Send us a text The final days of the transfer window are upon us and Barça are still trying to get rid of the deadweight in their squad. Sam, Rik and Toni analyse the window as well as raking over the 2-1 win over Getafe on Sunday in La Liga. Running order: --Not a great performance --Memphis makes the difference --Defensive failures, again --Good to see Gavi --Rik's ratings --Emerson, Pjanic, Umtiti news --Ilaix Moriba debate Support the show For bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&...
Aug 30, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni chat about the 1-1 draw at San Mames, with Memphis Depay earning the Catalans a point. It's also coming up to the end of the transfer window so plenty to talk about there. Running order: --Athletic's suffocating high press --Memphis delivers --Eric Garcia's tough day --Rik's ratings --Competition winner! --Umtiti and Pjanic --Can Barça sign anyone else? And who? Support the show For bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and D...
Aug 23, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are back for a second season of Siempre Positivo (it's like they never left) and they unpick Barca's 4-2 win over Real Sociedad, the first game with fans back since Covid-19 changed the world as we know it. Running order: --Atmosphere at Camp Nou --Whistles for Messi chant? --Opening salvo --Eric Garcia surprise start --Memphis magic --Rik's ratings --Pique's pay cut --Laporta vs Bartomeu brawl --Win Simon Kuper's book! 'The Barcelona Complex' Support the show Fo...
Aug 16, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text Rik and Sam were delighted to welcome author Simon Kuper to the podcast for a special interview. His new book, 'The Barcelona Complex' is out on August 17 and is a superb read about the rise and, sadly, fall, of the club over the past few decades. With great insight on Lionel Messi's power at Barca, the way the club works inside out and much more, settle in and listen to this chat ahead of the new La Liga season. Support the show For bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q...
Aug 13, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni look at the significance of Lionel Messi's signing for Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. The French club have signed the forward on a free transfer from Barcelona after his contract expired. It brings to an end a crazy few days, which started on Thursday, when Barca announced that they could not afford to keep Messi. Running order: -- The professional's perspective -- The fan's perspective -- Did Joan Laporta do all he could? -- Is anyone to blame? -- Messi camp fe...
Aug 11, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Send us a text Sam is joined by Rik and Toni to discuss Thursday's stunning news that Lionel Messi is leaving Barcelona. The Catalan club released a statement explaining that Messi will bid farewell because they are unable to register him while complying with LaLiga's financial fair play rules. What happens next? Does Messi really end his 21-year stay at Camp Nou? If he does, where does he go next? Running order: -- Barça announce Messi departure -- A Joan Laporta bluff? -- La Liga vs. Barcelona...
Aug 05, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are all away from Barcelona (frauds) but they still managed to get together to talk this week at Barça. Ronald Koeman's side are looking good in preseason. They beat Stuttgart 3-0 on Saturday, with Memphis Depay impressing again. Honourable mentions for Gavi and Nico Gonzalez, too. But what's going on with Ilaix Moriba. Is he going to leave? Has Joan Laporta hung him out to dry? Running order: -- Stuttgart 0-3 Barcelona -- Memphis an instant hit -- The Gavi appre...
Aug 03, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Send us a text Rik jets back from San Sebastian and Toni connects from Menorca to join Sam to talk about Barcelona's second preseason win of the summer. Goals from Gerard Pique, Rey Manaj and Memphis Depay, on his Barça debut, secured a 3-1 win over second-division Girona. There were some impressive performances from the youngsters, too. In the second part of the pod, the team respond to listener questions on Messi's contract situation, Ilaix Moriba and how soon Barça can move on the deadwood......
Jul 26, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Send us a text Rik has recovered from coronavirus but Toni has not yet recovered from his Greek hangover.... however they both join Sam to discuss this week at Barcelona. They start by looking at the pre-season 4-0 win over Gimnastic de Tarragona, which came complete with a Rey Manaj hat-trick. There was also a goal for Alex Collado. They then turn their attention to Barça's scramble to reduce their wage bill and discuss how 'Operation Exit' is going (or, better put, not going). Running order: -...
Jul 22, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Send us a text Coronavirus and Greek holidays don't stand in the way of the podcast as Sam, Rik and Toni return to discuss this week's developments at Barcelona. Lionel Messi, fresh from winning the Copa America, has agreed a new contract with Barça. But do the numbers fit? They may do if Antoine Griezmann leaves. Barça's second-biggest earner (biggest, technically, with Messi still a free agent at the moment) could return to Atletico Madrid, with the two clubs in talks over a swap deal that cou...
Jul 15, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are back to discuss Lionel Messi helping Argentina into the Copa America final and to look at why he's still not signed a contract with Barcelona. There's also an update on Operation Exit and it's time to reflect on Spain (or should we say Pedri?) at Euro 2020. The podcast also lives up to its name for poor old Rik this week... Running order: -- Messi's Copa America chances -- 'DANCE NOW' -- *That* contract situation -- La Liga spending limits -- Operation Exit -...
Jul 07, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are back to discuss Lionel Messi's situation at Barcelona, with his contract expiring on WEDNESDAY! Meanwhile, Messi's breaking records with Argentina at the Copa America. Could he finally win a trophy with his country? There's Euro 2020 talk with Pedri and Sergio Busquets progressing and impressing. However, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, Clement Lenglet and Antoine Griezmann are all out of the tournament. There's also a transfer round up and a look at Pedri's ...
Jun 29, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are back to discuss Barcelona's players at this summer's Euro 2020 and Copa America tournaments. New signing Memphis Depay is looking good, Ousmane Dembele is injured and Lionel Messi has matched Javier Mascherano. We also watched Barça's general assembly so you didn't have to and there's some rumours to discuss: Adama Traore, Robin Gosens and Arthue Melo!? Running order: -- Memphis and De Jong flying -- Dembele's injury, Dembele's future -- Alba Spain's best pla...
Jun 22, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni have a lot to talk about. They start off by looking at how Barcelona's players are faring at Euro 2020 and the Copa America, before turning their attention to the imminent signing of Memphis Depay (unless he pulls a Georginio Wijnaldum). They then discuss who Barça need to move on this summer, 100 days of Joan Laporta and Garcia Pimienta being sacked as the B team coach. Running order: -- De Jong and Pedri star -- Lionel Messi's free-kick record -- Argentina glor...
Jun 15, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Send us a text Sam and Rik look back on a week that saw Barcelona make three signings but miss out on Georginio Wijnaldum, back Ronald Koeman and appoint Jordi Cruyff. There's also a recap of what's going on with Spain after Sergio Busquets tested positive for coronavirus and a look at Pedri's big summer. The pod ends with a question and answer session from listeners. Running order: -- Three signings in a week -- Cruyff appointed -- Koeman backed -- Spain's coronavirus crisis -- Pedri deep dive ...
Jun 09, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Send us a text Victor Font spoke to Rik and Toni to analyse Barcelona's situation, the first few months of Joan Laporta's reign, the European Super League and more. --Should Xavi have pushed harder for him? --Would Barcelona have won the league if they signed Eric Garcia in January? --Has Laporta been making it up as he goes along? --The Ronald Koeman situation, Messi's contract, running against Pique... Support the show For bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collect...
Jun 04, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni have a lot to talk about. They start off focusing on Barcelona's signing of Sergio Aguero and then look at who could follow him. Eric Garcia? Georginio Wijnaldum? Memphis Depay? Emerson? There's also the latest on the breakdown in the relationship between Joan Laporta and Ronald Koeman. To finish, the pod hand out their end-of-season awards following the culmination of the campaign last week. Running order: -- Aguero announced -- Good signing or bad? -- Eric Garc...
May 31, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Send us a text Sam and Rik (there's no Toni this week, sad face) reflect on Barcelona's 1-0 season-ending win at Eibar. Ronald Koeman's side end the campaign third. It's the first time since 2008 they have finished outside the top two. More on that, on Koeman's comments and on Luis Suarez guiding Atletico Madrid to the title. There's also a special guest, The Athletic's Sam Lee, to discuss Barça's looming raid on Manchester City for, potentially, three of their players... Running order: -- Eibar...
May 23, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni reflect on Barcelona's 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo as the lights went on on Ronald Koeman's side's title hopes. What does that mean for the Dutchman? And for the players? It was also tough weekend for Barça B but Barça Femeni saved everyone with a stunning Champions League final win over Chelsea on Sunday. Running order: -- Barça's faint title hopes extinguished -- What now for Koeman? -- An attack problem or a defence problem? -- The signings needed -- Ter Stegen o...
May 17, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni reflect on Barcelona's 3-3 draw, which effectively saw Ronald Koeman's side throw in the towel in the title race. Where did it all go wrong for Barça? It led to a meeting over lunch for coach Koeman with president Joan Laporta. For the women's team, things are going much better. They face Chelsea in the Champions League this weekend. There's insight on that final from ESPN journalist Kathleen McNamee and a chat with Barça and Netherlands forward Lieke Martens. Ru...
May 14, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni analyse Barcelona's goalless draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, pondering if Ronald Koeman's side could have done more to win the game and take the title race back into their own hands. There's analysis of what that result -- and Real Madrid's 2-2 draw against Sevilla -- means for the top of La Liga, with a discussion on who are the favourites and who deserves it the most. There's also an interview with United States international Konrad de la Fuente. Runn...
May 10, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni analyse Barcelona's topsy-turvy week as they lost to Granada but beat Valencia to lose ground in the title race. It sets up a huge weekend in La Liga, with Barça hosting Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid (second) taking on Sevilla (fourth). There's also good news for the women's team, who knocked out Paris Saint-Germain to reach a second Champions League final in three years. Running order: -- What happened against Granada? -- Valencia improvements -- The Sergi Rob...
May 03, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni analyse Barcelona's back-to-back wins against Getafe and Villarreal to strengthen their position in the La Liga title race. If Ronald Koeman's side beat Granada on Thursday, they will go top of the table after Atletico Madrid were beaten by Athletic Club at the weekend. There's also more Super League talk, of course. Running order: -- Big win at Villarreal -- Will Barça's core tire? -- Yellow card tightropes -- Griezmann humble pie -- Do Barça win the league from...
Apr 26, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni analyse Barcelona's 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Athletic Club on Saturday, the first trophy of the Ronald Koeman era and Barça's first since 2019. Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong were particularly impressive. Elsewhere, Real Madrid slipped up in La Liga to complete a near-perfect weekend for the Blaugrana. The league title is now back in their own hands. Oh, and Barça are also one of 12 clubs who say they will be part of a new European Super League. Running order:...
Apr 19, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni preview this weekend's Copa del Rey final, which pits the competition's two most successful teams against each other in Barcelona and Athletic Club. Barça have won the Copa 30 times, while Athletic have been successful on 23 occasions, albeit not since 1984... when they beat Diego Maradona's Barça 1-0. This year's final will be played on Saturday in Seville, although there will be no fans due to the continued coronavirus restrictions in place across Spain. Runnin...
Apr 14, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni look back on Barcelona's 2-1 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday. First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos condemned Ronald Koeman's side to their first defeat in 20 league games. Oscar Mingueza scored a second-half consolation. It means Madrid go top, for now, of La Liga courtesy of their superior head-to-head record against Atletico Madrid. Who wins the title from here? Running order: -- Barça beaten at Valdebebas -- Did Koeman get his team righ...
Apr 11, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni look back on Barcelona's late, late win over Real Valladolid, with Ousmane Dembele scoring the goal that moved them to within one point of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid. The title race is hotting up! Real Madrid are also in the mix -- and they host Barça in Saturday's Clasico. There's also a look at the latest news surrounding Erling Haaland and further reports of a Neymar return. Running order: -- Sluggish Barça beat Valladolid -- Did Koeman get his changes ri...
Apr 06, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text There was no Barcelona game at the weekend but Sam, Rik and Toni still had plenty to talk about on Monday -- never let the international break stand in the way of a good podcast. They look at Pedri becoming the sixth youngest debutant for Spain and discuss Barça women's team's amazing form. There's also a little bit of transfer talk and some injury news. Running order: -- Pedri's Spain debut -- Eric Garcia's incredible La Roja form -- Brilliant Barça women thump Man City -- Barça ...
Mar 29, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are back to talk about Barcelona's 6-1 thumping of Real Sociedad as Ronald Koeman's side kept the heat on leaders Atletico Madrid. Lionel Messi scored twice as he broke Xavi's club appearance record and there was also a brace for Sergiño Dest. There's also a look at an interesting Eric Abidal interview, Toni has a transfer tidbit and there's a listener Q&A at the end Running order: -- La Real 1-6 Barcelona -- Why are Barca now so good again? -- Who benefits f...
Mar 22, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text Sam, Rik and Toni are back to talk about Barcelona's 4-1 win over Huesca, which cut the gap on leaders Atletico Madrid to four points. Lionel Messi scored twice as he matched Xavi's club appearance record. There's also a look at why Joan Laporta is still not *officially* the new president and a Q&A on the transfer rumours that have followed Laporta's election win last weekend... Running order: -- Barça 4-1 Huesca -- Three at the back to stay? -- Messi's still No.1 -- Rik's Rat...
Mar 16, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 21
