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BBC Radio 5 Live
The latest news, insight, analysis and big name guests from the Premier League and the Football League, plus Scottish, International and European football. Join us! Get in touch with us @5liveSport on social media and remember to leave us your ratings and reviews.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 25, 2025 • 25min
In Focus with Matthijs de Ligt
Dion Dublin visits Old Trafford to chat with Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt.The 25-year-old talks about United’s season so far since Ruben Amorim took charge at the club, and where there is room for improvement.He opens up on the success of his career so far, having started out at Ajax, where he reached the Champions League semi-final in 2018 and then his big money moves to Juventus and Bayern Munch.

Jan 24, 2025 • 58min
The Commentators’ View: Parisian pleasures & the Monaco giraffe
5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball tell the stories you don’t normally get to hear. From the delights on offer at the Parc des Princes to Ian getting called out by Gareth Southgate for his dinner party getup. Gigi Salmon and Russell Fuller reveal what it’s like commentating at the Australian Open tennis. And can Ali go level at the top with John in Clash of the Commentators?00:30 Ali’s Monaco memories
09:10 Champions League snakes & ladders
12:30 John’s Parisian treats
16:10 Best foreign commentary phrases
23:40 Ian gets called out by Gareth Southgate
26:15 The power of silence & staying enthused
31:55 John vs Ian in Clash of the Commentators
40:00 Commentating at the Australian Open tennis
45:00 The local verdict on Savio vs Savinho
48:50 What will be added to the Great Glossary?BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend:
Sat 25 Jan 1500 Wolves v Arsenal,
Sat 25 Jan 1730 Man City v Chelsea,
Sun 26 Jan 1400 Tottenham v Leicester,
Sun 26 Jan 1400 Crystal Palace v Brentford on 5 Sports Extra,
Sun 26 Jan 1630 Aston Villa v West Ham.

Jan 18, 2025 • 45min
How To Win The Champions League: Real Madrid
Real Madrid are the most successful team in the history of the Champions League/European Cup with 15 titles. But how have they achieved this? Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore Real's relationship with the competition, looking at their early dominance in the late 1950s, through to their six triumphs since 2014.We hear from former players Clarence Seedorf and Sami Khedira on what makes Real Madrid so special. And former coach Paul Clement joins the pod to give us insight into current head coach Carlo Ancelotti and their "La Decima" win in 2014 against Atletico Madrid.To watch the TV documentary, it is available on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m00276py/how-to-win-the-champions-league4:30 Real Madrid's early dominance
11:40 Clarence Seedorf on the Real Madrid DNA
22:10 Paul Clement on La Decima and Carlo Ancelotti
38:30 Sami Khedira on Real's recruitment
40:30 Can they continue their dominance?

Jan 18, 2025 • 22min
In Focus with Thomas Frank and Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker invites Brentford manager Thomas Frank round his house for a chat and spot of lunch
The Danish manager talks about the journey he's taken the club on, becoming only the Brentford head coach or manager to achieve promotion to the top-flight of English football.

Jan 17, 2025 • 29min
Remembering Denis Law CBE
Darren Fletcher is joined by Football Correspondent John Murray, Manchester United journalist Andy Mitten, and former Scotland international Joe Jordan to remember the life and career of Manchester United & Scotland legend Denis Law – the only Scottish player to also have won the Ballon d'Or.

Jan 17, 2025 • 48min
The Commentators’ View: Hotel underpants & Haaland’s deal
5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball answer listener questions. From John’s Cyprus underpants story to Ali’s old pet Betsy the beagle causing mischief. Plus the panel react to Erling Haaland signing a new 10-year deal with Manchester City. And will Ali’s losing streak continue in Clash of the Commentators?02:10 Did John avoid the pigeons at Tamworth?
05:50 Commentary boxes behind glass.
13:10 TCV goes international!
17:25 John’s Cyprus underpants story.
24:30 Will Ali lose again in Clash of the Commentators?
32:45 Ali’s mischievous Betsy the beagle.
34:50 Haaland signs 10-year deal.
38:10 Commentating in stadia not designed for football.
40:20 Great Glossary of Football Commentary.BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend:
Sat 18 Jan 1500 Brentford v Liverpool on 5 Live,
Sat 18 Jan 1730 Arsenal v Aston Villa on 5 Live,
Sun 19 Jan 1400 Man Utd v Brighton & Hove Albion on 5 Live,
Sun 19 Jan 1630 Ipswich Town v Man City on 5 Live,
Sun 19 Jan 1830 Man City v Man Utd (WSL) on 5 Sports Extra.

Jan 17, 2025 • 17min
When Shearer met Haaland
After Erling Haaland signs a new long-term deal with Manchester City club - listen back to when the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer met with the striker on the eve of his debut season back in 2022.
Haaland talks about the relationship with his father, and wanting to be a better player than him from a really young age. He says he has the ability to improve ‘everything’ in his game, and highlights the importance of meditation to his game.The original version of this podcast was released on 6 August 2022.

Jan 10, 2025 • 54min
The Commentators’ View: FA Cup Special
John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball present an FA Cup Special. They discuss the magic of the FA Cup, from giant killings to pigeon-infested commentary positions.Has the schedule taken away some its allure? Who has the best non-league knowledge in Clash of the Commentators? And where does everyone most look forward to going?01:00 Magic of the FA Cup
02:55 The schedule
05:55 How Sean Dyche’s sacking affected Ali’s prep
09:30 VAR from a commentator’s perspective
14:40 Tunnel interviews
21:25 FA Cup memories
25:20 Biggest cupsets
29:40 Tamworth vs Spurs
31:50 FA Cup replays: yes or no?
34:15 Question from Euro Leagues
36:40 Non-league themed Clash of the Commentators
42:15 Great Glossary of Football5 LIVE COMMENTARIES THIS WEEKEND
Friday 10th January
FA CUP: Aston Villa v West Ham United 2000 KOSaturday 11th January
FA CUP: Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1200 KO
FA CUP: Liverpool v Accrington Stanley 1215 KO
FA CUP: Brentford v Plymouth Argyle 1500 KO
FA CUP: Leeds United v Harrogate Town 1745 KO
FA CUP: Manchester City v Salford City 1745 KOSunday 12th January
FA CUP: Tamworth v Spurs 1230 KO
FA CUP: Newcastle United v Bromley 1500 KO
FA CUP: Crystal Palace v Stockport County 1500 KO

Jan 4, 2025 • 22min
In Focus with Jay-Jay Okocha
From Paris, to Bolton – Premier League legend Jay-Jay Okocha sits down with Dion Dublin in this Football Daily special. The former Nigeria international opens up about that move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers. He chats to Dion about adapting to life in England, his relationship with Sam Allardyce and his determination to prove himself in the Premier League.

Jan 3, 2025 • 53min
The Commentators’ View: Subbuteo, Slipknot & electric socks
5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball answer listener questions. From how they got into football to how they relax while on the road, and which are the coldest/warmest grounds in the country? And can Ian finally get a win under his belt in Clash of the Commentators?02:15 Ali talks about presenting on the radio
06:10 John’s Christmas travel troubles
12:40 Why did they get into football?
19:20 How do they relax while traveling?
24:30 Do they listen back to their commentaries?
30:20 How do they look after their voices?
33:10 Can Ian win Clash of the Commentators?
43:05 Is Liverpool-Man Utd a ‘local derby’?
44:40 Which are the coldest/warmest grounds?
47:40 The Great Glossary of Football CommentaryBBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend:
Sat 4 Jan 3pm Crystal Palace v Chelsea,
Sat 4 Jan 5:30pm Brighton v Arsenal,
Sun 5 Jan 2pm Fulham v Ipswich,
Sun 5 Jan 4:30pm Liverpool v Man Utd.