Football Today

Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

Individual Tracks:

Svela Tal by LillehammerThoughtless by Warmbody Ultima Thule by Glacier Quartet - ArabyLoom by Textile CarambTrailrunner by ZanderMedian Point by Glass ObeliskMinutes by Pacha FaroPeacetime by TinyTiny Trio

How Bad is Barcelona's Financial Crisis? Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

It was just six years ago that Barcelona was the envy of world football. But now, they’re in the midst of a financial crisis. Last week Spanish newspaper El Mundo revealed that the club had more than €1 billion in debts and then on Saturday night they reported that Messi will be paid more than €500 million over the last 4 seasons. Today we ask, how dire are Barcelona finances and what do they mean for the future of the club? Guest:

Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) is an editor of Football Espana and author of The Frying Pan of Spain: Sevilla v Real Betis - Spain's Hottest Football Rivalry

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Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

‘KeoKeo’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Checkered Blue’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Rate Sheet’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Black Ballots’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Union Hall Melody’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Stretch of Lonely’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Peacetime’ by Blue Dot Sessions

Clips Used: UEFA, TalkFCB, Bloomberg

Can Sporting Lisbon End Their Title Drought? Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

It's been a long time since Sporting Lisbon won the Portuguese league. So long in fact the last time they won it in 2002, Ronaldo was is their youth team, 'Lady Marmalade' was the number 1 song worldwide and Star Wars Episode 2 was in theaters.

But that might about to change in. Sporting is first in the league and after a draw against Porto on Saturday the club is 10 points ahead of their Portuguese rivals. Today we ask, can Sporting Lisbon end their title drought? Guest: Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) is the creator of Portugoal.net and is World Soccer Magazine's Portugal correspondent. Support Us:

Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

‘Andelo’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Georgia Overdrive’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Astrisx’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Symphony 40 in G Minor’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘We Build With Rubber Bands’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Peacetime’ by Blue Dot Sessions

Dissecting the New European Super League Proposal Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Last week The Times revealed new information regarding the formation of a potential European Super League starting in 2022-2023. But before it was released, FIFA, UEFA, and the 5 other regional federations united in the opposition to such a league.

Today we examine the latest proposal and ask, what does it mean for football?

Guest:

David Gass (@empiregass) is a freelance broadcaster who is a regular contributor to Extra Time Radio and A Football Podcast. He also regularly commentates on MLS, college soccer, and elsewhere.

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Manchester City Enters Data Arms Race With Liverpool Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

The best two English teams in the last several years have been Liverpool and Manchester City. On the field and off it they are seen as the among best in the country. However, in one department Liverpool has recently had a distinct advantage. Due to the work of Ian Graham Liverpool are widely considered league leaders in their use of data science. But that might be about to change. It appears Manchester City is building a data science department to rival Liverpool's. Last week Training Ground Guru reported that Manchester City hired Laurie Shaw as their new Lead AI Scientist, their fourth data-driven hire within a year. Today we ask: can Manchester City overtake Liverpool in English football's data race? Guest: Paul Neilson (@pjneilson) is the Director of Performance at SkillCorner, which provides data services to the Football industry. He was formerly the Head of Performance Lab at Prozone. Simon Austin (@sport_simon) is the founder of Training Ground Guru, which is a website that reports on the teams behind the teams in professional football. He is also a co-host with Josh on the Training Ground Guru podcast. Support Us:

Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

‘Heather’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Suzy B’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Paramo Ocho’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Kalsted’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Cicle Vascule’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Gra Hovedvei’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Scalloped’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Peacetime’ by Blue Dot Sessions

Clips Used: ITV, ABC

SC Freiburg: The Bundesliga's Best Kept Secret? Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

Earlier this month, all eyes were on the Bundesliga as fallen giants Schalke narrowly avoided matching the longest winless streak in league history…

But at the same time, there was another streak at stake that seemed to have gone below the radar…

Beating Koln 5-0, Christian Streich’s Freiburg had put up their longest winning run in Bundesliga history, putting the club well above the relegation spots and all but confirming another season in the German top division.

In this episode, we ask: who are SC Freiburg? And why are they so anonymous?

Guest:

Derek Rae (@RaeComm) is the commentator on EA’s FIFA video game and lead commentator for ESPN’s Bundesliga coverage and on the DFL world feed.

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Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

Illa Villardo by Cold Case

Lead Shroud by Wax Museum

Cabernet by Cafe Nostra

Waterbourne by Algea Fields

An Accumulation by CloudCover

Pastel de Nata by Orange Cat

Peacetime by TinyTiny Trio

La Liga: The Worst Offensive League in Europe's Big 5? Jan 18, 2021

Show notes

In recent years, goals have been increasing England, Germany, and Italy. But in Spain, goals per game are decreasing dramatically. In fact, La Liga is averaging 2.41 goals per game which is the lowest of any big-5 European league since 2014/15.

Today we ask: why is La Liga the lowest scoring league in Europe’s big-5 leagues?

Guest:

Euan McTear (@emctear) is a Madrid based football journalist. He is also the author of Eibar the Brave. Support Us:

Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

‘Tessalit’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Curio’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Filing Away’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Hash Out’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Coulis Coulis’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Peacetime’ by Blue Dot Sessions

Clips Used: ESPN, Sky Sports

Schalke: (Almost) The Worst Streak in Bundesliga History Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

On January 17th, 2020 Schalke beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0. It would take them another 356 days to get their next win in the Bundesliga, which they did by beating Hoffenheim 4-0. Had Schalke lost or drawn the game they would’ve tied a 55-year-old Bundesliga record held by Tasmania Berlin for the most consecutive winless games.

Today we ask, how did one of Germany’s biggest teams become historically bad? Guest: Jack Mangan(@JMMangan), Co-Host of SchalkeMerica. Support Us:

Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

‘Roadside Bunkhouse’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Dance of Felt’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Inamorata’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Tartaruga’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Heartland Flyer’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Line Exchange’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Peacetime’ by Blue Dot Sessions

Clips Used: BT Sport, Rabona TV, ITV

The Revival of John Stones Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

There are some players in football that divide opinion. Players that are a lightning rod for attention. John Stones is one of those players and he always has been. This only intensified when he transferred from Everton to Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2016. At the time it was the second-highest fee for a defender. Yet, as the years progressed he seemed to stagnate. But this season has been different. Both the perception and play of Stones has changed. In his last 6 Premier League games, City have kept 5 clean sheets, ascending to 5th in the table. Today we ask, what’s changed for John Stones? Guest: David Mooney (@DavidMooney) is the host of the Blue Moon podcast and the ‘Why Always Us’ Podcast. He also contributes to BBC Radio 5 Live. Support Us:

Music:

The music for this episode was provided under the Creative Commons license by Blue Dot Sessions.

‘Tapoco’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Plasticity’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Dialtone 11’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Lakeside Path’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Setting Pace’ by Blue Dot Sessions

‘Peacetime’ by Blue Dot Sessions

Clips Used: Sky Sports, Tifo Football

Why an American Investment Firm is Buying Burnley Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

In the present day, the idea of buying a football has become run-of-the-mill…

Over the last few years, we’ve seen American actors buying clubs, Russian oligarchs buying clubs, Chinese businessmen buying clubs, and Middle Eastern states buying clubs…

There may not be pots of gold to be made owning a football club, we are frequently told, but there is power to be wielded and kudos to be apportioned. Owning a football club can open doors to the highest echelons of modern society.

So why would an American investment firm think to take over a parochial football club in the North West?

In this episode, we ask: why are ALK Capital investing in Burnley Football Club?

Guest:

Andy Jones (@adjones_journo) covers Burnley for The Athletic

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