I type with fingers filled with psychodrama. After the guilty pleasure of PSG-Bayern Munich—football as if etched on the very side of Plato’s Cave —thank God, we return to regularly scheduled programming. Football as we love it: filled with fraught psychological torment, long throws, and swift sneaky kicks to the down-belows. The good stuff, right, Arsenal fans? 

It has been an incredible week in which we have filmed with Liverpool manager, Arne Slot (out tomorrow), and not one Diego Luna—but two. Rocking it with the actor and the footballer yesterday, to go deep on Mexico’s World Cup possibilities and the U.S.’s prospects with two gents bonded by name. 

ii. The highlight of the week was three nights in France filming in Lyon with joyous Brazilian prodigy, Endrick, then in Marseille with Tim Weah. I asked Tim what the motto of his World Cup is going to be. He did not have to wait a beat before declaring “Redemption.” Those interviews will be out imminently and I can’t wait for you to see them. 🏆

b. I had never been to Lyon or Marseille before. I loved both cities and am grateful for your food recommendations in both places. The quenelle I tasted in Lyon was a slice of heaven. Marseille was honestly electric. Its Bouillabaisse-fuelled chaos felt like Naples and Liverpool had a bastard offspring. I had one of the greatest dinners of my year at Chez Fon Fon tucked away in a picturesque crevice of the port. 

I found the whole experience to be profoundly moving. The Mediterranean noir-classic Marseilles Trilogy are amongst my all-time favorite books. If you have not read Jean-Claude Izzo’s series—run, don't walk to grab them now. To walk around that city for real was a giddy thrill.

Talking of Lyon: Rayan Cherki will join us next week. I can’t wait. Let us know what questions you have for him.

iii. It was amazing to be in France on the night PSG and Bayern Munich played their epic tilt. It was fascinating to experience that game—one that even had people in my life who don’t like football buzzing about what we all paid witness to. The contrast between that, and the Atlético-Arsenal game, which I watched on a train from Marseille to Paris, was also stunning. One semifinal instantly hailed as the best Champions League clash of all-time, the other, a penalty-pockmarked connoisseur's choice. The difference between them, is ultimately not just tactics, but the wider context of the Premier League as a grinding thresher of legs and minds, and Bayern and PSG retaining a box fresh energy due to their similar status as monopolies in their domestic leagues. To understand that deeper, take a moment to read this really thoughtful Barney Ronay piece, which I thought was brilliant. 🤩

Also Incredible: Vincent Kompany reminds us that football is ultimately a game of balance. How many resources can you pour forward into attack? How many do you commit to defend? His last word is epic. 

iv. I received a beautiful letter from GFOP Marcus Geist who let me know my book, “We are the World (Cup),” has made it to Alaska. He even took it to a local park, Rogers Park, for a photoshoot which moved me immensely. Grab your Copy NOW and be ready to savor every second of World Cup Wonder. 📖

v. Philadelphia: We’re coming for you on May 12 for Men in Blazers Live from Philly—giving away World Cup tickets in Tampa was very moving 😉. We have some very special guests lined up for a night of making memories through football. Come raise a glass with us. Then we head to Dallas on May 20 for the Countdown Tour. Tickets for that here. 🎟️

Courage,
ROG

P.S. This made me laugh so loud. I hope it does you too. I love her so much.

P.P.S. You can stop your search, the football photo of the year has arrived.

Iconic Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer discusses the title race, the World Cup and the best goals he ever scored, airing this Sunday on Peacock in the link below.

Arsenal vs. Fulham (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

Can Arsenal extend their lead over City to six points (albeit with two more games played)? Enter Fulham, who have exactly zero wins at the Emirates in their last 32 games. The mood is still anxious. Mostly because the Gunners’ greatest opponent is themselves. They are Edward Norton facing up to Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden, attempting to live out their desire for freedom, creativity and conquering chaos. Remember Gooners: "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything.”

We talked on the pod this week about how Arsenal’s commitment to physically grinding, heavy-legged, uncreative Swol Ball only ratchets up the fan anxiety - which Tyler Adams came on our show and admitted opposing players feed off. Last week’s gruel-filled win over Newcastle was low on football and left the fanbase feeling worse in victory than after the defeat against City the week before. Barney Ronay captured the surreal nature of it all here.

Rog-Stradamus 🔮: Arsenal win 2-1. Eze again. The loss to City—their worst fear is behind them. Arsenal are liberated by the worst thing happening and still being very much alive. 

Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest (Monday, 10 a.m. ET, USA)

Chelsea’s perma-interim manager Calum McFarlane just led his disruptor content platform to the FA Cup final. They are FA Cup monsters and Premier League minnows; the Blues have 11 goals in the knockout domestic trophy since they last conceded. Back to the reality of a dire Premier League campaign in which they have conceded 17 since they last scored, Forest swagger in off their night of Europa League semifinal first leg glory. Unbeaten in their last six games, they could secure their safety with five matches left to play, and oddly, end a terrible, fearful self-harming season on a note of wonder and memory-making glory. 

Rog-Stradamus 🔮: The Chelsea players made their statement last week by stepping up in the FA Cup at Wembley. They will revert to lightweight league settings and Forest will roll. Chris Wood amongst the goals 2-0.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 10:30 a.m. ET, Peacock)

An epic rumble in name. In truth, this is almost a dead rubber. Both of these teams are virtual locks to achieve the big boy participation trophy of Champions League football. Liverpool fans may feel miserable, but Arne Slot has ripped off a three-game winning run with Freddie Woodman’s Red and White Army at the business time of the season. Good news this week: elated Mo Salah should be back before the end of the season. The Egyptian King will not be fit to play this weekend, though. Like all members of the Royal Family, Mo is struggling. 

This is a game of optics, however. Both managers could benefit from the post-coital cigarette glow of victory against their historic rival – Carrick especially. Even though his arrival has transformed the season, the English media is crackling with rumors of Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola emerging as a serious candidate to take over next campaign. Delivering United’s first double over their northwestern doom rival Liverpool in a decade would be a mark of progression that is almost up there with a trophy. 

Rog-Stradamus 🔮: Liverpool will go as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz go. Casemiro and Bruno will outstrip them. United 2-1.

Everton vs. Manchester City (Monday, 3 p.m. ET, USA)

At least my beloved team will not take a massive dump on my weekend. I am old enough to remember when my boys were in the thick of the chase for Europe. Sigh. Children, don’t have ambition or dreams. Remember that. We have not beaten Manchester City since 2017. City’s greatest challenge might be fixtures. The Premier League confirmed schedule rearrangements mean Pep’s lads will have to play three matches in seven mid-May days in the run up to the FA Cup final on May 16. 

Rog-Stradamus 🔮: Loser gets John Stones…? City win 3-1. We tried Arsenal. Believe me, we tried…

Aston Villa vs. Tottenham (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, USA)

Bad News descends upon Roberto De Zerbi as if he is livestreaming a recreation of the Book of Job. His spark plug Xavi Simons ruptured his ACL against Wolves which the Spurs medical team tried to have him run off. Dominic Solanke is out with a hamstring knick, adding his name to an injury list that reads like a CVS receipt. Spurs’ first win of 2026 AD last week had the sweetness of Splenda as everyone else also got three points leaving them relegation zoned. This post from @Spurspapers on X captures this season: Tottenham Hotspur 25/26 ACL injuries 4. Managers 3. Home wins 2. What a rallying cry: Go and win it for Peppa Pig. 

Rog-Stradamus: Villa are somehow still in the Champions League slots despite playing as if their season has ended. They have won just two of their last eight Premier League matches and are 1-0 down to Forest in the Europa League semifinal. Spurs fans, be optimistic Spurs have won more away games at Villa Park than any other ground since 2006 (10). No team in the Premier League has a better record at the venue than Tottenham in the last 20 years. Villa 2-1. 

28 hours before that: West Ham face a trip to Brentford (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA), buoyed by their last second victory over charities’ Everton and the dagger-wielding play of Jarrod Bowen. 

And this afternoon… Leeds vs. Burnley (3 p.m. ET, USA). If Leeds beat Burnley, relegated and fresh off the firing of Scott Parker (Who will no doubt be attempting to channel Vincent Kompany’s post-Clarets redemption arc now), then Leeds will be on 43 points and safe before their next game against Tottenham. Expect Elland Road to be louder than an afterburner thunderscreech. 🍻

🗓️ Full Premier League schedule here.

Incredibly Complicated Championship Decision Day 🤯

After nine months and 552 matches, the 24 teams in England’s second division end their regular season with 12 simultaneous kickoffs (7:30 a.m. ET Paramount+) With all the relegated teams accounted for (Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City, and Oxford Utd), tomorrow’s games will decide which team out of Ipswich, Millwall, and Middlesbrough will join Coventry in automatic promotion, and which of Wrexham, Hull, and Derby will claim the league’s final playoff spot.

More: Who needs what on Championship Armageddon Day.

This week’s phrase is: “José Mourinho returning to Real Madrid aged 63 is akin to _____.”

Last week’s entry. So many great entries, but there can only be one winner. And it is the mighty Bill Mclelland:

The movie adaptation of Liam Rosenior’s time at Chelsea would be called 107 Days Later.

Honorary mention for “A Stamford Bridge Too Far” by David Askinas.  Big Bill. Send us your postal and we will give you a patch.

Email us your responses now. Best answer that makes me laugh the most gets a coveted MiB Patch.

Osasuna vs. Barcelona (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

If Barcelona win and neighbors Espanyol take points from Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s men can retain La Liga this weekend, forcing Álvaro Arbeloa’s side to give their nemesis a miserable guard of honor in next weekend’s El Clásico, a fate they would probably prefer to having that game be the title decider…

More: Here are all the permutations on how and when Barcelona can win the league.

Inter Milan vs. Parma (Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 

Inter could win the Scudetto before even kicking a ball on Sunday, and with four matches remaining, Cristian Chivu’s inaugural season as manager of the club he won the treble for as a player, is one of the few rays of sunshine in the otherwise gloomy world of Italian football. 

More: Serie A could be re-entering the twilight zone due to an ominous refereeing scandal which brings back the miserable memories of Calciopoli.

Como vs. Napoli (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

Napoli’s Scudetto defense has been Liverpool-esque with better hand gestures, but Cesc Fabregas’ fifth-placed Como are on the brink of their highest ever Serie A finish and an inaugural European excursion. Bellissimo, Cesc. 🤌 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 A Quick Update on Europe’s Wildest Title Race

Edinburgh’s plucky Hearts remain top by three points having beaten Hibernian in last weekend’s Logan Roy Derby, meaning the title could be decided on their final game of the season against Celtic. Can Rangers claw their way back with a win against the leaders on Monday, while Martin O’Neill’s Bhoys travel to Edinburgh to face Hibs in a weird footballing wife swap?

More: It will feel dirty, but for 90 minutes, Celtic and Hearts fans might have to root for their crosstown rivals this weekend. 🤌

Garrett McTommonay writes: “Rog. I support Leeds. You have told us we are safe. Rory keeps telling us every week that we are still relegation candidates. What gives? I thought you were the most negative doomsayer in football. But you are the positive one here. Can I celebrate or should I be freaking the eff out. Thanks for all you do.” 

Garrett. It has been fascinating to watch Rory Smith down the stretch of this season, both doomsdaying for the club he loves, Liverpool, and then when they steadied their form, transferring that bleak negativity to your plucky Leeds. I am onto him. Just as you can’t kid a kidder, you can’t out-pessimist a nihilist like me. I know he is just speaking his worst possible nightmare out loud so as to defang it. If I was a Leeds fan—and I do adore the club and their fanbase—I would draw strength from this statistic: Only three sides in Premier League history have ever been relegated having won at least 40 points: Sunderland in 96/97 and Bolton in 97/98—both had 40. Poor West Ham amassed 42 points in 02/03 and still went down. The one thing that would worry me is the one football truism that I do believe in—that football always teaches us we know nothing. But ignore that one for the moment, and just savor the tenacity of Brenden Aaronson and the redemptive arc of beautiful DCL and feel alive. 

Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected]. WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

To Better Days Ahead for All.

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories,

Big Love,

Courage.
ROG 

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