Arsenal’s time against Man City. Can Messi-less Miami perform?

Luis Miguel Echegaray gives his weekly take on the latest in the world of soccer. LME discusses everything from standout performance and what you might not have seen to what to look out for in the next few days. This week, why Manchester City vs. Arsenal The young stars of soccer are the most important players in Mikel Arteta’s managerial career. Inter Miami Without and with Lionel Messi… and much more

ONSIDE

Arsenal, now is your time

Sunday’s game is huge because a win by either team will not only give them three valuable points, but it will also give them a mental boost and a jolt of energy. Premier League Title race is a highly competitive race. Liverpool Man City vs. vs. Man City demonstrated to us, before the international break, that one was operating at the highest level, showing why English top flight remains unrivaled as the king of entertainment.

Man City are no strangers to the final challenges of this season and Sunday’s match. Liverpool, to a lesser extent than Man City, has also experienced the pressures of this campaign. In this moment, the winners are made. They must overcome their insecurities, let go of “perfection” and win with any means. This “onside”, then, is not about City. They know what they have to do. They have Pep as manager, and a star-studded team. They also have precedent after winning three titles in a row.

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Marcotti: Premier League is Man City’s to lose

Gab Marcotti is backing Manchester City to win Premier League despite the fact that they are behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

This is all about Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, their manager. With that said, let’s continue. Here’s an Open Letter:

Dear Mikel

This is your biggest game. From the moment you arrived at the club in 2019 as manager, you have experienced everything. [the sporting director] This final stretch is the last chance to build a team that can finally win a championship in an era of superteams. Sunday is the biggest test.

Be sure to seize this opportunity. I hope that you will come out with an aggressive mentality for your fans. Last season I had you as champions. But I was a year too early. There was inexperience in the squad (the youngest in league) and some missing pieces.Declan RiceNow you have them.

You have proven that you can win in style but also in an ugly way. That’s what a champion is. Mikel, when you face your former coach, I hope that you will convey this message to the young Gunners. Whatever it takes. Win. Do something you haven’t done in 20 Years. Take what is yours.

The superkids era

If this international window taught me anything, it’s that teams are not afraid of showcasing their young stars. The kids are ready to shine. Forget the ancient names Kylian Mbappé (25), Erling Haaland (23) or even Jude Bellingham I’m talking about players younger than YouTube or Zinedine Zidane’s head-butt. I’m talking to players younger than YouTube, or Zinedine Zidane head-butting.

Modern football is experiencing a special moment with the constant rise of young players who continue to exceed expectations. They are not just graduating from their respective academy teams into the first team, but they are also taking center-stage.

Let’s get started Brazil’s EndrickDue to his stocky frame, could as well be the reincarnated manifestation of Brazilian legend Romario. Endrick and Romario are almost identical in style and physique, yet they are only 17 years old. During the break, he scored twice in two matches. One against EnglandThe winner was. The other was the decisive finish against Spain A thrilling 3-3 result was achieved at Real MadridAfter completing his $43.3million move from Palmeiras He will be going to Madrid in the summer of 2018, when he turns 18 years old. So in a way, Madrid is the perfect place for him, as he will have his compatriots Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior (both 23) serving as mentors.

Endrick’s scoring spree didn’t end this week. On the night of Thursday, Palmeiras beat Novorizontino to win the semifinal match in Brazil’s Campeonato Paulista. This helped them reach the final. That’s goals for him in London, Madrid and Sãu Paulo in the space of five days.

The other team was made up of 16-year-olds. Lamine Yamal. who has delighted Barcelona fans ever since he debuted last April when he was 15 years, 9 months and 16 days old, thus becoming the youngest Barça debutant ever in the history of Spain. He was superb against Brazil. Dazzling with his pace and skills, he won a penalty for Brazil and also earned an assist. Dani Olmo. Yamal is the truth and I would never mention the “M-word” (after a certain Argentinian Legend), but if all goes well, and he gets the support and patience he needs, he will go far.

Kobbie Majoroo, 18 years old, was named England’s Player of Match for his first ever appearance for the Three Lions.???

The beginning of something Special✨ pic.twitter.com/fcCKum18vX

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 26, 2024

Let’s talk about Kobbie Mainoo. What a star. At 18, the Manchester United Midfielder made his England debut against Brazil. He showed why he is worthy of a spot in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad this summer. His drive was the one that started the play which won the penalty for England against BelgiumIt was wonderful to see his work with Bellingham.

“At 18, I probably played XBox,” said striker Ivan Toney When complimenting his teammate. “He’s here as a gentleman playing for England, and he conducts himself very well.” He glides with his ball. There’s much more to come, and I’m confident he will reach the top.

It’s time for us to start trusting our children, because they are more than ready.

OFFSIDE

Can Inter Miami compete in the absence and injury of Messi?

Messi was not available during the international break ArgentinaAs he has been recovering from a muscle injury to his leg suffered on 13 March during Inter Miami’s Champions Cup clash with Nashville SC. Inter Miami defeated Montreal 3-1 during his absence. D.C. United The 4-0 defeat of the New York Red Bulls.

On Friday, it was confirmed he would miss the match against NYCFC On Saturday. Tata Martino said it after the D.C. victory right before the break. “Messi’s injuries must be dealt with on a week-by-week basis, and we’ll evaluate it,” said he. “What’s clear is that he has a goal, and that is to play in Concacaf quarterfinals.”

It is a game against Liga MX‘s CF Monterrey will be next Thursday. Messi’s absence raises some questions, but Martino can use this opportunity to see how well his team can handle multiple games without their World Cup winning captain. It’s been a mixed bag so far. Luis Suárez He has been fantastic, scoring six goals in all competitions and four assists, but I have said it from the beginning, the team cannot always depend on this player when there are three games in seven days. April is also going to be very busy.

Martino must act like a NBA coach by balancing the minutes of all his star players. Sergio Busquets The following are some examples of how to get started: Jordi AlbaBoth 35. Then to make matters even worse, on Thursday evening, a new signing Federico Redondo A ligament injury has occurred and he will be out of action for eight weeks. This is not good. This is especially true since the club lost. Facundo Farías After suffering an ACL during pre-season. Tata has a lot to deal with.

The defensive side is where we need to make the most improvements. They have the most goals scored in the league (13), but the least goals conceded (9) from the top 10 teams of the east. Just last week, they welcomed Boca Juniors defensive back Marcelo Weigandt On loan until the end the season, with an option to prolong. This compensates for the departure. DeAndre Yedlin, who was then traded to FC Cincinnati.

Inter Miami is still young in the season and has the tools necessary to succeed. They are second in the Eastern Conference and preparing for a Champions Cup Quarterfinal. They are also scoring without Messi. Now they have to figure out who they are without Messi so they can be stronger when he returns.

Giroud’s international football career over? Give MLS Some respect

The News You can also find out more about the following: Olivier Giroud Moving closer to a move LAFC At the end of this year, I have two thoughts. Hollywood and Giroud were made for each other, and I’m not sure we’re ready. This might be the most photogenic transfer to the Galaxy since David Beckham. Second, but more importantly, I’m getting tired of the headlines about this pending move, and how the French star deciding to go to MLS will end his international career.

Why? LAFC has a great club, a very well-run one, with devoted fans, and is one of the favorites in the MLS Cup race. The team or infrastructure are of high quality. Giroud, even at the age of 37, will have plenty of opportunities to perform.

The idea that a player’s presence in MLS will harm their chances of making the national team is absurd. I believe that the best player in the world — Miami’s Messi – is still captaining Argentina, while his younger teammate Thiago Almada Atlanta United, where he played, made him the first active MLS-player to win the World Cup. This type criticism on aging MLS players is more about Europe’s continued lack understanding of the league. It has a certain air of high-and-mighty.

MLS is much more competitive than people believe. No, this isn’t the Premier League. LaLigaThe growth and strength of the league is due to four main factors. These include: a continued increase in talent from North America and North America, an attractive destination for undiscovered gems – specifically from South America – and also a place that European stars would like to visit.

It’s also a league where other leagues can sign players. That’s huge. Giroud is a great addition to the team, and if LAFC and he shines for them both then that’s a bonus. France France is responsible if he’s not selected. Not the league nor Giroud.

Final Word

Richarlison‘s interview with colleagues at ESPN Brazil was touching, heroic and a powerful reminder for us all that mental wellness is not a topic to debate, but merely a necessary part of health. Just like training on the field, sports psychology and therapy are essential to a player. Richarlison deserves my admiration for his passion, emotion and humility in his speech. There is no braver thing.

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Richarlison discusses depression after the 2022 World Cup. He also discusses how therapy helped.

Richarlison, a Brazilian and Spurs striker, speaks exclusively to ESPN Brazil on his mental health following the World Cup in Qatar. He also discusses how therapy has helped.