⚽ FA Cup arguments, Bundesliga revival and more

The Independent’s football newsletter ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD14MTdzOWJwcGZtd2wmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Friday, April 19, 2024   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD01bjhhbGsxb2hjM3AmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD1memZ4ZHMzd21rMG8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvP2xpZD10eHd4ajViOGJycmImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj European eliminations show different issues As the Premier League reflected on a rare near wipe-out in Europe - [Aston Villa apart](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXN0b24tdmlsbGEtbGlsbGUtcmVzdWx0LWZpbmFsLXNjb3JlLXBlbmFsdGllcy1iMjUzMTEyNC5odG1sP2xpZD03aTJtcW5ycmJyZW0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)- it brought back some familiar discussions. Jurgen Klopp was first up, almost imploring journalists[to write about the unusual intensity of the competition](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbGl2ZXJwb29sLWp1cmdlbi1rbG9wcC1yZXRpcmVtZW50LXByZW1pZXItbGVhZ3VlLWIyNTMxMzIyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWl6NWt0Y2xlY2k5ZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). The argument goes that the Premier League is much more testing due to its deeper strength, with that compounded by the League Cup and FA Cup replays. Except, that doesn’t quite fit with how its clubs have dominated European competition for almost a decade now. That “deep strength” is of course lauded as affording the Premier League these immense broadcasting deals, that give English clubs an advantage over everyone else in Europe. That really should be more than enough to be going through. Sometimes, for all that such results look like they are linked in some wider trend, they are just different situations coming together. The wider trend, after all, is English dominance and huge money. Here, we had a Manchester City team that really should have gone through against Real Madrid, and that despite some unusually questionable recruitment decisions that can happen even in a project as accomplished as theirs. Arsenal weren’t quite ready, although they should be regretting the manner they went out. Liverpool had just done too much while West Ham United were always stretching it. Earlier on in the season, the Premier League was maybe “unlucky” that its two other Champions League representatives were a Manchester United going through a dismal spell and a Newcastle United that were overextended. Added together, it isn’t one of those situations that should provoke profound discussions about the state of English football. It’s just something that happens, although there should at least be a bit more reflection on the actual value of the amount of money that’s spent. There is a strong argument it actually works against innovation, of the type seen at the brilliant Bayer Leverkusen. [The rest of Europe nevertheless still feels](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuLWNpdHktYXJzZW5hbC1jaGFtcGlvbnMtbGVhZ3VlLXByZW1pZXItbGVhZ3VlLWIyNTMwNjQ4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXU0MzZwbThjZHd0YyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) - and fears - that English clubs will be back with force next season. This is widely seen as a mere aberration.   NEW: Independent sports betting newsletter Our new Independent Betting newsletter offers all the latest tips, odds and offers to help you place sports bets armed with as much information as possible. Sign up below to receive our best selections each Saturday morning! [SIGN UP TODAY](~/AAAHagA~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~)   FPL Gameweek 34: Jota, Jesus and five transfer tips for players to sign this week Here are our five transfers for [Fantasy Premier League](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0S7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdG9waWMvZmFudGFzeS1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZT9saWQ9ZTl6YWE4NnFxdjQ0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) managers to consider for this gameweek before the deadline on Saturday afternoon! ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZnBsLXRpcHMtdHJhbnNmZXJzLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1ndzI1LWZhbnRhc3ktYjI0OTQ4MTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9eG1razNxbmg3aDEwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~[Click here for the rest of our FPL picks](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZnBsLWd3LTM0LXRpcHMtdHJhbnNmZXJzLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1mYW50YXN5LWIyNTI4ODUwLmh0bWw_bGlkPWFpbm4xd29xOXJpYSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZnBsLWd3LTM0LXRpcHMtdHJhbnNmZXJzLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1mYW50YXN5LWIyNTI4ODUwLmh0bWw_bGlkPTN0bmpsNTdiN3J1YSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ The FA Cup replay debate is about the wrong subject As regards that fixture list, one of the controversies of the week has been the [abolition of FA Cup replays](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZmEtY3VwLXJlcGxheXMtc2NyYXBwZWQtcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtYjI1MzA4MTQuaHRtbD9saWQ9MzIwMXc3dWQ3OHVhJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)in the competition proper. There’s a lot of emotion swirling around, and a lot of lobbying. As befitting a format that ensured ties didn’t just end with a win and defeat, this [debate isn’t so binary, either](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZWZsLXByZW1pZXItbGVhZ3VlLW5hdGlvbmFsLWxlYWd1ZS1jb3ZlbnRyeS1kYXZpZC1tb3llcy1iMjUzMTQwMC5odG1sP2xpZD13ZmxzdzcwdnI1bmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). The first thing that should be said is that it was wrong to take the decision without the English pyramid financial deal being settled first. That is where this gets complex. Because, for all that replays have been a glorious part of the FA Cup’s tradition, there is an argument that doing it on the day better fits the spirit of the competition. It also makes upsets more likely, because lower-division clubs tend to only get that one chance at really rattling a wealthier side. For the replay, it’s likelier that energy diminishes. At the same time, it’s difficult to argue against the memories that come with hosting a big side, or getting to go to a stadium like Old Trafford. There’s also, above all in the modern game, the money. That is where this gets complex. While lower-league clubs are [dependent on replay money](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtZm9vdGJhbGwtYXNzb2NpYXRpb24tdWVmYS1iMjUzMDg5MC5odG1sP2xpZD0wM29jbDI1NjJ4OWsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), that is part of the problem. No economic model should leave clubs looking to the pot luck of who they can get in a cup, and how that tie falls. They should just be bonuses, in a more sustainable system. That is precisely why, wherever you stand on replays, it was wrong to make this decision before making the much bigger decision of this deal between the Premier League and the rest of the pyramid. That should have been sorted first. City consider transfer plan as Guardiola considers legacy Pep Guardiola will be seeing the FA Cup as a chance to immediately make up for midweek, but it just won’t be the same. The Champions League is what he desires most. While last season’s victory means he wasn’t as downbeat about [this elimination](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuLWNpdHktcmVhbC1tYWRyaWQtcGVuYWx0aWVzLWNoYW1waW9ucy1sZWFndWUtYjI1MzA2NDQuaHRtbD9saWQ9dTZiMHI2MTh3MXE1JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)as others, it is inevitably playing on his mind. Guardiola will [insist he doesn’t care about such things](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcGVwLWd1YXJkaW9sYS1jaGFtcGlvbnMtbGVhZ3VlLW1hbi1jaXR5LWJlcm5hcmRvLWIyNTMwNjUyLmh0bWw_bGlkPTEwbXhmbzRmdGYyZyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), but it is known that he has a keen sense of football history in this regard, and his own place in it. He naturally wants to win the most Champions Leagues, but he would also idealise doing it in a certain way. The City manager wants to retain it, since that is a staple of the European Cup’s past that is actually rather rare in the modern era. He would also love to win three in a row above anything else, since that is what Johan Cruyff’s Ajax did. That is the standard. Guardiola instead has to watch Carlo Ancelotti potentially winning his fifth. The mantra at City is to never make a decision 24 hours after a game, but there was already a feeling [recruitment could have worked a touch better](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuLWNpdHktcmVhbC1tYWRyaWQtY2hhbXBpb25zLWxlYWd1ZS1iMjUzMDYzOC5odG1sP2xpZD0xYTZ4c2prZWRiamEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) last summer. The uncertainty from Saudi Pro League interest in key players didn’t help. This newsletter has [already reported interest](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvamFtYWwtbXVzaWFsYS10cmFuc2Zlci1tYW4tY2l0eS1iYXllcm4tbXVuaWNoLWIyNTI3MTIyLmh0bWw_bGlkPXQ1d200NnQ4a3g4cyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) in Jamal Musiala, and it could indicate a lot of change in the forward line above anything else. Bernardo Silva has long wanted to go to central Europe. Kevin De Bruyne has an offer from that same Saudi Pro League. Jack Grealish’s level has dropped. City had planned for two in that area, but may move for three. The Bundesliga is suddenly the place to be While there is [much mirth in Europe about the hubris of English football](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuLWNpdHktYXJzZW5hbC1jaGFtcGlvbnMtbGVhZ3VlLXByZW1pZXItbGVhZ3VlLWIyNTMwNjQ4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXJ3cXZ3aXNoZ2RhdiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), there is a sudden appreciation for what Germany have done. It is all the more timely given the hosting of Euro 2024, with Julian Nagelsmann’s renewed contract with the national team indicating how things might have started to change course. There had after all been a long period of introspection about the quality of talent coming through, as well as results at international level and in Europe. The [success of Bayer Leverkusen](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYmF5ZXItbGV2ZXJrdXNlbi1idW5kZXNsaWdhLXRpdGxlLXJlY29yZC14YWJpLWFsb25zby1iMjUyNzgwOS5odG1sP2xpZD1hZHhpeDdicnFtamImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), who have been the revelations of the entire European season, are seen as bolstering the “mentality” of Nagelsmann’s team. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich meanwhile find themselves in the Champions League semi-final, with more echoes of the past. They met in the 2013 final, which was also at Wembley, and came a year before the country’s last international success at the World Cup. Might we see similar? Germany is certainly seeing a much better mood around its football. It doesn't mean longer-term problems have gone, but there are so many current positives.   Top football features ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtcmVsZWdhdGlvbi1wb2ludHMtcGVuYWx0eS1ldmVydG9uLWZvcmVzdC1iMjUzMTMzOC5odG1sP2xpZD1zenA0aGZ4d2hnNGkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [How Everton, Forest and a shambolic relegation battle expose a crisis in the Premier League](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtcmVsZWdhdGlvbi1wb2ludHMtcGVuYWx0eS1ldmVydG9uLWZvcmVzdC1iMjUzMTMzOC5odG1sP2xpZD1xenduajU3dWk3YmImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvY2hlbHNlYS1iYXJjZWxvbmEtd29tZW5zLWNoYW1waW9ucy1sZWFndWUtcHJldmlldy1iMjUzMTE5NS5odG1sP2xpZD1tMHZ0eHR4MmhkaXQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Why Barcelona remains the final frontier for Chelsea and Emma Hayes in the Women’s Champions League](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvY2hlbHNlYS1iYXJjZWxvbmEtd29tZW5zLWNoYW1waW9ucy1sZWFndWUtcHJldmlldy1iMjUzMTE5NS5odG1sP2xpZD12bDZ4a3oyYnFicXkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   Miguel's Dispatches There were chuckles - and some groans - in the Bayern Munich press room after the Arsenal game. The Manchester City-Real Madrid game was being shown on the four massive screens, only for it to get close to penalties and all of them to switch to the Bayern-Arsenal press conferences. That was the Bayern-Arsenal press conferences happening literally feet away. The penalties weren’t even put back on even though they took place between the appearances of Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel. The Bayern manager came out straight after they finished, which indicated he was watching on, too! In the meantime, the rest of us had to make do with local journalists - and some big ex-pros - getting the shoot-out up on their ipads. There was a similar scene the following night at Atalanta as Gian Piero Gasperini concluded his press conference then joined the journalists in gathering around a reporter’s phone to watch the Marseille-Benfica penalties.   QUOTE OF THE WEEK     “If you win without danger, there's no glory to your triumph.” Gian Piero Gasperini after his stirring Atalanta side had eliminated Liverpool   Reading the game quiz Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid is the most played knock-out tie in the modern post-1992 Champions League, having taken place nine times. There are six other pairings that have taken place at least five times. Name them. Group-stage meetings obviously don’t count. ([You can find out the answers here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWlndWVsLWRlbGFuZXktbmV3c2xldHRlci1xdWl6LWFuc3dlcnMtYjIwNzc5NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9cHdrbHlrNzlpc3cyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too) [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD1lczF6bWw1MjJmMXomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTktMDQtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZh-vbCJm11BbClIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) / [BEST BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPWwxdXJnczE1ZDBzNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [home gym](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvYmVzdC1ob21lLWd5bS1lcXVpcG1lbnQtYjIyNTk1NzUuaHRtbD9saWQ9NXl4YmxhNTZqcnphJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) We've rounded up the [best home gym equipment](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvYmVzdC1ob21lLWd5bS1lcXVpcG1lbnQtYjIyNTk1NzUuaHRtbD9saWQ9OWN3d2p4Z2VtZ201JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) – to get you pumped for your next workout. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYmV0dGluZy9mb290YmFsbD9saWQ9anpkdTcwc3hoMG90JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Latest football odds and tips](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYmV0dGluZy9mb290YmFsbD9saWQ9cHd2NXI4OWRwZTRtJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Latest odds and tips across the Premier League, FA Cup, acca selections, manager markets and more. [Latest football odds here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYmV0dGluZy9mb290YmFsbD9saWQ9ZHVqMjM4MmswM2V2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0SsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9Ynd1ZHFxemZhcnB2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPXhxNWg4emw3aHpqNiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxOS0wNC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmH69sImbXUFsKUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Latest news and football reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYWl0YW5hLWJvbm1hdGktbHVpcy1ydWJpYWxlcy1zcGFpbi13b21lbnMtZm9vdGJhbGwtYjI1MzA4MDEuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZWFrejc0OWZncWtxJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [‘Nothing has changed’ and Spain’s female footballers still have ‘same problems’, says Aitana Bonmati](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYWl0YW5hLWJvbm1hdGktbHVpcy1ydWJpYWxlcy1zcGFpbi13b21lbnMtZm9vdGJhbGwtYjI1MzA4MDEuaHRtbD9saWQ9Z201NWlrNDU4NHR4JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoBPGvP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvY2hlbHNlYS1mYS1jdXAtbWFuLWNpdHktcG9jaGV0dGluby1ndWFyZGlvbGEtYjI1MzEyMTkuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZzBuZzl0bTBzOGkzJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE5LTA0LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmYfr2wiZtdQWwpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [What Chelsea must prove as they return to scene of biggest 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