago Leon 27:14
this could be the run. We’ll see what happens. A mess his last dance? What do you think so far?
Francisco Flores 27:21
Oh, no, I’m not a messy fan. All right. But Barcelona still somehow got more points than Real Madrid. So there is that in Champions League. Right. So they got 50. And Madrid only got was 1110. So I’ll give them that. Yeah. And and they have, you know, not really the best squad. Yeah, you have messy but, I mean, that doesn’t mean anything. You know you. I think they have the pieces. Right. But it’s just they just can’t get I don’t know what’s going on all the extra stuff with Coleman and the president who do they even have a president right now? Who’s the president? Barcelona? I
Santiago Leon 28:04
don’t know. Good question. Let me somewhere cut the line name.
Francisco Flores 28:07
Yeah. So, I mean, I don’t really have a lot of hope for them just because of everything that has been going on with them how they treated Messi, you know, he wanted to leave and then they forced him to say, you know, he hasn’t really been scoring. And it’s the guy you guys are relying on. So not really looking good for Barcelona.
Santiago Leon 28:27
You think Messi will leave to Man City or stick around? If Barcelona proves him that he should stay?
Francisco Flores 28:36
No, I think he’s gonna leave. I think no matter what.
Unknown Speaker 28:38
Yeah,
Francisco Flores 28:38
I think he I mean, he told us he had it he decided that he’s going to leave and they just didn’t let him and he wasn’t gonna sue because it says the team of his his dreams right? He’s not gonna sue the team that he loves. So I think Yeah, just bad bad that Barcelona just doesn’t know how to run their squad right now.
Santiago Leon 29:00
Yeah, it’s quite quite interesting. So you would think main city might be the likely place to go for him?
Francisco Flores 29:07
Um, I think so. I mean, I don’t really know. I think he wants to go play with pap. That’s what I feel like but also I feel like the media has also been the one to throw Man City as like the number one. I mean, who knows where he might he might go to PSG? He might go to you know,
Santiago Leon 29:24
I’ve heard I’ve heard that you know,
Francisco Flores 29:27
yeah, so wherever they offer more money in China, who knows that could happen,
Santiago Leon 29:31
but I don’t see him go to China or to Argentina. I think he has a lot left in the tank. For the for one of the greatest soccer players in the world. Group. Ah, Paris, came first RB lipstick second Man United, disqualified nine points. instable, best care. Let’s go for the first for the first one Man United how to win this game. That loss against rbls bag. What happened there Francisco
Francisco Flores 30:01
Good question. What did happen to Man United? Um, yeah, it’s to me, I don’t really see this Man United squad as like a, a big 16 right now, you know, especially the way that they they handle themselves on the field like, they don’t play like a big 16 they they they they let the opponent you know they’re they wait for the opponent and they don’t actually react until you know that it’s too late you know to zero or you have to make a comeback, you know, like Premier League they made that comeback against a West Ham. But not in Champions League doesn’t work like that champions. You can always make comebacks. And yeah, I think only he is his job. I think that that is a manager who’s whose job is on the line, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him out here in the winter.
Santiago Leon 30:52
You think porcha Tino might take that spot?
Francisco Flores 30:56
Um, I think that’s a good candidate for the job. For sure.
Santiago Leon 31:00
That’s what I’m thinking. I think I mean, he, I think he’s run out. I mean, I ran out of ideas, but I don’t think he has that great. He just, I don’t know something about him. I mean, he was good at the beginning, but it feels like he just kind of right now he’s running on fumes right now. So we’ll see what happens. Um, PHP, five, one against instable a PHP without cavani. But they haven’t bought a name arm? Is this the year for PHP? Fransisco?
Francisco Flores 31:31
Um, no, it’s not. gonna give you a straight answer. Um, look, I’ll be honest, I have a little bias because here’s another player. I don’t like Neymar All right. I like him. poppin. But Neymar I just, I just can’t handle this guy, right? He dies all the time. He complains all the time. He’s a hypocrite because he’ll complain about stuff. And then he’ll go and do it. Like, see, we’ll get kicked. And then he’ll go and kick somebody and, you know, he tries to push like this whole, like, you know, Black Lives Matter and don’t be racist stuff. And he’s done so many homophobic stuff. And and the press is like, No, no, we’re not gonna talk about that. But anyways, back to PSG.
Santiago Leon 32:19
The drama.
Francisco Flores 32:21
Yeah, the drama. Right. And I think going forward, you know, to cool, I don’t really think he’s a great manager. I don’t think He’s good. He’s tactically great. I think what’s more, just the players that he has, you know, especially in Bombay, I think teams see him in the starting lineup, and they’re like, oh, man, how are we going to stop this guy? He’s one of the best right now. And I think it’s more to do with who he has the players that he has. And you know, obviously parrot PSG has an endless fun of money, and they can bring in whoever they want. And I think that’s what just making too cool. look good. And as far as their chances going forward. I think they could get past the Quarter Final, but that’s about it. That’s in the semis. Like always, that’s fair
Santiago Leon 33:05
enough now, and they more does say that he will like to play with Messi again. Do you think the PSG rumor got stronger after he said that?
Francisco Flores 33:15
Um, I mean, to be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if either PSG tries to sign Messi. Or if if barsa tries to sign Neymar one of those deals messes
Santiago Leon 33:25
like I’m only staying if I’m only staying if you bring on Neymar I could
Francisco Flores 33:30
see that happening. Yeah, if you spend 200 and
Santiago Leon 33:33
300 million now. Oh, gosh, that’s crazy.
Francisco Flores 33:37
I think that you know that. It’s just, it’s more in the media. I feel like that’s playing into that stuff. You know, like trying to try to click bait and whatnot. To be honest, I don’t think they will play together ever again. Because there’s too much too much money there. You know, like going going one way or going the other way if they ever want to meet at the same club? No,
Santiago Leon 33:58
no clubs gonna have that much money. Too much had to get a lot of bank loans. That happened. So Francisco now seeing the group stage done. Can you make your prediction who makes it to the final and who will win it?
Francisco Flores 34:13
Um, well, I think I’m gonna stick with my my prediction from the beginning of the season, and I’m gonna pick a buyer stick with the buyer and I think they have the strongest probably lineup and I think explosiveness you know, and everything aside, I think they they’re just consistently out here to win. And, you know, the the philosophy that they build, they’re a buyer and it’s just win win win. You know, I think going going off of last season, and that Champions League way and I think they could do double.
Santiago Leon 34:48
Wow, there you go and who and who would they meet in the final?
Francisco Flores 34:53
Ah,
Santiago Leon 34:54
who can’t be it can’t be Madrid. It can’t be
Francisco Flores 34:59
good. Good. Let’s see. Let me pick a team here. If we can take a team here at team are we let’s take, let’s go. Why not?
Santiago Leon 35:20
That’s not a bit UV Mentos and bam, you’ve been fired.
Francisco Flores 35:22
Wow, final.
Santiago Leon 35:24
But the thing is if I see Ronaldo going to that final I mean, I don’t see him losing it. Yeah, right. That’s just I don’t know it just it just, it just doesn’t jive doesn’t jive.
Francisco Flores 35:36
I just contradicted myself after saying that.
Santiago Leon 35:40
I know. I know. I know. Hey, it could happen. Bayern Munich Mike could it could take them on. Anyways, um, it is our Champions League recap of the group stage and of course, looking forward to it. The I believe the second round begins until March or February. No March, right.
Francisco Flores 36:01
It’s Yeah, early March.
Santiago Leon 36:04
I would say early March. Yeah. From experience. So for sure. We have a few weeks that we’ll be looking two months of straight Premier League and La Liga and Syria. Before we close the show. I want to hear your opinion over the Premier League right now. Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leicester in the top four. Do you see Tottenham winning the Premier League?
Francisco Flores 36:33
This is gonna be a little hard to explain. Because I am a fan of Tottenham. Right, right like spurs. But I wouldn’t say I’m like a supporter. Right? Because I watched the Premier League, like over overall right, but I kind of swing towards spurs. I don’t know it doesn’t really make a lot of sense.
Santiago Leon 36:52
That’s right. You’re a La Liga. You’re a Madrid fan. You can pick any team in the Premier League and say, I mean, this is the team that I like by my fan fan. I won’t buy their jersey.
Francisco Flores 37:01
Yeah, exactly. Exactly. I’m a fan of round Madrid and I’m a fan of Chivas Guadalajara from Mexico. You know, like those two teams like that, for sure. I can’t deny that I’m a fan. But no spurs. I’m not like trying to be like, Oh, you know, oh, you pick them when they win or whatever. Because look, I’m gonna be honest right here right now with you. I don’t I don’t think they could pull the the Premier League title when? Wow, you know, I think they have you know, a really strong squad. Especially you know, when you have Harry Kane and Son, you know, but I think the depths of their squad is not there, you know, that they they have davinson Sanchez, and what’s his name? The other centerback I can’t remember his name right now. I pull that up. The the defensive like partnership, I just don’t see it there. And, you know, for me, honestly, you’ll Reese even though a lot of people give him a lot of credit for being a good goalie. I think he’s really mistake prone. Eric Dyer, nah. Yeah. Dyer, who’s actually not centerback technically, he’s converted. He’s a CDM slash centerback. He can play there. But I think it’s mostly just due to his size but he’s really dumb. Right? Like he’s, he’s not a smart soccer player.
Santiago Leon 38:15
He’s gonna lose on the field.
Francisco Flores 38:16
Yeah, and also I see soco who was a player that like at the beginning of the season, they were like, bro, you Maria doesn’t even want you you know and also the the other guy. What’s his name? The font. Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry about that. Yeah, no, no, no, not because he’s a defender on the guy who was a was a midfielder. I can remember his name.
Santiago Leon 38:45
There’s a few of them here. Looking up right now. Harry winks. Then belay. See? I’m gonna pull up like the Chelsea match. I got the I got the fight my bag. I’m not sure if we use that one. That’s my favorite soccer app. Which one? fit mob?
Francisco Flores 39:04
Oh, my 14 mom. Okay. No, I
Santiago Leon 39:05
just use so contact. No, no, sorry. He’s Chelsea. Sissoko hogberg
Francisco Flores 39:11
and dumbly. There we go.
Santiago Leon 39:12
Yes, I’m gonna lay my bed down. But that’s nothing wrong.
Francisco Flores 39:16
He was another player that were that Marina was like, Oh, I don’t like you and blah, blah. And he gave him the whole Marina treatment and, you know, whatever. And I think right now, there’s kind of like this honeymoon, honeymoon period still with with Mourinho and spurs, you know, like, Oh, you know, I think this guy has actually convinced us that we could win the league, you know, but I think there’s gonna come a point in time when then either Liverpool or city or whatever, you know, starts closing that gap. And then, you know, I think we’re gonna, what I do like is that overall, there’s title race, right? No team is running away with it.
Santiago Leon 39:49
True. Yeah. Because I know. I mean, a year ago, Liverpool was already clear winning. Almost in the clear. Yeah, you know?
Francisco Flores 39:57
Yeah, basically, yeah, they’re like 10 like yeah, might as well just give him the title now. So no they’re gonna
Santiago Leon 40:05
Yeah. I don’t know if you watch the Amazon Prime, all or nothing with Tottenham, but Mourinho said to his players guys you get like, like you have to stop being nice and stop being respectful. You got to be a holes. It’s probably working out.
Francisco Flores 40:21
Yeah, it’s working out right now for sure. Well that is we’ll see. Yeah, we’ll
Santiago Leon 40:26
see so early, but I think Mourinho is able to pull them through at least an FA Cup or maybe some caribou cup they need to win a trophy, because they haven’t done that and I think 20 years or more. Anyways, that is our premier league update. Um, predictions tonight usa usa vs El Salvador in Miami. Who you got Francisco?
Francisco Flores 40:48
USA, what would it I didn’t even know that game was so friendly.
Santiago Leon 40:51
Very, very low key friendly.
Francisco Flores 40:54
What firmly in the middle of champions.
Santiago Leon 40:58
Is that even possible? Is the US Soccer right? You never know these guys.
Francisco Flores 41:02
Um, who are they gonna be playing with?
Santiago Leon 41:04
I don’t know. I gotta see it’s probably a very bc team.
Francisco Flores 41:08
I mean, I was gonna say it’s like,
Santiago Leon 41:10
I don’t think the Europeans either that probably MLS players if I had to guess. Oh, that’s true. They’re offline. Yeah, they’re not. Yeah.
Francisco Flores 41:18
Yeah, it’s gonna be a most players. Hmm. Wait, who did you say?
Santiago Leon 41:23
USA versus Elsa? adore.
Francisco Flores 41:27
I’m gonna say the US takes it 101
Santiago Leon 41:31
nil as Salvador on believable. And Poll Question of the day on our Twitter account. What is your favorite Christmas star card? The one with like the picture, the Christmas letter, like the gift card or the regular mail car postcard? Favorite type?
Francisco Flores 41:54
I like the ones that you open. It plays a little jingle.
Santiago Leon 41:58
Yeah, I guess you could say it’s a mix of Christmas letter and photocard. But it’s all it’s all tied with the postcard at 33%. So you could definitely vote on that on the sportscast, Twitter at the sports cast one, Francisco, what is the best way to reach you? And also to know about your podcast? Yeah, so
Francisco Flores 42:18
if you want to reach me, the best place is Twitter. My username is at Francisco BCP. For the podcast, the best place you could go and send us a message or whatever we have a lot. We have basically all the social medias, right, but I think Twitter works really well. And that’s on on the counter pod. Also follow our YouTube page and our Patreon we have everything.
Santiago Leon 42:43
That’s right. And that’s something that guys got got to check it out. They go really deep in soccer. And you can reach us here at the sports cast at the sports cast one or at the sports cast net for the latest and greatest tomorrow with the victor roto show. There’ll be going some NBA stuff what happened to Jim James Harden, and of course, some NFL talk and all this, the scheduling and everything else. But Wow. What a soccer podcast for Cisco. Wow, this is a really, really grateful for you coming on? Um, what do you think is gonna happen in the month of December? I mean, I mean, the Premier League will see more fans this month. But are we going to see a good month when it comes to soccer this month? Yeah, I
Francisco Flores 43:28
think so. I think we’re gonna have tons of soccer, you know, schedules are gonna be full. There’s gonna be games because I think well, international break is coming up. And then it goes right back into the season. I think you know, wintertime is when it gets to three games every third day there’s basically going to be a game you know, with the the cup tournaments and whatnot as well. And you know, they they like to schedule those games in there because they know people are gonna be watching they’re at home for Christmas and whatnot, because Christmas is canceled this year.
Santiago Leon 43:59
Yeah, apparently me you can’t go out and you can’t go to pubs or anything.
Francisco Flores 44:04
I just want to watch Premier League says I can’t go to the pub on the 24th.
Santiago Leon 44:09
And of course La Liga is also going to let fans in right or what have you heard about the La Liga?
Francisco Flores 44:17
I think it’s in the works, but I think that it’s not until January 1 or 2021 Wow, I think is when they’re they’re looking at doing that. I haven’t actually read up on it like the most up to date information, but I lost my check. I think it’s they’re gonna wait until next year.
Santiago Leon 44:34
Yeah. And for the Premier League. It depends on the club and where they’re at the location. And I know Liverpool has some fans and Tottenham too. So we’ll see how things go with fans because I miss it. I think having like the fake crowd noise is kind of good, but it’s not authentic. You know what I mean? So
Francisco Flores 44:51
yeah, and I think you forgot about it already. Exactly. And then I need attention to the fake noise.
Santiago Leon 44:58
Well for Cisco, it was a really Pleasure for you coming on to the sports cast and soccer is only growing here in America. And the best is yet to come. Appreciate you coming on.
Francisco Flores 45:10
Thank you for having me something oh
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
