French Football Weekly

A lot has happened since we last spoke, including game 5 of the European group stages, game 15 of Ligue 1, half or so of game 16 (we recorded during those) and the Ballon d'Or. Kris, Jez and Phil try not to get off-topic in covering all that, Ada Hegerberg's Ballon d'Or win, and looking forward to a Gilets Jaunes affected game 17, which will see both PSG v Montpellier and Toulouse v OL postponed at police request.

A quick turnaround at FFW Towers as Kris is joined by Phil and Conor to discuss the weekend's Ligue 1 action, and preview the upcoming European games, in which it's fair to say that things aren't going swimmingly for any of the French teams.

After an international break, Kris, Phil, Conor and Jez round up how France have finished 2018, and look forward to the next round of Ligue 1, including OL v Saint-Etienne on Friday.

A limited team this week as Phil and Conor Ketley round up the Ligue 1 results, the European fixtures, and the Coupe de la Ligue. They focus on Montpellier 3 - 0 Marseille and Monaco's ongoing tailspin, before looking at games to watch at the weekend. Go Nimes.

The team gets together to round up all the results in Ligue 1 and Europe, but mostly focus on Le Classique, where PSG won 2-0 away at Marseille. Kris, Jez, Rich and Phil discuss defense, discipline, form and focus as the Coupe de la Ligue kicks off around them.

The FFW Towers bug continues (sorry about the coughing) but doesn't stop Kris, Phil, Jez and Rich from rounding up the results in Ligue 1, Thierry Henry's poor but explicable start at Monaco, Montpellier in the sunshine, Lille's changing approach, whether Ligue 1 is worth watching, the European competitions, and much else.

There's a bug going around FFW Towers, but this won't stop us rounding up France's matches against Iceland and Germany, Thierry Henry taking over at Monaco, and the matches to look out for as Ligue 1 comes back for round 10. Plus, Deschamps' pyro birthday cake for his 50th, a Charles Aznavour tribute at Armenia v Gibraltar, and a Ligue 2 round-up.

A duet this week as Phil and Jez mull over the French teams' performances in Europe, what's happened in Ligue 1, who's passing to each other at PSG, and what exactly Monaco think they're doing considering firing Leonardo Jardim.

There's been three games in Ligue 1 since we last podded, so there's a lot for Rich and Conor to explain to Phil as she's been on holiday for the whole time and hasn't seen a kick of football. Lille and Saint-Etienne are both doing well, and Monaco seem finally to be struggling with their habit of selling key players every summer. We also have the second round of the European competitions which see Lyon drawing 2-2 with Shakhtar Donetsk as we record, followed by PSG v Crvena Zvezda and the potentially awkward-to-watch Borussia Dortmund v Monaco on Wednesday in the Champions League. Then, onto the Europa League, where time-zone issues mean that you can watch all three French teams in sequence, starting with FC Astana v Rennes, then Bordeaux v Copenhagen, and finishing with a must-win game for OM away at Apollon Limassol.

Europe incoming! Kris is joined by Rich, Phil and Conor to round up a fairly chaotic round of games in Ligue 1 and look forward to six French teams going into European action. OM get ready to play behind closed doors, PSG have new shirts for their trip to Liverpool, and Lyon might be rightly nervous about what will happen at the Etihad - we are getting in the biscuits in for three fun days in the opening round.

It's a full-house as Kris, Jez, Rich and Phil get together to review France's performances in UEFA's reasonably-successful-so-far attempt to make people take friendlies seriously. These included an impressive debut for Alphonse Areola, a goal for Olivier Giroud, a still wonky first-choice formation, and a lot of post-match celebrations as the World Cup was presented to the home crowd at the Stade de France.

As the transfer window slams shut(TM), Kris, Jez and Phil try to work out who's where and how the traditional big four - PSG, OL, OM and Monaco - have done this summer. Have they strengthened their squads, made necessary replacements, or just trod water? Phil's been at a wedding and hasn't seen any games, Jez forgets to mute his microphone when answering the front door, and Kris tries to hold everything together.

Four teams have two wins in Ligue 1 so far - including both of the promoted teams, as Nimes and Reims make it clear that they aren't just here to make up the numbers. Kris, Jez and Phil look back at an interesting weekend that saw PSG continuing to play the kids, OL being stymied, Marseille struggling against les Crocos, and Bordeaux losing while having a fairly significant manager issue.

After a short break, the team's back together! Still giddy from France's World Cup win, Kris, Rich, Phil and Jez mostly ignore the title 'race' to talk through who could make it to Europe, and which teams could be in trouble. They discuss the transfer market so far, bitch about TV coverage, and answer your questions along the way.

They did it! Phil, Jez, Rich and Conor are here to review the World Cup final that France won 4-2 against Croatia, Les Bleus' performance throughout the tournament, our hat-tips for best players, other high-points, and a look forward to what this could mean for the French team going forwards.

Yes! France are in the final of the World Cup after beating Belgium 1-0, and will face Croatia who beat England 2-1 after extra time. Phil, Jez and Conor review the match in which the French defence chucked a wet blanket over some of the best attackers on the planet, preview the final against a Croatia team capable of playing through fatigue after three matches went to 120 minutes, and nervously make their predictions for the final outcome. Phil also sings.

After France beat Uruguay 2-0, they are into the semi-finals, where they will face Belgium. Phil is joined by Jeremy Smit and Conor Ketley to round up how les Bleus played against the Albiceleste, and look forward to how the game against the Belgians will pan out.

Well. Phil and Jez get together to review the 4-3 win over Argentina, and look nervously forward to the quarter-final against Uruguay. After a positive performance including a great second-half ten minutes against an Argentinian side dealing with a lot of issues, including Benjamin Pavard's wondergoal and a brace from Kylian Mbappe, les Bleus will have a very different challenge on Friday.

A duet this week as Phil and Jez get together to look at the win over Peru, the *whatever that was* against Denmark, and forward to the Round of 16 game on Saturday against Argentina.

We are one game into Group C of the World Cup, and France won 2-1 against Australia on Saturday. Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to break that down and look forward to France's next game against Peru. Jez has a rant, Phil has some stats to reference, and Kris wants to know more about France's sock choices.

The gang's all here for a bumper pod to preview France's chances at the World Cup, as Kris, Jez, Rich and Phil look at the France squad, upcoming opposition, and compare the 1998 vintage with the 2018 promise. The excitement is mounting before France's first group game against Australia on Saturday.

We're gearing up for the World Cup as France have played and won their first two pre-tournament friendlies, against Ireland and Italy, with USA still to come. Phil is joined by Jez and Conor to discuss what we can learn from those, which less-starry France-based players could make an impact in Russia, including the Tunisian contingent, and how Kamil Glik seems to have injured himself. Also, the Toulon Tournament, Coupe de France Feminine, and what Zinedine Zidane's recent resignation could mean for France.

Phil, Jez and Rich round up the play-off results, OL's historic victory in the Women's Champions League, and France v Ireland, before moving on to the main topic, the FFW Team of the Season.

This week Phil is joined by two special guests. First, Andrew Gibney pops back to FFW Towers for a look at how Lille managed to get away with that, and the rest of the Ligue 1 positions up for grabs as we head into the last day of the season. Then, new signing Conor Ketley is on hand to discuss the UNFP awards, PSG's latest managerial throw of the dice, and OM's chances in the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

It's a bumper pod this week as the gang look at the recently announced UNFP award nominees. We think Karim Benzema may have heard us. Kris, Phil, Jez and Rich discuss all the categories, covering coaches, goalkeepers, young players and best players, in Ligues 1 and 2, Division 1, and beyond. The awards will be announced on Sunday 13 May.

Phil, Jez and Rich discuss everything that has happened in France over the last week. This includes PSG winning their fifth title in six years beating Monaco 7-1, and OM putting in a massive home performance to get themselves into the Europa League semi-finals. They also look at Les Herbiers' win over Chambly to reach the final of the Coupe de France, where they will face PSG, and forward to the key games of the weekend.

Phil is joined by Rich and Jez to discuss all the happenings in Ligue 1, the race for Europe, the relegation battle, and a look at how well Rennes are doing to get up to fifth. Also, Marseille and their injury list have a Europa League quarter final second leg against RB Leipzig on Thursday.

Kris is joined by Rich and Phil to discuss the Coupe de la Ligue final, which PSG won 3-0 against a disappointing Monaco. They also look at some key games in Ligue 1 at the weekend, including Marseille winning away at Dijon, Strasbourg and Metz drawing 2-2, and Lille succumbing at home to Amiens 1-0. There was a mild snafu as we lost connection part-way through, so there's a break in the audio - sadly we don't get to hear Rich's full breakdown of Strasbourg v Metz, but you get most of it. Sorry about that.

This week Kris is joined by Phil and Jez to round up everything happening in the interlull, as France lose 2-3 to Colombia then beat Russia 3-1. This also features the results from the various other French international teams playing in the break, the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League where Montpellier and Lyon are in action, and a nod to the Coupe de la Ligue final on Saturday between PSG and Monaco.

Phil and Jez get together (and have some sound problems) while Rich is stuck in a traffic jam and Kris is stuck on a train somewhere to discuss Nice v PSG, and Marseille v Lyon, and the upcoming international friendlies which see France facing Colombia and Russia. Also, the Europa League and the Women's Champions League get a mention.

After PSG are knocked out of the Champions' League by Real Madrid, Kris is joined by Rich and Phil for a special edition focusing on les Parisiens. This takes in Neymar's absence, Verratti's presence (for a while), Cavani's effort, Unai Emery's employment situation, and many other things.

After last week's Champions League and Europa League games, Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to round up PSG's loss in Madrid and the rest of the European action as well as Ligue 1 over the weekend. This included Lille putting in an admirable second-half performance to get a point against Lyon, Ramy Bensebaini's penalty masterclass in Caen 2 - 2 Rennes, and Angers continuing to have 'doh!' moments losing 1-0 to Saint-Etienne.

Kris is joined by Jez, Phil and Rich, to round up Saint-Etienne 2 - 2 Marseille, Monaco's big win at Angers, PSG's upcoming match against Real Madrid, and OL's troubles against Rennes. Also, questions, Lacazette, the Europa League, Toulouse's Trollcam and Nantes' brilliant response to recent heavy-handed policing.

Kris is joined by Phil and Jeremy to discus the big games of the weekend, mostly Marseille 2-2 Monaco, plus Malcom diving and Metz winning. They then move on to transfer movements featuring much love for Olivier Giroud, and whether Bryan Dabo is just trying to put a collection of cool shirts together.

Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to look at OL 2 - 1 PSG and everything else going on in French football, including Bordeaux hiring Poyet, Toulouse binning Dupraz, Nice recovering, and the available Coupe de France action.

Phil, Jez and Rich get together for the first FFW Pod of 2018, reviewing the Coupe de France, glancing sideways at the Coupe de la Ligue and the transfer window, and looking forward to the return of Ligue 1 at the weekend. Which clubs might pull themselves together after the winter break? Which could tumble down the table? And which players need to get the hell out of that window? All these questions and more, come up.

As Ligue 1 hits the halfway stage and heads off for a break, Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to discuss how things have gone so far. We round up our tops, flops, managers, meltdowns, and teams of the season so far.

After a week out, Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to round up game 17, PSG's Champions' League campaign, Disneyland, the draw for the European knock-out rounds, some mild Coupe de la Ligue action, and what the hell is happening to Saint-Etienne right now.

With a midweek round going on all around them, Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to discuss PSG's increasing lead, OL's increasing goal difference, Caen v Bordeaux, Ligue 2, and the Monaco Project v3.0.

Phil, Jez and Rich get together to discuss Amiens, Lille, Fekir, Nice, Monaco and the upcoming Breton Derby, before a large chunk of the pod is rendered redundant as Bielsa is "momentarily suspended" shortly after we finish recording.

It's an international week, so Kris takes the helm with Phil, Jez and Rich to answer listeners' questions, ranging from the best players outside the top two, how the Coupe de France works, what Patrice Evra is up to, why Angers have a panda as a mascot, and how France should line up at the World Cup.

The team is back as Kris is joined by Phil, Jez and Rich to discuss the Rhone Derby, and whether we want to see that kind of thing, if PSG are the best team in Europe at the moment, Monaco's recent form, and whether Metz are doomed. Also tops and flops, why OL are kicking off at 6am in the Women's Champion's League, how Marcelo Bielsa is currently communicating, and what various levels of France are up to over the next week.

Kris is joined by Phil, Jez, and very special guest Andrew Gibney, to run the rule over the last round of Ligue 1 games, focusing on Lille v Marseille, as well as nods to the Coupe de la Ligue, European games, and the upcoming action at the weekend.

The team look back over the Ligue 1 action, focusing on le Classique as Marseille and PSG drew 2-2 and Neymar got sent off. They also run over the European match-ups, France friendlies, and look forward to the Coupe de la Ligue seiziemes and the next round of Ligue 1.

Kris is joined by Jez, Phil and Rich to look back over round 9 of Ligue 1, featuring Nabil Fekir sparkling in OL's 3-2 win over Monaco, Dijon being denied at the last by PSG, Lille screwing up again, and Marseille continuing to be highly entertaining for the neutrals. Also features a round-up of the Women's Champions League as both Lyon and Montpellier progress, and Rich trying to explain what is actually happening at Rennes at the moment.

Kris, Phil, Jez and Rich get together on the final whistle of France's victory over Belarus, which ensured World Cup qualification for les Bleus, to review the team's performance, Deschamps' selection, and how things look for Russia 2018. There's also a look at the U21s, making slightly heavy weather of qualifying for the 2019 Euros, and the Women's Champions League, where Montpellier are in a slightly tricky situation.

Kris is joined by Jez, Rich and Phil to discuss all the Ligue 1 happenings, PSG squad choice, Monaco jitters, whether Ligue 1 is crap, France, Didier Deschamps, the Women's Champions League, and why we are all here in the first place.

In this week's podcast, Kris is joined by Jez and Phil to round up a weekend of Ligue 1 action where PSG dropped points for the first time this season in a goalless draw away at Montpellier. Elsewhere, the Lille experiment continued to struggle on peer review with a 4-0 defeat at home to Monaco, Lyon had another 3-3 draw at home, this time to Dijon, and Bordeaux continued to impress with a 3-1 win over Guingamp.

Phil and Jeremy are joined by special guest Lana Dawood to cover the first group games in the Champions and Europa League, round 6 of Ligue including PSG v OL, and kit colours.

Kris, Phil, Jeremy and Rich are back to round up all the happenings in French Football, including Ligue 1 game 5, the upcoming European fixtures, red cards, leadership, and when Jez was born.