Another midweek Matchday is in the books and for Levante, the final game of the round did spell the end for them, as their relegation was confirmed in a 6-0 thrashing at Real Madrid. Vini Jr scored his first hat-trick, Luka Modrić had a treble of his own, and Karim Benzema equaled Raúl as the club's second-highest goalscorer of all time. That is where hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) begin, and they ponder which clubs will join Los Granotas in Segunda next seaso...
May 12, 2022•45 min•Season 5Ep. 40
Matchday 35 in LaLiga came hot on the heels of European drama but it was the relegation skirmish which caught the eye this weekend. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) for the comical, the classy and everything in between. Atlético Madrid won their first Madrid derby in LaLiga since 2016 and that's the jumping off point for the pod, as we assess a fairly straight-forward European race in part one. Villarreal somehow avoided victory against Sevilla and Athletic...
May 09, 2022•46 min•Season 5Ep. 39
Join our hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) as they (kind of) celebrate Real Madrid being crowned champions of LaLiga for a 35th time. Providing a jubilant view of Los Blancos’ triumph, Hasan Karim (@TheHasKarim) took a break from Los Cibeles to tell us how it feels to be champions again. The team discuss the race for the top four spots that nobody wants, and the relegation battle as Sergio Vargas (@CadizAnalytics) talks about his trip to see Cádiz draw at Sevi...
May 01, 2022•39 min•Season 5Ep. 38
The Copa del Rey final was a thriller at La Cartuja as Real Betis emerged as champions with a victory over Valencia in a penalty shoot-out. To dissect the action, Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) are joined by fans on the ground. First up, Real Betis TV's David Whitworth (@DCWh1tw0rth) joins us to tell us about his experience watching the game and joining the late night parties on the streets of Seville. Then, we're joined by a slightly despondent Paco Polit (@PacoPol...
Apr 24, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 37
It's the time of the season where every goal and every result seems to matter more. Join Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) as they breakdown a frantic and fantastic midweek round of LaLiga. With plenty still to play for, we start at the top and ask when, not if, Real Madrid will be crowned champions. Then it's the race to join them in the top four, with a tense tussle between Real Sociedad and Barcelona capping off a round which saw a record-equalling number of away wi...
Apr 22, 2022•46 min•Season 5Ep. 36
The latest edition of the La Liga Lowdown Matchday Recap is a mixed bag: the title race got a lot less intriguing but everything else did. Join hosts Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they deal with the good, the bad and the ugly this week in Spain. Real Madrid got a crucial win as they close in on the La Liga title, so LLL called up Hasan Karim (@TheHasKarim) to endure/enjoy his revelry. There was also analysis on their comeback culture and Carlo Ancelotti inclu...
Apr 17, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 35
Another emphatic weekend of LaLiga action was full of late goals and comeback wins. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) delve into the drama. We start in Valencia and a five-goal thriller between Levante and Barcelona. Despite three penalties, Levante still ended on the losing side late on. They stay seven points from safety with seven games to go. After checking in with the rest of the teams scrapping for their lives, we chat to Jeremy Beren (@JBBeren) about Mallor...
Apr 10, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 34
LaLiga returned after the international break primed for the final stretch of the season and we are here to bring you the best of the action from Matchday 30. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) as they discuss some big games at both the top and the bottom. We start with a controversial match at Balaídos as Real Madrid needed penalties to return to winning ways and extend their lead at the top. The red-and-white half of Madrid also won and while the scoreline ...
Apr 04, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 33
The matchday recap is never to be missed and the recap of one particular match is essential this week. There's no other place to start than Barcelona's 4-0 victory over Real Madrid, so join hosts Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they try to work out what happened and how. The first half of the show is dedicated mostly to what Sam witnessed at the Santiago Bernabéu, before moving onto the rest of the European race. That includes a chat with resident culé Román de...
Mar 21, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 32
Only 15 goals in this weekend’s LaLiga action, but there was no shortage of drama and there is no lack of analysis from La Liga Lowdown as Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) discuss the table from top to bottom. Sam was at all three fixtures in Madrid, including Atlético Madrid’s win over Cádiz and José Bordalás’ return to Getafe with Valencia. Principally though, we speak to Robbie Dunne (@robbiejdunne) on Rayo Vallecano as they threw a spanner into the works of Sevill...
Mar 14, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 31
Another matchday moves past us and into the annals of history, as does Robert Moreno's spell as manager of Granada. Your hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) try to work out exactly how we got to a point where last season's top seven are exactly in the same place again. Fresh from the Sunday night partidazo between Real Betis and Atlético Madrid, the analysis begins with the large implications - Diego Simeone's tunnel run was especially chipper. The rest of part one ...
Mar 07, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 30
Arriving at the business end of the season, every point counts and we saw that on display in Matchday 26 as hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) analyse all the action. Sam's refereeing rant leads us into conversation with Football España editor Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely) fresh from his visit to the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for a historic Gran Derbi as Sevilla upped the ante in the title race. We also discuss big results for Barcelona, Atlético and Yeremy P...
Feb 28, 2022•41 min•Season 5Ep. 29
Matchday 25 saw 30 goals, hat-tricks and a derby rout. Join hosts Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Matt Clark (MattClark_08) to break it all down. We start in Bilbao as Athletic Club inflicted an historic result over their Basque neighbours. An ecstatic Beñat Gutiérrez (@beinatguti) salutes that second-half powerhouse performance from Los Leones. We conclude the first half by looking at how the other European contenders got on and a quick look at the bottom after a weekend which didn't change t...
Feb 21, 2022•41 min•Season 5Ep. 28
In this bonus mini-pod, Matt Clark (MattClark_08) is joined by European football expert Richard David Pike (@RichDPike89) to preview the Europa League tie between Real Betis and Zenit St Petersburg. The Russian side are analysed in depth in terms of their strengths, weaknesses and key players, including some familiar names to LaLiga lovers. Richard then offers up a prediction for the outcome of the tie, including his view on the effect of the absence of away goals. Remember to follow @LaLigaLowd...
Feb 15, 2022•24 min•Season 5Ep. 27
On Superbowl weekend, LaLiga treated us to plenty of chaos of its own. Matt Clark (MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@ruribarlow) are back from Barcelona, so join them as they review a weekend with significant results across the league. Atleti's matches resemble basketball games of late, and things were no different on Saturday night at the Wanda Metropolitano. Jeremy Beren (@JBBeren) is on hand to unpack the latest shootout. Meanwhile, Espanyol and Barça thrilled us on Sunday night in a game f...
Feb 14, 2022•40 min•Season 5Ep. 26
LaLiga threw up some classic fixtures at both ends of the table this weekend as we edge closer and closer to the business end of the season. Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) is joined by Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) to analyse all of the action. Thom has stepped in as regular hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) send us their thoughts direct from Barcelona, where they discuss what they witnessed at Camp Nou with Football España editor Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely). Sam and...
Feb 07, 2022•39 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Just when you thought LaLiga couldn't get any more dramatic, Matchday 22 rocked up with a point to prove. Here to discuss all the action are Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) as they cover a weekend which produced only two home wins. One of those was Atlético Madrid's injury time heroics to beat Valencia, as Carla Fernández (@carlafdez) joins our hosts from Madrid to explain. Real Madrid and Barcelona also got late goals, while Sevilla produced a stunning comeback. In ...
Jan 24, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 24
The schedule-makers had little regard for the usual decorum this week and LaLiga took that vibe and ran with it at speed. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) as they try to make sense of a LaLiga/Copa del Rey pick and mix. Part one begins with a round-up of the league fixtures; the champagne football is popped open at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. None of the giants were in town, it was Getafe celebrating. At the bottom, Cádiz almost had something to celebrat...
Jan 21, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Dust off those January blues and tune in to our recap of Matchday 20 in LaLiga. Hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) take you through a controversial weekend which saw Twitter posts, the leaders keeping up the pace and Levante finally winning a game. The Ciutat de València is where we begin as Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) shares his thoughts on the Granotas coming together after a tense week to get a massive three points. We ask whether this can be the turning point i...
Jan 10, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 22
The new year began and the first half of the season ended with fireworks as Matchday 19 bore witness to one of the shocks of the season. Hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) delve through a gruelling jornada as Covid hit hard across LaLiga. On hand to join in the celebrations however was Dom Tancock (@dorsetDom1905). He revelled as Getafe took out league leaders Real Madrid in the heat of the Coliseum. Hay Liga? Perhaps we do have a title race after all, as Sevilla ...
Jan 04, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 21
As the festive season gets underway, join us for all the fun and frolics of Matchday 18 in LaLiga where home wins were plentiful and goals almost guaranteed. Hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) unwrap all the early Christmas presents. In part one, Chris Lail (@ChrisLail) from the Monchi’s Men (@MonchisMen) pod joins us to evaluate Sevilla’s massive win against Atleti to keep Real Madrid honest in the title race. Ruairidh and Matt then cover the rest of the runners ...
Dec 20, 2021•58 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Matchday 17 in LaLiga featured an electric Sunday line-up and it didn't disappoint - unless you're from the Colchonero persuasion. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) as they wade through another chapter in Spain's best drama. In the first half of the show, there's a deep dive on the Madrid derby with Scott Martin (@CoachScottCopy) - in which we conclude that there is not a lot of league left. Fortunately, it's still complete mayhem below los blancos. We he...
Dec 13, 2021•53 min•Season 5Ep. 19
Another LaLiga Matchday draws to a close and this one came with consequences. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they untangle all of the stories and delve into some unwanted numbers. The first half of the show features a first defeat for Barcelona manager Xavi - but not before giving Real Betis credit for beating them. Then Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) breaks down the Xavi effect after four games - with perennial nightmare Bayern Munich on the horizon. A...
Dec 06, 2021•52 min•Season 5Ep. 18
As the winter chill begins to take hold, the action and drama in LaLiga continues to keep us all warm. Join Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) as they recap Matchday 15 in all its glory. Real Madrid left it late but beat title rivals Sevilla in the Sunday night partidazo to move four points clear at the top. We ask: can anyone catch them? We then turn our attention to the action in Villarreal's game with Barcelona, hearing from pod debutant Louis Scattergood (@BroLeao) ...
Nov 29, 2021•50 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Never a quiet weekend in LaLiga and Matchday 14 was no different. As we welcomed a new manager into the fray, another one departs us and hosts Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) were on hand to break it all down. Beginning with the debut, the pod went straight to Camp Nou to get the thoughts of Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) on Xavi Hernández's Barcelona. Above them are Real Madrid, Sevilla and Atlético Madrid - all of which go under the microscope with a view to the ...
Nov 22, 2021•49 min•Season 5Ep. 16
LaLiga once again lived up to its new-found reputation of late goals, with the Matchday 13 drama unfolding in cinematic fashion. Hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) are back again to make sense of the breathless action. After a quick recap of the results, Ian Morris (@CeltaUSA) joins to share his joy after another Balaídos classic between Celta Vigo and Barcelona. Matt and Ruairidh then dig into Atleti's trip to Valencia - where they looked eerily similar to Barcel...
Nov 08, 2021•46 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Matchday 12 came hot off the heels of Matchday 11 and similarly, there were great games, shocks and some fantastic moments. Your host Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) reviews it all with Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow). The Sunday night partidazo lived up to that billing and the only place to start was at a raucous Reale Arena - Beñat Gutiérrez (@beinatguti) was present to give his derby day verdict. Sam and Ruairidh then discuss Barcelona's home draw with Alavés, which isn't even news, before relivi...
Nov 01, 2021•48 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Hot on the heels of Matchday 10, LaLiga returned with a pulsating set of matches in midweek for round 11, so settle down in the company of hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Matt Clark (MattClark_08) for this bumper episode. The headline news is the sacking of Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman after their third league defeat of the season at Rayo Vallecano. That is the biggest story in town, and therefore we start there, in the form an in-depth discussion in the company of Román De Arquer ...
Oct 29, 2021•56 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Matchday 10 of LaLiga was bursting with entertainment, drama and…goals – lots of them! With so much action to get through, dive straight in and join hosts Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_08). We begin at Camp Nou where El Clásico entered a new era, but the result was an all too familiar one, as Real Madrid took the victory once again. Matt and Sam – who was at the game live – dissect the game at length with aficionados Román De Arquer (@aeroslavee) and Has Karim (@TheHas...
Oct 25, 2021•44 min•Season 5Ep. 12
LaLiga Matchday 9 was another adulterated version with just six matches taking place over the weekend, but that just means the analysis was all the more detailed. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they break it down. Starting with the Sunday night partidazo, Barcelona got a much needed win over Valencia and despite Ansu Fati, there are still reasons for pessimism. Following that, we speak to Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) about Villarreal's inability to put w...
Oct 17, 2021•45 min•Season 5Ep. 11
