Ensemble PSG Podcast

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Welcome to the first episode of the Ensemble PSG Podcast (formerly PSG Talking). After nearly a decade of podcasting and more than 350 episodes, we thought we would freshen things up as we look ahead to an exciting new era of Paris Saint-Germain.

Joining me on today’s show is Robin Bairner. He’s the chief editor at Football Transfers, and we discuss a number of topics, including the end of the Ligue 1 season, the race for the Ballon d’Or, and the summer transfer window.

Up first, Robin shares his thoughts on the recent proposals to change Ligue 1. Is a playoff format the best way to attract casual fans? What else could the French league do to increase competitiveness at the top of the table?

Next, we discuss highlights from the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign, including the emergence of Désiré Doué and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s stunning turnaround mid-season.

We wrap up the show discussing PSG’s summer transfer strategy. Does reaching the UEFA Champions League final impact who the club might sign? Are there players in Ligue 1 that PSG should target? And what does the future hold for former PSG player, Xavi Simons, for whom PSG reportedly has a sell-on clause?

Thank you for listening and subscribing. Use the chat feature or leave a comment if there’s a topic you want us to discuss on a future show. Allez PSG!

Intro music by Alisia from Pixabay.

With a UEFA Champions League and Coupe de France final to look forward to—not to mention a Ligue 1 title celebration—now is the perfect time to think of ways to capitalize on Paris Saint-Germain's success and increase Ligue 1's popularity.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Marc Damon to discuss a week of interesting proposals that could change the landscape of Ligue 1 and French football.

First, we discuss a recent proposal to remove the Ligue de Football Professionnel as the governing body of French football and replace it with a Premier League model. Considering the botched media deals that have financially impacted Ligue 1 clubs and the league's lack of marketing, any change to the current structure would be welcomed.

Next, we discuss the radical idea that Ligue 1 may consider a playoff-style format to crown its champion. The report reveals a four-team playoff that would include a semi-final and final. We discuss whether this option is the right move for Ligue 1, or, if it would be better for the clubs other than PSG to step up and invest more in their squads to create competition.

Finally, we look at the potential return of the Coupe de la Ligue, which was abandoned in 2020. As French football looks to grow its reach, could the French league cup provide the perfect opportunity to try something innovative, like a street football tournament or unique incentives like a relegation-free pass?

As always, thank you for listening. Be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. For bonus episodes of PSG Talking, subscribe to PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.

Paris Saint-Germain supporters will walk a little taller and a little prouder the rest of the month following the club's incredible performance against Arsenal FC at the Parc des Princes.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Marc Damon and Greyson Lee to break down PSG's 2-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night. The 3-1 aggregate win puts PSG in the Champions League final, where they will face Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.

Up first, we discuss Luis Enrique's decision to start Bradley Barcola over Ousmane Dembélé, who is still recovering from a muscle injury. We examine Barcola's performance and highlight Dembélé's contributions late in the match.

Next, we talk about the early onslaught from Arsenal and how Gianluigi Donnarumma made save after save to keep PSG in the match. We discuss Donnarumma's Champions League performances and his incredible saves against the Gunners.

Fabian Ruiz scored for PSG in the first half, and we discuss how vital he is to the squad. From Manuel Ugarte to Idrissa Gueye, PSG has looked for a midfielder like Ruiz for years, and finally, they have a dependable, consistent player who can show up when the lights are brightest.

In the second half, PSG was awarded a penalty after Achraf Hakimi's shot hit Myles Lewis-Skelly in the hand. We discuss whether the right decision was made and potential theories as to why Vitinha's penalty was so poor.

We wrap up the show with a discussion about Marquinhos, his performance tonight, and his future. We also give our final thoughts on what the win and appearance in the Champions League means for us as fans.

As always, thank you for listening. Be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. For bonus episodes of PSG Talking, subscribe to PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.

Paris Saint-Germain had a point to prove on Tuesday night as they traveled to London to face Arsenal FC in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. Having lost at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the season, PSG wanted to prove they are worthy contenders, and after 90 minutes, they left no doubt.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I’m joined by Marc Damon to recap the 1-0 win over the Gunners and look ahead to the pivotal return leg at the Parc des Princes.

First, we discuss the pre-match atmosphere, which included a lackluster tifo from the Arsenal supporters. We also get into the starting lineup and why we're unlikely to see many changes from Luis Enrique ahead of the second leg.

We get into the match next and discuss the opening goal from Ousmane Dembélé. Then there's the controversy surrounding Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, where Jurrien Timber appeared to make contact and bring him down in a rugby-style tackle in the box. Ultimately, a penalty wasn't given, but should VAR have overturned the decision? Arsenal also had a penalty shout when Mikel Merino went down, but on replay, João Neves clearly got the ball first before any contact was made.

In the second half, Arsenal really tested PSG's defense, and their highly orchestrated set-piece dance led to a goal from Merino. However, VAR ruled Merino offside, and the goal was waived off. We discuss Arsenal's strategy and whether they lost focus on the match while trying too hard to perfect their set-piece strategy.

Late in the match, Gianluigi Donnarumma proved once again why he is an elite goalkeeper. He made several world-class saves to keep the clean sheet. We discuss his performances in the Champions League and whether he will sign an extension to remain at PSG.

We wrap up the show by answering questions from listeners, including how the lineup could change if Dembélé can't go a full 90 minutes.

As always, thank you for listening. Be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. For bonus episodes of PSG Talking, subscribe to PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit psgtalk.substack.com and subscribe.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I’m joined by Jonathan Johnson to discuss his experience at Villa Park a couple of weeks ago, PSG’s recent struggles in Ligue 1, and we preview the Champions League matchup against Arsenal FC.

Few could have imagined that, after a slow start to the UEFA Champions League campaign, Paris Saint-Germain would be one of the four remaining teams left in the tournament. Perhaps even more unbelievable is that Kylian Mbappé's Real Madrid is not one of those teams.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from the PSG Fan Club Boise and Marc Damon to discuss the second leg against Aston Villa, look ahead to the tie against Arsenal, and react to Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League.

Up first, it's the match at Villa Park, which saw PSG take a 2-0 lead to push the aggregate score to 5-1. Villa was able to pull one back before halftime, but a 5-2 lead with 45 minutes felt insurmountable, and PSG supporters were feeling positive. Then the second half started, and two quick goals from the hosts pulled them within one goal in the aggregate score. PSG was able to stop the flow of goals and would go on to lose the match 3-2, but advance on aggregate 5-4. We discuss the main storylines from the match, including Bradley Barcola starting in place of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé not wanting the Man of the Match award, and Gianluigi Donnarumma's incredible performance late in the match when PSG needed him most.

Next, we talk about the matchup against Arsenal, which is a rematch from the league phase when PSG lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. We discuss the unique challenges Arsenal presents for PSG and whether Luis Enrique can figure out a way to beat Mikel Arteta's Gunners.

Of course, Arsenal reached the semi-final because of their dominating performance over Real Madrid. We talk about what the defeat does for Mbappé's legacy and whether Real Madrid will have to make major changes this summer.

As always, thank you for listening. Be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. For bonus episodes of PSG Talking, subscribe to PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.

Paris Saint-Germain passed another UEFA Champions League test and are quickly emerging as one of the favorites to win the tournament as other favorites stumble in the quarter-finals.

On this episode of PSG Talking, Marc Damon joins me to discuss PSG's win over Aston Villa, preview the return leg, react to some Premier League snobbery, and discuss the latest developments surrounding one of PSG's potential Champions League opponents.

Up first, it's the 3-1 win over Villa at the Parc des Princes. We discuss what went wrong for PSG that led to Villa's goal and how PSG struck back with two sensational goals from Désiré Doué. We also talk about the importance of Nuno Mendes's goal late in the match and how it could be what helps PSG advance to the semi-finals.

Next, we discuss the return leg at Villa Park. Will Luis Enrique make any changes? What should be the strategy for PSG with a two-goal lead over Unai Emery's squad? How will Villa approach the match? We share our thoughts and give our score predictions for the match.

With PSG playing so many Premier League clubs this season, the debate over where PSG would finish in the league if they were a member has picked up. In a recent video from That's Football!, the hosts agreed that PSG wouldn't finish in the top four because they couldn't cope with the intensity of the English league. We give our reaction to the video and why PSG would likely compete for the Premier League title this year if given the opportunity.

We wrap up the show by discussing Real Madrid's recent struggles. After losing 3-0 to Arsenal FC in the Champions League, the La Liga side followed that up with an uninspiring performance against Alavés, in which Kylian Mbappé was sent off with a red card after a nasty challenge. Is the pressure starting to get the best of the former PSG superstar? Can Real Madrid bounce back and potentially set up a meeting with PSG in the semi-finals? We give our thoughts on the situation.

As always, thank you for listening. Be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. For bonus episodes of PSG Talking, subscribe to PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.

On paper, Paris Saint-Germain should be the favorites to defeat Aston Villa and advance to the UEFA Champions League semi-final, but as we've seen in the very recent past, talent only gets you so far.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Marc Damon to discuss PSG's 13th Ligue 1 title and look ahead to the first leg of the Champions League tie against Aston Villa.

First, it's the domestic triumph, which Damon calls the most impressive league title since 2018-19. Considering PSG's current unbeaten run and convincing wins over top French teams, winning Ligue 1 is completely deserved and will go down in the history books as one of the best seasons ever.

We then transition to the upcoming match against Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes. We discuss what starting lineup Luis Enrique may go with, including the debate between Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola. We also look at Aston Villa's squad and discuss whether any player would start for PSG.

We also talk about PSG's lack of a match in between the two legs against Aston Villa and the potential matchup against Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid in the semi-final.

The show concludes with us giving our score prediction for the first match against Villa and whether we may see some goal celebrations or tifos directed at Emiliano Martínez.

As always, thank you for listening. Be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. For bonus episodes of PSG Talking, subscribe to PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit psgtalk.substack.com and subscribe.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I’m joined by Jonathan Johnson to discuss PSG’s 13th league title and look ahead to the clash against Aston Villa, a side JJ grew up supporting.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit psgtalk.substack.com and subscribe.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I’m joined by a friend of the show and French football expert Jonathan Johnson. While on a walk with his two dogs, we chat about DAZN’s promotion to reach more Ligue 1 fans in France, transfer rumors, transfer values, and JJ shares how he became an Aston Villa fan and what it means for him to see his club and PSG face off in a massive Champions League tie.