It isn't easy to fire managers, well atleast the ones that seem to have their names etched in the history of the club. For Barca though there was not much to consider when it had to make a decision about whether to continue Koeman's tenure at Camp Nou. He had struggled to be consistent and they stood at a lowly 9th position on the table after 12 games.  Who was his replacement going to be was the real question. And who else but the man, the myth, the legend - Xavi decides to take the reins when they need him most. We wish him the best of luck at his managerial post during these trying time at Barca. However, on the other hand in England after being road rolled by Liverpool and humbled by Man City, Manchester United are still coming to terms with the fact that it might be time for a new manager. Lastly, we discuss about the ballon d'or - it's prestige, the issues it faces and of course, the potential winners. Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_. See you next week!

The Football Overtime Podcast

Xavi - A Necessary Risk

Football has always had very few enemies. It has had the luxury of being the most popular sport in the world with millions of fans world wide. And it has rarely needed to exhibited its money-minded nature and we all know that's because as fans, most of us will be criticizers of it. But all that took a wild turn when Covid -19 struck. Suddenly football's revenue plummeted and with it the notion that 'football is for the fans'. In our new segment, The Possimpable, we discuss the possibilities that the currently proposed biennial world cup could present in terms of the future of football and the revered history of the world cup. A small hint: the pros are staggeringly outweighed by the cons. To entice the discussion around the relatively predicted results from both matchday 3 in the UCL and gameweek 8 in the premier league, there was some hesitation to be optimistic about the recent Newcastle FC club takeover. While most of the facts are jaw-dropping, history is not exactly in Newcastle's favor (except for the fact that they are literally owned by a country!) and unless their new owners have a long term plan in mind that's well executed the fate of the relegation placed club may not change. Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode. See you next week!

Football is for The Fans

Barça. The team the world of football once wanted to resemble. The team the world looked up to. Just over a decade later is now a shadow of it's past. Defeats, Heartbreaks, Humiliation, losing your Club legend, Debts, Barça fans have seen it all Recent events at the club have made us hang on to very little as Barca fans. But there's always hope. Hope for better results. Hope for victories. Hope for Trophies. Hope for Barça!  Varun speaks in this one off solo podcast about his club’s fortune and expresses his blues but hoping for a better future. Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagra.m letting us know what you think of the episode. See you next week!

Barça's downfall and the Future

It feels like just yesterday Kai Havertz slotted the decisive goal against Manchester City that saw Chelsea be crowned champions of Europe. However, it's been three and a half months and the champions league made its dramatic return this week. It was a goalfest at the 'Empty-had' stadium where Man City slotted in six goals. While Vishnu had lots to be happy about it was the same old story in the Barcelona camp. Playing at home but without key players due to injury Bayern Munich eased past Barca who still seem to have not come to terms with Messi's departure. The highlight of this week's off-field drama was the release of FIFA 22 player ratings. As always there were some suprises and absurd facts but there was nothing but a smile on Varun's face when we discussed how Messi continues to remain the highest overall rated player. Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode. See you next week!

The UCL Returns

We have a new segment in our podcast! And it's called the 'the player of the pod'. Well, what exactly does that mean? So in brief, it is basically a segment in which we introduce and talk about players, young and old, who have been buried under the spotlight taken up by the legends of the game. So tune in to find out who our first player of the pod is! Yash, Varun's brother joined us as our guest speaker in Aanya's absence for the episode as we discussed Ronaldo's immediate impact on Manchester United, Messi's record breaking achievements on the international stage, the state of affairs in the top leagues of Europe and much more! Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode. See you next week!

Introducing 'Player of the Pod'

If you missed the matches this week, no problem! As long as you stayed updated with the off-field drama, you didn't get left behind on anything important. As the summer transfer widow neared its end, Ronaldo made it clear that he didn't want to stay at Juve and it had seemed like he had set his sights on Manchester City. However, we were in for a major twist to the tale when there was news that Manchester United had agreed to a deal to sign the ionic striker. Ronaldo's move ensures that the PL title race this season is no joke and Manchester City may have just lost their 'favourites' label. The UCL draw was the other highlight during the week where teams which were predicted to meet in the later stages of the tournament give each other company in the group stage. Does this mean we are in for some suprises this season? Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode. See you next week!

Homecoming

It was a considerably hectic week in the footballing world as a match had to be suspended in the French league and rumours on CR7's future were going wild. However, it was business as usual for Chelsea as they eased past a struggling Arsenal side to extend their perfect start to the season. Arsenal however have, for the first time in history lost their first two matches and are yet to score and this may have implications on Arteta's future. Over in Manchester, city were back to looking like tittle contenders this season, but Vishnu still awaits to see the Grealish-KDB combo make the starting 11 and light up the game. As we finally reached double digits, in terms of our episodes, we had two guest speakers join us. If your interested in joining us in an episode feel free to dm us on Instagram. Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode. See you next week!

Rom the Don, City Back on Track!

New season. New beginnings. And this can only mean one thing, transfers! The month long break from the busyness of the footballing world was short-lived as in the past week FC Barcalona confirmed that Leo Messi would no longer be staying at the club. After that the events that followed all seemed to be happening in fast forward and for us it still hasn't fully sunk in that Messi will longer play in Spain. However, his journey continues to Paris where he is set to join PSG on a 2 year contract. PSG who have done smart business during this transfer window have a very formidable line-up but it may prove to be an over kill since they play in the French league. Moreover, we look to see Messi reunite with Neymar and play alongside and guide budding youngsters like the French phenomenon, Mbappe. However for Varun, who has followed Messi and FC Barcalona as one ever since he knew football, he is on unfamiliar territory. Which team should he follow and what happens if both teams come head to head in the UCL? While Varun was living his worst fears, Vishnu and Aanya had much to look forward to in the new season as Manchester City boosted its squad strength with the addition of Grealish (cant wait to see the Grealish-KDB combo) and Chelsea are hoping to finalize a deal that will see Romelu Lukaku return to Stamford Bridge. All in all this season, like any other, ensures a thrilling journey from start to finish and with predictions on the table who knows which one of us will take the early advantage... Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode. Please excuse Vishnu's poor pronunciation at the beginning of the podcast

Messi c'est Parisian

One month and many amazing matches later the super sunday finally arrived and just how well did it deliver! As the action was indescribably awesome, and the only thing we can say is, 'WoW!'. Messi finally lifted his first international trophy after failing to do so in 4 previous attempts and Italy took the cup to Rome instead of allowing England to bring it home. All this meant Varun was perpetually smiling all day long as finally he had a reply to Messi's international career critiques. At Wembley, Italy and England needed penalties to find a champion, the very reputed Jorginho failed to take Italy home, but the man-of-the-tournament Donarumma saved his blushes with a crucial 5th penalty save. England started with a fiery pace which lead to Luke Shaw's first international goal and the fastest goal in the Euro finals history. But the experience of the Italy side showed as they quickly regained composure and were rewarded with an equalizer in the 67th minute. Overall, Italy were the better team this tournament and Manchini showed his quality as they continue to extend their unbeaten streak to 33 games.  Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and more. Leave us a comment on Instagram letting us know what you think of the episode.

Outstanding Azzuri and Messi Wins..finally!!

'It's coming home!' only seems to becoming less of a dream and more of a reality as it was all England in their quarterfinal encounter against underdogs Ukraine in their first match away from home this Euros. Well, also for the first time Southgate started Sancho and he didn't disappoint, showing why Manchester United had wanted him all along and what a threat he can be. In St. Petersburg, the Spanish ended the Swiss dream run, much to our dismay, as they got the better of them in a tense penalty shootout. And for all we know Shaqiri's substitution may have cost them their semifinal ticket. As Denmark's dream run seems to be everlasting and Italy continue to impress when it matters, just like Messi (moving to the other side of the globe) the man converts free kicks like they are penalties! In the absense of Aanya (it's a long story tune in to find out) and her laughter, Vishnu and Varun make some suprising predictions (spoiler alert! It's Varun's prediction) about who will be crowned champions of Europe! Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_. Ciao! 

The Penultimate Week

A mundane Monday transformed into, by far, the best night of the euros after two thrilling games led to Varun screaming at 3:30 in the morning after the Swiss sent the French packing. The night saw 14 goals scored, including one howler of an own goal by the Spanish goalie, although he was saved from embarrassment when Spain prevailed over Crotia 5-3. But the highlight of the night was, no doubt, Mbappe's penalty miss in the penalty shootout. T. Hazard's wonder strike brought a cheer to Vishnu's face as it was enough to end the Portuguese campaign and send Belgium to the quarters. Although we do hope to see Ronaldo again. At Wembley, England who are now surely favorites progressed, much to Aanya's delight, against an off-colour German side who now bid farewell to Joachim Low after 15 years! Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple music or Google podcasts and don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballover_

It's Coming Home! French Failure and CR7's last Euros?

We're into the second week of the Euros and there was no shortage of action. Germany's win over Portugal, a match which saw six goals, is our pick for the best game so far.  Meanwhile, in group A the Italian giants, confirmed it's place in the knockouts. While Belgium followed suit in group B. The Netherlands, also another promising team, became the only team to confirm a top spot finish in its group, having beat Austria 2-0 at home. 104 goals and 671 appearances later Sergio Ramos has an emotional departure from Real Madrid. We wish him the best of luck for his future. Enjoyed the podcast? Don't forget to follow our Instagram page @footballovertime_. And subscribe to us on Spotify, apple music or wherever you get your podast.

Ramos departs Madrid, Germany get underway and The Netherlands cruise

The battle of Europe's best is finally underway and within the first week we have already encountered some stunning goals, courageous defending and jaw-dropping saves. Players were all smiles as all stadiums welcomed back fans, something which has been much awaited. All Indian football fans also had something to cherish as the blue tigers qualified for the 3rd round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Enjoyed our podcast? Then don't forget to follow us on Instagram @footballovertime_ where you can stay updated with episode releases, bts (behind the scenes, not the band) and much more

France edge Germany, The CR7 show and an Indian Success!

The much awaited EURO 2020 is finally here! Tune in to find out how the big teams of Europe lineup. The Blue tigers put up a massive effort against Qatar in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers match.

Euro 2020 Preview

Chelsea become champions of Europe after eight years as Manchester City's wait for the coveted trophy continues.

The Trophy heads to West London

We play it, We watch it, We love it and talk about it, so why not with everyone!

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The Football Overtime Podcast

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