La Liga Lowdown

Latest Episodes:

2022/23 Season Review Jun 10, 2023

Show notes

Join us for the last podcast of the season to review the 2022/23 LaLiga season. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) is joined by Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) for the storylines, the good and the bad.

For ten long months, with an unprecedented World Cup in the middle, it has been a unique campaign.

The title changed hands for the fourth time in a row, while we had a relegation battle for the ages.

We discuss Barça's success, Real Madrid's difficulties, Atleti's improvement, La Real making the top four, Euro Osasuna and more.

Carlo Ancelotti's side won three trophies but for many their season was underwhelming. How will they replace Karim Benzema?

In Part Two we break down the relegation battle and discuss the comings and (mostly) goings at the end of the season. Adios to some legends and some not so iconic.

Thank you to everyone who supported us this season. We will be back for 23/24.

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LaLiga Matchday 38 Recap: A photo finish Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

LaLiga came to a sudden end as all 20 teams signed off for the summer in heart-stopping fashion. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and a relieved Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) for the aftermath of a thrilling final day which saw us bid farewell to La Pucela and welcome Osasuna to Thursday night football.

Part one deals with the second slate of games in the day, and the relegation battle, as six teams sweated into the final stages of Sunday evening. Ultimately, Ronaldo Nazário’s Real Valladolid were the victims of something he’s never had to deal with - lack of goal. José Bordalás’ trundled Getafe to safety, and none of the other teams had the required slips for La Pucela. We also deal with the first of two major farewells.

Part two is dedicated to the European race, but there too, the team that started the day in the position in question finished it there. Victory for Osasuna meant a return to Europe for the first time in 16 years. Karim Benzema scored with his final touch as a Real Madrid player, on a weekend of goodbyes at the Santiago Bernabéu. Athletic Club said sayonara to their European hopes in frustratingly familiar fashion.

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Magnificent Seven: Sevilla are champions again Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

Sevilla have done it again!

After more than 150 minutes of brutal football in Budapest, in a game which traversed the end of May and the beginning of June, the Spanish side beat Roma on penalties to seal a record-extending seventh Europa League title. After all, nobody loves it like they do.

Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) review a dramatic and emotional final, breaking down the key moments and discussing methodical Mendi and the Machiavellian Mourinho.

Perhaps the most unlikely of Sevilla's seven, they won it having been in danger of relegation a matter of weeks ago, when they had just fired their second coach of the season.

We salute the efforts of the players, the marvellous job undertaken by José Luis Mendilibar, his halftime tactical tweaks, his long road to glory, Jesús Navas, Ivan Rakitić, the Argentine connection, brilliant Bono and much much more.

In Part Two we look ahead to the last act in the enduring drama that is LaLiga 22/23, as one club will hop onto the European train and six try to avoid the final curtain.

There is plenty more available on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown and on our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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LaLiga Matchday 37 Recap: Farewell Camp Nou, hello relegation drama May 28, 2023

Show notes

We have just one matchday left in LaLiga after another thrilling round of games - nine all at the same time, with so much on the line, was nearly too much for us. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they piece back together the penultimate round of La Liga action and all the consequences.

There is nowhere else to start than the relegation battle, and with three different ties involving direct rivals, even three 0-0 draws would have been the height of drama. As it was, there was no shortage of action, with Getafe and Cádiz coming out winners. Espanyol, were very much the losers. This podcast was brought to you by the Barcelona metro service, which quickly transported one of our hosts from Camp Nou to our recording location, and we close out part one with reaction direct from the final game before it becomes the Camp Vell.

Part two sees us head north, as we reflect on the ongoing European battles with heavy representation from the Basque country - La Real continue to make their case for being the best run club in Spain. That Europa Conference League spot was always going down to the last day, but nobody thought that it would end up with six teams still in the running. Finally we close out part two with Sevilla, who lost to Real Madrid, but in an unusual turn of events for Los Blancos, have bigger fish to fry.

If you aren’t already, follow @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest in Spanish football, and head to laligalowdown.substack.com for our written content.

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LaLiga Matchday 36 Recap: There's life in seven of the dogs yet May 26, 2023

Show notes

The relegation battle continues to be the best white-knuckle thrill in Spain, so make sure you don't miss it. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) as they look at some major results, and analyse more fall out from the racial abuse received by Vinícius Júnior.

Real Valladolid and Espanyol kept their hopes of playing in La Liga alive with major results against the two best teams in the division in 2023 - it sets up a Sunday showdown for both. It's tight at the bottom in general though, with six of the bottom eight separated by just two points. La Bordaleta chugged into life this week in Andalusia, but Getafe also lost their best driver. For a region famed for its rain, things are also uncomfortably warm in Galicia.

In part two, we discuss the dying embers of the Champions League race and one player who is all but unstoppable right now. The Europa Conference League race is a matter of intrigue too. Just the six teams are involved in that, four of them separated by two points. Finally, there's an update on the actions being taken in Spain in the aftermath of a major international reaction to Vinícius being abused again, an assessment on the general reaction within Spain, and where perhaps there is room for growth.

Follow us on @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter to keep across all of the latest in the Spanish game, and ensure you visit lllonline.substack.com for all of our written content.

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LaLiga Matchday 35 Recap: Racism relegates football to background May 22, 2023

Show notes

La Liga was back hot off the heels from a big week in Europe with a big week in the relegation battle, but one which like all of the football, fell into the background due to a very serious problem - racism.

On Sunday evening Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by a Valencia fan, and some time later, ended up being sent off. It was the boiling point in a absurd and awful situation that has been bulding for some time. We give you an objective and correct timeline of events, and discuss the problems with both the dealing of the situation, and the discussion surrounding.

With some degree of difficulty, we then discuss some major results in the relegation battle, including major results for Cádiz and Almería.

In part two, we attempt a little less gloom, and at the very least Real Sociedad provided that, as they continue their march towards the Champions League at Camp Nou. There's also Sevilla's heated clash with Real Betis in the derby, a twist of fortune for Villarreal with one of the in-form forwards in La Liga, and a smash and grab from Espanyol. The final European spot looks as if it may go down to the wire.

Follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter to keep up to date with all the goings on, and ensure you are subscribed to our Substack in order to receive our written content - lllonline.substack.com.

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European Review: Nobody loves it like Sevilla do May 19, 2023

Show notes

Nobody loves it like they do. After a phenomenal week of European entertainment, Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) come fresh off the back of another heroic victory in Andalusia to bring you all of the reaction and analysis you need.

The entirety of part one is dedicated to the simply stupendous goings on in Nervión. An electric game, a swaying Sánchez Pizjuán, and another Europa League final. Sevilla dispatch Juventus, we break down the man behind that success, José Luis Mendilibar, how they managed to beat Juventus, peak at the final itself. Another familiar José awaits.

Grit your teeth for part two Madridistas. Part two sees us look at what went wrong during Real Madrid's pummeling at the hands of Manchester City... It's not as bad as you think. Paco picks through Carlo Ancelotti's mistakes, but just give more praise to City for stopping Real Madrid doing the one thing they do best. How exactly does it affect the Italian's future, and we touch on a major problem for Ancelotti that really isn't his fault. Finally, we take a brief look ahead to the fixtures in La Liga this weekend.

Follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our substack for all of our written content at lllonline.substack.com

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LaLiga Matchday 34 Recap: Campeones and outrage, a truly LaLiga combination May 15, 2023

Show notes

LaLiga has its third champions in the last three years, after Barcelona sliced through rivals Espanyol to secure the title, and write a sweet chapter in the club’s history. Hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) are on hand to tell you how and why.

In part one, we break down who the main culprits for the Blaugrana victory, and which were the key moments in ensuring that it was they that triumphed. Román closes out part one with a wish and a worry for the summer months.

Part two comes onto the numerous other goings on in Spain this weekend, including a fiery relegation battle or three. Only Valencia won out of the relegation candidates this weekend, which is worth four more places in the table to Los Che. Real Valladolid were up in arms about defeat to Sevilla, which tightened the race for Europe right down to 12th-placed Real Mallorca. Up in top four country, La Real lost ground to give Villarreal narrow hope.

Follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown, where we will be covering the title celebrations, and find all of our written content at lllonline.substack.com

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Bittersweet: European recap & Matchday 34 preview May 11, 2023

Show notes

Summer is fast approaching and that means the season is reaching boiling point. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) review all the midweek action and look ahead to an important Matchday in LaLiga.

In the European competitions, Real Madrid and Sevilla both had to settle for 1-1 draws following two hugely entertaining and different first legs.

In Madrid, City resisted the City pressure and managed to keep Erling Haaland quiet, but were unable to generate any advantage to take to Manchester next week.

In Turin, Sevilla were seconds away from a famous win, but should be happy enough to come away unscathed. Having dominated the first half, to concede in the last play of the game was a suckerpunch, but this disappointment illustrates the progression made by the side in recent weeks.

In the second half of the show we pay homage to Sergio Busquets, undisputed legend of Spanish football, as he announced his imminent departure from Barça. We delve into his unique attributes as well as asking how he can be replaced, if at all.

We then look ahead to MD34, including discussion on Barça's chances of wrapping up the title at Espanyol, as well as some key games in the relegation battle and the fight for European spots.

Follow @LaLigaLowdown for all the latest, and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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King Carlo and his champions: Copa del Rey final review May 07, 2023

Show notes

Real Madrid are Copa del Rey champions.

Nine years since their last, Los Blancos have the Copa back in their possession after beating Osasuna 2-1 in a pulsating final at La Cartuja. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) to review the showpiece in Seville, which saw a fifth winner of the competition in as many seasons.

We talk about the key protagonists of the game, including Vini Jr, Rodrygo and Dani Carvajal.

Vini showed his blistering best and his frustrating worst at times in this game, and we evaluate whether this can be resolved before it costs him or his team dearly.

In Part Two we analyse what this triumph means to the club and to Carlo Ancelotti. Real become the first Spanish side to win 100 trophies, 10% of which have been won under the affable Italian.

Before we're done we salute Osasuna on a proud and persistent performance, and then look ahead briefly to the huge European semi-finals this week.

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