The Athletic FC

Welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Ayur Akimulari.

Halfway through the Champions League phase and one pattern is emerging.

The dominance of the Premier League.

But is that a problem for the balance of the Champions League?

All right, with us today we have Michael Cox.

We've also got James Horncastle as well.

Now, before we get into the chat,

what's been the standout moment of this week's Champions League action, Jens?

What you're thinking, Michael?

Definitely Mickey Van der Vend's goal against Copenhagen.

It was one of those.

I wasn't watching this match.

I was watching Liverpool, Real Madrid.

And when I heard about it, everyone's like, this is the best goal you'll see for ages.

And when you hear about something and then watch it, sometimes it's underwhelming.

That wasn't the case here.

It was just so good.

And the thing I liked was he had no right to shoot from that position. He absolutely should have squared it to Colomorani. I think it was in the middle. But if you've run from your own box, you do get the license to shoot and I'm pleased he did because it was a brilliant goal. I know he scored one like that before for Tottenham, but I think this one was a better one. It was against Manchester United where he basically galloped straight through. I think he ended up passing it in the end as opposed to shooting, but I mean, what a hybrid or whatever. He's easy a hybrid defender? I don't even know who he is, but with goals like that, audacious to say the least, what you're saying, James, best moment? Well, I had the sort of goals show on, and it was watching watching bruges Barcelona just scratching your head and wondering

why Barcelona are playing this high line still and getting caught out over and over again and

laminia mal not really being able to dig them out of trouble despite being the best player on the pitch

by an absolute mile.

...