Claim OwnershipThe Road to Nowhere European Football Podcast
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© Alasdair Madden
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S5 E17 out now! Fortnightly European football podcast with Alasdair Madden, Ruaridh Barlow and Michael Jones. Follow us on Twitter @RTNFootball and check out @FFOpps for paid freelance work in football.
99 Episodes
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Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Baptiste Reynaud (of Le Beau Jeu and Le Classique fame) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Frosinone’s cause for optimism in the face of their extensive winless run, the shades of Cholismo laced through Real Madrid’s recent Champions League displays against Manchester City, Lyon’s timely resurgence and more. 2:00 - What was the wider significance of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final defeat against Borussia Dortmund? / 20:30 - Which players have been integral to Bologna’s somewhat unsung defensive solidity? / 35:57 - How has Pierre Sage successfully steadied the good ship Lyon since taking over from Fabio Grosso in November?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Ninad Barbidikar to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Bayer Leverkusen’s era-defining spring, Jagoba Arrasate’s emotional Osasuna farewell, Igor Tudor’s inevitable Serie A return and more. 1:45 - How might we explain Juventus’s spectacular drop-off in form since the end of January? / 20:00 - Could Jonathan Burkardt be the man to almost single-handedly drag Bo Henriksen’s Mainz up the table and clear of the relegation dogfight? / 39:40 - In what sense would a win for Mallorca in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final eclipse the club’s 2003 Samuel Eto’o-inspired Copa del Rey triumph?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Luke Entwistle to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at AC Monza’s uncut gems, Almería’s unlikely hero, PSG’s post-takeover melodrama and more. 1:40 - Where did it all go wrong for Rafael Benítez at Celta Vigo, and what’s next for both parties? / 25:20 - What might the post-Kylian Mbappé era look like for PSG and Ligue 1? / 44:50 - To what extent should history’s eventual critique of Simone Inzaghi’s Inter side be marred by their recent Champions League exit?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Albert from the Long Ball Futebol podcast to discuss and analyse the latest European football news, with a particular focus on the ever-evolving landscape of Portuguese football. The boys look at Arouca’s resurgent Spanish Armada, the curious case of Vizela, Bologna’s rewarded patience, Valencia’s redemption arc and more. 1:40 - How has Daniel Sousa instigated the remarkable turnaround that has seen Arouca climb from the bottom of the table to within touching distance of the European spots? / 30:32 - Where did Sassuolo’s erstwhile scintillating project go wrong? / 53:34 - What were the main takeaways from the Copa del Rey semi-finals and, looking ahead, what can we expect from May’s enticing final?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Salernitana’s hopeless Serie A predicament, Rayo Vallecano’s post-Iraola struggles, Bayern Munich’s silent stagnation and more. 1:37 - Which Atlético Madrid starlet looks destined become Spain's future number nine? 13:49 - To what extent should we be probing Tuchel’s reputation as one of the best coaches in Europe? / 26:10 - Notwithstanding Lazio’s recent Champions League exploits, why might Maurizo Sarri’s days soon be numbered at the Stadio Olimpico?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Diego Simeone’s Madrilenian masterclasses, Stade Brestois’s spirit of the collective, Inter Milan’s increasingly convincing title credentials and more. 1:40 - How has the enigmatic Éric Roy moulded Stade Brestois into one of the greatest Ligue 1 underdog stories in recent memory? / 15:50 - Does have any magic dust left to sprinkle on his team and guide them to Serie A survival? / 34:58 - What were the key factor’s behind Xavi’s downfall at Barcelona?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Almería’s controversial Bernabéu heartbreak, Szymon Żurkowski’s incredible start to 2024, the context behind Saša Kalajdžić’s underwhelming spell at Wolves and more. 1:38 - How has Toni Kroos’s game continued to evolve as he nears the final stages of his stellar playing career? / 21:28 - What have been the main factors behind Hellas Verona’s ominous fire sale of several valuable players including Josh Doig, Isak Hien and Cyril Ngonge? / 39:08 - What should we expect from Jadon Sancho and Saša Kalajdžić over the next few months following their recent loan moves to Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the Copa del Rey’s divisive format, the wider significance of the abolition of the Descreto Crescita for Italian football, Calais’s remarkable run to the Coupe de France final at the turn of the century and more. 1:34 - Why is the Coupe de France widely regarded as one of the most romantic domestic cups in world football? / 16:42 - What can Tottenham fans expect from their new Romanian signing, Radu Drăgușin? / 36:00 - How might we explain Real Sociedad’s contrasting fortunes in Europe and domestically?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Italian football’s imminent changing of the guard, the Bundesliga’s hectic Hinrunde, Luís Campos’s ill-fated dual Galician-Parisian project, Fiorentina’s crescendo, Real Madrid’s resilience in the face of winter fog, Patrik Schick’s golden opportunity and more. 1:35 - How might we make the argument that Serie A is currently one of the most competitive leagues in Europe? / 15:20 - Where did it go wrong for Luís Campos in his role as a strategic advisor to Celta Vigo? / 35:43 - What key factor has enabled Bundesliga debutants Heidenheim and their long-serving coach Franck Schmidt to defy all the early-season expectations?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the nuances of Girona’s miraculous LaLiga campaign, Lucas Chevalier’s box office goalkeeping, the main takeaways from Atalanta’s Lombardy derby win over AC Milan, Lille’s quietly impressive progress under Paulo Fonseca and more. 1:28 - Which 18-year-old Ligue 1 wonderkid looks destined to become France’s next great central defender? / 16:24 - Notwithstanding their recent transitional struggles, why should Empoli and Lecce stay true to the principles that have served them both so well over the past few seasons? / 42:38 - How might we assess Barcelona’s current state of health following their seismic 4-2 defeat at home to Girona?
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, Hellas Verona’s over-reliance on Cyril Ngonge and more. 1:39 - In what regard did Rayo Vallecano’s Matchday 13 encounter with Barcelona serve to highlight the current, stark contrast between the two sides?/ 20:46 - Where would be the ideal next step for Will Still as he looks to progress his promising managerial career? / 36:57 - How have Frankfurt adapted to life without Randal Kolo Muani and Jesper Lindstrøm following their respective summer departures to Paris Saint Germain and Napoli? / 48:17 - What were the main takeaways from and the wider significance of Inter’s recent 1-1 draw with Juventus?
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 become the next superstar to have graduated from Le Havre’s famed youth academy? What can we expect from Marcelino as he returns to Estadio de la Cerámica for a second spell in charge of Villarreal? Why have Lazio and Maurizio Sarri struggled to build on the relative success of last season? Where does Borussia Dortmund’s resounding 4-0 Der Klassiker loss to Bayern Munich leave Edin Terzić’s side?
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 assess the North Rhine-Westphalian club's chances of avoiding a first relegation to the second tier of German football since 2018? / 13:20 - Notwithstanding Jude Bellingham's recent Clásico headline crafting, in what sense are Real Madrid a dysfunctional team right now? / 29:43 - After a prolonged period of linear and enjoyable progress under Ivan Jurić, why have Torino struggled to pick up results in the first quarter or so of the current season? / 48:32 - How excited should we be about Ligue 1's latest teenage wonderkid, Eli Junior Kroupi?
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 did it go wrong for Philippe Clement at Monaco prior to his dismissal in July, and what tweaks has his successor, Adi Hütter made to enable the club’s early-season form? / 43:30 - Why have Almeria struggled to kick on from a summer transfer window in which they were LaLiga’s second highest net spenders? / 58:25 - Almost two years exactly to the day since we were lavishing praise on Bo Svensson’s Mainz side, what factors have contributed the club’s poor recent run of form?
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 Italiano and more. 2:15 - What should we expect from Gennaro Gattuso's Marseille side following the Italian manager's recent appointment against a backdrop of civil unrest at the Stade Vélodrome? / 19:18 - Which players can we expect to play an integral role in Udinese's bid to avoid a first relegation to Serie B since 1994? / 39:31 - What was the wider significance of Atlético Madrid's recent 3-1 derby win over Real Madrid? / 53:09 - Does Union Berlin's recent four-match losing streak in the Bundesliga represent merely a temporary setback for Urs Fischer's side, or are we perhaps seeing the start of a longer term malaise at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei?
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's summer signings of Xavi Simons (20), Loïs Openda (23), and Benjamin Šeško (20), could we perhaps argue that Marco Rose has one of the Bundesliga's most exciting attacks at his disposal? / 18:09 - What were the main takeaways from João Cancelo's and João Félix's recent Barcelona debuts, and, on a wider note, what is the Catalonian club's current direction of travel? / 33:02 - Against the backdrop of a decidedly public feud between Lyon's former and current owners, what can expect from the club's new manager, Fabio Grosso? / 45:21 - Following the news that 777 Partners has signed an agreement with Farhad Moshiri to acquire his full stake in Everton Football Club, how we would assess the investment firm's ownership of Genoa since taking over the club two years ago?
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 Madonnina be won and lost? / 27:47 - Which underlying numbers from Francesco Farioli's time in Turkey perhaps ought to have undermined the 34-year-old manager's social media bandwagon prior to his recent appointment by Nice? / 38:00 - With a level of expectation arguably not seen at Camp Nou since the emergence of a certain Leo Messi almost two decades ago, why should we be so excited about Barcelona's latest wonderkid, Lamine Yamal? / 50:29 - Following Bayer Leverkusen's perfect start to the new Bundesliga campaign and a summer of shrewd recruitment at the Bay Arena, how might we assess the club's chances of challenging Bayern Munich for the league title?
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 represent one of the biggest bargains of the summer? / 18:34 - With the Serie A spotlight intensifying on Jose Mourinho and Massimiliano Allegri, what should we expect from a revamped Roma and a youthful Juventus respectively across the 2023/2024 campaign? / 39:52 - How might we contextualise the palpable skepticism amongst the Strasbourg support following the club's recent takeover by BlueCo? / 53:17 - Which manager embodies arguably one of the greatest Bundesliga storylines of all time?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Samuel Umtiti’s redemption arc, LaLiga’s moment of self-reckoning, Stuttgart’s (potential) stay of execution, PSG’s empty title and more. Following another weekend dominated by headlines of the racist abuse to which Vinicius has consistently been subjected, what steps must Spanish football take next to address what is a persisting problem? What signs have we seen, if any, to suggest that Lazio can challenge for the Serie A title next season? In what sense does Alban Lafont’s disastrous end-of-season form represent relegation-threatened Nantes' final few months of the campaign in microcosm? In a narrative-laced final matchday of the Bundesliga campaign, which storyline is perhaps the most magical?
Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at 22-year-old Muhammed Cham’s fresh-faced spark, Roma's untimely domestic slump, Osasuna's unique journey from near-disappearance to near-glory, Bayern Munich's fallibility and more. 1:40 - To what extent have Clermont defied pre-season expectations, and how, exactly, have they done so? / 14:27 - In what regard is LaLiga's Lord of the Dark Arts an apt moniker for the reappointed Getafe manager, José Bordalás? / 27:52 - Why has 20-year-old Josh Doig received limited minutes recently at Hellas Verona, and, more generally, what does Doig's reduced gametime tell us on a wider note about the club's evolving playing style under Marco Zaffaroni as they look to maintain their top-flight status? / 45:32 - Where will the Bundesliga title race be won and lost over the final three matchdays?
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Another top pod! Vigo look much better & thrilled to see Brias Mendez doing well again always rated him still young. more then just Aspas in that team. On Nagelsmann one manage rwho has been quitely smashing it is Matarazzo who was is #2 at Hoffenheim. Been unreal at Stuggart in Bundesliga 2 winning promotion now with youngest team in Bundesliga. IMO might be the best American manager over Jesse Marcsh who is most #1 but Matarazzo is stacking is claim
P.S Dia is immense I'd like to see in PL but think Newcastle wouldn't be best club for him right now. Ligue 1 have so much young talent Ignatius Ganago, Amine Gouiri, Choiur, Norman, El Toure, Niane all U21 then Romain Perraud what a season start LB🔥
Great Episode. Union Berlin have been Immense, Knoche was great free, then Kruse been massive for them, Lenz & Trimmel & Keeper from Augsburg. Clever Business really like Nico Scottlerbeck though been out from Injury big young talent from Freiburg. And good looking kits! Can't go to games but what a season Serie A attacking more & Juve not top, Real Sociedad top La Liga Barca 10th, PL anything can happen & Ligue 1 so much talent. Look forward to the next one. Stay safe⚽🎧