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Group Defend set to reignite age-old debate after Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s feedback


The primary silverware of the season might not be probably the most prestigious, however it all the time stirs up loads of debate.

Broadly seen because the fixture that kicks off the brand new marketing campaign, the Group Defend provides followers a style of what is to return over the subsequent 9 months, as two groups battle it out at Wembley.

Manchester City will not be able to defend the Community Shield this year after missing out on Premier League and FA Cup glory

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Manchester Metropolis will be unable to defend the Group Defend this 12 months after lacking out on Premier League and FA Cup glory

However even with a trophy up for grabs on the finish of it, the identical outdated query will get floated round.

Does it depend as a serious honour?

As Liverpool and Crystal Palace lock horns on Sunday, reside on talkSPORT, we’re certain to listen to this age-old debate being reignited.

The season curtain-raiser sees the Premier League champions face off towards the FA Cup holders, and it is truthful to say the status of it is dependent upon who you ask.

It has lengthy been an opinion divider in England, because it is not held in the identical regard as Tremendous Cups elsewhere in Europe and throughout the globe.

A serious home trophy on these shores is taken into account to be the Premier League, FA Cup and the League Cup.

However any membership that will get their arms on the defend is unlikely to show their nostril up at one other piece of silverware of their trophy cupboard.

With the subsequent winner of the Group Defend ready within the wings, talkSPORT.com has taken a have a look at what the footballing world makes of the prize that splits opinion.

What does the FA say in regards to the Group Defend?

Whereas the Soccer Affiliation recognises the Group Defend as a home ‘Tremendous Cup’, it would not seem that they contemplate it a serious piece of silverware.

Quoted by the BBC, the FA are claimed to have referred to as the one-off aggressive fixture ‘incomparable’ to another trophy.

Crystal Palace are playing in their first Community Shield after winning the FA Cup

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Crystal Palace are taking part in of their first Group Defend after successful the FA CupCredit score: Getty
Liverpool will be looking to follow up their stunning Premier League triumph

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Liverpool will likely be seeking to comply with up their beautiful Premier League triumphCredit score: Getty

An FA spokesperson mentioned: “It has been extremely regarded and supported by the taking part golf equipment and soccer followers for a few years.”

However a better have a look at the principles and regulation raises the query if the Group Defend is even a aggressive recreation altogether.

That’s as a result of, in to the FA Handbook, the Wembley showdown is definitely categorized as a pleasant.

It states: “Pleasant Match means any Match sanctioned or regarded by The Affiliation or an Affiliated Affiliation as a pleasant Match. (Together with FA Group Defend and Ladies’s FA Group Defend Matches).”

What have managers mentioned about it?

Regardless of the FA’s pointers, a few of the greatest names within the recreation definitely see the Group Defend as a serious achievement.

Again in December, Mikel Arteta instantly corrected a reporter when he mentioned Carabao Cup glory could be his second trophy with Arsenal, after his FA Cup win.

Mikel Arteta has two Community Shield wins to his name as Arsenal manager - won in 2020 and 2023

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Mikel Arteta has two Group Defend wins to his title as Arsenal supervisor – gained in 2020 and 2023Credit score: Getty

“The Charity Defend as effectively twice, no? So it’s three,” he mentioned. “We’d like extra, we would like extra, and we would like the large ones that’s for certain.”

In the meantime, each Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have taken the competition severely, with the 2 embellished coaches putting better emphasis on success than many onlookers in England.

In 2019, after successful the League Cup, Manchester Metropolis boss Guardiola mentioned: “The Group Defend? No one counts it, that’s the query, I would love a solution.

“In Spain and Germany it’s essential. We now have gained two titles this season and have three to play (for), however everybody says one.

“Why play if it doesn’t depend? We might have longer holidays.”

A 12 months later, earlier than his Liverpool facet took on Arsenal, Reds boss Klopp was additionally surprised to find the shortage of weight the fixture carries in England.

No team has won more Community Shields than Manchester United, who boast 21 in total, most recently tasting glory in 2016

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No group has gained extra Group Shields than Manchester United, who boast 21 in complete, most just lately tasting glory in 2016
Klopp lifted eight trophies with Liverpool, excluding his 2022 Community Shield win

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Klopp lifted eight trophies with Liverpool, excluding his 2022 Group Defend winCredit score: Getty

The German coach mentioned: “It is a closing.

“That is the primary time that I realised no one sees it like that to be sincere. A ‘curtain-raiser’ is unbelievable.”

As for Jose Mourinho, he counted the Group Defend as a part of a treble within the 2016/17 season, the place he additionally guided Manchester United to Europa League and League Cup glory.

Discussing the marketing campaign, he acknowledged: “I gained three trophies at Manchester United and that was seen as a catastrophe.”

The Particular One even instructed his gamers to carry up three fingers after they gained the Europa League to reference their treble which included victory within the annual curtain-raiser.

What do Liverpool and Crystal Palace assume?

Each managers will likely be making their Group Defend debuts on Sunday, with Arne Slot and Oliver Glasner taking over their respective roles in 2024.

Arne Slot is keen to start the season by lifting a trophy

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Arne Slot is eager to start out the season by lifting a trophyCredit score: Getty

And Liverpool boss Slot welcomed the possibility to select up some early silverware, following his facet’s Premier League glory final time period.

He mentioned: “Usually you win one thing on the finish of the season. Now we have now an opportunity to win one thing initially of the season.”

This was a view shared by Glasner, who will take cost of Crystal Palace‘s inaugural Group Defend look, after guiding them to a first-ever main trophy within the FA Cup.

The German added: “It is a lot better than taking part in friendlies. It is an opportunity to win a trophy and the possibility to compete with the champions.

“We wish to present our persona once more. We wish to present we’re capable of compete with each single group.

“When you will have the possibility to win silverware, then go for it, and we are going to go for it.”

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