This week, Jon Mackenzie of Tifo Football joins Tom and Juliet to indulge in some Maoist self-criticism, or at least to talk about the tactical development of football over the last twenty years, its increasing use of data and the rise of media platforms that provide complex analysis of top-level matches and clubs. They discuss the demystification of football with relation to thinkers from Gramsci to Hegel, the current media environment around the sport and how Tifo feed into it, the role of imperialism in the spread of football, and what might be the next big tactical innovations as Guardiola’s Manchester City falter.

Jon and Juliet also discuss watching football abroad, from Freiburg to Northern Cyprus, the insights it offers into different cultures and politics, and the surprising opportunity it sometimes provides to see one-time Premier League stars again.

In the News, we look at UEFA’s decision to award the 2027 under-21 European Championship to a joint bid between Albania and Serbia, and Crawley Town getting accused of violating the Modern Slavery Act. Meanwhile, in our football weekends, Tom talks about his Under-8s team getting promoted and having to learn the harsh realities of playing at a higher level, Juliet describes Norwich’s resurgent form in the absence of “the most talented six-year-old you’ve ever seen”, and Jon talks about going to the Emirates Stadium to analyse Arsenal’s thumping victory over Manchester City.

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