The Why Football Podcast

It's the Champions League Group Stage draw and theres actually some incredibly tasty ties to look at in the first proper round of the competition as European football looks set to get spicy this season. UEFA have given us a group of death with Milan, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. The giant spenders of PSG and Man City meet in Group A but will RB Leipzig be a thorn in their side. Manchester United have the curve ball of Atalanta to deal with, along with Villarreal in Group F, while Inter Milan get Real Madrid and Barcelona get drawn alongside Bayern Munich. And then theres the reigning Champions Chelsea........could they go back to back under Thomas Tuchel? Ollie and Paul discuss it all on the podcast dedicated to

The Newcastle United takeover saga has been ongoing since 2020. It is now in arbitration and the case has been adjourned until 2022. Ben Jacobs, who is based in the middle east, tries to clear up the who, what, when, where and why of this mess involving BEIN, piracy, the Saudi blockade of Qatar, who ultimately would control NUFC, and any other obstacles in the way of this sale. #NUFC #NUFCTakeover #TRANSPARENCY Panel in order of appearance: Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Stephen Drennan - @babuyagu | Co-founder @craquestats, craquestats.com

A lot has been said in the media about Messi joining PSG this week. However, we feel like there are still a lot of people missing the point about Finances, the lack of competition to sign the greatest ever player, and what that means for the future of football. We cover those things that nobody else is saying! #MESSIPSG Panel in order of appearance: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan - @babuyagu | Co-founder @craquestats, craquestats.com

England blow it once again on penalties as Italy are crowned Euro 2020 champions at Wembley. Ollie and Paul discuss the overriding problems for Gareth Southgate and his men, the lottery (or science) of penalties, can Italy go on to more success in Qatar and look back at the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to WFH's pre-tournament predictions. It ended up coming Rome.

Immediately after the final whistle, we react to England reaching their first final of a major tournament since 1966. Did they manor in doing so leave a sour taste in the mouth? #ENGDEN #ENGITA Panel in order of appearance: Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com

Immediately after the final whistle, we react to Italy scraping through to the final after a penalty shootout with Spain. The quality of football on display was probably the highest we have seen so far in the tournament, until extra time at least. We also briefly discuss tomorrow's match between England and Denmark. #ITAESP #ENGDEN #EURO2020 Panel in order of appearance: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Stephen Drennan - @babuyagu | Co-founder craquestats.com

Immediately after the final whistle, we react to England's 4-0 demolition job of Ukraine progressing them to their second consecutive semi-final appearance at major tournaments. We also look at the day's earlier game between Denmark and Czech Republic. #ENGUKR #DENCZE #ENGDEN Panel in order of appearance: Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Stephen Drennan - @babuyagu | Co-founder craquestats.com

Immediately after the final whistle, we react to Italy's advance to the Semi-Final at the expense of Belgium. We also look at the day's earlier game between Spain and Switzerland that ended in penalties. #BELITA #ESPSUI Panel in order of appearance: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu

Immediately after the final whistle, the panel reacts to England beating Germany at home for the first time since 1975. Is it... coming home? They also react to France crashing out of the tournament at the hands of Switzerland on penalties as well as the game of the tournament so far as Spain and Croatia played out an eight-goal thriller. #ENGGER #FRASUI #ESPCRO Panel in order of appearance: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com

Immediately after the final whistle, the panel reacts to the holders Portugal being eliminated at the hands of Belgium. They react to the Netherlands crashing out of the tournament at the hands of the Czech Republic as well as the previous day's Ro16 games involving Italy, Austria, Denmark and Wales. #WALDEN #ITAAUT #NEDCZE #BELPOR Panel Includes: Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu

We preview the upcoming knockout rounds, run the rule over what we have seen so far, and predict how the rest of the tournament could play out. We discuss what Southgate should change, if anything, to get past the Germans. Also what will be the difference in Lukaku vs Ronaldo. Plus are Spain, Netherlands and Italy the real contenders or great pretenders? Includes: England vs Germany Belgium vs Portugal France vs Switzerland Italy vs Austria Croatia vs Spain Netherlands vs Czech Republic Sweden vs Ukraine Panel in order of appearance: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu

Goals, penalties and keeper blunders galore as the footballing Gods try to right the wrongs of the insipid football on show yesterday. We cover everything in the most entertaining day of football on offer from the Euros so far. Portugal v France Germany vs Hungary Slovakia vs Spain Sweden vs Poland Panel Includes: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu

Paul and Stephen hop on the mics to give their immediate reaction to England's 1-0 win over Czech Republic and Scotlands 3-1 defeat against Croatia that sees them exit at the group stage. They also discuss yesterday's matches involving the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Russia and more. The panel in order of appearance: Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu | patreon.com/babuyagu

In episode eight we give our immediate reaction to Wales' qualification from Group A. We also discuss the recent games of the big hitters and whether any opinions have changed since our preview show before the tournament. The panel: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com

In episode eight, hosted by Paul, we give our immediate reaction to the first match of overwhelming favourites to win the competition, France. We discuss the Kante-Pogba combination in midfield, Pavard and concussion protocol failure, plus the impressive trio of Mbappe, Griezmann and Benzema. We also look back at Portugal's 3-0 over Hungary and Spain's 0-0 draw with Sweden and as to what extent the result masked the performances in each case. The panel in order of appearance: Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com | @babuyagu

In episode seven, hosted by Ben, we give our immediate reaction to England's first-ever win of an opening match in the Euros. We discuss Southgate's team selection, the impact it had on the match, the adjustments England made during the game and Harry Kane's role. We also look at Croatia's future in the competition as well as Belgium's impressive victory over a lacklustre Russia. The panel in order of appearance: Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com | @babuyagu

Football fans across the globe witnessed a near-tragedy on the second day of Euro 2020 as Denmark talisman Christian Eriksen collapsed to the floor just before halftime in his sides opening game against Finland. Broadcasting expert Ben Jacobs gave us the rundown on what happened and what should have happened for a television broadcast in these unexpected moments before discussing if what we saw as an audience was acceptable. Did we see too much? Who decides to broadcast that? Is there a protocol for this? What should have happened? Should the game have continued? As well as the broader consequences of this in football. The panel in order of appearance: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu | patreon.com/babuyagu Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com

In episode five, we react to Italy's 3-0 win over Turkey in the opening match of the Euros. Panel Includes: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com

In episode four, hosted by Ollie, we preview the upcoming Euros while scratching our head at what we should even call it. I would suggest EurOVID but that just sounds like some dodgy website. We assess our favourite, the dark horses, the potential breakout stars and the potential golden boot award winners of the tournament. Panel Includes: Oliver Wilson, Football commentator on the Libertadores, Sudamericana, Serie A and more - @O_J_Wilson Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu | patreon.com/babuyagu Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com

In episode three, we react to the crazy results before the international break and the big deals before the transfer window slammed shut. Reasons behind Liverpool's 7-2 hammering at Villa Guardiola the perfectionist pushing City past their limits Thomas Partey - analytics vs scouting Alex Talles & Edison Cavani - how will they adjust to the EPL James Rodriguez - settled quickly to live in Merseyside Thiago - why so many seem to miss the mark at what he does Odegaard, Ollie Watkins and more. Panel Includes: Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu | patreon.com/babuyagu

In episode two, we react to the Champions League draws and preview some of the tasty matchups that it delivers. Ronaldo vs Messi part 455 (citation needed) Manchester United's group of death Bundesliga expert Marius assess the reigning Champions group strength Are there potential banana skins for Man City and Chelsea? The group of throw-in specialists: Liverpool, Ajax and FC Midtjylland all employee the services of freelance throw-in coach Thomas Grønnemark Any problems in store for usual group qualifiers Real, Bayern, Dortmund. Atletico, Inter and others Panel Includes: Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Paul Macdonald, Founder of @Criticfootball_ - @PaulMacdFC | footballcritic.com Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu | patreon.com/babuyagu Marius Fischer, Full-time football editor for Philippka Sportverlag - @Gegenpressing91 | patreon.com/gegenpressing91

The Inaugural WFH Podcast. We discuss the Lionel Messi saga at Barcelona before moving onto previewing each of the 'Big 5' European Leagues; Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. Finally, we move onto transfers - the hits, the misses, the surprises and a prediction of what other moves will happen this summer. Panel Includes: Ben Jacobs, FWA accredited Sports Journalist - @JacobsBen | ben-jacobs.com Paul Macdonald, Founder footballcritic.com - @PaulMacdFC Stephen Drennan, Co-founder craquestats.com - @babuyagu | patreon.com/babuyagu Marius Fischer, Full-time football editor for Philippka Sportverlag - @Gegenpressing91 | patreon.com/gegenpressing91 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Messi Saga 18:40 - 'Big 5' Leagues Preview 54:30 - Transfers