MADRID STUNNED! Barcelona Score 5 & Inter Complete HUGE Comeback | Matchday Recap (September 4-7)

Project 90 Soccer: Para, para, para, para, para. Marco Antonio. The podcast all about soccer, football, calcio from around the globe. My name is Antonio Donna. I don't know if I've ever dropped that, but that is my last name. And I'm here with, as always, the one, the only, the with the newest edition of the AC Milan fresh to death looking jersey, Marco Munoz. Marco, how are you doing?

Marco: How does it look, bro? Look good?

Project 90 Soccer: Dude, that thing, as soon as you hopped on, I just undeniably regret my jersey choice. Yours is way better, dude. I mean what a

Marco: Feel like I feel like you have one in your near future coming in.

Project 90 Soccer: I think I think I do, bro. I think I do 'cause that jersey right there, that thing's hot. Although I do like their away jersey. I do like the all white that Milan usually has. But you know, I think I'm gonna go down the route of getting a Como jersey, bro. I think I

Marco: great.

Project 90 Soccer: think I'm gonna do it. I think I'm gonna do it. But Marco, today we got our match day three and four for La Liga done and dusted. We're gonna go over the EPL, the CETIA, La Liga. We're gonna Quickly touch on the San Jose earthquakes and the MLS getting a draw this weekend. And then we're going to close out this episode with the Balon d'Or, right? They dropped the list today. There's some favorites you can say. So we're just gonna go over that. We're gonna give some predictions, maybe some guesses on who's gonna take it. But before we get to all that, we are gonna start with the Premier League, Marco. Let me go through some of these results. This weekend, Liverpool two to zero versus Ipswich Town. Alexander Isak, their signing, got two goals. Okay. 2 0. Cody Gakpo getting both assists. Newcastle, 2 2 versus Bournemouth. Fulham, 3 2. I'm sorry, losing 2 3 against Crystal Palace. Man City, this is a big one. There's a big moment in this game. 1 0 versus Coventry. We saw Erling Holland get his 300th top flight goal. 300 goals. And the assist came from none other than Enzo Fernandez. Marco. What do you think three hundred goals means for a Ling Holland, man? This guy's young, this guy's a beast, this guy's a train, you just cut his hair, doesn't look like it did anything to his goal scoring ability. How do you feel about that, man?

Marco: 300 goals. That just sounds like this guy is just got started. He's young.

Project 90 Soccer: It's the real deal. Yeah.

Marco: He's young. He's a real deal. And what's another 300 mortar for Erlin Holland?

Project 90 Soccer: Doesn't seem like much, dude, at this point. You're getting three hundred goals. You're already in the Premier League. You're just killing the game. Now Enzo Fernandez, dude, look, hundred and twenty five million pound move. We were questioning if he'd fit into this team or not. Look at him getting this assist. He's getting the starts. It's looking like a good move at this point, right? It's looking like a good buy from Man City. What do you think?

Marco: Early to tell. Like I mentioned last episode.

Project 90 Soccer: Hey Elton.

Marco: Look, if you're gonna pay that much money for that guy, you have to start him right away. You can't just sit him on the bench unless you're Real Madrid

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: or Barcelona. So, yeah, man, it's expected this guy's gonna come on the pitch. I mean, this guy's a quality player. I know we like to focus on, or I know I focus on a lot of the negative, but he's a quality player, right?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: He's Arguably sustained himself at the biggest clubs for a reason, right? And I know it sounds kind of into counterintuitive for my previous previous rants with a lot of hype coming from the World Cup. But look, this guy, every time he goes to a different club, he's like breaking the bank. Benfica, right? Then he goes on to Chelsea and onto Man City. It's expected for him to get get some of the assists. And if they weren't expecting that from him, then why are you paying this guy so much money? Right? So still, I'm still gonna say it. It's still very early. I'm waiting till it starts very getting in we're in the deep winter. We're in those rainy days when it just doesn't stop raining in in in the UK and see if he has these same exact type of games like the one he just had. Not and not to mention tournaments in between the the domestic matches.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, I agree. You know, there's a lot of hate towards him, of course, his attitude, his the way he plays, the way he does a lot of things, the fact that he's just Argentinian, honestly, a lot of people just hate on the Argentinians at this point. But yeah, he does have an attitude to him, but the reality is he's a good fucking player. He would not be he would not even be in the transfer market with a price tag like that if he wasn't. Okay. The experts, the pros, the masters of what they do see something in him, obviously. They make this kind of move. He's going in there and he's making an impact already. Now, Man City, they're already three games, three wins, seven goals, two conceded, nine points. Okay. They've been literally, they've been perfect so far. Other than the two goals conceded, I mean, they've had a great start to the season. So we'll touch on that now towards the end when I go over the table. Nottingham Forest, 0-0 with Tottenham. Okay. Tottenham, hmm, we know how they zero goals in three games, by the way. Not looking good for Tottenham. Brentford, one to one with Sunderland. Brighton, one-to-one with Leeds. Whole City getting their first draw of the season. They already have two wins and one draw. They tied with Aston Villa, which is a great team, right? So Whole City, they're really. They came up in the Premier League, bro, and they're just fucking dogging it out right now, which is kind of it's impressive, right? They're they just came up back into the Premier League, getting two wins and a draw in the Premier League. That's a big deal right there. We'll touch on that in a little bit right now. Everton two to two with Man United. Did you see anything about this game? Any highlights? Anything like that?

Marco: Man, it's unfortunate they could not hold on. They could not hold on. They could not hold on.

Project 90 Soccer: No.

Marco: just lapses in the defense keep happening. it seemed like a lot of the plays were coming out of Luke Shaw's side. I know that guy's been s consistently the main guy, the only guy for the for quite a while now. But

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm.

Marco: I don't know, man. I think they need to be focusing on restructuring that back line, which is too many mistakes, man. They just can't hold on to three points.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: easily could have just held on, parked the bus. And look, I say easily as a guy on the other side of the screen, right? But

Project 90 Soccer: Right.

Marco: you're at Man United, baby. Come on. Hold on to that lead. Hold on to that lead. 95th

Project 90 Soccer: These are the these are the these are the games. Yeah.

Marco: minute. You got scored on by a guy who doesn't even score goals. I would expect if it was

Project 90 Soccer: Maylon Niles.

Marco: a I would expect if it was from Erlin Holland, a guy who just made for clutch moments, but you got scored on by a guy who Doesn't score a lot, if ever. And

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm.

Marco: he scores a nice goal. I

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: don't know, man. Shout out to Everton for getting it done and getting and escaping with the points. And man, you gotta do better, man. You have to do better.

Project 90 Soccer: They have to. As a big club, man, these are the kind of games you gotta hold on to the lead, man. You gotta get out of there with three points. And speaking of Maitland Niles, right? He came in. He's a brand he just made his debut for Everton. That was his Everton debut. Tying the game up in the 90th plus sixth minute right there. Unreal. So, you know, Man United obviously went up one zero. They tied it one one. Then they went up two one and they let in that equalizer late in the game, which it's unfortunate. It happens. Sometimes you just get a an amazing goal. Right. And it you know, they tie the game, but this seems to be something a little deeper for Man United. Seems to happen a little too often. There's always some sort of slip up, some sort of something where they they they fumble the three points or they come out with only a point. And you know, the season's long, but again, it's just seems like Man United can't get a consistent streak going, which is unfortunate because again it's Manchester Fucking United, right? They're one of the GOATs, one of the greatest clubs of all time. And recently they just they have not been. And for Everton, Jack Grealish made his debut. He's back over there at Everton. So, you know, good for Everton, not so good for Man United. Last game, Arsenal, two to one versus Chelsea. Okay, this is a big one because Morgan Rogers for Chelsea, they picked him up this summer. So the good news for Chelsea is he scored in the second minute, right? So they're getting what they want out of the players they're spending money on. But then again, now Arsenal is just a whole nother machine at this point, right? Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard getting two goals to win the game two to one. you know, three games, three wins, just like Man City for Arsenal. They're obviously sitting at the top of the table with them. I mean, I just I don't see Arsenal really slipping up. I like I've said in a previous episode, I feel like this is just their season to lose, right? I feel like they're the ones in control. As long as they can Play their game, play to their strengths, use Calafiardi to his strengths, use Odegaard to their strengths, Guimaras, all these guys. They really have nothing to lose unless they want to lose themselves. That's how I see it with Arsenal.

Marco: I was just gonna say they're strong at every position.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, they are. They're solid, bro. I mean, I mean, just coming off now the Champions League, yeah, they slipped up against PSG who might have been better on the day. But honestly, Arsenal, the past maybe since Arteta has been there, I feel like they've been consistently and progressively just getting better and better every single season. And I think that's the benefit of bringing a good coach in and letting him stay, right? Which we often don't see. We often see clubs firing these guys because they don't get the results that they want. But I think this is a good this is a good thing to look at for a lot of clubs where it's like you gotta you gotta look in the long the long term and I think Como from SETI US sort of doing the same thing that in the long run this is what you're gonna get. You're gonna get a team that wins the league, that comes back the season after, and the season after for a dynasty, if you will, and they compete and they beat teams like Chelsea. They beat teams like Man City, they beat all you know what mean? That's what I like about this Arsenal team, and that's why for me I think they're favorites. I've said it before the season started. That they're favorites to win the season again this year. So right now on the table, though, Man City sitting at top, goal difference plus five. Well, Arsenal and Man City technically are tied for first on every stat right here. It looks like Hole City, bro, third fucking place. Would you say that that is the dark horse right now, currently? Early on this season, of course. But

Marco: Too early.

Project 90 Soccer: yeah, too early. Still impressive though.

Marco: Too early. But it's impressive. But I was reading earlier today that a lot of the newly promoted teams spent more money than the Premier League teams themselves. So obviously

Project 90 Soccer: man.

Marco: they get a bag for getting promoted, but I mean they use that money to to get quality players. we for we we forget about sometimes that like a lot of these big clubs, they have elite quality players. But then they lack in depth where these newly promoted teams like they want to sustain being in the Premier League, so they get a bunch of quality players, old vets that are gonna get the job done and

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm.

Marco: i it it it plays in in their favor.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. No, it does. And they they obviously know like if you're gonna get promoted to the Premier League, you gotta bolster up the squad. You can't just come up with that championship team and expect to like do what whole city's doing right now. You're just not gonna do it. The level's too it's there's too much of a difference. So we see that with every team though that gets promoted. Like you said, I mean they spend money, they gotta get they gotta get some Premier League level players, right? They have some that are good enough that can compete, but then again, it's about surviving this first season to then bring more players in for the following season. So I think Hole City, you know, will they stay in the top three or four or five? It's hard to say right now, but I'd like to believe that they are definitely gonna stay in the top stay in the Premier League. Stay around mid table, I would say. Now if you had to pick t yeah, go ahead.

Marco: Hey, I would I would I would like to see them week fourteen, fifteen still fighting for those top five spots.

Project 90 Soccer: That'd be amazing, bro. Like a Europa League finish or a conference league even. I mean, that's imagine going from championship to European football, right? Like that's a it's a major fucking jump in one year. so yeah, we'll see how that plays out. But now let's move what's up. Yeah.

Marco: Hey, real quick, I don't know if you got the table in front of but how's Frank Lampard doing? How did Coventry do?

Project 90 Soccer: Coventry City, I have it right here. They played Man City, bro, they lost one zero. Coventry City right now, they are sitting

Marco: yeah, yeah, yeah. You'll mention that, yes.

Project 90 Soccer: bro, they're sitting in twentieth place. Zero points.

Marco: Yikes. Now

Project 90 Soccer: Zero points.

Marco: is this gonna be one of those cases where the manager they got you promoted if you continue to get zero points or very minimal points the next three, four weeks, does he get sacked? He got you promoted.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, that's see that's a tough call because it's Coventry City, with all due respect. So it's not surprising to see them at you know, low on the table like this, but then at the same time, how do you now fix it before it just goes terribly wrong? Right? Do you get rid of Frank Lampard? What is bringing a new coaching gonna really do? You know, if you if you're if you're just if you can't grind I mean, a one zero loss to Man City is not that bad, to be fair, right? They played Manchester City. quite arguably the best team in the league. So I think they give Lampard at least until January, right? To kind of go through all the teams in the Premier League, play them all at least one time. If he can grind out a couple wins, maybe get out of the relegation zone, maybe get up to sixteen or fifteen, I think they ride out the rest of the season with Frank Lampard. But that's a tough one. Come like you we were just talking about whole city, right? They were in the same league as Coventry last season. And look at the stark difference. So I don't know. What what's the difference there? Maybe the quality of player, maybe it's the manager, maybe it's just the mentality of the team. Honestly, I don't know. But it's not looking fucking good for Coventry. And then nineteenth place is Fulham. And then eighteenth, story of last season's Tottenham, dude. Tottenham. Not only are they there again, they lost some of their best players, right? They brought in Tonali, obviously, but they got rid of Spence. They got so I don't know, man. I think it'd be I think it'd be stupid at this point to fire Frank Lampard, but we're gonna have to just wait and see, Marco. Okay, moving on here. SettiA, Marco. Big game. We were talking about it this week in Intel vs. Napoli. Napoli up two to zero, bro. Two to zero. Fumbled the bag, fumbled the lead, lost three to three to two. And of course, who gets that last minute winner? The king of last minute goals, bro. Lautara Martinez. And ironically for this game, bro, Napoli had sixty three percent possession and they had twenty nine fucking shots. Napoli. Monopoly, dude.

Marco: Inte it's ca you said I'm sorry. I'm thinking of Juve. I'm thinking about Juve.

Project 90 Soccer: No, yeah, we'll get to that. But Napoli versus Inter Milan had sixty-three percent possession and twenty-nine shots, bro. And they still ended up losing three to two. So, I mean, fuck. That's not good, dude, for Napoli, right? And I have to say, in terms of setting out losers at this point in the whole league, I'd pick Napoli right now. Napoli

Marco: Napoli, Napoli.

Project 90 Soccer: is not living up to what they need to be doing. But obviously, this is inter Milan, they're winners, bro. Do you think this is the kind of team that's the kind of mentality? That's just the way they come back, they never they're two nil down and they they still believe they're gonna win. Is that the factor that leads to Inter Milan just dominating all these teams? And you think that's what's gonna lead them to win this league?

Marco: They just know how to win. They

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: they I mean Martinez, bro, he's lethal. Just give him a s a small space inside the box and he's gonna make it happen. And for Napoli,

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: bro, honestly, I think that's that allegory effect.

Project 90 Soccer: I I was gonna say that I was gonna bring him up as well, 'cause Allegrity, you know, is he's had good good sides. He had AC Milan back in like two thousand ten, won the CETI, Bruce on the team. Then you know he's done the Juve, he's done all the all that. Now he's at Knoppoli. And I mean, this is not looking too promising for him.

Marco: Not working out.

Project 90 Soccer: It's not. So it's another question of like Frank Lampard. Except this is a very experienced coach, Allegri, right? So For Napoli, this is this is not a team that just got promoted. Like this is a fucking they just won the set of ya like not that long ago. So I if anyone's gonna get fired, I mean I would I'd I'd see Allegrity going. they have a good team. That's the thing. They do have a good squad, but they just cannot get the results. I mean, they're putting goals in the net, but to be fair, again, this is

Marco: Big thing.

Project 90 Soccer: it, it's inter Milan, right? So maybe that has something to do with it. I think at at week ten or so, we're really gonna see what Napoli's made of. But inter Milan, dude, just stacked. Lotara Martinez got two. Marcus Turam got one. I mean, they have

Marco: Yeah.

Project 90 Soccer: Bastoni. They have he's he's

Marco: Stonia was playing very well. At least my opinion. Wha what out what I saw he's played very well.

Project 90 Soccer: I'd have to say he's probably the best central defender all around in probably SettiA. You know, obviously he's Italian, so it's it's good for Italy but yeah, good.

Marco: And we gotta and we gotta get and we gotta give some credit to Hajlin. He was trying to make it happen. He was he was just trying to bag him in the back of the net and ultimately

Project 90 Soccer: He got one.

Marco: the re the yeah, and the rest of the team just let him down.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, they did, man. They did. So we'll see how it goes for Napoli. Inter doing what we thought they would be doing. Roma, dude, two to one versus Atalanta. They have a perfect start right now, Rome. Three wins, ten goals scored already, only one goal

Marco: yeah.

Project 90 Soccer: conceded, bro. So that's that's a massive one there. Como won four to one versus Genoa, which look, they spent a lot, right? We all these names, right? They brought Moyce Keene. They got the Nico Pazes. They bought all these big names. They have a All these players, and you got players that Martin Baturina, Asana Dios get get got two goals, and then Nico Paz. So there's a lot of talk about the the money they've spent to bring players in, but there's already these players that are there that are just fucking getting it done. You know what I mean? So that's why I feel like the depth of Como is why they're sitting right now in the top four of CETIA and they're getting wins against Genoa, against Napoli last week, right? So They're a real deal team and and obviously in a couple of weeks' time or tomorrow they're in the Champions League, we're gonna see them play. So we'll see how they do there.

Marco: And I just hate it for my guy, Johan Vasquez, Capitano

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: for Genoa. Man, they just keep getting scraped, bro. And I keep saying it like they basically have the same lineup from last year. It feels like they're fighting for their lives on every counterattack,

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Marco: on every attack from the left, from the right, from the middle. I don't know, man. They just I don't know how how Rossi's gonna sustain keeping his job the next few weeks. Because it seems like

Project 90 Soccer: I know.

Marco: every weekend it's a big L. No matter what's going on. They can't

Project 90 Soccer: It is, bro.

Marco: they just cannot get any momentum.

Project 90 Soccer: No, they don't they don't look like that team, that they're out there to win the game. Like it just doesn't it doesn't feel that way, it doesn't look that way. It's like they're just struggling for scraps at this point, just to try to be in the game. And D'Rosy K after the game, he was even mentioning how Como's like they didn't just lose because Genoa didn't play good or they're not a good team. What the Como's like legit. Like that's the they just play great. They played great soccer, so You know, lot of praise coming from Darossi, but it's not helping his case at Genoa, dude, and his whole career at this point as a coach and for Genoa themselves. So we'll have to see how it plays out for them. I'd say him him and Allegri are kind of in the hot seat early on. But moving on to this game, someone who's actually definitely in the hot seat because they came out and said it. Fiorentina versus Torino, right? Two to one. For Torino, the coach is Gnazio Abate, which was an AC Milan. He was the outside defender for a while. He just got their first win with Torino versus Fiorentina. Now, Fiorentina's coach, Fabio Grosso, right, which is the legend

Marco: Mm-hmm.

Project 90 Soccer: and the hero for Italy in 2006. Three losses already, bro. They came out and said you have three more games. They gave him three games to like figure it the fuck out, or they're gonna have to part ways with him. So for a club like Fiorentina, you know, some of the heights they've experienced in their times, in their day, it's not looking good for them, dude. Legendary club. Not looking good. So I think first coach to go this season is gonna be Fabio Grosso, but we'll see.

Marco: I and and I hate to say it before my Fiorentina folks, we gotta stop living in the past. We need we need to live on the present. Fiorentina right now, they're just not good. They

Project 90 Soccer: No.

Marco: haven't they haven't been good. And then they're letting go of players. They let go of Keen, right? Good for Keen. He gets to go and try to win in another club versus staying where he's at. And sometimes clubs do that. They they wanna do right by their players. But at the same

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: time, how much of that was trying to get a bag for him? Until they can make things happen, but man, I just don't see it. Fiorentina it's gonna it's gonna be the struggle bus all season long. And those Batistuta days, we gotta stop living on th in in those days 'cause yeah, Fiorentina is not coming back, at least not for the moment.

Project 90 Soccer: No, dude, that team was far too legendary to even be compared to this current Day Fiorentina team. okay, look, Juve Milan, we saw this, we were talking about it. One-to-one. Alfaggio Sissai, dude. Alpha Cisei. The 18-year-old Italiano. Scored in the 69th minute, bro. And looked like for a minute there that Milan was gonna get away with this one, right? They were in Torino, they were at the Juventus Stadium. But then who comes on, bro? Someone who I think is Quite underrated, to be completely honest. Federico Gatti, right? The center defender scored a header, just fucking towered over the guy, just rocket that bitch in in the nineth minute, bro. What did you take away from this game in terms of Milan, in terms of Juve? Did you think that they were playing the best they could? Do you think Milan sort of fumbled it there at the end? What do you what do you feel happened here?

Marco: I think Juve was trying to win it from the very beginning. I know

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm.

Marco: you and I were messaging Posensao was just

Project 90 Soccer: Yes.

Marco: trying to make things happen. I in one point I was like, Fratt, I think this guy he he deserves a goal for how much work he's doing. Right?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: then you got Nico, Ballin, you know, he's he's his jersey is always wet. This guy's always sweating, he's always working, and

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: they were just trying to make things happen. And ultimately I just think AC Milan fumbled it towards the end.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: with with with what they had going on. I know I I mentioned to you this is kind of like a hot take. But to me, and I just added a third as I'm thinking right now, their best players are Rabio and Salmankers because they just they just play. They play ball.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: They're they're trying to make things happen. And the third player that rightfully so deserves to be starting, Yunus Musa, bro. He's been playing good. He's been playing solid. The way he's

Project 90 Soccer: I was gonna bring that up. Mm-hmm.

Marco: been bringing the ball from the back. To the midfield, trying to make things happen up front. just he just doesn't have the support up there. I mean, at times Ramo is like he's your number nine, and he wasn't even up top. He was on the left side, just he shouldn't be having to come back to the middle of the of the field to come ask for a ball.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: They paid so much money for him, but you gotta need to make it happen up top and create some type of dynamic and and and and just feed him some ball so he can score. Cause he

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: said. This nineteen year old looking like a Wonder Kid, he's not gonna be coming in every single game and and making things happen and scoring goals. This it's

Project 90 Soccer: No, no, he's not there yet.

Marco: it's it's not gonna be an every game thing. Right now he's hot. He has that he has that hot shoe right now, so I'd expect maybe if he he he bags another one this coming weekend, but I don't know, man. It seems like certain parts of the games, Milan is good in one area but suffering in the back. When the defense is playing good, the the midfield i is struggling and vice versa. And not to mention Ruben Aberin, he's he keeps changing the lineup. So it sounds like he's still trying to figure things out on his end. So shout out to Juve, bagging that that late goal and and making things happen at home and and securing some points.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, they would have been under fire if they didn't get at least a draw there. And like you were speaking to Cousin Sao, dude, that I mean, talk I think he was player of the match, man of the match. That whole

Marco: Yep.

Project 90 Soccer: first half, dude, he was a terror. Right? It was just a terror down that side. And we saw we saw the debut of Voltemod, right? Voltemod, however they want to pronounce it, the German fucking tower is like six foot six or something like that. And I honestly thought He did really well, right? He's he's a big guy, he's a big player. But as soon as he came on, bro, shit sorta got a little crazy up there because he he d he likes to drop back. He's kind of the opposite of this Gonzalo Ramos, right? He's Gonzalo Ramos is a guy you gotta just let him be the punta, which is like just let him be up there. You gotta get him

Marco: Yep. Yep.

Project 90 Soccer: the ball because when you do, he scores goals. This other guy, Voltima, right? He comes back, he gets the ball, he turns, he plays. He plays with his feet. He'll check into the space, he'll make the run. He's obviously dangerous in the air. He's fucking massive. But he's a he's a well rounded forward as opposed to just simply a goal scorer, right?

Marco: He's he's one of those players that can play what is back against the net.

Project 90 Soccer: Exactly. That's a perfect exact way to put it right there. So I think going forward for Juve, that's a huge like I was pretty shocked by the signing because I know Newcastle had just picked him up. Like he barely was at Newcastle last season playing. So interesting choice for them, but I I think in the long run, SettiA'll be a good it's very physical, obviously, where they're known for, you know, defense in SettiA. So he's gonna have a tough time. But I think as as you said, back to goal. playmaker, laying off, working with the midfielders, I think he's gonna do really well. Milan though, so I

Marco: But and and the pace, sorry to catch up, and the pace is gonna help him. Although it's fast, he's it's the professional leagues, it's a lot slower than the Premier League.

Project 90 Soccer: yeah, dude, different speed of speed of play, hundred percent. So I think he's gonna thrive, dude. We're gonna see what happens. I think he ends up becoming a starter for them. So I think it's I'm excited to watch him continue playing. But like you said too, for Milan Musa, I when I saw the game, you you had texted me, you're dude, he changed the lineup again. Like there's the lineup. And I looked at it, I saw Musa, and I'm like, dude, I haven't heard that name in fucking forever, right? But dude, he had a solid fucking game. Like he really held it down. And obviously Milan got rid of Samuela Ricci, right? And

Marco: Mm-hmm.

Project 90 Soccer: he was he was a big signing. They thought he was gonna be long term there at Milan, just didn't pan out. So I think they pulled Musa back because he was on loan. He went to La Gatalanta. And, you know, they needed someone there. They

Marco: Yep.

Project 90 Soccer: put him in, he's getting the job done. but for Milan, bro, still no Pulisic, bro. Still no Pulisic. And it almost looked

Marco: So viewers.

Project 90 Soccer: like it almost looked like that was the kind of game where they could For Gonzalo Ramos in particular,

Marco: Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Project 90 Soccer: the type of player he is, can use a player like Pulisic to get the ball, drive forward and sort of create those moments and plays and link up with Gonzalo Ramos, but he still has not zero minutes.

Marco: This this may be some BS or or some political stuff going on, but Ruben Aberin was saying that he's not 100% fit. He's dealing with some stuff, so which is why he is not using him. But if he's not 100%, why is he on the bench? Why is he watching it from the stands? So to

Project 90 Soccer: Right.

Marco: your point, down to the nitty greedy, last 15 minutes, throw him in there. He's dynamic, he's fast. He can make

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. He's a threat.

Marco: he can make things happen, even if he shoots and doesn't score. There where's Ramos? That's why you paid the guy, right?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: if if you decide to play with both of them up top, he's he's there to get that rebound and score.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. And that's what's what's odd because usually when someone's not fully fit, they'll put him on the bench, throw him in, like you said, last twenty minutes, let them get their match fitness, speed of playback. And they're not doing that, right? It's been three games now, still haven't seen him. they got rid of Leao this summer, offloaded him. So it's like they're missing something in their attack. You know, they threw in Loftus cheek. The guy's not he's not the same. He's a good player, but he's not the guy that's gonna go win you the game. So it's interesting, bro. It's interesting to see, but they both came out of there with a point. So moving on, look, Frosinone 3-2 versus Venezia. Parma 1-1 with Monza. Bologna 2-2 versus Sassuolo. Cagliari beat Lecce 1-0. Udinese lost to Lazio 2-1. Now, Lazio, Gattuzo is having a hell of a time right now. He's actually doing a lot better than a lot of people thought. So it's good to see that because he fucking absolutely fumbled it with the national team. Not a fucking fan, but with Lazio, he seems to be doing just fine. So Settia table. Look, dude, Rome's in first place because of gold differential. Sitting at first place, inter Milan second, Como in third, Milan's still in fourth, Juven fifth. So that draw screwed them a little bit. They're sitting at seven. They could have both had nine, but you know, like you were saying. couple episodes ago, you just didn't want a set yeah that was totally dominated by one team. And it doesn't seem to look that way right now. We got some contenders in there, so

Marco: And for my bonzas, Sal Solos, Genoas, Cagliaris, it's gonna be a long season, fellas. Long ass

Project 90 Soccer: It is bro. Genoa's sitting at twentieth.

Marco: season. So try try up here, just

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: just try to try to keep it straight because you guys are not gonna win a lot.

Project 90 Soccer: No, dude, Genoa's in 20th place right now. And it's not looking like they're going anywhere from there. Fiorentina's in 19th place, so it's fucking shitty, bro. But we'll see, man. They're gonna have a battle just to say in Seria. Now moving on here, La Liga. Go over a few of the bigger games here. Real Betis beat Real Madrid one to zero, bro. Mbappe missing that stoppage time penalty. And they lost, bro. They lost. Do you think honestly this is just an You think this is a major concern alarm bell for Real Madrid? Is just a early season just slip up, maybe just one of them just bad game. What do you think?

Marco: You can't have bad games in Real Madrid. It's a it's

Project 90 Soccer: They

Marco: a it's a major slip up. You cannot have bad games. You cannot be missing penalties, especially when the game is on the line and Bappe, you hold yourself on a very you put yourself in a high horse, man. Now ride it. You're

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: supposed to score those goals. He's I mean, I don't know if you saw, but he got into it with a reporter because a reporter was asking him about defense and Mavini, right? And then comparisons started happening with Dembele and the Barcelona and he scores more goals than them. to to to his point. Not Dembele with Barcel Barcelona, but he threw Dembele in there.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: just and stuff like that. So I don't know, man.

Project 90 Soccer: Well, for Real Madrid, bro, I mean, imagine they got Vinny, Jude Bellingham, Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Mbappe. I mean, the list just keeps going and going. And they have this massive opportunity to to tie the game, I guess. Stop his time penalty, bro. And it's like you couldn't score during the game with all these guys. Best players in the world. Then you get this golden opportunity and you miss. I you know, I see it obviously that they hit the post as well, but It's you gotta win these games. You're Real Madrid, like you said, bro. You cannot if this is versus Barcelona, maybe it's a different story. But even then, it's like an opportunity like that cannot be missed by a player of that caliber either. So for Real Madrid, bro, that's not good. I don't see this as being too concerning in the long run. But in terms of of this game in particular, this round of games, it's it's that I'd consider them the losers, the quote unquote losers of the weekend right here. But move but

Marco: The weekend for sure.

Project 90 Soccer: But moving on, look at this. Now Athletic Club Bilbao beat Madrid, Athletico Madrid three to zero, bro. Three to zero, bro.

Marco: Smack them. Smack them.

Project 90 Soccer: Holy shit. That's I mean, this so we're usually talking top three for us, usually in La Ligas. Madrid, Barça, Atletico Madrid. Atletico Madrid's sitting in like fucking seventh or eighth place right now, if I'm not mistaken, which I'll look at at the bottom now. But Simeone, bro, he's another one. Do you think he's on the hot seat after a season start like this? Maybe If this continues on, I mean

Marco: I don't think he's in the hot seat just yet, but like I as I mentioned to you, is this may be the final season for him.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: Simeone is it's it's been a ride, but I think it's it's time for a change, man. You can't just keep finishing, I almost won. I we almost won it. We almost made it. We

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: you need to eventually win it, get over the hump, right?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: And stuff going on with Julian Alvarez and I don't know, man. They just got a bunch of nonsense going on and ultimately I think it's impacting what they have going on on the field and the results are showing it.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah, it's not good, bro, for them. And you know, they've lost a lot of good players over the years. There was a time when they were winning La Liga and they were making the Champions League finals. They were like they were they were that team, right? They were really making a massive major run and they just keep they just keep going down. Keep going down. Maybe they compete a little bit, but they're not at the height that they were. I think it's time to change. I think it's time to bring in some new players, and I think it's time to just move on from the Simeone era. So we're gonna see what happens with Athletico Madrid. But so far, not looking good this season. Valencia Bro getting smacked by Barcelona, five to zero. No surprise there. Laminha Mall getting to Pedri Rafinha, Fermin Lopez, who, in my opinion, has probably been the best player on Barcelona this

Marco: Yep.

Project 90 Soccer: season so far. Fermin Lopez has been fucking absolutely killing it, getting a goal and two assists that game. So it's looking good. Rafinha was named captain of the team, which Not surprised by that. He's been there for a minute. But

Marco: For now.

Project 90 Soccer: 17 goals, bro, in four games. And they've only conceded. Look at this two goals. Two goals. So they got Kubarsi back. They got a solid defense. They're throwing in 17 fucking goals. It's a ridiculous start. You know, it's a ridiculous fucking start, in my opinion. Sevilla 1 1 versus Espanol. Real Sociedad, 3 2 3 2 victory versus Elche. So Looking at the league table here. Barcelona, first place. Alavez

Marco: You forgot what team. I was just gonna say that. Deportivo Alaves, bro. We're we can't sleep on We keep talking about these teams. Is it too early? Hope city, is it too early? Are they the dark horse? Deportivo Alaves, bro?

Project 90 Soccer: Five two.

Marco: I'ma say it right now, they're the dark horse. Mariano,

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: my Mariano, the Dominican, bro, he's balling right now. So

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: keep your eyes on Deportivo Alaves and don't be surprised if they're still in the top three or top five

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: middle of the season.

Project 90 Soccer: Dude, yeah. Five to two versus Osasuna sitting in second place above Real Madrid, bro. Which

Marco: Well.

Project 90 Soccer: that's saying something. This isn't like Barcelona, Real Madrid, undoubtedly everyone knows should be spot one and two. The fact that Alavez is even in the top five is probably shocking enough, let alone second place. I mean, they're smacking some of these teams. They're not just getting by. So we're gonna keep an eye on them. That's fucking exciting. Alavez dude doing their thing. Real Betis in fourth place. Deportivo in fifth. Sevilla sixth. And Atletico Madrid, bro. Seventh place. Not a good start. Valentez

Marco: It

Project 90 Soccer: sitting dead last.

Marco: Did you see any of the highlights from Deportivo with Traore?

Project 90 Soccer: A d Adama Triori? No, I did not see those highlights.

Marco: own goal on his da on his in his debut.

Project 90 Soccer: He scored a young goal.

Marco: He tried to head it, he was he try to head it either to the goalie or out, and he ended up heading it into the net.

Project 90 Soccer: Probably 'cause he's too buff, bro. He can't fucking he's not mobile or something.

Marco: The the dreads the dreads.

Project 90 Soccer: Right. The dreads, the look. He's so I mean his shirt's too small, dude. Like the guy I you know, I thought he was he was on to something when he was at Wolves. Then he made that move to Barsa for a minute there. And I thought,

Marco: Screw it all up.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, I was like, dude, you were just firing off in the Premier League with Wolves. Why would you go to Barca kinda interrupt all that? And he did, bro. Now you see him here and he's scoring on goals apparently. So

Marco: And they have they have a good squad though. They have a good squad. They they spent some money. They have Abu Mayen who's been scoring goals.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: Traora, despite what the hiccup that he had, he he's still a good player, right? He's gonna

Project 90 Soccer: Is BC.

Marco: add he's gonna add speed, pace, physicality, right? So Yeah, so

Project 90 Soccer: Experience. He's got experience, yeah.

Marco: they have they have they have a good squad.

Project 90 Soccer: They do, man. So we'll see. I mean, it's just one own goal, right? As long as it's not ten own goals, I don't think it's something to be too worried about. But we'll see, bro. Obama Yang, super experienced guy. So they have a good they have a good attack up there. All right, Marco, look, before we get to the balloon door, we gotta touch on this, man. MLS our San Jose Earthquakes, dog. One to one versus Austin FC in Austin. Now, the past I mean it's since the World Cup, they have been on a losing streak. Massive. Losing streak. They've signed some new players. And finally, bro, this is the first game they haven't lost. One to one. Bo LaRue got an early goal in the eighth minute.

Marco: Already.

Project 90 Soccer: It was looking good. I was like, okay, that's great, right? But knowing the earthquakes, not to hate, but some they fumble these these leads a lot. So obviously now Nico Shakiris got that assist. He came back from injury. That's great. But Austin, bro, another one, another late one, bro. 97th, 98th minute. They tied the game. And, you know, speaking of tying the game and scoring a goal against, of course, Angus Gunn, the guy's gotten tons of criticism. He actually had a really good game. He had

Marco: He played well. He played well.

Project 90 Soccer: he had some big saves, bro, but in the 97th minute, they just couldn't, they couldn't hold on anymore. Obviously, they signed Lovin, Low. Lowen from St. Louis F C.

Marco: Same. Yep.

Project 90 Soccer: He's a great player. They have

Marco: I don't know about Greg.

Project 90 Soccer: Well, he's he's all right, I guess. He's he's a good addition to their midfield because without Shakiris, without LaRue, I don't I mean they have Vieira. And it's it's odd because they have they have the exact same team that they started the season with. They have all them available, every player's available and they were kicking everybody's ass. So something within San Jose, I don't know if if this win streak sort of just got to their head and they're just like couldn't believe it and they started panicking or something. I'm not too sure, bro, because they had everything. Preston Judd has not been scoring. The dude was on fire in the first half of the season, right? So what happened with San Jose, honestly, I don't know, but at least they got a tie, right? It's better than a loss. Maybe they're turning things around. They're still in fifth place in the Western Conference. They have a 10, 8, and 5 record. So

Marco: Still bad though. Still bad. I mean

Project 90 Soccer: It is.

Marco: to to get scored on late against a team that's at the bottom of the table. And I know I mentioned this to you prior. I'm like, if they lose against Austin, like somebody's head needs to roll. Because they

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: could not be losing against C C and I get it, you're playing away. But when you're playing away against a team, no disrespect, but Austin, you guys just haven't been playing that well. and the quality of players to your point that San Jose has, they should have been at three points and let's go back home.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Well these are the games you gotta do that. That's what makes a team great, right? Is they know how to close out these games, especially on the road. And I mean it's it's a big difference. And the position they're in, three points would have done them very well compared to one. So we're gonna have to see now this upcoming weekend how they do. But honestly, in terms of making the playoffs being an actual threat, it's not looking it's not looking too good. They still have some time to kind of get their shit together, but Again, Timo Werner needs to show up, dude. This guy needs to show out. They need to get goals. Preston Judd needs to get his shit together. All right. He needs to start scoring goals again because for a minute there, he was the most dangerous striker in the MLS at the b at the beginning of this season. So

Marco: Now now he's just warming up the bench.

Project 90 Soccer: He is bro, he's just coming on. He gets a couple of chances. Nothing dangerous. So I it's it's hard to say what what what's going on with players like that when that happens, but

Marco: Did you watch the Toronto game?

Project 90 Soccer: I did not what happened there?

Marco: Shits and a goals.

Project 90 Soccer: was really?

Marco: sergeant with a hat trick. And ultimately they were able to get it done in Toronto. But like

Project 90 Soccer: So you get Josh Josh Sargent, sorry to interrupt, dude. Why why would the earthquakes not go for guys like that?

Marco: Well who knows if they did, but I Josh Sargent's eyes, I mean I guess Toronto had previously reached out on quite a few occasions and

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: I was just homesick and wanted to be close to home. but yeah, man. I was watching that game, then I watched a couple of the other games and some extended highlights and I just realized how bad of a defensive leak is the MLS. That's why we see so many goals, that's why we see a ton of freaking forwards ball out and then expect

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: them to do the same thing elsewhere and nah, it's just they're not playing against MLS defenders on a on a weekly basis, but the MLS, yeah, man, it's one of those things where leagues where defense is is not our priority.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. And it really in MLS there's very few teams that you can be confident in saying they're gonna be good this season. Right? It's like LA F C, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, that you know they're gonna come in like like Juve or Re or or French like Real Madrid b like they're gonna be at the top. They're gonna be competing. All these other teams, bro, it's like one year Austin's good, then they're not. Earthquakes start well, then they suck. Saint Louis started out really good as a franchise, now they kinda Aren't doing too hot. Mid-tape. So it's like all these goals are getting scored. All these teams are scoring goals are getting conceded. And the amount of fucking transfers that happen, dude. Like these overseas players come in, they make an impact, and next thing you know, they're gone. Like for the for the earthquakes, they had Joseph Martinez for a minute there. They had Arango, right? Like two. Established, well known strikers in the MLS who did really well with Atlanta, with LA, all the you know, the teams they were on. They come to the Quakes, they have a really good season, good attack, and they leave.

Marco: Mart A and Martinez is back in them, Melissa, I think it's with what, Nashville or Columbus Crew, one of those two?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, he went to I I wanna say Columbus crew. Yeah. So he's

Marco: There you go. There you go.

Project 90 Soccer: back over here. So MLS is entertaining, but it's just it's it's one of those leagues, bro. They need to get it together.

Marco: And shout out to some honorable mentions like Buanga. I know I know you're talking about like these consistent top teams. I mean LAFC, they consistently have a guy that can back goals all the time. Boonga's

Project 90 Soccer: He's a beast.

Marco: one of He scored again. He Sun had another goal. And then

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm.

Marco: I really wanna give Kevin Sullivan his flowers, man. That's this kid is balling. I can't wait till he goes overseas and and starts balling his brains out.

Project 90 Soccer: I'm excited to see him when he's in his you know twenty-two, twenty-one, twenty-two years old, because he's still only sixteen, you know, he's still young. He's, you know, performing in the MLS and already signed with Man City, right? He's supposed to go there at eighteen, I think. So it's gonna be it's gonna be interesting on that new generation of US players, right? 'Cause pull a stick for a minute there. He was Captain America, he was the guy. Kevin Sullivan's on that route, you know, but now The big the biggest test is still waiting for him, which is Europe. Right. So if

Marco: Also also let's stop using Captain America. We use it with Landon, we use it with Pulis Edge. Let's not use it.

Project 90 Soccer: Whack. Yeah, no, dude. Captain America to me is like fucking Weston McKenney at this point, dude. It's not even Pulisic anymore. boy, United States is a whole nother bag to get into. But look, Marco, final segment of the day. The ball on door, bro. There's some big favorites. There were 30 nominees. The ceremony's October 26th in London. Okay. Now, the big favorites to win this one. Let me go over some here. Harry Kane. I love Harry Kane. I think he's amazing, dude. Seventy three goals. He won the treble with Bayern. World Cup semis. Six World Cup goals. Okay, I mean, that's a pretty good fucking year right there. Usmane Dembele is the defending winner, obviously. Champions League winner, superstar for PSG. Other than that, nothing too crazy. Didn't have the greatest World Cup. Laminha Mall didn't have a great World Cup, dude. Let's be honest here. He won it, didn't have he was not the superstar we were all waiting to see. He Superstar. There's nothing else you can say, but I just I don't think it's his time personally. Erling Holland, fifty eight goals last season, just scored his three hundredth goal. And they have Leno Messi in there again. Still. And I can understand he made the final. He's still killing it with intermiami. He is a guy

Marco: You ready?

Project 90 Soccer: that he's scoring the goals. Yeah, I get it. But what about Drew Bellingham, bro? That's what I gotta say. Go ahead.

Marco: You ready? You ready? You ready? You ready? You ready? You ready? I don't know if you saw do this. Ready? Ready?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, you go. Yeah, roll the mise, roll the mise.

Marco: Bro, Ballondor, Europe Europe.

Project 90 Soccer: Whoa that's what I'm saying, dude is so hard to believe, like

Marco: That's why the Balondor, I mean I get it, prestigious, but it's also like a what what do you say? Like a reporter award? They're

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: the ones that they're the ones that tally up, okay. This one, this one, this one, let's give it to this guy. Kind of reminds me like the Hall of Fame, like Bill Belichick. How does how

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: is he not a first ballot hall of famer? Ex ex

Project 90 Soccer: I mean it's like undeniable, right?

Marco: Explain that to me. He he gets snug this last time?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: So That's just hate. People don't like him. People didn't like the Patriots because they were a winning in team. So and this is another situation where like we have all these messy lovers, and shout out to him for what he did. But like

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: he's not doing anything remotely close him nor Miami with what's going on in in in Europe. Maybe he's there

Project 90 Soccer: No.

Marco: because of the World Cup. Maybe, possibly, potentially, maybe that's what it is, but bro, he shouldn't be up there. Not at all. And

Project 90 Soccer: No. No, no.

Marco: And I and I'm also gonna say It may d have to be with the World Cup because Julian Guiñones from Mexico,

Project 90 Soccer: Yes.

Marco: he's in there. He's a he he got nominated because of

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: his breakout performance in the tournament. But let's not forget, and I get it, it's the Saudi league. He was a leading goal scorer in the Saudi league. So

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: I'm just it's it had it had to be because of the World Cup, man. But other than that, they probably wouldn't be in there. And Jude Bellingham should be top five in my opinion.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. He's a fucking beast.

Marco: Even if he doesn't even if he doesn't win it, he deserves to sit front row so everybody can know this guy is a fucking animal.

Project 90 Soccer: He is, bro, and he he's bound to get one. I'd be fucking sh hard pressed if he never wins one in his life. And seeing Messi in there, the only thing I could see him being in there for is just the World Cup. There's no it doesn't matter what you do in the MLS. I'm sorry. Like it's not the Champions League, it's not internal it's not it's it's does not compare in my opinion. Unfortun no disrespect to MLS. But in the World Cup, yes, he was a major part. He took them to the final Had he have won the final, I mean, I think we could almost say they probably just give him another one. You know what I mean, just because. But is he gonna win this one? I

Marco: Yeah, brilliant.

Project 90 Soccer: I don't see I don't see him winning this one at all. Honestly.

Marco: What do you within

Project 90 Soccer: I for me it's Harry Kane.

Marco: I would love to see how repeat on it.

Project 90 Soccer: I think he deserves it, bro. I mean, he's got in seventy-three fucking goals. He won a treble with Bayern. He was one of the key players for England. They met they third place, right? They're in the semis. He scored six goals in the World Cup, right? So it's not like he he obviously didn't win it, right? Didn't make the final. But Jesus Christ, man. Like you're putting up numbers that Messi and Ronaldo was when they were on their streak. I mean, he's doing something fucking

Marco: You know who can't win?

Project 90 Soccer: crazy. I think Rodri's probably gonna win it.

Marco: Rogery is gonna in fact quote me on this, Project

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: Ninety Peeps, Project Ninety fans, if we have some. Roger, World Cup winner, baller.

Project 90 Soccer: Damn.

Marco: Made the move to Barça, there he's gonna get another one, man.

Project 90 Soccer: I mean I could s I I could see it. It's deserving. It's it's still, you know, I would love to see Harry Kane

Marco: But

Project 90 Soccer: though.

Marco: but as a fan of the game and seeing where Harry Kane has consistently balled out everywhere he's gone, what he did at Tottenham, right? Those those those years where he consistently continuously had the team up top, him and Sun, and

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: now go to Bundesliga, which people may say is a small tier underneath, but you're still playing at the biggest club in the Bundesliga and still making a four in the Champions League and still bagging goals across every single tournament that you play? Come on, man. Let's give it to Harry Kane. He deserves it.

Project 90 Soccer: Well, I think so, dude. I agree with you. We're gonna have to wait and see though, Marco. It's the balan d'or, bro. That's it for this episode. Let's wrap it up, Marco. Do you have any last words before we close this thing out?

Marco: Leon, third place, Viramerica Leagues Cup. We're on to the Concacaf Champions League Tournament. Let's freaking go.

Project 90 Soccer: There we go, bro. Leagues Cup. Leon getting that third place finished. Love to see it. Ladies and gentlemen, this has been another episode of Project 90. If you enjoyed the show, like, comment, subscribe to the show. Stay tuned. We're going to drop a Champions League recap episode within the next day or two. So sign subscribe to turn on that bell, right? You got to turn on the bell so you get notified when the video gets dropped. But until that next episode, this has been another episode of Project Ninety. I hope you enjoyed. And until the next one, peace.

Marco: We out.