Gerard Piqué has announced that he is retiring from football, leaving Fútbol Club Barcelona after 14 years and 30 trophies. To mark this momentous occasion, we had to jump behind the microphones to record a special bonus pod. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) is joined by Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) to reflect on the timing of the decision, whether it is the right one, and what factors have contributed to bring events to this end point. Part Two is a nostalgic reflec...
Nov 04, 2022•25 min•Season 6Ep. 27
After the European group stages concluded this week, another round of LaLiga is upon us once more. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) for a full discussion of the fixtures this weekend. There was a bit of soul-searching to do for some Spanish sides, namely Atlético Madrid. Knocked out of Europe entirely, the first time that has happened before Christmas in the Diego Simeone era. Paco discusses Cholo's future and whether he has another trick up his sleeve to recover ye...
Nov 03, 2022•35 min•Season 6Ep. 26
As the clock struck ninety at Mestalla on Saturday night, it was looking as if the gap at the top would be five points by the end of Matchday 12. Nonetheless, last-minute goals, controversial penalties and downward pressure on a football means that only one point separates Real Madrid and Barcelona at the summit of Spanish football, after another enthralling round of LaLiga Santander. With another 20 goals to get their teeth stuck into, join Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_...
Oct 31, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 25
Disaster, catastrophe and cruelty - Spain did not enjoy a good week in the Champions League. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they pick through the wreckage and then look ahead to a crucial weekend in LaLiga. Part one focuses on the European woes and La Ley del Deporte - the increasingly famous Spanish Sports Law. Atlético Madrid could scarcely have imagined a more ridiculous way to go out, the referee blowing full time on their Champions League twice. W...
Oct 28, 2022•33 min•Season 6Ep. 24
With games coming thick and fast, join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) for a review of Matchday 11 in LaLiga. It was a tale of contrasting fortunes if your name is Valverde: Fede scored again as Real Madrid kept up their unbeaten run, while Ernesto suffered a 4-0 defeat on his return to Barcelona. The form of the big two is discussed, including the question of whether anyone can beat Los Blancos, a formation tweak from Xavi and an impressive performance from Ousmane ...
Oct 24, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 23
You know that Mitchell and Webb sketch about the football? The constant, dizzying, twenty-four hour, year-long endless football? It all fell a bit too real this week. No sooner did LaLiga finish for Jornada 9, did it start again for Jornada 10, as Sevilla and Valencia played out an enthralling draw to kick off the midweek action. We also saw an incredible game in the rain at Valladolid, a goal-of-the-decade contender at Almería, and penalties, VAR, and penalties galore. Breathless stuff, once ag...
Oct 21, 2022•33 min•Season 6Ep. 22
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, bef...
Oct 17, 2022•34 min•Season 6Ep. 21
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 ha...
Oct 13, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 20
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 survi...
Oct 10, 2022•36 min•Season 6Ep. 19
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 fr...
Oct 06, 2022•44 min•Season 6Ep. 18
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...
Oct 02, 2022•30 min•Season 6Ep. 17
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 Spa...
Sep 28, 2022•35 min•Season 6Ep. 16
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 ...
Sep 25, 2022•29 min•Season 6Ep. 15
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-cr...
Sep 22, 2022•34 min•Season 6Ep. 14
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 mem...
Sep 19, 2022•35 min•Season 6Ep. 13
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 questio...
Sep 14, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 12
There were 35 goals in the nine La Liga games across this weekend and yet arguably the most dramatic events occurred off the pitch. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they slice and dice an incredibly entertaining Matchday 5 in LaLiga. Part one begins with the Sunday night partidazo as Real Betis laid down their credentials for the top four with a crucial victory over Villarreal, as we examine which team are now favourites for fourth place. Julen Lopete...
Sep 12, 2022•33 min•Season 6Ep. 11
After a momentous midweek in Europe, the domestic action continues at breakneck speed. It was a fantastic set of results which saw six Spanish victories out of seven - only Sevilla were unable to get a result, humbled and hammered by Haaland (sorry Julen). Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to discuss what it all means for the next round of LaLiga: Will Real Madrid stay perfect? How many goals with Barcelona score against Cádiz? Can Sevilla recover from two dismal def...
Sep 08, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Following another scintillating weekend of LaLiga action, the table is beginning to look a little more familiar. Real Madrid edged out Real Betis before Barcelona brushed aside Sevilla. Atleti were unable to keep pace as they slipped to a draw at Real Sociedad, Hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) assess whether the title race consists of just two horses. Beyond that, Villarreal continued their spectacular start with another bag of goals and another clean sheet. Are th...
Sep 05, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 9
After a frenetic end to the transfer window, we can concentrate on the football once again. That's exactly what Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) do here, with a mouth-watering round of LaLiga action in prospect. Featuring discussion on all ten matches across the weekend, there is a particular focus on the three partidazos on Saturday, which include a clash of the two hitherto perfect sides in the capital. Find out which game Paco calls 'a final' and what he thinks of Val...
Sep 01, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 8
It might be late summer but everything still feels fresh in LaLiga. We bring you our review of all the weekend's action, from a late win for the champions to another defeat for Sevilla. In Part One, hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) discuss the big two and compare their respective wins on a rousing Sunday night, forged in highly contrasting circumstances. Also on the agenda is Rayo's poor home form, the Celta captain in the form of an ancient mathematician and Ju...
Aug 29, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 7
The LaLiga action keeps coming thick and fast with Matchday 3 already upon us. Join Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they look ahead to ten more tantalising matches across the weekend. Starting on Friday night, can Girona quickly back up their Monday night win without another positive result when Celta visit Catalunya? Then there is a sizzler in Seville as two of the sides with a 100% record face off. Can Osasuna cause a surprise at Betis? Onto Saturday, we get a f...
Aug 24, 2022•34 min•Season 6Ep. 6
The second round of action is now complete and we reconvened to dissect all the action, from a Super Sunday that lived up to the billing to a Sevilla side that definitely did not. With only four sides on maximum points and only two without a point, there was plenty of intrigue across the matchday. Join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08), Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) as they discuss 4-1 wins for Real Madrid and Barcelona alike, as well as that significant triumph for Villa...
Aug 23, 2022•32 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Join Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) to preview the action in matchday two of LaLiga's 2022/23 campaign, including a super Sunday of fixtures. Barcelona travel to Real Sociedad while Atlético Madrid welcome Villarreal. Paco also tells us about how Mestalla has gone up in flames this week ahead of Gennaro Gattuso's trip to face Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Club at San Mamés. We also discuss the need for a win for Sevilla against Valladolid, Betis' optimism against Mall...
Aug 18, 2022•31 min•Season 6Ep. 4
La Liga returned this weekend and it was every bit as fun as you had imagined so join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) as they debrief all the action, with the actual football contradicting the transfer narratives. Barcelona were supposed to destroy everything in their path but nobody had reckoned with quite such a mighty Rayo Vallecano. What went wrong for Barcelona and what went right for Rayo, before we get into two managerial debuts. Diego Martinez's Espanyo...
Aug 15, 2022•31 min•Season 6Ep. 3
As the new season dawns, join Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) for a full preview of the first round of matches. From Pamplona on Friday night to Seville on Monday, there are ten tantalising fixtures to look forward to. Will reigning champions Real Madrid back up their Super Cup triumph with a winning start to their title defence? Can Barcelona get all their signings registered in time? How will the new coaches fare in their first outings on their new benches? What ab...
Aug 10, 2022•30 min•Season 6Ep. 2
The La Liga Lowdown squad are back after the summer break, fit and firing after pre-season training. Join Matt Clark (MattClark_08), Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) and Thom Harris (@ThomHarris_) for a comprehensive preview of the upcoming season, which promises to be another fascinating one. From Laporta's levers to Sevilla's sales, Madrid minus Mbappé to Atleti's quiet revolution, the top end of the table is the starting point. The pod asks whether there will be a closer title race this time aro...
Aug 07, 2022•30 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Join us for the final time this season to reflect on a season packed with storylines, sentiment and special scenes. Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) are on hand to reflect on the 21/22 season. We start by congratulating the European champions and saluting their successful season. We evaluate the season for all the clubs, from the top to the bottom, and offer up our opinions on overachievers, underachievers and everything else in between. Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge) ...
May 29, 2022•56 min•Season 5Ep. 43
They think it's all over... It is now! LaLiga came to a dramatic conclusion as the relegation battle took centre stage on Matchday 38. Join hosts Matt Clark (@MattClark08) and Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) as they pick through the debris. There's no other place to start than the shock relegation of Granada. Just a season after making it to the Europa League quarter-finals against Manchester United, Granada finish 18th and descend to Segunda. That contrasts to the firefighting job done at Cádiz b...
May 23, 2022•48 min•Season 5Ep. 42
The penultimate round meant concurrent matches and multigoal madness. Join hosts Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) and Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) to make sense of the chaos. Alavés had relegation confirmed after losing to fellow descenders Levante. Cádiz got a point against the champions but it felt pyrrhic. Mallorca were the big winners of the round, grabbing all three points in stoppage time. At the top end, more European places were settled too. Sevilla left it late to get the point they needed. ...
May 16, 2022•48 min•Season 5Ep. 41
