La Liga Lowdown

Latest Episodes:

LaLiga Matchday 7 Preview: Here Comes Your Man Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

Here comes your man sang the Pixies and after 87 minutes of hard graft, there was Álvaro Morata for Luis Enrique. Join Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they react to Spain's victory over Portugal before looking ahead to the LaLiga Matchday headed our way.

Part one is exclusively dedicated to pulling apart this Spain side. What exactly were we taught by this international break? And how does that influence the World Cup? Paco explains what success means for this Spanish side and who has won themselves a guaranteed place on the plane to Qatar.

In part two, we meander on to a weekend hinting at upsets. The FIFA virus has taken multiple casualties and Barcelona certainly aren't fully recovered. Find out which two managers are leading the sack race and finally Paco picks out his game of the weekend.

Follow us on @LaLigaLowdown for further reaction and you can find th latest written pieces from our team of scribes at laligalowdown.substack.com.

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Nations League Recap: Swiss stumble for sloppy Spain Sep 25, 2022

Show notes

Midway through the international break, Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) convene to discuss Spain's surprise defeat against Switzerland in Zaragoza, introduced by some exasperated commentary from Cope.

They dissect the lineup, the problems at both ends of the pitch, the positives, and the possible solutions. Ultimately, their Nations League destiny will be decided on Matchday 6 in Portugal, and Lucho's side must win to reach the final four.

In Part Two, other stories are on the agenda, including the explosive crisis engulfing the Selección Femenino, with 15 players in open mutiny against the coach, Jorge Vilda. Román opines on the situation and how he sees events unfolding.

Elsewhere, frustration is the theme for Barça as they lost not one but two key defenders to injury. Román laments this bad luck, before discussing some of the other results from the Nations League, which most of the major European nations have found challenging to say the least. Does this mean anything with less than 60 days until kick off in Qatar?

As always, there is plenty more content on our Twitter (@LaLigaLowdown) and via our newsletter (laligalowdown.substack.com).

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Nations League Matchday 5 and 6 Preview: The struggle is real Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

As LaLiga takes the back seat for the next seven days, international football makes a frantic return with the World Cup just under two months away. Join hosts Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they dissect another interesting convocatoria, as selected by Luis Enrique, ahead of two tantalising Nations League ties against Switzerland and Portugal.

In Part Two, we're delighted to be joined by Swiss football expert Craig King (@FootballSwissEN) and Breaking the Lines co-creator Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) to analyse Spain's stubborn opposition, with in-depth analysis, players to watch, and predictions ahead of the closing two group games.

Make sure to follow @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter for news, reaction and expert analysis, and subscribe to our newsletter at laligalowdown.substack.com to receive fresh content every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning straight into your inbox, for absolutely FREE!

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LaLiga Matchday 6 Recap: Bailando Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

The international break is upon us, leaving the LaLiga table frozen in time for another 12 days. Real Madrid go into the mini-break perfect, sealing their sixth win from six with a huge three points at the Cívitas Metropolitano, while Barcelona make it 18 goals scored and just one conceded to remain the closest challengers to Ancelotti's Champions. Join Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they discuss what looks to be one of the most tantalising title races in living memory.

Also on the show, hear our experts dissect the race for European qualification, as Real Betis continue their best ever start to a LaLiga season, before turning their attention to an increasingly tense relegation battle, as basement boys Cádiz finally score their first goal to seal a dramatic away win at fellow strugglers Real Valladolid.

Make sure to follow @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter for even more reaction to another dramatic week of LaLiga action, and subscribe to our newsletter to have our in-depth analysis sent straight to your inbox. Simply follow the link (https://laligalowdown.substack.com) type in your email, and enjoy our latest content for FREE!

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LaLiga Matchday 6 Preview: Muy tiquismiquis Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

With the international break nearly upon us, join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) for a comprehensive preview of Matchday 6 in LaLiga.

After some reflection on the pair of Champions League defeats in Deutschland, we dive straight into the Madrid Derby, the partidazo of the round and one of the games of the season so far. How will Real Madrid line up? Will Atleti be able to improve their defending? Is this already make-or-break for their title challenge? These questions and more are answered in depth.

We then take a tour around the rest of the matches, including a pivotal clash on Friday night, plus the attractive appetisers on offer before the main course in Madrid. You may be surprised to hear which one Ruairidh is looking forward to most.

In the second half, we also discuss the upcoming international break, as Spain resume their Nations League campaign. With the World Cup just around the corner, we talk player selection and assess who is banging down Lucho's door. Whether he answers is another matter entirely.

For more Spanish football content, follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter and subscribe to our regular newsletter at laligalowdown.substack.com.

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LaLiga Matchday 5 Recap: The first rule about fight club Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

There were 35 goals in the nine La Liga games across this weekend and yet arguably the most dramatic events occurred off the pitch. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they slice and dice an incredibly entertaining Matchday 5 in LaLiga.

Part one begins with the Sunday night partidazo as Real Betis laid down their credentials for the top four with a crucial victory over Villarreal, as we examine which team are now favourites for fourth place. Julen Lopetegui finally got his and Sevilla's first win away to Espanyol, which staves off fears for his position. Then the rest of part one is dedicated to Madrid. Atlético beat Celta Vigo and Real Madrid beat Real Mallorca, both by three goal margins. Neither were as comfortable as it ended up looking though, ahead of their meeting next week.

The second half of the show gets underway as we recount a surreal match between Cádiz and Barcelona, which lasted close to four hours. On the footballing side of things, we question how ready they are for their big test against Bayern Munich. Getafe got their first victory too, but Cádiz and Elche remain winless. We analyse the impending jeopardy for Francisco, before rounding off the rest of the action - not least the fight scene at Rayo Vallecano.

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LaLiga Matchday 5 Preview: Rejuvenate their backside Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

After a momentous midweek in Europe, the domestic action continues at breakneck speed. It was a fantastic set of results which saw six Spanish victories out of seven - only Sevilla were unable to get a result, humbled and hammered by Haaland (sorry Julen).

Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to discuss what it all means for the next round of LaLiga: Will Real Madrid stay perfect? How many goals with Barcelona score against Cádiz? Can Sevilla recover from two dismal defeats?

These questions and plenty more are on the agenda as Matt and Paco go through all ten upcoming matches. Make sure to keep Sunday night free as Betis take on Villarreal in a fascinating battle in the race for the top four. Paco insists this is a must-watch for everyone.

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LaLiga Matchday 4 Recap: The big two are back on top Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

Following another scintillating weekend of LaLiga action, the table is beginning to look a little more familiar. Real Madrid edged out Real Betis before Barcelona brushed aside Sevilla. Atleti were unable to keep pace as they slipped to a draw at Real Sociedad, Hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) assess whether the title race consists of just two horses.

Beyond that, Villarreal continued their spectacular start with another bag of goals and another clean sheet. Are they set for the top four? How long can Julen Lopetgui hold on at Sevilla, who are no longer stuttering but swerving off course.

Part Two kicks off with reaction to Valencia's impressive home performance on Sunday night against hapless Getafe. Gattuso-ball is praised in generous measure, with a similar does of criticism for Geta, as well as Elche and Cádiz, who all occupy the bottom three.

The rest of the matches are analysed too, including another Aspas show for Celta - is Luis Enrique watching? Osasuna also continued their strong start, while Athletic were stunned by Espanyol. Mallorca and Girona fought out a draw, while Real Valladolid host Almería on Monday night.

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LaLiga Matchday 4 Preview: Partidazos aplenty Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

After a frenetic end to the transfer window, we can concentrate on the football once again. That's exactly what Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) do here, with a mouth-watering round of LaLiga action in prospect.

Featuring discussion on all ten matches across the weekend, there is a particular focus on the three partidazos on Saturday, which include a clash of the two hitherto perfect sides in the capital.

Find out which game Paco calls 'a final' and what he thinks of Valencia's transfer market. Spoiler: it involves Carlos Soler sadness.

We'll be back with the reaction to everything that unfolds, but in the meantime, follow us @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our newsletter to have all the reaction and analysis sent straight to your inbox - laligalowdown.substack.com.

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LaLiga Matchday 3 Recap: PythagorAspas Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

It might be late summer but everything still feels fresh in LaLiga. We bring you our review of all the weekend's action, from a late win for the champions to another defeat for Sevilla.

In Part One, hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) discuss the big two and compare their respective wins on a rousing Sunday night, forged in highly contrasting circumstances. Also on the agenda is Rayo's poor home form, the Celta captain in the form of an ancient mathematician and Julen Lopetegui's interesting choice of criticism for his own players.

Before the break we hear from our man in Seville, Gregor Chappelle (@gregorchappelle), who gives us his analysis of the growing tensions at the Andalusian club, and whether Lopetegui really is in the last-chance saloon.

After the break, we speak to Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) on his way home from Mestalla, after Valencia impressed again but fell to a narrow defeat thanks to Antoine Griezmann in his new super-sub role. The man of the moment is Edinson Cavani, and Paco tells us what he can bring to Los Che. Following a tour of the remaining games, we play out with the sweet sound of Valencianistas serenading their new signing: El Matador.

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