It's a 2-parter this week folks! That's right, we couldn't contain all our thoughts on the semifinals to just one episode, so we've separated the Europa and Conference Leagues.

In this episode, we tackle tasty the Europa League matchups - Bodo and Spurs, Manchester United and Athletic Club - where the 15th and 16th-placed teams in the Premier League advanced to the final.

We discuss Spurs getting the job done in Norway with another professional and composed display, including how they were able to limit Bodo's high-flying attack, why Solanke and Bentancur were stand-out performers, and how fans should feel about Ange Postecoglou.

In England, Athletic Club had a big gap to overcome down 3 in the tie and without their star attackers. We break down how Athletic Club nearly gave United a scare anyway, why United were able to manage the game with limited drama, and debate whether the Basque side could've done more.

Finally, we look ahead to the final in Bilbao and consider the significance of one of the more bizarre European final matchups in history.

Cheers Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim!

It's a 2-parter this week folks! That's right, we couldn't contain all our thoughts on the semifinals to just one episode, so we've separated the Europa and Conference Leagues.

On the Conference League episode, we take a deep dive into the Fiorentina-Betis thriller that sent Betis to their first ever European final after an extra time winner from Abde Ezzalzouli.

We explore the tactical matchups, including Betis' strength in transition and Fiorentina's set-piece dominance, laud the game's star performers - Antony, Isco, and Gosens to name a few - and track the wild swings of momentum throughout.

We also touch on Chelsea-Djurgarden, where Chelsea's B-team finished the job to advance. We debate Chelsea's best 11, what challenges Betis pose them, and appreciate Djurgarden's incredible journey and fans.

And check out the 2nd part of our semifinal coverage, where we tackle Bodo/Glimt-Tottenham and Manchester United-Athletic Club!

Cheers Manuel Pellegrini!

A brilliant round of 1st leg fixtures takes us just one step from the Europa and Conference League finals!

The story of the day was the shocking 3-0 United decimation of Athletic club at the San Mamés. We discuss Ugarte and Bruno's big days and Athletic's uncharacteristic defensive lapses, plus we have a hard conversation about the use of VAR in the massive penalty/red card decision that may have decided the tie.

Then we move on to Spurs, who confidently dismissed Bødo/Glimt, but still have much work to do in Norway to put away everyone's favorite underdogs.

In the Conference, Betis and Fiorentina played a thrilling match, where Antony and Bakambu starred once again. We talk Betis playing to their strengths, how Fiorentina got back into it, and what to expect next week in Italy.

Plus, is Johnny Cardoso actually the best USMNT player right now?

All that and some begrudging Djurgarden-Chelsea on this week's pod!

Cheers Ruben Amorim!

Timecodes:

Athletic Club-Manchester United - 01:05 Tottenham Hotspur-Bødo/Glimt - 33:49 Real Betis-Fiorentina - 58:15 Djurgarden-Chelsea - 01:21:20

This is Part 2 of our preview of the Europa and Conference League semifinals!

Here, we get into the bread and butter, detailing everything you need to know about tactics, matchups, players, and storylines heading into the 1st legs.

We touch on Athletic Club's exceptional consistency at both ends of the pitch, Oihan Sancet's rise to stardom, problem areas for Spurs and United against more stable opponents, the reasons behind Betis' midseason turnaround, whether Djurgårdens has any shot to hang with Chelsea, and much, much more.

Cheers Jani Honkavaara!

Timecodes:

0:30 - Athletic Club-Manchester United 19:45 - Tottenham-Bodø/Glimt 33:25 - Fiorentina-Betis 43:10 - Djurgårdens-Chelsea

We've got a two-parter today folks!

That's right, we have so much Europa and Conference League semifinal content, we couldn't contain it in just one episode.

In Part 1, we play a game of Start, Bench, Loan, or Sell with starters at each position of the semifinal contestant starting 11s. We debate the player's strengths and weaknesses, the roles within their squads, and their value in the transfer market. Then we take stock of what our choices say about each club.

And don't forget to tune in to Part 2 as well, in which we discuss all the upcoming first legs in detail.

Cheers!

Timecodes:

0:46 - Intro 3:15 - Europa League players 44:50 - Conference League players

We officially have our 8 semifinalists across our two tournaments, and we had some doozies.

In the Europa, both Manchester United and Tottenham saved their seasons with victories - United dramatically so, scoring 3 late extra time goals to stun Lyon. Athletic Club moved one step closer to hosting the final in their own building, and the little club that could, Bodø/Glimt, survived a penalty shootout in Rome to advance further than any Norwegian side before them.

The historic Scandinavian supremacy continued in the Conference, where Djurgarden overcame 10-men Rapid in extra time. Elsewhere, Fiorentina did their normal schtick, squeaking past a wonderful Celje, and Chelsea and Betis advanced with varying degrees of ease.

We recap all the games and drama, debate the new favorites in each competition, and say goodbye to some of our favorite underdogs - Celje, Jagiellonia, and Legia included.

All that, plus a surprise cheers to Mr. Postecoglou! Against all the odds, we're still loving Big Ange instead.

The quarterfinal 1st legs are complete!

The Europa League exhilarated with a dramatic Lyon-United affair (on AND off the pitch), while Rangers dug deep for a clean sheet despite playing 80 minutes with ten men. Elsewhere, Bodo kicked the day off with a masterful beatdown of visiting Lazio, and Spurs showed some promise in a 1-1 final with Frankfurt. Goalkeepers were the stars of the show - including one for all the wrong reasons...

In the Conference, the big boys all got wins, though Fiorentina was fortunate against the still-mighty Celje. Chelsea all but sealed a semifinal birth, while Betis continue to establish themselves a true favorite for the title. And lest we forget, Rapid Wien got a massive 1-0 win in Sweden.

All this and a cheers to Rory McIlroy!

But seriously, cheers Kjetil Knutsen!

Our spring break is over, and the Quarterfinals upon us!

That's right, we're down to 8 teams apiece in our favorite competitions, and we're doing a check-in on each club ahead of Thursday's 1st legs.

Who's hot? Who's ice cold? Who do we feel good about (Betis)? Who do we feel bad about (Spurs)? We talk form, players to watch, tactics to watch for, and more - plus some predictions for good measure.

Cheers Manuel Pellegrini!