Sports Illustrated FC

How the tables turn… Two weeks ago, we were talking about Barcelona being a shoe-in for the La Liga tile… Now, it’s Mourinho’s men who are dominating the chat. Real Madrid put Racing Santander to the sword within 36 minutes with Yan Diomande continuing his fine form in Vinicius Jnr’s. Has Mourinho found his formula?

Barcelona did bounce back in typical attacking fashion with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Deportivo - Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both bagged braces. Will these consistent big wins be the difference over an entire season?

In the Bundesliga, it wasn’t quite the Ballon d’Or party of Harry Kane in Der Klassiker - the best player in the world missed a penalty before Dortmund scored in the last minute to equalise.

Lyes Bouzidi, Alessandro Eremiti and SI FC Associate Editor Grey Whitebloom also discuss this week’s Champions League fixtures, including a huge clash between Ale’s Roma and Lyes’ Manchester United!

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The biggest game of the Premier League season so far went Arsenal’s way. Mikel Arteta’s side were at their defensive best against Liverpool who didn’t manage a shot on target - despite having the lionshare of possession.

Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti are, this week, joined by Sports Illustrated Associate Editor Grey Whitebloom break down the weekend’s football across the Premier League and Serie A.

Manchester United were, again, lacklustre against Chelsea with Morgan Rogers scoring an excellent solo goal. Brighton continued their phenomenal start to the season, showing a different side to themselves in a 1-0 win against Manchester City. Are they genuine title contenders?

In Serie A, AC Milan upset the odds in the Derby della Madonnina with Internazionale losing their first league game of the season. Luca Dallolio was at the Allianz Stadium to see Juventus beat ten-man Napoli as their results start to steadily pick up.

Let us know where Arsenal’s defence ranks in the history of the Premier League.

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It’s Halloween. And the SI FC team is back to celebrate with a special Friday episode.

Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti discuss the team they’d least like to face right now - with all their tricks and treats. Who would be the forward line that strike the most fear into a back four as we stand?

From there, we take a look at the scariest XI from individual seasons and moments? Emirates De Gea, Emirates Lingard, 2007/08 Ronaldo? Who will make the scariest XI?

And then, it’s simple: our Villains XI - and no, it’s not Man City…

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Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or. As predicted by the panel on yesterday’s show. Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti are back to discuss the biggest gala in football - the most prestigious individual award in the game.

Harry Kane’s phenomenal form for Bayern Munich was rewarded by the 100 journalists that decide the Ballon d’Or - and the team discuss the year he’s had, the journey he’s been on from a one-season wonder through to the pinnacle of the individual game.

Kylian Mbappe came second but what does he have to do to get over the line in future? Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy but fell short of the main award again. When will his time come?

Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Feminine for the third time - in a period of dominance for Barcelona, following Aitana Bonmati’s back-to-back wins in 2024 & 2025. We are reaching dynasty levels.

Do you agree with the team - should Kane have won the award? Who’s next?

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Are we in 2014? Jose Mourinho masterminded a peak performance from his Real Madrid side as they left the Camp Nou with all three points, having started the day as huge underdogs.

Many had predicted Barcelona and Lamine Yamal to steamroll Los Blancos in El Clasico but they didn’t show the best of themselves; whereas Madrid were excellent in their individual battles. Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande in particular caught their eye with Kylian Mbappe reaping the rewards. Are Real Madrid back? Is Jose Mourinho back? And has he exposed Barcelona’s well-known weakness?

In the Premier League, Michael Carrick is under almost untenable pressure after Manchester United succumbed to a 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth. Carrick dropped Bruno Fernandes after his captain questioned his tactics in the aftermath of the heavy loss to Como in the Champions League. Should he go? How do the break out of this never-ending cycle?

It was a bad weekend on the other side of Manchester as City were roundly beaten by Aston Villa, with Unai Emery continuing to be a thorn in their side. Nicholas Jackson bagged a brace, continuing his positive start to life at Villa Park.

Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti get their teeth stuck into the weekend’s action as well as looking ahead to tonight’s Ballon d’Or ceremony. They will be back tomorrow to react to the results.

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Two huge games in La Liga. 1st v 4th and 3rd v 5th as Barcelona travelled to Betis and Real Madrid hosted Sevilla. And both of the league’s big boys delivered in what felt like a one-day goal of the season contest.

Barcelona were their usual free-flowing selves with Lamine Yamal - who is in flow state - scored a superb curling effort - although, Giovanni Lo Celso scored one of the great disallowed goals of all time shortly after. But the visitors showed their quality in the end despite Betis’ battling.

At the Bernabeu, Kylian Mbappe scored a stylish double - Luca’s favourite goal in a long time - Yann Diomande laced an effort in and Arda Guler curled a beautiful effort over Robbie Ure in a performance that felt like it ‘clicked’ late on. Are they arriving into the league’s biggest game in the perfect way?

Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro talk through La Liga’s action as well as looking ahead to El Clasico - but more immediately the Champions League is back with two mouth-watering ties between the four pre-season favourites: PSG v Barcelona and Bayern Munich v Arsenal. We are being spoiled.

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Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti are back to break down the weekend’s Premier League and Serie A action - plus a major tangent on one very important question: who is the coolest club in the world?

BRIGHTON ARE FLYING! The Premier League’s top scorers put Crystal Palace to the sword in a sumptuous display, capped off by Diego Gomez’s early contender for goal of the season. But just how far can Brighton go?

Chelsea got the job done against previously unbeaten Everton, with Moises Caicedo at the heart of an important 2-0 win. Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are building momentum despite defeat to Manchester City, with Victor Munoz producing an electric breakaway goal. Rio Ngumoha also made a huge impact off the bench - so how does his manager find room for him in the starting XI?

In Serie A, Inter Milan once again showed their character with a comeback victory over Bologna. Gennaro Gattuso and Lazio are flying, too, following a dominant win over Juventus - leaving Luca asking the question on every Bianconeri fan’s mind: “when will it end?”

Alessandro, meanwhile, has fewer existential concerns. Roma proved they can cope without the suspended Donyell Malen, beating Genoa to keep pace with Inter and their city rivals. And Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan are quietly building something promising, picking up another high-scoring win against Atalanta. Oh, and Napoli lost to Venezia who picked up their first points of the season.

What do you think? How far can Brighton go this season? What should Liverpool do with Rio Ngumoha? And which club really is the coolest in the world?

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La Liga returns with one of the craziest moments of the season - and of course it was Vinicius Jr who was involved. He went through all the emotions in just a couple of minutes as his goal for Madrid against Villareal was disallowed for a hair pull, for which he was sent off. Luca Dalloliio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti look at Real Madrid’s win, Vinicius Jr’s tough period and how Barcelona continue to set the pace despite putting out a rotated team. The team also look ahead to the Champions League as Alessandro gets his crystal ball out. Who will be the surprise package? Who will be the biggest flop? Who’ll score the most? Who will go the whole way?

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The Premier League returns with a bang - and there’s been a tangible vibe shift. We are in a post-Man-City-charges era. But nobody told the players. Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku changed the game - with Elliot Anderson putting in another stellar display.

Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti dissect a strange atmosphere at Anfield, how this limbo period dents the credibility of the Premier League and how City’s quality was, ultimately, simply too much.

Lyes’ United struggled again in their draw with Spurs, with pressure mounting on Michael Carrick, what are the core issues at United? Or is it the same thing over and over again?

In Serie A, we are talking about a forgone conclusion with Internazionale continuing their dominance - despite the resurgence of both of Rome’s clubs, Lazio and Roma? Depth and quality could be the difference.

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Lionel Messi’s final game for Argentina. The end of an era, the final chapter of a story that changed football forever.

His international journey has been full of the most extreme highs, and the lowest of lows. But the little boy from Rosario has cemented his place among the greatest to ever play the game as well as in the hearts of Argentinians who, at one point, were his biggest critics. Everything has been said about Lionel Messi's greatness, but can you ever say enough?

Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti take a nostalgic look back at the international career of Lionel Messi, how his success with the international team sets him apart from Cristiano Ronaldo as well as look into the biggest performances in the international break and the MLS.

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It’s been a crazy international break for the Premier League.

The big story came from Manchester with Manchester City being found guilty of 115 charges related to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. And it has shaken football to its core. Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti break down sanctions, punishments, ramifications and the wider impact that this ruling will have on the beautiful game.

As always we’ll be watching.

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Barcelona - the great entertainers - continued their thrilling early-season form with a 3-1 win away against Sevilla, despite needing to be sparked into life again as the hosts went in front.

Raphinha bagged a beautiful hat-trick, featuring another undefendable chop and finish - his eighth, ninth and tenth goals of the La Liga season. Lamine Yamal assisted his Brazilian team-mate twice with an inch-perfect cross and then a slotted through ball as Barcelona went five points clear of second, and six points clear of Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho’s side lost for the second time this season in the Madrid derby, in a game filled with controversy and drama. What do you expect when the dugouts are filled by Jose and Diego Simeone? But, once again, when Los Blancos were faced with stiffer opposition - like against Betis - they came up short? Why is this happening when they have the talent they do? What can Mourinho do to solve it? Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti are on hand to get their teeth stuck into La Liga, the Bundesliga and the MLS as we go around the world.

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This week, we’re talking about the day-in-day-outers, the grinders - the other guys. Brighton and Brentford upset Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, with Manchester City taking advantage in a thrilling 5-3 win over Sunderland.

But for every Brighton or Brentford, there’s a crisis club unable to replicate their success - Spurs and Manchester United both added to torrid weeks with lackluster performances.

Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Erimiti are back to dissect the weekend’s action and the wider themes at play in English football’s top tier as well flying over to Serie A.

Roma and Inter Milan couldn’t be separated in a game of two halves. Juventus are back on track just as the international break rolls around. Como were beaten by Frosinone and Milan were in stellar form against Lecce.

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The Ballon d’Or nominations are out and Luca Dallolio, Lyes Bouzidi and Alessandro Eremiti are ready to talk all about it.

Is the Ballon d’Or fair? Is it more valuable than the World Player of the Year? Luca flexes his ability to name every single winner of the award in an impressive showing of trivia.

In this year’s open field, who deserves it the most? Who should win it? Who WILL win it?

Harry Kane’s super season, statistically, puts him at the top of the charts for many. But will the Spain’s success at the World Cup be the deciding factor - for Rodri or Lamine Yamal, who’s been very vocal about his belief that he deserves the award.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the Champions League’s knockout MVP, Kylian Mbappe is staking a claim in the press. Lionel Messi’s name is still there - thanks to a ridiculous season numerically in the MLS, and a phenomenal World Cup campaign dragging Argentina to the final.

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The team is back! Alessandro Eremiti, Luca Dallolio and Lyes Bouzidi return for the new season - and with plenty of football to get their teeth stuck into, they are wasting no time.

Martin Odegaard was at the heart of a sizzling Arsenal performance as they managed to blitz Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea - despite the Blues going a goal up. And have Arsenal finally worked out how to entertain, while winning games?

Over in Spain, Barcelona were in an unforgiving mood and put five past Valencia to stay top of La Liga, with Lamine Yamal scoring two. Does Hansi Flick have the final piece of the puzzle with Rodri looking the part in Catalan colours - will he provide the balance needed to take Barcelona on to European glory?

Barca’s victory was all the sweeter as they go three points clear of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid who dropped points against Betis, with Kylian Mbappe missing a last-minute penalty to salvage even a draw.

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It’s Time for Eternal Glory!

Lyes, Luca and Alessandro are back in the last show of the season to react to the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.

A final dominated by Spain that showed once again to be the best team in the World and arguably the best side of 21st Century

A historical final between two football giants.

After analysing the game and the tournament, our trio will build their combined XI.

Today more than ever, we’ll be watching.

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The Final Countdown has officially begun.

Lyes, Luca and Alessandro are back to react to both the semifinals starting with the Atlanta classic between England and Argentina.

Back to Back Final for The world champions after a historical comeback.

In Dallas, Spain became the first 2026 World Cup Finalist. De La Fuente’s team outclassed France with an outstanding midfield performance, combined with another defensive masterclass.

Who will lift the trophy in NY?

After analysing both games our trio will preview the last act of this incredible tournament.

Last but not least: combined XI and Predictions.

As always, we will be watching.

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Welcome to the big leagues. Every four years, at this exact stage of the World Cup, legends are made. Players announce themselves onto the world stage, or push themselves into a whole new bracket of superstardom.

Your quarter finals are: France v Morocco. Can the world's best attack featuring - Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise - conquer a Moroccan side that have been steadily growing for the last six years. Can Achraf Hakimi's organised, exciting side cause the upset to end all upsets?

Lamine Yamal is still waiting for his World Cup moment - is he waiting until it really matters to turn on the style? Spain have made the tournament look relatively easy so far - but Belgium have grown into it, using the controversy in their match-up with the USMNT as fuel to overpower the host nation.

In arguably the most exciting quarter-final fixture, Norway take on England - two of the world's best strikers - in Erling Haaland and Harry Kane - will be aiming to outshoot each other in a fixture littered with intrigue and excitement. Will Jude Bellingham be the answer again though?

We have been watching. We will be watching.

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The FIFA World Cup knockout stage delivers more drama, and Lyes, Luca and Alessandro are here to break it all down.

In today’s episode, the team reacts to England’s historic win at the Azteca as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane inspire the Three Lions into the quarter-finals. They discuss whether England are now the favourites to reach the World Cup final from their side of the bracket.

They also analyse Argentina’s stunning comeback against Egypt, Switzerland’s victory over Colombia, Spain’s win over Portugal, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s final international appearance.

To wrap up, the guys preview the World Cup quarter-finals with their predictions for the biggest games still to come.

If you enjoy in-depth football analysis, tactical discussion and the biggest talking points from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.

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After the madness of Argentina and Cabo Verde, Lyes, Luca and Alessandro are back to react to Brazil v Norway.

Once they break down the match, they’ll dive into the biggest talking points from the last couple of days, starting with Paraguay vs. France decided by a Kylian Mbappé penalty.

Elsewhere, Morocco dominated Canada and booked their place in the quarterfinals. Are they the best African team in World Cup history? Can they beat France and take revenge for the 2022 semifinal?

Last but not least, they’ll preview Mexico vs. England, where Thomas Tuchel’s squad will try to become the first team to beat El Tri on home soil in World Cup history.

As always, we will be watching.

#fifaworldcup #brazil #neymar #haaland #mbappe

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