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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

Feb 4, 2025 • 44min
Euro Leagues: The man who built Ronaldo
Guillem Balague, a football journalist and Ronaldo expert, joins Julien Laurens, a French football commentator, and Mick Clegg, a former Manchester United performance coach. They delve into how Ronaldo has extended his career, sharing insights on his training and dedication. The discussion also covers busy January transfers in Europe, highlighting key signings and their potential impact. Finally, they assess Ousmane Dembele's progress, exploring whether he is finally meeting the high expectations placed upon him.

Feb 1, 2025 • 31min
In Focus with Alexander Isak and Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer makes the short trip to Newcastle United's training ground to speak to in-form striker Alexander Isak.
The Swedish international explains why he's been scoring so many goals this season. He discusses his journey in football and how he grew up watching Spanish football.
He sheds light on his future plans in football, short term and long term and where he sees Newcastle finishing this season.

Jan 31, 2025 • 32min
In Focus with Arne Slot and Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker visits Liverpool's training ground Melwood to speak with manager Arne Slot.
The Liverpool manager talks about his success at the club so far since taking charge from Jurgen Klopp in the summer. He praises the former Liverpool boss for how he left the club.
Slot also discusses the difficulty of being away from his family in the Netherlands and the similarities between his former club Feyenoord and Liverpool.

Jan 31, 2025 • 53min
The Commentators’ View: UCL brain fog & Shrewsbury shame
John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball lift the lid on life as 5 Live commentators. They reflect on the table-watching drama of the final round of Champions League and Europa League games. There’s off-field controversy. Who will go top of the table in Clash of the Commentators? And Ali’s Shrewsbury story finally gets told.00:45 John’s trip to the dentist
04:00 Striking pre-match displays
07:30 All eyes on the table, not the match?
15:00 Man City/Celtic vs Bayern Munich/Real Madrid
18:30 Golden mic latest
21:00 Golf and games controversy
27:10 Who will go top in Clash of the Commentators?
34:55 The Shrewsbury story finally gets told
42:30 Most exciting January signings
47:15 The Great Glossary of Football CommentaryBBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend:
Sat 1 Feb 1500 Bournemouth v Liverpool,
Sat 1 Feb 1730 Wolves v Aston Villa on 5 Sports Extra,
Sun 2 Feb 1400 Man Utd v Crystal Palace,
Sun 2 Feb 1400 Brentford v Tottenham on 5 Sports Extra,
Sun 2 Feb 1630 Arsenal v Man City.

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.


