El Partido

Football in Barcelona is world famous and not just for the Blaugrana. Below the headlines of La Liga, the non-league scene in Catalan capital is one of the fastest growing and best support in Spain and probably in Europe. Friend of the podcast spent the weekend in the city and took in 3 games which we are delighted to bring you on EP en Directo.

First up, La Liga founders CE Europa had to say goodbye to Nou Sardenya at the weekend as league rules have forced them to find a temporary home with a grass pitch. They welcomed Alcorcon as Europa looked to leave Grazia on a high. Join Tom to find out more!

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With Paul on El Partido Paternity Leave, Nick brings you a solo-cast and another installment of El Partido Stories. This week, we take a look at Fernando Morientes, the Forgotten #9.

As Real Madrid started their first galacticos era, traditional strikers like Morientes soon found themselves replaced by the idea of striker who brings as much off the pitch than on it - that wasn't how Morientes was built. In this episode, we explore what made Morientes the perfect centre forward and how the role of a striker has evolved so far away from what made #9's the focal point of every team.

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Asturias is a hotbed of football with some of the most loyal fanbases in Spain - none more so than the fans of Real Sporting de Gijón.

As one of the oldest clubs in Spain, you will struggle to find a club with a richer history and more passionate fanbase than the Asturian club on the coast. From the magic of El Molinón to the legends that have passed through their famed academy, Nick is just by Matt Harrison to talk about this 'Sleeping Giant' in the North of Spain!

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It's 2026 and we are back with another installment of En Directo with Matt Harrison - this time from the stunning city of Gijon! Malaga have transformed from potential relegation candiates to play off dark horses under Juan Funes, so obviously Matt had to travel across Spain to the colder climes of Asturias to witness them in one of his favourite Estadios!

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We welcome back Matt Harrison to the podcast as we look to assemble our next 'Favourite XI' and this time, we've flipped it on its head - we're doing our favourite Spanish players who've played in the Premier League! So join Nick, Paul and Matt as we talk about some the greatest but most importantly, our favourite Spaniards to appear in the English top flight!

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Join Matt Harrison as he vacates the warmer climes of the Costa del Sol and braves the elements in the northern Spanish city of Vallodolid. Malaga were looking for a second win in a row under Funes but the former La Liga side have made the Jose Zorilla a difficult place to visit.

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We are delighted to share this week, our first El Partido en Directo from a Copa del Rey game! Torrent CF of the Segunda Federacion had drawn a plum tie against Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis and for the occasion, got the opportunity to play at the impressive Ciuadad Valencia. Russ Pearce (Seagulls Over Spain) was lucky enough to be there and sent us his report straight from Valencia!

If you want to be featured on El Partido en Directo, then don't hesitate getting in touch and sending us your recordings from whatever game of Spanish football you might be at this weekend! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and YouTube!

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10 years ago this week, Peter Lim shocked the footballing world by announcing a former Manchester United right back as manager of Valencia - that man was Gary Neville!

As he took his first steps into management, Neville found out that charm and charisma isn't enough when your aim is to impress the crowds at Mestalla. Join Nick & Paul as they recollect the 118 days of his tenure in Valencia and look at the aftermath in Valencia of the Lim custodianship.

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The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has always been fierce. Whether the undercurrents of political viewpoints, nationalism or class, El Clásico had it's intensity unrivalled elswhere in the world. However, at the turn of the Millenium, that rivalry reached new heights of hostility - when Luis Figo, darling and star of Barcelona, crossed the divide by signing directly for Real Madrid...

It would be a transfer that would take El Clásico to new levels of rivalry that completely changed the face of Spanish football and is defined by the scenes we saw in the Nou Camp when emotions reached boiling point and even a pigs head was thrown onto the pitch.

This week, Nick & Paul explore the motives of the move, how the dynamics of El Clásico shifted and the aftermath of one of the most controversial transfers in football history.

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The 'Journeyman' in the UK is a mythical beast. You see him rock up at a league rival, knowing that he could potentially pulling on your colours the following season, adding you to the list of badges he's represented. That sentiment isn't as common in Spain - some may even say it's normal for a player to have several clubs across his career in Spanish football due the nature of short term contracts and other varying factors - but we say this stops now! We need Spain to embrace the Journeyman (or Viajero Futbolero) so this week, Nick and Paul have picked out their favourite 5 players from Spanish football who you could label the Spanish Football Journeyman!

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