Tom Williams talks to the German football writer Christoph Bierman about his latest book, Football Hackers - all about the increasing role of data and metrics in modern day coaching and tactics
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Football Hackers

James Richardson and Team Totally are here three times a week with all the football news you need to know - and plenty that you don’t. On Monday, we review all the weekend’s action. On Tuesday, it’s the Euro crew with James Horncastle and Raphael Honigstein looking at matters across the continent. And on Thursday, Duncan Alexander brings the silliness and numbers.

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Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romeo are all around the world after a weekend of drama across Europe.

Inter win their 20th Scudetto and they do it in the Milan derby. Hear why the Nerazurri are the best in Italy by a big margin and whether this will be Stefano Pioli’s last derby at Milan.

It was the weekend where the world learned that La Liga doesn’t have goal-line technology. Jude Bellingham scored another stoppage time winner in El Clásico. But could Xavi actually stay at Barcelona?

It’s been a great week for Luis Enrique at PSG. And Leverkusen stay unbeaten after yet another late comeback.

Plus what Julian Nagelsmann signing a new contract with Germany means for Bayern and Jurgen Klopp.

Produced by Charlie Jones.
 
RUNNING ORDER: 
• PART 1: Moment of the weekend (04.00)
• PART 2: Inter win their 20th Scudetto (10.45)
• PART 3: Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona (27.00)
• PART 4: Nagelsmann stays on at Germany (42.00) 
• PART 5: A good week for Luis Enrique at PSG (54.00)

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Inter win their 20th title, while Bellingham wins another Clásico

Jimbo welcomes Carl Anka, Charlie Eccleshare and Jay Harris into The Athletic studios after a weekend full of incredible talking points.

Man United throw away a 3-0 lead against Championship Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final and are a toenail away from losing, before progressing to the final on penalties. We credit Cov and discuss the damage done to Erik ten Hag’s job prospects.
 
Everton beat Nottingham Forest in the relegation six-pointer on Sunday but Forest’s full-time tweet about the VAR being a Luton fan dominates the headlines. Did Forest cross the line or did these issues with officiating need to be highlighted no matter what?

While Man City are booking their place in the FA Cup final, Arsenal and Liverpool win to leapfrog them in the Premier League table.

Plus we ask can Burnley do the unthinkable and survive, and should West Ham stick with David Moyes?

Produced by Charlie Jones.
 
RUNNING ORDER: 
• PART 1a: Man United beat Coventry on penalties (02.45)
• PART 1b: Man City 1-0 Chelsea (18.30)
• PART 2a: Everton 2-0 Nottingham Forest - VAR’s a Luton fan (28.00)
• PART 2b: Luton lose, Burnley win (40.00) 
• PART 3: Arsenal and Liverpool win to leapfrog City (46.00)
• PART 4a: Aston Villa 3-1 Bournemouth (55.00)
• PART 4b: Crystal Palace 5-2 West Ham (58.00)

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An embarrassing weekend for Man United and Nottingham Forest

Jimbo is joined in the studio by Duncan Alexander, Charlie Eccleshare and Adrian Clarke to discuss a massive week across 3 massive competitions.

The English coefficient takes a battering as both Man City and Arsenal are knocked out of the Champions League. Arsenal make it 2 defeats and no goals scored in a matter of days after their defeat in Munich. Have the Gunners progressed too fast too soon and what do they need to do to make it to the next level?

The holders are eliminated on penalties by Real Madrid. Just how tired are City and is Haaland still worth his place in the team?

Next up for City, it’s penalty-feuding Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals. The Blues stifled Pep’s side twice in the Premier League this season, can they do it again? And in the other semi, would it really be that much of a shock if Coventry beat Man United?

The Premier League sees some huge games at the bottom with Everton hosting Forest and Luton taking on Brentford. How many points will it take to stay up?

Plus Pompey, Mansfield and football in the 1340s.

Produced by Charlie Jones.
 
RUNNING ORDER: 
• PART 1a: Real Madrid knock out Man City on penalties (03.45)
• PART 1b: Bayern 1-0 Arsenal (12.00)
• PART 2: PSG and Dortmund also reach the semi-finals (22.00)
• PART 3: FA Cup semi-finals preview (28.00) 
• PART 4: Previewing the Premier League weekend (41.00)
• PART 5: Inter Totally Cup draw (54.00)

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No double treble for Man City - can Chelsea upset them in the FA Cup semis?

It’s the Euro crew of Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romeo ahead of a mouth-watering week of continental football.

Bayer Leverkusen are crowned champions of Germany for the very first time. Hear why the future is bright for lovable Leverkusen. Starting with West Ham on Thursday in the Europa League.

The Champions League quarter-final second legs are delicately poised, with Arsenal travelling to Munich and Real Madrid off to the Etihad. Will Luis Enrique stop making his PSG team selections so surprising as they take on Barcelona?

Elsewhere, Paulo Fonseca and Jonathan David could really impress Premier League suitors with a win over Aston Villa and Atalanta look to replicate their incredible performance against Liverpool.

Plus Inter edge closer to the Scudetto and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a match winner in Lyon.

Produced by Charlie Jones.
 
RUNNING ORDER: 
• PART 1a: Congratulations Bayer Leverkusen (01.00)
• PART 1b: Moment of the weekend (06.00)
• PART 2: Champions League quarter-final second leg preview (13.30)
• PART 3: Europa League quarter-final preview (34.00) 
• PART 4: West Ham v Leverkusen and the Conference League (48.00)
• PART 5: Inter close in on Scudetto, plus Lyon 4-3 Brest (57.00)

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Leverkusen are champions…who will be Champions League semi-finalists?

Jimbo welcomes Daniel Storey, Adrian Clarke and Tim Spiers after some title race shenanigans in the Premier League.

It’s advantage Manchester City who go top on Saturday and then watch Liverpool and then Arsenal lose on Sunday.

For the Reds, it’s a second home defeat in 4 days as Glasner’s Palace get the job done. With all the chasing they’ve had to do in games, has this poor run been coming?

Arsenal are undone by former manager Unai Emery whose Villa side make huge strides towards next season’s Champions League. Is there any hope of catching the champions? And can the Gunners pick themselves up for Bayern on Wednesday?

Elsewhere, wilting Tottenham come up against the best finisher in the Premier League. And it’s another matchday in which Man United concede at least 20 shots.

Plus Stockport, Wrexham and one of the worst mistakes in Premier League history.

Produced by Charlie Jones.
 
RUNNING ORDER: 
• PART 1: Liverpool and Arsenal both beaten as Man City go top (03.00)
• PART 2a: Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham (26.00)
• PART 2b: Bournemouth 2-2 Man United (32.00)
• PART 3a: Drama in Scotland, Women’s FA Cup and the EFL (37.00) 
• PART 3b: The rest of the Premier League weekend (40.00)

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Football Hackers

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