European Nights

The Ewing Theory, Parisian-style. Rog and Rory look examine if Mbappe to Real Madrid was actually addition by subtraction for Paris Saint-Germain. Plus, Arne Slot, the Kop's King of Calm. What about his upbringing and playing days created this sideline stoic.

GUESS WHO'S BACK, BACK AGAIN. VILLA'S BACK, TELL A FRIEND. Rog and Rory Smith celebrate Aston Villa's return to the Champions League by retracing their roots and telling the story of their last European title back in 1982. And the story of Loïs Openda, the Belgian RB Leipzig striker who is generating interest from some of Europe's largest clubs. Plus, the best place for a curry in Birmingham.

BAYERN MUNICH IN MANAGERIAL CRISIS??? Thomas Tuchel is Bayern's most recent coaching casualty, with the club and manager announcing their conscious uncoupling at the end of the season. Rog and New York Times Chief Soccer Correspondent Rory Smith are back to break down exactly how the Tuchel/Bayern pairing was troubled from the start. Plus, with the managerial turnover at Bayern reaching a fever pitch...is the club finally nearing a tipping point? Then, Rog and Rory deep dive into Sporting Lisbon's manager-on-the-rise, Ruben Amorim. Who is this young Portuguese manager already drawing comparisons to Jose Mourinho? And is he really Europe's next big thing? All this and more on the latest European Nights...

XABI ALONSO TO LIVERPOOL? European Nights with Rory Smith is BACK to break down the question on everybody's mind following Jurgen Klopp's shocking announcement that he will be stepping down at the end of the season. But Xabi's current club, Bayer Leverkusen...they've got something pretty special cooking over in the Bundesliga. Rog and Rory deep dive on how Xabi turned "Neverkusen" into an undefeated buzzsaw and whether taking over at Anfield is the right move...not for Liverpool, but for Xabi Alonso. Then, Rog and Rory breakdown S.S. Lazio, the Roman side with a checkered history that is now an upstart in the Champions League Round of 16. Plus, the moment we all listen to this podcast for...Rory gives his food picks for The Eternal City. All this and more on the latest European Nights...

BOXING DAY AND FOOTBALL. THAT'S WHAT ENGLAND DOES. On the latest European Nights with Rory Smith, presented by New Balance, Rog and Rory deep dive into the history of the greatest of all Christmas hangover cures...Boxing Day football. Find out why this marvelous British tradition started, how other countries around the world have tried (or tried not) to replicate it, and what the wider implications of the massive slate of holiday games are for both the Premier League and for Europe as a whole. Then, Rory breaks down the non-stop controversy surrounding VAR, shares his predictions for what the year 2024 holds for world football, and then finally answers the question on everybody's mind...what does the Smith household eat for Christmas dinner? Presented by New Balance.

MESSI. XAVI. INIESTA. ALL MADE IN LA MASIA. And on this week's European Nights presented by New Balance, Rog and New York Time Chief Soccer Correspondent Rory Smith investigate how Barca is once again overflowing with young La Masia products, with the likes of Gavi and Lamine Yamal now mainstays at Camp Nou, filling the shoes of those Barcelona greats. But is a new golden generation emerging in Catalonia, or is this influx of youth talent another byproduct of the club's financial turmoil? Plus, Rog and Rory deep dive into what's in the water at Real Sociedad, the jewel of the Basque Country, the Spanish region overflowing with football talent. And with Basque managers such as Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, and Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso now filling up the top flight ranks, what about the Basque Country makes it a breeding ground for high level coaching? All this and more on the latest European Nights with Rory Smith, presented by New Balance.

AHH PARIS: THE CITY OF LIGHT... AND UNDISCOVERED FOOTBALL TALENT France's capital has become the worldwide mecca of footballers, with teams from across the globe scouring its streets for their next big name superstar. But one club stands at the center of it all: PSG. And Ahead of Les Parisians' clash with AC Milan, Rog and Rory dive into the makeover the club has undergone, shapeshifting seemingly overnight into a Paris Elite XI. But is it all to appease their rocky relationship with centerpiece and le roy de Paris Kylian Mbappe? And, with Real Madrid lurking in the shadows, will it even make a difference? Plus, Rog and Rory breakdown the data revolution happening at Toulouse FC after their takeover by Billy Beane's Redbird Capital that has taken them from France's Ligue 2 all the way to the Europa League. In fact, le TéFéCé improved so much, so quickly that a little-known UEFA rule mandated many members of their front office resign...but just how far can data take a football club? In the end, is money the only number that matters?

Rog and The New York Times Chief Soccer Correspondent Rory Smith preview Wednesday's Europa League Final, talking Jose Mourinho's redemption story at Roma. And the way an executive and former backup goalkeeper named Monchi has engineered Sevilla's success. European Nights is sponsored by Paramount+. Get a seven-day free trail by going to paramountplus.com/mib.

A special episode that traces the Napoli story from the beginning of the season all the way through their first Scudetto triumph in 33 long years. Rog and Rory Smith talk Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Naples Pizza Tasting Menus. European Nights is sponsored by Paramount+. Get a free trail by going to paramountplus.com/mib, promo code EUROPE.

Rog and Rory Smith preview the Champions League semifinals: Madrid vs. Manchester City and Inter vs. AC Milan. They also retrace Pep Guardiola's quest for Champions League glory without Lionel Messi. European Nights is sponsored by Paramount+. Get a seven-day free trail by going to paramountplus.com/mib.

Rog and Rory on the singular journey of the ageless wonder and Croatian midfield metronome that is Luka Modric. Plus, the symbiotic relationship between Brighton and Belgian Europa League quarterfinalists Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. And the secret to Belgian Frites.

Rog and Rory preview the Champions League quarterfinals including Pep Guardiola and Manchester City's clash with his former team Bayern Munich. Plus, Chelsea taking on defending European Champions Real Madrid. And a follow up on the two greatest words in the English language: tasting menu. European Nights is sponsored by Paramount+. Get a seven-day free trial by going to paramountplus.com/mib.

Rog and Rory are back to look at the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Rory breaks down the FFP charges against Manchester City and what they could mean for the last decade of English Football. Plus, a preview of perennial domestic champs PSG and Bayern. And, in the Europa League, a seismic clash between Barcelona and Manchester United.This podcast is presented by Paramount+. Sign up now at paramountplus.com/mib. PROMO CODE: ADVANCE.

Rog is joined by Rory Smith to explore the stories behind the final group stage matches of the European season. First, an examination of how Bayern grew from an imperfect but great team, to the gravitational power they are today in the Bundesliga. Then, a trip to Marseille, the incredible fan culture born in France's most singular city, a 1990s match fixing scandal, and their perfectly poised Champions League group this year. Plus, Europa and Conference League match picks, Rog's favorite stews, and more.

Rog and Rory pick through the big news and deep storylines informing this week's European football. Today, the ongoing Kylian Mbappe saga, the fallout with the PSG hierarchy, his really good nap, and the big question: are we still rooting for the boy from Bondy? Then, the story of Shakhtar Donestk, once Europe's most Brazilian club, now defined by a liminal exile. Plus, the consequences of Barca's likely crash out of the Champions League, a Nordic Derby, data-driven wizardry, and more.

Rog and Rory Smith are back to explore the history surrounding the biggest European matches of the week. First up, the incredible heritage of Celtic, their great historical success in Europe, eccentric new manager Ange Postecoglou, and the lessons from the unique recruitment strategy he brought with him to Scotland from Japan. Then, unlikely Group B leaders Club Brugge, how they have surprised their opponents, and where the Belgian league fits in the European hierarchy.

Rog and Rory discuss this week's Champions League matches, beginning with AFC Ajax, how Johann Cruyff shaped the club, the tenets of their unparalleled academy system, and generating sales from that academy system may have ruptured a connection between team and fans.

Champions League podcast with Roger Bennett and NYT Soccer Correspondent Rory Smith returns ahead of the start of UCL. Talking Champions League draw and analyzing the main contenders in the 22/23 UEFA Champions League.