One World Sports: Barcelona Responds, Julian Green Signs, Milan Crisis




Beyond The Pitch show

Summary: Three more special contributors join this edition of One World Sports as we take on a number of the most important football headlines in the sport, from the fallout from El Clasico, a Liverpool team that has rounded into view as a potential title contender, the arrival of Julian Green to the US National Team, another turn in the David Beckham adventure in Miami and then to the political crisis surrounding Clarence Seedorf with AC Milan. First up is broadcaster Janusz Michallik to look for the moments and protagonists who mattered most in El Clasico and the title race in Spain has been turned on its head, how Tata Martino emerged as the big winner at the weekend and how the genius of Lionel Messi revealed itself yet again at a crucial stage. Then we examine an unexpected Liverpool resurgence and how psychology and mentality will play huge factors for Brendan Rodgers at the critical moments of the Premier League chase. We also take a deeper look at a PSG that lies in wait for Jose Mourinho and how once again the most serious opponent for Bayern Munich in the Champions League might just be a delicate risk that Pep Guardiola has taken just a season removed from reaching the treble. Our second guest, Ives Galarcep, then helps us untangle the story and the hype surrounding the recruitment and arrival of another Bayern product named Julian Green who has long been the target of US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. We dissect what his arrival could mean, the challenges ahead and whether there is a risk in adding him so late in a World Cup cycle. We also take a look at some of the early surprises in MLS, examine the important success for the project at Toronto FC and how David Beckham may have just entered the biggest challenge yet in restoring a franchise to Miami with so many key factors surrounding its potential success where once another attempt once failed. In the final segment international broadcaster Owen Nielson joins us direct from Milan, Italy where the rumors, controversy and political intrigue have once again descended on AC Milan just 13 matches into the reign of Clarence Seedorf. We examine the key factors, the key players, perhaps the machine at work behind the scenes as the Rossoneri have regressed into a club in dire need of a plan if only the political forces behind the scenes could coalesce to bring the club forward. We dig into the matter in detail, revisit one poor night in Rome when all began to look lost for the Milan legend on the touchline and set the factors and players in this drama which will likely endure throughout the summer given the larger than life figures at work, forming a tale of deep drama and fascination that has captured the attention of Milanisti worldwide.