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Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has declared that the weight of expectation lies firmly on Italy’s shoulders as his young side prepare for a daunting 2026 World Cup play-off semi-final away to the four-time champions. The March showdown in Italy on 26 March will mark the first step on what could be a remarkable path back to football’s grandest stage for both nations.Should Northern Ireland conjure an upset, they will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina five days later in a decisive, winner-takes-all play-off final for a coveted ticket to North America.

Two teams with ghosts of tournaments past

Italy’s recent record in World Cup qualifiers is nothing short of astonishing for a global heavyweight. They have missed the last two tournaments, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, both exits sealed by devastating play-off defeats and the Azzurri have not reached the finals since Brazil 2014. Northern Ireland’s own wait is even longer, stretching almost 40 years, but O’Neill believes that his side’s recent away performances prove they should not be dismissed. Despite away losses in Germany and Slovakia during the group phase, O’Neill believes that his players showed the resilience and quality needed to trouble elite opposition.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportO'Neill ready to take the fight to Italy

Northern Ireland qualified for the play-offs through their Nations League ranking despite finishing behind Germany and Slovakia in their World Cup qualifying group.

However, an upbeat O'Neill told reporters: "It's difficult to win away in international football and that is something this team still has to develop, but I take a lot of encouragement from the performances in Cologne and Slovakia where we were challenged and were missing key players in those games. We still gave a really good account of ourselves and were in the game in Germany for 70, 75 minutes. We were in the game in Slovakia right to the end and felt a little bit aggrieved by the nature of that result."

O'Neill wants his troops to turn the pressure dial up on an Italian squad already grappling with expectation and scrutiny.

"We have to make the game as difficult as possible for Italy and it will be difficult for them with the expectation they carry into the game," he said. "If we can add to that with how we play the game and the level of our performance, then who knows. We have an opportunity to go to a World Cup and we have to do everything possible to try to take it. What I will say to them is 'don't waste the opportunity'."

O'Neill wary of task ahead

The looming possibility of a third consecutive World Cup absence is unthinkable for a nation with Italy’s pedigree. Their previous two failures came in the most painful manner imaginable, play-off losses to Sweden in 2018 and a shocking defeat to North Macedonia in 2022. But O’Neill believes it is vital for his squad to avoid becoming distracted by Italy’s anxieties.

"The Italian team of now is not going to be the Italian team of eight years ago," he said.

"Not all their players are going to carry the burden of having been unsuccessful in play-off games. As a nation, they carry that burden, and the expectation of their crowd will be that they go to a World Cup. They have won it four times and are one of the heavyweights of world football, but those things are out of our control and our focus will be on how we are."

O'Neill expects a passionate Italian side to take the pitch and added: "Italy away is going to be a massive game, a great game for us to be involved in. The expectation and pressure is very much on the Italians, so we will need to use that in our favour. I know they've lost home and away to Norway and the bulk of their squad is based in Serie A. Gattuso is their manager, so you will expect them not to be lacking in passion.

"We have four months to prepare for this and look at Italy in close detail, so the work will start today and tomorrow. I suppose we would have preferred one of the other teams in Pot One, but to get to the World Cup, you're going to have to beat two good teams."

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Getty Images SportA defining moment awaits both nations

Two countries with proud football histories now stand on the brink of either redemption or renewed despair. For O’Neill and his young squad, belief is growing. However, for Italy, the stakes could not be higher, as another failure to qualify for the World Cup would be a dark spot. Gattuso has won the golden trophy wearing a blue jersey, and now it remains to be seen if he can inspire them to the main event after more than a decade. 

Spencer Horwitz is on the move for the second time in the same night.

The Cleveland Guardians traded Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night in exchange for three pitchers: lefthander Josh Hartle, righthander Luis Ortiz, and lefthander Michael Kennedy.

Horwitz, the 27-year-old infielder, was only a Guardian for a few hours as he was sent to Cleveland in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier Tuesday evening. Toronto acquired three-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andrés Giménez in the deal.

Horwitz played in 94 games for the Blue Jays last season and had a .790 OPS with 12 home runs. He should receive an opportunity to start for the Pirates in 2025, likely at first base.

The Bucs send their 17th-ranked prospect in Hartle to Cleveland in return. And Kennedy, a fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2022, owns a 3.11 ERA over his minor-league career.

Ortiz, meanwhile, will join the Guardians' rotation that already features Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively and Gavin Williams. Ortiz registered a 3.32 ERA in 37 appearances (15 starts) for the Pirates last season.

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Arsenal keeping a clean sheet.

Mikel Arteta’s side matched a 122-year club record on Tuesday night by doing so for the eighth game on the bounce in their Champions League win over Slavia Prague.

To their credit, the Czech side came out of the blocks like a house on fire, but after the 20-minute mark, the Gunners established control over the game that remained until the final whistle.

However, while most of the team impressed, there was one player who looked off the pace and was far less effective than Mikel Merino.

Merino's night vs Slavia

With Viktor Gyokeres joining Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the injury list over the weekend, Merino was once again drafted in to start up top.

Given the fact that the Czech giants hadn’t lost a home game since December, it was always going to be a challenging evening for the makeshift number nine, and early on, it looked it.

However, just 35 seconds into the second half, the Spanish international once again found himself in the right place at the right time and buried a brilliant cross from Leandro Trossard.

It wasn’t a lucky or scrappy goal, though; it was a well-timed run and a proper centre-forward’s finish on the half volley.

With his name on the scoreboard, the 29-year-old seemed to grow in confidence and just 22 minutes later headed home his second from a Declan Rice delivery.

He did more than bag a brace, though, as in his 95 minutes of action, he played one key pass, took 52 touches, covered 10.2km, made three interceptions, two clearances and three recoveries.

It really was a man-of-the-match display from Merino and one that should fill Arteta with confidence ahead of a tricky game away to Sunderland on Saturday.

However, there was another starter who more than likely played himself out of the team.

Arsenal's underwhelming star

Unfortunately, while the likes of Merino, Trossard and Rice were looking brilliant against Slavia, Ethan Nwaneri was not.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Now, there is no denying that the 18-year-old is an extraordinarily talented prospect and someone who still seems destined for big things.

However, it is also true that he was the most underwhelming player for the Gunners on Tuesday night and looked like an inexperienced youngster.

For example, while he did get himself into promising areas on several occasions, he’d then either lose the ball, play the wrong pass or hold on to it for too long.

As content creator Alex Moneypenny points out, the Hale Ender will have to “prioritise retention” more if he “wants to go to the next level.”

It might sound harsh, but the Sun’s Chisanga Malata was also unimpressed, awarding the teen a 5/10 match rating and writing that he “was anonymous in the first half and struggled to get into the game.”

Unfortunately, his statistics more than back up such an appraisal, as in 65 minutes he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.04, failed to complete a single cross, took 30 touches – 18 fewer than David Raya – completed just 18 passes, lost possession six times and won two of seven duels.

Minutes

65′

Expected Goals

0.03

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.01

Assists

0

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (0)

Accurate Passes

18/19

Touches

30

Lost Possession

6

Tackles (Won)

1 (0)

Ground Duels (Won)

6 (2)

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (0)

Fouls

2

Ultimately, Nwaneri is an incredible talent and will surely get back to his best this season, but due to his poor performance against Slavia, he should be dropped for the Sunderland game.

Arsenal "warrior" who won 100% duels is looking like Arteta's new Gabriel

Arsenal may have unearthed another Gabriel during their 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 5, 2025

New Zealand veteran posts career-best 163 to set up 105-run win

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jul-2025Suzie Bates staged a batting masterclass as Durham beat Somerset by 105 runs in a one-sided Metro Bank One Day Cup contest at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.The 37-year-old Kiwi registered a superb career-best innings of 163, eclipsing her previous highest List-A score of 151 made for New Zealand against Ireland in Dublin in 2018, as Durham raised an imposing 315 for 9 after winning the toss. At her imperious best, Bates amassed 18 fours and three sixes and shared in stands of 71 with Hollie Armitage, 66 with Beth Heath and 78 with Phoebe Turner for the second, fifth and sixth wickets respectively to make it a day to forget for Somerset’s bowlers, who conceded 38 boundaries in all.The pick of Durham’s bowlers, Phoebe Turner claimed 3 for 45, Katie Levick took 3 for 57 and Mady Villiers 3 for 30 as Somerset were dismissed for 210 in 40.2 overs, Jess Hazell top-scoring with a 55-ball 50 and Bex Odgers contributing 47 in a losing cause.There was little evidence of what was to come when Mollie Robbins had Emma Marlow held at backward point with the score on 22 in the fifth over. Initially playing and missing on a surface offering early assistance to seam, Bates had to wait six overs to post a boundary, scoring the majority of her runs in an arc between point and third man as she battled to establish herself.But Somerset’s seamers found the going tougher thereafter, Bates and Armitage posting a 50 stand in 56 balls to build momentum and advance the score to 93-1 inside 20 overs. Only when Somerset turned to spin, did they begin to make headway, Chloe Skelton bowling Armitage and Emily Windsor and Liv Barnes having Mady Villiers stumped, three wickets falling in four overs as the visitors lurched to 107 for 4.Beth Heath announced herself by plundering sixes at the expense of Alex Griffiths and Elllie Anderson as Durham quickly reasserted themselves, the fifth wicket realising 50 in just 39 balls as the pendulum swung back again. By the time the hard-hitting Heath chopped on and lost leg stump to Laura Jackson, she had contributed a run-a-ball 32 and helped force the home bowlers onto the back foot once more.Having raised 50 from 64 deliveries, Bates then moved up through the gears, dominating a partnership of 78 with Phoebe Turner, who expertly rotated the strike in contributing 25. By now hitting through the ball cleanly, Bates moved to three figures via 112 balls, raising that landmark with a leg-side single off Mollie Robbins. By the time Anderson had Turner held in the deep, Durham were 251 for 6 in the 45th and flying.Bates lifted Robbins over the rope behind square to equal the 148 she scored for Hampshire against Warwickshire at Basingstoke in 2018 – her highest score in England – and then hit the same bowler over the mid-wicket boundary to go to 150 in fine style.Having faced 140 balls and scored more than her team’s runs, Bates succumbed in the 48th over, holing out to short fine leg off the bowling of Laura Jackson with the score 290 for 7. Even then there was no respite for the hosts, lusty hitting from Katherine Fraser and Sophia Turner serving to carry Durham out of sight.Somerset made a decent start to their reply, reaching 49 for the loss of Niamh Holland in 10 overs, but their progress was slowed by spin thereafter, Katie Levick and Villiers restricting scoring to build pressure and force the required rate up above seven an over for the first time. Villiers then struck an important blow, pinning Sophie Luff in the crease for 19 with the score 75 for 2.Odgers had played nicely in raising three sixes and a brace of fours and advancing her score to 47 when she was bowled by a startling Phoebe Turner yorker. Turner struck again later in the same over, Fraser taking off to hold a brilliant diving catch at backward point and send back Fran Wilson as the home side slipped to 88 for 4 in the 18th.When Fraser found the outside edge and Griffiths was caught at the wicket, Somerset were 108 for 5 in the 23rd, requiring a further 208 to win at just under eight an over. It proved too big an ask, despite Hazell and Jackson staging a defiant sixth wicket stand of 53 to hold up Durham and deny them a bonus point.

Atalanta have dismissed head coach Ivan Juric after a disastrous start to the Serie A season left them languishing in mid-table and far from the European places. The Croatian, appointed to succeed the legendary Gian Piero Gasperini in June, managed just two wins in 11 league games and failed to recreate the intensity, flair, and success that defined the Gasperini era in Bergamo.

Juric sacked five months into Atalanta tenure

Juric's brief and turbulent reign as Atalanta manager came to an abrupt end following the club's 3-0 home defeat to Sassuolo at the weekend – a result that proved to be the final straw for the Bergamo hierarchy. The loss marked Atalanta's eighth consecutive league match without a win, leaving the team 13th in the Serie A table and already 11 points behind leaders Inter Milan after just 11 games. Appointed in June 2025 to continue Gasperini's transformative legacy, Juric's tenure failed to take off, marked by inconsistent results, tactical confusion, and a noticeable drop in the team's trademark attacking energy.

The 50-year-old's sacking came just five months into his appointment, making his spell one of the shortest managerial reigns in Atalanta’s modern history. Juric was tasked with maintaining the club's Champions League-level standards after last season's third-place finish, but the team's regression was clear from the opening weeks. A run of six straight draws followed by back-to-back defeats against Udinese and Sassuolo exposed deep structural flaws in Juric's system, as Atalanta's high press lacked coordination while their defensive shape collapsed under pressure.

Atalanta confirmed the news in an official statement on Monday, thanking Juric and his staff for their "hard work and professionalism" but admitting the need for change ahead of a challenging winter period. Club officials are believed to have made their decision shortly after full-time against Sassuolo, having already drawn up contingency plans during the international break. Local reports in Bergamo immediately identified Raffaele Palladino as the frontrunner to replace Juric, with an announcement expected before the club's trip to Napoli on November 22.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportJuric failed to replicate Gasperini's success

Juric's downfall was perhaps inevitable given the near-impossible task of succeeding Gasperini. His nine-year tenure stands as one of the most transformative managerial reigns in modern Italian football, revolutionising both the club's identity and the perception of smaller-market teams in Serie A. When he arrived, Atalanta were perennial mid-table battlers focused on survival; when he left, they were established European contenders, having als won the Europa League in 2023-24.

Gasperini's tactical philosophy – built around a fearless, high-pressing 3-4-2-1 formation and relentless man-to-man marking – turned La Dea into a thrilling, high-scoring powerhouse. His side not only earned three straight top-three finishes between 2018 and 2021 but also broke records, including an extraordinary 98-goal Serie A campaign in 2019/20, the highest tally by any Italian club in over six decades.

The crowning moment of Gasperini's era came in 2024 when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the UEFA Europa League, the club’s first major European trophy. By the time he departed for Roma in June 2025, he had secured five Champions League qualifications, two Serie A Coach of the Year awards, and an enduring legacy. Juric's attempt to replicate that legacy faltered from the outset, with the team appearing tactically disoriented and emotionally flat compared to the high-energy sides of the Gasperini years.

Palladino the front-runner to succeed Juric

Attention now turns to Palladino, who is widely expected to be appointed as Atalanta’s new head coach in the coming days. At just 41, the former Fiorentina and Monza boss has developed a reputation as one of Italy’s most promising young tacticians, known for blending disciplined structure with attacking ambition. His approach mirrors many of the principles Gasperini once instilled, making him an appealing candidate to reawaken Atalanta’s trademark intensity.

Palladino's rise through the coaching ranks has been rapid. After starting in Monza's youth setup in 2019, he made an immediate impact when unexpectedly promoted to the first team in 2022, leading them to a shock 1-0 win over Juventus in his debut match. His Monza side went on to comfortably avoid relegation and earned praise for their bold, compact style, which relied on coordinated pressing and positional flexibility.

That success paved the way for a move to Fiorentina, where Palladino guided the club to sixth place in the 2024/25 Serie A campaign and qualification for the UEFA Conference League. His teams are characterised by aggressive transitions, width through dynamic wing-backs, and a preference for formations like the 3-4-2-1 – all features that align with Atalanta’s footballing DNA.

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Getty ImagesWhere do Atalanta go from here?

Atalanta's immediate priority will be stabilising results under a new manager as they prepare to face Napoli after the international break. With the team struggling for confidence and consistency, Palladino's first challenge will be to reintroduce tactical clarity and rebuild morale within a squad accustomed to the high standards of the Gasperini years. Restoring the attacking spark of players like Gianluca Scamacca, Ademola Lookman, and Teun Koopmeiners will be essential if Atalanta are to climb back into the top half and, eventually, Serie A's European places.

For Juric, however, the dismissal adds another abrupt end to a turbulent managerial stretch following disastrously brief stints at Roma and Southampton.

Joe Davis is calling the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. The heated matchup has resulted in some interesting comments both on and off the field, but it's the way that Davis is calling the action that has some fans crying foul.

Davis, who has been the full-time voice of the Dodgers since 2017, has been accused of homerism, the same way that Bob Costas has been during the Yankees-Royals ALDS for Turner. The only difference is, fans screaming favoritism with Davis seem to be mostly grasping at straws.

For instance, here's a post showing Davis apparently forcing himself to smile through an interview with Fernando Tatis Jr. after Game 3.

And here are some reactions to the post:

"It’s ridiculous to put Joe Davis on a Dodgers series."
"Joe wanted the Dodgers to win it all again 😭 "
"I swear they don’t wanna see us shine"
"He is crying on the inside"
"That man is HURTING"
"Cope Joe"

The thing is, Davis doesn't seem uncomfortable at all during the actual interview with Tatis. It looks more like an announcer making the same faces anyone would make during a player interview.

Not to mention Davis's call of Tatis's second inning home run that broke the game open for the Padres.

That's an announcer caught up in the postseason drama who sure sounds like he's enjoying one of the best players in baseball doing something awesome. If this is how well Davis is disguising his bias, he's doing a great job faking it.

Hannah Baker leads defence with 3 for 32 as hosts suffer ninth loss of campaign

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Jul-2025Birmingham 149 for 8 (Kalis 51, Robbins 4-29) beat Somerset 127 for 9 (Wellington 33, Baker 3-32) by 22 runsSterre Kalis registered an assured half-century as Birmingham beat Somerset by 22 runs at Taunton’s Cooper Associates Ground to improve their prospects of qualifying for the knockout stages of the women’s Vitality Blast competition.The Dutch international top-scored with 51 from 41 balls, struck six fours and dominated a profitable stand of 63 in 9.1 overs with Katie George for the fourth wicket as the visitors raised 149 for 8. George contributed 28 and Laura Harris made a brisk 29, while Mollie Robbins returned career-best figures of 4 for 29 to keep Somerset in the hunt.But west country ambition unraveled in the face of incisive bowling from Warwickshire’s spinners, Hannah Baker, Phoebe Brett and Millie Taylor sharing seven wickets as the home side came up short on 127 for 8. Amanda-Jade Wellington mustered middle-order resistance in a defiant innings of 33, but Somerset never looked like recovering from the wreckage of 62 for 6 at halfway.Victory moved Warwickshire above The Blaze and into second place behind leaders Surrey, while Somerset remain rooted to the foot of the table after suffering a ninth defeat in 11 matches in the short format.Robbins gave Somerset the best possible start, claiming two wickets in the opening over, Meg Austin falling lbw to the first delivery and Amu Surenkumar playing on four balls later as Warwickshire listed to 4 for 2 after winning the toss.Davina Perrin responded to adversity by plundering a quartet of fours at the expense of Olivia Barnes, while Kalis also played positively in a progressive third wicket stand of 38 from 25 balls. But Robbins switched ends and promptly terminated the partnership, Perrin driving to mid-off and departing for a 13-ball 20 with the score 42 for 3 in the sixth.Despite the loss of early wickets, Warwickshire continued to score at better than seven an over as new batter George adopted the role of chief support to Kalis, who proved adept at putting away the bad ball. Wellington and Alex Griffiths restricted the flow of boundaries during the middle overs, but Kalis overcame any frustration to raise an assured half century from 38 balls. The 50 partnership occupied 47 deliveries and the stand was worth 63 when Kalis gave Chloe Skelton the charge and was stumped by Jess Hazell.Having contributed a useful 28 from 29 balls, George fell to the returning Robbins, sending a top edge to short fine leg as the visitors slipped to 115 for 5 in the 16th. When Wellington had Nat Wraith held at point in the next over, Warwickshire had lost three wickets in 12 balls and were in danger of falling short. Thereafter, the visitors were indebted to Harris, whose forthright approach yielded four fours and a six in a quickfire innings of 29 from 13 balls, which served to carry them to a competitive total.Requiring the reassurance of a decent start, Somerset instead lost skipper Niamh Holland and Ruby Davis to Brett’s offbreaks in the first and fourth overs respectively. Bex Odgers had scored 21 off 25 balls when she offered a sharp return catch to Baker, at which point the home side were 43 for 3 in the seventh and already under pressure.Somerset were heavily dependent upon experienced campaigner Fran Wilson, but the former England batter was needlessly run out for 17 by Perrin’s superb pick-up-and-throw from cover with the score 44 for 4. That soon became 49 for 5, Jess Hazell chipping to mid-on as Baker made further inroads.Taylor produced a startling delivery to bowl Griffiths as spin continued to pay handsome dividends for Warwickshire. Wellington led a revival of sorts, accruing five boundaries in a stand of 35 for the seventh wicket with Skelton, but when the Australian was stumped off the bowling of Baker with 53 still needed from 26 balls, the game was effectively up for Somerset.

Newcastle United’s depth in attack is certainly different to what it was at the end of last season. It’s been all change in the last few months, losing Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, and replacing them with Nick Woltemade, who has really hit the ground running, and Yoane Wissa, who has been out injured.

They also added Anthony Elanga to their depth out wide. He’s been providing competition for Jacob Murphy on the right wing, with Anthony Gordon still the first choice on the opposite flank.

The England international has been on fire in the Champions League in particular.

Another man who has shone in that competition is Harvey Barnes.

How Barnes’ Champions League numbers compare to Gordon

It has been a fast start to Barnes’ European campaign in 2025/26. He hasn’t been a regular starter under Eddie Howe this term across all competitions, but has made a great impact off the bench.

In particular, his impact on the European stage has been a real standout. Barnes has three goals in as many games, having played just 106 minutes across that trio of appearances. He’s averaging one goal every 35 minutes this season.

Those numbers stack up well against his Magpies teammate Gordon. Their number 10 does have two more goal involvements in the Champions League this season, with five to his name. However, they have come in 265 minutes, and on average, he contributes to a goal every 53 minutes, which is more than Barnes.

The former Leicester City man had a strong impact on the game against Benfica on Tuesday night. Newcastle’s number 11 struck twice off the bench to secure all three points for his side.

His second goal was teed up by Gordon and included some lovely, sharp passing before an incisive finish from Barnes.

The winger has been excellent off the bench this season, although Newcastle have a player coming through who could soon displace him.

The Newcastle sensation who can displace Barnes

Over the last few seasons, there have certainly been some exciting talents come through the academy at St James’ Park. Elliot Anderson is someone who springs to mind, and Lewis Miley is thriving in their first team today.

However, even more exciting than the homegrown pair could be South Korean under-20 international Seung-soo Park. The 18-year-old attacker has already played first-team football for Suwon Samsung Bluewings, and is now on the fringes of the Magpies’ first team after a summer move.

The youngster drummed up a lot of interest when he first moved to St James’ Park. Newcastle’s Academy Director Steve Harper said he is an “exciting” young forward, and Seoul-based writer Seung-mo Lee once explained he is “similar to [Kylian] Mbappe,” which is high praise indeed.

Well, it has been a productive start to the season for the man compared to France’s captain. He’s actually yet to get a goal or assist in eight games for the academy, but has shown plenty of promise.

The 18-year-old has been pulling off passes like this against Mansfield in the EFL Trophy, which highlights his talent.

Some of the numbers he’s been putting up have been excellent, too.

In the game against Mansfield, he completed three out of three dribbles, and in a 45-minute cameo against Union Saint Gilloise in the UEFA Youth League, he created three chances.

Touches

49

33

Pass accuracy

82%

75%

Ground duels won

7/12

5/7

Dribbles completed

3/3

4/6

Chances created

2

3

Howe seems to rate the 18-year-old, having already put him on the bench in the Premier League.

Park was an unused substitute in the season opener against Aston Villa. He also got minutes in preseason with the first team.

The South Korean talent seems to be someone whom the Magpies can get excited about. He certainly has a lot about him, with the ability to beat defenders one-vs-one and create chances in the final third.

With the likes of Barnes, Newcastle have great depth out wide, but Park will be one to keep an eye on for the future.

Fewer touches than Pope: Howe must bin Newcastle star who won just 3 duels

Newcastle won 3-0 against Benfica, but there were still frustrating signs for Eddie Howe and co

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 22, 2025

Mic'd Up: Shreeves discussed soccer in America, Premier League favorites, and who might win the Champions League

Geoff Shreeves, technically, got his start in America. His first proper job was in the early '90s, for CNN. He cut his teeth in an American place. And it only makes sense, then, that nearly 35 years later, he's back – albeit in a different capacity. Shreeves – the voice many recognize for his role in the EAFC video game series – is now an analyst for Morning Footy on CBS Sports Golazo Network.

And much has changed over the years. These days, he says, fans know the game.

"American soccer fans are so knowledgeable that actually, as an analyst or a pundit, you have to work doubly as hard because they know their stuff so well," he tells GOAL. 

Shreeves will be talking Premier League, Champions League, even lower league stuff. It's a good season to do so, too. The Premier League title race, for one, could be a classic, Shreeves says. 

"Look at the Premier League table right now," he said. "Look at Bournemouth, look at Sunderland. It's fantastic. I think we're in for a vintage Premier League this season. Last season, you have to admire what Arne Slot did at Liverpool. But they won it pretty much at a canter, and the bottom three were gone quite early. I said at the start of the season, I think we're seeing much greater competition at the top spot."

And that's just the Prem. Lower down, things could get even more interesting. Wrexham, after cruising to promotion last year, are going to have a far tougher go of things in the Championship.

"They wouldn't say it publicly, but the owners of Birmingham and Wrexham, if you offered them mid-table this season, at the start of season, they'd snatch your hand off," he said. "It's a massive leap."

Shreeves talked the changing role of soccer in America, Premier League title favorites, and who might win the Champions League in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL taps into the perspective of analysts, announcers and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad. 

(C)Getty imagesON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

GOAL: You'll be covering the Champions League quite a lot this year. Who do you like to win it?

SHREEVES: Having been in Munich and seeing what PSG did last year, it was just astonishing. I don't think I've ever seen such a one-sided final. This is against a smart team, a wise team. They absolutely destroyed them. They decimated them, and ground them into the dirt. They haven't necessarily had the same flying start, but I don't think you can discount the holders, even if it is very difficult to retain the Champions League. You've also got to look at the top two teams in Spain.

And then if you look at the English clubs, I like Arsenal. You've got genuine competition for places, real competition for places. I mean, it's embarrassing that I think it was, 5,000 Arsenal fans started a petition that they didn't want Noni Madueke. That was just nonsense. And the start he made when they were missing Saka? The other one is Masquera. I thought he had a cigar and carpet slippers. It was ridiculous, the way he was so composed.

They've got competition all over the pitch, and that's before you start looking at the likes of the generational talent that is Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri. It's just staggering. You know, there's so much there. I think they can compete on all fronts. So I think they're well equipped to have a right good go.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportON ARSENAL'S TITLE HOPES

GOAL: Does that make them title favorites?

SHREEVES: Remember when Liverpool flew out the traps and they signed Wirtz? And there was the talk of getting Isak? And the amount of people who said "Let's not bother. Just give them the trophy." Arsenal started to falter a little bit, so it's all over. So no, I wouldn't say Arsenal win it. They've got a great chance. Would I say it's definitely going to happen? Not in a million years, because that's the beauty of the Premier League. Look at the Premier League table right now. Look at Bournemouth, look at Sunderland. It's fantastic.

I think we're in for a vintage Premier League this season. Last season, you have to admire what Arne Slot did at Liverpool. But they won it pretty much at a canter, and the bottom three were gone quite early. I said at the start of the season, I think we're seeing much greater competition at the top spot, and I think we'll we'll have far more teams involved in the relegation scrap. At the moment that's looking fairly prescient. It's a rare example of me actually being right.

Getty Images SportON LIVERPOOL'S RECENT STRUGGLES

GOAL: So what's going on with Liverpool then? They're doing a fair bit of losing at the moment.

SHREEVES: Well, Isak didn't have a proper preseason, did he? He's not come in in the condition that you would hope or expect. He's a racehorse, he's a thoroughbred, he's a fantastic footballer. Wirtz, where he's playing – has he played in that specific position before? Then you've got the Salah conundrum, Kerkez looks like he's struggling. So the balance of the team has changed. There's no question that things have changed there. I'll never forget Arsene Wenger said to me once – I was badgering about whether he's going to sign a player – and he said "Geoff, never forget, it's possible to subtract by adding."

And he's spot on. Now, I'm not saying Liverpool have gotten it wrong. They bought fantastic footballers, but you know, this is not like just putting players in and saying "There you go, get on with it." They have to find their feet. They have to find their way. So it's teething problems. But this, this Liverpool squad, is equally capable of going on a run and really challenging whoever sits at the top. People are saying "Yeah, it's Arsenal's." I would just remind people, they're saying the same thing about Liverpool less than six weeks ago.

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Getty Images SportON WREXHAM'S REALITY CHECK

GOAL: The fascination in the U.S. with Wrexham really can't be understated. But it seems like – not that the magic's over – but they're outsiders to get promoted. This seems like a mid-table season. Is the magic maybe a little bit over because of that?

SHREEVES: I said exactly that at the start of the season. They wouldn't say it publicly, but the owners of Birmingham and Wrexham, if you offered them mid-table this season, at the start of season, they'd snatch your hand off. It's a massive leap. You've brought players up from League One. That's a huge jump to the Championship, a huge jump. And then it's like anything that goes up a division. It's difficult for coaches. 

You've got a team, you've also got a successful unit, which is cohesive, is happy, and functions as a group of people. But the players that bring you up aren't necessarily the players to get you to the next stage, or indeed, to keep you in your newly promoted position. So it's almost like you've got to completely reassess everything, all over again. You've got to go again. Of course, it's possible.

I never thought that either of them would romp it. Absolutely no chance. I'll try to recall from the start of the season. I think I said Wrexham, maybe, if they have the season of their lives – bear in mind what they've done – maybe a squeak off the playoff place. But that's about it. 

At first, it didn't make much sense at all why the Washington Nationals optioned All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. The Triple-A season ends Sunday, and the Nationals—already eliminated from playoff contention—only have eight games remaining.

But one former MLB executive dug up the apparent reason behind Washington's confusing move.

Jim Bowden, a former general manager of the Nationals, stated Saturday that Abrams was out until 8 a.m. at a Bally Casino before a 1 p.m. CT game Friday against the Chicago Cubs. Abrams went 0-for-3 with a walk in that game, which the Nationals lost 3–1.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addressed that report before Saturday's game.

"We’re all aware of the report but beyond that it’s an internal issue that we will keep in the family," Rizzo said [via ].

Abrams, once considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, was named an All-Star for the first time in 2024 after batting .268/.343/.489 with 15 homers and 48 RBIs in his first 89 games. But the 23-year-old has cooled off significantly in the second half of the season, logging a .203/.260/.326 slash line with just five homers in 49 games.

Of course, it appears Abrams's struggles since the All-Star break aren't the main reason for his demotion. Abrams went 10-for-21 (.476 batting average) with three doubles and a homer over his last six games before being sent to Triple-A.

The Nationals, who will miss the playoffs for a fifth straight year since winning the 2019 World Series, will wrap up their season with two more games against the Cubs and a pair of three-game series against the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies.