La Liga Lowdown

We can't quite remember the last time that we were so excited for a Clásico. We've been counting down the sleeps ever since that first lever was pulled...

But Sunday was finally the day, and it was Real Madrid ran out 3-1 winners over Xavi's Barcelona in a thoroughly entertaining game, to swing the title race back towards the capital club's favour.

Join your hosts Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and (@pacopolitENG) as they run through the ins and outs of the 250th meeting between these two clubs, before they close Part One with an analysis of Atlético Madrid's classic Atlético Madrid win at San Mamés.

Part Two sees a thorough run through of the other European contenders, as Paco makes his prediction as to who will take that final Champions League spot.

Make sure to subscribe to our substack - laligalowdown.substack.com - for some fantastic written content on the topics discussed, and follow us on Twitter, @LaLigaLowdown, for all the latest news, reaction and entertainment!

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It's the (joint) biggest weekend of the year in Spanish football and there's only one place to get your preview. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they go into detail on the first El Clásico of the season.

Part 1 is exclusively dedicated to all your Clásico needs as we talk through how each side is arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu - Blaugrana are aptly looking a little blue and quite red-faced after midweek. Then we break down the major question marks hanging over Xavi Hernández and Carlo Ancelotti, where this match will be won and lost, as well as what kind of game we can expect.

In the second section we get into it with regards to the rest of the league - there's more than enough to dig into without either of the big two. We get the thesaurus out for a flummoxing decision in Alicante. That leads us into derbies galore across Spain, accompanied by a feverish Saturday night at San Mamés. Oh, and always watch Girona.

Have a look at our substack - laligalowdown.substack.com - for more written content about the week past and the weekend ahead. To keep across all of the happenings this weekend, El Clásico and otherwise, follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown.

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As the games stack up, it was a tight and tense La Liga weekend from top to bottom. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@aeroslavee) as they break down the all the doubts plaguing them this weekend.

Part one begins with analysis on perhaps the team that raised the most questions about themselves, Barcelona. They go into a crucial week in the Champions League against Inter and de Arquer gives his thoughts on that clash. New Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli just about survived Athletic Club, Villarreal were not so lucky against Real Sociedad in a set of battles with European repercussions.

In the second half of the show we look at both Madrid sides, who were in action on Saturday. In many ways it was same old for pair of them - although whether that's a good thing is another matter. Further down the table there was a crazy game at El Sadar, a barren run broken for Almería and a curse afflicting one particular position.

Follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown and for written analysis, head to laligalowdown.substack.com.

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We have a feature-length pod for you this week as Julen Lopetegui's long and drawn out departure from Sevilla was finally made official. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) are on hand to bring you reaction to that and the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, before the usual comprehensive preview of Matchday 8 in LaLiga.

We begin by telling the story of Sevilla's season and how things got so untenable that a change had to arrive. You'll hear from many of our contributors in clips from previous pods, as well as the sounds from the stands, with fans reacting to the poor start and sending their ultimate farewell to a coach whose time was successful in the main.

Looking ahead to the weekend's matches, there is plenty to discuss, including Sampaoli's baptism of fire, Barcelona in need of a reaction, and coaches who could be following Francisco and Lopetegui out of a job. Find out which team Paco compares to a wrestler and what his predicted game of the weekend is.

You can also follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLowdown and go in depth on these stories and more at laligalowdown.substack.com.

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There were goals all over the place in LaLiga this weekend, and they brought about a new leader to the Spanish league as well. Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Thom Harris (@thomharris_) break down the action across the division.

Athletic Club thrashed Almería to start us off, but Getafe and Real Valladolid and later Girona and Real Sociedad brought us the real entertainment in some thrilling encounters.

Sam and Thom also discuss the future of Julen Lopetegui at Sevilla after defeat to Atlético Madrid, and what's going wrong for Karim Benzema that has allowed Robert Lewandowski to usurp him as LaLiga's goal king and put Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid in the standings.

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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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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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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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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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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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