The Daily Football Briefing – Details, episodes & analysis

For their supporters, the most galling aspect of Manchester United’s heavy defeat to Liverpool will be the suspicion that this wasn’t even Liverpool at their best. It really could have been much worse. So where do they go from here? Carl Anka was at Old Trafford and needs a hug. Kylian Mbappe has opened his account for Real Madrid, his brace against Real Betis gave his new team a confidence building result, but they’re still four points behind Barcelona. And Bayer Leverkusen’s long unbeaten Bundesliga run is over. Seb Stafford Bloor is back to tell us why they shouldn’t be too concerned about what happened on Saturday.  It’s all in the Great Big Monday Round-up, everything you need to know from the ten biggest leagues in the world. Well, it’s the ten leagues that I run on my FM games anyway.  Need something to read? Phil Hay’s moving tribute to Sol Bamba is, well, as wonderful as you would expect. The link is in the description and the thoughts of everyone at The Athletic are with Sol’s friends and family.   https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5737310/2024/09/01/sol-bamba-leeds-cardiff-ivory-coast/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Carl Anka, Seb Stafford Bloor Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve been quite critical of the new-fangled Champions League here and a lot of that criticism still stands, but…did anyone else watch that draw and think, “Well…it’s not perfect. It might not even be good. But it does look a bit more fun than the old way.” Plus, how did Chelsea get on against Servette? And what on earth happened to Real Madrid when they went to the Canary Islands?  Got something to say? Post it on the app or send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or, you know, write a review on Apple. Need something to read? Try Jack Pitt-Brooke on the new era of Lee Carsley at England.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5728690/2024/08/29/england-carsley-gomes-grealish/ Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Liam Twomey, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Aleksandr Čeferin  Producer: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's DFB: Welcome to the first Giant Monday Round-Up of the season. In just ten minutes, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the weekend’s football. Like how Big Dan Burn chased Ben Brereton Diaz down the tunnel. And how Real Madrid slipped up in the Balearics. And how Bayer Leverkusen still haven’t lost a domestic game. You need this podcast, so click now and set yourself up for the week. Need something to read? What about Michael Cox on Ipswich?  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5706501/2024/08/17/ipswich-town-liverpool-tactics/ Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Seb Stafford Bloor, Liam Twomey Producer: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Man U’s Mainoo makes England’s senior squad. Carl Anka profiles the "preposterous" player. The Premier League heads Down Under. Jacob Whitehead looks at why teams are heading to Australia. Why you should care about English football’s latest development. Matt Slater runs through what an independence regulator actually means for football. Host: Michael Bailey Producers: Abi Paterson and Mike Zimmermann Exec Prod: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nottingham Forest deducted four points for spending breach. Phil Buckingham has the details of the case and Paul Taylor brings Forest's furious reaction. Why isn’t Ben White in the England squad? James McNicholas tells us more about the Arsenal right back. Chelsea look to Champions League quest. Jessy Parker Humphreys previews the Blues game against Ajax. Host: Michael Bailey Producers: Abi Paterson and Michael Zimmermann Exec Prod: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester United are on their way to Wembley. Dan Sheldon and James Pearce were at Old Trafford for the late comeback. As are Chelsea…but only just… Liam Twomey highlights more drama between the fans, Raheem Sterling and Pochettino. And how’s Barcelona’s recovery looking? Dermot Corrigan was in Madrid to watch Barca’s 3-0 win against Atletico. Host: Iain Macintosh Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dominant Liverpool prepare for Old Trafford in style. James Pearce and Mark Critchley set us up for an FA Cup quarter final for the ages. Could Newcastle really upset the FA Cup holders? Chris Waugh wonders whether the Magpies can topple Man City. Villa beat Ajax but suffer Watkins injury scare. Tim Spiers was on hand to watch. Chelsea host Arsenal in WSL title tussle at Stamford Bridge. Jessy Parker Humphreys previews what should be an epic game. Host: Michael Bailey Producers: Abi Paterson and Michael Zimmermann Exec Prod: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inter exit the Champions League. James Horncastle on the disappointment from the Serie A leaders. Sancho helps Dortmund progress. Seb Stafford-Bloor sees Sancho playing with more freedom and creativity. And why are the Premier League playing Deal or No Deal with the EFL? Matt Slater has the details on the failed funding package. Host: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arsenal pushed to penalties by Porto. James McNicholas reacts to a wild night at the Emirates, after Arsenal advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. Barca eliminate Napoli. Dermot Corrigan on the youngsters carrying Barcelona through the competition. And, who will join them? James Horncastle gives his expectations on tonight’s Inter v Atletico game. Host: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Zimmermann Executive Producer: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chelsea keep their faint European hopes alive. Simon Johnson was at Stamford Bridge to watch the Cole Palmer show. Do Arsenal have what it takes to fight back against Porto? Amy Lawrence muses on the importance of this fixture for Arsenal's season. Just how bad would a Champions League exit be for Barcelona? Alvaro Romeo speaks to James Richardson about the significance of this fixture against Napoli. Host: Tim Spiers Prods: Abi Paterson and Mike Zimmermann Exec Prod: Iain Macintosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices