La Liga Lowdown

The second week of the 2018/19 LaLiga Santander season is in the books and there are just two teams remaining with a 100 percent record - Sevilla and Atlético Madrid. We discuss that and much more, speaking to multiple experts.

We hear from Heath Chesters (@HeathGCF) in Granada, Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) in Valencia, Joseph Sexton (@josephsbcn) in Vigo, Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) in Barcelona, Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorcalex100) in Mallorca and Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) in Canada, all hosted by Madrid-based Euan McTear (@emctear).

There's an in-depth chat with Heath about Granada and their survival, we get the lowdown from Paco on Villarreal throwing away another lead and Kiyan talks Real Madrid's problems. That and and more is discussed and the conversation doesn't end there. Check us out on Twitter (@LaLigaLowdown) to let us know your thoughts on the first two weeks of the season.

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Athletic Club striker Aritz Aduriz is a LaLiga legend. We all know this. But how did his story start? What bumps were there along the way? That and more is all discussed in this podcast looking at the Aritz Aduriz story.

We speak to Phil Ball to explain how Aduriz, who grew up in San Sebastian, ended up playing for his hometown's biggest rivals. Alex Fitzpatrick talks about the Aduriz Real Mallorca years. Paco Polit reflects on what went well, and what didn't, for Aduriz at Valencia. Román de Arquer dissects Aduriz's role in Athletic Club's Supercopa de España win in 2015. And Gaizka Atxa looks ahead to his retirement along with your host, Euan McTear. Plus, commentary excitement from Mundo Futgol, Cadena COPE, beIN SPORTS, ITV and Radio Popular.

So click play, and enjoy learning some more about one of LaLiga's all-time greats.

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LaLiga is back and it came back with a bang! From Aritz Aduriz's stunning winner against Barcelona in the opening match of the weekend to Joao Felix's impressive debut in Atletico Madrid's latest victory over Getafe, we've got it all covered. We start by breaking down Barcelona's problems and wondering what Ernesto Valverde has to do now.

We also take an in-depth look at the newly promoted sides Real Mallorca, Osasuna and Granada as they returned to the top flight with positive results, with analysis from three reporters who were at their games. Granada's match was especially wild - an eight-goal thriller away at Villarreal.

Paco breaks down the madness that went on in Valencia's draw with Real Sociedad, as they started the season with their favourite result - a draw.

All of that and more is discussed in this podcast. Check us out on Twitter - @LaLigaLowdown - to let us know your thoughts on LaLiga's opening weekend.

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Listen up! It's our second season-preview podcast, and this time we're focusing on all the other stories aside the Big Three in LaLiga.

Host Euan McTear is once again joined by Paco Polit and Román de Arquer as they discuss the race for fourth place - can Valencia do it again, or will the recent turmoil at the club spoil their campaign before it's even begun? And what about the likes of Sevilla and Real Betis who have strengthened their squads, and can Villarreal improve on what was a terrible season in 2018-19? Or could there be a surprise package?

The relegation battle could be equally fascinating - the new boys are Granada, Osasuna and Mallorca who were last in LaLiga 7 seasons ago, but do they have enough to stay up? And who else might struggle? Levante, Real Valladolid, Alavés or maybe even a bigger name? We also hear from LLL new recruit Matt Clark who saw Valencia, Espanyol, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad in pre-season while they were on tour in the UK.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, and check out our Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/laligalowdown

Enjoy!

#LLL

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Yes, La Liga Lowdown is back!

The new Spanish football season is almost upon us, so it's the perfect time to get your ears around our preview podcasts, and this is the first...

In this first preview, Euan McTear in Madrid chats with Paco Polit in Valencia and Román de Arquer in Barcelona as we look back at a summer of big spending by the Big Three, and look ahead to the new campaign. We ask some key questions:

• will Barcelona manage to integrate Antoine Griezmann successfully?
• can Eden Hazard turn on the style at Madrid..and how come Gareth Bale is still there?!
• is João Felix the real deal, and what about Atlético's new look-defence?

We also discuss some of the young talents to look out for at all those teams, whether there might potentially have to be changes of philosophy and formation for the Madrid clubs, and we get the boys' predictions on the season ahead. We'll discuss European hopes and relegation in our next preview podcast out later in the week.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/LaLigaLowdown

Enjoy!

#LLL

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We've gone double-length for this podcast, as it's the final one of the season and we wanted to give you, the fans, TOP value. Of course this pod focuses on the Copa del Rey final where Valencia shocked Barcelona to win 2-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarín to lift their first trophy in 11 years, while also denying Barça a domestic double - the culés have to settle for one piece of silverware.

We dissect and analyse the final in real depth, the players who performed, the players who didn't, should Ernesto Valverde leave the Camp Nou and what this means for Los Che - David Garrido hosts, with Paco Polit who was at the stadium in Seville on Saturday night and Román de Arquer based in Barcelona.

We also speak to Euan McTear in Madrid as we take a considered look at the main narratives of the 2018-19 campaign, and David and Euan also reveal their teams of the season, but with a twist: only 1 player allowed per LaLiga team!

Don't forget to give us a lovely review and a 5-star rating if you'd be so kind, and also to check out our Twitter feed (@LaLigaLowdown) - we'd be so grateful.

Enjoy!

#LLL

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And so, LaLiga is done and dusted for another season...an up-and-down season finished with yet more twists and turns on the 38th and final matchday - with Valencia and Getafe in the race for Champions League qualification, and Athletic were the width of the crossbar away from the Europa League, but in the end, that accolade went to Espanyol as they snatched 7th place in the table.

Relegation was almost decided before time - Girona needed a miracle, but they were put out of their misery at Alavés, while Iago Aspas was once again the hero as Celta Vigo pulled off yet another comeback, this time against Rayo.

In the less meaningful matches, none of Barcelona, Atlético or Real Madrid managed to win, and in fact Madrid were awful in their defeat to Real Betis, who then announced that Quique Setién would not be carrying on as head coach.

Also, the LLL squad give their "moments of the season" - there are some interesting choices! Thanks for listening, any lovely ratings and reviews are welcome and don't forget to check out our Twitter feed (@LaLigaLowdown).

Enjoy!

#LLL

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Football is often all about how you get up, not how you fell down in the first place. Barcelona and Valencia both responded to European exits last week by winning on Sunday, as all 10 matches in LaLiga were played at exactly the same time. Maybe it'll catch on, who knows? It made for a dramatic penultimate round of games, and a twist in the race for the Champions League.

Getafe went to Barça and had their chances but lost 2-0, even though the champions were poor by their own standards...while Valencia came from behind to beat Alavés 3-1 at home, to take control of the battle for 4th place. It means matters are in their own hands going into the final day of the league campaign. Sevilla could only draw 1-1 away to Atlético Madrid, so they are almost certainly going to have to settle for Europa League football next season.

There are still 3 teams who could finish 7th - Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid, Espanyol won at Leganés, Athletic Club defeated Celta Vigo...which in turn has implications for the relegation battle. Who will be playing in Segunda next season with Huesca and Rayo? It's down to Celta and Girona, but the latter need a miracle next Sunday to stay up, while Levante, Villarreal and Real Valladolid are safe - in fact, Valladolid are the only promoted team to stay up.

It's all set for a fascinating final day of LaLiga next Sunday - we'll bring you that, and also don't forget to check out our Twitter feed - we are @LaLigaLowdown.

Enjoy!

#LLL

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Finally, we've had 2 teams confirmed as relegated from LaLiga...Rayo Vallecano and Huesca gave it a good crack, but were put out of their misery after suffering big defeats on Matchday 36 - Rayo going down 4-1 at Levante, Huesca were smashed 6-2 at home by Valencia. Both of these are teams who came up from Segunda last season, so they return straight away - in truth, neither of them really looked like escaping the drop. But Real Valladolid still might - their 1-0 win at home to Athletic Club takes them out of the relegation zone...for now at least.

In terms of the other relegation candidates, Celta Vigo pulled off a 2-0 win over champions Barcelona at Balaídos, while Villarreal could only manage a 3-2 defeat away to Real Madrid - Girona also lost, 2-0 at Getafe who continue to keep their unlikely Champions League dreams alive. This was a comfortable win but a huge 3 points, and if Geta finish 4th, it'll be an astonishing achievement. Sevilla look like they've given up the ghost with a 3rd defeat in 4 - they went down 3-0 at home to Leganés, and they're now down to 6th in the table. Valencia's big win keeps them in the hunt, but remember they also have a Europa League semi-final 2nd leg at home to Arsenal to think about, and ultimately 4th place is out of their hands anyway.

We'll keep you across that game and also Barcelona's trip to Liverpool in the Champions League on our Twitter feed, so check it out: we are @LaLigaLowdown on Twitter.

Enjoy!

#LLL

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Well, we knew it was coming, and in the end, Barcelona have done it with 3 games to spare. They are once again champions of Spain, retaining their title, making it 8 out of the last 11 that they've won and their 26th crown overall. Lionel Messi, who else, scored the only goal in their 1-0 win over Levante, meaning that Barça could celebrate their triumph in front of their own fans. Atlético Madrid also won 1-0 at home to Real Valladolid, so the gap is 9 points with 3 games to go, but because Barcelona's head-to-head record is better between themselves and Atleti, it means that they are deserved champions.

Real Madrid surprisingly (or maybe not) went down at Rayo by the same scoreline, giving the side from Vallecas the slightest glimmer of hope that they might stay up, but there were also points for the teams around them. Huesca and Villarreal drew, and so did Celta Vigo, but Girona went one better and won.

That result was significant in the race for 4th place, as Sevilla were the team on the wrong end of that result. Not that they were made to pay, because Getafe above them and Valencia below them also lost - to Real Sociedad and Eibar respectively. Very, very odd. So it's as you were in that battle for the final Champions League spot, and 7th-placed Athletic and Alavés in 8th also drew.

Real Betis versus Espanyol is the meh-looking mid-table Monday night game, with both teams safe but neither really able to threaten the European spots.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, we are @LaLigaLowdown - don't forget the European semi-finals kick-off this week, with Barcelona at home to Liverpool on Wednesday and Valencia away to Arsenal on Thursday. And feel free to leave a nice comment or a 5-star review about the pod, we always really appreciate it.

Enjoy!

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