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- Pep Welcomes Liverpool for His 1,000th Game ❤️🩵
Pep Welcomes Liverpool for His 1,000th Game ❤️🩵
Plus, Rog chats with Gio Reyna and Ruben Amorim.
Hail GFOP!
I type with fingers legit giddy at gifts the Premier League gods are about to bestow upon us. A flawed City welcome a still vulnerable Liverpool. Two winners capable of overwhelming any opponent with the buccaneering talent they have at their disposal. Yet both, on current form, are blighted by an inherent weakness and susceptibility which makes them all the more human and psychologically fascinating to watch. We are blessed to pay witness. Xhaka and Sunderland welcome Arsenal, the footballing version of Liam Neeson in “Taken” 1, 2, and 3, where revenge may just be a shot on target…
ii. I spoke to Gio Reyna in an interview that dropped this morning. I found the news that Gio had been returned from exile to be an enormous human relief. Talking to him, the emotional pain he has experienced is palpable. While the form we associate with his name is born of performances a long time ago, I am thankful he will get his shot. Our team needs to up their creative ability. We have all witnessed Gio’s poetry with our own eyes. Watch this interview now and tell me what you think. 🇺🇸
iii. One other incredible conversation I have taken so much from: Premier League king Antoine Semenyo joined me to talk about the life lessons he has learned from his late-career rocket-rise, in which he has ground his way from playing Sunday league football 10 years ago to second place in the Golden Boot race. This interview is part motivational book, part elite Premier League football-talk, and it drops later today. 🍒
iv. 🚨📺 THIS IS MASSIVE: Bukayo Saka spent the morning at a Nando’s with us. The resulting film drops on NETWORK NBC on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET, the very same place that gave us “Cheers,” “Miami Vice,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Bukayo is an amazing gent—so emotionally articulate and humble. Listening to him talk about mental resilience, the lessons about life he has learned from Thierry Henry and the role of faith—as well as our mutual love of New Balance—is to be enlightened. This is my favorite thing we’ve shot this year. 🌟👦
v. SOCCER’S COMING HOME! 🏆🇺🇸 New York City — Come join us on Dec. 5 for the World Cup Draw LIVE, an epic live show with a slew of incredible minds presented by our good friends at Verizon. Come and share this historic moment with us and fellow GFOPs together. We’ll be at the Grand Ballroom of the historic Manhattan Center along with the FIFA World Cup 26™ NYNJ Host Committee and some very special guests to break down the World Cup Draw in real-time with bold predictions and unbridled joy. It’s the sweet chaos of global football, live on stage. Get your tickets now. 🗽
PS - Ruben Amorim joined me here. He is kind of amazing to listen to. ❤️
Courage,
ROG
To the Football 🍻
Manchester City vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, USA)
Liverpool teach us the most important lesson about football and life: we know nothing. Write them off at your peril. Take it from me, Liverpool always have the last laugh. After an unfathomable six losses in seven matches, Arne Slot’s mob arrive emboldened by this past week’s crown-straightening wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, their midfield hardening with Alexis Mac Allister returning to mischievous form, and Dominik Szoboszlai transcendent.
For all of their relative struggles, this is a battle between second and third. City holding the edge because of the imperiously potent play of the Big Raw Milk Lobby’s poster boy, Erling Haaland, who needs just two goals to crack a Premier League 100 in only 107 appearances. Phil Foden is also resurgent. His return to form, sniping in the space Haaland leaves open by running in behind, is a terrifying prospect. This goal from midweek, bursting into space, is stunning. The way he holds off the defender, displaying the creative intelligence to caress the ball home like a Manc Scrappy Doo to Erling’s Scooby.
Rogstradamus 🔮: This is Pep’s 1,000th match as a manger. 550 of those games have been at Manchester City where he carries a 70.5% win percentage. He will know Liverpool did the double over City last season. This one screams epic heavyweight draw 2-2.
More: Watch Virgil van Dijk cook Wayne Rooney live on television to his face.
Tottenham vs. Man United (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, Peacock)
Which Tottenham will show up? The one that flatlined a 0.05 xG against Chelsea or the Micky van de Ven wonder goal-powered free-scoring wonder who overwhelmed Copenhagen in Champions League play midweek? Irrespective, Thomas Frank is in the early days of a transformation process and modern football affords no patience. Manchester United arrive unbeaten in four, their joint-longest run under Ruben Amorim. Yet Spurs are unbeaten in their last seven games against United in all comps, which includes four wins last season, peaking in Big Ange’s glorious Viking funeral that was the Europa League Final.
Rogstradamus 🔮: Spurs’ home form is approaching Area 51-level mystery: taking four points from five Premier League matches in front of their home fans whilst earning enough on the road to be in sixth place is trauma performance art. It continues. United win 2-1.
Sunderland vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Who can end Arsenal’s immense eight-clean-sheet run? Enter Granit Xhaka, a player whose Arsenal legend has become all the more immense in exile. He was a paradoxical character in seven seasons at the Emirates: an undoubted punch of a player undermined only by a propensity to lose his mind in key moments and the stinging memory of a captain’s armband stripped. Away from Arsenal, he flourished as a leader of men, propelling Bayer Leverkusen to an undefeated title run and lifting fourth-placed Sunderland to heavenly heights, harvesting 18 points from their first 10 games. Premier League scriptwriters love revenge arcs in the same way as Scorsese was fascinated by the concept of the sinner/saint.
Rogstradamus 🔮: Adios to Sunderland’s unbeaten home record. They will have the solace of breaking Arsenal’s clean-sheet record by scoring first. but Arsenal set-piece and big boy open-play goals are enough to escape a rollicking Stadium of Light 2-1.
More: Max Dowman’s phenomenal form and confidence at 15 years old should not be normalized. His story is incredible. Star Baby?
Everton vs. Fulham (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA)
Everton’s lack of a striker is a human agony. Let me ask you this: If you had to select one out of Barry Diller, Barry Manilow, or young, raw Thierno Barry to start upfront, who would you choose?
Rogstradamus 🔮: The good vibes surrounding the new stadium mask the fact we have won just one in our last seven. Marco Silva always enjoys tormenting us. I think we have won just once in our last eight against Fulham. Ndiaye should be cleared to play, but I fear we will lose the battle for the flanks and Iwobi will do us. 2-1 Fulham.
Chelsea vs. Wolves (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, NBC)
This stat is incredible: Chelsea have made 85 changes to their starting XIs in all competitions this season. They made seven in Champions League play at Azerbaijani champs Qarabağ and were almost made to pay. Luckily, Wolves are so poor, they would be mid-table even in the Azerbaijani league. U-21 head coach James Collins and U-18 head coach Richard Walker will be in charge while the club desperately attempt to find a new head coach to fire.
Rogstradamus 🔮: Chelsea have been like Tottenham in disguise at home this season: seven points in five home league matches puts them 16th in the home-form table. This game changes that. Ninety minutes akin to Liam Delap’s football themed bar-mitzvah. Chelsea romp 3-0.
Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, USA)
Basque-manager-on-Basque-manager violence. How do Bournemouth react to their second loss of the season? I had Tyler Adams join me this week to talk about the change in mentality at Bournemouth based on last season’s odyssey. That conversation will drop next Thursday. Tyler talked about the ferocious mentality Andoni Iraola has inculcated, and the hunger to score from the first minute. Much has been propelled by the partnership of Adams, who is playing the football of his life, alongside 22-year old Alex Scott, who today was called up by England for the first time. An incredible journey for a kid who five years ago was playing for Guernsey in the Isthmian League Division One South East, the eighth level of English football.
Rogstradamus 🔮: Villa have only lost once in their last 23 Premier League home matches. Make that twice after Sunday. Semenyo is on one. War Cherries 2-1.
Crystal Palace vs. Brighton (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, Peacock)
Glasner vs. Hürzeler. Mateta vs. Welbeck (spurned by England). Eagles vs. Seagulls. The most ungeographical grudge match in the Premier League.
Reminder: Why do these two seemingly unconnected teams have a friction-filled rivalry?
Rogstradamus 🔮: Palace 2-1. Ismaila Sarr Glad All Over.
Full Premier League broadcast schedule HERE 📺
The Correspondent w/ Rory Smith: The Makings of a Premier League Rivalry ❤️🩵
Rory writes: Whether it was the peak or the nadir of the feud that defined an era is probably a matter of personal taste. As Liverpool prepared to take to the field at the Etihad Stadium early in July 2020, Manchester City’s players lined up to welcome their opponent. Jürgen Klopp’s side had been confirmed as champion a couple of weeks previously. Tradition dictated they be granted a guard of honor for each of their remaining games.
I will admit to being a bit of a sucker for this stuff. There are, I know, plenty of fans who regard expressions of soccer’s sentimental side as (at best) hopelessly outdated and (at worst) saccharine to the point of nausea, but I quite like them. Fans applauding an opposing player for tearing their team to shreds? I find that stirring. Defeated supporters staying to watch a trophy lift? What sport should be. A guard of honor? A heartwarming display of professional respect.
That day, five years ago, it became clear that Bernardo Silva would be of a markedly different opinion. As Liverpool’s players walked, slightly smugly, onto the field, the City midfielder stood stony-faced and stock-still.
Even More Football ⚽️
Pochettino speaking to the English press. Does this sound to you like a man sending out signals he is ready to return?
Nottingham Forest owner on trial for inciting gang violence.
Does this list of the Premier League’s best teenage starboys make you reconsider your life choices?
Football Manager 26 Is HERE 🚨
If you’re like Rog, you’ll be bringing Everton to glory as the Premier League debuts in Football Manager—with fully-licensed club badges, kits and official player photos. You’ll be in total control, as the game’s reimagined UI surfaces essential information exactly when you need it, empowering you to manage more instinctively and efficiently.
Beautiful Football Around the World 🌎
Parma vs. AC Milan (Saturday, 2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇮🇹
Max Allegri’s invigorated AC Milan secured a seminal win against title-rivals Roma last weekend, and with only a point between them and Serie A leaders, Napoli, Parma are ideal pre-international break opposition. They’re winless in five and Allegri’s emboldened by the return of the De Niro to his Scorsese, Christian Pulisic, who should be at least squad-fit for tomorrow’s fixture after four matches out with a hamstring injury.
Union Berlin vs. Bayern Munich (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+) 🇩🇪
Perfect 16-wins-in-16-games-this-season Bayern Munich are swatting off excellent football teams like the war rig in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and with PSG the latest victims, the Bundesliga’s 10th-placed side, Union Berlin, are next. Steffen Baumgart’s team are, like his hat collection, awkward and intense, but Bayern have only conceded six in all comps this season and have Luis Díaz and Harry Kane playing flaming guitars up top.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 10:15 a.m. ET, ESPN+) 🇪🇸
Real Madrid must recover quickly from a flattering 1-0 humbling at Anfield on Tuesday night, so a five-mile trip to neighbors with a much smaller house, Rayo Vallecano, could be remedial. Los Vallecanos have a tiny turnaround after last night’s 3-2 win against Oasis’ second-favorite side, Poland’s Lech Poznań, and the fact they’ve not yet lost at the Estadio de Vallecas this season will be in Xabi Alonso’s mind.
Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona (Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+) 🇪🇸
Hansi Flick has a Raphinha-sized hole in his side that grows bigger by the game, and while Marcus Rashford’s deputized brilliantly with 12 goal contributions, a wide-open backline marked a disappointing UCL draw at Club Brugge midweek and the five-point gap between them and Madrid is devastating. After a stuttering start to the season, Celta Vigo are now undefeated in eight, but meet the La Liga champions only three days after their 3-0 Europa League win at Dinamo Zagreb.
Bologna vs. Napoli (Sunday, 9:00 a.m ET, Paramount+) 🇮🇹
Napoli’s last two goalless games have exposed the ugly but necessary side of Conteball, and while they still narrowly lead Serie A, KDB’s high-grade hamstring tear has disrupted their season. Bologna are undefeated in nine successive matches in all competitions and at fifth in a very tight Serie A, can go just a point behind the champions if they beat them on Sunday.
Wrexham vs. Charlton (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Paramount+) 🏴
The 14th-placed Red Dragons can extend their unbeaten Championship run to five matches if they can hold off Welshman Nathan Jones and his sixth-placed Charlton side. A win at the Racecourse could see Wrexham jump as high as ninth in a tight table.
NWSL Playoffs
KC Current vs. Gotham FC (Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) 🇺🇸
Is it the Current’s title to lose? After running away with the Shield during the regular season, KC enters the playoffs as the clear favorites to win their first championship. In their way, a Gotham side who made the postseason in last position, the same slot they qualified in when they went all the way in 2023. 👀
WSL
Arsenal vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 7 a.m. ET, ESPN) 🏴
Five points separate the Champions League winners from the WSL title-holders when they meet at the Emirates on Saturday. Arsenal are unbeaten at their new home thus far this season, but remain without injured captain Leah Williamson (knee). Meanwhile, opponents Chelsea travel to North London knowing they need a win to keep Man City at bay and their place at the top of the table secured for another week.
Introducing Pet FC’s Newest Member: Kobbie 🐶
We have partnered with the two-legged people at Purina to create Pet FC, a new initiative where we will be featuring YOUR four-legged friends that show a true love of football on par with their human counterparts.
The Goldendoodle from Wilmington, N.C., is named for Man United and England's rising star, Kobbie Mainoo. She loves playing rondos, almost as much as she loved United's stunning Europa League comeback against Lyon. ❤️
Do you have a great football story involving the dog or cat in your life? Click the link below to submit your pets and pet stories, and we will be regularly featuring the best of the best here in the Raven and on our social channels. What's more, we have Purina prize packs for every pet featured.
MiB Mad Libs 📝
This week’s phrase is: “The cinematic equivalent of Manchester City vs. Liverpool is ___”
Email us your submissions to be in contention to win a coveted MiB patch.
There were tons of incredible entries this week, but there can only be one winner:
David Copeland: “Set pieces to Arsenal are what sexual healing is to Marvin Gaye.”
David — You are a soulful man. Send us your postal and we will send you a patch.
Not Football and All the Better for It 📖
The other guy in Bill and Ted. I always loved Alex Winter.
The Blue Book Burglar. The Louvre bandits could never.
Days of wine and noses: the life of a critic. More spit buckets than one would imagine.
How do you solve a problem like Miquelon... How do you move a village?
Rhyme Crime! Rats Are Snatching Bats Out of the Air and Eating Them—and Researchers Got It on Video.
This song powered me through the week: “Fluorescent Light” by Haley Heynderickx & Max García Conover
I read this book and liked it: “Boy from the North Country” by Sam Sussman. A novel based on fact that is really one for Dylanheads only.
A GFOP Writes… ✍️
Steven Meyers from Cleveland, Ohio asks: “When you watch football at the weekend, do you do a big breakfast that powers you through or are you just snacking all the way along the day? Are you an Erling Haaland or a Declan Rice kind of approach to the game?”
Rog writes: Steve-o, what a question. I take big game preparation as seriously as that great generational YouTuber Erling Haaland. I move from coffee to the morning Micky U beers, have a cup of tea before the 10 a.m. kick-offs, and a seltzer or two before the 12:30. Food-wise I am grinding hard man—I am powered by food deliveries to be honest. I kick off with an Icelandic Skyr, which is a lovely legacy of my one trip to Iceland before the 2016 Euros. Then I mix in the works. I am big on the chips. Truly one of my guilty pleasures. I love sour cream and onion. I also found an incredible brand of chip in Italy that do lime and pink pepper. Then as the day goes on, I will work in a delivery or two and def a Chipotle bowl. I think it is the mix that carries me through. Pace yourself. Build up. Sweet and savory. Premier League glory guaranteed.
Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected].
To Better Days Ahead for All.
Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories.
Big Love.
Courage,
ROG