The First X Minutes

Stamford Bridge served football fans a classic when Chelsea and Manchester City played out an enthralling 4-4 draw. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to ask questions about both teams and Erling Haaland.

In the Premier League this season, poor refereeing decisions have largely been accompanied by apologies. The PGMOL have been seen expressing regret to clubs who have been affected by the errors of their officials.

But to what end? Are these apologies supposed to mean anything? Are they even necessary if the officials keep making these errors?

It's that time of the year when the initial Ballon d'Or shortlist surfaces and various fanbases make their argument.

After what was a mind-blowing debut season as a Manchester City player in which he won The Treble, Erling Haaland has been nominated for the award. Same as Lionel Messi who, for the umpteenth time, has made the shortlist.

But this time, the argument for him to win an eighth award is a different one: He has (finally) won the FIFA World Cup.

But what argument should be made for a player who won both The Treble and the FIFA World Cup?

The third weekend in August was one like no other. It had the World Cup final, more Premier League games and, of course, the return of Serie A football - featuring a handful of sumptuous goals.

But what's a weekend of football without questionable refereeing calls? That they're coming early in the season, should fans be worried?

Three African countries qualifying for the knockout stages is a rarity on the world stage when it comes to soccer.

But it has happened, being one of the many firsts, that the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has served since it began on the 20th of July.

It's football heritage like football fans would rarely see. On on hand, a Sevilla side that needed extra-time to get past Juventus in the semi-finals. On the other, an AS Roma side that needed extra-time to get past Feyenoord in the quarter-finals. The goal: To win the Europa League.

Legacy, history, experience are all at stake as another continental title is decided.

And then they were EIGHT!

As things get heated up in the UCL, the Italians have stolen the headlines. From the teams to the gaffers, it seems like Operation Resucitate Calcio in the Champions League this season. Also, as we countdown to the draws, Real Madrid seem to be the only side flying the Spain colors. Are they the team to beat (again) this season)

In the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich (in 1st place) and SC Freiburg (in 5th place) are separated by just five points. These two sides, including the three sandwiched in-between are still technically alive in Europe. Add to that the 12 rounds of league games still to be played, and a lot can still happen in this race.

However, this does not take anything away from what has been interestingly tight race at the summit of Germany's premier club football league. So, why is this neck-to-neck tussle in Germany not as popular? Why is the 'most competitive' of Europe's top 5 leagues this season not being deservedly discussed as it should?

With the second-best offense and second-best defense in the league, Arsenal are cruising at the top of the Premier League table. As the second half of the season kicks off, the conversation has shifted to whether or not they can win a first Premier League title since 2004.

They've shown how strong they are as title contenders. But can they overcome these four hurdles on their way to being champions of England? 

Chelsea's first half performance had us thinking about why the Blues fans were skeptical about facing Man. City. Their second half display, however, proved that the fears were true.

On the other hand, champions Manchester City, showed the world why they're back-to-back Premier League champions, especially with Pep Guardiola's 2nd half subs and the general performance.

Thursday night was a tale about two different sides. But there are only a few things that separates both teams.

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Who wants to be second choice in their football club? Maybe former Liverpool super-sub, Divock Origi. But you won't find a lot of other players happy to be unsure of a starting berth in their clubs. With a World Cup tournament in the offing, players are looking for more playing time. And that's affecting a lot of other things.

In other news, Edouard Mendy has made a 'strange' comparison between Christian Benteke and Erling Haaland. Sets us up for a tasty Chelsea-Manchester City clash this season, not so?

The gap between the Serie A and the Premier League is widening. And one man is not only complaining about it, but shedding more light on the differences that most are not paying attention to.

On the other hand, the AC Milan chairman has highlighted some of the advantages of the Premier League.

Has the Premier League become 'uncatchable'? Is it about era, availability or star-power?

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There was drama again in the Nigerian Professional Football League as 'extra time' was given another kind of meaning in the game between Katsina United and Remo Stars.

Then there's the exodus at Chelsea as another big name exits the Chelsea hierarchy. Is this the part where Chelsea fans start getting worried? Are these the side effects of the change of ownership at a football club?

As a new Serie A season kicks in, Adeyemi Adesanya joins us to preview what's to come. We touch on the not-so-new managers, players to look out for and how the league can improve on its latest achievements.

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Time Stamp

• 00:00 - 05:35 - Introduction
• 05:35 - 13:20 - Italian Football in the 90's and Now: What Has Changed?
• 13:20 - 16:10 - Analyzing the 2020/2021 Italian Serie A Season
• 16:10 - 20:55 - Summer Transfer Window: Biggest Winners and Losers
• 20:55 - 28:00 - What to Expect from the Managerial Merry-Go-Round Season
• 28:00 - 31:05 - Simy Nwankwo: A Nigerian Star Holding His Own
• 31:05 - 37:00 - The Biggest Names to Watch Out For This Season
• 37:00 - 40:30 - Will Torino Survive?
• 40:30 - 44:55 - Why Atalanta Will Win the Serie A Title This Season
• 44:55 - 49:00 - Italian Teams That Will Go the Furthest in the UCL and UEL
• 49:00 - End - Which Team Should I Support in the Serie A

In this episode of the podcast, Chioma aka Neymar and Angela, aka Messi, join us to preview the Premier League season.

The also chip in on happenings in Barcelona and which teams they expect to come out on top in the Italian Serie A.

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Time Stamp

• 00:00 - 05:00 - Introduction
• 05:00 - 14:55 - Being Real vs. Being Positive: Can Man. Utd Go One Step Further This Season? Can Ole Do it?
• 14:55 - 17:00 - The Naming Ceremony
• 17:00 - 21:30 - The Biggest Winners and Losers of the Transfer Window
• 21:30 - 26:30 -  My Top Four for the Season
• 26:30 - 30:00 - Can Burnley and Brighton Escape Again?
• 30:00 - 33:00 - Spare a Thought for a Struggling Side
• 33:00 - 40:00 - Can Everybody Shine in PSG? Will Messi's Absense Affect Barcelona?
• 40:00 - 51:45 - PL Top Scorers and the Italian Serie A
• 51:45 - 55:30 Team to Go the Furthest in the UEFA Champions League

In the second edition of TFXM's Ligue 1 101, Cerebrone and Powerful are, once again, our tour guides.

Papi the Great speaks to them about the Trophees des Champions, the winners and losers of the summer transfer window, and, of course, name pronunciations.

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Time Stamp

• 00:00 - 04:00: Introduction
• 04:00 - 15:00: Trophees des Champion Review
• 16:20 - 31:25: Ligue 1's Biggest Winners and Losers of the Summer Transfer Window
• 31:25 - 38:00: Ligue 1 101: Player Pronunciation
• 38:00 - 47:25: Which Ligue 1 Team Should I Support This Season?
• 47:25 - 52:50: Can Nantes Survive Another Season?
• 52:50 -  1:01:45: Predictions for the 2021/2022 Ligue 1 Season
• 1:01:45 - : Teams to Finish 13th and 8th on the Log