La Liga Lowdown

La Liga was back hot off the heels from a big week in Europe with a big week in the relegation battle, but one which like all of the football, fell into the background due to a very serious problem - racism.

On Sunday evening Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by a Valencia fan, and some time later, ended up being sent off. It was the boiling point in a absurd and awful situation that has been bulding for some time. We give you an objective and correct timeline of events, and discuss the problems with both the dealing of the situation, and the discussion surrounding.

With some degree of difficulty, we then discuss some major results in the relegation battle, including major results for Cádiz and Almería.

In part two, we attempt a little less gloom, and at the very least Real Sociedad provided that, as they continue their march towards the Champions League at Camp Nou. There's also Sevilla's heated clash with Real Betis in the derby, a twist of fortune for Villarreal with one of the in-form forwards in La Liga, and a smash and grab from Espanyol. The final European spot looks as if it may go down to the wire.

Follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter to keep up to date with all the goings on, and ensure you are subscribed to our Substack in order to receive our written content - lllonline.substack.com.

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Nobody loves it like they do. After a phenomenal week of European entertainment, Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) come fresh off the back of another heroic victory in Andalusia to bring you all of the reaction and analysis you need.

The entirety of part one is dedicated to the simply stupendous goings on in Nervión. An electric game, a swaying Sánchez Pizjuán, and another Europa League final. Sevilla dispatch Juventus, we break down the man behind that success, José Luis Mendilibar, how they managed to beat Juventus, peak at the final itself. Another familiar José awaits.

Grit your teeth for part two Madridistas. Part two sees us look at what went wrong during Real Madrid's pummeling at the hands of Manchester City... It's not as bad as you think. Paco picks through Carlo Ancelotti's mistakes, but just give more praise to City for stopping Real Madrid doing the one thing they do best. How exactly does it affect the Italian's future, and we touch on a major problem for Ancelotti that really isn't his fault. Finally, we take a brief look ahead to the fixtures in La Liga this weekend.

Follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our substack for all of our written content at lllonline.substack.com

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LaLiga has its third champions in the last three years, after Barcelona sliced through rivals Espanyol to secure the title, and write a sweet chapter in the club’s history. Hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) are on hand to tell you how and why.

In part one, we break down who the main culprits for the Blaugrana victory, and which were the key moments in ensuring that it was they that triumphed. Román closes out part one with a wish and a worry for the summer months.

Part two comes onto the numerous other goings on in Spain this weekend, including a fiery relegation battle or three. Only Valencia won out of the relegation candidates this weekend, which is worth four more places in the table to Los Che. Real Valladolid were up in arms about defeat to Sevilla, which tightened the race for Europe right down to 12th-placed Real Mallorca. Up in top four country, La Real lost ground to give Villarreal narrow hope.

Follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown, where we will be covering the title celebrations, and find all of our written content at lllonline.substack.com

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Summer is fast approaching and that means the season is reaching boiling point. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) review all the midweek action and look ahead to an important Matchday in LaLiga.

In the European competitions, Real Madrid and Sevilla both had to settle for 1-1 draws following two hugely entertaining and different first legs. 

In Madrid, City resisted the City pressure and managed to keep Erling Haaland quiet, but were unable to generate any advantage to take to Manchester next week.  

In Turin, Sevilla were seconds away from a famous win, but should be happy enough to come away unscathed. Having dominated the first half, to concede in the last play of the game was a suckerpunch, but this disappointment illustrates the progression made by the side in recent weeks.

In the second half of the show we pay homage to Sergio Busquets, undisputed legend of Spanish football, as he announced his imminent departure from Barça. We delve into his unique attributes as well as asking how he can be replaced, if at all.

We then look ahead to MD34, including discussion on Barça's chances of wrapping up the title at Espanyol, as well as some key games in the relegation battle and the fight for European spots.

Follow @LaLigaLowdown for all the latest, and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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Real Madrid are Copa del Rey champions.

Nine years since their last, Los Blancos have the Copa back in their possession after beating Osasuna 2-1 in a pulsating final at La Cartuja. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) to review the showpiece in Seville, which saw a fifth winner of the competition in as many seasons.

We talk about the key protagonists of the game, including Vini Jr, Rodrygo and Dani Carvajal.

Vini showed his blistering best and his frustrating worst at times in this game, and we evaluate whether this can be resolved before it costs him or his team dearly.

In Part Two we analyse what this triumph means to the club and to Carlo Ancelotti. Real become the first Spanish side to win 100 trophies, 10% of which have been won under the affable Italian.

Before we're done we salute Osasuna on a proud and persistent performance, and then look ahead briefly to the huge European semi-finals this week.

Follow us @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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A regal theme on this week's podcast after a frenetic week of action.

As the UK is set to officially crown Charles III, in Spain it is the King's Cup which is the focus this weekend. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to review Matchday 33 and look ahead to Saturday's showpiece in Seville.

In LaLiga, a few big questions were answered and others moved a long way towards being resolved.

Barça recorded a record-equalling 11th 1-0 victory to put themselves one step away from confirming their title. They will be crowned if they win away at Espanyol next weekend. We also discussed some significant off-field developments at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid's abdication from the throne is confirmed as they slipped to third after a defeat at Real Sociedad. Imanol’s side are getting closer and closer to securing Champions League football.

Atleti are now a free-scoring Antoine Griezmann machine and they scored five for the second successive match.

At the bottom, Elche's relegation was confirmed as Almería beat them 2-1. Elsewhere, José Bordalás was back at the Coliseum and it was as if he had never left. 

The battle to avoid joining Elche is hotter than ever, with five points separating six clubs.

There's praise for Girona too, as they are 7th and now best-placed to grab a potential European spot. 

In Part Two, we preview the highly-anticipated Copa del Rey final on Saturday night. We deliberate on how the teams arrive, what it would mean to win it, and how the game might pan out.

Before we finish, Paco gives us his take on the outcome of the final, with both his head and his heart competing. Whatever the end result, we hope it provides a spectacle fit for a King.

As always, keep across everything @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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Almost as soon as Matchday 31 had concluded, Matchday 32 arrived hot on its heels. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) to review the weekend action with crucial fixtures at the top, and most importantly at the bottom. Home is where the heart is, and for the majority of the weekend, it was where the points were too. Six of the eight matches played were won by the hosts.

We start at the bottom, with Espanyol gaining a much-needed victory over Getafe, who have just reappointed José Bordalás. There was no immediate effect for returnee, instead it was his counterpart Luis García who registered a first win of his own. Espanyol had been the team with the longest winless run in the division, but that baton now passes to Getafe themselves.

Down in Andalucía, Cádiz also needed to react after three games without a goal, taking on a resurgent Valencia who had won their last two games. Once again it went the way of the hosts, a valuable three points for Sergio's side. Valencia's momentum is stalled.

Elsewhere Elche stunned everyone by pulling a 4-0 win out of the bag. Every game is now a must-win or they will be officially relegated.

Real Valladolid went punch for punch with Atleti, but came out on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller.

In Part Two, we discuss the big two who scored four goals each, but it was Karim Benzema who closed the gap on Robert Lewandowski in the Pichichi race. For the title, Barça require just three wins to seal it.

Lastly we look at the race for 4th, as La Real continue to hold firm, while Villarreal are trying their best to pressure them all the way.

Matchday 32 concludes on Monday and Matchday 33 begins on Tuesday. Subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com and follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown for all the latest at this crucial stage of the campaign.

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We are back with a midweek pod to review a pulsating Matchday 31 in LaLiga.

Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) reflect on a midweek which saw both giants lose in the same jornada for the first time in 18 months, history made at Montilivi, and a rocket-launching 19-year-old changing the mood of 40,000 inside Mestalla.

Of course we begin with the Poker in Girona as Taty Castellanos and Co caused Carlo Ancelotti to raise his eyebrow ever further. Real Madrid picked a bad time to produce that performance and Éder Militão will have to improve when he faces Erling Haaland...

We continue the theme of underdogs earning deserved victories over at Vallecas. Andoni Iraola has the midas touch over Xavi's Barça without a doubt, as the Catalans missed the chance to go 14 points clear and lost the option of hitting 100 points.

Then it's all about Valencia and their triumphant win courtesy of their latest youngster. Los Che move out of the relegation zone at the expense of Getafe, who sacked Quique Sánchez Flores after they lost at home to Almería. Yes, Almería won a game on the road. It really was a wild week.

In Part Two we talk Atleti, Villarreal and the battle for Europe. At the other end it is looking bleak for Elche and Espanyol – the former could be officially relegated as soon as this upcoming weekend.

We end by looking at the scrap at the bottom and running through the fixtures for MD32. Time is running out and the tension is rising.

Subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com and follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown to stay in touch.

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Matchday 30 was a surprising weekend in many ways. There were no penalties, no red cards...and Valencia won a game of football.

A delighted Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) joins Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) to review all ten matches of the round.

The European race took more twists as Betis lost in Pamplona, La Real produced a remontada and Sevilla knocked the stuffing out of Villarreal. Don't sleep on Athletic Club either.

In Part Two we look at some more familiar things. Barça winning 1-0, Real Madrid winning 2-0 and Quique Sánchez Flores with a verbal zinger in the press. 

Following Barça's win over Atleti, no hay Liga. Valencia had a good weekend and so too did their former-academy players Ferran Torres and Kang-In Lee, who both scored for their respective sides on Sant Jordi.

We wrap up the show by assessing the relegation picture, which still involves around a third of the league, and briefly look ahead to the midweek round.

Follow us @LaLigaLowdown and subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com.

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A hectic midweek in Spain as Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) is joined by a man from the biggest party in Europe as Rafa Garrido (@RGarrido2210) connects from Seville in the aftermath of Sevilla’s 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the Europa League to reach the semi-finals.

We then pan across to Madrid, where Jorge López-Torrecilla (@Jorge_ltg_) jumps on to discuss Real Madrid’s routine 2-0 brushing off of another Premier League side, Chelsea, on route to a semi-final rematch against Manchester City.

Finally, we also turn our attention to the upcoming domestic action where Atlético Madrid travel to Camp Nou to take on Barcelona on Sunday, alongside some relegation six-pointers as we near the business end of the season. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) joins us for that. 

Stay tuned to La Liga Lowdown on Substack at lllonline.substack.com and on Twitter at @LaLigaLowdown throughout this weekend and in the build-up to next week’s midweek matchday.

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