On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

Latest Episodes:

OTC Special: Celebrating the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

10 days ago, Bayer Leverkusen won their first ever Bundesliga. Bayern Munich were dethroned at last. Last week, Andy Brassell went on the road with Leverkusen as their hunt for even more success this season continued – first at West Ham, then at Borussia Dortmund.

Andy spoke to some of the fans, players and pundits closest to the club including Granit Xhaka, captain Lukas Hradecky, and OTC favourite Archie Rhind-Tutt. They offer a unique insight into what this title really means.

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

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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.

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Ask OTC: Why players want to play for Barcelona, De Rossi’s hard launch at Roma and the impact Lewis Ferguson’s injury Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

How come English teams are playing the most continental style of football in Europe? Why do players move to Barcelona when it has become a “clown house”? Roma have hard launched their future with De Rossi, why now? What does Naby Keita’s future look like? And how will Bologna and Lewis Ferguson be impacted by his ACL injury?

Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen have the answers on today’s Ask OTC!

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

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A Rüdiger Awakening Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

And then there were four. Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars Sivertsen to get their heads around a dramatic conclusion to the Champions League last eight!

Lars is gutted that PSG are finally turning into a sensible team, while Andy explains that Dortmund’s semi-final spot belies some far-from-sensible decision-making inside the club. Yes, Sven Mislintat might really be making a comeback.

Plus, did Real Madrid really put in a “classic” European display or did Manchester City just fluff their lines? And after Bayer Leverkusen lifted the title last Sunday, Andy explains why Xabi Alonso and the club were a match made in heaven from day one.

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

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Ask OTC: What’s changed since Fenerbahçe’s protest, Tuchel’s next move, and France’s ultimate comeback story Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

After a final like no other in Turkey, what has been the reaction to Fenerbahçe’s extraordinary protest and has anything changed because of it? Is it all aboard the Premier League train for Thomas Tuchel? How has a former Sunderland player who had been out of management for 12 years worked miracles at a Ligue 1 club?! Where does the ‘Allez Allez Allez’ chant come from – and why does pretty much every club sing it nowadays?

Dotun, Andy and David are your continental tour guides for today’s Ask OTC!

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

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Will the real Barça coach please stand up? Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

What a week of Champions League football! Andy agrees with Luis Enrique’s belief that his PSG side play more like Barcelona than Barcelona. And yet ultimately Xavi’s own style of football got the better of his old manager in impressive fashion. Dotun, Andy and David are on hand to explain how!

Elsewhere, David and Andy fear for the losers of Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund as both sides appear to be a ghost of their former, 2010s-golden-era selves. Plus, after the 'big four' offered up more questions than answers on Tuesday night, can anyone predict the Champions League favourites?

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

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Ask OTC: Can Rúben Amorim be Klopp's heir, Valencia’s steady redemption, and inspirational coaches Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

What is Rúben Amorim’s journey so far and will he be a good fit with Liverpool? How have Valencia turned their fortunes around this season – even under Peter Lim’s ownership? Which coaches do other coaches learn from? And… why is Dotun speaking like Roy Hodgson in Norwegian?

Dotun, David and Lars are back to answer your questions from the past week in European football!

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

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Two tales of two coaches Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

Dotun’s joined by David Cartlidge and Lars Sivertsen as one of this season’s biggest questions finally has an answer: Xabi Alonso will stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season. We contrast his fortunes with the dour ones of Thomas Tuchel, who is destined to angrily skulk through the exit door of yet another European powerhouse.

Elsewhere, David is particularly scathing of Juventus’ reluctance to replace the uninspiring Max Allegri with any of the suitable options available. Could Bologna boss Thiago Motta be the ideal fit? And we also look ahead to the Copa del Rey final this weekend, as Athletic Bilbao look to crown an impressive season with their first cup victory in four decades.

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

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Ask OTC: Ligue 1 without Mbappé, the future for Wirtz, and the Basque National Team Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

How will Ligue 1 cope without its preeminent star next season? Where next for one of Xabi Alonso’s most promising young talents, Florian Wirtz? Plus, why are all the major nations struggling ahead of Euro 2024 and why did the Basque Country play their first international fixture in four years?

Dotun, Andy and Jonathan Johnson answer all of YOUR questions!

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

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France’s Harry Maguire Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

We’re one step closer to the Euros after this international break but how are the runners and riders placed ahead of the tournament? Today, Jonathan Johnson tells Dotun and Andy how France has reacted to their unexpected loss to Germany and Andy identifies which player is the “Harry Maguire” of their national team.

Elsewhere, the panel explain how Roberto Martínez has made Portugal a dangerous prospect for the Euros. Plus, as domestic football returns this weekend, JJ explains how injury has forced Marseille to turn to extreme measures to field a competitive XI.

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

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Ask OTC: Inter’s potential dynasty, the chase for Victor Osimhen, and Conference League favourites Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

The international break gives Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini the chance to look ahead towards the end of the European domestic season.

They wonder if impending financial concerns might halt an Inter dynasty just as it’s getting started and rate some of the non-English contenders in the Europa Conference League. Plus, they assess the summer suitors for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, with PSG and several Premier League clubs reportedly interested.

Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.