The French Football Show
The French Football Show is a weekly podcast dedicated to French football, hosted by Matt Spiro. Each episode features in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and the French national team, with discussion of key players, matches, and controversies. The show also explores cultural aspects of the game in France, offering a mix of insightful commentary and British humor. Expect informed perspectives on topics like the Ballon d'Or race, Champions League runs, and transfer news. From title battles to tactical breakdowns, it covers the hottest talking points in French football.
Épisodes
Le Dossier: Why did Lens sack Toppmöller after six games?
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
Episode 52: Lille, Rennes & Monaco set the pace, PSG win at last
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 fir
Pierre Sage: From Ligue 1 Miracle-Worker to the Premier League
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 i
Episode 50: Monaco stun PSG to extend perfect start
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
Transfer madness! Is Premier League money saving Ligue 1?
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 footbal
Episode 48: Lille rage as PSG snatch dramatic draw
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 ti
The Fall of Bordeaux: How a French Football Giant Collapsed
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 surv
Episode 46: Marseille & Lens fire, Ferran Torres rescues PSG
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 alread
Episode 45: Future Winners?
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 m
Episode 44: Dembélé Delivers As Fearsome French March On
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 w
Episode 43: Lightning in Philly as Mbappé strikes twice
France defeated Iraq 3-0 thanks to two more Kylian Mbappé goals, but it was a long night in Philadelphia as storms delayed the game by more than two hours. Matt Spiro catches up with Andy Scott, who was in the stadium, and then breaks down another good victory for Les Bleus with the French football expert Jonathan Johnson. You can also watch the FFS on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFo
Episode 42: A new era? Mbappé Breaks Record, Olisé Shines
France have started their World Cup campaign in style – but are we witnessing the start of a new era for Les Bleus? Matt Spiro is joined by French football expert Jonathan Johnson to analyse France's impressive 3-1 win over Senegal. The pair discuss Kylian Mbappé's historic night as he became France's all-time leading scorer with a brilliant brace, Michael Olisé's outstanding display, and whether
Episode 41: Déjà vu for France as Senegal eye World Cup shock
The FFS is back with a big preview of France's first game of the 2022 FIFA Worls Cup, against Senegal. Matt Spiro talks to the former Senegal international Ricardo Faty, who was born and raised and France and admits he is going to have mixed feelings on Tuesday!On 31 May 2002, Senegal sent shockwaves around the planet by defeating France in the opening game of the World Cup. On Tuesday, the Terang
Episode 40: Lens make history, PSG gear up for Arsenal
What a season it's been! To wrap things up, French football expert Matt Spiro tells us about his experience at Stade de France where he saw Lens win the Coupe de France for the first time in their history. A magical season for Pierre Sage's team and the scenes both n Saint-Dénis and then later in Lens were testimony both to what a fantastic club Lens are and also just how special the Coupe de Fran
Episode 39: The French Football Show Awards
The Ligue 1 season ended in typically manic fashion on Sunday: there were upsets aplenty, pitch invasions, resignations and even a nine-goal thriller. Matt, Andy and Tom reflect on a hugely entertaining year in France and select some of their best and worst moments. Watch the French Football Show on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFrenchFootballShow
Episode 38: Who Deserves Ligue 1 Player of Season Award?
So, Ousmane Dembélé scooped the official Ligue 1 Player of the Season Award this week, but did the PSG star actually deserve it having only started nine league games? Matt, Andy and Tom meet up in ‘Le Corner Café’, in Paris’ 2nd Arrondissment to make their choices! They all also select the best young player and the best coach, as Matt tucks into a rather large serving of pavlova. We hear about the
Episode 37: Inside Luis Enrique's PSG revolution
For years PSG tried and failed to win the Champions League. Their failures would often be spectacular. The club seemed to be cursed. Then Luis Enrique arrived. The brilliant Spanish manager has found the formula and transformed the destiny of Paris Saint-Germain. Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, Matt, Tom and Andy examine the impact of the former S
Episode 36: Beye's Marseille sinking fast
After Marseille's slump continued at home to Nice, Habib Beye's side look sure to miss out on the Champions League. Matt, Andy and Tom delve into a chaotic season in Marseille and look at what needs to happen to get this great club competing again at the summit of the French game.There's a focus on Strasbourg's stylish winger Diego Moreira, who is set to feature for Belgium at this summer's World
Episode 35: Title Race Back On as PSG Fluff their Lines
An eventful season at Strasbourg could now finish in glorious fashion. With the Alsace club through to the semi-finals of both the Europa Conference League and the Coupe de France, Matt, Tom and Andy wonder if Gary O'Neil's charges can make French football history in the next weeks? Rayo Vallecano and OGC Nice stand in their way of reaching two showpiece games. There's plenty to discuss in Ligue 1
Episode 34: Tyler Morton thriving as English talents flock to Ligue 1
This week's episode is all about the famous 'Entente Cordiale'! With more English footballers thriving in France than ever before, Matt and Tom take at look at the reasons why there has been a sudden influx and ask if it is a good thing both for the English and French games.There's an exclusive chat with Lyon's midfield maestro Tyler Morton who has been exceptional since joining from Liverpool and
Episode 33: PSG take control and set sights on Liverpool
Paris Saint-Germain's quest to win back-to-back Champions League crowns continues on Wednesday with the first leg of their quarter-final against Liverpool. Matt Spiro previews the big clash with Liverpool expert Dan Clubbe from Redmen TV in part 1 of the show. Can the Reds pick themselves up from their big FA Cup defeat at Manchester City? How do the English perceive PSG these days? Will Hugo Ekit
Episode 32: Are France World Cup favourites?
Didier Deschamps’ team flexed their attacking muscle by swatting aside Brazil and Colombia in the US with two completely different starting elevens. Should the rest of the world be worried? Are Les Bleus ready to clinch their third star this summer? Matt Spiro welcomes Tom Williams and Andy Scott onto the pod to discuss. Part 2 focuses on the coach who is preparing for his final tournament – Desch
Episode 31: Should the French League 'help' PSG in Europe?
Champions for the last four seasons and current league leaders, Paris Saint-Germain have again requested that a league fixture be postponed in order to help them focus on a big European tie. The difference this time: the game in the middle of their Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool is a potential Ligue 1 title-decider against Lens.The Northern club, who sit one point behind PSG, have m
Episode 30: Rayan Cherki - A Maverick in a System Game
This week on The French Football Show, we dive into one of the most fascinating players in French football: Rayan Cherki.After his recent interview with France Football, Cherki once again reminded everyone that he sees the game differently - creative, unpredictable, and proudly individual. But in a sport increasingly dominated by systems, pressing structures, and tactical discipline, that raises a
Episode 29: PSG Shaken by Monaco – Trouble Before Chelsea?
PSG look to be flagging at the wrong moment! After suffering their first home defeat of the Ligue 1 season at the hands of Monaco, Matt Spiro speaks to the former PSG defender Didier Domi to find out if he is worried about the upcoming Champions League tie with Chelsea. Matt and Didier have a great chat in Part 1 of the episode, and any concerned PSG fans will probably be reassured by the former N
Episode 28: Stakes higher than ever in Coupe de France
PSG's early elimination has lit a fire in the Coupe de France and this week's quarter-finals promise to be great. Matt, Tom and Andy ask if France's oldest competition - famed for its giant-killings - is in better health than ever. For Marseille and Lyon, neither of whom have won silverware since 2012, this year's edition is HUGE. Lens, who look likely to miss out on the title, have never won the
Episode 27: Is this Mbappé's defining season?
When Kylian Mbappé won the Ligue 1 title aged 18, then the World Cup at 19, it was assumed that this sensational footballer would go on to claim multiple Ballon d'Ors and Champions Leagues. But today - at 27 - he's still waiting. Host Matt Spiro and guests Andy Scott and Tom Williams ask the following questions: does Mbappé need to win a Ballon d'Or to be remembered as a true great? With Real Madr
Episode 26: Can shock leaders Lens knock PSG off their perch?
There are just 12 games to play in France and Paris Saint-Germain are NOT top of the league. Racing Club de Lens are enjoying an extraordinary campaign. Host Matt Spiro, alongside guests Andy Scott and Tom Williams, uncover the secrets the northerners success this week and ask the big question: can Pierre Sage’s team go the distance and pull off one of the biggest surprises in modern football?In P
Episode 25: Ligue 1's television revolution
French football was plunged into a terrible financial crisis in 2020 when, in the midst of the Covid pandemic, its domestic television broadcaster pulled out of the contract. With revenues from TV rights subsequently collapsing, the professional game in France is still suffering. Matt Spiro explains exactly what happened, and with the aid of guests Andy Scott and Jonathan Johnson, examines the bol
Episode 24: Is De Zerbi losing control at Marseille?
The FFS takes a deep dive into the chaotic world of Olympique de Marseille this week. After crashing out of the Champions League in Bruges, the volatile Mediterranean giants are plunging towards yet another crisis. Host Matt Spiro investigates with the help of his guests Andy Scott and Tom Williams: is there a method behind Marseille's madness and is Roberto De Zerbi the man to end the club's 14-y
Episode 23: Can PSG win back-to-back Champions League titles?
This time last year, PSG beat Manchester City in stunning fashion and turned what had been a faltering season into the most successful campaign of the club's history. Once again, Luis Enrique's charges have been below par (and injury-plagued) in the first half of this current season. This week's discussion, Le Dossier, sees host Matt Spiro ask guests Andy Scott and Tom Williams if it is all part o
Episode 22: We need to talk about Mason Greenwood
He's the top-scorer in Ligue 1, the first Marseille striker to score twenty plus goals in back-to-back seasons for more than a decade, and yet many people find it hard to talk about - let along enthuse about - Mason Greenwood. The accusations levelled against the Englishman in the past have left a lot of observers feeling uneasy to say the least. But rather than ignore the subject, we dive in head
Episode 21: Is Endrick ready to light up Ligue 1 with Lyon?
This week, Matt and Tom are joined by Brazilian football expert Jack Lang to discuss the arrival of wonderkid Endrick at Lyon. The teenager scored on his debut in the Coupe de France against Lille and excitement is growing in the Rhone Valley. Could he be the missing piece in Lyon's jigsaw and will the Real Madrid loanee force his way into Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup plans? There's also a nod to P
Episode 20: Strasbourg fans raging as Rosenior joins 'big brother' Chelsea
We kick off the new year with a new name. The French Football Show replaces Across the Channel — but fear not: it’s the same team, the same voices, and the same weekly deep dive into French football. The format has evolved slightly, but the aim remains unchanged: to be informative, opinionated, and above all, good fun.Each episode now centres on “le dossier” - an in-depth discussion of a major tal
Episode 19: The Sébastien Bassong Interview
In this special edition, Matt Spiro speaks to Sébastien Bassong about his journey from the Paris suburbs to the Premier League via the Clairefontaine academy and FC Metz. The former Cameroon defender experienced so many highs and lows during his colourful career; he speaks candidly about the heartbreak of getting released from Clairefontaine and tells wonderful stories from his time at Newcastle w
Episode 18: A Christmas Miracle in Lens as PSG are left chasing
Host Matt Spiro is joined by French football journalists Jonathan Johnson and George Boxall to discuss a remarkable story in France as RC Lens finish the calendar year on top of Ligue 1. It's the first time PSG have failed to be top at Christmas in five years - and back in 2020/21, Lille finished as French champions. The guys look at Lens' 2-0 win over Nice, PSG's slightly nervous 3-2 triumph at b
Episode 17: PSG & Lens pull clear as crisis deepens in Nice
Matt Spiro is joined by Tom Williams and Jeremy Smith to review the Round 15 action in France. PSG were in ominous form, putting five past Rennes thanks notably to a brilliant Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Lens are still the pacesetters after they won for the fifth week running, away to Nantes. But many of the chasers are falling away: Marseille, Strasbourg, Monaco and Lyon all suffered damaging defe
Episode 16: Brilliant Lens go top after PSG & Marseille falter
Host Matt Spiro and guest Baptiste Reynaud heap the praise on RC Lens who sit atop the Ligue 1 standings for the first time in more than two decades after their win at Angers. How has Pierre Sage built such a strong unit so quickly? The lads do their best to explain all. Cameroon international Sébastien Bassong pops in to discuss PSG's dramatic Champions League win over his former team Tottenham,
Episode 15: Marseille crush Nice, PSG stay top, Pogba makes emotional return
This week we have an exclusive interview with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who talks to Matt Spiro about Marseille's title push. Our host also catches up with podcast regulars George Boxall and Luke Entwistle at the Allianz Riviera to analyse Nice 1-5 Marseille. Podcast guest Andy Scott was in Rennes to witness Paul Pogba's debut - his first appearance in 881 days - and the remarkable ovation afforde
Episode 14: The Tony Cascarino Interview
In this episode, Matt Spiro speaks to the legendary former Marseille striker Tony Cascarino. The man still affectionately known in the south of France as 'Tony Goal' tells us all about those crazy years down at the Vélodrome: meeting Bernard Tapie and signing for the recently-crowned European champions (instead of Blackpool!), nearly coming to blows with the notorious club president at half-time i
Episode 13: PSG leave it late again as Lens and Marseille crank up pressure
Matt Spiro is joined by Marseille-based journalist George Boxall and his Paris-based nemesis Jonathan Johnson to run the rule over another eventful weekend. Were Lyon hard done by against PSG? Are Marseille and Lens genuine title contenders after their latest impressive victories? It's close at the top of Ligue 1 - and it's close at the top of Ligue 2 too, as George's beloved Red Star push for pro
Episode 12: Lepaul inspires Rennes revival, PSG & Marseille claim nervy wins
Host Matt Spiro is joined by regular guest and Ligue 1 expert Andy Scott - and there's a debut this week for the distinguished French commentator Julien Brun. One of French television's most recognisable voices after working for TF1, DAZN, Amazon Prime and beIN Sports, Julien gets embarrassed when Matt calls him 'the French Martin Tyler'. But he duly shows his class by providing shrewd analysis of
Episode 11: Hakimi fires PSG top, Lens stun Marseille to go second
Host Matt Spiro is joined by author and broadcaster Tom Williams, plus there's an Across the Channel debut this week for the French journalist and African football expert Karim Baldé. The panel run the rule over PSG's masterclass in Brest and admire the work of Pierre Sage's Lens team who are second after beating Marseille. There's a focus on Rennes and their under-fire coach Habib Beye, analysis
Episode 10: Rampant Marseille 'staying calm' after Strasbourg hold PSG
Host Matt Spiro is joined by Marseille-based journalist George Boxall and French football expert Jonathan Johnson after a record-equalling weekend in Ligue 1 that saw an incredible 40 goals scored across the nine games. The team reflect on PSG 3-3 Strasbourg - an early contender for 'game of the season' - Mason Greenwood's Marseille masterclass against Le Havre, Nice's crucial victory over Lyon, a
Episode 9: Les Bleus falter, Zaire-Emery in doghouse, Pocognoli's Monaco mission
Host Matt Spiro is joined by commentator Andy Scott to reflect on France’s latest international games and write a half-term report for our Ligue 1 clubs. Should Didier Deschamps be worried about dropping points in Iceland? Can Les Bleus win without Kylian Mbappé? Is Upamecano-Saliba a winning ticket at the back? We look to answer those questions - and we get strict with our Ligue 1 pupils! If Renn
Episode 8: Mbappé Junior hurts PSG as stylish Strasbourg run riot
Ethan Mbappé took centre stage on Sunday night, scoring a late leveller for Lille against former club PSG. The 18-year-old impressed his big brother, who was in the stands, and Across the Channel host Matt Spiro! This week, Matt is joined by George Boxall and Luke Entwistle and examine the Round 7 action in France as stylish Strasbourg put five past Angers, Marseille swat Metz aside and Monaco are
Episode 7: PSG & Lyon top but resurgent Marseille back in the mix
Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais lead the standings after winning at the weekend, but Olympique de Marseille should also be considered title contenders after a wonderful week in which they won Le Classique and then triumphed in Strasbourg. Matt Spiro is joined by French football experts Andy Scott and Tom Williams to look back at another fantastic weekend of drama in Ligue 1, during whic
Episode 6: PSG fall in Marseille before Dembélé's crowning moment
Never before have we witnessed wild celebrations both in Marseille and in Paris on the night of a 'Classique', but that was the case on Monday as the Mediterranean giants clinched their first home victory over the capital club in 14 years, before PSG superstar Ousmane Dembélé was crowned as Ballon d'Or winner. Matt Spiro is joined by Paris-based expert Jonathan Johnson and Marseille-based reporter
Episode 5: Marseille, Monaco & PSG set for Champions League challenge
The Champions League is back and France's three participants all geared up for their campaigns by securing victories at the weekend. Host Matt Spiro asks guests Tom Williams and Andy Scott if Marseille, Monaco and PSG are ready for the challenges that lie ahead. There's also a fascinating chat about Strasbourg, Chelsea, Emanuel Emegha and multi-club ownership, we look at Ethan Mbappé's progress at
Episode 4: Olisé and Koné shine as Les Bleus get off to winning start
Host Matt Spiro is joined by 'Across the Channel' regular Jonathan Johnson and a special guest this week as the former Strasbourg, Nantes and AS Roma midfielder Ricardo Faty makes his debut on the pod. As well as discussing Les Bleus' two opening World Cup qualifying victories against Ukraine and Iceland, Ricardo speaks candidly about his time as a boy at Clairefontaine - what he learned at France
Episode 3: Joao Neves stars for PSG on goal-packed weekend in Ligue 1
Host Matt Spiro is joined on the Pod by French football expert Luke Entwistle to discuss all the latest updates from Ligue 1. Luke brings his in-depth knowledge of Monaco and Nice to assess their contrasting starts to the new season. We debate whether Joao Neves's stunning goals in PSG's 6-3 win at Toulouse is the most spectacular hat-trick of all time. Lille go one better than the Champions by pu
Episode 2: Lille sink Monaco as De Zerbi hints at Rabiot reprieve
Host Matt Spiro is joined by French football specialists Jonathan Johnson and Baptiste Reynaud to run the rule over another crazy weekend in Ligue 1. Adrien Rabiot is at the heart of some animated chat as Marseille recover from a tumultuous week to put five goals past Paris FC. There's more love for Olivier Giroud - and for Lille boss Bruno Genesio - after the vital win over Monaco, plus the guys
Episode 1: Marseille fall at the first as Giroud rolls back the years
Host Matt Spiro is joined by French football writer & broadcaster Tom Williams and Ligue 1 commentator Andy Scott to discuss the major talking points in France’s top flight after a dramatic opening weekend. Find out who our experts are tipping to be the best summer signing, the biggest flop, the youngster who is about to explode, which team is ready to ‘do a Brest’ and who will finish top of t
