When the draw came out, we all assumed that PSG, Dortmund, Newcastle and Milan was the 'group of death'. But is Group A the group of death that nobody predicted? It certainly seems so for Man United. Today, Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge debate whether incompetence has been the spark for all the drama in that group. Elsewhere, David explains why Milan have come to the end of their time with Stefano Pioli. Plus, a red card followed by scoring the Champions League's 10,000th goal – is that the most Sergio Ramos week ever? 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KÍ Klaksvik have shocked the whole of Europe this season by becoming the first Faroese team to ever reach the group stages of a European competition. On today’s bonus edition, Dotun and Andy are join by the I’s Chief Football Writer Daniel Storey who recently spent some time in the Faroe Islands to report on this extraordinary tale. Ahead of Klaksvik's decisive final two group games, Daniel tells us all about how a football team in a village of 5000 people made it into the Europa Conference League while picking up some pretty impressive scalps along the way. 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Italian press are calling it the ugliest Derby d'Italia in years. Today, Andy and Nicky are here to point out the diamonds in the rough. Nicky starts by revelling in the fact that there were two excellent goals by each team's main marksman and two even better petty celebrations. Andy then points out that psychologically this result is worth more than just a point for Inter and also explains how supervillain Max Allegri could be convincing people to believe in him again. Speaking of villains, in Rome which member of José Mourinho’s backroom staff was sent off this weekend? Listen to find out. 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is Europe’s best run club? Why has André Villas-Boas’ attempt to run for Porto’s presidential elections been received so badly? Is Viktor Gyökeres already one of the Primeira Liga’s most valuable assets? And where have all the Italian strikers gone? Dotun, Andy and David get to the bottom of your questions! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a dismal week, German football fans have never been more apathetic towards their national team. But can they turn it around? Today, David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to explain why he thinks the current players are simply not likeable enough to win the fans over in time for a home Euros. Elsewhere, with La Liga suffering from “El Virus Fifa”, they wonder if recent injuries during the international break only strengthen Atlético Madrid’s chances of winning the league. Plus, Inter Milan vs Juventus: is it too early to call it a title decider? 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Girona keep up their title charge? Why did Urs Fischer and Union part ways at last? And with Euro 2024 qualification off the table, what’s going wrong for the Sweden national team? But which one-in-a-generation talent could turn their fortunes around? Alexandra Jonson joins Dotun and Andy to answer your questions! 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Sociedad have caught a lot of people off guard with their great performances in Europe this season. However, one person who hasn't been surprised one bit is La Liga expert Alexandra Jonson. Today, she joins Dotun and Andy to explain why she expected Real Sociedad to be exactly the dark horse they've proved to be on their return to the Champions League. Andy also tells us why Luis Enrique is asking for more from Kylian Mbappé, even after he scored a hat trick at the weekend, and Alex explains why Swedish teams would rather lose the league than use VAR. 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something special is happening in Leverkusen this season. Andy went to watch the Bundesliga leaders take on Union Berlin and spoke to the mastermind behind it all: the great Xabi Alonso. Andy talks to Alonso about how he transformed Leverkusen from relegation contenders to Bundesliga pace-setters in just 18 months. We also hear from ex-Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka about the impact Xabi Alonso’s had on him since swapping the Emirates for the BayArena. Follow OTC 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why have Benfica struggled so much in Europe this season? How are FC Copenhagen managing to punch so far above their weight? And after more than 35 years behind the mic, what is the best individual performance Derek has ever commentated on? Dotun, Andy and iconic commentator Derek Rae tackle those questions and much more on today’s Ask OTC. Join us! 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a big week in German football! Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by the legendary commentator and Bundesliga expert Derek Rae. Derek explains exactly why Edin Terzić is the right man for the Dortmund job despite a disastrous Der Klassiker. He also gives us insight into why Union Berlin fans love their manager, Urs Fischer, despite their difficult start to the season. Plus, Andy shares his experience of a famous night in Hamburg this week after Shakhtar beat Barcelona. 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Francesco Farioli Europe’s next exciting young manager? Is French football fan culture fundamentally broken? Will any of football’s next Ballon d’Or starlets achieve the reach of Messi and Ronaldo? And can Faroe Islands’ finest make it into the next round of the Europa Conference League?! Join Dotun, Lars and David as they answer all your questions! 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. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/continent Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! ***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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid took control of La Liga this weekend, but could they win it without Jude Bellingham? Today, Dotun is joined by David Cartlidge and Lars Sivertsen to explain why Los Blancos might be too reliant on their star man. Elsewhere, the panel explain that Bayern need to start being Bayern if they have any chance of catching Bayer Leverkusen, while David explains why Inter Milan – and particularly Lautaro Martínez – have forgotten all about Romelu Lukaku. 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. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/continent Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! ***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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s bonus episode, Dotun and Andy are joined by our favourite Norwegian, Lars Sivertsen, to talk about many others’ favourite Norwegian: Erling Haaland! Lars’ new book ‘Haaland: The incredible story behind the world’s greatest striker’ is out this week, so he joined us to chat about his compatriot’s amazing story and how he went about writing the book. We discuss the sacrifices he made as a child to give him the best chances of success, his forensic approach to his career progression and how he’s since emerged as one of football’s most formidable forces. Buy a copy of the book: https://smarturl.it/HaalandLars 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. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/continent Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! ***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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney dive into the mailbag for another round of Ask OTC - join us! We wonder how FC Basel have found themselves at the bottom of the Swiss league despite regular European jaunts, while Union Berlin and Benfica also disappoint domestically. Plus, will Diego Simeone find any more success at Atletico? 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dortmund had too much European experience for Newcastle but are they losing their famous identity? Today, Miguel Delaney joins Dotun and Andy to discuss that and explain why Serie A is poised to become Europe’s second best league behind the Premier League. Plus, Ajax and Lyon: are they really too big to be relegated? 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini open the floor to you lovely listeners once again, as we start with a look at some Euro 2024 dark horses. No Turkey, please Andy. We also wonder if Jose Mourinho will leave Roma at the end of the season - is that Antonio Conte lurking in the shadows? Plus, what can Rangers fans expect from Philippe Clement and we discuss how difficult it’s proved for footballers to publicly comment on the war in the Middle East. Ask a question for next week's show on socials: Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, or 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to look back on an unhappy return to Wembley for the Azzurri – and a very tricky week for Italian football in general. While there are green shoots for Italy under Luciano Spalletti, the panel also discuss what awaits Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo as an investigation into alleged betting breaches continues apace. Plus, we assess the reality behind Portugal’s incredible qualification campaign and look ahead to Real Madrid’s reunion with an old friend and a stunningly dysfunctional Sevilla side at the weekend! 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Lars are back with more of your questions, as attentions turn to international football. We assess whose Euros hopes are dwindling and why Norway are proving less than the sum of their imperious parts. We don’t abandon club football entirely though, as we wonder whether Xabi Alonso can sustain a Leverkusen title charge and why Union Berlin are struggling in comparison to last season’s heroics. Follow us on socials: 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lars is back on the pod! And on the subject of returns, today he joins Dotun and Andy to discuss Romelu Lukaku’s Roma redemption. But can he save José Mourinho from the haters? Elsewhere, Andy thinks Germany’s trip to America could be good for Julian Nagelsmann – and not just because of his love for NFL – and the panel pays tribute to the amazing career of Eden Hazard. Ask us a question for tomorrow's Ask OTC 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the future of Real Madrid’s left wing position? Are Inter the best team in the world bar Manchester City? Can Bayern Munich get over failing to sign Joao Palinha? And which Scot has Thiago Motta taken under his wing? Dotun, Andy and Nicky get to the bottom of those questions and much more! 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!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.