On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

It's fair to say the appointment of Liam Rosenior at Chelsea hasn't gone down well with the fans of RC Strasbourg. In fact, their own supporters labelled the move "another humiliating step in Strasbourg’s subservience to Chelsea." Oof. Not a great look. Miguel Delaney joins Dotun and Andy to share their thoughts on what the appointment means for the future of BlueCo and Strasbourg. Plus, Gonzalo G...

Today, Andy is joined by Thomas Broich - former Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Köln and German U21 international who, as the Head of Borussia Dortmund’s Youth Academy, is now inspiring and nurturing the next generation at one of the most exciting youth academies in world football. With Dortmund in the UK for the Premier League International Cup, Andy sat down for a fascinating conversation about the...

The start of a new year is nearly here, which naturally means new beginnings and new questions. Today, David Cartlidge joins Andy to answer a question that is relevant every single year - but never more so than in a World Cup year. Who will be the breakout stars of 2026? Ask us a question on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok , and email us here:  otc@footballramble.com ....

Few players have gone on the journey that Benfica and Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin has been on. War has affected every part of Ukrainian football. Today, Trubin joins Andy to share his experience of playing for Shakhtar and Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022. Plus, he discusses his move to Benfica, the difficulties he had adapting to life in Portugal and playing under “the Special On...

Merry Christmas, one and all! As the year draws to a close and 2026 beckons, we’re answering some of your questions about this year in European football. Andy is joined by Lars and David to explore why next year’s World Cup could be historic, which teams exceeded expectations, what players we would gift to a club, whether England’s set-piece fever has made it’s way to mainland Europe - and of cour...

Everyone knows Kylian Mbappé, the historic glamour of Real Madrid and how Pep Guardiola revolutionised football as we know it. But what about those unexplored stories found through La Liga’s illustrious history? Andy’s joined by Brendan Madden - author of the brilliant new book ‘Once Upon a Time in La Liga’ - for a chat about how he’s uncovered the league’s most incredible hidden stories while wat...

As Robert Lewandowski weighs up a possible move to MLS, Andy, Dotun and David Cartlidge reflect on the career of one of Europe's most prolific strikers. Where does the Polish icon rank among the continent's all-time great forwards? Also on the show: could Jobe Bellingham leave Borussia Dortmund after yet another setback? Who can Barcelona bring in to replace Ronald Araújo? And which unsung players...

PSG were crowned Intercontinental Cup winners last night. The what, sorry? Exactly. But elsewhere, it was another PSG match-up that really made the headlines, this time in the courtroom as Kylian Mbappé was awarded €60m from his former club. What does the ruling mean for PSG’s image going forward? David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to debate that before turning to Türkiye where rumours linking M...

Join Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini as they coast through more of your continental queries! If you're curious about the latest young English striker making waves in the Bundesliga, wondering whether Antonio Conte is prioritising Napoli's domestic form at the Champions League's expense or struggling to comprehend the scale of the betting scandal engulfing Turkish football - well, we've got you cover...

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...

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 M...

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 f...

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 reflec...

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 en...

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...

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'...

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 An...

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 s...

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? Wil...

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...

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&nbsp...

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...

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 o...

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 w...

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. Elsewhe...