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Today's story comes from Brian Laudrup, who was preparing for a big season with Bayern Munich in the summer of 92, when he got the news that would change his life - Yugoslavia had been forced to withdraw from the upcoming European Championships and Denmark had been given a last-minute reprieve.

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Today’s story comes from Benni McCarthy, the former South Africa and Porto striker, who tells us about the first time his old manager in Portugal, Jose Mourinho, fell for Didier Drogba, then of Marseilles. 

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Today you’ll hear from ex-Bayern Munich striker Alan McInally, who recalls the inimitable man-management style of legendary former boss Jupp Heynckes

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Here’s a one-two from Charlie Adam, who is going to break down two of his most outrageous goals. First, the free-kick that helped Blackpool to promotion to the Premier League. Then we move on to one he scored from the halfway line against Chelsea and Thibaut Courtois.

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Welcome to our Big Interview Icons series where we shine a light on a legend whose name has lit up some of the conversations I’ve had with my guests over the years. This episode focuses on Andres Iniesta.

Gordon Strachan waxes lyrical about watching Iniesta and says that he would never have believed that the standard of football the great Barcelona side he played in was possible.

David Moyes reflects on a clash between Real Sociedad and that Barca side. David’s team won, but boy, could they not get near Andres.

Someone else who knew how hard it was to dispossess Iniesta is former Swansea, Brighton and Blackpool winger Andrea Orlandi, who played alongside and against him while at Barcelona B. Andrea envied Andres his speed – he was quicker than people realise, with incredible acceleration; and he never gave the ball away.

Finally, we hear how Alex McLeish nearly signed a young Iniesta on loan when manager of Rangers. The bid caused a real fuss at Barcelona, forcing their hand about whether to loan out or start playing the blossoming midfield genius. Sadly for Rangers fans, Barca chose the latter.

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From my writing for ESPNFC, here is my take on a weird and wonderful Clásico. Paired with Madrid's other embarassing losses this season - at home to Sheriff and to PSG in Paris - it could give president Florentino enough ammunition for a firing of a coach likely to end the season a champion (he has form here). But the list of culprits for this latest crime goes far beyond the Italian.   

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Today you’ll hear from Dean Smith, the Aston Villa manager who masterminded one of the most memorable results in the club’s history when his team overcame defending champions Liverpool 7-2 in October 2020. Here’s how he did it. 

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Today's story comes from Alan Pardew, who tells us about the moments that can change the course of a career in football and of the hidden weapon in a manager's arsenal: one-to-one psychology.

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Today’s story comes from Alex McLeish and it’s taken from an interview we recorded in front of a live audience in Glasgow. He’s talking recruitment – making the most of a player his bosses at Birmingham wanted more than he did; and almost landing Andres Iniesta for Rangers. 

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I got lucky with the timing of my interview with Liverpool’s Andy Robertson. We sat down soon after Liverpool 4 Manchester City 3 in January 2018 – so I got to ask him about that Premier League classic and his one-man press of Bernardo Silva… and Kyle Walker… and John Stones … and Ederson … and Nicolas Otamendi. It was the moment the Kop fell for Robertson, and here’s how it was for him.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com