Mark provides one of the most immersive footballing experiences recorded in podcast form....offering an insight into the highs, but particularly the lows, of his time attending the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

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This week, Mark mainly focuses on himself and his ordeals trying to obtain a Champions League final ticket for Liverpool vs Real Madrid. Nobody would say that it has been anything other than a rollercoaster experience for him.

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Today's episode was recorded after Liverpool's dramatic Champions League comeback and before Man City's match against Real Madrid. Unsurprisingly, Mark is now looking forward to a final in Paris and hoping that, without any ill will,  it isn't just another all-English final.

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Mark entertains a question from Matthew about whether the high scoring match between Man City and Real Madrid was an indication of defenders getting worse in football. Mark also discusses the latest European matches and explains why assaulting the opposing fans is not uncommon when celebrating a goal by your own team'.

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Mark follows on from last week's discussion about referees, to highlight some of the recent bizarre decisions made by VAR, and why they could end up having a significant impact on certain teams this season. 

Mark also commends the achievements of both Man City and Liverpool, regardless of who ultimately wins the league, and despite what some critics will inevitably end up saying.

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Mark entertains Matthew's (not so original) suggestion that referee's should receive a significant increase in wages. This (Matthew believes) would help make the profession attractive to former players, who are often drawn to more lucrative and revered pursuits of management.

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Mark highlights the farcical bid for the European Championship by Russia, just a month after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While UEFA are unlikely to entertain such a bid, it highlights the often uncomfortable relationship of FIFA and UEFA with numerous other authoritarian governments who they have happily awarded hosts of international  tournaments: most strikingly, the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

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This week, Mark and Matthew return to form with one of them saying a lot more than the other - and, to be honest, the episode is better for it. Mark follows up on the continuing predicament for Chelsea FC, who have been left in a financially precarious position following the sanctions on their owner. If you wish to save time by not listening to this episode, then the the crux of the argument is Chelsea have made their bed, now its time for them to sleep in it.

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In today's episode, Matthew takes centre stage (or as much as Mark allows) by giving his thoughts on a recent episode of Radio 5 Live's, Monday Night Club. Matthew is staunchly critical of the pundits who featured in the episode, though is unable to offer any unique footballing insight himself... Pots and kettles, some may say!

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Mark and Matthew give their thoughts on the inescapable and dire situation in Europe, and how it has shone an uncomfortable light on the ownership structures of certain clubs.  While Mark primarily focuses on Chelsea, they are unfortunately not the only club to have acquired resources from disreputable individuals and regimes. 

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