The big game of matchday 15 was Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona and it was decided by Lionel Messi on the eve of his widely expected Ballon d'Or coronation. Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) provides a match report from the stadium, before Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) dissects and discusses the match with host Euan McTear (@emctear). There's also analysis of Real Madrid's upturn in form and the return of Isco with Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy). Gregor Chappelle (@GregorChappelle) explains why he's confident a...
Dec 02, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 31
In this episode, we tell the story of the 1980 Copa del Rey final, which was held at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu between Real Madrid's first team and Castilla, the Real Madrid B team. It was a unique situation, one that had never happened before and that has never happened since. Setting the scene, Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) gives a brief history of Castilla. Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorcalex100) then explains how they got to the final, killing some giants along the way. Paco Polit (@pacopolit...
Nov 28, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Our matchday 14 recap is out and we have insight from Dan Parry (@DanParry_), Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG), Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Geoff Gillingham (@GeoffGillingham). In that order. Dan discusses the back-to-back derbies we had in the Basque Country and Navarre over the weekend. Paco explains how the two Valencia-based teams did. Román analyses Barcelona's narrow win at bottom-placed Leganés. And Geoff provides an update on the frustration at Espanyol. Host Euan McTear (@emctear) is on...
Nov 25, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Who said international breaks are boring? The past few days have been packed with drama in Spain as Robert Moreno was replaced by Luis Enrique as Spain coach. We discuss what's gone on, why it's gone on and who it's gone on with, with Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) and with host Euan McTear (@emctear). We also answer our followers' mailbag questions in part two, discussing topics such as Borja Iglesias, the fall of Deportivo La Coruña and LaLiga's proposed game in t...
Nov 19, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Santi Cazorla has been through a lot, but he's back where it all began. Sort of... In this episode, we tell the Santi Cazorla story, going from his childhood to his emergence in LaLiga to his triumphs with Spain to his time with Arsenal to the injuries. And then the happy ending of his return to the top table of Spanish football. Host Euan McTear (@emctear) is joined by Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to hear about Cazorla's first stint at Villarreal, by Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) to hear about th...
Nov 14, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 27
The Seville derby honours went to Sevilla as they won away at Real Betis in the biggest game of the 13th round of the 2019/20 LaLiga season. There were many more fascinating storylines too and we dive into all of them in this recap podcast. Kristofer McCormack (@K_mc06) analyses Real Madrid's latest big win. Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) is impressed with the way Valencia have responded to an injury crisis. Dan Parry (@DanParry_) reacts to an Athletic Club comeback win and Aitor's election day conu...
Nov 11, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 26
There's a Seville derby coming up on Sunday, November 10th, so what better time than now to ask what makes this fixture so special? In this podcast we hear from Betis fan David Whitworth (@DCWh1tw0rth) of Radio Betis and Sevilla fan Chris Lail (@ChrisLail) of @MonchisMen to hear their favourite derby memories. Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee), Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) also join in to narrate the story of this rivalry. Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin), the author of '...
Nov 07, 2019•27 min•Season 3Ep. 25
The 12th round of the 2019/20 LaLiga season is in the books and we review all the main talking points here. Saturday was a great day for the Valencian Community and less so for the Catalan teams as Levante beat Barcelona and as Valencia defeated Espanyol. We have Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to discuss all of that at the beginning of the show. We also reflect on the dramatic 1-1 draw between Sevilla and Atlético Madrid with Gregor Chappelle (@GregorChappelle) and ...
Nov 04, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In this Friday edition of La Liga Lowdown, we recap the midweek round as Barcelona moved back to the top of the table thanks to some Lionel Messi magic. He is well and truly back, as explained by Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee). There's a lot more to discuss too. Host Euan McTear speaks about Real Madrid's big win, Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) analyses Alavés and Atlético Madrid's sharing of the spoils, Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) breaks down the Valencia and Sevilla draw, Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorca...
Nov 01, 2019•30 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Barça who? Real Mad-what? There was ultimately no Clásico this weekend, but LaLiga still produced nine entertaining matches and countless storylines. We go through them all in this week's La Liga Lowdown podcast, starting with the new table-toppers Granada. We also discuss Real Betis' woes with David Whitworth (@DCWh1tw0rth), Real Valladolid's good run of form with Martin Devlin (@MartiRVCF), the latest at Athletic Club and Real Sociedad with Dan Parry (@Dan Parry), Pablo Machín's encouraging st...
Oct 28, 2019•27 min•Season 3Ep. 22
João Félix became one of the star players in world football in the space of just a few months. The Benfica academy graduate rose to prominence at the beginning of 2019 and earned a huge transfer to Atlético Madrid in the summer. In this podcast, we look at the story so far for the 19-year-old and at what his future could look like. Host Euan McTear (@emctear) hears from Cristiano Oliveira (@10CO10) of the @BenficaPodcast about his rise through the Benfica academy, from Matt Clark (@MattClark_08)...
Oct 24, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Barcelona have moved to the top of the LaLiga table, thanks to their win in Eibar and Real Madrid's defeat at Real Mallorca. Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorcalex100) was there on the island for this momentous game and discusses the famous result. We also take a look at the big Atlético vs Valencia match with Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG), at Athletic Club's latest stumble with Dan Parry (@DanParry_) and at Pablo Machín's Espanyol debut of mixed feelings with Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee). There's also di...
Oct 21, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Spain have qualified for Euro 2020, but they went about it the hard way. Two 1-1 draws away at Norway and Sweden mean they'll be taking part in next summer's tournament and it's clear that Robert Moreno has a lot of work to do before then. Host Euan McTear (@emctear) is joined by Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to discuss the Spain team, from Fabián Ruiz being brilliant to the never-ending goalkeeper debate to a possible Ramos-Albiol centre-back partnership. Plus, Ma...
Oct 16, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 19
We asked you, our followers, to vote for your ideal 23-man Spain squad for next summer's Euro 2020 tournament... and here are this results in this podcast! Host Euan McTear (@emctear) walks through the 23 players who made the cut - three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and four forwards. For each player, there is analysis from journalists from the various leagues where these players ply their trade. Contributions come from Jeremy Beren (@JBBeren), Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo), Chris ...
Oct 10, 2019•35 min•Season 3Ep. 18
The big teams have risen to the top of the LaLiga table, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid now occupying the top three spots. We discuss Real Madrid and Barça's latest victories, as well as Atlético's latest setback. We analyse Luis Suárez's good form with Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee), we get tactical when discussing Celta Vigo's win with Ian Morris (@CeltaUSA) and we wonder if fatigue will be a major factor as Valencia's season develops with Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG). There's al...
Oct 07, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Joaquín is a legend. He's in his 20th season of professional football and, in this week's La Liga Lowdown Thursday episode, we look back at his entire career. Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) discusses his rise through the ranks at Real Betis. Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) reflects on his strange transfer to Valencia and time at Mestalla. Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) talks about Joaquín's involvement in the Málaga project. David Whitworth (@DCWh1tw0rth) explains how much of a Real Betis legend Joaquí...
Oct 03, 2019•22 min•Season 3Ep. 16
The seventh round of the 2019/20 LaLiga season is in the books and we've had the first big match between title rivals of the season as Real Madrid visited Atlético. There weren't any goals in that one, as the goals were saved for Sevilla vs Real Sociedad. We discuss those two matches and so much more. Host Euan McTear (@emctear) reflects on his trip to the Basque Country to see Eibar and Athletic Club and catches up with Dan Parry (@DanParry_) outside San Mamés. Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) analys...
Sep 30, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 15
The first midweek round of the 2019/20 LaLiga season was held across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and the La Liga Lowdown squad was all over it. In this podcast, get the lowdown from across the country on the top storylines of matchday six. We've got David Whitworth (@DCWh1tw0rth) on Real Betis, Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorcalex100) on Real Mallorca, Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) on Real Madrid, Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) on Barcelona, Gregor Chapelle (@GregorChappelle) on Sevilla and ...
Sep 27, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Athletic Club and Real Madrid are the new leaders of LaLiga Santander on 11 points and we look at their victories over Alavés and Sevilla, as well as discussing Granada's hugely impressive victory over a Barcelona side that just cannot win away from home. We discuss that special Granada night with a man who was there, Heath Chesters (@HeathGCF). We talk Real Madrid with Kristofer McCormack (K_mc06). There's a chat with Jeremy Beren (JBBeren) of @IntoTheCalderon about Atlético Madrid's difficult ...
Sep 23, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 13
As the 2019/20 Europa League group stages get under way with Espanyol participating, we look back on the Catalan club's previous European adventure. Back in 2006/07, they went all the way to the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow, where they lost to Sevilla on penalties. In this La Liga Lowdown episode, we discuss their qualification for that year's tournament, their route to the final, their coach Ernesto Valverde and discuss what it was like to experience that special game. Hosted by Euan McTear...
Sep 19, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Club football has returned and it has done so with plenty of drama. All of that is discussed in this LaLiga matchday four recap. 16-year-old Ansu Fati had a breakout performance for Barcelona, one that Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) reflects on. Valencia had their first match since the shock sacking of Marcelino and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) tries to work out what's going on. Real Sociedad christened the redeveloped Anoeta with a win and Spanish stadium expert Chris Clements (the man behind the ...
Sep 16, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Valencia have never won the Champions League, but they have been to the final twice. Two years in a row, in fact. They reached the finals in 2000 and 2001, losing to Real Madrid and to Bayern Munich, and this Thursday's La Liga Lowdown podcast looks back on those two memorable European campaigns. Joachim Björklund, a centre-back in those Valencia squads, talks about his experiences. Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) reveals what it was like to be a season-ticket holder at the time. Matt Clark (@MattCla...
Sep 12, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 10
It's the September international break! Just three weeks into the new LaLiga season, there is a pause for the national teams. But fear not! This Monday's podcast features LaLiga-focused and Segunda-focused questions from listeners, plus a discussion of Spain's wins over Romania and the Faroe Islands. Host Euan McTear (@emctear) is joined by Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG), Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorcalex100) to talk Spain and to answer all the questions. Thanks also g...
Sep 09, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, better known as Monchi, is the most famous sporting director in the world. Sevilla benefited from his expertise for 17 years, between 2000 and 2017. Before that, he was a backup goalkeeper for the club. After that, he spent a couple of years running the sporting department at AS Roma. Now he is back at Sevilla. He's back home. In this podcast, hosted by Euan McTear (@emctear), we tell Monchi's life story, speaking to those who know it best. Román de Arquer (Aeroslavee) t...
Sep 05, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 8
The first international break of the season is here and Atlético Madrid are the only team in LaLiga still with a 100 percent record. Barcelona and Real Madrid slipped up again, so we indulge in some title talk in this matchday three recap. We also look back at and study the Basque derby and have an in-depth discussion about Real Valladolid and how their season is shaping up. Euan McTear (@emctear) hosts and there are contributions from Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG), Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee), S...
Sep 02, 2019•27 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Takefusa Kubo is one of world football's rising stars, and the 18-year-old Japanese prodigy has already passed through three Spanish clubs. After spending time at Barcelona's academy and after returning to Japan, he signed with Real Madrid this summer and has been loaned out to Real Mallorca. Euan McTear (@emctear) hosts this episode and speaks to Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) about Kubo's Barça days, to Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) about his pre-season with Real Madrid and to Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mal...
Aug 29, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 6
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 b...
Aug 26, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 5
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 Ar...
Aug 22, 2019•27 min•Season 3Ep. 4
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 ana...
Aug 19, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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 s...
Aug 15, 2019•27 min•Season 3Ep. 2
