The Daily Football Briefing (The Athletic)

On today's DFB: How do YOU feel about pre-season friendlies? Are they glorified training sessions or crucial barometers? This is a particularly pertinent question for Chelsea fans. Adam Crafton joins us to explain more. Tom Burrows was in Bordeaux for quite the night of Olympic football. But away from all the fume, just how good are Thierry Henry's French Olympic team? All that and stacks of transfer news too. Welcome back! Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Adam Crafton, Tom Burrows Producer: Mike Zimmermann Want something to read? Try Amy Lawrence's lovely piece on Arsenal's Italian connection: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5674460/2024/08/04/riccardo-calafiori-italy-arsenal-transfer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

USA win Gold in France, City edge out United at Wembley, Schalke are still inexplicably all over the place, Mourinho gets a first league win, Leeds and Portsmouth go goal crazy, Plymouth get battered and oh, so much more. Europe's league's are slowly firing back up again. You need this podcast in your life just to keep up with it all. Need something to read? Casemiro might have a future at Manchester United after all. That's what Laurie Whitwell says anyway, and he knows his stuff. Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Sam Lee Producer: Abi Paterson  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Welcome to the first Giant Monday Round-Up of the season. In just ten minutes, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the weekend’s football. Like how Big Dan Burn chased Ben Brereton Diaz down the tunnel. And how Real Madrid slipped up in the Balearics. And how Bayer Leverkusen still haven’t lost a domestic game. You need this podcast, so click now and set yourself up for the week. Need something to read? What about Michael Cox on Ipswich?  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5706501/2024/08/17/ipswich-town-liverpool-tactics/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Seb Stafford Bloor, Liam Twomey Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that Kobbie Mainoo has more interceptions than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues? Or that Brice Samba is one of only six unbeaten goalkeepers on the continent? Of course you didn’t. You’re a normal human being with an exciting life outside of football. But if you do like that sort of thing, you’ll love today’s show and a feature that will run until you all write in to demand that it stops.    Plus, it was a very good night for Juventus, we’ve learned how to say Cagliari and who’s that at the top of La Liga with three wins from three? Nope, it’s not who you think. Got something to say? Get it off your chest, post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Danny Taylor’s lovely Sven Goran Eriksson piece is linked in the description.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5722811/2024/08/26/sven-goran-eriksson-england/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Neither team had it easy, but France will meet Spain in the Olympic Men's Final this weekend. Greg O'Keefe was watching the hosts, Pol Ballus reports in on the European champions. Plus, how are the USWNT looking ahead of their semi-final against Germany? Meg Linehan has the inside track. And, after a quiet few days, we've just had a lot of major transfers. Who's going where and why? Find out here. Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Want something to read? Try Adam Crafton’s access all areas account of Wolves’ pre-season tour: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5678239/2024/08/05/premier-league-pre-season-tour-united-states/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Greg O'Keefe, Pol Ballus, Meg Linehan Producer: Mike Zimmermann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Will there ever be a day when we ask Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey how it's going and he says, "Yeah, it's pretty quiet actually." Thank goodness he's here to help out. Laurie Whitwell is on too, he's got the latest on Manchester United's shopping trip to Bavaria. Plus, what happened when Luton met Burnley? Is Vinicius Junior going to Saudi Arabia? And who was the first EFL manager to leave his job? Need something to read? Adam Crafton had a one-on-one with Wolves manager Gary O'Neil and it's a fascinating insight into the mindset of one of the Premier League's most underrated managers. Just click the link in the episode description. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5691699/2024/08/12/premier-league-wolves-oneil-interview/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Laurie Whitwell Producer: Charlie Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A draw away from home is never a terrible result, but Tottenham supporters will wonder how they didn't take all three points from their trip to Leicester City. Foxes fans will have a concise two word answer: Jamie Vardy. The 37 year old striker stepped up when he was needed most, stayed switched on after a miserable first half, dragged his team back into the game and could have won it for them too.  View From The Lane, our Spurs podcast, will be unmissable this week. Danny Kelly may actually combust. Elsewhere Juventus, now under the management of Thiago Motta, got off to a great start by crushing Como. James Horncastle is here to let us know if this fascinating Como project is in trouble already. And it's a day ending with a 'y' so that must mean Chelsea have signed someone. More on that here. Got something to say? Get it off your chest, post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Find out why Antonio Conte is so unhappy already by clicking the link below for premium grade James Horncastle. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5708302/2024/08/19/conte-napoli-verona/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Horncastle, Liam Twomey Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dani Olmo is finally a registered Barcelona player and just in the nick of time. The Catalans were staring down the barrel of a nasty shock away at Rayo Vallecano until Olmo appeared at the break and inspired a spirited fight back. That’s three wins from three for new boss Hansi Flick.  Everton were in the League Cup against Doncaster and, after the start they’ve had, that was quite the banana skin. Producer Steve was watching to see if anyone slipped up.   Transfer deadline day is looming and the transfers are coming thick and fast. Manchester United have been busy, so too have Napoli, but has anyone been as active as Brighton & Hove Albion? Listen to this episode and you’ll discover why this is unlikely to be a problem for their bank manager.  Got something to say? Don’t keep it to yourself. That’s how ulcers develop. Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Need something to read? Try Carl Anka on Manchester United’s steady improvement in the transfer market, an arena in which they have hitherto cast themselves as, well, the polar opposite of Brighton. Link’s in the description https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4757969/2024/08/27/manchester-united-transfers-sales/  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: David Ornstein Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: The USWNT will play Brazil in the final of the Olympics after a dramatic day in France. Meg Linehan and Mike Zimmermann were watching the semi-finals for us. Plus, what's going on with Atletico Madrid? How are they signing so many players? And how have Barcelona managed to buy Dani Olmo for £60m? Find out right here. Need something to read? Try this brilliant account of Newcastle's pre-season tour from back-up goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, via our own George Caulkin: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681026/2024/08/06/newcastle-premier-league-tour-gillespie/ Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Dermot Corrigan, Pol Ballus, Meg Linehan and Mike Zimmermann Producer: Mike Zimmermann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Are Liverpool going to be ok without a big money signing? Is it a worry that they haven't made one? We've borrowed James Pearce from Walk On. Plus, we ask Chris Waugh from Pod on the Tyne where Newcastle are with their pursuit of Marc Guehi...and could they be the dark horses this year? It's pretty much just me asking that one.  Plus, what happened in those European qualifiers and were there any shocks in the League Cup? Need something to read? Mark Carey has done a long read on the tactical evolution of the Premier League and it's so well written and accessible that even I understand it. Just click the link in the episode description. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5695766/2024/08/13/premier-league-tactical-development/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, Chris Waugh Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Look, I love Georgi Mamardashvili as much as Mama Mamardashvili, but the timing of his move to Liverpool seems a bit odd. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, but so is Allison and he’s only 31. And then there’s Caoimhin Kelleher, he’s as trustworthy as any number two in the league. What’s going on, James Pearce?  And what’s all this about Ilkay Gundogan returning to Manchester City? He only left last summer, why’s he leaving Barcelona?  And I know that I said we’d watch one of the U21 EFL Cup games, but it turned out that I couldn’t access United or City, the next on the list was Spurs, but given that their own official website hasn’t even mentioned this fixture, we just felt that the potential audience for that sort of granular coverage was probably limited to the parents of the players, so we gave it a miss and did a great big stats rundown instead. No, wait. Don’t go. It’s more interesting than I’ve made it sound.   Got something to say? Get it off your chest, post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Try Adam Crafton and David Ornstein’s report on the USMNT’s reported hire of Mauricio Pochettino. What’s the hold up, why isn’t this done…and will it be done in time for those games in September. Click the link here.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5707564/2024/08/18/mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-head-coach-what-next/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce and Sam Lee Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A shock in the League Cup and Atletico Madrid drop more points. Poor old Ipswich. Dealt a horrendous pair of opening Premier League fixtures with Liverpool at home and then Manchester City away, they must have been looking forward to their little trip to fourth division AFC Wimbledon. Abi Paterson was there for this cruellest of blows.  Nottingham Forest met Newcastle and one Sandro Tonali in the glamour tie of the round. Guy Clarke was watching that one for us.  Atletico Madrid spent big this summer, but they’ve dropped four points from three games and, despite racking up an xG of 2.71, they just couldn’t break down Espanyol.  All that, the League Cup third round draw, the last Champions League qualifiers and the latest transfer news. How do we get all of this content into just ten minutes of high quality audio? Simple. I scream at people until they get it right.  Got something to say? Don’t keep it to yourself. That’s how ulcers develop. Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Here’s that Champions League draw article that you absolutely must read.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5716629/2024/08/28/uefa-ucl-europa-draw-swiss/ Need something to watch? Here’s that Bernal video I mentioned from JJ Bull. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp8ajQgfMQg Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Abi Paterson, Guy Clarke, James Pearce and Neil Mellor   Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Who's this Martin Zubimendi then? The word on the street, by which I mean David Ornstein, is that Liverpool are gfoing to make him the first signing of the Arne Slot era. And is everything okay with Leicester City? Rob Tanner is not so sure. And finally, ahead of what looks like a very interesting season in Serie A, James Horncastle gives us the low down on the new look AC Milan. Need something to read? Seb Stafford Bloor has been following Spurs around Japan and South Korea. Check out his marvellous account of it all by clicking this link. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681537/2024/08/07/ange-postecoglou-interview-tottenham-spurs/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: David Ornstein, Rob Tanner, James Horncastle Producer: Mike Zimmermann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market. Liam Twomey joins us to explain what's occurring. The Olympics are wrapping up this weekend, Meg Linehan has been hanging out with the USWNT. And the Community Shield is on Saturday. Carl Anka from Talk of the Devils pops in to let us know his thoughts. Need something to read? James McNicholas has written a masterful account of Mikel Arteta's first five years. You'll love it, give it a click immediately. Well...when you've listened to the show, at least. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681537/2024/08/07/ange-postecoglou-interview-tottenham-spurs/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Meg Linehan, Carl Anka Producer: Mike Zimmermann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: The United States look like they've got their man. Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to manage the USMNT. Paul Tenorio lets us know what he thinks of that. La Liga is underway and we were watching how last season's surprise package Girona got on (spoiler: not as well as they might have hoped...)  Plus, what's happened to poor Oscar Bobb? Need something to read? Check out James Horncastle's brilliant preview of the new Serie A season. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5697570/2024/08/15/horncastle-serie-a-preview-2024-25-juventus-inter-roma/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email  (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Paul Tenorio Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: How much trouble are the rest of La Liga in this season? On the evidence on the European Super Cup....lots of trouble. They haven't gelled yet, but they were still good enough for a comfortable win over a tricky Atalanta side. Pol Ballus is here to politely weigh up the chances of their rivals. Plus, what's going on at Chelsea today? And who are Arsenal looking to sign? Need something to read? The Athletic's F1 mid-season preview is well worth your time. The second of the season could be absolutely fascinating, so click the link below to whet your appetite. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5696095/2024/08/13/f1-midseason-review-best-driver-race-moments/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Pol Ballus Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enzo Maresca certainly thinks so. He says that Chelsea, “is not the mess that it looks from the outside.” So…has he got a point? We’ve got Simon Johnson from Straight Outta Cobham on the show to tell us more.  Plus, who’s the latest EFL manager to get sacked? Did anyone know Neil Lennon was at Rapid Bucharest? Don’t worry. Doesn’t matter now. And how do you say Cagliari? Hint: Don’t ask Google.  Got something to say? Get it off your chest, post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Try Stuart James’ account of his weekend with NBC’s Premier League team, it’s a really good, access all areas piece, you’ll love it, find the link in the episode description.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5712144/2024/08/21/premier-league-nbc-epl-lowe/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Simon Johnson Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve been very mean about Chelsea for several weeks now, but are they about to have the last laugh? They put six past Wolves on Sunday. Tim Spiers was watching, he’ll tell us if we’re all in a lot of trouble. Manchester United lost too, Carl Anka is looking for positives there. But we don’t just discuss the Premier League here. Seb Stafford Bloor went to Saxony for the Bayern Munich game, I was watching Napoli, we’ve got all the news from Spain and France and then we’ll quick-step through Portugal, the Netherlands, Scotland, Turkey and MLS. Or, as I like to think of it, ‘all the leagues I have active in my FM saves.’ Put simply: You NEED this podcast. You’ll never keep up with all the football unless you listen to this immediately. In ten minutes, we’ll give you the world. Or at least the bits that interested us today. Got something to say? Get it off your chest, post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Tim Spiers has watched every video on Cristiano Ronaldo’s YouTube channel so that you don’t have to, he’ll get a statue for this, you can read about it by clicking the link in the description. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5718836/2024/08/25/cristiano-ronaldo-youtube-channel/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Tim Spiers, Carl Anka, Seb Stafford-Bloor Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For their supporters, the most galling aspect of Manchester United’s heavy defeat to Liverpool will be the suspicion that this wasn’t even Liverpool at their best. It really could have been much worse. So where do they go from here? Carl Anka was at Old Trafford and needs a hug. Kylian Mbappe has opened his account for Real Madrid, his brace against Real Betis gave his new team a confidence building result, but they’re still four points behind Barcelona. And Bayer Leverkusen’s long unbeaten Bundesliga run is over. Seb Stafford Bloor is back to tell us why they shouldn’t be too concerned about what happened on Saturday.  It’s all in the Great Big Monday Round-up, everything you need to know from the ten biggest leagues in the world. Well, it’s the ten leagues that I run on my FM games anyway.  Need something to read? Phil Hay’s moving tribute to Sol Bamba is, well, as wonderful as you would expect. The link is in the description and the thoughts of everyone at The Athletic are with Sol’s friends and family.   https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5737310/2024/09/01/sol-bamba-leeds-cardiff-ivory-coast/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Seb Stafford Bloor Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve been quite critical of the new-fangled Champions League here and a lot of that criticism still stands, but…did anyone else watch that draw and think, “Well…it’s not perfect. It might not even be good. But it does look a bit more fun than the old way.” Plus, how did Chelsea get on against Servette? And what on earth happened to Real Madrid when they went to the Canary Islands?  Got something to say? Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Try Jack Pitt-Brooke on the new era of Lee Carsley at England.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5728690/2024/08/29/england-carsley-gomes-grealish/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Aleksandr Čeferin  Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, sort of. He’s certainly got the lowest goal per shot ratio across Europe’s five biggest leagues. But then again, he does take a lot of shots. And now he’s got his eye in and he’s broken his duck, we can expect those numbers to change. Plus, who won the transfer window? Tim Spiers is here and what he says may startle and alarm you. Because he’s been quite kind to Manchester United. On that note, UEFA have done something good and constructive. And I, for one, am startled and alarmed.  Got something to say? Oh, please say it, it’s international week and we need the content. Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Oli Kay is always excellent, but his column on the messiness of the transfer window is essential reading and the link is in the episode description.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Tim Spiers Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The late, great Eric Draven used to say that it can’t rain all the time. Manchester United supporters may disagree. It’s been another bad start to what might be another bad season, but Carl Anka isn’t so sure. He’s here with lots of reasons to be at least sort of optimistic about the future.  Can Everton be optimistic about anything? They’re the real crisis club in England. We’ve borrowed Matt Slater from The Athletic FC podcast to assess the situation.    Got something to say? Oh, please say it, it’s international week and we need the content. Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Jay Harris, the aforementioned magnificent centre-back, has written all about Ivan Toney and the unsatisfying end to his incredible story at Brentford. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Matt Slater Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behold the new Nations League! Come on, it actually sounds like it might be fun. And anything’s better than an interminable stream of friendlies, right? The new structure means that every position in the group means something different, which means that there will be something on the line in every match. And that’s got to be good. Tomas Hill Lopez Marcheno drops in to let us know if Spain are still likely to steamroller everyone. Plus, Steve Bruce is back! But is he ready for League One? And while we’re on the subject of old football managers, you’ll be needing one of those this Autumn because the new Football Manager has been delayed.   Got something to say? Oh, please say it, it’s international week and we need the content. Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? There’s a tremendous interview with Brighton owner Tony Bloom on The Athletic, really fine work from Andy Naylor and, well, with that Football Manager news, you may as well start a new save for the next three months, and this will give you food for thought.   Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero  Producer: Ben Green Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yep, we all laughed at him and so obviously he went out and scored. Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 and, in doing so, broke the 900 barrier. Lionel Messi’s on 865, by the way. Sigh.  Spare a thought for Scotland. They were so much better against Poland than they were in Germany during the summer, but they still ended up getting beaten after giving away a 96th minute penalty to Poland.  And congratulations to San Marino, victors in a competitive game for the first time ever. Nicko Sensoli will never have to pay for a drink again.   Plus, why haven’t the USMNT completed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino yet? And what are the USWNT going to do without Alex Morgan. Paul Tenorio and Meg Linehan join us with their thoughts. And it wouldn’t be a Daily Football Briefing with Liam Twomey telling us something about Chelsea. But have they just done something…smart?  Got something to say to us? Oh, please say it, it’s international week and we need the content. Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Try Matt Slater’s explainer about Leicester, PSR and the Twilight Zone. The link is in the description, but if you prefer to read with your ears, there’s a special Athletic FC podcast out today on the same subject. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5742838/2024/09/04/leicester-city-psr-premier-league/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Paul Tenorio, Meg Linehan Producer: Lucy Oliva  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Didier Deschamps was not messing around. After France’s defeat to Italy on Friday, he rang the changes. Eight of them, in fact. And, after a wobbly start, he was rewarded with a comfortable 2-0 win. Italy are top of Group A2 though, they beat Israel 2-0 and have maximum points.  But the real question today is: What’s going on at Chelsea now? The Athletic reports that the relationship between key shareholders has completely broken down and they’re trying to buy each other out! Liam Twomey is back to explain more.    Need something to read? Remember that boy who could balance the ball on his head like a seal? Kerlon the Brazilian? He’d vanished off the face of the earth, no-one knew where he was. Jack Lang found him and got himself a lovely interview, treat yourself and click the link in the episode description.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5739187/2024/09/09/kerlon-seal-dribble-interview-brazil/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, James Pearce Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kylian Mbappe has claimed that PSG owe him the better part of £50m in unpaid salary. He’s refused the offer of mediation and it looks like this battle is set to run and run. In public too, which will be entertaining. Phil Hay drops by to tell us more.  And Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Arsenal, removing the nagging fear that someone else might snaffle him at the end of the season when his contract runs out. Amy Lawrence explains why this is such reassuring news for Arsenal supporters. Need something to read? Need something to read? Mark Critchley has broken down the Manchester United financial results so that you don’t have to, and it is the perfect example of an Athletic article filled with expertise, all of which can be easily passed off as your own in the pub this evening. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Phil Hay and Amy Lawrence Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pretty bad. They’ve lost four of their eight World Cup qualifiers and, while it should technically be impossible for them to fail to make it to the World Cup, somehow they’ve made the prospect plausible. Jack Lang joins us to tell us more.  Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as the new manager of the USMNT, but how big a job is this? You would think that his time at Chelsea would have prepared him for anything but the USMNT are really, really bad right now. Where does he start? Pablo Maurer gives his verdict. Need something to read? How about an exhaustive guide to English football nicknames from Tim Spiers?  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5753588/2024/09/09/english-football-nicknames-premier-league/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Lang, Pablo Maurer Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

England are two from two in the Nations League, which makes it a pretty decent start for interim boss Lee Carsley, anthem nonsense notwithstanding. Michael Bailey tells us what he made of a wet night at Wembley.  It’s not a new start for Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, but so many key players retired in the summer that it sort of feels like one, Seb Stafford Bloor was watching that one.  And what’s got Kevin De Bruyne so riled up? Find out right here, right now, no delays, press play immediately.  Need something to read? In light of what’s happening at Chelsea, Simon Hughes discusses the weaknesses of a shared ownership model with reference to Hicks and Gillette, remember them? It is, as you would imagine from as fine a writer as Simon, absolutely marvellous and the link is in the description.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5747279/2024/09/10/chelsea-owners-civil-war/  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Seb Stafford Bloor and Michael Bailey Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday began a significant week in the world of football. Yes the Champions League is back, we’ll get to that. But first it was all about Manchester City, whose trial against the Premier League for alleged spending breaches got under way. Matt Slater is on hand to tell us what we should and should not expect.  We also had football on Monday in the form of League One’s finest: Tom Brady’s Birmingham facing Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham. David Beckham was there, but so was Richard Sutcliffe. And finally as promised, the Champions League returns with just the 64 more games this time around. We look at what Tuesday has to offer.  Need something to read? Jacob Whitehead has you covered in the Man City case https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5762324/2024/09/16/manchester-city-charges-explained/  While Jessy Parker Humphreys is getting us WSL ready with some of the new faces you need to know. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5767934/2024/09/16/wsl-managers-new-season/  Send an email to apaterson@theathletic.com Host: Abi Paterson With: Matt Slater and Richard Sutcliffe Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ll be hearing and reading about City 2-2 Arsenal for some time this week. 20 players were camped in City’s final third for all of the second half, Arsenal were a stones throw from victory - well Stones’ head in the end.  We have your full round up from the rest of the Premier League, get your pen out, there’s loads of stats for you to take note. In Europe Milan defeated Inter for the first time in seven matches, James Horncastle has the details. Bayern continue to score a truck load of goals. As do Real Madrid and Barcelona but Ter Stegen’s knee needs checking out Need something to read? Players are heading to Brazil - here’s why https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5779640/2024/09/22/brazil-signings-payet-bolasie-depay-lewis/  And a tribute to Toto Schillaci https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5781645/2024/09/21/toto-schillaci-tribute-italy/  Email me with your thoughts it’s apaterson@theathletic.com Host: Abi Paterson With: James Horncastle, Sam Lee, Adrian Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been another miserable weekend for Manchester United. Yes, they were reduced to ten men in the first half, but you sensed they’d lost the game long before then. They were fortunate that Spurs only scored three. Charlotte Harpur was there for us.  Barcelona’s 100% record has gone, they were beaten 4-2 by Osasuna. How? Dermot Corrigan joins us to explain exactly what happened back there. And the big one in Madrid was a fiery affair. It ended 1-1 but that was only half the story… And what happened when the two biggest teams in German football went head to head at the weekend? Seb Stafford-Bloor knows because he went to watch. PLUS: All the important updates from all the divisions I run on my Football Manager saves. So that’s England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France, plus the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, Scotland and the United States. We don’t do Belgium because we don’t understand what they do there. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Charlotte Harpur, Dermot Corrigan, Seb Stafford-Bloor Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was it goals you wanted? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The Champions League had plenty of them last night. We have your full round up from the day’s action including Liverpool’s win over Milan, Real Madrid’s sketchy result against Stuttgart and Villa’s start to life in the biggest league of them all.  Elsewhere, players are starting to make noises about strikes due to the amount of games they’re playing.  Plus there was a 34 penalty shootout in England’s EFL Cup, Manchester United won a game comfortably, and Andy Carroll is back in the headlines. Need something to read? Amy Lawrence found the Arsenal mascot who put the Tottenham ones in their places. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5771821/2024/09/17/arsenal-mascot-tottenham-tunnel-danny/  Want to share your thoughts? Email me it’s apaterson@theathletic.com  Host: Abi Paterson With: Thom Harris, James Pearce, and Dermot Corrigan Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is the bleakest of news for Manchester City fans. Rodri, the man who holds their shape together, the man they really miss when he’s out, could be gone for the whole season with a knee injury. Sam Lee is here to tell us just how bad this could be for City. And how good it could be for everyone else… City aren’t the only elite team to have been rocked by injury news. Barcelona’s Marc Ter Stegen is out for the rest of the season too. Pol Ballus is here with more.  A deal has been agreed for the sale of Everton, but is this good news or bad news? The new owners aren’t exactly doing very well over at Roma. Matt Slater tells us what he thinks about it all.  Need something to read? Gregg Evans and James Pearce have written a really interesting and balanced piece about the lack of atmosphere at Anfield, something I always noticed if I was covering a Saturday 3pm kick off there. I should say I’ve been there for night games and it was always amazing, but it’s a fine piece. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Sam Lee, Pol Ballus, Matt Slater Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It wasn’t quite as rip roaring a night in the Champions League as we had on Tuesday but still plenty to ponder after night two.  Such as, how Inter were able to quell Man City. Why PSG REALLY needed a win against Girona. And why we all need to go to Celtic Park for a Champions League match.  Spurs were very nearly the headline as they needed an extremely late comeback to beat, um, Coventry in the League Cup.  It was a mixed evening for Arsenal and Man City in the Women’s Champions League. Plus we remember Italia 90 cult hero Salvatore Schillaci. Listen to Golazzo on Apple or Spotify  Send me an email, it’s apaterson@theathletic.com  Host: Abi Paterson With: Michael Cox, Jack Pitt Brooke, Pete Rutzler, Charlotte Harpur Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After all the criticism over the summer, Chelsea are having a lovely time right now. Sure, Barrow are a League Two side (top of League Two though…) but a 5-0 win will boost the confidence of all concerned. They go through to the next round along with Man City, Aston Villa and Leicester.  Real Madrid spent 85 minutes making their critics eat their words and then switched off, allowing Alaves to come from three goals down to pushing hard for the most unlikely of equalisers. Carlo Ancelotti looked distinctly unamused.  And finally, Blackpool beat Huddersfield 3-0. We didn’t have room for it in the show, but wanted to pay tribute to Steve Bruce somewhere. That’s three wins from three for the former Newcastle boss. Need something to read? Matt Slater and Paddy Boyland have broken down the Everton takeover news with a very accessible explainer article that gives you the information you need so that you can pass it off as your own in the pub. I do this all the time, it’s perfectly reasonable behaviour.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Simon Johnson and Sam Lee Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was once a time when Arsenal fans didn’t like David Raya. Didn’t like that he’d taken the number one jersey. Didn’t think he was one of the top goalkeepers. Well, Thursday night’s double save against Atalanta has surely by now changed everyone’s mind. Amy Lawrence was watching Arsenal come away with a hard earned point in Bergamo. In the night’s other matches, Barcelona conspired to beat themselves, although Monaco helped as well. Leipzig lost in the last minute to Atletico Madrid. Bayer Leverkusen were purring in Rotterdam. But the story of the night goes to Brest, winners in their first ever European game. Elsewhere we hear that all is not well with the Fifa Club World Cup.  And we look ahead to what’s set to be a thrilling season in the WSL.  Need something to read? Arsenal’s mad methods is seriously odd https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5766723/2024/09/19/arteta-arsenalmethodology-balvers/   As is Adam Crafton’s detail on the FIFA Club World Cup TV crisis https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5779549/2024/09/19/fifa-club-world-cup-broadcast-rights/  Email me with your thoughts it’s apaterson@theathletic.com Host: Abi Paterson With: Amy Lawrence, Seb Stafford Bloor, Megan Feringa Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You had to feel for Ange Postecoglou. Seven minutes into a must win Europa League opener and Radu Drăgușin gets himself sent off. If he’d lost this, the pressure would really have made itself known. But against all odds and expectations, Spurs prevailed. And in style. Jack Pitt-Brooke was there. Eventually. After a two hour walk in the rain.  Meanwhile, flu-ravaged Producer Lucy was watching Serie A crisis club Roma as they battled Athletic Bilbao. They started well, but then Athletic brought out the big guns and salvaged a point.  As the only member of staff with a subscription to Premier Sports, I was on Atletico duty ahead of the big derby on Sunday night. And if Diego Simeone’s men play like this, they’ll get their pants pulled down. They beat Celta Vigo, but it was very, very much against the run of play.    Need something to read? If you’re NFL-curious, Nate Taylor has written an excellent piece on Travis Kelce, arguing that he’s not washed up, it isn’t Taylor Swift’s fault and people should lighten up.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5792045/2024/09/26/travis-kelce-slow-start-performance-chiefs/ Need something to listen to? Whenever Manchester United slip up, it’s always worth listening to Talk of the Devils where the analysis is considered and objective and a welcome relief from all of the noise.  https://podfollow.com/talk-of-the-devils Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt-Brooke Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester United dropped two points on their first night in UEFA’s giant new Europa League, they were leading against Twente right up until the moment they weren’t…United have only beaten Fulham, Southampton and Barnsley this season, they just don’t seem to be improving. Liverpool and Arsenal are all right though. The Red breezed past struggling West Ham at Anfield and a team full of teenagers did the business against League One’s Bolton Wanderers at The Emirates. Talking of teenagers, Barcelona’s match day squad is packed with them now because everyone else is injured. They just about got past Getafe and they have seven wins from seven games.   Need something to read? The Athletic has a full Spanish news bureau, don’t you know? They’ve put their expertise to good use, speculating on how Real Madrid might operate without Kylian Mbappe.   https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5793881/2024/09/25/mbappe-injury-real-madrid-replacements/ Need something to listen to? The Athletic FC podcast is going deep on the Everton takeover. Get stuck in right here.  https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Andy Jones and Carl Anka Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester United resisted the temptation to immediately dismiss Erik Ten Hag after Sunday’s humiliation, but he’s heading into an extremely tough week and you wonder how much longer he can survive. Laurie Whitwell is our man on the ground at Old Trafford, he joins us with an update.   It was a tough night for Southampton boss Russell Martin. His team were taken apart in a brutal first half away at Bournemouth and you wonder how much patience there is at the club for his methods. This is a brittle football team, they collapsed when the first goal went in and could have conceded more. Alas, we no longer live in an age where ‘winning the second half’ counts for anything.  And there’s a lot of Champions League football coming up. Can you remember what happened a fortnight ago and what it all means? Nope, us neither. But we’ve made you a comprehensive briefing.  Need something to read? Everyone (including us) has been focusing on Man Utd being really bad, so why not spend some time reading about Tottenham being really good with Ahmed Walid’s tactical breakdown? Need something to listen to? Well, in a similar mood, let us direct you to our Tottenham podcast, View From The Lane with the wonderful Danny Kelly Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Laurie Whitwell and Julien Laurens Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second week of the new look Champions League started with a bang; Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at The Emirates and you can actually hear Amy Lawrence grinning as she reports into us.  It was a tough night for Celtic as they were taken to the cleaners by Borussia Dortmund, but at least they weren’t the only team to get a thrashing. Man City crushed Slovan Bratislava, Barcelona smacked down the Young Boys, we had Seb Stafford-Bloor, Sam Lee and Dermot Corrigan watching those games, and we also had Mark Carey watching the comparatively quiet Bayer Leverkusen win over AC Milan. He drew the short straw.   Plus there are scores and news from all the nights other games, including that rarest of things; a marvellous night for Sunderland. Need something to read? Andy Mitten on Manchester United is always unmissable Need something to listen to? The award winning Athletic FC is asking if Cole Palmer is the best footballer in the Premier League. Listen here. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Amy Lawrence, Sam Lee, Seb Stafford Bloor, Dermot Corrigan, Mark Carey Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was this the second greatest night in Aston Villa’s history? And also the second greatest victory over Bayern Munich? Has any manager had as much of an impact on one club in just two years as Unai Emery?  And what on earth happened to Real Madrid? How did they manage to lose to Lille? Mind you, RB Leipzig will be asking exactly the same thing after they let a 2-1 lead slip against a ten man Juventus. Liverpool had a good night though, they beat Bologna 2-0.  We had people at all of those games and you can hear from them if you just click that play button right now. Go on, do it. Live a little. You know what they say: If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room.  Need something to read? Pol Ballús and Laia Cervelló Herrero have done a long read on La Masia, a location of dramatically increased importance to Barcelona now that they’ve done all their money and half their players are knacked.  Need something to listen to? You can get a more detailed recap of the Champions League games on The Totally Football Show, still the best football podcast out there.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jacob Tanswell, Guillermo Rai, Seb Stafford Bloor, James Pearce Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where do you even start with Manchester United? Two nil up, three two down and then Harry Maguire scores possibly the most important header of Erik Ten Hag’s career. Is it a good result or a bad result? Does this intensify the pressure or relieve it? Does anyone know anymore? Charlotte Harpur was in Porto, she joins us to explain what just happened.  By contrast, Spurs had a far easier night and Jay Harris is here to tell us which of their young players caught the eye. And Simon Johnson was watching Chelsea, seeing if they can do stuff without Cole Palmer. And indeed they can.  Plus, we’ve got all the scores from the big games, some of the scores from the small games and some stuff on Inter Miami too.  Need something to read? Liam Twomey and Dan Sheldon have been speaking to the people who know Cole Palmer best to ask the entirely reasonable question, “Did anyone expect him to be this good?” Need something to listen to? The TIFO Podcast is back in its original form, it’s sort of like Monty Python meets Match of the Day and it is, according to recent reviews, the second best podcast on our network. Behind us. Obviously.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jay Harris, Charlotte Harpur, Simon Johnson Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well…that wasn’t very good, was it? England had made a steady start to life under Lee Carlsey, but our man at Wembley Jack Pitt-Brooke called them ‘abysmal’ as they crashed to a 1-2 defeat.  Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco could have been in trouble too, his side were being played off the park by Italy until Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off and so the Belgians came back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2.  Australia had a great result against China, Ghana didn’t against Sudan (yes, we’re casting our eye over the rest of the world now) but the worst news of the day is undoubtedly the announcement that Football Manager 2025 will be delayed until March next year. How will we live? Need to know how Belgian football works? Check out Alex Stewart’s epic, single-take masterpiece for TIFO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfThFvENg3s&t=194s Want to hear that Tom Williams French football interview? Click the link here https://open.spotify.com/episode/1k6zJnindZZa0z5hN8xJ4x?si=9hsaycPdQHGb0DTZlnHA0Q Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt-Brooke Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jurgen Klopp is coming back to football, but not as a manager. He’s going to be the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull. So what does that actually mean? Simon Hughes joins us to discuss further.  It was an exciting night in the UEFA Women’s Champions League where Arsenal were taken apart in the second half by Bayern Munich, they were beaten 5-2. No such issues for Manchester City though, they were excellent in their 2-0 victory over Barcelona. International week is boring, is it? Tell that to fans of Australia, Ghana and Brazil. Find out why this is a massive week for them.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Simon Hughes, Charlotte Harpur Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain is set to leave the club at the end of the season, it’s going to be a huge loss for the club, but what does it mean for Pep Guardiola? And Chelsea got off to a very decent start in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, they beat Real Madrid 3-2 at Stamford Bridge and Megan Feringa was there for us. Plus, Tottenham assistant coach Ryan Mason could be the new manager of Anderlecht. Find out more here.   Need something to read? Mark Carey has been scanning down the list of potential Erik ten Hag replacements and he’s put together quite the dossier here https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5815401/2024/10/08/manchester-united-manager-shortlist/ Need something to listen to? The new Totally Football Show European Edition is live, it’s still my favourite football podcast and it’s right here https://podfollow.com/totallyfootballshow Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Sam Lee, Megan Feringa Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A battle, not the battle, between Manchester City and the Premier League has ended with a written verdict and both sides have moved quickly to claim victory. But who’s right? And what does it mean? Thank heavens that Jacob Whitehead is here to explain it.  There’s not very much football on for the next few days, but there is the Women’s Champions League. Who’s playing? What does it all mean? Charlotte Harpur is here to preview the games.  Plus, should you read Transformer, Neil Atkinson’s new book about Jurgen Klopp? And what’s all this about a new contract for Jhon Duran. And who in global football is injured this week? Find it all here.   Need something to read? Oli Kay is asking, what’s next for Paul Pogba. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5822266/2024/10/07/pogba-juventus-dhea-cas/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jacob Whitehead, Charlotte Harpur Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right, lap this up because it’s international week now and we all know what that means. We’ve got an extended-by-popular-demand FIFTEEN minute episode to wrap up the weekend’s football because there’s so much drama and I always end up having to read at x1.5 speed to fit it all in. We had Laurie Whitwell watching Manchester United’s draw at Aston Villa, we had Liam Twomey watching Chelsea drop points to Nottingham Forest, we had Jack Pitt-Brooke watching Spurs Spurs it all up at Brighton, but that’s not all because we’re not the sort of parochial podcast that only cares about its own backyard. We’ve got Seb Stafford-Bloor on Bayern, we’ve got Pol Ballus on Barcelona, we’ve got updates from the second rank of global football, which as anyone knows is the Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Turkey and Major League Soccer. We’ve got it all, so click now or wander about all day feeling like you’re not really caught up on it all.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Laurie Whitwell, Liam Twomey, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballus  Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Thursday’s appalling defeat at home to Greece, interim England boss Lee Carsley needed to get his side back on track. It wasn’t always pretty, but that’s exactly what they did. Goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice put England back in contention for promotion out of the B Groups.  In the A Groups, Portugal are flying, they beat Poland. We’ve got the state of play across all of those upper groups for you, whether you like it or not.  Paul Tenorio watched Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of the USMNT, he’s here to tell us how it went. And Abi Paterson is across all of the WSL, and some of the European games too.   Want to know why so many footballers are investing in esports teams? Ajay Rose has just the article for you. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5739705/2024/10/13/footballers-esports-david-beckham-neymar-casemiro/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Paul Tenorio, Abi Paterson Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Tuchel is set to become the new manager of England. The news broke on Tuesday night, but Jack Pitt-Brooke pounced into action, he joins us to explain the thinking.  There was some Nations League football too. Pol Ballus watched Spain beat Serbia,while I greatly enjoyed another battling performance from Scotland and their fans’ merciless treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo. Plus, in words that sports writers have never before been able to type, Sir Alex Ferguson is going to lose his job at Manchester United. Adam Crafton has more on his big story.  And Arsenal are looking for a new manager of their women’s team. Charlotte Harpur broke that one for us and she explains why it’s all over for Jonas Eidevall.   Need something to read? La Liga president Javier Tebas has been sounding off about FIFA and Matt Slater is here to explain all:  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5845608/2024/10/15/club-world-cup-fifa-criticism/  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Pol Ballus, Carl Anka, Adam Crafton and Charlotte Harpur  Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Thomas Tuchel signed, sealed and delivered we speak to David Ornstein following the new England manager’s first press conference while we look at the pro’s and con’s of his time at Chelsea with Simon Johnson. As Arsenal begin life without women’s manager Jonas Eidvall, Megan Feringa was at the Emirates Stadium to keep an eye on any early signs of change as they took on Valerenga in the Champions League, while we look back on Manchester City’s dramatic win against St Polten in Austria. Plus misery for Poch as the USA are beaten and yet another match ball for Lionel Messi. Need something to read? Andy Jones takes a look at Liverpool’s clipboard-wielding ‘field coach’ Sipke Hulshoff - the often unseen key member of Arne Slot’s team: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5844715/2024/10/16/sipke-hulshoff-liverpool-assistant-profile/ Presenter: Matt Davies-Adams With: David Ornstein, Simon Johnson, Megan Feringa, Paul Tenorio Producer: Simon Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International week is over, club football has returned and I think we’re all very thankful. We’re looking ahead to the Liverpool - Chelsea game with Liam Twomey, we’re chatting to Dermot Corrigan about Real Madrid and Barcelona and we’ve hauled JJ Bull out of a cocktail party to give us the lowdown on unbeaten Aberdeen. Plus, all the scores from the Women’s Champions League and the surprise appearance of an Improptu International Week Gamers Club. Why would you listen to anything else? Need something to read? Get a sneak preview of Thomas Tuchel’s football with a heavy duty tactics read from Mark Carey and Thom Harris: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5847535/2024/10/17/thomas-tuchel-england-tactics-analysis/ Need something to listen to? Check the mood at Old Trafford where they may not be looking forward to the return of club football with quite the same level of enthusiasm…Talk of the Devils is here. https://podfollow.com/talk-of-the-devils Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Dermot Corrigan and JJ Bull Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That’s ten wins from eleven games for new Liverpool boss Arne Slot and very little pleases those supporters more than a victory over Chelsea. James Pearce was there and he tells us what this performance might mean for Curtis Jones. We’ve got the scores and the stories from the WSL with Abi Paterson, from Spain with Dermot Corrigan, from Germany with Seb Stafford Bloor and from picturesque Lake Como with James Horncastle. You simply will not find a more efficient way of finding out everything you need to know about the football than listening to this splendid little podcast.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, Abi Paterson, Dermot Corrigan, Seb Stafford Bloor, James Horncastle Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s felt like it’s been coming for some time, so how quickly will Manchester United look to replace Erik ten Hag following news of his departure on Monday? Carl Anka looks back on a frantic day at Old Trafford and what t expect under current interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, although could Sporting’s Ruben Amorim be on his way in imminently? Sam Lee has been watching events at the Ballon d’Or, where Real Madrid are really not happy and they’ve let everybody know about it. Plus, all the scores from Monday’s action and news from the rest of Europe including an injury blow for Brighton, a new club for Mario Balotelli and the Italy legend who could be set for a sensational return to Serie A at the age of FORTY EIGHT! Need something to read? Catch up with David Ornstein and Adam Crafton’s insight into Manchester United’s move for Ruben Amorim: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5880077/2024/10/28/manchester-united-manager-next-ruben-amorim/ Need something to listen to? The Athletic FC podcast looks back on how it all went so badly wrong for Erik ten Hag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/144-athletic-football-podcast/episode-921/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Sam Lee Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s two steps forward and three steps back for Manchester United at the moment. The confidence boosting victory over Brentford seems a long time ago already after this disappointing draw away at former manager Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. Laurie Whitwell was there.  No such issues for Tottenham, they’ve won three from three after a good win over AZ Alkmaar in London. Teenage sensation Mikey Moore impressed again, Jay Harris is here to tell us how good he is.  And Chelsea are dominating a competition in which it doesn’t seem entirely fair that they get to play. They battered Panathinaikos 4-1 in front of Liam Twomey. Well, in front of lots of people really, but Liam was one of them. Plus, Roberto Mancini has left Saudi Arabia. I wonder where he’ll end up next…  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Laurie Whitwell, Jay Harris and Liam Twomey  Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, I don’t think anyone expected that. Barcelona stuck four past a worryingly open Bayern Munich to put their Champions League campaign back on track. Pol Ballus was there, he thinks it’s was a performance for the ages and it’s rather hard to disagree. Atletico Madrid’s performance will live long in the memory too, but possibly not for the same reasons. They were beaten 1-3 at home by Lille and the irony that Lille beat Real Madrid last time out is unlikely to console them. Sam Lee watched Erling Haaland score quite the most remarkable goal I’ve seen in many years as Man City swept past Sparta Prague. And we’ve got all the other games from across the continent too. Well, most of the big ones. We drew the line at the Finnish Conference League play-offs.     Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Pol Ballus, Sam Lee Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aston Villa have played three and won three, and they top the Champions League. More than that, they’ve successfully reversed their Ollie Watkins/Jhon Duran dynamic up front. Jacob Tanswell was there. Real Madrid had a bit of a fright, they were 0-2 down to Borussia Dortmund after an hour. It ended 5-2 and Seb Stafford Bloor says it didn’t flatter them.  Arsenal picked up an important win in front of James McNicholas, AC Milan survived a ropey start against Club Brugge to win 3-1 in front of me. On my laptop, at least. And we have news on all the other CL games, including Juventus’ defeat at home to Stuttgart and PSG’s draw with PSV.  There were Championship games too, Nancy Froston was at Elland Road to see Leeds go second. Is there any other podcast that will bring you up to speed with all of this? There is not.  Need something to read? Got a strong stomach? Nick Miller digs into the Evangelos Marinakis phlegm-gate case. Yes, it’s as vile as it sounds. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5863991/2024/10/22/marinakis-spitting-fa-report/ Need something to listen to? The Athletic FC podcasts asks, just how good are Barcelona under Hansi Flick?  https://podfollow.com/athletic-fc-pod Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jacob Tanswell, Seb Stafford Bloor, James McNicholas, Nancy Froston Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crystal Palace, so impressive at the end of last season, are still without a victory after they were beaten 1-0 at Nottingham Forest. What’s gone wrong? Matt Woosnam was there, maybe he knows? It’s all about perspective though. Crystal Palace are in a far better position than Valencia. The former La Liga champions hit rock bottom of La Liga after they were beaten 1-3 at home by Las Palmas, who haven’t won a game since February. They’re getting relegated, aren’t they?   Plus: Close your eyes. Close them tight. Now, tell me the current top three of the Champions League. Can you do it? Of course you can’t. No-one can. That’s why you need this podcast. We’ll tell you who’s playing who, but we’ll also tell you what it all means. In so much as we can. I mean, what does anything mean, really? We’re all just flesh-wraiths, briefly animated for reasons we know not, condemned to lurch across this plane of existence, trying to do as little damage as we can in the short time that we’re here. We’re marooned on a tiny rock that hurtles through a near-infinity of open space. So, juxtaposed against this harrowing reality, sure, I’ll tell you what I think Girona against Slovan Bratislava means. Plus, will Virgil van Dijk sign a new contract and which rapper is trying to buy Tranmere Rovers? Need something to read? Try Liam Tharme’s excellent and thoughtful piece about the real issue with English coaches. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5853035/2024/10/21/thomas-tuchel-english-coaches-pathway/ Need something to listen to? Are you an NBA fan? Find The NBA Daily right here.  https://podfollow.com/nba-daily Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Matt Woosnam Producer: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been quite a weekend, hasn’t it? Who would have thought that Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool would be struggling to make the top three stories?  Two giants of European football experienced desperately disappointing weekends. Manchester United, of course, are used to that sort of thing. But Real Madrid? Did anyone expect the European champions to be torn apart in their own home by Barcelona?  But we’re here for all your Monday morning questions. Like, how did Bayern Munich react to their midweek misery? Who won in the French top of the table clash between PSG and Marseille? And did Aberdeen win because I am now really invested in them for reasons I do not understand. Listen now. It’s 15 minutes of your life and you’ll be so pleased with the transaction, you won’t even want them back.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Liam Twomey, Jay Harris, Dermot Corrigan,  Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the latest on Manchester United’s hunt for a new manager? Laurie Whitwell joins us with an update. Ruben Amorim is the man they want and they are in a hurry to get this done.  Southampton survived a bit of a scare against Stoke City, they’re through to the last eight. Brentford needed penalties to beat Sheffield Wednesday. But they were brilliant penalties.  Napoli are top of Serie A, Dortmund are out of the DFB Pokal and we’ve got loads of other scores from around the world too.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jay Harris, Laurie Whitwell Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester United had a rare fun night at work on Wednesday, levelling Leicester City in an enjoyable 5-2 victory. Casemiro scored twice. Twice! Laurie Whitwell was there.  Manchester City are out at the hand of Spurs, which means this competition is now wide open. Jack Pitt Brooke was watching.  We had people at Aston Villa for their defeat to Crystal Palace, Brighton for Liverpool’s win, Preston for Arsenal’s teenage goalkeeper and Liam Twomey was watching Chelsea on the telly. And we’ve got all the big scores from elsewhere including another very good night for Aberdeen.    Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Laurie Whitwell, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Andy Jones, Jordan Campbell, Jacob Tanswell and Liam Twomey.  Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester United aren’t wasting any time. They sacked Erik Ten Hag on Monday and they reached agreement with Sporting over Ruben Amorim on Thursday. Laurie Whitwell joins us to explain what’s been happening.  And how good are Bayern Munich really? They’re unbeaten in the Bundesliga, but that Barcelona result was pretty rough. Seb Stafford Bloor has been watching them and he’s written an assessment for The Athletic which he helpfully condenses for us here.  Plus how much trouble are Man City in and why? And will Arsenal’s wonderkid keep his place in the team? Find out here.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Laurie Whitwell, Seb Stafford Bloor, Sam Lee Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tottenham lost 3-2 in Istanbul, but that scoreline really doesn’t tell the whole story. Jay Harris does though because he was there. Man Utd beat PAOK Salonika 2-0, but Carl Anka still isn’t happy. Meanwhile, I watched Ajax who, seven months on from getting spanked 6-0 by Feyenoord, appear to be back in business.  Abi Paterson has got the Conference League covered, she spoke to Simon Johnson who was at Stamford Bridge for a goal frenzy to rival Abi’s pun frenzy… It’s all here and you should be too. Click the button now. Go on. Live a little.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Jay Harris, Simon Johnson Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it time for Arsenal fans to panic? They lost to Newcastle at the weekend, they lost to Inter on Wednesday night. They’ve actually only won two of their last six and one of them was against Preston. James McNicholas has some soothing words.  Nothing will soothe Tyrone Mings pride after an extraordinary misjudgement saw him give away a crucial penalty in Bruges to condemn Aston Villa to their first defeat in the competition. Jacob Tanswell was there. Plus, we’ve got Pol Ballus in Belgrade for another Barcelona goal fest and Thom Harris was Paris for a surprise result that leaves PSG outside the qualification spots… Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James McNicholas, Thom Harris, Jacob Tanswell and Pol Ballus   Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wow. Manchester City were torn apart by Sporting in Lisbon and there will be a rush to say that this really sets the tone for the future of the Manchester rivalry. Does it though? Sam Lee was there, we’ll find out what he thinks. Seb Stafford Bloor usually covers German football so he’s a useful, fresh set of eyes on Real Madrid. Because they are absolutely awful right now.  James Pearce was at Anfield to see yet another Liverpool victory, this time over a team managed by the man most supporters initially thought should have replaced Jurgen Klopp. I bet they don’t think that now. We’ve got all the rest of the Champions League news, so stick this in your ears immediately and you’ll be up to speed in no time.    Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, Sam Lee, Seb Stafford Bloor Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arsenal are losing their sporting director Edu…to Nottingham Forest. Sort of. James McNicholas joins us to explain more.  The Champions League is back! Do you remember what was going on? Could you tell me right now who’s top and who’s second? Probably not, so we’ve previewed the whole thing for you. Plus, we’ve got all the news from Monday’s games including Fulham’s stunning late win against Brentford. Listen here. Now. It’s not like you have anything better to do.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James McNicholas Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not so much for supporters of other title contenders, however. Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa all lost, Liverpool won and Nottingham Forest have sneaked into third place. Who saw that coming? We’ve got all the scores from around the world including Napoli’s shock defeat to Atalanta, as described by James Horncastle. We’ve got Bayer Leverkusen dropping more points, but it’s nothing to worry about according to Seb Stafford Bloor. We’ve got Abi Paterson with all the WSL action. And there’s all the most important updates from all the leagues I run on a game of Football Manager. (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Turkey and the USA, obviously. I’d run Belgium, but I just don’t understand it.)  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Jack Pitt Brooke, Abi Paterson, James Horncastle, Seb Stafford Bloor Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four Premier League sides advance in Europe - with Liverpool leading the way. James Pearce was at Anfield. We gear up for a big weekend in the Premier League - which includes Pep v Postecoglou. Tim Spiers previews the big matchup. And we preview some other big European games in Germany, Spain and Italy. Dermot Corrgian on Barcelona-Atletico Madrid, Seb Stafford-Bloor on Bayer Leverkusen-Borussia Dortmund, and James Horncastle on Napoli-Inter Milan. Host: Adam Leventhal Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been another good weekend for Liverpool, not only did they win, but Manchester City lost, Arsenal and Chelsea drew and Nottingham Forest squandered a single goal lead to lose 3-1 to Newcastle. It’s looking good for Arne Slot.   Inter missed a penalty against Napoli and blew a chance to go top of Serie A, James Horncastle was watching that one. In Spain, Barcelona went to Real Socieded and lost only their second La Liga game of the season. And in Germany, Bayern Munich won and almost all of their rivals didn’t.  If you have a question, ideally about football, but we’re not fussy, get in touch. You can email imacintosh@theathletic.com or, if you’re listening on the app, leave us a comment. It’s international week, we need the content… Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Jay Harris, Abi Paterson, James Horncastle Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, Manchester City have lost four on the spin, but one was the League Cup, one was Europe, there are 26 matches left to play in the league and…it’s City, isn’t it? Sam Lee is here to bring perspective.  But it really is bad at Roma, there’s no hiding that. They are looking for their third manager of the season already. What went wrong? James Horncastle is here to answer that.  Wild horses couldn’t hold back Danny Kelly when it comes to summing up Spurs’ weekend. We had no chance.   And you know who we haven’t heard from for a while? YOU! We’ve had so much football, we’ve had no space for your messages. You can email imacintosh@theathletic.com or, if you’re listening on the app, leave us a comment. It’s international week, we need the content… Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Sam Lee, James Horncastle, Danny Kelly  Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You thought we had no football to talk about during International week didn’t you? WRONG! We look ahead to Thursday’s games, the Women’s Champions League and by the way: What is going wrong at Roma? Plus what Cole Palmer really thought of his move to Chelsea and is there ANYTHING more frightening than the prospect of asking Roy Keane for his daughters hand in marriage? And you know who we haven’t heard from for a while? YOU! We’ve had so much football, we’ve had no space for your messages.  You can email imacintosh@theathletic.com or, if you’re listening on the app, leave us a comment. It’s international week, we need the content… Need something to read? Head over to the Athletic where Oliver Kay looks back on Premier League nostalgia and the perils of comparing different eras: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5917161/2024/11/13/premier-league-best-era-comparison-nostalgia/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Horncastle and Si Watts Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who got the toughest group? Dermot Corrigan and James Horncastle react to Spain and Italy landing in the “Group of Death”. Have England got another lucky draw? Tim Spiers thinks the Three Lions got a very favorable draw. Can hosts Germany get some early momentum? Raphael Honigstein previews the host’s draw and lead-up. Plus, Matt Slater was in Hamburg for the draw! Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee Carsley isn’t going quietly into the night. He made some very bold selections and he was rewarded with a resounding 3-0 victory over Greece. Jack Pitt Brooke was in Athens to watch that one. I, on the other hand, was in my office watching Italy mostly dominate Belgium, though they should have won by more than their single goal.  We’ve got some interesting scores from around the world, we’ve got news of Claudio Ranieri’s return to Roma and, most importantly, we’ve figured out which pub I went to in Barcelona in 2006.  Did you know that The Athletic was giving Bluesky a go? Some of our best writers have moved there in the last 48 hours and I’ve cracked and followed them over. You can find me on the link below and hopefully the place will stay nice for at least a week or so.  https://bsky.app/profile/iainmacintosh.bsky.social  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt Brooke Producer: Steve Hankey  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10pt penalty - but Everton out of the bottom 3. Patrick Boyland was at Goodison Park for an emotional night. Newcastle left Goodison bruised. Chris Waugh talks about fatigues and injuries… It’s Spurs next, who lose after leading… again. Tim Spiers on Tottenham’s shaky form. And we preview Man City’s conquerors Aston Villa welcoming Arsenal. Art de Roche looks ahead to Unai Emery facing his old club. Host: Adam Leventhal Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham Potter to Manchester United - could it happen? Mark Critchley has the latest on the rumours. It’s one of the subplots ahead of the big game of the weekend as United visit Anfield. James Pearce on how Liverpool are preparing for their rivals. And it was a successful night for Premier League teams in Europe. Host: Adam Leventhal Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It feels like a lifetime since we last enjoyed club football. Forgotten what was going on? Don’t worry. Give us ten minutes and we’ll bring you right up to speed.  We look at how Manchester City and Arsenal joined Chelsea in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals. James Twomey joins us to discuss another injury setback for England and Chelsea defencer Reece James. And there’s just about enough time for another Impromptu International Week Book Club. Today it’s ‘Go To War’ Jon Spurling’s brilliant tale of football in the 1980s which you can find here https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/go-to-war  Did you know that The Athletic was giving Bluesky a go? Some of our best writers have moved there and I’ve cracked and followed them over. You can find me on the link below and hopefully the place will stay nice for at least a week or so.  https://bsky.app/profile/iainmacintosh.bsky.social  We are delighted to say that this show is now sponsored by PELOTON. Find out more about them by visiting onepeloton.co.uk Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey and Si Watts Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That’s what we’re asking our Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee. Does this mean that…the other stuff is all resolved?  And what’s going on down in Croydon were Stormzy and Wilfried Zaha have bought a non league football club and they’ve just hired former Crystal Palace coach and caretaker manager Keith Millen? Matt Woosnam has been investigating.  Plus, all the scores from the Women’s Champions League.  Did you know that The Athletic was giving Bluesky a go? Some of our best writers have moved there and I’ve cracked and followed them over. You can find me on the link below and hopefully the place will stay nice for at least a week or so.  https://bsky.app/profile/iainmacintosh.bsky.social  We are delighted to say that this show is now sponsored by PELOTON. Find out more about them by visiting onepeloton.co.uk Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Sam Lee and Matt Woosnam Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The European Super League is back on the agenda. Phil Buckingham on why Real Madrid and Barcelona got the ruling they wanted. Is a new striker on the way to Chelsea in January? David Ornstein has the January transfer plans of the Premier League’s top teams. And who will make the difference for Arsenal at Liverpool? Art de Roche tells us the X-factor for the Gunners. Host: Adam Leventhal Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, that was a busy night. Wales gave one of their finest performances since 2016, beating Iceland 4-1 and gaining promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, but they’re down to Item 3 tonight because Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract with Manchester City and Tata Martino has left Inter Miami,  We’ve got all the scores from around the world, particularly in the Asian World Cup Qualifiers where Group C is now hilariously tight. Japan are running away with it. Five other nations are scrapping for one promotion spot, a single point separates them all and there are just four games left to play.   Did you know that The Athletic was giving Bluesky a go? Some of our best writers have moved there and I’ve cracked and followed them over. You can find me on the link below and hopefully the place will stay nice for at least a week or so.  https://bsky.app/profile/iainmacintosh.bsky.social  We are delighted to say that this show is now sponsored by PELOTON. Find out more about them by visiting onepeloton.co.uk Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jeff Rueter, Dermot Corrigan, Thomas Lopez Hill Marcheno  Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

England have returned to the top tier of the Nations League after beating Ireland 5-0 at Wembley. Jack Pitt-Brooke was at Wembley for that one. France had a good night as well, they beat Italy 3-1 at the San Siro.  Plus, did you ignore all the international football to leave the house and have fun with real people doing real things? Then you need our giant international round-up. In just ten minutes, we’ll have you up to speed with Scotland’s massive result, with Ghana’s massive fail, with Javier Aguirre’s massive head wound and Lyon’s massive financial crisis. You need this podcast, you really do.   Did you know that The Athletic was giving Bluesky a go? Some of our best writers have moved there and I’ve cracked and followed them over. You can find me on the link below and hopefully the place will stay nice for at least a week or so.  https://bsky.app/profile/iainmacintosh.bsky.social  We are delighted to say that this show is now sponsored by PELOTON. Find out more about them by visiting onepeloton.co.uk Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt Brooke Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Liverpool ready for a title battle? After their 5-1 win over West Ham in the Carabao Cup, James Pearce looks ahead to the top of the table clash with Arsenal at the weekend. Is Harry Kane making the Bundesliga look weak? Seb Stafford Bloor watched the Englishman score his 25th goal of the season in 22 games. Plus Charlotte Harpur brings us up to speed in another dramatic night in the Women's Champions League. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erm…sorry about the whole Dr Tottingham stuff from Friday. I won’t do that again. But who saw that coming, eh? City are spiralling and Liverpool are stretching clear at the top. James Pearce saw them win again. New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim made a fantastic start, it’s just a shame for him that his players peaked after 81 seconds. Laurie Whitwell was there for us.  In Europe, Barcelona dropped points and Real Madrid closed the gap. Seb Stafford Bloor watched Bayer Leverkusen hit five past Heidenheim, but unfortunately for them, Harry Kane had already put three past Augsburg. We’ve got all the big scores from all the big leagues. Give us fifteen minutes of your time and we’ll tell you everything you need to know. About the big leagues, that is. We’re not so good with ‘general life advice’. But hey, drop me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or find me on Blue Sky and I’ll do my best.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, Laurie Whitwell, Seb-Stafford Bloor Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PSG are through to the Champions League knockouts. Peter Rutzler was in Germany to watch the French side join Borussia Dortmund in the R16 - but will teams fear the french side? Newcastle are left to rue what might have been. George Caulkin reflects on the rollercoaster group stage in Tyneside. The pressure cranks up on Xavi after another Barcelona loss. Pol Ballus tells us about the tricky pre match preparations for the Barca boss. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newcastle are having a funny old season. They started well enough against West Ham, but they managed to lose 2-0 at home. Chris Waugh was there.  And what’s going with Mo Salah? James Pearce spoke to him on Sunday. We spoke to James Pearce on Monday. Join us for the inside track here.  Plus, close your eyes and tell me the current top three of the Champions League…you can’t do it, can you? Don’t worry, after you’ve listened to the great big Champions League round-up, you’ll be just fine.  Listen now, follow now, review now, tell your friends now, it’s everything you need to know about the football in under ten minutes.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Chris Waugh, James Pearce Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There have been a lot of caveats since the summer. “Let’s see Liverpool play someone good,” we said. They did. They won. “Let’s see how they react to defeat,” we said. They lost to Nottingham Forest. Then they won again. “All right,” we said, “Let’s see how they balance the Premier League and the Champions League, playing the best teams in the world without skipping a beat.” They just beat Real Madrid. Comfortably. If they beat Manchester City on Sunday, we’ll be all out of caveats. James Pearce was at Anfield for us. He’ll tell you how good they are.  Jacob Tanswell was at Villa Park where he saw Villa’s seventh game without a win. But he says, quite rightly I feel, that their 0-0 draw with Juventus was a positive result.  And I asked Producer Si to pick a game to watch. He chose…wisely. He got to watch Monaco and Benfica. We’ve got that and all the rest of the football all here in a tightly compressed audio file for your delectation.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, Jacob Tanswell and Si Watts  Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How serious is Manchester City's wobble? Sam Lee watched the title holders continue their winless streak at Villa Park. How did Aston Villa defy expectation to defeat the Champions? Jacob Tanswell brings the other side of the coin as the Villains won their 14th consecutive home game. Have Manchester United turned a corner… again? Laurie Whitwell looks back on how Erik ten Hag's big calls came off against Chelsea. Is that it for Steve Cooper at Forest? Nick Miller was at Craven Cottage to see what could well be Steve Cooper's last match in charge. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before you unsubscribe, just look me in the eyes and tell me how you felt when Bodo/Glimt went 2-1 up. Come on, be honest. You thought it was all going wrong again, didn’t you? So did I. And I suspect that Carl Anka felt that way too. Instead, something very odd happened. United gathered themselves and came back stronger, and they should have secured a bigger margin of victory. As should Spurs, but I don’t think anyone was surprised to see them relinquish a 2-1 lead to Roma. It’s just what they do. They defy understanding. But Jay Harris will do his best for us.  And we’ve got all the Conference League updates too, Simon Johnson went to small town Germany for Chelsea’s visit to Heidenheim. It may have given Enzo Maresca a selection headache… Everything you need is here, giftwrapped and presented to you in the form of a ten minute audio file. It would be considered rude for you not to click and listen.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Jay Harris and Simon Johnson Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester United are out of Europe. Mark Critchley was at Old Trafford to watch a lacklustre United limp out of the Champions League. Newcastle and AC Milan sweat over yet more fitness issues.  Chris Waugh and James Horncastle preview this key match up in Group F. And we have the latest on the Turkish top-flight suspension. Nick Miller has been following the story and brings us up to date. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don’t get it. They’ve only won one of their last six games and that was a barnstorming 4-0 win in Manchester City’s back yard. What is wrong with them? Jay Harris was in Bournemouth, and what a great job Andoni Iraola has done there, he tries to make sense of this.  Producer Si watched Fulham pull off an impressive 3-1 win over Brighton, they are sixth now.  And me? I watched the FIFA Club World Cup Draw. It started at 6pm and it just carried on and on and on. It’s still going now. Gloria Estefan is about to draw out another team. I can’t stop watching. It may last forever. My wife left me. She took the kids. But I can’t switch off now. Not now. Not when I’ve come so far. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jay Harris and Si Watts.  Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Declan Rice rescues Arsenal in a thrilling fightback against Luton. James McNicholas was at Kenilworth Road as the Gunners remained composed in the chaos. Manchester United get ready to face Chelsea amid questions over Eric ten Hag's management style. Laurie Whitwell was one of the journalists allowed at the pre match press conference as club-media relations sour. Team GB fail to qualify for the Olympics despite a 6-0 win for England. Charlotte Harpur watched the heartbreak in Hampden. Host: Tim Spiers Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, that was a busy night. We’ve got James Pearce on Liverpool’s draw with Newcastle, James McNicholas saw Arsenal beat Man Utd, I watched Man City win for the first time in AGES, but I did that on my sofa. Same with Producer Si, he watched Everton batter Wolves. But before you think we’re some sort of cut price operation, it’s important that you know we had Jacob Tanswell in place for Aston Villa’s first win in AGES and Simon Johnson for Chelsea’s thrashing of an increasingly indefensible Southampton, so yeah, we’re still big time. Oh, and we’ve got all the scores from Europe too, including Real Madrid’s defeat to Athletic Club, a defeat in which Kylian Mbappe missed another penalty. Once again, you really do need this podcast.   Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, James McNicholas, Si Watts, Jacob Tanswell, Simon Johnson Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leicester are back in business, they beat West Ham 3-1 and, while it wasn’t always comfortable, no-one at the club will care. They’re rising up the table at last. Rob Tanner was there for us.  Matt Woosnam was at Portman Road to see Crystal Palace win only their second game of the season. Are they back in business too? Has the storm passed? That’s pretty much what I asked him. Find out his answers here.  Pol Ballus saw Barcelona pick up a first La Liga win in an entire month, they whooped Mallorca 5-1. But it wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggested. We’ve got all of that, we’ve got lots of other scores and a full preview of what’s on tonight because it is going to be a huge evening of Premier League action.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Rob Tanner, Matt Woosnam and Pol Ballus  Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newcastle trip up in the Cup. George Caulkin watched the Magpies exit another competition within the week. As Chelsea soldier on into the semi finals. Simon Johnson looks back on a successful night at Stamford Bridge. Steve Cooper becomes the second manager sacked in the Premier League this season, Paul Taylor considers his legacy and what his likely successor, Nuno Espirito Santo, might bring to the club. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a quiet day, so we’ve gone back to an old friend, the rock and roll football…statistics section. Can you guess which team across Europe’s five leagues is most OVERperforming when it comes to goals above xG? I bet you can’t. We’ve got Seb Stafford Bloor in to tell us about this Jamie Gittens lad, we’ve got a preview of the night’s football and we even found room for a look at the FA Cup third round draw. By slashing and burning the community section. Sorry about that.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Seb Stafford Bloor Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pep Guardiola, contrary to the opinion of many Liverpool fans, is unlikely to be sacked this morning, but he is looking down the barrel of a seven game run without a win. His Manchester City side were dominated at Anfield and the only good news for him is that the margin of defeat was kept at two goals. Sam Lee and James Pearce were there. Carl Anka was at Old Trafford to see a thunderous 4-0 victory for Manchester United over Everton. Hear what he thinks of Amad Diallo here. Spoiler alert: He thinks he’s really good at football. Liam Twomey is in as well as Chelsea go third. They would have been second if they were called AFC Chelsea. We’ve got all of that and all of the scores and stories from across the world. Listen now. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Sam Lee, James Pearce, Carl Anka, Liam Twomey, James Horncastle. Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Real Sociedad - PSG is the must-watch CL tie. Duncan Alexander reacts to the Champions draw and explains why you need to start caring about the word "coefficient". Is Pochettino still in favour at Chelsea? Simon Johnson runs the rule over the Blues ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter final against Newcastle. Chris Waugh also joins to preview the tie from the Magpies' perspective. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They’re never dull, are they? But how much more of this are Tottenham’s fans going to take? Spurs started brilliantly, but blew a two goal lead to lose 4-3 to Chelsea at home. Jack Pitt Brooke was there. That means that Chelsea are the nearest team to Liverpool, who didn’t play this weekend, but still came out feeling that they’d won. Arsenal, you see, failed to beat Fulham. There’s no shame in that, of course, Fulham are a very decent side these days. Jordan Campbell explains what went wrong.  And you might have thought that Manchester United’s defeat at home to Nottingham Forest was the most embarrassing thing that could have happened to them. Nope, they saved that for Sunday morning. Laurie Whitwell tells us what happened.  We’ve got all the big scores from around Europe and we’ve got Paul Tenorio on LA Galaxy’s triumph. Listen here, follow there and tell your friends. This is the Daily Football Briefing.   Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Jack Pitt Brooke, Jordan Campbell, Laurie Whitwell, Si Watts and Paul Tenorio Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If I was Pep Guardiola’s friend, I honestly don’t know what I’d say to him. I’d probably just buy him a big drink and let him speak when he’s ready. City weren’t particularly good at the Etihad, but they had the better of a low quality tussle and, 1-0 up with two minutes left, they would have expected to win it. Listener, they did not win it. Carl Anka has been telling us for weeks about Amad Diallo. He was right.  But if Pep had a bad day, what word do we use for Russell Martin? His Southampton side were 3-0 down after 14 minutes and ended up losing 5-0. Can he survive the weekend? Gary O’Neil didn’t at Wolves. Plus we’ve got all the scores and all the stories from across Europe, including a very odd weekend in Spain and Bayern Munich’s first league defeat. It’s all in your special 15minute weekend round up edition.  Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Jay Harris, Matt Davis Adams and Si Watts Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s win or bust for Manchester United against Bayern Munich. Carl Anka tells us what the English team need to remain in Europe. Arsenal ready the kids for PSV. Jordan Campbell tells us why an Arsenal record may be broken tonight. Plus we reflect on Barcelona’s La Liga woes. After losing 4-2 at home to surprise league leaders Girona, Pol Ballus runs the rule over what's going wrong for the Catalan giants. Host: Tim Spiers Producer: Mike Zimmermann and Abi Paterson Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liverpool were supposed to give Manchester United the spanking of a lifetime, but they only escaped with a draw because a last gasp opportunity fell to Harry Maguire. What went wrong, we ask James Pearce, while pivoting skilfully to ask Laurie Whitwell what went right for United.  And seriously, what is the deal with Dani Olmo? Can he leave Barcelona for free now? We asked Pol Ballus who patiently explained…yes. Yes, he can.  We’ve got all the big scores and stories from around Europe, including a fine performance from Roma in the derby against Lazio and, as an avatar of our gently tweaked format, we ask Seb Stafford Bloor about this young goalkeeper that Spurs have just signed. Listen now (or later, we’re not fussy, it’s your life) and remember to follow, subscribe, review, rhapsodise or simply enjoy on your own terms. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: James Pearce, Laurie Whitwell, Pol Ballus and Seb Stafford Bloor Producer: Si Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Newcastle really sign David de Gea? Is Wilder set for a wild Premier League return? David Ornstein has the latest. Will Manchester City players be charged by the FA? Oli Kay thinks only the club will be fined. And what’s at stake for the Lionesses as they reach Olympics crunch time? Charlotte Harpur is in Edinburgh for the match. Host: Michael Bailey Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices