We need to talk about Zidane

France have lost their first game under Zinedine Zidane. Today, Jonathan Johnson joins Andy to explain why he has had concerns about France under Zidane for a while now.Elsewhere, Belgium got a good win over Türkiye. Andy explains how Belgian football could start thriving following the end of the much-heralded “Golden Generation”.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the World Cup now firmly left behind us (very much so in the case of Italy), international sides across Europe are turning to youth to power their next generation. That’s certainly the case for Roberto Mancini and his Italy side, which has an average age of just 24. How excited should we be about their young blood?Nicky Bandini joins Dotun and Andy to discuss that. Plus, Portugal begin life without Cristiano Ronaldo, but who is going to shine in his place? And it’s the Netherlands vs Greece on Friday evening. Who will come out on top in a battle between the two developing sides?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just nine months ago, Max Allegri and Cesc Fàbregas clashed on the touchline when AC Milan faced Como. Fast forward, and Fàbregas has just led his team to a 9-1 win over Lens, while Allegri has suffered a 4-1 defeat to Porto. How has the experienced manager got it so wrong, and the 'child' got it so right?Kevin Hatchard joins Dotun & Andy to discuss that. Also, what is JJ Gabriel's ceiling? What's going wrong for Iñigo Pérez at Villarreal? And have Marseille finally turned a corner with Bruno Génésio?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fenerbahçe came from behind twice to beat Liverpool in a memorable Champions League night, but how significant is this result? Can the Turkish giants re-establish themselves among Europe's elite under Emre Belözoğlu?Kevin Hatchard joins Dotun and Andy to assess. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich gave Atletico Madrid a bloody nose, while Inter recovered from their bruising derby defeat with a win over Feyenoord. Speaking of wounds, Lyon were left licking theirs after Paulo Fonseca announced his resignation, but is this actually the best outcome for all parties?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's been plenty of noise around Antonio Conte and his links to Manchester United this week. With Michael Carrick staying put at Old Trafford (for now), where is Conte's next realistic landing spot after leaving Napoli in the summer?Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge join Dotun to answer that. Plus, is Unai Simón really the best goalkeeper in the world? Can Javier Aguirre save Valencia from relegation? And why are Napoli not making the most of their rich hotbed of talent?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Kane is your 2026 Ballon d’Or winner! A stunning season leaves him with football’s top award for an individual footballer, but how much does the accolade mean for the Bundesliga and German football more broadly?David Cartlidge and Nicky Bandini join Dotun this week to explore that. Plus, a huge win for José Mourinho and Real Madrid in El Clásico. Have they brought themselves right back in the title fight? And finally, we check in on Project Amorim at Milan after their midweek defeat to Bologna. Are there any signs that he can bring them back to their former glory?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After their stunning victory against Manchester United on Wednesday, Como have properly announced themselves on the European stage. So, can we now call Fàbregas one of Europe's elite coaches?Lars Sivertsen joins Dotun and Andy to answer that. Plus, how are Lazio doing so well in Serie A given their off-field issues? Why are Porto having such a torrid time in the Champions League? And can we expect a title race in Ligue 1?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The four favourites for this season's Champions League met this week, with Bayern Munich taking on Arsenal and PSG hosting Barcelona. With those four sides now clearly ahead of the rest in the pecking order, can we really expect a winner from outside that set?Lars Sivertsen joins Dotun and Andy to discuss that. Plus, Andy's been on his travels to see Galatasaray take on Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Are the Turkish side genuine contenders to go deep in this season's competition?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a fresh round of enticing Europa League and Conference League ties, we wanted to bring you all the latest – and when both Lyon and Marseille are involved, who better than Andy and Jonathan Johnson to guide you through it?Andy joins JJ from Lyon after watching them conquer Crystal Palace last night in a game that was just Lyon all over. But did this show an exciting future for their frontline? Meanwhile, why is Marseille's manager Bruno Génésio all but abandoning European football, just like he did at Lille? And Ruben Amorim might have a new star on his hands after 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse scored a hat-trick at Salzburg.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

José Mourinho received a hero's welcome on his return to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night. In the end, and after a few twists and turns, it was his Real Madrid side who came away victorious. Is there still a touch of the José about Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma?Lars Sivertsen joins Dotun and Andy to debate that. Plus, it was a disastrous night for Fenerbahçe as they sunk to a 6-0 away defeat at Villa Park. Andy was at the game and gives his thoughts on İsmail Kartal's aging squad. And it's been a brilliant week in Europe for Norwegian sides Viking and Bodø/Glimt. Who better than Lars to give us the lowdown?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected] ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every Thursday and Friday throughout the 2026/27 European football season, covering the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, Liga Portugal and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.