Ranks FC - A Football Podcast
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It's time for The Truth! Dougie's out on holiday this week so Jack hops over from the producer's chair to the co-host's one, joining Sam to go deep on Germany's most famous and most successful club, Bayern Munich - who are currently eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table after falling to third last season. But does that league position potentially conceal the fact that Bayern remain somewhat unconvincing, especially against better teams and in particular, in the Champions League? We explore Vincent Kompany's tenure so far in the Bayern hot seat, taking a look at what we learned from his previous managerial stints and how this Bayern side are mimicking some of the traits we saw in the Championship and the Premier League. Kompany's first port of call was to restore the Rekordmeister to the top of the Bundesliga table, and he's going to do that - with it looking pretty assured right now that Bayern will be once again lifting the Bundesliga shield come the end of this domestic season; but there is still a lot of convincing to do for his side to be considered the real deal in Europe. So, are we reading too much into certain results, or are there cracks beneath the surface at Bayern that are being masqueraded by the facade of domestic dominance? Well, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! There are 16 clubs left in the Champions League with the Playoffs done and this year, there's a bracket in place so that we can plan out routes all the way to the final in Munich. So, given we have just a week until we're back in the thick of it, we wanted to take the opportunity to examine where all those clubs are and how likely they are to be lifting the trophy in May. So, 16 to 1, we decided to do just that - explaining our reasoning and discussing why we have certain teams in (vastly!) different places in our current rankings. There's a whole lot of variation in how the two of us see things right now, with Dean's reverence for experience and pedigree clashing quite dissonantly with Jack's reliance on form and current performance. To round things off, Jack takes us on a quickfire tour of both the Europa and Conference League favourites right now, as well as a couple of wildcards to keep your eyes on on Thursday nights. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! Dougie, by his own admission, has never been particularly interested in MLS - the top flight of American soccer. In this episode, Sam and Jack do their best to persuade him why this is a great time to start watching the league, by extolling the virtues of one of the most exciting leagues on the planet, which comes with its own quirks and surprises. We start at the beginning, with the basics of how things work and why MLS is different to the European leagues from an infrastructure perspective, before delving into some of the big storylines coming up in this, the league's 30th season. We look into some of the teams who might well be contending, as well as the players to keep an eye on; as well as exploring the changing face of MLS down the decades and why it struggles sometimes to shake off old reputations. From a retirement league to a hotbed for young talent, the world's most topsy-turvy affair to a distant din with some household names. everyone has an opinion on what the league represents. But what's the bottom line? Well, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for Champions League Takeaway, your late night delivery following the action - following the second legs of the new 'Playoff Round' in the competition, pitting the teams who finished 9th to 24th in the league stage against each other to earn places in the Round of 16. Wednesday night saw the headline tie of the round - Real Madrid vs Manchester City - settled by a Kylian Mbappe masterclass, with the Frenchman scoring a brilliant hat-trick to put the game far beyond the reach of Pep Guardiola's men and eliminate a Pep side before the Round of 16 for the first time in his managerial career. We talk how far off it City were, and how with the No 9 firing, Real Madrid might well just be favourites once again. There's also a discussion of the most entertaining game of the evening - PSV's extra-time triumph over Juventus which made the Old Lady the third (of three) Italian sides knocked out in this playoff round - two to Dutch opponents, and the other from Belgium - it's a good time to be from the Low Countries! And we talk briefly about PSG's absolute demolition job of Stade Brestois, and Borussia Dortmund's very uneventful seeing off of Sporting CP. Then in Part Two we chat through Bayern's late Davies dagger that broke Celtic hearts (it's a cruel game, sometimes), as well as Milan and Atalanta's respective headlosses as they crashed out to Feyenoord and Club Brugge respectively, as well as an incredibly fun encounter which saw Benfica emerge victorious against AS Monaco. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's nearly time for kick-off in MLS' 30th season, so we thought it was the right time to sit down and take a look at how things are shaping up ahead of a landmark campaign. We start with Dean's new hometown club of San Diego FC, examining how the 30th franchise in the league are looking ahead of their maiden voyage in the Western Conference; before moving things on to the contenders to challenge for the Supporters' Shield, and, later on, MLS Cup. We examine reigning champions LA Galaxy, their crosstown rivals Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders in the West, with a word to the San Jose Earthquakes; before heading over East to take a peek at Supporters' Shield holders Inter Miami, big-spending Atlanta United, a new era at FC Cincinnati, and the Dean Smith evolutions at Charlotte FC. Finally, we move onto the individual players and new signings who could make all the difference, from 2024 MVP Lionel Messi, through the fresh strikers of Emmanuel Latte Lath and Kevin Denkey, Wilfried Zaha at Charlotte, the returning Miguel Almiron, a big intra-league transfer in Evander, and many more. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! When we talk about the best managers in world football, certain names come up over and over again (and rightly so) - the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. But you'll also hear shouts for Diego Simeone, for Mikel Arteta, Antonio Conte, Unai Emery and many more. Rarely though, is the name of Simone Inzaghi mentioned - despite his Inter being fairly dominant in Serie A, his exceptional record in cup competitions as both Lazio and Inter boss, and the fact that his team play some of the best football in Europe when they're on song. But why? We dig into Inzaghi's tactics, his personality, his teams; and try to understand what's holding him back from being heralded as one of the bastions of this generation - and if there is anyone else deserving of the 'most underrated' crown that we're giving out. So is Inzaghi undervalued because he's reluctant to take praise, because he doesn't love the limelight, or because people genuinely believe this Inter side isn't very good? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for Champions League Takeaway, your late night delivery following the action - following the first legs of the new 'Playoff Round' in the competition, pitting the teams who finished 9th to 24th in the league stage against each other to earn places in the Round of 16. And it started with a bang, with a matchup between Manchester City and Real Madrid that we've seen multiple times in recent years, but not quite like this - and the game delivered, for the neutral at least. We discuss another City collapse late in a game, that tifo about the Ballon d'Or and Vinicius Jr's on-pitch response, the defensive frailties in both sides - but that were handled far better by Los Blancos, and all the rest. We also take a look at PSG's win over Brest and if the Parisiens are back in the conversation to win this thing; Juventus fighting off PSV in what should have been the USMNT-off; and why Borussia Dortmund are just much better in Europe than they are in the Bundesliga, as they hammered Sporting in Lisbon. Then in Part Two, we start with Bayern's trip to Celtic Park, where they won 2-1, but where their opposition caused serious problems for Vincent Kompany's side nonetheless; before moving on to look at managerless Feyenoord's victory against AC Milan; Atalanta falling to Club Brugge in controversial circumstances; and another win for Benfica against Monaco in the Principality. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for us to revisit a staple of the Ranks canon, looking at Europe's Big Seven leagues and examining where the most fun is going to be had in the title races at the end of the season. Some leagues look already done and dusted, others need reinvigoration very quickly if there's going to be any jeopardy, and a select few look like they could come down to the very last moments of the season for a Champion to be decided. We take a look at who sits where. Jack also gives some honourable mentions to some of Europe's less fashionable top leagues (shouts out Romania, where five teams are within a point and two goals in differentials after 26 games) and the promotion battles in a few of the second tiers, for good measure. Before all that, we have a discussion of the latest news that UEFA have signed a new deal with Relevant Sports in the US, opening up the conversation again that the Champions League final could be held in the United States. We discuss the pros and cons, in light of the recent Superbowl, and why the governing bodies should be a little bit careful about those plans. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! The January transfer window has closed for another year, and Deadline Day threw up a chaotic bundle of stories to sift through as usual. We examine the final days, and the window as a whole to pull out the most intriguing deals that have piqued our attention for a variety of reasons, and discuss why. Then, we broaden the lens - taking a look at the most radical business, the most transformative window, and the most restorative action taken across the Premier League, before Jack rounds things off with a quick flick round some of the weird and wonderful things that happened in Europe more generally. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! If you look at the top of the Premier League table, you'll see a few of the country's most famous and recently successful clubs in the pack, but you'll also find a previously fallen giant - in the form of Nottingham Forest, and an upstart underdog - in the form of Bournemouth, going toe-to-toe with the big boys. But how did they do it? What's behind the successes of the Tricky Trees and the Cherries this season, just a few years after promotion from the Championship - how did they turn themselves from relegation battlers or mid-table stalwarts into genuine contenders for European spots at the end of this season? We take a look at their differing strategies in both the transfer market activity and the tactical sense with which they play, examine which feels more sustainable, and hand out some very well-earned credit to two brilliant managers and two clubs doing things their own way. Is this a one-off, or is it a model that other clubs could use to find success? Are these high-flying underdogs showing a new way to go about things, or could they be just another one-season wonder? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for Champions League Takeaway, your late night delivery following the action - after the first ever 'final matchday' of the new League Stage, which saw every single game taking place at the same time. We start with a look at Manchester City's Great Escape - coming back from 1-0 down (and surefire elimination) to win 3-1 against Club Brugge, and sneak into the Playoff round in incredibly dramatic fashion at the Etihad. Then we work our way through all the other games, including an end-to-end encounter as Aston Villa beat Celtic 4-2, PSG's blistering 4-1 demolition of Stuttgart, and a 2-2 thriller between Barcelona and Atalanta that might well have been the game of the night. In Part Two, there's a roundup of all the rest of the action - Ethan Nwaneri's Saka impression as Arsenal saw off Girona, PSV stunning a heavily-rotated Liverpool in Eindhoven, routine wins for Bayern and Real Madrid, Dinamo Zagreb's brave win over 10-man Milan that wasn't quite enough, and Sporting's squeaky point that saw them progress, as well as big wins for Inter, Benfica, Leverkusen, Lille, and Atletico. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! With the end of the transfer window riding up on us quicker than anybody expected, and with nobody but Manchester City really getting the gears into action so far, there are a whole lot of stories building up to breaking point in the next few days. On today's show, Transfer Guru Dean Jones walks us through ten talking points about what deals are in the offing, and what to expect in terms of the market movers and shakers. We discuss potential swap deals, outgoings at Manchester United, Chelsea's plan to sign a forward, Tottenham's long-term ambitions, City looking to plug the midfield hole, Arsenal's eyes on a potential loan move for a No 9, and much more - as well as the potential futures for players such as Evan Ferguson, Ansu Fati, Alejandro Garnacho, João Félix and the rest. Before that, Jack runs through three things he loved at the weekend - including the chaos at AC Milan, Gavi's future-captain-turn on the sidelines for Barcelona, and Jota v3 returning to Celtic Park after a brutal spell away. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! Borussia Dortmund parted company with head coach Nuri Sahin this week after a set of deeply concerning performances that have seen a giant of German and European football languishing in 10th in the Bundesliga, as well as falling out of the automatic qualification places in Europe. But the problems at the famous Westfalenstadion go far deeper than just a rookie coach seemingly out of his depth. Instead, they are endemic to the very fabric of one of the most well-known clubs in the world - issues with recruitment both on and off the pitch have led to this malaise, as well as failing to keep up with the changing times around them. We take a look at the decline of their league form, that was somewhat papered over by an excellent Champions League run last season, problems with getting the right kind of people in place to allow the club to flourish, and the 'keep it in-house' nature of the front office, all of which have contributed to this fall from grace. So can these problems be turned around? Or are Dortmund destined to be a fading force for more than just the immediate future? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for Champions League Takeaway, your late night delivery following the action - after another breathless week in the UCL that saw chaos reign across both days. We start with Wednesday's action, opening with a discussion of PSG's impressive comeback 4-2 win over Manchester City, which was a much needed European reprieve for Luis Enrique, and another difficult night for Pep Guardiola's charges, who now find themselves outside the qualification spots going into the final matchday. Feyenoord hammered Bayern 3-0 despite Vincent Kompany's men having nearly 80% of possession and 26 shots, and we look at why Bayern looked so lethargic in Rotterdam; as well as examining Arsenal's routine dismantling of Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates; and the show that Real Madrid put on to beat RB Salzburg 5-1 in fine style at the Bernabeu. There's a roundup of all the rest of Wednesday's football too - Leipzig getting their first UCL win this season against struggling Sporting, Shakhtar keeping their faint hopes alive with a win over surprise package Brest, Celtic finally getting over the line and securing qualification with a 1-0 victory against Young Boys; and wins for both Inter and Milan to push themselves firmly back into Top Eight contention. Then in Part Two, we're onto Tuesday's action, which begins with one of the craziest games you'll see all season - as Barcelona came from two goals down to win 5-4 at Benfica, in a game that had absolutely everything - madness, meltdowns, majesty, and all the rest. We talk a relatively routine win for Liverpool over Lille that maintained the Reds' perfect record in this competition and kept them top of the table; a vintage Atleti Dark Arts performance which saw them come from a goal and a man down to beat Leverkusen at a fizzing Metropolitano; and Villa's 1-0 loss to Monaco that saw them slip out of the Top Eight and miss a golden chance to keep themselves in the best shape to avoid the playoff round. Rounding things up, we discuss Bologna's win over Borussia Dortmund in front of an amazing display at the Renato Dall'Ara that saw Nuri Sahin lose his job as Dortmund manager, PSV crawling over the line in the snow in Belgrade as they beat Crvena Zvezda 3-2, five-star Atalanta's excellent display against hapless Sturm Graz, Stuttgart's resurgence as they beat Slovan Bratislava, and another draw for Juve - as they were held 0-0 in Bruges. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! We talk a lot about the teams who are outdoing themselves, playing above their means, and taking their rightful flowers for their performances, but there's two sides to every coin. For every Bournemouth, there's a West Ham; for every Mainz, a Borussia Dortmund; and every Athletic Club, a Real Betis. We break down the teams who have struggled to meet their expectations across the course of this season - those who have flattered to deceive, those who have fallen well short of their pre-season expectations, and those who have been forced to reconsider their course midway through the campaign. Before that, there's time to look at a few more things going on in Europe - the resurgence of Kylian Mbappé's Real Madrid form and the fact that all three of the 'Tres Grandes' of Portugal - Sporting, Benfica and Porto - have now changed coaches in the same season for the first time in history. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! In a move that has somewhat stunned the football world, Napoli's Georgian sensation Kvicha Kvaratskhelia has told manager Antonio Conte he wants to leave the Neapolitan club, and is on the brink of a €70m move to PSG, despite the fact that his current side are top of Serie A and challenging for a second title in three seasons. So why is this happening, and why is it happening now? We dive deeper into Kvara's story at Napoli - including his adoption as an honorary Neapolitan, and the breathtaking ability that he displayed as he and Victor Osimhen led Gli Azzurri to the 2022/23 league title; as well as his new role under Antonio Conte and some explanations as to why we haven't quite seen the best of the man they call 'Kvaradona' this season. There's also a discussion of some off-the-field matters, which include a big portion about the contract that Kvaratskhelia is on in Naples, and questions about why that deal wasn't renewed after he proved his worth almost as soon as hitting the ground; and the treatment and subsequent departure of his old co-pilot Osimhen, which was a messy affair all summer long. And, from the PSG side, we look at how this might affect Bradley Barcola, who had such a brilliant first half of this season domestically, and where Kvara fits into a Luis Enrique system. So is this move about money, morals, mobility or playing under a coach that best suits the Georgian's style and ability? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! We're taking things a little off-piste this week here on Ranks, stepping away from the transfer news that has dominated the headlines (and our recent podcasts) to take a bit of a wider look at the season so far as a whole - and specifically who has put themselves in strong positions to lift trophies at the end of the campaign. We start things off by looking back at the final of the Supercopa de España where Barcelona beat Real Madrid 5-2 to lift their first silverware of the season, and examining what the performance means for the hopes of both clubs for the rest of this season. It leads us into a discussion around the Champions League and who looks on course to go deep. In Part Two, we discuss four of Europe's biggest leagues, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A, and the title races that exist within them; before finishing with a quick look at the Europa League and the Conference League for good measure. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! We begin 2025 with a look at Atletico Madrid, who might not quite be top of La Liga, but will be if they win their game in hand this weekend - and who, after a very poor start, have transformed themselves into Spanish football's form team. We examine the transfer work in the summer that laid the groundwork for Atleti to become this season's 'stable club' in Spain, including the additions of Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher, as well as how Diego Simeone's use of substitutes is proving far more effective than any of his competitors so far. There are so many hallmarks of a winning Cholo side in what we've seen over the last few months - squad harmony, devilish workrate, tactical flexibiity, and an ability to grind out the results when they need them most. But is this just a good run of form, or could Atleti go all the way this year and finally give Antoine Griezmann the elusive league title that his career so deserves? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! We're back on more regular programming and with the transfer window now officially open, we wanted to take a look at the teams who desperately need some market moves to reignite faltering seasons - for one reason or another. Dean takes us through the three Premier League sides who are most in need of squad refreshes during the month of January, whilst Jack peeks in at some of the most interesting things needed in Europe across the board. Before that, there's time for us to take a look at two of the more interesting cup games from this week - Newcastle beating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, and Milan coming from behind to beat Inter in the final of the Supercoppa Italiano in just Sergio Conceição's second game in charge of the Rossoneri. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad and Happy New Year! We thought we'd kick off 2025 with some forward thinking, with both Dean and Jack looking forward to the new year by examining five things they think will happen over the entirety of the 12 months to come. There's discussions of title winners, transfers, managerial changes, and a whole lot more as we consult our crystal balls to try and predict the future. There's also time at the start to look back at some of the Things We Loved at the end of 2024, including Dean's takes on the half way Premier League Team of the Year debate , and Jack's experiences at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day - And we finish with a few New Year's Resolutions that we're planning on fulfilling in 2025, both related to football and elsewhere. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! There's been a lot of noise around Kylian Mbappé this season, after his dream move to Real Madrid - mooted for so many years - was finally completed in the summer. But things haven't completely gone to plan for the man that many see as the best player in the world. Playing through the middle because Vinicius Jr. plays off his preferred left hand flank, it hasn't been the smoothest of transitions into Los Blancos for the France Captain, but recently things have taken a turn for the better. However, questions remain. Can Vini Jr. and Mbappé strike up an understanding that would surely take the world by storm? Will the Frenchman finally accept playing through the middle, after previously stating he didn't like it there? Were the early struggles just teething problems? And how do you get the 'Big Three' of Vini, Mbappé & Jude Bellingham into the same lineup and playing to all their strengths? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! We hope you're all enjoying the festive period and that your midwinter festivals - whichsoever they be - are merry and bright! We didn't want to break our almost 5 year streak of not missing a Wednesday drop, so here's a little Christmas Special that the boys threw together for you to enjoy at some point over the next few days. We take a look at some of our favourite things across the course of the season so far, picking out players, teams, leagues and managers who have defied expectations, risen above the madness, or just made us smile. We're looking forward to seeing you in the New Year, but we hope that whatever you're up to over the next few days, that you have a chance to relax, have some peace and quiet, and enjoy the wintery delights of some December football. All our Love, Jack & Dean http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! Atalanta are currently top of Serie A as we close in on the halfway point of the season. After winning the Europa League last season, the glass ceiling for the club from Bergamo has been well and truly smashed, but can they go one further this year, beat out some giants of the game and claim their first Scudetto? We examine just how a club from a small city north-east of Milan has turned the Italian football landscape upside down, upsetting the traditional order of Italy's biggest clubs and managed to put together an incredible run of continental qualification under Gian Piero Gasperini, all whilst making a gargantuan profit in the meantime. This iteration of Gasperini's disruptors has the potential to be their greatest ever, but can they maintain such blistering league form against the depth of Inzaghi's Inter and a Conte Napoli side that don't have European football to contend with? How has Gasperini turned a bunch of players unwanted elsewhere into one of the best units in the game? And is this finally the time where promise becomes domestic silverware, changing the established order forever? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! There are certain clubs and players who need something new to set their seasons back on track, and the potential for drastic change is just around the corner with the January Transfer Market opening in under two weeks. We take a look at some of the gambles that clubs could take in the market, and whether they might be good enough to save sagging seasons. Before that, we examine the interview with Marcus Rashford released on Tuesday by Henry Winter, where he said he was ready for his next challenge. What does that mean? Where does it leave his future at Manchester United? And where could he possibly go in January if that's an option? Jack also finishes off with a mini ranking of the best football books he's read this year, in case anyone is looking for a couple of gifts to ask for in their Christmas Stocking, to finish things off! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! Tottenham Hotspur are an enigma. Sometimes they look unstoppable, like in their 4-0 rout of Manchester City a few weeks ago. At other times they look turgid, slow and far too easy to break down. It's led to a fanbase split on whether the manager is the problem, or just another symptom of something that goes far deeper. Sam and Dougie discuss why things seems so weirdly up and down for Spurs, with a lack of consistency highlighted across their games not just this season, but over the entirety of 2024. In recent weeks, there has been a pretty visceral negative reaction to the manager - Ange Postecoglou - from elements of this Tottenham fanbase, whilst others have suggested that because these problems stretch far further back than the Australian's tenure, there is almost certainly something deeper going on. Does the ownership need to take more accountability? Nobody is doubting the impressive nature of the facilities, both at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium, or at their state of the art training ground, but has there been enough squad investment to give both players and coach a fair crack at ending the trophy hoodoo? Has Ange Postecoglou's lack of flexibility in how he wants his team to play been exposed in the Premier League? Or is this just another injury and fatigue crisis that a squad is failing to manager? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for Champions League Takeaway, your midnight feast of Champions League content - after another breathless week in the UCL that saw thrills, spills, and everything in between. We start with Wednesday's action, opening with yet another tough night for Pep Guardiola, whose City side were pulled apart by Juventus in transition in the second half, and who now has one win in his last ten games in all competitions. Then it's on to Dortmund, where a breathless second half between BVB and Barcelona saw the Catalans come out as 3-2 winners, but there was plenty of positives to take from both sides of this one; and to the Emirates, where Arsenal saw off Monaco 3-0 in the Arsene Wenger Trophy, and did so without scoring from a corner! There's a roundup of all the rest of Wednesday's football too - Atletico's routine win over whipping boys Slovan Bratislava; Milan squeaking past Crvena Zvezda at San Siro; Feyenoord's topsy-turvy 4-2 win over a battling Sparta Prague; Stuttgart hammering Young Boys 5-1; Lille making it hard for themselves but finally besting Sturm Graz 3-2; and Benfica's frustration at drawing 0-0 with winless Bologna. Then in Part Two, we're onto Tuesday's action, which begins with a flip to Real Madrid, who answered some of their critics with a big 3-2 win in Bergamo against Atalanta - where Kylian Mbappé looked far more like himself...and then promptly went off injured. We talk a bit of a strange game between Leverkusen and Inter, where both showed signs of their best, but which Leverkusen ultimately won by channelling last year's 'Alonso-time' late dramatics; before heading over to Leipzig to discuss Aston Villa's best performance in a while which saw them past Leipzig - who are now officially out of the race for qualification. Rounding things up, we discuss some absolutely mesmerising footwork from Michael Olise as Bayern dismantled Shakhtar in Gelsenkirchen; Liverpool staying perfect with an imperfect performance at Girona; PSG getting back to winning ways against hapless RB Salzburg; Sporting's continued struggles as they fell to Club Brugge; Brest's swashbuckling smash-and-grab against PSV; and Celtic's credible display at the Maksimir as they drew with Dinamo Zagreb. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! On today's episode we thought it would be a good time to take a look at the players currently leading the way in the scoring charts across Europe, and cast our thoughts ahead to who looks like they have a good chance of taking home the award at the end of the season. We skim across some of the players who have set out their stalls early in the summer leagues of Europe, before diving deeper into the contenders from the big five and beyond, based on current form and our expectations of minutes and consistency going forward. Before that, there's time for Things We Love, where Dean goes a bit off beat to criticise some of the decisions coming from Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding his staff at Manchester United, and Jack waxes lyrical about Atletico Madrid's dramatic win over Sevilla at the weekend and the potential of a genuine three-way title race in Spain. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! Aston Villa eased the pressure on themselves with a win against Brentford in midweek, but it doesn't change the fact that November was an incredibly difficult month for the Villans - with their last win before the Bees this Wednesday coming on October 22nd against Bologna in the Champions League. Many people have pointed to the lack of Douglas Luiz this season as a major reason that Unai Emery's Villa have struggled to control games, but it surely can't be as simple as that, so Sam and Dougie take a deep dive into a topic close to Sam's heart and try to work out exactly what has been going wrong for the Villans across the last few weeks. We discuss the lack of pressing and compactness, which may well be by design; as well as some strokes of unfortunate bad luck that have hampered their chances - as well as putting into question whether this summer actually strengthened or weakened the squad off the back of last season's success. So have Villa been found out, or are they just currently gripped by a crisis of confidence and inability to finish their chances? Are the problems endemic, or will they go away as normality returns in the New Year? The Truth is somewhere in the middle... http://patreon.com/ranksfc
Hello Rank Squad! We're returning to one of our staples this week, an old-school ranking that takes on one of our favourite topics—the players who have stepped up their game this season and taken things to a whole new level. We cross Europe to take in a number of ballers who have reached new heights since we kicked off again in August, and hand out due flowers to those most deserving of them. Our journey takes us to Bergamo to take in a striking sensation; Frankfurt for a man who might be Europe's most explosive this year; Florence for a career resurrected in superb style; Catalonia for a written-off Brazilian making waves in Blaugrana; and Merseyside for the midfield maestro maybe nobody saw coming - as well as giving out some honourable mentions for good measure. Before that, Dean's Things We Love discusses the current situation at Manchester City and how this sets up Pep Guardiola to perform one of his most impressive feats in the game of football, whilst Jack has some love for the response crews in Fiorentina-Inter who were to rapid to react to shocking scenes with Edoardo Bove's collapse, as well as some uplifting news on his recovery. It's Ranks! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
It's time for The Truth! Liverpool have played 19 games this season, winning 17 of them, drawing one and losing just a singular game. They've got the best defence in the Premier League, whilst only Tottenham Hotspur have outscored them going the other way. Top of the Premier League and top of the new Champions League table, it has been an incredible start from Arne Slot's side by anybody's standards. We take a look at what has changed to give Liverpool that element of increased control, as well as how certain players have visibly improved under his stewardship. The emergence of Ryan Gravenberch as the team's heartbeat, the new-found clinicality of Luis Diaz, and the excellent of Ibrahima Konate have not gone unnoticed. There's also some discussion on the circumstances around Liverpool, the platform left by Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's old propensity for one legendary manager setting up another, and how this looks in the second half of the season - as well as our thoughts on the contract situations surrounding Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Are Liverpool surfing a wave brought on by surprising circumstances surrounding Arsenal and Manchester City, or are they the real deal? The Truth is usually somewhere in the middle... but not always! http://patreon.com/ranksfc
