El Partido

The Era of the 'One Club Man' barely exists anymore. We hang onto the memories of them and the most recent is one of the most legendary of all.

Carlos Puyol became one of the world's finest defenders, a staple in the heart of a Barcelona defence in a club that evolved around him. With a relentless streak at this core, he never gave up on his dream of playing for the Blaugrana and that faith would eventually see him captain the side into the club's most successful era.

In this El Partido Story, we look at the Puyol's rise from B team utility man, to a leader of club and country that would win every trophy available to him in at the club closest to his heart.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

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If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and for even more extra bonus content!

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Welcome to La Crónica, a newly weekly installment from the team at El Partido where we bring things up to the present and talk about the biggest stories in Spanish football from this week.

In this episode, we look back at the Basque Derby and the significance of the return of the Ikurriña 50 years after that momentous walkout. We also discuss the form of Granada as Pacheta eyes an assault on the leagues leaders and the Barrios Derbí that will be played in one of Spain's biggest stadiums.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and for even more extra bonus content!

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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It may a half term break but we didn't want to leave you empty handed for the week so why not have a sample of our Bonus Content? ¡Super Sabasta! is a quiz episode where we pitch two contenders to bid on how many clubs they can guess a player has represented and who they were, usually represented around a topic.

In this episode we were joined by Matt Harrison returns to defend his title as the then lineal champion of the game but his challenger was none other than returning El Partido host, Paul McGarraghy. This week's topic for bidding - The Spanish Revolution of Rafa Benitez.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and for even more extra bonus content!

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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The romance of the Copa del Rey often struggles to compete with the English point of view in the FA Cup but in spite of this, there is more romance to it then many presume. Giant Killings are possible and they don’t come much bigger than one so great that they gave it a name - ¡Alcorconazo!

On the 27th October 2009, Manuel Pellegrini would bring his Galacticos to the Estadio Santo Domingo to take on Segunda B side AD Alcorcón, expecting a easy run out at their lesser known city rivals. What transpired would send shockwaves through Spanish football and apologies from the Los Blancos heirachy as the third tier side would not just beat Real Madrid but destroy them.

In this episode, Nick is joined by Alex O’Brien, Alcorcón fan and the brain behind Alcorcón Irlanda, to discuss the events of this night in Alcorcón’s history and how the knock on effect changed the club forever.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and for even more extra bonus content!

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Welcome to La Crónica, a newly weekly installment from the team at El Partido where we bring things up to the present and talk about the biggest stories in Spanish football from this week.

In this episode, we ask the question - can Barcelona go invincible? After demolishing Real Betis at La Cartuja, we look at the whether wins against PSG in the Champions League and against Real Madrid in El Clasico would be enough to see them through an unbeaten campaign. We also look the struggles of Malaga after yet another defeat at the weekend and look at how Alvaro Morata's time with Leganes goes from bad to worse as his dream homecoming turns into a nightmare.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and for even more extra bonus content!

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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It's not often you get to meet one of the inspirations for your entire podcast but we had that joy this week as we were joined by the one and only Guillem Balagué!
We go back to where it all started with a Revista de La Liga love-in, talk about the Maradona Nostalgia and all about his brand new book, Rise of the Villains - the Unai Emery Aston Villa Revolution!
One of the most influential voices in Spanish football journalism joins us on the podcast — Guillem Balagué.

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary La Liga expert to talk about the moments, people and stories that shaped his career covering Spanish football, from the golden era of Revista de La Liga to his deep dives into Maradona, Messi, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
We also explore the nostalgia of football storytelling, Guillem’s experiences covering the biggest names in world football, and his brand-new book “Rise of the Villains”, which tells the story of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa revolution and modern tactical leadership.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and join our Patreon for even more extra bonus content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/El_Partido_es?view_as=patron&vanity=El_Partido_es

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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Welcome to La Crónica, a newly weekly installment from the team at El Partido where we bring things up to the present and talk about the biggest stories in Spanish football from this week.

In this episode, we take a look at the reasons why Real Madrid players feel they can try to subvert the rules and whether their egos are out of control. We also take a closer look at the great work Manuel Pellegrini is doing with Real Betis after another win this weekend as well as look back on Ronaldo's season with Barcelona as we celebrate 30 years since THAT goal in Compostela!

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and join our Patreon for even more extra bonus content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/El_Partido_es?view_as=patron&vanity=El_Partido_es

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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It is one of those views that completely overwhelm one, for it leaves nothing to be desired and nothing to the imagination. All that a poet or a painter might dream of, Nature has created here. The same could be said about the football!

In this week’s episode, we are heading to the Balearics to talk about an absolutely fantastic club in the shape of RCD Mallorca. We are joined by Alex Fitzpatrick of the Spanish Segunda Show and Mallorca fan to discuss their incredible back-to-back promotions from the Segunda B to the promiseland of La Liga.

So if you like talking about Salva Sevilla orchestrating the likes of Anton Budemir and Abdón as Mallorca charged from El Pozo to Primera, then this is the episode for you.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and join our Patreon for even more extra bonus content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/El_Partido_es?view_as=patron&vanity=El_Partido_es

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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Once upon a time, football in the capital was the preserve of Real Madrid and their noisy neighbours Atleti - but not anymore!

In this week’s episode, Nick & Paul are joined by David Pugh, author of The Blue Side of Madrid, a book dedicated to telling the inspirational underdog story of Getafe Club de Fútbol – the capital’s resilient outsiders who refused to accept that top-flight football belonged exclusively to the city’s big two: Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. We explore the past of Getafe and how they have risen from the depths of Spanish football to become a staple in the top flight, whilst maintaining the unique identity that makes them one of the most unique clubs in Spain!

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and join our Patreon for even more extra bonus content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/El_Partido_es?view_as=patron&vanity=El_Partido_es

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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A spectre is haunting European football. Watch almost any game, no matter the level, and you will notice it. From inverted full backs to extreme high lines, the tactical threads of the match will eventually converge onto a singular point: Pep Guardiola.

In this episode Nick is joined by Writer and Presenter for The Athletic, Jon Mackenzie, to discuss his new book where he explores where Pep's near total dominance has come at the cost of the game itself, with modern football's protagonists caught between acknowledging Guardiola's greatness and wanting to evolve the sport beyond him.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and over on our YouTube Channel.

Also make sure to check out the new El Partido Store, for plenty of podcast merchandise as well as unique designs for fans of Spanish Football.

https://elpartido.myshopify.com/

Follow us on Social Media too by searching for @El_Partido.es on X, Instagram and TikTok.

If you want even more content from El Partido, then head over to our Substack to read more articles and join our Patreon for even more extra bonus content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/El_Partido_es?view_as=patron&vanity=El_Partido_es

https://substack.com/@elpartido

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