On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

Real Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or after Rodri beat Vinicius Jr to the main prize. Were they right to do so or was it a convenient distraction after they lost 4-0 to Barcelona? Today, Dotun Adebayo, Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge explain why they don’t support Real Madrid’s decision to skip the ceremony.Elsewhere, Antonio Conte’s Napoli are top of Serie A. Can they go all the way and how are Inter coping with the pressure of being favourites? Plus, David and Nicky tell you everything you need to know about Rúben Amorim.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!***

Vinícius Júnior is the favourite for the Ballon d”Or, but has he actually been the best player in the world? Meanwhile, Nuri Şahin’s Borussia Dortmund looked good against Real Madrid until they didn’t - was it an embarrassment for the Dortmund coach?Plus, Monaco’s unbeaten streak continues, there’s a second giant on the horizon in Paris, and could Roma legend Francesco Totti really make a comeback?Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini are here with the answers!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!***

Andy joins us live from Barcelona airport after watching Raphinha & co bury Bayern Munich. Today, he tells Dotun and Nicky Bandini why it is one of the best games he has been to in a long time.Elsewhere, is it too early to say Juventus’ home form is a crisis? Nicky thinks so but she also explains why Thiago Motta’s side are still a work in progress. Plus, Peter Bosz’s PSV are flying once again. Maybe doing plan A better is all they needed all along…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!***

With Thomas Tuchel now on the growing list of successful club managers to join a national team, can we say that international management is becoming cool again? Meanwhile, as Spain's 19-match unbeaten run in competitive fixtures continues, are they the very early favourites for the World Cup?Atlético Madrid and Lazio are handed small fines after their fans were found guilty of racist behaviour – why wasn't the punishment more severe? Plus, Yohan Cabaye gets a promotion and Mario Balotelli is set to sign for Genoa.Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen are here with the answers.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!***

Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager and the German media are having a field day, obviously. Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen explain why Tuchel could actually be suited to international coaching for one surprising reason.Elsewhere, Man City have hired a new sporting director from Sporting, while there's more financial turmoil in France after beIN SPORTS failed to pay for their Ligue 1 TV rights. But what are the consequences?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!***

Paul Pogba's ban has been reduced to 18 months, but where does his future lie? After disobeying Paulo Fonseca’s penalty instructions, how do you reinstate order to a group of players seemingly not listening to the coach?Plus, the rise of Omar Marmoush, the future of Frenkie de Jong, and a reflection on Andrés Iniesta's influence on the European game. Dotun, Andy, and David Cartlidge are here with the answers.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!***

From the Reds to Red Bull. Jürgen Klopp has been appointed RB's Global Head of Soccer. What does the job mean? And why has the news been received so badly in Germany? Dotun, Andy and David discuss the hugely controversial move.Elsewhere, David tells us why it’s no longer about Kvara-dona but McToma-dona as Antonio Conte’s Napoli sit pretty at the top of Serie A, and as life without Antoine Griezmann begins amidst Kylian Mbappé’s absence from the France camp, we examine France’s leadership problem and why Didier Deschamps is to blame. Come join us!Ask us a question on X, 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!***

An Ousmane Dembélé-less PSG suffered defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday, so does this prove the Parisians are better off with Dembélé in their side? Marco Rose described Juventus as one of the favourites to win the Champions League, but is that fair or is Rose getting overexcited? Plus, Robert Lewandowski keeps scoring, Pep Lijnders struggles with Salzburg, and should Andrea Pirlo call time on his managerial career?Join Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini for the answers.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!***

Two wins from two for Bayer Leverkusen but are they contenders for the Champions League? Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini assess how equipt Xabi Alonso’s side are to fight on two fronts.Elsewhere, there have been a number of heavy defeats in this season’s Champions League, is the new format to blame or could it be another reason? And José Mourinho has written some new hits but can he be a success in Türkiye?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!***