La Liga Lowdown

Latest Episodes:

The dream of my life: Baraja is back Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

It has been another momentous week at Mestalla and appropriately we have Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) on the pod to tell Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) all about it.

Fresh from attending Rubén Baraja's presentation on location, we start there as Valencia's third coach of the season begins an unenviable task. A cheap option on a short-term contract, is this simply a move by Meriton to pacify an angry fanbase?

Paco assesses the move to bring a club legend into the fray, as well as analysing Baraja's first statements as coach. His first match will be a relegation six-pointer away at Getafe, the importance of which cannot be overstated.

In Part Two we discuss the other big news from Wednesday; the bombshell involving Barcelona and alleged payments to a company linked to a former senior referee in the CTA. We discuss the reports and where it might leave the Catalans.

Then we turn our attention to this weekend's fixtures in LaLiga, featuring some attractive match-ups and a European showdown in Madrid.

Last but by no means least, we salute Jakub Jankto, who this week made the brave public announcement of his true identity.

Remember to follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter and subscribe to our daily content at lllonline.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LaLiga Matchday 21 Recap: The tightest league in Europe Feb 12, 2023

Show notes

La Liga continues to tighten up all over the table - everywhere except at the very top, where the gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid continues to expand, if perhaps only temporarily. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) as they work their way through a weekend that may have serious employment consequences.

We start at the top as Barcelona suffer against Villarreal but ultimately get the job done. Another rearguard action, another Pedri goal. Ronald Araújo was the star of the show but how concerned should Barcelona be about the form of Robert Lewandowski, with Manchester United on the horizon? Elsewhere Atlético Madrid mugged Celta Vigo at Balaídos, and Quique Sánchez Flores teeters on the brink.

In part two, there's only one place to start - Mestalla. Valencia are deep in crisis mode, and right now it feels like quicksand. Román has his doubts about even Pep Guardiola's ability to turn things around. Sevilla are only four points above them, but are feeling terrific that they are no longer the giants in crisis. It was a happy Saturday on the whole in Seville, with one player in particular coming in for praise in the Andalusian capital. With matters so tight at the bottom, every result continues to grow in size.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A final to play and Iraola set to stay: La Liga Lowdown midweek podcast Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

On the midweek pod are Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) to discuss all the talking points from Spanish football.

In the first half of the show, we break down Real Madrid's win over Al Ahly which sealed progression to the final of the Club World Cup. It was a scoreline which ended up flattering Carlo Ancelotti's side, but that's not to say it was a performance without positives.

Andoni Iraola and Rayo Vallecano are also high up on the agenda after the Vallecas side moved up to fifth in LaLiga. Iraola attracted the advances of Leeds United but has reportedly turned down a move to the Premier League in order to continue his fine work with Rayo. Rejoice.

In Part Two we look ahead to the nine matches in LaLiga this weekend, which sees coaches have reunions with their old clubs and giants in need of home wins to boost morale as much as their respective points tallies.

Remember to follow us @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our Substack (lllonline.substack.com), where you can read articles on everything from Celta's new goalkeeper to the lost edition of the Club World Cup.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wait... did that really happen? LaLiga Matchday 20 Recap Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

LaLiga provided us with a weekend full of surprises as five of the top six dropped points, with everyone but Barcelona allowing the Catalans to extend their lead at the top to eight points courtesy of a thrashing of Sevilla.

To discuss the action, Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) is joined by Paco Polit (@PacoPolitENG) who brings his insight from Valencia with updates on fan protests and the club's search for a new manager as they fight off relegation.

Elsewhere, Elche stunned Villarreal to record their first win of the season, but was it too little too late for Pablo Machín's team? Stay tuned to @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter and LLLonline.substack.com for all the latest.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

La Liga Lowdown Transfer Round-Up: Beaten to the punch Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

Following a furious rather than frantic end to the transfer window, hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) pick through combative few days in Spanish football.

Part one opens with the people that can be feeling pleased with themselves after rushing to hand in their assignments, before coming onto remarkable second transfer window in a row where one president has been in physical danger after his decision-making. Gavi wore number six on Wednesday night, he is registered as a first-team player, but it isn't over until Javier Tebas sings.

In part two, we pick through more of the debris of Gennaro Gattuso's Valencia departure, where he surrendered before he was cast off, and the return for what we feel we can now call an icon of Spanish football in Voro. Plus signs of encouragement for Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano (on the pitch) and Quique Setién.

Enjoy our written content at lllonline.substack.com and keep up-to-date @laligalowdown on Twitter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mind the gap: LaLiga Matchday 19 Recap Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

187 down, 193 to go. We’re just a few games from the half-way point of the 2022-2023 LaLiga season, and what a primera vuelta it’s been.

Join your hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) as they dissect the weekend’s results, starting at the Santiago Bernabéu, where not even Vinícius Júnior’s 20 dribbles were enough to break down a sensationally structured Real Sociedad side, who remain just three points off Los Blancos in third.

Part One also sees our experts analyse big wins for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, who continued the theme of 1-0 wins across the weekend. Pedri and Saúl the midfield match-winners in those.

Not all the games this weekend were low scorers though, as Sevilla thumped Elche by three goals to nil on Saturday, to extend the visitor’s winless streak to nineteen games. The guys also have high praise indeed for Cádiz and Almería, who continued their fine form in front of their own fans.

Make sure to follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter for all the latest news and reaction, and don’t forget to subscribe to our Substack for free, daily LaLiga content emailed straight to your inbox! That's lllonline.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copa del Rey quarter-final Recap: Arrasate's having a party Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

The business end of the Copa del Rey is fast approaching, as this week's crunch-match quarter-finals have whittled the remaining candidates down to the final four.

Join your hosts Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they dissect two pairs of thrilling clashes between Spain's greatest teams, as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club and Osasuna all took one more huge step to cup glory.

In Part one, don't miss Paco's in-depth analysis of the situation in Valencia, speaking to us just moments after witnessing the incredible events that unfolded outside Mestalla. We also have plenty of praise for the Basque visitors, who make their fourth Copa semi-final in succession.

After the break, our experts get stuck into Osasuna vs Sevilla, paying particular attention to their sensational coach, before looking ahead to some of the weekend's big games.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter, @LaLigaLowdown, for all the breaking news, reaction and analysis from our team of journalists, and subscribe to our substance below, for daily content emailed straight to your inbox, free of charge!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheers, tears and fears: LaLiga Matchday 18 Review Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

As we approach the halfway stage of the season, LaLiga Matchday 18 was a weekend low on goals but not short of drama.

Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) to reflect on the talking points and the implications of all the results.

We start at the top, and it's as you were as both Barça and Real Madrid record victories, both having to endure some suffering. Winning championships isn't supposed to be easy, after all.

The most impressive team is in third, however, so we laud Real Sociedad once again as they set a new club record for consecutive victories in impressive fashion at Vallecas.

Atleti were also impressive, led by their pink prince Antoine Griezmann. They round off the top four and the first half of the show.

Into Part Two, we analyse two late victories of significance in Seville and Vila-Real, both courtesy of late pressure penalties. There was emotion and relief in equal measure.

Elsewhere there is more pain for Betis, a small glimmer of hope for Elche and a golazo from Segunda.

Follow us @LaLigaLowdown for all the latest transfers and news from Spanish football, and go deeper by subscribing to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scoring with washing machines: La Liga Lowdown's midweek roundup Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

It's not often a football team plays on three different continents in a week, but that's exactly the challenge that Xavi's Barcelona will face over the next few days, as they return from Saudi Arabia with the Spanish Supercopa tucked under their arms.

Join your hosts Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they discuss the week's news, starting with their analysis of the title race ahead of a gruelling period for Real Madrid. Before part one is out, Paco reflects on Valencia's current situation, before some exciting transfer business for Girona is assessed.

After the break, the guys look ahead to the weekend's action, with a relegation six-pointer between Sevilla and Cádiz at the top of the bill.

Make sure to follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter for all the latest news, analysis and insight, and subscribe to our substack below, absolute free of charge, for quality LaLiga content emailed to your inbox every single day!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barcelona are Super Champions: Supercopa and LaLiga matchday 17 recap Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

It was a dramatic weekend of football in Spain, and Saudi Arabia, this weekend, as Barcelona were crowned champions of the Spanish Super Cup with Xavi getting his hands on silverware for the first time as Barcelona coach. To break down the Clásico final, Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) is joined by Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee).

Then, we turn our attentions back to the Iberian Peninsula, where there was a thrilling Basque derby on Saturday night. Athletic Club fan Beñat Gutiérrez (@beinatguti) joins us to share his thoughts on the game, a controversial refereeing decision, and what it means for both teams.

Sam and Román also run through all the rest of the action, including a game of golazos in Getafe, Girona's late win to send Sevilla into the drop zone, and more dropped points for Atletico Madrid and Villarreal. Stay tuned for more coverage at lllonline.substack.com and twitter.com/laligalowdown.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.