The Road to Nowhere European Football Podcast Alasdair Madden

For the last time ever, Alasdair, Barlow and Michael discuss and analyse the latest European football news. In handing out their alternative end-of-season awards, the boys look at Atalanta’s new groove, Strasbourg’s underwhelming campaign, Union Berlin’s imperilled fairytale, Udinese’s artful longevity, Iker Muniain’s emotional farewell and more. 2:20 - Which Ligue 1 manager is a worthy recipient of the RTN Cult Hero Award? / 13:15 - Why is Carlo Ancelotti so adored by his Real Madrid squad? / 22:50 - How might we summarise Alberto Gilardino’s scenic managerial journey to the top flight of Italian football? / 37:51 -Which Bundesliga club’s goal anthem has served as the perfect soundtrack to a memorable campaign? 

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?