The French Football Show

Episodes

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  Marseille survive almighty scare, Rennes go top | Ligue 1 Review 26.10.2026 37m

  Marseille were 4–0 up at home to bottom club Le Havre. What followed was very nearly an extraordinary collapse…Matt Spiro is joined by Jonathan Johnson and Baptiste Reynaud to dissect OM’s frantic 4–3 win, the late penalty controversy and Bruno Genesio’s angry assessment of his substitutes.Elsewhere, Florian Thauvin marks his 300th Ligue 1 appearance with a brilliant display as Lens come from behind to beat Paris FC 2–1. Is it time for a France recall?Yehvann Diouf goes from villain to hero, following a blunder with a last-second penalty save to secure Nice’s 2–1 win at Brest.And Rennes go top after beating Strasbourg — but can they stay there? We assess their credentials and ask what Strasbourg’s project is supposed to be these days. Meanwhile PSG and Lyon meet on Monday night knowing victory will take either side to the summit.Subscribe to The French Football Show for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier discussions.
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  Le Dossier: Can a Fallen Green Giant Rise Again? 29.10.2026 24m

  Few clubs stir the emotions in French football quite like Saint-Étienne. But can Les Verts build a future worthy of their glorious past?In this in-person edition of Le Dossier, host Matt Spiro joins writer and broadcaster Tom Williams and commentator Andy Scott for a nostalgic look at a club that captured a nation’s heart.From the European adventures of the 1970s to the extraordinary support at Geoffroy-Guichard, we explore why Saint-Étienne mean so much – and how they lost their way.We also examine the rebuild under Kilmer Sports, Ivan Gazidis’s role and the hopes surrounding Scottish coach Ian Cathro. Can this new chapter take one of France’s great football institutions back to the big time?💬 What does Saint-Étienne mean to you – and how far can this revival go? Let us know in the comments.Subscribe to The French Football Show for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier discussions.#ASSE #SaintEtienne #FrenchFootball
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  Le Dossier: How a French magazine changed football 22.10.2026 29m

  How did a French magazine’s award become football’s golden obsession?Matt Spiro joins writer and broadcaster Tom Williams and commentator Andy Scott in a Parisian café in the 15th arrondissement for a special, in-person edition of Le Dossier.We explore the Ballon d’Or’s origins at France Football, how the award has evolved and whether its voting system really identifies the most deserving player. Why does it carry such weight in France? How much influence do media campaigns have? And has an individual prize become too big a deal in a team sport?Plus, we finish with our picks for who deserves this year’s award – and who we think will win.☕ French football conversation, from the heart of Paris.Subscribe to The French Football Show for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier discussions.#BallonDor #FrenchFootball #FranceFootball
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  Episode 60: PSG rotate and win – but is Ligue 1 really that easy? 19.10.2026 36m

  Eight changes, three points – but was PSG’s win at Strasbourg really evidence that Ligue 1 is too easy?Matt Spiro is joined by French football expert Jonathan Johnson and Baptiste Reynaud from Le Classique Pod to unpack a revealing weekend in France.PSG won 3–1, but only after Strasbourg gave them a serious scare. Safonov’s crucial saves and the introduction of Dembélé, Doué, Hakimi, Mendes and Vitinha helped turn the match around. We discuss Luis Enrique’s rotation, the demands of competing at home and in Europe, and what the “weak Ligue 1” argument misses.Meanwhile, Paris FC delivered a thrilling 4–3 victory over Rennes, inspired by the outstanding Lassine Sinayoko. Two goals and two assists: we celebrate his remarkable performance and excellent season.Plus, Lyon’s 2–1 win over Nice took them top – with FIVE teams level on 14 points – and Marseille hit five at Angers.Subscribe to The French Football Show for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier discussions.#Ligue1 #PSG #ParisFC #FrenchFootball
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  Le Dossier: Marseille’s collapse – how did it go so wrong? 15.10.2026 28m

  Just 12 months ago, Marseille were flying high and dreaming of a title under Roberto De Zerbi. Today, they have a threadbare squad and are bracing themselves for a relegation dogfight. How did they get here and what does the next months have in store? Matt Spiro is joined by Andy Scott and Tom Williams to examine OM’s dramatic downturn: the financial constraints and boardroom overhaul that have left the club facing an uncertain future.Could OM actually go down? Is Bruno Genesio the right man to start the rebuild? Do they have the players needed to compete? In this week’s Le Dossier, we explore what went wrong at one of France’s biggest clubs — and what comes next.Subscribe to The French Football Show for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier.#Marseille #OM #Ligue1
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  Episode 58: Cahuzac reignites Lens as Lyon suffer first defeat 12.10.2026 30m

  Lens are back! Intensity, attacking verve and a rocking Bollaert: Yannick Cahuzac’s first home game in charge brought an impressive 2–1 win over Lyon, ending the visitors’ unbeaten run.Matt Spiro is joined by French football expert Luke Entwistle to discuss why Lens looked like last season’s side again – and what this performance means for their prospects.We also review PSG’s 3–1 victory over Le Mans, with Andy Scott reporting from the Parc des Princes, and Monaco’s 2–2 draw with Toulouse, featuring a report from commentator Simon Hill in Monaco.Subscribe to The French Football Show for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier episodes, covering the stories that matter in French football.#Ligue1 #RCLens #FrenchFootball
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  Le Dossier: What do City's charges mean for PSG? 08.10.2026 22m

  PSG and Manchester City have both been transformed by Gulf investment – but how different are their stories?Ahead of their Champions League meeting, Matt Spiro and Tom Williams welcome journalist Miguel Delaney, author of States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football, for a lively discussion about ownership, money and success.Against the backdrop of City’s financial case, we examine PSG’s rise, their global brand and their record under financial regulation. Is it fair to put the two clubs in the same bracket? And what does the wider debate mean for supporters?Different perspectives and plenty of debate in this edition of Le Dossier from The French Football Show.Subscribe for our weekly Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier episodes.#PSG #ManCity #FrenchFootball
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  Le Dossier: Zidane’s France, what’s changed and will it work? 01.10.2026 27m

  New faces, a more technical midfield and Kylian Mbappé on the left: what do Zinedine Zidane’s first decisions tell us about the France team he wants to build?Matt Spiro is joined by French journalist Karim Baldé and the commentator Andy Scott for a deep dive on Les Bleus, drawing on their knowledge of French football to assess the changes and look beyond the excitement surrounding Zidane.We discuss:• His selection decisions, including Da Cunha, Diouf and Lepaul• The search for a more technical, fluid midfield• Cherki's deeper role, Mbappé’s move to the left wing• Whether the early signs are encouraging• How good actually is Zidane as a managerWatch 'The French Football Show' on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Le Dossier: Inside the Paris FC revolution 25.09.2026 24m

  Are Paris FC already becoming a force in French football?Nearly two years into the Arnault family and Red Bull project, Paris FC are starting to look increasingly formidable in Ligue 1.Matt Spiro is joined by Tom Williams and Jonathan Johnson to examine the rapid transformation of PFC: their ambitious recruitment, the arrival of sporting director Marco Neppe, Red Bull’s influence, investment in infrastructure - and whether the club can build the fanbase and identity to match its ambitions.Plus, a closer look at Liam Rosenior: his impact on the pitch and the controversy surrounding his celebrations in front of the Strasbourg supporters last weekend.🇫🇷 The French Football Show — Le DossierSubscribe for twice-weekly discussion and analysis of Ligue 1 and French football.You can also watch the FFS on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Episode 54: PSG deepen Marseille's crisis as Monaco go clear 21.09.2026 29m

  Marseille’s nightmare start continues. Matt Spiro and George Boxall report from the Stade Vélodrome after PSG’s 2-1 victory condemned OM to a fifth consecutive defeat.Marseille are now second-bottom of Ligue 1, while PSG have climbed to sixth after back-to-back wins - although the champions are still some way from their best.Matt is then joined by Jonathan Johnson to discuss the rest of Round 5, including:⚽ Lyon’s superb 4-0 victory over Rennes🔥 Liam Rosenior goading the Strasbourg supporters after Paris FC’s impressive 2-1 win🤔 Was Rosenior wrong to react - or was it understandable after the abuse he received?🔝 Monaco beating Lens to move clear at the top of Ligue 1🏆 Are Monaco genuine title contenders?Plus, Andy Scott reports from the Stade Louis II after Monaco’s latest victory.Subscribe to The French Football Show for two weekly podcasts covering Ligue 1 and French football.#Ligue1 #Marseille #PSG
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  Le Dossier: Why did Lens sack Toppmöller after six games? 17.09.2026 22m

  RC Lens have sacked Dino Toppmöller after just six competitive matches - and nobody saw it coming.Despite beating PSG in the Trophée des Champions, thrashing Auxerre 5-2 in their first Ligue 1 game, and winning their opening Champions League match, Toppmöller’s reign ended amid reports of tactical concerns, dressing-room doubts and disagreements over the structure of his coaching staff.Matt Spiro is joined by French football experts Tom Williams and Andy Scott to examine:• What went wrong behind the scenes• The conflicting French and German accounts• Whether Lens were right to act so quickly• What the decision says about the club’s leadership• Whether Yannick Cahuzac could be the long-term answerSubscribe to The French Football Show for two episodes every week: Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier.#RCLens #Ligue1 #FrenchFootballWatch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Episode 52: Lille, Rennes & Monaco set the pace, PSG win at last 14.09.2026 33m

  Who is best equipped to challenge PSG this season: Lille, Rennes or Monaco? Matt Spiro is joined by Jonathan Johnson and Andy Scott to assess Ligue 1’s early leading trio after another compelling weekend of French football.Rennes earn a statement 1-0 victory over Marseille, Monaco are held by Strasbourg, and Lille continue their impressive start with a 2-0 win over Troyes.We also discuss PSG’s first victory of the season in Brest – and the deeply emotional scenes as Stade Brestois, and indeed all of French football, paid tribute to the late Eric Roy.Matches discussed:Rennes 1-0 MarseilleStrasbourg 1-1 MonacoLille 2-0 TroyesBrest 0-1 PSGSubscribe to The French Football Show for two episodes every week, covering all the biggest stories from Ligue 1 and French football.https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Pierre Sage: From Ligue 1 Miracle-Worker to the Premier League 10.09.2026 32m

  Who exactly is Pierre Sage – and what are Crystal Palace getting with their new French coach?Pierre Sage’s rise has been extraordinary. After spending years working in youth and amateur football, he was handed the Lyon job with the club bottom of Ligue 1 – and inspired one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent French football.He followed that with a superb season at Lens, finishing second in Ligue 1 and winning the Coupe de France. Now, Sage has crossed the Channel to take on his biggest challenge yet at Crystal Palace.Matt Spiro is joined by French football expert Tom Williams and leading Crystal Palace voice Dan Cook (HLTCO) to discuss:• Who Pierre Sage really is – as a coach and a person• How he transformed Lyon• Why his football worked so well at Lens• His tactics, man-management and relationship with players• Why Crystal Palace chose him• His early tactical decisions at Palace• The Ismaïla Sarr situation and Palace’s transfer window• Whether Sage and Palace are a natural fit• And the big question: can Sage become a major success in the Premier League?🇫🇷 Le Dossier is the FFS deep dive into the biggest stories and personalities in French football.Subscribe to The French Football Show for two episodes every week: Ligue 1 Review on Mondays and Le Dossier on Thursdays.
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  Episode 50: Monaco stun PSG to extend perfect start 07.09.2026 31m

  Monaco are seven points clear of PSG after just seven games! Matt Spiro is at the Parc des Princes to give us his thoughts on the latest victory for Filipe Luis' table-topping team. Matt is then joined by French football expert Jonathan Johnson to analyse PSG's slow start to the season: should Luis Enrique have signed a new goalkeeper and is their attack better or worse this season?There's plenty of love for Strasbourg who hit Troyes for SIX, and Andy Scott reports from the Vélodrome after commentating Marseille 2-3 Paris FC. How deep are Marseille's problems and how high can the capital club finish after a very promising summer transfer window?The FFS is also available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Transfer madness! Is Premier League money saving Ligue 1? 03.09.2026 31m

  Ligue 1 clubs have generated more than €1.3 billion in player sales this summer – with cash-rich Premier League sides contributing over €800 million of that total.Matt Spiro is joined by Andy Scott and Tom Williams to analyse the biggest moves from Ligue 1 to England, identify the smartest signings for Premier League clubs and assess what this extraordinary transfer window means for French football.What happened on Malick Fofana's mad day? Is Bradley Barcola worth the money? Might Ayyoub Bouaddi be a generational talent? And how did Brentford clinch the signing of the excellent Mamadou Sangaré?Is the influx of money providing a much-needed financial reset for Ligue 1, or will the continued departure of its best young players ultimately leave the league weaker?
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  Episode 48: Lille rage as PSG snatch dramatic draw 31.08.2026 29m

  Matt Spiro reports from the Stade Louis II after Monaco’s superb 2-0 victory over Marseille sent them to the top of Ligue 1. Young German striker Paris Brunner was the star of the show, scoring twice - including one stunning effort - in an outstanding performance.Andy Scott joins Matt to review the rest of the weekend’s action, including dramatic scenes in Lille, where PSG scored twice in added time to rescue a 2-2 draw. Lille were left furious after the equaliser arrived in the fifth additional minute - despite only three having been indicated.Plus, commentator Simon Hill checks in from the Groupama Stadium to give the latest at the end of a difficult week for Lyon.
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  The Fall of Bordeaux: How a French Football Giant Collapsed 27.08.2026 30m

  How did one of France’s biggest and most historic football clubs fall from Ligue 1 to the sixth tier?Six-time French champions Girondins de Bordeaux have endured a spectacular sporting and financial collapse. After relegation from Ligue 1, the loss of their professional status and two seasons in National 2, Bordeaux have now been excluded from France’s national championships - with their very survival under threat.Matt Spiro is joined by French football journalist Tom Williams and lifelong Bordeaux supporter and journalist Raphael Jucobin to examine:🔹 Where the crisis began🔹 The ownership of GACP / King Street and Gérard Lopez🔹 The financial gamble that went disastrously wrong🔹 Bordeaux’s relegations and loss of professional status🔹 The arrival of Sparta Capital🔹 Whether the club can survive and rebuild🔹 What French football must learn from the collapseWelcome to Le Dossier, our weekly deep dive into the biggest stories in French football.Subscribe to The French Football Show for two episodes every week: our Ligue 1 Review and Le Dossier.#Girondins #Bordeaux #FrenchFootballYou can also watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Episode 46: Marseille & Lens fire, Ferran Torres rescues PSG 24.08.2026 35m

  The French Football Show is back!Matt Spiro will be hosting two podcasts a week this week - the first, every Monday, is a Ligue 1 based discussion following the weekend's action. The second, every Thursday, will be a deeper dive in the biggest issues in the French game. Make sure you subscribe to avoid missing out on any of this gloriously fun and informative FREE content! First up, there's already plenty to discuss after an eventful opening round that saw PSG having to move their home fixture on Sunday to Rennes due to the sudden appearance of mushrooms on the Parc des Princes pitch! It was a tough test for Luis Enrique's men who salvaged a point thanks to a second-half fightback inspired by new man Ferran Torres.Marseille put four past Strasbourg in Bruno Genesio's first game at the helm, while Dino Topmoller also enjoyed a memorable debut in the dugout, steering Lens to a 5-2 triumph over Auxerre. Matt, Jonathan Johnson plus Ligue 1 commentators Jeremy Klayman and Andy Scott bring you everything you need to know from Matchday 01.You can of course watch the FFS on Youtube as well: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Episode 45: Future Winners? 11.07.2026 36m

  France are through to the World Cup semi-finals for a third consecutive time, and it feels like Didier Deschamps' side still haven't really been tested. Spain will be looking to change that on Tuesday night, but Matt Spiro, Baptiste Reynaud and Jonathan Johnson are finding it hard to look beyond Les Bleus for the overall title. The lads dissect the quarter-final win over Morocco, wonder how many more gears France have to move into, show love to Manu Koné - and address the biggest mystery of all: why can't Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi take a proper penalty ;) ? Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
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  Episode 44: Dembélé Delivers As Fearsome French March On 28.06.2026 40m

  France head into the knockout stages in ominous form after brushing aside Norway 4-1, with Ousmane Dembélé once again stealing the headlines. Matt Spiro, Jonathan Johnson and Baptiste Reynaud analyse another impressive Les Bleus performance, discuss what's making Didier Deschamps' side so formidable, and assess whether anyone can stop them. The guys also look ahead to Tuesday's Round of 32 clash with Sweden, examining the key tactical battles, team news, selection dilemmas and where the Scandinavians might pose a threat. Can France maintain their momentum and take another step towards World Cup glory?Watch the FFS on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow