La Liga Lowdown

Latest Episodes:

Supercopenalties: Semi-final review & LaLiga MD17 preview Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

A packed midweek podcast this week as Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) discuss the marathon pair of Supercopa semi-finals before looking ahead to a slightly-reduced schedule of LaLiga matches at the weekend.

In the first half of the show, the hosts dissect and chew over the semis which saw both giants start well, fade and then rely on their superb goalkeepers to secure passage to the final on penalties. There is praise for the conquered Valencia and Betis and questions about the performances of the big two: is it tiredness or something more fundamental? Both were more Casio than Rolex.

Before the break we discuss the dramatic debut of João Félix at Chelsea which went from red hot to red card. Diego Simeone was unavailable for comment.

In Part Two we turn our attention to the LaLiga weekend, featuring the Basque Derby as its designated partidazo. Two sides looking to make strides up the table, this should be a fascinating encounter. There are some huge games at the bottom too, which could give hope to some or reinforce the despair of others.

You won't want to miss it. Claramente.

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LaLiga Matchday 16 Recap: This season isn't like the others Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s podcast, the La Liga Lowdown squad review the Matchday 16 action. Host Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) starts with the Sunday night partidazo and talks to Sam Leveridge (@SamLeveridge) in Madrid about the atmosphere at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano and what the Barcelona win means for both Barça and Atlético Madrid.

Then, Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) joins the action from Valencia to break down Villarreal’s win over Real Madrid, Real Sociedad’s surge on the top four, Joselu’s incredible goalscoring record and Valencia’s struggles after a home defeat to Cádiz.

With the January transfer window open and the Spanish Supercopa coming up this week, stay tuned for more at lllonline.substack.com and twitter.com/LaLigaLowdown for all the latest insights and action.

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LaLiga Matchday 16 Preview: He goes a bit bonkers Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) for a midweek dip into the deep pool of Spanish football.

On the agenda today is Copa del Rey, LaLiga and the new Kings League. We review the shocks and surprises from the first day of Last 32 matches in the Copa, starting in north Africa, where Elche's nightmare season got even more horrible, if that was even possible. Their agony is ecstasy for AD Cueta, who themselves are bottom of their league.

Elsewhere, three other LaLiga sides fell on Tuesday night, including last season's semi-finalists Rayo Vallecano. We discuss all the action and talking points.

Román then gives us a fascinating insight into Gerard Piqué's new project: the Kings League. Find out what it is, how it works, and the multitude of big names already involved.

In Part Two, we look ahead to the weekend in LaLiga, which features tough away games for the title challengers and plenty of other intriguing games besides.

Keep up to date by following @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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La Liga Matchday 15 Recap: Welcome to 2023. Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

10 games, 21 goals, and a 16-card special from Mateu Lahoz. LaLiga is officially back.

Spanish football returned with a bang this weekend, as Jornada 15 squeezed itself into the calendar before 2022 was out. Join your hosts Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they pick apart the big results from the top and the bottom of a tasty looking table heading into the new year.

In part one, the guys dissect a bizarre game at Camp Nou, a professional performance at the José Zorrilla, and the return of some of the World Cup's shining stars, before they move on to discuss a tantalising race for European qualification after the break, as Real Sociedad and Villarreal both picked up statement wins in the fight for a precious top-four spot.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown, and to follow our blog at https://lllonline.substack.com for completely free, fresh content sent to your inbox every day!

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LaLiga Matchday 15 Preview: The Bald Beckham Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

LaLiga is back and after six weeks off, we are being plunged back into the middle of a season. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they try to ease you in slowly to the first Jornada back.

The league leaders/failed European side Barcelona begin with a tricky proposition early on, without their leading scorer. Yet Real Madrid's proposition has all the ingredients of a bumpy landing too. Outside of those two, Athletic Club take on Real Betis in a match that could see either side go third or slip to 9th. Also included are Diego Simeone's shopping trolley, an over-extended metaphor and will the real David Beckham please stand up?

In the second half of the show, Celta Vigo-Sevilla sees two sides trying to keep their head above water. We discuss which manager will go into 2023 with the most pressure and find out how you could spend Nochevieja with Paco Polit.

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La Liga Part Two Preview: We're back. Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

The celebrations have barely settled down in Buenos Aires, but ten of those players on that open-top bus will be back on Spanish shores soon enough, as LaLiga makes an almost immediate return after the 2022 World Cup.

Following perhaps the most dramatic international tournament of all time, join Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they discuss how Qatar 2022 might impact the second half of the Spanish season.

In Part One, we discuss the best performers from LaLiga throughout the tournament, focusing in on Sevilla and Atlético Madrid and their Moroccan, French and Argentinian heroes, before touching on the titanic tussle between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the pile.

After the break, we look at some of the activity back home while the World Cup has been in full flow, analysing new managers for Celta Vigo and Elche, before talking about a very exciting transfer indeed for Rayo Vallecano...

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown, and to follow our blog at https://lllonline.substack.com for completely free, fresh content sent to your inbox every day!

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World Cup Final Recap: Better than they dreamed it Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

La Liga Lowdown are back to discuss the World Cup final because... how could we not? Jarring though it may be, Spanish football is back just two days after the World Cup ends, so Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) cast an eye over some relationship troubles in LaLiga.

Some are calling it the greatest World Cup final ever and whether you agree or not, it everything the neutral could possible have hoped for. Lionel Messi added the missing jewel to his crown in an iconic moment. Lionel Scaloni got it right, but they were facing the Real Madrid of international football. Kylian Mbappé gets some love and we discuss how La Liga's representatives fared too.

In part two, we pick out the most appealing ties from the Copa del Rey second round. Beyond that, three of La Liga's bigger names who all started the season with European aspirations return to work with tension in the camp. That includes one of the most bizarre stories of the season, as a Spanish international is mistaken for a local waiter, and could João Félix be leaving in January?

We'll be back again before La Liga returns, so make sure you tune in as we remind ourselves where we are in the season, check out our written content at lllonline.substack.com, and follow us at @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter for more coverage of the greatest game in the world.

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Fountain Man: The nicest man in football Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

As the dust settles on Spain's World Cup campaign, we take a look at the consequences of elimination to Morocco as Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) analyse the fall-out.

First up, a discussion about Luis Enrique, what went wrong, and what led to his dismissal as Spain coach. What's next for Lucho? There's enough to talk about to fill out a whole stream...

After a short break, Matt and Sam are back to tell us about Luis de la Fuente. Who is this unknown entity? Beyond the white trainers and jeans, he's a man with as much in-depth knowledge of the Spanish system and youth set-up as you'll find out there.

For more insight and reaction to the change, as well as the final stages of the World Cup, follow us on Twitter at @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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Spain Round of 16 Review: La Maldición Mundial Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

It's over. Spain are out of the World Cup. Their exit comes at the Round of 16 stage once again, falling on penalties, just like they did four years ago in Russia.

This campaign promised so much more, from the togetherness of the group to the charismatic leadership of Luis Enrique. But it wasn't to be. The inquest has already begun in terms of his future and the direction of the national team, who still haven't won a knockout game at the World Cup since 2010.

Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) is joined by a sorrowful Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) for the postmortem. We review the match against Morocco, assess where it went wrong for Spain, and evaluate the campaign as a whole.

In Part Two we give credit to the Atlas Lions and their coach Walid Regraugi for their momentous achievement, becoming only the fourth African side ever to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals. We then turn our attention to the ramifications of this unexpected Spanish failure, looking in particular at the futures of the senior players and Lucho himself.

Check out our Substack (lllonline.substack.com) for more reaction and analysis, and follow us @LaLigaLowdown for ongoing coverage of the World Cup and more.

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Spain Round of 16 Preview: Time to plug in Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

We're into the business end of the World Cup and there will be no more room for error as Spain face Morocco in a fiery derby of sorts on Tuesday. Join hosts Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they preview the La Roja's Round of 16 tie.

Part one is dedicated to Spain's faults and flaws. Where did things go wrong against Japan and what changes should Luis Enrique make to counteract those issues? Somehow, we're having the Alvaro Morata debate again with a new angle to it.

Part two focuses on Morocco. The Atlas Lions surprised everyone by topping their group ahead of Belgium and Croatia. They did so conceding just one goal in their three games. Beyond their defence, we look at where they might cause Spain's downfall and what their key threats are.

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