On The Continent - A European Football Podcast
Episodes
The age-old Cristiano Ronaldo question | 2026 FIFA World Cup
18 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Another major tournament for Portugal, another debate on whether Cristiano Ronaldo should be starting for them. After his sub-par performance in Portu...
A Dutch ding-dong, Germany thrash Curaçao & turbulence for Türkiye | 2026 FIFA World Cup
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The World Cup is up and running! We were treated to an excellent selection of games over the opening weekend, but was Netherlands 2-2 Japan the pick o...
Ask OTC: Who will win the World Cup? | 2026 FIFA World Cup
12 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The World Cup is underway, and while a record 48 countries began the tournament, only one will lift the trophy. Most people think it’s a two-horse r...
The two sides of a World Cup
11 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
By now we're well used to World Cups build-ups being overshadowed by controversies in the host country, or in this case countries. Usually, those issu...
The France Preview | FIFA World Cup 2026
10 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Didier Deschamps' titans enter this year's World Cup as the team to beat. Champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, Les Bleus are the favourites in No...
The Spain Preview | FIFA World Cup 2026
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Spain made history in 2010 when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner delivered their first World Cup. Sixteen years later, a new generation of La Roj...
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Preview | FIFA World Cup 2026
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the World Cup just days away, we turn our attention to one of the unlikely stories at this summer's tournament: the return of Bosnia and Herzegov...
The Norway Preview | FIFA World Cup 2026
05 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of our series of nation previews ahead of the World Cup, we take a close look at the summer's popular dark horses: Norway. Back on the wo...
Is North America ready to host the World Cup?
04 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The start of North America's first World Cup in over 30 years is just days away, but despite the excitement reverberating around the world ahead of ki...
Are we in the midst of a Parisian dynasty?
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Paris Saint-Germain have done it again! It's back to back Champions League victories for Luis Enrique and his post-Mbappé project, so how long can th...
Ask OTC: Why have Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon?
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony Gordon’s blistering rise has made him one of football’s hottest properties, but even we couldn't have predicted a move to Barcelona for a ...
It all comes down to this
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
European football's premier competition has rarely experienced a season with quite so much drama. And as it reaches its denouement, can anybody really...
OTC Special: Ole Gunnar Solskjær on Istanbul and the transition from player to manager
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Before last week’s Europa League final, Dotun and Andy flew to Istanbul to meet former Beşiktaş manager and Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar So...
Ask OTC: Comparing Kompany and Chivu, Marseille’s money problems, and can Rayo Vallecano win the Conference League?
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As the 2025/26 season across Europe enters its swansong, Andy is joined by Jonathan Johnson and Lars Sivertsen to answer more of your questions!Are th...
Emery makes it five
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Unai Emery makes it five Europa League titles as a manager. How has he done it? Dotun and Andy are in Istanbul and break it down for us. Plus, could w...
Unmasking Real Madrid
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Excellence. Discipline. Sacrifice. Few clubs embody these tenets like Real Madrid. Their relentless pursuit of success has made them the biggest insti...
Ask OTC: Xabi Alonso’s future, a dilemma in Strasbourg and Mauro Icardi's Turkish legacy
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Eight turbulent months at Real Madrid arguably told us more about the squad's shortcomings than they did Xabi Alonso's coaching credentials. So why, w...
PSG win Ligue 1 (again, again, and again)
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that the current state of Ligue 1 doesn't exactly provide the foundations for a title race which goes down to the wire. This year, it very...
How Barcelona broke Real Madrid to seal La Liga
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
El Clásico once again delivered drama, but Barcelona didn't just beat Real Madrid - they dismantled them. In the first Clásico at the renovated Camp...
Ask OTC: What is Kylian Mbappé’s next best move?
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kylian Mbappé’s situation at Real Madrid is deteriorating: yacht trips during games, growing isolation in the dressing room, and fans launching pet...
How to build a dynasty
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
PSG have qualified for back-to-back Champions League finals for the first time in their history. Luis Enrique is clearly doing something right in Pari...
Ask OTC: Edin Terzić's integration, promotion in Spain, and our picks for most entertaining games
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Athletic Bilbao is a football club defined by its Basque-only philosophy: the club only uses players developed either in its own academy or elsewhere ...
Does football ever get better than that?
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We all expected PSG vs Bayern Munich to be good... but that good? Nobody could've predicted that.David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to dissect what ...
Visiting the new Camp Nou: Cultural wonder or tourist trap?
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After two years away, Barcelona have returned to Camp Nou. When finished, it will be the biggest football stadium in Europe and a much-needed financia...
Where does the balance of power lie in Serie A?
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lars Sivertsen isn't even on the show today, but after Juventus' 0-0 draw away at Milan on Sunday night, you can hear his cries of 'make Juventus fun ...
Ask OTC: Liam Rosenior’s options, Bernardo Silva’s next step and Coppa Italia predictions
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chelsea have pulled the trigger again, parting ways with Liam Rosenior after a mere four months at Stamford Bridge, so where should he go to rebuild h...
The Bernabéu boos again
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Things tend to get twitchy when Real Madrid aren't competing for trophies, but the atmosphere you can sense on the Bernabéu terraces is something we ...
Real Sociedad win the Copa del Rey
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Real Sociedad claimed their first major trophy since 2020 by winning a thrilling Copa del Rey final against Atlético Madrid. Glory for La Real, but y...
Ask OTC: Did Sporting hold back against Arsenal?
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After their ruthless dismantling of Bodø/Glimt, many thought that Sporting would have something to offer an out-of-form Arsenal side - but just one g...
And then there were four
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Champions League served up yet another all-timer at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night with Bayern Munich putting Real Madrid to the sword. You ...
Ask OTC: PSG’s resurgence, Manuel Neuer’s legacy and a potential homecoming
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After some questionable performances in the previous stage of the Champions League, many doubted whether PSG could retain their European crown. But af...
It’s only half-time...
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Atlético Madrid pulled off a shock victory at Camp Nou for the first time since 2006! So, how did they do it and what do they have to do in the secon...
The creation of Kylian Mbappé, with author Philippe Auclair
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We've all heard the term ‘Project Mbappé’. It's used to describe parents pushing their children into football from a young age, inspired by Kylia...
Ask OTC: Lukaku’s fate, Schlotterbeck’s choice and an English legend at Cesena
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After failing to return to training, Romelu Lukaku's future at Napoli hangs in the balance. It seems unbelievable given his relationship with Antonio ...
If at first you don't succeed, fail, fail again
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Yet another disastrous qualification campaign has ended with Italy failing to reach the World Cup for the third successive time. First under Gian Pier...
Ask OTC: Salah’s next move, Lens’ fixture dispute and could Klopp return?
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The news of Mohamed Salah's Liverpool exit reverberated across the football world. Some have linked him to the Saudi Pro League, others to MLS - but w...
Just don't mess it up
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Italy, we send you one simple message ahead of your World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland tonight. Please, all you have to do is not ...
De Klassieker exposes Ajax & Feyenoord's flaws
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There was a time when De Klassieker represented the very best that Dutch football had to offer. Long gone are the days of Frenkie de Jong, Wesley Snei...
Ask OTC: Galatasaray’s latest stumble, Troy Parrott’s impressive form and Joan Laporta’s return!
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney are here to answer more of your questions after another wonderfully chaotic week of European football. They start with ...
And then there were eight
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The wheat has truly been separated from the chaff in the Champions League. Atlético Madrid face Barcelona in an all-Spanish quarter-final - will Dieg...
Barcelona smoke Sevilla with one eye on Newcastle
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Five goals, a Raphinha hat-trick, Gavi returning to action, and still resting some legs: Barcelona couldn't have asked for a better prelude to thei...
Ask OTC: Fede Valverde’s true position, Nice’s possible relegation and a Roman revolution
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For a long time, Federico Valverde was used in a deep role for Real Madrid. But after scoring a blockbuster hat-trick against Manchester City in the C...
The resilience of champions
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The French media were insistent that Paris Saint-Germain came into their game against Chelsea as underdogs. Well, they certainly proved those critics ...
Milan win the Derby della Madonnina
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We thought the door was shut, but have Milan blown the Serie A title race wide open again? Victory for the red side of Milan against their city rivals...
Ask OTC: Real Madrid's expectations, Flamengo's puzzling decision, and Portugal's Nordic takeover
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
At Real Madrid, losing isn’t acceptable. Drawing isn’t acceptable. Conceding can feel like failure. Álvaro Arbeloa has done the unthinkable: two ...
This is Atleti
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In typical Atlético Madrid style, Diego Simeone's side have dragged themselves into the Copa del Rey final kicking and screaming. Only Atleti could m...
Bayern win Der Klassiker!
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's no 'good time' to play Bayern Munich, but in the form they've been in this season, any Bundesliga side would rightly head into that game expec...
Ask OTC: Italian embarrassment, Real Madrid's ugly side, and Barça's election season
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's no exaggeration to say that this season has been calamitous for Italian football. Almost every Serie A team is out of the Champions League, the n...
Mountains are there to be climbed
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It was a night of comebacks in the Champions League. Atalanta succeeded in knocking Borussia Dortmund off of their perch, and Juventus came oh so clos...
PSG pass muster against Monaco
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It was advantage PSG after a close first leg, so it's no wonder they were rattled after Monaco took the lead at the Parc des Princes. Despite a late P...
Ask OTC: Nick Woltemade's future, Marseille uncertainty, and how to sink the Super League
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
'Idiots' was the term that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge used to describe Newcastle after they paid £69m for German striker Nick Woltemade. Six months into h...
Pick on someone your own size
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Champions League's 'Big Boys' are well used to giving the competition's smaller teams a spanking... but not this week! Up in the Arctic Circle Bod...
Derby d'rama!
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Inter 3-2 Juventus sounds like a fascinating game on paper, but my goodness me, that doesn't tell nearly half the story.Nicky Bandini joins Andy to di...
Ask OTC: Thomas Frank’s future, Chukwuemeka’s choice, and a romantic detour
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After an acrimonious exit from North London, could a future on mainland Europe be the perfect next step for Thomas Frank as he looks to regain his man...
Roberto DeSerted
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Who could have known that after all this time, it is us who moves the thumb to signal the demise of managers in Europe. After Jonathan Johnson joined ...
OM-G (Marseille mauled by PSG)
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Le Classique is rarely a close affair, but 5-0 is a result that nobody could have predicted. Marseille totally outclassed by PSG in a night that could...
Ask OTC: Should UEFA boycott the World Cup?
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In 2018, FIFA member states voted overwhelmingly to give the USA, Canada and Mexico hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup, a decision hailed as histor...
The state of Europe's title races
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
And breathe... the league phase of the Champions League is finally over, which means we can get back to some domestic action! So what is the state of ...
European transfer round-up
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In perhaps the most important January transfer window of the last few years, with a World Cup on the horizon, there wasn't a huge amount of movement i...
Ask OTC: Tammy leaves Türkiye, embarrassment for Atléti, and going crazy for Cresswell
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a seven-year hiatus, Tammy Abraham is back in the Premier League, at Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. His sabbatical wasn’t an unpleasant one - sti...
The Trubin Show
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the words of Dotun Adebayo. Wow, wow, wow. We know the Champions League never disappoints, but did anybody expect to see the drama that unfolded la...
Milan and Roma fail to close the gap on Inter
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's fair to say that 1-1 doesn't nearly tell the full story of Roma's draw with Milan. A pulsating game between the two sides vying with Inter for th...
Ask OTC: Bedlam in Bodø, Ethan Nwaneri's way back... and decisions, decisions for Mateta
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It was around 8:30pm when the referee blew the final whistle in the Aspmyra Stadion, marking the most historic night in Bodø/Glimt's existence: a 3-1...
The Kompany man
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bayern Munich just will not stop winning! So why isn't anybody talking them up as genuine Champions League challengers? With Vincent Kompany's side se...
Ask OTC: A gamble in Milan, taking over Ligue 1, and De Zerbi's future
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you're sitting second in Serie A, January should be about strengthening for a title push - not gambling on an out-of-form, injury-prone striker. Ye...
Won't the real Madrid please stand up
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Eight months was all it took for Xabi Alonso to be given the boot by Real Madrid. Was he doomed from the very start? Is Álvaro Arbeloa the man to rep...
Barcelona win the Supercopa
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The goals were raining down in Jeddah on Sunday night! Barcelona won an absolute cracker of an El Clásico in the Supercopa. 3-2 it finished to Barça...
Ask OTC: Ruben Amorim’s redemption, Lennart Karl's "dream", and the resurgence of a Brazilian legend
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a dismal spell in the Premier League (not least at Manchester United), questions are beginning to surround Ruben Amorim's future: has he ruined ...
Blue is the colour
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's fair to say the appointment of Liam Rosenior at Chelsea hasn't gone down well with the fans of RC Strasbourg. In fact, their own supporters label...
Developing the next generation, with Thomas Broich: Head of Youth Academy at Borussia Dortmund
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Andy is joined by Thomas Broich - former Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Köln and German U21 international who, as the Head of Borussia Dortmund...
Top wonderkids to watch in 2026
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The start of a new year is nearly here, which naturally means new beginnings and new questions. Today, David Cartlidge joins Andy to answer a question...
Anatoliy Trubin on leaving Ukraine, adapting to life at Benfica and his hopes for 2026
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Few players have gone on the journey that Benfica and Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin has been on. War has affected every part of Ukrainian footbal...
Ask OTC Christmas Special: One last World Cup for two legends, gifting players for Christmas, and our bold predictions for 2026
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Merry Christmas, one and all! As the year draws to a close and 2026 beckons, we’re answering some of your questions about this year in European foot...
La Liga's untold stories, with author Brendan Madden
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone knows Kylian Mbappé, the historic glamour of Real Madrid and how Pep Guardiola revolutionised football as we know it. But what about those u...
Ask OTC: Lewandowski's legacy, Jobe Bellingham's reputation at Dortmund, and Hansi Flick's dilemma
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Robert Lewandowski weighs up a possible move to MLS, Andy, Dotun and David Cartlidge reflect on the career of one of Europe's most prolific striker...
Pay up, Paris
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
PSG were crowned Intercontinental Cup winners last night. The what, sorry? Exactly. But elsewhere, it was another PSG match-up that really made the he...
Ask OTC: Conte’s Champions League struggles, chaos in Türkiye, and the rise of Ricky Jade-Jones
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini as they coast through more of your continental queries! If you're curious about the latest young English striker ma...
Is Xabi Alonso really the problem?
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two losses at the Bernabéu in four days and the Madrid media storm is kicking up around Xabi Alonso. But, is he to blame for Real Madrid’s issues? ...
Ask OTC: An unacceptable night in Amsterdam, a revitalised Ligue 1, and could AC Milan really land Mateta?
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ajax are famed for their electric matchday atmosphere, but when their match against Groningen was abandoned after just six minutes due to a firework d...
The two horse race
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Atletico Madrid kept them at the top of La Liga, but with Atleti missing a huge chance to close the gap on Spain's big...
Jhon Durán rescues Fenerbahçe against Galatasaray!
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Remember Jhon Durán, Premier League fans? He might be pulling muscles rather than exactly tearing up trees in Istanbul, but here he added to his big-...
Ask OTC: Bosz schools Slot, rebuilding Genoa, and the return of Joan García
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After PSV’s decisive victory over Liverpool, we have to ask: did Arne Slot really just get taught a lesson from Peter Bosz? And what does such a com...
Diego Simeone's tool kit
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diego Simeone's has got more weapons up his sleeve this season. He proved his firepower off the bench in Atletico’s win over Inter? But what about h...
AC Milan leave Inter rueing missed chances
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On paper, grinding out a 1-0 victory over their city rivals was exactly what we'd expect from Max Allegri's AC Milan. But in fact, this game has reall...
Ask OTC: Welcoming Barça home, Conte's potential replacement and the truth about this season's Serie A
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After two years of renovations - and more than a few delays - Barcelona are finally returning home to Camp Nou. But will the homecoming spark a more p...
Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe...
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dear the Italians, where did those beautiful glory days go? After a crushing 4-1 defeat to Norway, Gennaro Gattuso's side had to settle for a play-off...
Ask OTC: Taking over Atléti, Atalanta's revamp and social media scouts
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Atlético Madrid have confirmed the sale of a majority stake in the club. So with major investment expected in the squad and infrastructure, can Diego...
Saved by the break
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You could hear the jeers across the continent as the international break reared its head once again. But for those of a Real Madrid persuasion, perhap...
PSG always find a way
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We had a five-goal thriller at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday night! PSG had to come back from two Lyon equalisers to take the three points on the ban...
Ask OTC: High stakes in Turkey, the fall of Fiorentina, and under the radar players
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Turkish Football Federation has suspended 149 referees over an alleged betting scandal. During his time at Fenerbahçe, José Mourinho was outspok...
Kompany’s Bayern Munich
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
16 wins from 16, top of the Champions League and a 2-1 win over the European Champions while playing a half with 10 men. Bayern Munich have had a sens...
Ask OTC: De Bruyne's injury woes, will Valencia finally face the music, and the rise of Kenan Yıldız
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dotun is joined by Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge to unpack Kevin De Bruyne's latest setback - a hamstring injury picked up while taking a penalty ...
The fall of the House of Tudor
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Italian football's most confusing team has taken another manager to the chopping block. Igor Tudor's stint at Juventus didn't last long, but after eig...
Real Madrid win El Clásico in style
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Xabi Alonso got his debut El Clásico win, and his Real Madrid side did it in some fashion! Jude Bellingham capped off a fantastic week as he scored t...
Ask OTC: Abysmal Ajax, saving Real Sociedad, and the number 10’s place in European football
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge answer more of your burning European football questions, as we try to find out why Ajax and Real Sociedad are in their...
Smashing the ants
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As PSG keep going full Jay-Z on the Champions League, how are the competition's big boys changing their approach to master the league phase? Dotun, An...
Bayern Munich outmuscle Dortmund
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bayern Munich are setting the tone as one of the most intense teams in Europe right now. And in the first half of Saturday's Der Klassiker, Borussia D...
Ask OTC: Spain's World Cup expectations, a manager-less Monaco, and six substitutes?
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign - winning every match and conceding no goals - Spain are looking more formidable than ever. La Roja hav...
The embarrassment of the riches
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wow, wow, wow. Despite having one of the best striker partnerships in world football, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres' Sweden fell to defeat again...
Pogoń Szczecin CEO Tan Kesler on the Ekstraklasa, his family, and how to make people watch football
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the son of a Turkish international, Tan Kesler was always going to have a deep affinity with the beautiful game. However, from an early age, Tan re...