S5 E11 - The unwavering magic of the Coupe de France, Real Sociedad’s winter wobble, and Genoa’s Spurs-bound Romanian stalwart

To mark the 100th (and penultimate) episode of the podcast, Alasdair, Barlow and Michael reflect on five memorable seasons covering European football’s most intriguing storylines. 2:28 - Why have we decided to draw the podcast to a close at the end of the current season? / 16:40 - Which developments and themes have we most enjoyed covering over the last four and a half years? / 36:38 - What does the future hold for the RTN panel?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Baptiste Reynaud (of Le Beau Jeu and Le Classique fame) to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Frosinone’s cause for optimism in the face of their extensive winless run, the shades of Cholismo laced through Real Madrid’s recent Champions League displays against Manchester City, Lyon’s timely resurgence and more. 2:00 - What was the wider significance of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final defeat against Borussia Dortmund? / 20:30 - Which players have been integral to Bologna’s somewhat unsung defensive solidity? / 35:57 - How has Pierre Sage successfully steadied the good ship Lyon since taking over from Fabio Grosso in November?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Ninad Barbidikar to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Bayer Leverkusen’s era-defining spring, Jagoba Arrasate’s emotional Osasuna farewell, Igor Tudor’s inevitable Serie A return and more. 1:45 - How might we explain Juventus’s spectacular drop-off in form since the end of January? / 20:00 - Could Jonathan Burkardt be the man to almost single-handedly drag Bo Henriksen’s Mainz up the table and clear of the relegation dogfight? / 39:40 - In what sense would a win for Mallorca in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final eclipse the club’s 2003 Samuel Eto’o-inspired Copa del Rey triumph?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Luke Entwistle to discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at AC Monza’s uncut gems, Almería’s unlikely hero, PSG’s post-takeover melodrama and more. 1:40 - Where did it all go wrong for Rafael Benítez at Celta Vigo, and what’s next for both parties? / 25:20 - What might the post-Kylian Mbappé era look like for PSG and Ligue 1? / 44:50 - To what extent should history’s eventual critique of Simone Inzaghi’s Inter side be marred by their recent Champions League exit?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael are joined by Albert from the Long Ball Futebol podcast to discuss and analyse the latest European football news, with a particular focus on the ever-evolving landscape of Portuguese football. The boys look at Arouca’s resurgent Spanish Armada, the curious case of Vizela, Bologna’s rewarded patience, Valencia’s redemption arc and more. 1:40 - How has Daniel Sousa instigated the remarkable turnaround that has seen Arouca climb from the bottom of the table to within touching distance of the European spots? / 30:32 - Where did Sassuolo’s erstwhile scintillating project go wrong? / 53:34 - What were the main takeaways from the Copa del Rey semi-finals and, looking ahead, what can we expect from May’s enticing final?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Salernitana’s hopeless Serie A predicament, Rayo Vallecano’s post-Iraola struggles, Bayern Munich’s silent stagnation and more. 1:37 - Which Atlético Madrid starlet looks destined become Spain's future number nine? 13:49 - To what extent should we be probing Tuchel’s reputation as one of the best coaches in Europe? / 26:10 - Notwithstanding Lazio’s recent Champions League exploits, why might Maurizo Sarri’s days soon be numbered at the Stadio Olimpico?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Diego Simeone’s Madrilenian masterclasses, Stade Brestois’s spirit of the collective, Inter Milan’s increasingly convincing title credentials and more. 1:40 - How has the enigmatic Éric Roy moulded Stade Brestois into one of the greatest Ligue 1 underdog stories in recent memory? / 15:50 - Does have any magic dust left to sprinkle on his team and guide them to Serie A survival? / 34:58 - What were the key factor’s behind Xavi’s downfall at Barcelona?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Almería’s controversial Bernabéu heartbreak, Szymon Żurkowski’s incredible start to 2024, the context behind Saša Kalajdžić’s underwhelming spell at Wolves and more. 1:38 - How has Toni Kroos’s game continued to evolve as he nears the final stages of his stellar playing career? / 21:28 - What have been the main factors behind Hellas Verona’s ominous fire sale of several valuable players including Josh Doig, Isak Hien and Cyril Ngonge? / 39:08 - What should we expect from Jadon Sancho and Saša Kalajdžić over the next few months following their recent loan moves to Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively? 

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at the Copa del Rey’s divisive format, the wider significance of the abolition of the Descreto Crescita for Italian football, Calais’s remarkable run to the Coupe de France final at the turn of the century and more. 1:34 - Why is the Coupe de France widely regarded as one of the most romantic domestic cups in world football? / 16:42 - What can Tottenham fans expect from their new Romanian signing, Radu Drăgușin? / 36:00 - How might we explain Real Sociedad’s contrasting fortunes in Europe and domestically?

Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. The boys look at Italian football’s imminent changing of the guard, the Bundesliga’s hectic Hinrunde, Luís Campos’s ill-fated dual Galician-Parisian project, Fiorentina’s crescendo, Real Madrid’s resilience in the face of winter fog, Patrik Schick’s golden opportunity and more. 1:35 - How might we make the argument that Serie A is currently one of the most competitive leagues in Europe? / 15:20 - Where did it go wrong for Luís Campos in his role as a strategic advisor to Celta Vigo? / 35:43 - What key factor has enabled Bundesliga debutants Heidenheim and their long-serving coach Franck Schmidt to defy all the early-season expectations?