La Liga Lowdown

Latest Episodes:

International break recap: Germany awaits as Spain qualify Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

Guten Tag! Spain have qualified for Euro 2024 following back-to-back wins in this October window.

Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) discuss the two close encounters, beginning with Thursday night's win over Scotland in Seville.

Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) - our Scot living in Spain - was at La Cartuja to witness the match, and shares his thoughts on the match and Luis de la Fuente's tenure so far.

We examine the controversy surrounding Scott McTominay's disallowed goal and explain why Spain were able to kick on from that point.

In Part Two we analyse Sunday's win in Oslo against a rather disappointing Norway side. There were more debatable decisions here too, with Álvaro Morata at the heart of most of it.

We conclude by assessing Spain's likelihood of contending next summer.

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LaLiga Matchday 9 Recap: The life of Bryan Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Some things in life are bad. But not LaLiga.

Matchday 9 brought us a colossal amount of goals, drama and narratives.

We've had records broken, comebacks, a new coach, a sacking and more. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) break it all down in this bumper pod before the international break kicks in again.

We start with Zaragoza in Granada, not to confuse the geographers. Bryan is the revelation of the season, and in just 17 seconds, he made sure Barça knew about it. If his first was quick, his second was more spectacular, earning him the Spain call up his fans were clamouring for. Barça had to dig deep to get themselves out of another hole. They thought they had won it, but were denied by a controversial offside decision. Lamine Yamal will never forget the game, as he became the youngest goalscorer in LaLiga history.

In Madrid, there was more drama, with handballs this time. Paco laments the level of officiating this season, but praises the grittiness of Atlético and the quality of La Real.

Another week, another Bellingham showcase, who is challenging journalists to find new superlatives and fresh copy. A thumping win leaves Los Blancos top of the league, with Girona their closest challengers.

In Part Two, we look at remaining games and the managerial movements. José Luis Mendilibar was sacked by Sevilla as a late draw at home to Rayo was not enough to fend off the doubters. The vicious cycle is continuing in Seville, and there are similar predicaments for Rafa Benítez at Celta and Pacheta at Villarreal. Celta saved a point against Getafe but Villarreal fell to Las Palmas. All seem to be suffering from seasons "born in a twisted way", opines Paco.

What will the coming days bring? A nervous wait for many.

Athletic beat Almería, who subsequently appointed former-Athletic coach Gaizka Garitano as the man to try and save them. We discuss this choice and whether or not he can have the luck required.

After rounding off the matches, we play out on Lamine Yamal's moment of history.

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LaLiga Matchday 8 Recap: Madrid on top as La Real Take the Derby Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

Matchday 8 is in the books as we career through another round, full of goals, major clashes and one star giving us a preview of his night out. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they round up the action and the major talking points.

Part One begins in Catalonia - Girona naturally. Real Madrid returned to the top of the table in ruthless fashion, stomping all over Míchel and his magic full-backs. There was a surprise benching, and back down in Barcelona, it was a Real Madrid legend doing the Blaugrana a big favour. The Basque derby delivered, if you were in Txuri-Urdin - and even if you weren't, well, you may as well enjoy it. The partidazo of the week came in the depths of the LaLiga table, with the bottom two sides wondering 'if only' in a wild game.

Part Two sees us round up the rest of the games, including an unexpected partidazo at the Metropolitano, a vital win for Osasuna, and Real Betis show that there's a new generation coming after losing some key veterans. Finally we wonder if Villarreal manager Pacheta might already be in must-win territory just five games in.

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LaLiga Matchday 6 Recap: Real Madrid imperfect as Girona gol crazy Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

La Liga enjoyed a goal-fest this weekend, as 35 goals flew in across 10 games. The Metropolitano saw four of them, but perhaps was the happiest of the lot as they slayed an unbeaten Real Madrid in relatively comfortable fashion. Carlo Ancelotti has some thinking to do, but it's a tough puzzle to solve, while perhaps Cholo Simeone can see a route towards a title challenge. Elsewhere, Las Palmas win story of the week - and their first game.

In part 2 we're back at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys where Román witnessed a historic comeback for Barcelona. The João's and Xavi would have deserved the criticism lined up for them with 15 minutes to go, but 8 minutes of magic made it just another happy headline. Problems in Andalusia, but Catalonia is flying. Girona are joint-top, and nobody who enjoys entertaining football will begrudge them that. Find out who our revelation of the season is six games in.

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La Liga Matchday 5 Recap: Shark attack and Valencia go to Guerra Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

LaLiga showed that it isn't just Spain that can bang in the goals, with nearly three a game over the weekend. A series of debuts provided talking points on their own, but hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) have some fascinating results to pick through as well.

Part one kicks off in Barcelona, where Román was present to see Barcelona devour a depleted Real Betis, with some sensational debuts too. Are we looking at a change of approach from Barcelona? Atlético Madrid were humbled by Valencia, who have their own young stars showing they can mix it in LaLiga, while Rafael Benítez is doing a lot of complaining - that could soon be drowned out by groans at Balaídos though.

In part two, Real Madrid continue to get the job done, even without Jude Bellingham on the scoresheet. Are Real Madrid and Barcelona essentially playing the same setup now? Sergio Ramos is back at Sevilla, but the big news is that they're off the bottom. Pacheta also squeezed three points out of his first game, and he's really very happy about it.

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International break pod: The button of greatness Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

In the middle of the international break, there is no LaLiga but plenty of stories to dig into. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) do just that, including Spain's historic win in Tbilisi.

Before the pod begins, Matt brings you up to date with the breaking bombshell that Luis Rubiales will resign from the RFEF and as UEFA vice-president. The news came on Piers Morgan's Uncensored show, just to add to the surrealism.

To the main pod, and a magnificent seven for La Roja, with an Álvaro Morata hat-trick and history made by Lamine Yamal. He became the youngest player and youngest goalscorer in all of Spanish national team history. We discuss this feat, as well as our hopes that he doesn't follow the path of difficulties endured by Ansu Fati recently.

Does this win reinforce Luis de la Fuente's position as head coach? Paco shares his view.

We then discuss the wider international break, with Hansi Flick also sacked by Germany on Sunday.

In Part Two, we analyse the managerial movement at the Estadio de le Cerámica, with Juan José Rojo Martín appointed at Villarreal. That's Pacheta of course, and we evaluate whether the mixed reaction to the news is warranted or a little unfair.

Finally we discuss the return of Sergio Ramos to Sevilla, a big name who rejected "yummy offers" and a man who is sure to provide "spicy quotes". A journalist's dream.

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LaLiga Matchday 4 Review: Weathering the storm Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

When it rains it pours. LaLiga continued its exciting start with several games seeing goal-fests, while others were slightly drier affairs. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they pick through the wreckage.

Part One begins with a breakdown of your weekly Jude Bellingham winner, but there's perhaps cloud on the horizon above the silver Santiago Bernabéu. Barcelona come out with all their teeth in tact after a trip to the dentist, but not their ear, and we look at two very different sides of the Alexander Sørloth transfer this week.

In Part Two, we round up the rest of the matches, with wins for Girona, Real Betis, Alavés and Celta Vigo. João Félix has played a grand total of 20 minutes for Barcelona, but already there's a seed of scepticism. We wrap up with a look at a rather pleasant European tour for the final edition of the Champions League in its current format. Finally, there is a bombazo to close the show, with Sergio Ramos set for a sensational return to Seville.

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LaLiga Matchday 3 Review: From Rubi to diamonds Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) to review a thrilling third round in LaLiga.

We begin with an update on the scandal rocking Spanish football and discuss the future of now-suspended President Luis Rubiales.

Happily, there was a lot of football to enjoy, with 27 goals in eight games.

There were partidazos galore on Sunday, with young talent shining bright on an otherwise dark week for Spanish football.

Lamine Yamal is only 16 but he is already being decisive for Barça, who ended up winning a thriller at La Cerámica, a game which also featured another Ferran Torres cameo.

At San Mamés there were six goals and a remontada, as Athletic came from 2-0 down to beat Betis comfortably in the end. Isco is looking sharp and almost back to his best, but it was the Williams brothers who stole the show, albeit with some controversy.

Real Madrid are still top of the pile and Jude Bellingham is still the main man. We discuss how freakishly good he is to already be running things for Carlo Ancelotti. But is it actually a concern that they are already so dependent on him?

In Part Two we round up the remaining games, including an impressive Girona and a goalfest in Granada.

Osasuna shook off their Conference League disappointment to beat Valencia at Mestalla thanks to a 95th-minute overhead kick, which left Los Che feeling blue.

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La Liga Matchday 2 and World Cup Review: Spain - Your World Champions Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Paco Polit (@PacoPolitENG) for a celebratory podcast, as they look back on a momentous day for Spain, Spanish football, and women's football.

Part one is exclusively dedicated to Spain ruling the world again, 13 years later. Overcoming England, La Roja dominated the game and were rewarded with the World Cup. We bring you on the ground accounts from the celebrations, look back on the game and look ahead to the future. Also a word on the tragic post-match for scorer Olga Carmona.

Football doesn't rest though, and there was a full round of La Liga matches this weekend, which forms our basis for the second half of the show. Barcelona battle their way to three points, Jude Bellingham is that guy and Ruben Baraja's teenage kicks hold Valencia fans tight. That and all the talking points from Matchday 2 in La Liga.

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LaLiga Matchday 1 Review: Bordaball is back as brilliant Bellingham bosses Bilbao Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to a new season of LaLiga and the return of the La Liga Lowdown podcast. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) is joined by Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) for a review of the opening weekend which saw plenty of drama, dream debuts and dubious decisions. Plus, not a single home team won!

We begin in the south of Madrid after a fiery stalemate between Getafe and defending champions Barcelona. Xavi saw red, and he wasn’t the only one in a game which saw 25 additional minutes played. Bordalás ball is back with a bang!

Elsewhere there were late wins for Valencia and Betis, as well as a perfect start to post-Iraola life at Rayo.

In Part Two we begin in Bilbao where Jude Bellingham angered the crowd and wowed the rest of us with his performance. The Madrid press are falling at his feet already, going early with the Zinedine Zidane comparisons.

Paco offers his view of the title race this season, as well as his assessment of the rest of the runners and riders across the league. Plus, find out who he fears could be in for a “rude spanking” in their next game.

Substack is our main platform this season and we would love it if you subscribed and upgraded for less than a fiver a month, allowing you access to an extra podcast and multiple articles on our Substack home. We think it is great value, and we hope you do too.

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