The Optus Football Podcast

John Aloisi joins David Weiner for a group-by-group preview of UEFA EURO 2020, looking at who should progress, who might fall short, and who has the potential for European glory.  - Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales - Group B: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Russia. - Group C: Austria, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Ukraine. - Group D: Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Scotland. - Group E:...

John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and Heather Garriock join David Weiner for this final Matchday Edition of the GegenPod after Chelsea clinched the UEFA Champions League against Manchester City in Porto. The panel dissect all the big story lines from the 1-0 win, including the making of Kai Havertz and how Thomas Tuchel edged Pep Guardiola, and where the City boss might have erred in his selection in a...

Australian football legends John Aloisi, Heather Garriock and Luke Wilkshire join David Weiner to dissect a gripping morning. The crew dissect where it all went wrong for Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, David De Gea and co, ask what happens next for the club to finally end their trophy drought, and celebrate Unai Emery's underdog triumph with the team that finished seventh in La Liga. We...

A bonus episode for GegenPod listeners this week, as Mark Schwarzer and Ollie Geale bring their instant reactions to matchweek 38. The drama, the emotion...the WINNERS! What a journey this Premier League season has been. During this episode, we dissect the drama of the final day as well as look back on the big winners and losers of the season. Pep Guardiola's emotional interview. Who is the player...

John Aloisi and Luke Wilkshire join David Weiner to discuss:  All the latest in the race for the Premier League top four and European positions including: Liverpool's win over Burnley, Chelsea edging Leicester, West Ham guaranteed a European spot, who makes the Conference League - and what is it - and what might play out on the Premier League's final day this weekend. Tottenham's terrible day...

John Aloisi and Michael Bridges join David Weiner for a jam packed GegenPod, where the boys discuss:  - Arsenal's 1-0 win over Chelsea - All the mid-week news, including Manchester United's defeat to Leicester, Manchester City clinching the title and Fulham going down.  - Where to City rank in history? - Is Scott Parker really ready for a job like Tottenham?  - European tour: La Lig...

In this special bonus episode of the GegenPod, Optus Sport's Mark Schwarzer has a candid one-on-one with the man who replaced him in the green & gold: Mat Ryan. They discuss: His move from Brighton, and how he looks back on his time with the Seagulls How moving to Arsenal has demanded he become a better player The challenge of dethroning Bernd Leno as the Gunners' #1 goalkeeper What the next 1...

The UEFA Champions League Final is decided: Manchester City v Chelsea. John Aloisi, Thomas Sorensen, Michael Bridges and David Weiner wrap up a big week of European action: Were Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard underdone for Real Madrid? Can the Blues storm through and take down the Man City juggernaut? Sam Kerr and her Chelsea team close in on a stunning title win Who on earth will end up with those...

John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and Thomas Sorensen join David Weiner for a big Wednesday Matchday Edition of the GegenPod. The boys go in-depth on Manchester City’s semi-final triumph over Paris Saint-Germain, including the Parisians’ implosion, and how Pep Guardiola masterminded their ascent to the final they covet. We also look ahead to Thursday’s blockbuster at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea and R...

John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and Thomas Sorensen join David Weiner for another Matchday Edition of the GegenPod. The guys go in-depth into how Pep Guardiola masterminded Manchester City's comeback from 1-0 down at Paris Saint-Germain, and then look ahead to the upcoming Europa League and Premier League action on Optus Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and Thomas Sorensen join David Weiner for your Wednesday Matchday Edition of the GegenPod, where the gang discuss: Real Madrid 1, Chelsea 1 Where was it won and lost? What happens now to Timo Werner? The Karim Benzema factor. Who goes through at Stamford Bridge? Preview: Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City Julian Nagelsmann to Bayern Munich: What happens now for Tott...

The boys discuss: What next for football after Super League chaos? The Champions League changes that slipped under the radar. Football! Jose out, Mason in. Phil Foden sparkles for Manchester City at Villa: Is be moving towards Haaland-Mbappe stage? Mat Ryan’s potential permanent Arsenal deal. Latest in the Championship race. Ed Woodward’s legacy Upcoming fixtures including Chelsea v West Ham, plus...

Richard Bayliss is joined by John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and David Weiner to wrap another huge week of UEFA Champions League action. The crew discuss: Where it went wrong for Liverpool & what happens next. Early predictions for Real Madrid v Chelsea. The night Phil Foden helped Pep Guardiola return to the semi-finals stage. England's incredible talent. Friday's Europa League: Mikel Arteta's j...

Richard Bayliss is joined by John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and David Weiner for a Champions League review. Hear: How PSG held off Bayern in spectacular tie Whether this was the very best of Neymar How Chelsea just about held out in Seville Whether Porto should’ve had a last gasp penalty A Thursday morning look ahead The wash up from two Matildas defeats A mention for Coventry City Hosted on Acast....

Richard Bayliss is joined by John Aloisi, Thomas Sorensen and David Weiner for a Champions League review. Hear: How PSG held off Bayern in a classic Where Mbappe finally lifts the trophy  How confident Chelsea supporters should be  Predictions that will probably prove wrong A Europa League preview  A Weekend look ahead Jose out chat  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Richard Bayliss is joined by John Aloisi, Thomas Sorensen, Kevin Muscat and David Weiner for a Champions League review. Hear: Where it went wrong for Liverpool in Madrid Whether another Spanish turnaround could happen How nervous should Man City be? What Haaland is like at close quarters Kev’s tips for thawing out A Thursday morning preview A rare Norwich City discussion Hosted on Acast. See acast...

John Aloisi and Thomas Sorensen are on deck with David Weiner for this week's episode of the GegenPod. The guys discuss: - All the big talking points from the World Cup Qualifiers, headlined by Germany's disastrous loss to North Macedonia.  - England progress report. - An update to Johnny's Power Rankings. - Where to next for Sergio Aguero, and Sorensen's memories trying to stop him. - Mohame...

We've got two World Cup goal scorers on this week's GegenPod, as John Aloisi and Brett Holman join David Weiner for football's biggest talking points. The guys discuss: Hot topics: Dembele's Atletico health scare What Newcastle must do now for their future The winners and losers from the Champions League draw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's FA Cup mistake The boys' favourite individual success stories of t...

Richard Bayliss, Michael Bridges, Thomas Sorensen and David Weiner are joined by Mark Schwarzer on Thursday's GegenPod, as he shares his thoughts having witnessed Chelsea v Atletico - a fixture he has played in - at Stamford Bridge. We discuss: How Thomas Tuchel got the better of Diego Simeone. Is this side good enough to cause a few surprises still in this competition this season? Bayern's demoli...

Thomas Sorensen and Michael Bridges join Richard Bayliss and David Weiner for your Matchday mid-week GegenPod hit. On today's episode, the team discuss: De Bruyne, Foden and potentially, Pep Guardiola's Best XI Can you discount Real Madrid, and why is there not more Benzema love? What will happen when Chelsea host Atletico? Can City win four trophies this season, and are Bayern, who face Lazio on...

John Aloisi and Thomas Sorensen join Richard Bayliss and David Weiner to wrap an incredibly dramatic Champions League morning Hear from the guys on an endless list of stories including: How Liverpool found form in Budapest against Leipzig Another day of officiating controversy that has John and Tom fuming! What now for Barca, and what to make of PSG's display? Manchester City 5, Southampton 2. Eur...

John Aloisi and Thomas Sorensen join Richard Bayliss and David Weiner to wrap an incredibly dramatic Champions League morning Hear from the guys on an endless list of stories including: Dortmund and Porto progressing amidst the madness What next for Ronaldo and Juventus? Erling Haaland predicted to score 4 billion goals Look ahead to Liverpool v Leipzig and PSG v Barcelona Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Former Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan joins Michael Bridges and David Weiner for this week's episode of the GegenPod. The current Macarthur captain, once a teammate of Bridgey at Sydney FC, shares some superb stories from his career, while also providing a unique take on current Premier League talking points. What is it like being a central midfielder asked to play in defence, like Fabinho and Jo...

John Aloisi, Luke Wilkshire and David Weiner join Richard Bayliss for another Matchday Edition of the GegenPod: The crew dissect Manchester City against Borussia Monchengladbach and Atalanta against Real Madrid, which saw today’s biggest flash point. Dele Alli’s star role in the Europa League is also on the agenda, as we also look ahead to a busy few days in the Europa League and Premier League, h...

John Aloisi, Michael Bridges and David Weiner join Richard Bayliss to review Wednesday’s Champions League action. The panel discuss: Olivier Giroud’s incredible winner for Chelsea How Bayern Munich trounced Lazio And we look ahead to Thursday’s action. We also review Leeds’ impressive win against Southampton, why Raphinah’s form could be a curse, as well as a blessing and how long Southampton will...