One World Sports: Three Tenors Unite and Early Warning Systems




Beyond The Pitch show

Summary: With week one of the Premier League season already in the books, two more fabulous guests help us dig into the big stories that have emerged not only in England, but also in La Liga where Luis Suarez was finally unveiled to much fanfare and another Madrid battle seems to underscore once again the power of three in Spanish football and more concerns for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. In segment one, football correspondent and commentator Ben Lyttleton joins to help us determine whether Barcelona have a case of Pep 2.0 in the shape of Luis Enrique or whether, in fact, the arrival of Luis Suarez might just suggest a Dream Team 2.0 with the controversial man from Uruguay invoking memories of Hristo Stoichkov. We examine what this arrival may mean in a context of two defending champions based in Madrid, how Atletico has rejuvenated and how James Rodriguez might just prove more useful to an ailing Ronaldo who can be rotated and left at the ready for the biggest matches later in the season. We also examine the issues at Arsenal who continue to make life difficult for themselves, the race to the top of the Premier League and how the title might be shaped by a change in priorities for Manchester City who will be expected to go deep into the Champions League. In segment two, digital and social media expert Doron Salomon joins to discuss the big issues facing Manchester United in the midst of yet another troubling summer transfer window as a very important transition is underway at Old Trafford, and how social media and a constant and pervasive digital landscape shapes opinion throughout football. We also examine the fortunes for Tottenham in the wake of a largely tumultuous year under Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood to gauge whether the lack of real movement there signals patience for first year manager Mauricio Pochettino at last, and if he can deliver on the promise of Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen who will be expected to improve and develop if Spurs hope to reach top four this season in the Premier League. Manchester City are expected to go deep in Europe, but it is just as significant that Chelsea and Jose Mourinho closes in on some silverware in year two.