The Rest Is Football

We saw some thrilling football in the Champions League this week and it was mostly from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona so why do the English teams look so sluggish by comparison? Or does Arsenal's safe passage to the semi-finals and six-point lead at the top of the Premier League prove that Arteta's conservative approach is still paying off? Liverpool are out of the Champions League and looking at a season of relative failure, what now for Arne Slot and will they have to spend big in the summer again? And what about the big game on Sunday - will a victory for Manchester City prove fatal to the Gunners' title hopes? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. For more information, head to visit lasvegas.com/soccer-2026. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest player to ever grace the Premier League? How did he transform his game from a flashy, unpredictable winger into one of football’s most lethal number nines? And to what extent did his iconic rivalry with Lionel Messi drive him to reach unprecedented heights? Gary, Alan & Micah look back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s short but unforgettable Premier League career. From his early days as a skinny winger, to becoming a relentless, goal-per-game machine across Europe, and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. One platform. Full customer context. Real growth. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Real Madrid were booed off at the Bernabéu on Friday night, and not for the first time this season, after they failed to beat Girona in a 1-1 draw. Gary and Alex look at what this latest setback means for Alvaro Arbeloa's chances of remaining in charge next season, and whether they have any hope of going to Munich and overturning the 2-1 deficit against Bayern. Barcelona went nine points clear at the top after a 4-1 win over Espanyol, with Hansi Flick taking no chances and playing Lamine Yamal and Pedri for 90 minutes despite the Champions League second leg with Atletico Madrid to come in the week. Will Barca have enough firepower to score the three they need or will that leaky defence prove costly in the Metropolitano? Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Arsenal’s setback against Bournemouth, there are questions about their mentality, what mindset do they need to carry them over the line in the Premier League title race? Should they embrace the pressure rather than shy away from it? Meanwhile, Manchester City’s experience in high-stakes run-ins could prove decisive. Having been there and done it before, does their winning know-how give them the edge as the season reaches its climax? At the other end of the table Spurs have slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season, raising serious concerns. Can Roberto De Zerbi implement his philosophy quickly enough to turn things around, or is time already running out in the fight for survival? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PSG dismantled Liverpool at the Parc des Princes and were unlucky not to score even more. Did Arne Slot get it wrong with a back five, or are PSG simply on another level? Elsewhere in Madrid, a brilliant performance from Michael Olise helped Bayern Munich take a crucial lead back to Munich. Another goal for Harry Kane brings his tally to 49 for the season, could he become the first English Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen? Gary, Alan and Micah also look ahead to a pivotal week for Arsenal. Despite an unconvincing performance against Sporting, they got the win, but can they carry that momentum into the weekend against Bournemouth and get their season back on track? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could Harry Kane return to the Premier League and break Alan’s all-time scoring record? Is he already England’s greatest-ever striker? And could he become the first England captain since Bobby Moore to lift the World Cup? Gary, Alan and Micah take a look back at Harry Kane’s incredible journey—from his early loan spells to becoming England captain and one of the greatest goalscorers in Premier League history. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barcelona move seven points clear at the top of La Liga after coming from behind to beat Atlético Madrid. Marcus Rashford returned to the starting lineup following Raphinha’s injury and capped off an impressive display with a goal, if he maintains this form, is he a shoo-in for England’s left side this summer? Real Madrid, meanwhile, suffered a shock defeat to relegation-threatened Mallorca. Why do Los Blancos continue to struggle in the league while consistently delivering in the Champions League? And if they fall to Bayern Munich, could Álvaro Arbeloa find himself under serious pressure before the season’s end? Elsewhere, Gary and Alex discuss the remarkable performance from Lamine Yamal. Despite shining, he left the pitch frustrated at not getting on the scoresheet, does that mindset show he has the drive to become one of the all-time greats? Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal’s FA Cup exit, coming just two weeks after their Carabao Cup disappointment, leaves their season at a crossroads. With two trophies already gone, could Mikel Arteta’s side really finish the campaign without silverware, and should there be growing concern at the Emirates? Meanwhile, Manchester City delivered arguably their performance of the season in a statement win over Liverpool. Are Pep Guardiola’s men hitting top form at exactly the right moment, and does the result leave Arne Slot under pressure? Elsewhere, Chelsea ran riot with seven against Port Vale, but does the scoreline paper over the cracks? With Enzo Fernández handed a two-game ban, is Liam Rosenior attempting to assert control in the dressing room? Plus, the guys discuss the chaos at the London Stadium as West Ham and Leeds played out one of the games of the season. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alan Shearer goes head-to-head with Micah Richards in our latest quiz challenge, putting their football knowledge to the test with a round on World Cup Golden Boot winners. Will Alan’s wealth of experience on the biggest stage give him the edge, or can Micah snatch another victory and get back to winning ways. Beyond the quiz, the conversation turns to the international break. Are Thomas Tuchel’s side becoming too dependent on Harry Kane for goals? Do the last two matches raise any real concerns, or are they just part of the bigger picture as the tournament approaches? And with squad selection looming, which players have done enough to secure their place, and who may have played themselves out of contention? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Frank Lampard the greatest goalscoring midfielder in Premier League history? Is he Chelsea’s greatest-ever player? And have we ever seen a spine quite like Cech, Terry, Lampard and Drogba? Gary, Alan and Micah revisit the remarkable career of Frank Lampard, from a doubted teenager at West Ham to the driving force behind one of the Premier League’s most dominant sides, and ultimately Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices