La Liga Lowdown

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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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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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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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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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.

Follow us @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter and head to lllonline.substack.com for more written content and analysis.

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Spain made it through por los pelos up against a Japanese side who stunned them with a 2-1 defeat in La Roja’s final group stage match of the World Cup. To analyse the action, Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) is joined by Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) in his usual animated form.

They discuss what went wrong for Luis Enrique’s team and what that means for the rest of the tournament as Spain look to bounce back ahead of their last 16 clash with Morocco on Tuesday. Don’t worry though, there’s also a dose of Paco rage about VAR and goal-line technology to add into the mix too.

We’re also joined by Sam Robson (@FRsoccerSam) of J-Talk Podcast (@jtalkpod) with the point of view from Japan on their win and their impressions of Spain having topped Group E.

For more analysis and insights from Spain’s World Cup camp, stay tuned to our Twitter @LaLigaLowdown and also to our Substack channel for more content as the competition continues.

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It's crunch time in Qatar as the final round of Group Stage matches dawns. Spain are in a strong position and are in full control of their own destiny, but Japan stand in their way. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they look ahead to the match and discuss everything from Luis Enrique's Twitch streams to Gavi's potential future royal prospects.

In Part One the focus in on Spain, pondering whether there will be any changes to the lineup, and how they will go about their task.

In Part Two we discuss the Japanese and how they will approach a game which is effectively a must-win for them. Following that, the hosts chat about the World Cup in general, picking their favourites to win, the best players and the most disappointing sides so far.

Check out our Substack over at lllonline.substack.com and follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown.

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We're back again to review Spain's second game of the 2022 World Cup. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) reflect on a pulsating game between two former World champions that turned definitively into a tale of two substitute forwards.

In Part One, we discuss the game from a Spain perspective, analysing what went well and what could have gone better, before Román gives his verdict on what it all means for Spain's chances of qualification.

In the second half of the show, German football expert Jasmine Baba (@_jasminebaba) joins us to provide the German point of view. Expect tactical insight, praise for both Niclas Füllkrug and Jamal Musiala, and a considered prediction on Germany's long-term future in Qatar.

Beyond the football, it was a poignant anniversary for Luis Enrique, and he surprisingly spoke about the tragedy he and his family suffered in 2019. We conclude with his own words on the most emotionally agonising thing imaginable.

We are releasing fresh new content every day on our Substack ([email protected]), and you can keep up to date with all things Spanish football on Twitter. We are @LaLigaLowdown.

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Join us for our preview podcast ahead of the biggest game yet at the 2022 World Cup as Spain take on Germany on Sunday night in Qatar. Host Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) is joined by Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) in the first half to discuss how Spain could line-up and what we expect from the tactics board that Luis Enrique hasn't shown on his Twitch streams.

In part two, we're joined by German football consultant Adam Khan (@XxAdamKhanxX) to analyse the point of view from Spain's rivals in what is a must-win encounter after their shock 2-1 defeat to Japan in the opening game of their participation. 

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown, and to subscribe to our Substack at LLLonline.substack.com, for free, fresh content sent to your inbox every day!

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Following the most sensational start to a World Cup in living memory, Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) revel in the joyful aftermath of Spain's SEVEN-nil win over Costa Rica.

In part one, hear what our experts have to say about the performances of Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Gavi, who became the third-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, at just 18 years and 110 days.

With the likes of Ansu Fati, Marcos Llorente and Pau Torres on the bench, we assess Luis Enrique's selection headaches ahead of a crucial encounter with Germany in part two.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown, and to follow our substack at lll.online.substack.com, for completely free, fresh content sent to your inbox very day!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.