Football Ramble Presents

Several Champions League groups hang delicately in the balance after the latest round of fixtures. Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and David Cartlidge are here to sift through the various runners and riders, as Real Madrid and Inter both stare down an embarrassingly early exit and Borussia Mönchengladbach look to push on. We also look over the contrasting fortunes of two European superstars, as Neymar showcased his relentless mentality for PSG while Eden Hazard sat injured on the Real Madrid bench. There’s also time for a chat about Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis who, after a promising start, now look like a side from another era. Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! ***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!***   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In celebration of Diego Maradona’s life after his sad passing last week, this week's 'Ramble Meets...' guest is a man who knows his fascinating story better than most: esteemed filmmaker and 'Diego Maradona' director, Asif Kapadia. Asif sat down with Andy Brassell earlier this year to discuss how he came to direct this extraordinary film that documents Maradona’s pulsating relationship with Napoli and the people of Naples after he signed for them in 1984. They talk about the discovery of hours of unseen archive footage shot during Maradona’s time there and how Asif pieced it together to illuminate the contradiction between the charming boy 'Diego' and the erratic personality of ‘Maradona'. Asif also recounts his meetings with the great man himself, where he refused to let Diego dodge frank questions about his tumultuous time in Italy and encountered some steely responses.  This episode was recorded in April 2020. ***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!***   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the sad news of Diego Maradona’s death, we begin today’s episode of On The Continent with a look back at his near-deistic relationship with Naples and its people, as well as his famed stint at Barcelona. Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Lars Sivertsen all take a moment to also share their favourite moments from the great man’s illustrious career.    Elsewhere, Lars gives us the lowdown on Norway’s newest league champions, Bodø/Glimt, who have capped off their fascinating rise from the lower leagues with a title win. We also look back over another chaotic week in the Champions League, as tempers fray at Inter and PSG face renewed backlash after their underwhelming win. Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! ***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!***   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to bring you the biggest stories from across Europe!  After Germany’s rude awakening on Tuesday night, we ask why the national team are flagging when their domestic clubs are enjoying such success and wonder whether or not Joachim Löw should return to the old guard to get things back on track. Spain look formidable, meanwhile, and Nicky explains why Alvaro Morata is showing his best again. Elsewhere, we look at Norway’s remarkable improvised squad - after they were forced to call up practically an entirely new group of players based outside of the country due to coronavirus restrictions. Plus, we explain why Sassuolo are rapidly becoming the new Atalanta in Serie A, as Roberto De Zerbi works his magic, and one of the lost talents of Italian football makes his mark. Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! ***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!***   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's episode of The Book Club, we're joined by a legend of English women's football: former Chelsea, Juventus and England striker, Eniola Aluko! Eni joins Kate and Jim in the studio to reminisce about the pivotal moments in a storied career that stretches back nearly two decades: from representing Great Britain at London 2012, to title wins in Italy and England. Eni's autobiography, 'They Don't Teach This', also documents the latter stages of her international career where the FA failed to look into her concerns surrounding racial discrimination and bullying within the England setup. We cover all of that and lots more on today's fascinating episode – join us! Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: show@footballramble.com. 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Craving your European football fix? Well, look no further! Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Miguel Delaney are back for a brand new episode of On The Continent. International football brings its own unique tensions at the best of times, not least during a pandemic. We discuss the impact local restrictions have had on Italian-based players, as many try to reach their international sides’ crucial matches. Elsewhere, we look at Real Madrid’s struggles after their humbling loss at Valencia and delve into the interesting - and sometimes difficult - implications that arise for international footballers with dual nationality. Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There was only one person we could send off from Haydons Road station towards the floodlights at the newly built Plough Lane in South London last week. On today’s At The Match, join Andy Brassell as he witnesses a historic moment for English football: AFC Wimbledon’s return home, after a 29-year wait. This landmark occasion was a bittersweet one, as The Dons’ first match back at the new Plough Lane couldn’t feature any fans in the stands. Andy still found loyal supporters to speak to, including former player and manager Simon Bassey who discusses his love affair with the club that stretches back over twenty years. Elsewhere, Andy Butler speaks about the team maintaining its Merton roots and fan campaigner Charlie Talbert tries to get his head around such a hectic and momentous day.  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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dotun Adebayo and Andy Brassell are joined by Lars Sivertsen on today’s episode of On The Continent, as we dive into the mountain of goals from this week’s Champions League fixtures. Join us! We begin by asking why there have been so many goals this week - might the lack of fan-induced pressure in the stadiums contribute to some of these outrageous results? Elsewhere, after their humbling at Porto, we ask what’s happened to once-European champions Marseille and the manager, André Villas-Boas. Elsewhere, Der Klassiker/The Derby returns this weekend in the Bundesliga, where the David Alaba contract dispute has clouded Bayern’s otherwise crystal clear waters. 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's episode of the Book Club on Football Ramble Presents, Kate Mason is joined by former Leicester City winger Matt Piper to discuss his celebrated autobiography Out of the Darkness, written in collaboration with FourFourTwo's Joe Brewin. After achieving a boyhood dream of playing for his hometown club, injury forced Matt to retire at just 24. But such was the mental strain Matt endured in the lead up to every match, ending his career was an overwhelming relief. He joins us - alongside Joe - to talk about his early rise and the devastating fall that followed, where the loss of Matt's football earnings, his family and any sort of purpose dragged him to rock bottom. The man who's since opened up his own academy has documented those dark times alongside Joe Brewin and penned a heartfelt and sometimes harrowing piece of football nonfiction – one which has been longlisted for this year's William Hill Sports Book Of The Year! 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With another round of Champions League action in the books, join Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge as they pore over the biggest stories from another chaotic week of European football! While Barcelona won the battle on the pitch against Juventus this week, managerial challenges still loom for both Andrea Pirlo and Ronald Koeman. We also reserve plenty of praise for two young stars who lit up the midweek fixtures as Marcus Thuram and João Félix both scored twice, before breaking down another tumultuous week for Jorge Jesus and Benfica – even Bernando Silva’s got involved! Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We welcome one of English football's most influential figures to our first Ramble Meets... episode of the season, as Andy is joined by Arsenal's legendary former manager, Arsène Wenger! From his early managerial days at Nancy and Monaco, it was clear he already had a mix of relentless dedication and a honed understanding of the game. This experience, combined with a global approach to recruitment and professionalism, served him well upon his arrival at Arsenal in 1996. Arsène sits down with Andy to discuss these formative coaching years in France and how they helped inform his esteemed stint at Arsenal, as well as plenty of highlights from his time in North London. From turning down Real Madrid and Juventus to his battles with Sir Alex Ferguson, join us for some amazing stories from a man who spent over 20 years at the summit of English football. 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With last season's Champions League final still fresh in the memory, PSG were back to their underwhelming group stage selves this week. Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Nicky Bandini are here to unpick that result on today’s episode of On The Continent - your weekly guide to the biggest stories in European football! Elsewhere, after Shakhtar Donetsk’s humbling of Real Madrid this week, we look at Shakhtar’s unbelievable journey over the past few years that has seen them flee war-torn Donetsk and re-establish themselves as one of Ukraine’s elite. There’s also time for the necessary praise for the age-defining antics of Zlatan Ibrahimović, as he leads this young Milan side into a bold new era. Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the ongoing pandemic resulting in hundreds of football games being played out in empty stadiums, finding a suitable venue for the return of At The Match has proved a bit trickier than usual. Luckily, fans are allowed to watch one of the most interesting and vibrants clubs in South London, so Andy and Luke packed the microphones onto the P4 bus and headed to Peckham Town FC!   Set up by then 13-year-old Bryan Hall in 1982 after sticking a poster up on a tree in Peckham Rye park, the club has been built on the tireless work of hundreds of volunteers and remains a bedrock of local community. Andy and Luke speak to founder Bryan about how the club continues to represent the diversity and spirit of the area after forty years, while manager Mary Phillip explains how she got involved with the club and her experience as the first woman to manage a men’s team to success in an FA senior trophy. We even get to see some cracking football, as Peckham play some lovely stuff and stick five past Stansfeld! 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Craving European football insight? Well, you’ve come to the right place; join Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Lars Sivertsen for a brand new episode of On The Continent! On this week's episode, we look at the waning influence of French starlet Antoine Griezmann and ask what he can still offer both Atlético Madrid and his national side. We then wonder whether Lars Lagerbäck is the right manager to lead Norway’s hugely talented young side, despite Erling Braut Håland netting his first international hat-trick this week. And, as the Champions League returns, we bring you news on where fans may be allowed into European stadiums to mark the return of the competition.  Got a question for us? Email otc@footballramble.com! 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!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why exactly are La Liga’s biggest sides in so much financial trouble? On today’s episode, Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Miguel Delaney get stuck into the reasons and implications behind their stark transfer inactivity! Elsewhere, the return of international football gives us a chance to assess some of Europe’s top sides and look forward to some chaotic Euro 2020 qualifiers over the next few days. And, after Napoli failed to turn up to their match against Juventus, we wonder if these forced postponements will become a regular feature of the European season. Send us an email! We'd love to hear from you: otc@footballramble.com ***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!***  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.