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Champions League semifinals start today with Arsenal-PSG: Morning Espresso, 4.29
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.
Champions League semifinals start today with Arsenal hosting PSG followed tomorrow by Barcelona hosting Inter. Second legs are next week.
Arsenal are the favorites according to Opta to win the entire competition. Set pieces could be the margin against PSG. Arsenal have scored more goals from dead ball situations than any other team in the Premier League since the start of last season, while PSG have given up the largest proportion of goals from set pieces to their overall total in Ligue 1 this season. Luis Enrique, who has been the best manager in the world this season in my opinion, is trying to get his squad's momentum back after it has slipped a bit following clinching their Ligue 1 title.
Inter are expected to fly to Barcelona today for tomorrow's match, after blackouts paralyzed Spain and Portugal yesterday. They won't have to repeat Barcelona's infamous 15-hour bus ride in 2010 when flights were grounded due to the volcano eruption in Iceland. Inter ended up winning that semifinal on their way to a treble. Today, they're trying to get back to their best after three straight losses without scoring. Marcus Thuram could be back in the team for the first time in a while to help change that tomorrow.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to take the Brazil job and be in place for their June World Cup qualifiers according to reports. Brazil is also expected to wear Jordan Brand red and black kits as an alternate for the 2026 World Cup, with their unveiling set for the March 2026 FIFA window.
Christian Pulisic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, is going to receive and contract extension and pay raise from Milan after leading the club with 16 goals in all competitions.
Orlando City has signed an affiliation agreement with Black Knight Football Club, the owners of Bournemouth in England and Auckland FC in New Zealand. They also have large stakes in Lorient in France and Hibs in Scotland. The agreement will focus on player development, scouting, and commercial initiatives.
Fernando Gago is out this morning as the manager at Boca Juniors. After failing to get the team into this year's Copa Libertadores and then losing the SuperClasico Sunday to River Plate, Gago will be out at Boca according to reports.
Plenty more including World Cup tickets, USMNT player updates, and more in today's podcast. Check it out!
More Espresso on Thursday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.
Published on 2 months ago