We want to take a look at the team of the moment in a two-hour seminar at the Academy. What makes Bayer so strong and how can their style of play be classified in regard to tactical theory and history? Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga table and we want to look in detail at […]

It’s another huge week across the continent, and Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romero have you covered. Bayern Munich are beaten for the 3rd game in a row, this time by Bochum as they slip 8 points behind leaders Leverkusen. What’s happened to Harry Kane and what will happen to Thomas Tuchel if they lose again to Leipzig? Napoli are set to make another managerial switch ahead of their Champions League clash with Barcelona. Has this been one of the most shambolic seasons in football history from the Italian champions? And are Barca in a worse state than they are? Elsewhere the panel get excited about Inter v Atletico and the forthcoming Europa and Conference League action. Plus Mbappe’s going to Real Madrid, Gattuso leaves Marseille and the fastest goal in Austrian Bundesliga history. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Moment of the weekend and TV rights (01.00) • PART 2: Bayern Munich beaten by Bochum (15.00) • PART 3a: Champions League preview (26.00) • PART 3b: Europa and Conference League preview (40.00) • PART 4: Mbappe to Real Madrid (53.00) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £2 A MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musa is joined by Seb Stafford-Bloor to talk about Bochum’s 3-2 win over Bayern, which heaped even more pressure on Thomas Tuchel after a third defeat in a row (03:00), plus another win for Leverkusen and some more goings-on in Germany’s first and second tier. They also chat about Manchester City and Chelsea’s draw at the Etihad (34:31), big wins for Arsenal and Liverpool in the title race, and the rest of the Premier League. Host: Musa Okwonga Guest: Seb Stafford-Bloor Producer: Ryan Hunn Additional Production: Jonathan Fisher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices For more podcasts, ad-free and in full, plus access to the Stadio Social Club and much more, you can become a Stadio member by signing up at patreon.com/stadio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PSG might sign Serge Gnabry as a substitution for Kylian Mbappe, agreeing to German media. The French megastar's flight for Real Madrid is progressively looking like fair a matter of time. After once more time running down his contract, Mbappe, it appears, will at long last make the move to the Spanish capital. As a result, PSG will likely got to sign a big-name substitution, in spite of the fact that they also have Xavi Simons on the books, who will return from his amazing Leipzig loan within the summer and who can moreover highlight on the left wing in spite of basically playing on the right. In any case, there's still no ensure that the Dutchman will really be given a chance. He seem fair as well be flipped for benefit to adjust the books, after all PSG paid just €4 million to re-sign him from PSV. The names of a part of potential Mbappe substitutions have been bandied around in later weeks, with Man Utd's Marcus Rashford the foremost high-profile player supposedly under consideration. Presently, be that as it may, a unused and somewhat bizarre star has too entered the picture. Gnabry to PSG? Agreeing to BILD's Lukas Fischer, Serge Gnabry could be a target for the French monsters within the occasion of Mbappe's flight. In reality, the writer goes so distant as to claim that he is the 'top candidate' which a potential move is 'heating up.' The player is caught on to be sharp on the move and Bayern would be willing to allow his wish, having as of now supposedly move recorded him in January for €55m. Fischer moreover states that PSG have been following the German player for a few time. Whereas the ex-Arsenal man is without a doubt a incredible player, it would be a strange move on the portion of PSG. Gnabry is three a long time Mbappe's senior, a altogether more awful player and has scarcely included so distant this term due to harm, only scoring once when fit, subsequently why Bayern are willing to cash in on him. For €55m, you may easily get a more youthful player with massive upside to supplant the megastar otherwise- you seem attempt to urge Rashford; it's not like PSG are strapped for cash. It would be interesting for the French mammoths to seek after a bargain for Gnabry at this organize of his career. Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that Real Madrid don’t got to sign Kylian Mbappe as they as of now have the six best players in world football, but Rodrygo disagrees. Los Blancos ran out 4-0 champs over La Liga title challengers Girona on Saturday in a statement of intent in Spain, and Ancelotti was awed by his side’s performance. Vinicius Junior ran revolt on the night and the Brazilian is right now the leading player on the planet, agreeing to Ancelotti. After Real Madrid’s resonating win, the previous AC Milan, Chelsea and PSG boss was inquired almost Mbappe’s potential summer move from Paris Saint-Germain. Be that as it may, he was fast to reject any exchange talk. Kylian Mbappe to connect Real Madrid? “You keep inquiring almost a player who plays for another team,” Ancelotti said amid his post-match press conference. “now we have the most excellent player within the world here. In arrange: Vini Jr to begin with, [Jude] Bellingham moment, Rodrygo third. At that point [Toni] Kroos, [Federico] Valverde, [Eduardo] Camavinga.” Whereas Ancelotti was sharp to squash any gossipy tidbits of Mbappe joining on a free exchange when his PSG contract terminates this season, Rodrygo was enthusiastic to precise his want for the Frenchman to join. The Brazil worldwide is seemingly the foremost likely current Real Madrid player to lose his spot within the beginning XI in case Mbappe arrives, but Rodrygo needs to see the PSG star connect this summer regardless. After the 4-0 win over Girona, he told correspondents: “I would love Mbappe to come. I always need to play with the most excellent and he's one of the most excellent the world. I can't conversation much almost him. He's a PSG player and I have to be him.” Mbappe has scored 20 objectives and given four helps in 19 Ligue 1 recreations so distant this season, and whereas the Frenchman could be a danger to Rodrygo's put in Real Madrid's beginning XI, the Brazilian apparently needs him to connect the club.

Bayern Munich are out of both domestic Cup competitions and were humbled by Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side at the weekend. As pressure mounts ahead of their Champions League game at Lazio this week… Why are things not going as smoothly as usual for Bayern? And is it REALLY possible Kane could go another season without finally winning a title? Is Thomas Tuchel in trouble? And could Bayern potentially tempt Alonso this summer? Ayo Akinwolere is with the Athletic’s German football writer Raphael Honigstein and England and Tottenham reporter Jack Pitt-Brooke. Produced by Mike Stavrou Additional production: Jay Beale Executive producer: Adey Moorhead Further reading: https://theathletic.com/5263314/2024/02/11/bayern-munich-thomas-tuchel-bayer-leverkusen/?source=audio_podcast_podcastID_144_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse, ahead of the 2024 MLS season, analyze the betting odds for MLS Cup Champions and pick a few of their favorites. (12:29) Across the pond, Americans were scoring at will with Ricardo Pepi, Taylor Booth, Haji Wright, all finding the back of the net. We also had two HUGE results in Germany and Spain as Bayer Leverkusen & Real Madrid planted their flags at the top of the table. The guys also ask this timely question... How would the USMNT fare in the Africa Cup of Nations & the Asian Cup? (27:07) In #AskAlexi, the guys answer questions on the implications of blue cards & dream USMNT matchups building up to the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. To wrap the podcast, Alexi dives into the USL Super League joining NWSL on tier one of the women's soccer pyramid. (58:39) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a matchup between an unstoppable force and an immovable object; Harry Kane winning a trophy vs. Bayern Munich losing the Bundesliga! Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen absolutely dominated Bayern in their match over the weekend, winning 3-0 and looking like the clear favorites to finally dethrone the Bavarian giants as champions of Germany! Christian and Alexis break down the match and predict which side will win the Bundesliga. The guys also discuss the 2026 World Cup stadium locations, react to blue cards potentially coming to soccer, recap the finals of AFCON and the Asia Cup. Exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/SoccerCooligans This is where we put everything we shouldn't say 😉 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Leventhal returns to preview a bumper weekend of football ahead, including the Premier League as well as title matchups in Germany and Spain, and two international cup finals. The Premier League matchweek is headlined by fourth-place Villa welcoming eighth-place Manchester United to Villa Park. Both are chasing Champions League football, and Villa could open up an 11-point gap over the visitors. Elsewhere Manchester City welcome Everton hoping to extended their winning run to 10 games in all competitions, and Spurs head to Brighton in another eye-catching fixture. Saturday also sees the top two in Spain and Germany face off, with Jon MacKenzie filling us in on all the ramifications of Real Madrid vs Girona and Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich. And finally, both the Asian Cup and AFCON tournaments come to an end this weekend - we preview both finals. Further reading: https://theathletic.com/5243354/2024/02/07/fake-man-united-news-social-media/?source=audio_podcast_podcastID_144_ Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Joey D’Urso Producer: John Rogers *** • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Alvaro Romeo and Julien Laurens take in some monumental match-ups across the continent. Inter beat Juventus to take the title initiative, thanks to the fluidity of Pavard and an Alonso-esque performance from Calhanoglu. Speaking of Xabi, Leverkusen and Bayern both win ahead of their clash in the Bundesliga this Saturday, where Thomas Muller will look for his 501st win at club level. The top two will also meet in Spain this weekend. Girona and Real Madrid both drew, as Atletico missed their chance to keep their title hopes alive. Will Kylian Mbappe be lining up at the Bernabeu next season? His mind is reportedly made up. Who could replace him at PSG? Plus El Bilbao, crisis meetings in Marseille and tennis balls in Berlin. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Moment of the weekend (02.00) • PART 2a: Inter 1-0 Juventus (07.45) • PART 2b: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid (16.45) • PART 3: Leverkusen and Bayern ready for battle (26.00) • PART 4a: Henderson debuts for Ajax (33.00) • PART 4b: The race for the top 4 in Italy (36.00) • PART 4c: The race for the top 4 in Spain (43.00) • PART 5: Mbappe set for Real Madrid? (53.00) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £2 A MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The midweek Premier League episode was an historic one for The Soccer Sharps - it was their first-ever entirely losing show. The Sharps went 0-5 with their Official Plays, and turned in the worst show of their careers. However, as always, they go again! It's the start of a new month, and a perfect time to reset and bounce back. Devin and Jordan have come up with 7 Official Plays for weekend matches taking place in Germany, Spain, Italy, and England. Matches discussed: - SC Freiburg v VfB Stuttgart (3:40) - Darmstadt 98 v Bayer Leverkusen (7:46) - Bayern Munich v B. Monchengladbach (12:12) - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (17:43) - Inter v Juventus (22:18) - Arsenal v Liverpool (28:58) - Brentford v Manchester City (36:00) For additional leans and last-minute Official Plays, JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER; it's the best way to ensure you don't miss anything from us. Invite link: https://discord.gg/cx7WJKWabQ THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you're making money with our advice, please consider taking a moment to leave us a 5-Star review wherever you're listening to our show. It really helps us out!We appreciate your help in growing this podcast. We want as many people as possible to be making money with us, so please share our episodes!JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER: https://discord.gg/cx7WJKWabQFOLLOW US:Twitter: @TheSoccerSharps Instagram: @TheSoccerSharpsCURRENT SEASON P&L SPREADSHEET: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HzJuaiy_-Hv0gaidKQiU_b9706lEbvTu_OOiNgeQJ_c/edit?usp=sharingP&L SPEADSHEETS FROM PREVIOUS SEASONS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jca0dVIW7FumZ27VEcyhdre0Ke5gh7C6?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices