Michael Bailey

Obviously the Dodgers are good but deary me, that was weak from Milwaukee.

Back to the soccer, guys! Bit of work to get on with there by the looks of it. 🫣

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Does Jude Bellingham get into England's best side? Thomas Tuchel’s England team selection for the wins over Wales and Latvia got us thinking about star players and their value.Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish were left out of the squ...

NEW POD 🚨

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to chat star players and their value.

So is it system first, or stars first? 🤔

pod.fo/e/33e8b2

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Has Guardiola actually changed his philosophy? Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics in Manchester City’s Premier League draw at Arsenal last weekend caused quite the stir.Was it a one off? Or has Guardiola’s philosophy been slowly changing i...

NEW POD 🚨

Has Pep Guardiola really changed, or was the match against Arsenal an anomaly?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss!

pod.fo/e/3318c0

On tomorrow's pod we'll be asking if Pep Guardiola has actually changed Man City's approach this season.

How different does this City team look compared to 2016-17?

Send your questions for the panel!

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why has this season started so slowly? There were a mere 19 goals across 20 games in the Premier League last weekend.Which got us thinking — why so few? And is it partly to do with the influx of new signings creating unfamiliarity and...

NEW POD 🚨

Why has this Premier League season started so slowly?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social join @michaeljbailey.bsky.social to discuss.

pod.fo/e/32cff1

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Mavericks, Donnarumma & are Arsenal too cautious? It’s the international break in men’s football and that means only one thing… mailbag time!We’re going to answer your questions on all sorts — iPads, subs, mavericks and more!Host: Michae...

NEW MAILBAG POD 🚨

@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social answer your questions on...

- Maverick players
- Donnarumma to City
- Are Arsenal too cautious?

& much, much more!

pod.fo/e/328a93

Mailbag: Send in your questions for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast Send in your questions now ahead of a special episode of The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Send in your questions for @theathleticfc.bsky.social Tactics Podcast special mailbag episode!

What trend, team, or player has caught your eye from the season so far?

Or are there any tactical/data questions you would like us to address?

Let us know below!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why Amorim's Man United system isn't working This week, we’ll tell you why Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system he insists on using at Manchester United, isn’t functioning.And we’ll look at other examples of managers who seem wedded to just ...

NEW POD! 🚨

We take on... Why Amorim's Man United system isn't working.

With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social

Enjoy!

pod.fo/e/324da2

Love this — and so much of what @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social produced while following this year's @le-tourdefrance.bsky.social for @theathletic.com.

Enjoy it.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Thames barge sails on the Blackwater. Beautiful. You should visit bargetrust.org to find out about the incredible vessels — and know that Chris is a superstar skipper. X

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How Belgium marched to world number one On episode two of Football Architects, we’re focusing on the rise that took a stagnant Belgium to number one in FIFA’s world rankings.We’ll hear about how they established a footballing DNA, ...

Episode two of Football Architects is LIVE!

This part focuses on the rise of Belgium to No.1 in the world.

Featuring @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/2f8cce

YouTube video by Michael Bailey 15 July 2025

New one for all you sports socialites!

youtu.be/ZFzFd7FN0sc?...

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | Wimbledon, sorry Lando, Andrea Bocelli & turf doctors — Michael Bailey 01.07.25

Fresh from a busy weekend — includes Bocelli, an apology and turf doctors...

LET'S GET SOCIAL.

youtu.be/cPujJN3lpeU

Mini-golf, Australia style. #mindthesnakes

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | From rambling to rugby, F1 in Austria — Michael Bailey 28.06.25

Snuck in a little sports social from Perth's CBD. Hope you enjoy the tour...

youtu.be/9s6FavRFIAY

England beat Germany in thriller to retain Under-21 Euros title Analysis as England survive a scare to beat Germany to win the U21 Euros for the second consecutive time

Fair play to Jon Rowe — the boy loves a big moment, and he's pretty good at them. Eye-catching stuff from England U21s again.
👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | OKC, SGA’s NBA Finals triumph; heartbreak for Haliburton — Michael Bailey 23.06.25

New social! Hooked on the fun and fallout from Game 7 of the NBA Finals...

youtu.be/07Cm94qJWHo

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | NBA Finals, Jalen Williams, Messi playing to 50? — Michael Bailey 20.06.25

New social time! youtu.be/NrVHYPDOw3g?...

Those who know me will appreciate how big a moment this was 😂 Finally reunited with my clubs last month, and the first time I’ve managed to swing them in anger since November. One day, I might even get to play around Joondalup — it looked spectacular.

And yes, that was one of the few good shots 🥴

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SPORTS SOCIAL | Messi & Club World Cup, Spaun’s US Open win, Oh Lando — Michael Bailey 16.06.25

Monday’s Sports Social! Let’s go…

🏎️ F1, Canada & Lando
🌎 Club World Cup, Messi & Suarez
⛳️ JJ Spaun’s beautiful US Open in

Enjoy!

youtu.be/7C6Viy5eg_U?...

YouTube video by Michael Bailey SS 14.06.25 | NBA Finals G4 & all hail SGA + Freo time! — Michael Bailey

Trying something new.

youtu.be/bOxDJ-dPfyQ?...

FINAL CALL FOR MAILBAG QUESTIONS 📬

Our final episode of the season is almost upon us, so please send in your last minute mailbag questions for us!

@michaeljbailey.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Alternative team of the Premier League season 24/25 In this episode, it’s alternative team of the season time!To remind you of the rules, instead of focusing on the top teams - we all pick an eleven with one player from each of the bottom 10 teams...

NEW POD 🚨

It's time for our Alternative Premier League Team of The Season episode.

With @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social

Enjoy!

pod.fo/e/2d9269

I also had a go at this. Hopefully my XI has a good coach...

Tomorrow the Tactics pod brings you a classic: Alternative Team of The Season!

One player from every club in the bottom half of the table plus one wildcard - send us your suggestions below 👇

F1 Emilia-Romagna GP live updates: Follow latest from FP1 and FP2 in Italy today

It's free practice Friday at Imola. Join us for full live coverage with @lukesmithf1.bsky.social trackside and loads of updates from across the paddock, over at @theathletic.bsky.social

Should be fun, this... #F1

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

The Champions League tactical reviews continue. Liam and Mark in excellent form here. Give it a listen!

❌

you're welcome

Best attacking midfielder Italia never had.