On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

With news of Paul Pogba’s ban, there was only one place to start today’s Ask OTC. How did it come to this for one of the world’s very best midfielders? And how do we feel about the whole sorry affair?Plus, why is the Basque region enjoying a golden era this season? Are Sporting and Benfica the dark horses in the Europa League? And why is Real Mallorca making it to the final of the Copa del Rey a story we should all get behind?!David joins Dotun and Andy to answer all of your questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edin Terzić has always promised that his football at Dortmund would be “less sexy, more successful” but that hasn’t proved to be the case. Today, Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge are here to explain how Dortmund have become unwatchable this season and – even worse – their players have become unsellable.One coach who has changed their philosophy is Diego Simeone. David explains how he loves Atlético too much to walk away despite being repeatedly let down by the owners. Plus, the Kylian Mbappé saga has taken an unexpected twist… listen to find out more!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Arsenal underestimate Porto? Can Bologna finish in Serie A’s top four this season? What was the now-binned media rights deal that got so many fans protesting in Germany? And why have Marseille turned to a manager who just got given his marching orders midway through the Africa Cup of Nations?!Dotun, Andy and Nicky are on hand for your European football questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Champions of Italy met the Champions of Spain in the Champions League last night, so why did it feel so underwhelming? Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini answer that and also outline why a last 16 exit would be worse for Barcelona than it would be for Napoli.Elsewhere, they explain why Marko Arnautović isn’t the replacement striker that Inter Milan need and why a lack of stability could make Bayern Munich very unappealing to a new coach. Plus, Andy gives us an update on how long Bochum played the Can Can after scoring against Bayern at the weekend.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was this week’s first leg defeat against Lazio the beginning of the end for Thomas Tuchel? How has Xabi Alonso got the best out of Florian Wirtz? How have blue cards been received on the continent – and why do some countries value ‘clarity’ more than ‘flow’ with refereeing?Dotun, Andy and David are on hand for your European football questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luis Enrique was “dancing in the streets” after PSG won 2-0 following a first half which left Andy comparing their midfield to Wimbledon's in the late 80s. Today, Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge discuss whether it's now or never for PSG in the Champions League before Kylian Mbappé leaves.Speaking of surprising comparisons, David explains how Aurélien Tchouaméni has accidentally turned into prime Sergio Ramos and we find out which Portuguese club are operating like the Apple of European football.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do Leverkusen dare to dream?! Bayer Leverkusen schooled Bayern Munich on Saturday to take control of the title race. Today, Andy Brassell and Bundesliga pitch side reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt, who was there on the ground, react to this seismic result.Archie explains to Andy why Leverkusen were always the prime candidates to unseat Bayern from their throne and how Xabi Alonso was the final piece in the puzzle to achieve this. After plenty of daydreaming about Alejandro Grimaldo’s left foot, Archie then reveals how long he really thinks Thomas Tuchel will last at Bayern.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Daniele De Rossi the right man for Roma long-term? After a shock reality check for Schalke, what is the financial health and sustainability of countries’ second division across Europe? Have we got another great Atalanta team on our hands? And how has one of the great characters of Turkish football ended up at Panathinaikos?!Dotun, Andy and Nicky are back to answer all of your burning questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inter secured their position at the top of Serie A with a win over Juventus at the weekend. Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini explain why they are good enough to make an impact in Europe again this season. So when will we start considering them among Europe’s elite once more?On the other end of the spectrum, there are problems in France for both Marseille and Lyon; Andy and Nicky explain why Gennaro Gattuso could be being used as a punch bag for Marseille's wider issues. Plus, will Xabi Alonso’s final act at Leverkusen be to kick the Neverkusen title forever?Make sure you listen to the end for Dotun's food recommendation for the AFCON final!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your yellow ties on and plug in the fax machines: Dotun, Andy and David are here with a Deadline Day special of Ask OTC!We’ve got all you need to know about the biggest transfer stories across Europe. We ask why some French clubs have been splashing the cash - even if PC issues meant Lyon missed out on Saïd Benrahma - and check in with the La Liga title contenders after their mercifully quiet windows. Plus: are we seeing the emergence of a Swedish golden generation?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Xavi has said he decided to leave Barcelona at the start of the season. But it was January that sealed his fate. Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge who explains how Xavi has not only been let down by the club but also by injuries which will define his final disappointing season.Elsewhere, Andy explains why Europe’s top clubs are not all in for Lautaro Martínez despite his season of a lifetime. Speaking of which, over in Eredivisie Peter Bosz is proving all the doubters wrong at PSV - us included. How is he becoming the "fun José Mourinho"?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Aleksander Čeferin’s days numbered as UEFA president after Zvonimir Boban’s resignation? Why have selling clubs across Europe stopped buying so smartly? How is an Osasuna fan experiencing this season’s success for Athletic Bilbao? And what’s the in-stadium food scene REALLY like in Europe?Miguel Delaney joins Dotun and Andy to keep you fed with another Ask OTC!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karim Benzema is reportedly unhappy in Saudi. Today, Miguel Delaney joins Dotun and Andy to explain how the possible exodus from Saudi will affect European football.Speaking of Saudi’s influence in Europe, Andy explains why it's hard to get excited about the newly expanded Supercoppa Italiana. Plus, some frustration has started to creep into Bellingham’s game at Real Madrid - listen to find out why.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Jordan Henderson improve Ajax? Why have one Spanish team’s performances got David calling them ‘the junior Girona’? How have Bayern gone from being one of the most savvy clubs in Europe to consistently missing their targets in the transfer window? And why are Villarreal plummeting down La Liga, just like Sevilla?Dotun, Andy and David answer your burning questions from across European football on this week’s Ask OTC!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Xavi has said he will walk away at the end of the season if Barcelona fail to win a trophy. Today, David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to explain why Xavi’s situation at Barça isn’t too dissimilar to what is happening with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.Elsewhere, Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho have picked up where they left off at Dortmund – Andy explains why their relationship is so strong. Plus, he also reveals how Lyon have signed one of Europe's hottest prospects to become a central part of their exciting new forward line.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roma have sacked José Mourinho! That could only mean one thing: Andy and Nicky Bandini are here with an emergency pod. Nicky explains why last season’s Europa League final was potentially a sliding doors moment for Roma and how failing to qualify for the Champions League ultimately lead to Mourinho’s downfall.Nicky also explains why there have been comparisons made between new Roma manager Daniele De Rossi and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Plus, Andy fears that Mourinho will now end up at Lyon! *shudders*Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who at Roma are set to turn on José Mourinho, the fans or the board? Is this Timo Werner’s last chance at the top level? Where does Antoine Griezmann stand in La Liga’s all-time greats? And why is the end of a law in Italy slashing big overseas signings in Serie A this month?Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini are your tour guides for today’s Ask OTC, join us!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Keep my name out of your mouth!” Yep, those were the words Victor Osimhen said to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent. Today, Nicky Bandini joins Dotun and Andy to explain how Napoli went from exultant champions to infighting and mid-table mediocracy in the blink of an eye.Elsewhere, Andy explains why Bayern Munich won’t win the Champions League unless they recruit well in January. And could Osimhen could be the heir to Mbappé’s throne in Paris?!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where is Europe’s next talent factory? Is Eric Choupo-Moting the answer to Man United’s attacking woes? Who is set to be worst affected by the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup? And why does Kalvin Phillips need to think twice before heading to Juventus? Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars Sivertsen for the first Ask OTC of 2024!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Juventus have finally admitted they’re in the title race. Today, Lars joins Dotun and Andy to explain how the Old Lady has surprised everyone and why Adrien Rabiot has become their key man.Speaking of title races, Lars outlines why he isn’t worried about a raid on Girona's squad this January transfer window after their stunning 4-3 win against Atleti last night. Plus, Andy explains why history would suggest that Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund may not go to plan.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which teams will get ripped apart in January? Could guest nations ever play in the Champions League? How long can Julian Nagelsman survive at Germany? And what player is going to be the breakout star of the next 12 months?Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen answer your questions for the final time in 2023!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 has the potential to be a transformative year for European football, given the introduction of the new Champions League format and its clashes with new European Super League proposals.Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by Miguel Delaney to assess whether those UCL changes will help to even out the balance of power in European Football - Miguel even admits he doesn’t dislike the format as much as he hoped! Plus, with January looming they also outline who the big clubs need to sign to remain competitive in the back half of the season.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Aurelio De Laurentiis to blame for Napoli’s disastrous title defence? Which Champions League knockout has the biggest upset potential? Why did a club president in Turkey order all his players off the pitch because of a refereeing decision? And what are some of our continental highlights of 2023?!Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini for your penultimate Ask OTC of the year!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicky Bandini’s on the pod! That means one thing: José Mourinho has forced himself into the headlines. Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky discuss Mourinho’s claims that he wants to stay at Roma and how his former pupil Thiago Motta is quickly becoming one of the most innovative managers in Europe.Elsewhere, they marvel at how perfect Harry Kane is for Bayern Munich and how much Viktor Gyökeres could earn for Coventry City if (or when) he moves on from Sporting.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the group stages across Europe draw to a close Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen wonder if some of Europe’s underachievers can turn things around, as Ajax and Lyon languish near the bottom of their respective leagues.Elsewhere, we wonder if Reims’ Will Still might take the Sunderland job, rate some contenders for the Europa League and check in on the latest chapter of Bodø/Glimt’s remarkable fairytale.Plus, listen through to the end for Lars’ bonus report from Norway corner…Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lighters in the air, the Champions League group stages are done forever. Thankfully, we were blessed with two groups of death to mark the occasion. Today, Dotun, Andy and Lars pick up the pieces as PSG scraped through the knock-outs and Copenhagen stunned Galatasaray and Man United.Elsewhere, they explain why there is still some magic in Girona beating Barcelona despite the club's links to the City Group and Andy outlines why Turkey had no choice but to suspend the Süper Lig after a referee was assaulted this week.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After reports this week that Real Madrid have set a deadline for agreeing terms, who needs the other more: Real Madrid, or Kylian Mbappé? What does the future hold for João Felix after scoring the winner against his parent club? What will happen to Nice when Sir Jim Ratcliffe turns his eyes to Manchester? And who will be using the Groupama Stadium come June 2nd – Lyon, or Taylor Swift?!Dotun and Andy are joined by Jonathan Johnson to answer all of your burning questions, with a bit of a French flavour this week! Don’t miss it.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The goalkeeper situation has always been problematic at PSG during the QSI era. Is Gianluigi Donnarumma the next victim? Today, Jonathan Johnson joins Dotun and Andy to explain why Donnarumma is not the goalkeeper that PSG and Luis Enrique need going forward.Elsewhere, Jonathan and Andy outline why Napoli’s title defence is already over. They also discuss the shocking recent trend of fan violence in France and explain why the authorities' failure to act has only served to worsen the problem.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Galatasaray and Man United played out one of the great Champions League group stage matches last week and our very own Andy Brassell was there to capture all the action.As well as bringing you the electric atmosphere inside Rams Park, Andy also caught up with United We Stand founder, Andy Mitten. He shared his experiences of a lifetime of following Man United across Europe, including his memories of getting wrongly arrested before the infamous “Welcome to Hell” match in Istanbul in 1993. Andy also speaks to Wilfried Zaha about playing in the Champions League and settling into life at Galatasaray.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are there any positives to next season’s Champions League format? How did Fabio Grosso turn Lyon’s senior players against him so quickly? Can anyone arrest the tumble of Europe's sixth-best attended club in Bundesliga 2? And how good is the man that everyone’s pinning as Manchester United’s future sporting director, Paul Mitchell?Dotun and David Cartlidge chat to Andy in Istanbul and answer your burning questions about European football!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the draw came out, we all assumed that PSG, Dortmund, Newcastle and Milan was the 'group of death'. But is Group A the group of death that nobody predicted? It certainly seems so for Man United. Today, Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge debate whether incompetence has been the spark for all the drama in that group.Elsewhere, David explains why Milan have come to the end of their time with Stefano Pioli. Plus, a red card followed by scoring the Champions League's 10,000th goal – is that the most Sergio Ramos week ever?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KÍ Klaksvik have shocked the whole of Europe this season by becoming the first Faroese team to ever reach the group stages of a European competition.On today’s bonus edition, Dotun and Andy are join by the I’s Chief Football Writer Daniel Storey who recently spent some time in the Faroe Islands to report on this extraordinary tale. Ahead of Klaksvik's decisive final two group games, Daniel tells us all about how a football team in a village of 5000 people made it into the Europa Conference League while picking up some pretty impressive scalps along the way.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Italian press are calling it the ugliest Derby d'Italia in years. Today, Andy and Nicky are here to point out the diamonds in the rough.Nicky starts by revelling in the fact that there were two excellent goals by each team's main marksman and two even better petty celebrations. Andy then points out that psychologically this result is worth more than just a point for Inter and also explains how supervillain Max Allegri could be convincing people to believe in him again.Speaking of villains, in Rome which member of José Mourinho’s backroom staff was sent off this weekend? Listen to find out.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is Europe’s best run club? Why has André Villas-Boas’ attempt to run for Porto’s presidential elections been received so badly? Is Viktor Gyökeres already one of the Primeira Liga’s most valuable assets? And where have all the Italian strikers gone?Dotun, Andy and David get to the bottom of your questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a dismal week, German football fans have never been more apathetic towards their national team. But can they turn it around? Today, David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to explain why he thinks the current players are simply not likeable enough to win the fans over in time for a home Euros.Elsewhere, with La Liga suffering from “El Virus Fifa”, they wonder if recent injuries during the international break only strengthen Atlético Madrid’s chances of winning the league. Plus, Inter Milan vs Juventus: is it too early to call it a title decider?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Girona keep up their title charge? Why did Urs Fischer and Union part ways at last? And with Euro 2024 qualification off the table, what’s going wrong for the Sweden national team? But which one-in-a-generation talent could turn their fortunes around?Alexandra Jonson joins Dotun and Andy to answer your questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Sociedad have caught a lot of people off guard with their great performances in Europe this season. However, one person who hasn't been surprised one bit is La Liga expert Alexandra Jonson. Today, she joins Dotun and Andy to explain why she expected Real Sociedad to be exactly the dark horse they've proved to be on their return to the Champions League.Andy also tells us why Luis Enrique is asking for more from Kylian Mbappé, even after he scored a hat trick at the weekend, and Alex explains why Swedish teams would rather lose the league than use VAR.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something special is happening in Leverkusen this season. Andy went to watch the Bundesliga leaders take on Union Berlin and spoke to the mastermind behind it all: the great Xabi Alonso.Andy talks to Alonso about how he transformed Leverkusen from relegation contenders to Bundesliga pace-setters in just 18 months. We also hear from ex-Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka about the impact Xabi Alonso’s had on him since swapping the Emirates for the BayArena.Follow OTC on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why have Benfica struggled so much in Europe this season? How are FC Copenhagen managing to punch so far above their weight? And after more than 35 years behind the mic, what is the best individual performance Derek has ever commentated on?Dotun, Andy and iconic commentator Derek Rae tackle those questions and much more on today’s Ask OTC. Join us!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a big week in German football! Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by the legendary commentator and Bundesliga expert Derek Rae.Derek explains exactly why Edin Terzić is the right man for the Dortmund job despite a disastrous Der Klassiker. He also gives us insight into why Union Berlin fans love their manager, Urs Fischer, despite their difficult start to the season. Plus, Andy shares his experience of a famous night in Hamburg this week after Shakhtar beat Barcelona.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Francesco Farioli Europe’s next exciting young manager? Is French football fan culture fundamentally broken? Will any of football’s next Ballon d’Or starlets achieve the reach of Messi and Ronaldo? And can Faroe Islands’ finest make it into the next round of the Europa Conference League?!Join Dotun, Lars and David as they answer all your questions!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/continent Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid took control of La Liga this weekend, but could they win it without Jude Bellingham? Today, Dotun is joined by David Cartlidge and Lars Sivertsen to explain why Los Blancos might be too reliant on their star man.Elsewhere, the panel explain that Bayern need to start being Bayern if they have any chance of catching Bayer Leverkusen, while David explains why Inter Milan – and particularly Lautaro Martínez – have forgotten all about Romelu Lukaku.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/continent Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s bonus episode, Dotun and Andy are joined by our favourite Norwegian, Lars Sivertsen, to talk about many others’ favourite Norwegian: Erling Haaland!Lars’ new book ‘Haaland: The incredible story behind the world’s greatest striker’ is out this week, so he joined us to chat about his compatriot’s amazing story and how he went about writing the book. We discuss the sacrifices he made as a child to give him the best chances of success, his forensic approach to his career progression and how he’s since emerged as one of football’s most formidable forces.Buy a copy of the book: https://smarturl.it/HaalandLarsAsk us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/continent Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney dive into the mailbag for another round of Ask OTC - join us!We wonder how FC Basel have found themselves at the bottom of the Swiss league despite regular European jaunts, while Union Berlin and Benfica also disappoint domestically. Plus, will Diego Simeone find any more success at Atletico?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dortmund had too much European experience for Newcastle but are they losing their famous identity?Today, Miguel Delaney joins Dotun and Andy to discuss that and explain why Serie A is poised to become Europe’s second best league behind the Premier League. Plus, Ajax and Lyon: are they really too big to be relegated?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini open the floor to you lovely listeners once again, as we start with a look at some Euro 2024 dark horses. No Turkey, please Andy.We also wonder if Jose Mourinho will leave Roma at the end of the season - is that Antonio Conte lurking in the shadows? Plus, what can Rangers fans expect from Philippe Clement and we discuss how difficult it’s proved for footballers to publicly comment on the war in the Middle East.Ask a question for next week's show on socials: Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, or email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to look back on an unhappy return to Wembley for the Azzurri – and a very tricky week for Italian football in general. While there are green shoots for Italy under Luciano Spalletti, the panel also discuss what awaits Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo as an investigation into alleged betting breaches continues apace.Plus, we assess the reality behind Portugal’s incredible qualification campaign and look ahead to Real Madrid’s reunion with an old friend and a stunningly dysfunctional Sevilla side at the weekend!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Lars are back with more of your questions, as attentions turn to international football. We assess whose Euros hopes are dwindling and why Norway are proving less than the sum of their imperious parts.We don’t abandon club football entirely though, as we wonder whether Xabi Alonso can sustain a Leverkusen title charge and why Union Berlin are struggling in comparison to last season’s heroics.Follow us on socials: Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lars is back on the pod! And on the subject of returns, today he joins Dotun and Andy to discuss Romelu Lukaku’s Roma redemption. But can he save José Mourinho from the haters?Elsewhere, Andy thinks Germany’s trip to America could be good for Julian Nagelsmann – and not just because of his love for NFL – and the panel pays tribute to the amazing career of Eden Hazard.Ask us a question for tomorrow's Ask OTC on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the future of Real Madrid’s left wing position? Are Inter the best team in the world bar Manchester City? Can Bayern Munich get over failing to sign Joao Palinha? And which Scot has Thiago Motta taken under his wing?Dotun, Andy and Nicky get to the bottom of those questions and much more!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.