On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

Two losses at the Bernabéu in four days and the Madrid media storm is kicking up around Xabi Alonso. But, is he to blame for Real Madrid’s issues? Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini try to get to the bottom of what’s really going wrong for Los Blancos.Elsewhere, Marseille have hit their straps in the Champions League. Andy outlines why the De Zerbi project has been a success so far. Plus, Nicky tries to explain Fiorentina’s woes, but can the club defy the odds and avoid relegation?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: 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.

Ajax are famed for their electric matchday atmosphere, but when their match against Groningen was abandoned after just six minutes due to a firework display, we have to ask: is this a symptom of Ajax's current situation? And what consequences should follow for those responsible?Dotun, Andy and Jonathan Johnson deliver their verdicts. Also on the agenda, why is Ligue 1 better than ever? Could AC Milan realistically move for Jean-Philippe Mateta? And why have Strasbourg banned one of their standout strikers from playing?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: 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.

Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Atlético Madrid kept them at the top of La Liga, but with Atleti missing a huge chance to close the gap on Spain's big boys, can we already write Diego Simeone's team out of the title race?Dotun and Andy are joined by Jonathan Johnson to discuss that. Plus, Kenan Yıldız continues to be the difference-maker for Juve as he proves decisive in three back-to-back wins for the Old Lady. Is he on his way to becoming the next superstar in Turin? And finally, things aren't so nice in Nice as their players are attacked by their own supporters following a sixth straight defeat. How on earth have things got this bad?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: 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.

Remember Jhon Durán, Premier League fans? He might be pulling muscles rather than exactly tearing up trees in Istanbul, but here he added to his big-game highlights reel and delivered in the 95th minute of the biggest game of all: the Intercontinental Derby.Andy and Lars Sivertsen relive an eventful Monday night kick off, one which leaves things very tight at the top of the Süper Lig! They reflect on Galatasaray's transformed midfield, who managed to take the fire out of the game, and discuss how Domenico Tedesco has been getting things so right at Fenerbahçe after an impressive start to the season. He's certainly doing better than his predecessor...To get involved on the Discord and enjoy ad-free episodes of On The Continent and more, head to patreon.com/footballramble and subscribe!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. 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 PSV’s decisive victory over Liverpool, we have to ask: did Arne Slot really just get taught a lesson from Peter Bosz? And what does such a commanding win mean for PSV’s European ambitions this season?Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars to break it all down. Also on the show, what will Daniele De Rossi have to do to restore Genoa's stature? Would a strong season at a club like Strasbourg be enough to get Ben Chilwell back into England contention? What will Joan Garcia's return mean for Barcelona?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: 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.

Diego Simeone's has got more weapons up his sleeve this season. He proved his firepower off the bench in Atlético’s win over Inter? But what about his mind games in the pre-match press conference? Could Simeone really be Inter manager one day, or was this just another trick in his arsenal?Dotun, Andy and “Nautical” Lars Sivertsen ponder over that. Plus, have Bayer Leverkusen turned a corner? And should Mainz and Fiorentina prioritise domestic or European commitments?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: 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.

On paper, grinding out a 1-0 victory over their city rivals was exactly what we'd expect from Max Allegri's AC Milan. But in fact, this game has really left Andy and Nicky Bandini scratching their heads...They discuss Mike Maignan's inspired performance for Milan and just where he ranks among the world's goalkeeping elite right now. Nicky also wonders whether Milan are quite as 'vintage Allegri' as this game suggested and why Inter continue to fall short in big games, despite dominating here.Plus, Andy and Nicky take a closer look at the Serie A title race, and why it's going to provide us with the best drama of any European league this season. Join us!To get involved on the Discord and enjoy ad-free episodes of On The Continent and more, head to patreon.com/footballramble and subscribe!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. 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 two years of renovations - and more than a few delays - Barcelona are finally returning home to Camp Nou. But will the homecoming spark a more promising chapter under Hansi Flick? Or does the move merely mask the club's deeper financial frailties?Andy is joined by Nicky Bandini and Lars Sivertsen to answer that question and more. Plus, if Napoli continue to drop points, who could replace Antonio Conte? What teams didn't want the international break? And what is unique about Jonathan Clauss' situation at Nice?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: 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.

Dear the Italians, where did those beautiful glory days go? After a crushing 4-1 defeat to Norway, Gennaro Gattuso's side had to settle for a play-off place. But even if they get to the World Cup, do they have any chance of competing?Andy is joined by Nicky Bandini and Lars Sivertsen to discuss that. Plus, after an uneasy exit from the Bundesliga, could Nick Woltemade be the man to give Germany some hope next summer? And finally, Paul Pogba is back... again! But what can we expect from him two years on from his last appearance?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: 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.

Atlético Madrid have confirmed the sale of a majority stake in the club. So with major investment expected in the squad and infrastructure, can Diego Simeone’s side mount a serious bid for their 12th La Liga title?Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to discuss that. Also on the agenda: why on earth did Ajax approach Marc Overmars to be their manager given his controversial departure? Will Atalanta build their way back after sacking Ivan Jurić? And why have Como employed a social media content creator as a scout?!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: 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.

You could hear the jeers across the continent as the international break reared its head once again. But for those of a Real Madrid persuasion, perhaps it's come at just the right time.Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to break down the reports of unhappiness within Real Madrid's squad. But it's not just in Madrid where trouble is brewing. Napoli are in all sorts of bother after defeat to Bologna. Is it happening again, Antonio? And finally, could a few months in Lyon be the solution to Endrick's stagnation?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: 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.

We had a five-goal thriller at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday night! PSG had to come back from two Lyon equalisers to take the three points on the banks of the Rhône.Andy is joined by Jonathan Johnson to discuss the game and all its ramifications. Have PSG shown enough weakness to suggest we could have a title fight on our hands?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: 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 Turkish Football Federation has suspended 149 referees over an alleged betting scandal. During his time at Fenerbahçe, José Mourinho was outspoken about refereeing standards - so does this vindicate him? And where does this leave Turkish football?Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars Sivertsen to answer that. Plus: are Qarabağ finally earning international recognition after a draw against Chelsea? Can Fiorentina avoid relegation following the dismissal of Stefano Pioli? And which underrated players have caught the eye of our experts?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: 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.

16 wins from 16, top of the Champions League and a 2-1 win over the European Champions while playing a half with 10 men. Bayern Munich have had a sensational start to the season. Today, Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen discuss why Vincent Kompany must take serious credit for what he’s created at Bayern.Elsewhere, does “beyond generational talent” Lamine Yamal need protecting from the difficulties of modern football? Plus, are Galatasaray dark horses in this season’s Champions League?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: 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 is joined by Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge to unpack Kevin De Bruyne's latest setback - a hamstring injury picked up while taking a penalty for Napoli. Was the Belgian playmaker wrong to move to a league as intense as Serie A?Also on the agenda: will Jamie Vardy get going for Cremonese after scoring his first league goal? Could Valencia finally get relegated this season after years of walking the tightrope? And have Bayern Munich (yet again) unearthed a teenage sensation in Lennart Karl?Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Ask 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: 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.

Italian football's most confusing team has taken another manager to the chopping block. Igor Tudor's stint at Juventus didn't last long, but after eight winless games, the executioner was called in to end his reign.Dotun is joined by Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge to discuss what went wrong for Tudor, and whether his successor Luciano Spalletti can beckon in the start of a new dynasty. Elsewhere, the fallout from Vinícius Júnior's outburst continues. What next for him? And the title fight is starting to heat up in the Netherlands.Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Ask 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: 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.

Xabi Alonso got his debut El Clásico win, and his Real Madrid side did it in some fashion! Jude Bellingham capped off a fantastic week as he scored the goal that kept Los Blancos top of La Liga.David Cartlidge joins Andy to dissect the game. Has Alonso finally unlocked Bellingham's brilliance? Is Barcelona's Pau Cubarsí/Eric García experiment over? And who's the new favourite to win La Liga? Join us for the debrief!Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Ask 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: 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 David Cartlidge answer more of your burning European football questions, as we try to find out why Ajax and Real Sociedad are in their respective messes - and how they can dig themselves out.Plus: can Schalke finally secure promotion? What’s the number 10’s place in European football after tough domestic starts for Florian Wirtz and Xavi Simons? And which European clubs would we like to manage ourselves?To get involved on the Discord and enjoy ad-free episodes of On The Continent and more, head to patreon.com/footballramble and subscribe!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. 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 PSG keep going full Jay-Z on the Champions League, how are the competition's big boys changing their approach to master the league phase? Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge unpack a record-breaking matchday.David is also left baffled by Antonio Conte's latest comments around their 6-2 thrashing in Eindhoven as his disastrous Champions League record continues. Andy explains why they have a Kevin De Bruyne problem.Plus, La Liga have already abandoned the Miami Plan™ after mounting player pressure. But it's far from over...Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025To get involved on the Discord and enjoy ad-free episodes of On The Continent and more, head to patreon.com/footballramble and subscribe!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. 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.

Bayern Munich are setting the tone as one of the most intense teams in Europe right now. And in the first half of Saturday's Der Klassiker, Borussia Dortmund certainly got a taste of that...Andy is joined by Archie Rhind-Tutt to mull over a relentess display from Bayern as Dortmund's unbeaten run finally comes to an end! They discuss just how important Luis Díaz has become for setting the tone of Vincent Kompany's team – and why there still remains chinks in the armour of this Bavarian juggernaut.Meanwhile, despite the result, Niko Kovač has continued to prove himself as an unlikely fit for Dortmund as he oversees a major reset in the dressing room – but after another difficult chapter in his Bundesliga career, can Jobe Bellingham play a part in the Kovač revolution?To get involved on the Discord and enjoy ad-free episodes of On The Continent and more, head to patreon.com/footballramble and subscribe!Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. 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.