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FIFA visits Atlanta, possible comebacks in Champions League? - Morning Espresso 4.15
Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, along with City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and AMBSE President Tim Zulawski, spoke to the media yesterday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and visiting the West End MARTA Station Soccer project. They discussed the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA's donation of $1M for youth projects to cities hosting Club World Cup games, Atlanta's chances of hosting the Women's World Cup final in 2031, and how FIFA will resolve the final spot in the Club World Cup after Club León were removed. Check out the reel on our Instagram or the short on our YouTube channel for highlights from the press conference.
Barcelona and PSG have substantial leads going into their Champions League matches today, but both have to go on the road to finish it out. Unai Emery will be looking for personal revenge against Luis Enrique for La Remontada in which then his PSG was overrun by Luis Enrique's Barcelona in the second leg in 2017 after a 4-0 win in the first leg. Emery's Aston Villa has a better chance than Dortmund today, but it would be a huge shock.
Arsenal will try to become the 44th team to advance after taking a margin of 3 or more goals into the second leg in Champions League history, versus 4 times that leader lost the tie in the second leg. The last time it happened, 2019 as Liverpool came back at Anfield against Barcelona.
Barcelona are still trying to finish the construction project at the Spotify Camp Nou, now rushing to get the special VIP seats constructed that were "reportedly" sold to unnamed Middle Eastern businesses for €100m. They need these completed in order to receive a delivery receipt in order to then (for the second time after it was thrown out the first time) account for the sale on their books and increase their salary limit. They did this in January which allowed them to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor on appeal, but then that accounting was thrown out by La Liga, but appeals have allowed Olmo and Victor to continue to be registered, and yeah my head is spinning too. The club is hoping to have the stadium ready to play in before Champions League matches next season, but I wouldn't book flights just yet.
The coaching carousel in Brazil has claimed Pedro Caixinha at Santos and Jorge Samapoli, who got spun off the carousel in France at Rennes, might return for another stint at the club. Iraq is looking for a new manager as they try to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986 as they have fired Jesus Casas following poor results in the last round of qualifiers.
Plenty more in the podcast below on Club World Cup, the US Open Cup, the USMNT, and more. Check it out!
More Espresso on Thursday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.
Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago