European Football播客

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 followin…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Fabio Grosso’s healthy Frosinone legacy, Eintracht Frankfurt’s positive troublemakers, Jose Bordalás's indisputable track record, Reims’s multinational playing squad, the context behind Granada’s recent decision to part company with Paco López, Hell…

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 C…

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 M…

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 Klaksv…

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 mor…

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, Instagr…

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 Fif…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Luka Elsner’s managerial pilgrimage, Juve’s humble efficiency, the main takeaways from the most recent edition of Der Klassiker, Diego Simeone’s definitive shift in style and more. Which 18-year-old French youth international forward could go on to …

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, …

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 Champion…

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 capt…

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…

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 di…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Köln's passionate footballing landscape, Jude Bellingham’s relentless headline crafting, Lorient's towering derby day conqueror, Romelu Lukaku’s Roman sojourn and more. 01:27 - Following a difficult start to Köln's Bundesliga campaign, how might we …

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 questi…

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, whi…

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 writin…

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 Twi…

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, I…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Milan's post-derby resurgence, Mainz's youthful rays of hope, Almeria's lavish summer spending, Takumi Minamino's merry Monégasque moment and more. 1:45 - What sets Monza’s Andrea Colpani apart as a truly unique footballer in 2023? / 21:00 - Where d…

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 discu…

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 contin…

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…

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 c…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the unwavering loyalty and enthusiasm of Union Berlin's inimitable fanbase, Real Sociedad's Japanese star boy, the context behind Marcelino's decision to leave Marseille after just three months in charge, Fiorentina's progression under Vincenzo Ital…

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, …

Is it too early to call Jude Bellingham the best player in Europe? Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky consider that question and - after a dramatic night in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium - discuss how far Napoli can go in Europe this season. Speaking of which, how far can Newcastle go in the Champions League? The panel evaluate the runners and rider…

Our very own Andy Brassell has written another book! Called ‘We Play On’, it’s all about Shakhtar Donetsk’s remarkable modern history – from being cast out of their original home in Donbas in 2014, to being bombed out of Ukraine altogether in 2022. Once flippantly dubbed ‘The Brazilian Colony’ for their history of bringing through Brazilian stars, …

How have Girona rocketed to the top of La Liga? Why has Gennaro Gattuso taken the Marseille job? And a listener asks about their trip to St Pauli... Dotun, Andy and David tackle all that and more! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com. For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe:…

Have you ever seen a player score a hat-trick over the space of four days? Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to discuss how unsavoury scenes during Ajax's loss to Feyenoord lead to maybe the world’s slowest hat-trick. They also ask: how do the Dutch giants escape this crisis? Plus, what’s happening with Victor Osimhen? Andy tells …

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Laurent Blanc's fatal dogmatism, Marcus Thuram's rediscovered drive, 20-year-old Xavi Simons' youthful blend of technical ability and tenacity, and the context behind Villarreal's decision to sack Quique Setién. 1:35 - Taking into account RB Leipzig…

How did Marseille ultras force their new manager out? How can goalkeepers put mistakes behind them after André Onana’s tricky start at Man United? And why do Bayern Munich play that infuriating music?! Dotun and Andy are joined by Miguel Delaney to answer all that and more on this week’s Ask OTC! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, …

Is Xavi at Barcelona basically just Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace? Andy puts that to Dotun and Miguel Delaney on today’s show as they take a moment to celebrate João Félix’s excellent start at Barça under Xavi! And after the first round of Champions League fixtures, the lads try to work out who the biggest contenders are to Man City’s crown. Listen…

The Parc des Princes is a stadium that’s used to hosting celebrities, so we sent Andy Brassell and Jonathan Johnson last night to record an episode of OTC Reacts after PSG vs Dortmund! How has Kylian Mbappe had his fastest start to a season despite off-field issues and what’s next for Borussia Dortmund? Andy and JJ answer all that and more! Ask us …

Are Italy or Portugal potential dark horses at Euro 2024? Is the Eredivisie the league to watch this year? And how will Sandro Tonali be welcomed when he returns to Milan? Dotun, Andy and Nicky answer all these questions and more on today's show. Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com. For ad-f…

Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after submitting a positive drugs test. Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to bring us up to speed with all the latest Pogba news and to assess where it’s all gone wrong for him since joining Juventus. Andy then explains how Thomas Müller played a key role in Germany beating France in their…

Join Andy for a special OTC Reacts episode alongside Bundesliga reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt! Germany boss Hansi Flick barely had time to bid Auf Wiedersehen before he got das boot after a humbling loss to Japan at the weekend. Andy and Archie look into the structural problems at the DFB and ask if they can turn things around ahead of their home Euro…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Girona's total football, Rudi Garcia's Neapolitan chapter, Francesco Farioli's fascinating managerial pilgrimage, Granit Xhaka's integral role at Xabi Alonso's high-flying Bayer Leverkusen, and more. 2:32: Where will the upcoming Derby della Madonni…

How has Mason Greenwood’s transfer to Getafe been received in Spain as the Luis Rubiales scandal accelerates? Why is no one talking about Atlético Madrid’s financial troubles? Is Jude Bellingham achieving something Cristiano Ronaldo never could in Madrid? And after a week of refereeing controversy in England, how are the laws changing in Europe? Do…

Dotun and Andy roll out the red carpet for the return of Sevilla’s most famous son… in David Cartlidge. And we’ve got some juicy stuff to get into on today’s episode! We delve into why Sergio Ramos hasn’t got the hero’s welcome he thought was guaranteed back in Seville. Plus, Napoli refuse to do the dance with their Georgian gem, Khvicha Kvaratskhe…

Happy Deadline Day to all those that celebrate it! Miguel Delaney joins Dotun and Andy to answer all of your questions. How good will Beto be for Everton? What happened to Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern Munich? And with the Romelu Lukaku saga over, we discuss the other players on the continent who are desperate to find a new club. Ask us a question on …

“Rome would go crazy for Romelu Lukaku!” That's what Nicky Bandini told us last week, and didn’t it just? Today Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney discuss José Mourinho and Lukaku’s “second marriage of convenience” and whether it will really work out for all parties. They also discuss La Liga and explore why kids are now dominating a league that was on…

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at 21-year-old Nicolò Rovella's shades of Gattuso, Toulouse's disruptive summer, Heidenheim’s genuine fairytale, Rafael Benítez's LaLiga rebrand and more. 1:52 - Why might Villarreal's signing of the promising 22-year-old midfielder, Ramon Terrats repr…

Is Wataru Endō an improvement on Jordan Henderson and Fabinho? Can Laurent Blanc last much longer at Lyon? And who is about to reignite their career on the continent in a big way - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic, or Charles De Ketelaere? Listen to Dotun, Andy and Nicky to find out the answers to all that and much more! Ask us a questi…

Happy Birthday to the Bundesliga! Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky are on hand to celebrate 60 years of the German top flight by asking whether it’s definitely a sure thing that Bayern will win the league, and if not, who is best placed to spoil their party. Meanwhile, in Italy, Nicky explains why Romelu Lukaku moving to Roma could be better for the Ro…

Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge are back to coast through more continental correspondence, as transfers continue to rumble along across both sides of the Channel. We wonder where David de Gea can realistically end up after past dreams of Madrid appear to be dashed. We also ask if Nicolò Zaniolo’s previous European seasons have prepared him for Asto…

Jude Bellingham’s La Liga debut was so impressive that Real Madrid are even amazed at how good he is. Today, Dotun, Andy and David are on hand to celebrate that and also question why Barcelona seemed so surprised by Getafe’s gamesmanship when the two teams met at the weekend. We also cast a few doubts over whether the signing of Harry Kane is enoug…

Welcome to Ask OTC, where our panel tackle your questions from the week in European football! In our inaugural episodes, Dotun, Andy and Nicky discuss which league in Europe is most likely to enjoy a proper title race this season (a lot of 'em, it turns out!) and reflect on some of the continent’s early dark horses - with plenty of love for Atalant…

We start the season with some breaking news: Bayern have agreed a deal with Spurs for Harry Kane. Dotun, Andy and Nicky are on hand to explain why this deal is absolutely vital for Bayern Munich. More so than it is for Kane, seemingly. Elsewhere, Andy explains how PSG seem to be carrying on with the Mbappé project - without Kylian Mbappé - and Nick…