The Road to Nowhere European Football Podcast

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. In presenting their alternative end-of-season awards, the boys look at Siniša Mihajlović's legendary legacy, Habib Diarra's emergence as one of Ligue 1's most coveted teenagers, the Basque country’s disproportionate impact on Spanish football, Schalke's fruitless Rückrunde resurgence, and more. Why is Union Berlin manager, Urs Fischer fully deserving of Road to Nowhere cult hero status?What silver linings are there for Sampdoria following a season to forget for i Blucerchiati? Which LaLiga duo would be well-suited to a stint in the Love Island villa? In what regard is Nantes' prolongation of their top-flight status a positive for Ligue 1 as a whole?

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?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Sevilla’s Europa League love affair, Italian football’s apparent renaissance, Florian Wirtz's transformational post-ACL return to the Bayer Leverkusen squad, Lyon’s homegrown frontline, and more. 1:35 - What signs have we seen, if any, from Xabi Alonso's fledgling career in the dugout to suggest that he can fulfil his seemingly presupposed managerial destiny? / 12:41 - What is the wider significance of the decision taken by the Italian Olympic Committee’s Board of Guarantors to overturn the sizeable points deduction previously imposed on Juventus? / 29:11 - Where might Osasuna be able to have some joy against Real Madrid in the upcoming Copa del Rey final? / 43:39 - How have academy graduates Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola in particular benefitted from Lyon's decision to appoint Laurent Blanc as the club's new manager back in October?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Alex Collings and Ninad Barbidikar (of Everybody's Eats Ligue 1 podcast fame) to discuss and analyse the latest Europe football news. The boys look at Fiorentina's recent resurgence, Eduardo Camavinga’s increasingly secure place in Real Madrid’s strongest starting eleven, the 18-year-old heir to Malo Gusto’s Lyonnais throne, the thinking behind Bayern Munich’s decision to part company with Julian Nagelsmann, and more. 1:49 - Why would Julian Nagelsmann and Real Madrid perhaps not be the best fit for each other? / 15:57 - What factors have enabled and characterised Samu Chukwueze’s recent efflorescence? / 32:36 - Why is Mike Maignan arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now? / 52:53 - Which qualities makes Desiré Doué one of the most promising teenage talents in Ligue 1, and arguably all of Europe, right now?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Albert and Barney (of Long Ball Futebol podcast fame) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Alasdair's recent Derby della Capitale matchday experience in Rome, Sevilla's short-, medium-, and long-term concerns, Nicolás Otamendi's role in 19-year-old Antonio Silva’s development at Benfica, Pedro Gonçalves' most effective position and more. 3:01 - In what sense has Joselu taken the scenic route to international football, and why, despite his antics, should we have a soft spot for the veteran Espanyol forward? / 18:00 - Where was the recent Derby della Capitale won and lost, and what was the wider significance of the final result? / 32:20 - To what extent does Joao Mario’s rejuvenation reflect more generally Benfica’s positive direction of travel?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Luke Entwistle (of Get French Football News and the official Ligue 1 podcast fame) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Villarreal's post-Emery struggles, Ivan Jurić's impressive managerial résumé, Monaco’s hopes and expectations for Eliesse Ben Seghir, Schalke’s first-rate fanbase and more. 1:29 - What factors have contributed to Schalke's apparent post-winter break turnaround, and, with that turnaround in mind, how might we now rate the club's chances of avoiding the drop? / 14:12 - What impact has Gian Piero Gasperini had on Italian football's coaching and tactical landscape? / 27:37 - How might we evaluate Monaco’s progress to date under Philippe Clement, and, looking ahead, how might we assess the club’s current direction of travel on and off the field of play? / 42:46 - Why might Ronald Araujo be regarded as one of the best defenders in the world right now?  

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Malick Thiaw's emergence as a key figure in AC Milan's back three, Frédéric Antonetti's managerial credentials, Borussia Dortmund's post-World Cup resurgence, Real Sociedad's Europa League date with Roma and more. 1:39 - How have Scottish prospects Lewis Ferguson and Josh Doig acclimatised to life at Bologna and Hellas Verona respectively? / 18:21 - What factors are fuelling Union Berlin's quite astonishing title push, and, on a wider note, what would winning the Bundesliga or even securing Champions League football mean for the club as a whole? / 35:24 - What were the key takeaways from the most recent edition of the Madrid derby? / 52:29 - Why have Strasbourg struggled to emulate last season's success this time around, and, looking ahead, how might we rate their chances of survival following the appointment of Frédéric Antonetti as the club's new manager? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Barcelona's home comforts, Wolfsburg's system-enabling tenacity, Cremonese's contrasting league and cup fortunes, Nice's newfound optimism, and more. 1:56 - In a Wolfsburg squad laced with young talent and a sprinkling of more experienced, sage heads, who can we expect to see play a key role for Die Wölfe in the remaining fourteen league games as they look to secure a European spot? / 14:53 - Why didn't Andoni Iraola's move to Leeds United ultimately materialise? / 32:32 - Where and how does Didier Digard’s spell in charge of Nice sit within the wider picture of the club's Jim Ratcliffe era? / 49:20 - Despite Simone Inzaghi's hitherto trophyless spell in charge of Inter Milan, how has the 46-year-old kept his side's spirits high? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the Bundesliga's decidedly on-brand Matchday 16 goal rush, Empoli's flourishing youth academy, the wider significance of the most recent edition of the Madrid derby, Salis Abdul Samed's promising start to life at high-flying Lens and more. 1:40 - Which Lens players in particular can we expect to see play a key role as Franck Haise's side look to secure a place in Europe and perhaps even push for the title? / 14:38 - Why, in layman's terms, have Juventus been deducted fifteen points by the Italian Football Federation? / 32:18 - How have the dynamics of the Madrid derby evolved over the last decade or so? / 50:18 - What factors suggest that Thomas Letsch's Bochum side can avoid the drop and secure a third successive season in German football's top flight?  

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Joe Donnohue (the voice of Scouted Football) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. In spotlighting several young prospects and developing storylines to follow over the second half of the season, the boys look at Freiburg's sensible recruitment, Villarreal’s dexterous starlet, Will Still’s managerial odyssey, Giorgio Scalvini’s aggressive style of play and more. 1:58 - After a heartbreaking conclusion to Freiburg’s previous Bundesliga campaign, how would we rate their chances of securing a place in the Champions League this time around? / 20:41 - How might we successfully argue that Real Sociedad are the best-run club in Spanish football? / 35:38 - Which young Italian defender has played in a key role in Atalanta’s uncharacteristic defensive resilience this season? / 50:13 - What signs have we seen to suggest that Monaco’s 17-year-old Eliesse Ben Seghir can build on his dream Ligue 1 debut against Auxerre at the end of 2022?

Alasdair and Michael discuss and analyse the latest action on and off the pitch so far in Qatar. The boys look at Lionel Messi’s swan song, Morocco’s endearing collectivism, Kylian Mbappé’s palpable winning mentality, Croatia’s inevitable exhaustion, and more. Notwithstanding the fact that Antoine Griezmann has not scored any goals in Qatar, how might we argue that the 31-year-old has been the best player of the 2022 World Cup? Where will Sunday's final between France and Argentina be won and lost? Where does Morocco's Qatari odyssey rank amongst the all-time great World Cup underdog stories? What apparently fatal mistake did Croatia make in their 3-0 loss against Argetina? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest action on and off the pitch so far in Qatar. The boys look at the evolution of Louis van Gaal’s Dutch side over the course of the tournament, Antoine Griezmann's integral role as the orchestrator of the French attack, Fernando Santos’ bold but vindicated decision to hand a start to Gonçalo Ramos, and more. After scraping through against Australia, how well-equipped are Argentina for their quarter-final showdown with The Netherlands? Which Croatian trait might prove decisive against high-flying Brazil? To what extent might France's apparent defensive frailties hinder their bid to become only the third country in history to retain the World Cup title? Having conceded just once in over 400 minutes of football in Qatar, could Morocco become the first ever African nation to secure a place in a World Cup semi-final?

Barlow and Michael are joined by long-time friend of the podcast, Alan Feehely for a look at the action on and off the pitch so far in Qatar. The boys discuss Lionel Messi’s mixed fortunes during the group stage, the case for Australia to be the tournament's most compelling country, the USA’s consistency, and more. After cruising through their group, how many more layers are there to England in the knockouts? Which underlying statistic showed that Germany have improved over the last four years despite another group stage exit? Are Spain serious contenders to France’s throne? Did Denmark's Euro 2020 run overshadow their tactical and technical deficiencies?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. In spotlighting several intriguing storylines to follow at the 2022 World Cup, the boys look at Luka Modrić's poetic apprentice, Theo Hernandez’s advanced role in France’s possible 3-4-1-2 formation, Hirving Lozano’s cult hero status, Jude Bellingham's career trajectory and more. How has Napoli's Hirving Lozano evolved as a player since his scintillating performance for Mexico against Germany at the 2018 World Cup? Which two Bundesliga teenagers look well-equipped to dominate world football over the next decade or so? Notwithstanding the fact that Jonathan Clauss has since been left out of Didier Deschamps's French squad heading to Qatar, why would the 30-year-old's inclusion in said squad have represented the perfect World Cup story? What parallels can be drawn between 25-year-old Dutch international, Frenkie de Jong and 24-year-old Uruguayan international, Fede Valverde?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Alex Collings (of Scouted Football, Football Per 90, and Pot Shot Podcast fame) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Fiorentina's contrasting fortunes domestically and in Europe, Lyon's existentialism, the apparent decline of Schalke's erstwhile prestigious youth academy, Real Valladolid's purple patch, and more. Now in his fourth season at Atlético de Madrid, what does the future hold for 22-year-old João Félix? What have been the main factors behind Schalke's failure to reacclimatise to the Bundesliga? How would we assess Juninho's two-and-a-half-year tenure as Lyon's Sporting Director, and what was the wider significance of his departure from that role at the end of 2021? Which underlying statistic illustrates the extent to which Lazio have evolved tactically under Maurizio Sarri? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the wider significance of Florian Wirtz's long-term absence for Bayer Leverkusen, Bologna's post-Siniša Mihajlović regression, the main factors behind the alarming drop-off in Barcelona's attacking output, FC Lorient's narrative-laced start to life under Régis Le Bris and more. 1:38 - Where did it all go wrong for Swiss coach, Gerardo Seoane after such an impressive first season in charge at Bayer Leverkusen? / 20:26 - Stylistically and emotionally speaking, what are the main differences between the new Sevilla coach, Jorge Sampaoli and his predecessor, Julen Lopetegui? / 38:10 - How has Lorient gaffer, Régis Le Bris's coaching background facilitated his seemingly effortless summer move into first team management? / 48:30 - Which statistic best illustrates Inter's defensive woes this season, and to what extent do those woes suggest a wider emerging trend for Simone Inzaghi's side? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Destiny Udogie's development at high-flying Udinese, Athletic Club's European aspirations under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, Sheraldo Becker's xG-defying exploits, Toulouse's Scottish connection and more. 2:07 - Which factors have enabled Toulouse's post-nadir rebirth? / 19:21 - How might we explain the comparisons that have been drawn between Antonio Conte and Udinese manager, Andrea Sottil? / 35:30 - What is it that makes Girona such a simultaneously unpopular, curious, and entertaining LaLiga side? / 50:06 - Can Union Berlin 'do a Leicester'?

Alasdair and Barlow are joined by Richard David Pike (Breaking the Lines) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Seville's evolving footballing landscape, Heart of Midlothian's rude Europa Conference League awakening, the heir apparent to Darwin Núñez's Benfica throne, Union Saint-Gilloise's defiance of post-Felice Mazzù expectations, Pascal Janssen’s managerial credentials and more. 1:47 - Following Benfica's intriguing summer transfer window, how well-equipped are Roger Schmidt's side to end their recent domestic silverware drought? / 13:34 - What can we expect in the short and long term from Union Saint-Gilloise following their successful return to Belgian football's top flight? / 22:43 - Taking into account Real Betis' supposed lack of squad depth, should Manuel Pellegrini prioritise Europa League glory or a top four finish in LaLiga? / 32:27 - What was the wider significance of Hearts' sobering 4-0 loss at home to Istanbul Basaksehir? / 43:58 - How far can Pascal Janssen’s AZ Alkmaar side progress in the Europa Conference League?  

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the roles of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga in Real Madrid's post-Casemiro midfield, Dortmund's rather enduring incompetency, Sampdoria's early season misery, and Angel Gomes' promising partnership with Benjamin André in Lille's double pivot. 1:47 - Just how central could 21-year-old Georgian international, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia be to Napoli's exciting new dawn, and why might Luciano Spalletti be the perfect coach to help Tanguy Ndombelé rediscover his 2017 form? / 19:42 - Why should we perhaps have foreseen that Lille's wh ite-knuckled Fonseca-ball would be brutally exposed by PSG's scintillating front three on Matchday 3? / 34:42 - What should be our main takeaways from Oli Burke’s early-season heroics at Werder Bremen, and, looking ahead, what can we realistically expect from the Kirkcaldy-born forward as the season develops? / 49:20 - Notwithstanding Valencia's ostensibly underwhelming start to the new campaign, how might we explain the growing sense of optimism at Mestalla? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Lucien Favre's second dawn at Nice, Roma's tantalising squad dynamics, Micky van de Ven's promising trajectory at Wolfsburg, and the wider significance of Takefusa Kubo's permanent move to Real Sociedad. 1:31 - With Luka Jović looking to rediscover his goalscoring form of yesteryear, why might Vincenzo Italiano's Fiorentina represent the perfect destination for the 24-year-old? / 18:05 - Taking into account the emerging trends over the last few transfer windows, how close are we to the almost universally unpopular European Super League project becoming a reality? / 37:53 - Holistically speaking, where does Monaco's most recent European setback leave the eight-times champions of France? / 53:52 - Following Wolfsburg's FIFA Career Mode-esque summer transfer business, what should our expectations be this season for the 2008/2009 Bundesliga champions?

Alasdair, Barlow, and Michael are joined by Patrick Caskie (tactical expert of Scouted Football and Breaking the Lines fame) and Byron Hutchinson (Recruitment Analyst at Viking FC, and Social Media Lead at the Bundesliga) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the striking similarities between Valencia's current direction of travel and Deportivo de La Coruña's well-documented decline, Juve's rather evocative approach to recruitment, the impact of Robert Lewandowski's departure on Bayern Munich's style of play and European aspirations, and the wider significance of PSG's seemingly trend-reversing appointments of Christophe Galtier and Luis Campos. 2:48 - Having reached consecutive Champions League finals and won the league under Rafa Benítez shortly after the turn of the century, why do Valencia now find themselves in such an alarming state of flux? / 20:06 - Do the summer personnel changes at Paris Saint Germain represent merely a temporary deviation from their typically lavish approach to hoovering up trophies, or are we seeing a genuine shift towards a more permanent culture change for the ten-times champions of France? / 34:44 - Tactically and more generally speaking, what can we expect from Julien Nagelsmann's Bayern Munich in the post- Lewandowski era? / 46:23 - Focusing in particular on the recent signings of Ángel Di María and the returning Paul Pogba, in what sense can Juventus perhaps look back to look forward?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. In announcing their alternative end-of-season awards, the boys look at Sanjin Prcić's mesmeric play-making at the base of Strasbourg's midfield, Serie A's scandal of the year, Hamburg's perpetual misfortune, the opening scene of Carlo Ancelotti's sophisticated biopic and more. 3:05 - Which LaLiga club's president's remarks landed him Spanish football's "Bitterest Ex" award? / 16:59 - Who is Serie A's most quintessential journeyman? / 34:53 - Which three iconic moments defined Bochum's memorable first season back in German football's top flight after an eleven-year hiatus? / 45:16 - What makes Teji Savanier such a worthy recipient of the RTN Ligue 1 Cult Hero Award?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Genoa's numerous false dawns, Clermont Foot's architecturally anomalous Stade Gabriel-Montpied, Bayer Leverkusen's resplendent Rückrunde, Espanyol's apparent short-sightedness and more. 3:04 - Following Levante's and Alavés' relegations to the Segunda, what conclusions can we draw from their respective seasons as a whole? / 19:47 - Just how remarkable an achievement is Clermon Foot's Ligue 1 survival in itself, and, holistically speaking, what factors have enabled the club from southeast-central France to defy the pre-season odds? / 30:31 - Which aspects of Patrik Schick's game make him such an effective goalscorer, and, more generally, how do Bayer Leverkusen play in order to harness the 26-year-old's full power and potential? / 40:24 - How will Genoa's relegation affect Serie A next season, and can we expect the nine-times champions of Italy to make a swift return to the top flight?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at 22-year-old Nico Schlotterbeck's intimidating aerial prowess, Carlo Ancelotti's peerless coaching experience, Monaco's idiosyncratic place within the wider Ligue 1 ecosystem, Salernitana's heroic Serie A survival bid, and more. 2:50 - To what extent has AC Milan's resilient character enabled the Rossoneri to find themselves within touching distance of a first Serie A title since 2011? / 18:31 - What would the potential departure of their Sporting Director, Paul Mitchell mean for Monaco, and, more generally, what does the future hold for the principality club? / 35:14 - Which factors have made this year's Copa del Rey one of the most captivating editions of the competition in recent memory? / 50:22 - Why have Freiburg been so devastatingly effective from set-pieces this season?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Lyon's defensive friability, Gian Piero Gasperini's Sword of Damocles, Union Berlin's derby dominance, Real Madrid's bouncebackability and more. 2:49 - What was the mood like in the Olympiastadion before, during, and after the most recent edition of the Berlin derby, and, tactically speaking, where was the game ultimately won and lost? / 16:49 - How has Ivan Jurić moulded early-season relegation favourites Torino into one of the most effective defensive units in Serie A? / 30:27 - Having upset the proverbial apple cart with their characteristically boisterous approach against Manchester City, how are so-called pantomime villains Atletico Madrid generally perceived in Spain? / 44:40 - What has been the root cause of Lyon's Ligue 1 tribulations so far this season, and, on a more positive note, which two OL youngsters look destined for stellar careers? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Ligue 1's riveting recent battle of the wing-backs, 22-year-old Beto's endearing journey from Lisbon's district leagues to scoring a Serie A hat-trick for Udinese, the perhaps inevitable impact of Julen Lopetegui's desired playing style on Sevilla's ageing squad, Hertha Berlin's latest left-field roll of the proverbial dice, and more. 2:38 - Where was Strasbourg's weighty Ligue 1 clash with RC Lens won and lost, and how did Julian Stéphan's side cope so admirably without the influential midfield duo of Adrien Thomasson and Sanjin Prciç? / 14:27 - Which particular aspect of new RCD Mallorca head coach, Javier Aguirre’s personality might play a key role in the islanders’ bid to avoid the drop to the Segunda, and, more generally, what style of management can we expect from the former Mexico boss at the Visit Mallorca Estadi? / 31:53 - Tactically and stylistically speaking, how might we explain Juventus' damaging recent defeat to Inter Milan? / 48:23 - What does Felix Magath's CV tell us about the 68-year-old's ability or otherwise to steer Hertha Berlin away from the Bundesliga's relegation zone?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Carlo Ancelotti's faltering job security, Borna Sosa’s irresistible partnership with Sasa Kalajdžić, Lazio’s Derby Della Capitale wake-up call, Jonathan Clauss’ professional pilgrimage and more. 2:10 - How might we explain Stuttgart’s inability this campaign to replicate last season’s impressive Bundesliga form? / 14:07 - What was the wider, long-term significance of Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the most recent edition of El Clásico, and, tactically speaking, where was the game won and lost? / 32:03 - Holistically speaking, what have been the principal factors behind a rather dismal season in Europe for Italian club football? / 46:47 - Why was Jonathan Clauss’ recent call-up to the French national team so decidedly wholesome?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Dortmund's shortcomings on and off the field of play, Alexander Blessin's unbeaten start to life as Genoa manager, Nantes' inconsistently electric front three, Valencia's Copa del Rey euphoria and more. 2:26 - Tactically speaking, what were the key factors behind AC Milan's recent win over Napoli? / 20:36 - Following their calamitous exit from the Europa League, where do Borussia Dortmund go from here? / 29:30 - Why might there be a substantive argument to be made that Nantes' 23-year-old captain, Alban Lafont merits a call-up to the French national team? / 37:38 - Which players have been integral to Atlético Madrid's partial rejuvenation?  

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest Europe football news. The boys look at Spezia's influential academy graduates, PSG's ominous reliance on Kylian Mbappé, Real Betis' defiance of our early-season expectations domestically and in Europe, RB Leipzig's fruitful shift away from an intense approach to pressing and more. 2:26 - Notwithstanding PSG's recent Champions League success, why is the outlook not particularly rosy at the Parc des Princes? / 15:46 - Tactically speaking, how might Real Madrid look to overcome their one-goal first-leg deficit in their Round of 16 tie with PSG? / 36:10 - What steps has Domenico Tedesco taken to enable RB Leipzig to recover so impressively from what was the club’s worst start to a Bundesliga season? / 46:37 - What served as the catalyst for Inter Milan's nightmarish February?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Dušan Vlahović and Denis Zakaria’s meteoric impact at Juventus, the integral role played by Dani Alves in Barcelona's frenzied 4-2 win over Atlético Madrid, Arkadiusz Milik's assertable status as one of Ligue 1's finest out-and-out centre-forwards, Borussia Mönchengladbach's mostly sagacious squad management and more. Despite their lack of a natural goal scorer, how well-placed are Athletic Club to qualify for Europe? Why might Max Eberl be considered one of the finest sporting directors in Europe over the last decade or so? In what sense would Marseille be the perfect forever home for Mattéo Guendouzi, and to what extent has the 22-year-old flourished under the tutelage of Jorge Sampaoli? Having prevailed in the most recent edition of the Derby della Madonnina, can AC Milan now sustain a genuine title challenge? 

To celebrate and mark the 50th episode of the podcast, Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are accompanied virtually by a revolving panel of esteemed guests to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys are joined by Jonathan Fadugba (Guardian Football Weekly), Owen Brown (Pure Fitbaw), Joe Donnohue (Scouted Football) and Alan Feehely (Football España) to look at the multifarious history of Lyon's organic Ligue 1 rivalry with Saint-Étienne, Rúben Amorim's managerial trajectory, the impassioned sociocultural context within which the most recent edition of El Gran Derbi took place, the rather unexplored blossoming of Servette's 21-year-old midfielder Kastriot Imeri and more. 4:22 - Why was Pedri so deserving of his lofty ranking in the Guardian's list of the top 100 best male footballers in the world in 2021? / 25:46 - How should we assess Matthias Jaissle's progress as coach of Red Bull Salzburg, and to which German Bundesliga clubs might his style of management be well-suited? / 51:36 - What is 20-year-old Nico González's most favourable position at Xavi's Barcelona? / 1:12:04 - How are Athletic Club's identity and approach to recruitment perceived globally?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Gerard Moreno's multifaceted importance to Villarreal, the key takeaways from Monaco's decision to sack Niko Kovac, Salernitana's Serie A stay of execution, Bochum's Gerrit Holtmann-inspired euphoria and more. 2:41 - Despite Cadiz's seemingly prudent decision to part company with Álvaro Cervera, why will the 56-year-old be so fondly remembered by the fans at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla? / 22:17 - Which players might provide steely Arminia Bielefeld with the requisite quality to secure a third consecutive season in Germany's top flight? / 35:29 - How surprised or otherwise should we be by Monaco's decision to relieve Niko Kovac of his managerial duties? / 44:09 - Where was Roma's frantic game with Juventus won and lost, and what was the wider significance of the way the game unfolded?