This makes no sense at all. Much like another World Cup article that was up on the Athletic today...

This is very much the “West Wing after Aaron Sorkin left” World Cup…

I’d actually be fine with that. If… it was a simple knock out tournament.

It doesn’t really matter how often it is. If the competition’s expansion removes the importance of those extra games then they’re pointless. No one likes watching football games that don’t mean anything.

It may pick up in the knock-out rounds, but I’ve more or less lost all interest in the World Cup. Didn’t watch a single game from matchday 3, aside from Scotland. It’s just too much football. And almost none of it actually matters.

Steve Clarke is probably Scotland’s greatest ever manager. He achieved what seemed impossible to a whole generation of Scotland fans. His name is firmly etched in our history.

Not at all surprised in Chelsea going for Granit Xhaka. Xabi Alonso will want him for two reasons: 1. He’s an Alonso disciple. Will probably move into a coaching role under him when he retires. 2. Alonso wants ready-made players. Doesn’t tend to have time for long-term projects.

The way Neuer hangs over Bayern and Germany is fascinating. It’s not entirely different from Ronaldo with Portugal.

Remember when everyone used to listen to the Daily and then everyone tried to make a podcast exactly like the Daily?

Total fee Arsenal paid for Piero Hincapié between €52-60m. Fee paid by Arsenal at the end of this season + an initial fee for the loan deal.

Amazing how quickly the pundits have swivelled from “This isn’t one of the great Brazil sides …” to “Hey, Brazil are the best team in the world. What did you expect Scotland to do?”

If Chelsea sign Lacroix and Palestra for ~€100m that will take the club's spending on defenders under Boehly & co. to over €500m. Next highest spenders on defenders in that period are Man City on €330m. In that time, Chelsea's defensive record has ranked 7th, 12th, 3rd and 11th in the league...

Scotland have never been more successful in my lifetime. I’ve never been less interested in watching Scotland in my lifetime. That’s the crux of my issue with Steve Clarke’s Scotland. I may be alone in that, but the ends just don’t justify the turgid, boring means.

Ridiculous decision.

Brazil strolling here. Morocco never got out of first gear. And Haiti could have easily taken something off us. That frustrating thing is that Scotland have played terribly against three average sides.

I’ve been saying this in the Bundesliga for YEARS

Clarke’s real legacy.,,

Fair play to Haiti. They deserved at least a point against us and have been far better against Morocco. Scotland, meanwhile, have stunk up all three of their games. A bit embarrassed that we’ll finish above them in this group.

Hydration break

Fair play. Brazil have had a tough time of it, recently. Only fair we give them a leg up.

Scotland at the World Cup:

Ah, good old Scotland. Better to shoot ourselves in the foot before our opponent gets the chance.

Bit worried about Ferguson and McLean against that Brazil midfield. We’re also still waiting for McTominay to actually do something at this World Cup. So, yeah, tall order for the Scotland midfield tonight…

It’ll be a shame to see Alejandro Grimaldo leave Leverkusen. He has been a truly exceptional wingback. But he’s wanted to leave for a while and he’s not getting any younger. A good move that suits all parties.

Why Dortmund need to sign Johan Manzambi youtu.be/Q3HETLUNVpI

Ian Wright takes aim at Scottish football and he’s not wrong: - the SPFL TV deal is archaic - youth development is still ignored - we should be as good as Norway, etc He cares more about than most Scottish football fans. www.reddit.com/r/ScottishFo...

Liverpool’s summer transfer business doesn’t make a lot of sense…

New Bundesliga Gegenpressing Transfer Show with @sbienkowski.bsky.social Three in-demand midfielders who could make big moves this summer gegenpressing.substack.com/p/three-in-d...

🤝

It's been somewhat overshadowed by Messi and Mbappé breaking tournament records, but Haaland has been absolutely incredible at the World Cup.

Schlotterbeck is a huge blow for Germany. His range of passing is really unrivalled among their centre-backs. Not sure Anton or Rüdiger stepping in makes Germany a better team. Maybe an opportunity for Thiaw to step up.

Tony Blair is to No.10 what Sir Alex Ferguson is to Manchester United. *runs away*

Yan Diomande is an immense talent. But is he ready for a move to Liverpool this summer?

Over the course of the 25/26 season, the Premier League gained more market value than the Bundesliga, Serie A and LaLiga combined. The English top-flight's 12% increase over the last year now makes it worth just under €12.5b.

Why Felix Nmecha is thriving for Germany at the World Cup:

Should Deniz Undav start from now on? @sbienkowski.bsky.social and I break it all down. Watch the full Germany vs Ivory Coast recap show now! Link -> gegenpressing.substack.com/p/germany-vs...

Odd game for Germany. Strong start, stung by the first break + Ivory Coast goal. Only really got back into it when Nagelsmann gave up on his tactics. Undav & Lewelling offer a directness that Germany don’t otherwise have. Or, perhaps, what Nagelsmann actually wants. But it won them the game today.

"An Tagen wie diesen" from Die Toten Hosen playing in Toronto. For many years, that was the title track of the Gegenpressing Podcast. Feels so fitting today. By the way, reaction show with @sbienkowski.bsky.social coming on Substack shortly.

Just a reminder that Dortmund signed Felix Nmecha as a replacement for Jude Bellingham. He took time to adapt to the club, but he enjoyed a good season. And now he’s probably been Germany’s best player at this World Cup.

Too bad. The kids want a signing or else they’ll complain on Twitter. So Liverpool need to pay an obscene amount of money.

Deniz Undav to Julian Nagelsmann after scoring:

The Germany game plan seems to amount to hoping Havertz will figure out how to properly head the ball into the back of the net before full time. No control. No shape. No tactics.

He’s used to having to cover for Emre Can every week.

Another incredible performance from Felix Nmecha. Absolutely relishing the physical battles with the Ivory Coast midfielders.

Correct!

Nagelsmann has swapped Kimmich and Brown. So the Bayern central midfielder is now playing in his third preferred position…

Because he’s 400 years old

Kimmich has many talents. Trying to keep up with Diomande on that wing isn’t making the most of any of them.

Germany decent in the first quarter. Crap in the second.