La Liga Lowdown

Our Matchday 27 Recap begins on a sombre note this week, following the tragic passing of Barça's club Doctor, Carles Miñarro. Their game with Osasuna was postponed.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) review the remaining eight games, with the title focus turning to Madrid.Atleti suffered a late remontada at Getafe, while Real Madrid were uninspiring, but did get all three points ahead of the massive second leg showdown at the Metropolitano.Athletic Club had another Europa hangover, while Villarreal "choked" against Alavés, who managed to win despite having inferiority on the pitch.In Part Two, we applaud in-form Betis and Sevilla's García Pimienta, lament Las Palmas and salute Valencia finally climbing out of the danger zone.Subscribe to our Substack at lllonline.substack.com for all of our content throughout the week.

Matchday 26 served up plenty of dramatic twists and turns up and down the table.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) are here to review the pulsating weekend.Real Madrid lost in the Benito Villamarín as former player Isco haunted them in their title quest. Atleti had to suffer but managed to overcome Athletic, and Barça made things look much easier by thrashing Real Sociedad at home. Their reward was being able to be líderes en solitario, one point clear of Atleti and three ahead of Carlo Ancelotti's side.The was a six-goal thrilling game at El Sadar, a humongous late goal in the South Madrid Derby in another weekend with draws as a feature.Subscribe to our Substack to ensure you don't miss any of our additional content: lllonline.substack.com.

Perfection for LaLiga’s top five! Join Ben Sully (@SullyBen) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they round up all the action from Matchday 25.Barcelona required some magic from half-time substitute Dani Olmo to set them on their way to all three points against struggling Las Palmas. Real Madrid’s magician, Luka Modrić, then proved that age is just a number, conjuring up a stunning strike to help Los Blancos dispatch Girona. As for Atleti, they spent a brief period at the top of the table after sweeping past Valencia on Saturday. However, Atlético Madrid’s three-goal return looked pretty average compared to Athletic Club's seven-goal tally in a thumping victory over doomed Real Valladolid.Elsewhere, we discuss Villarreal's successful trip to Vallecas, ensuring all of the top five emerged victorious from Matchday 25. Meanwhile, there was a mixed day for Antony at the Coliseum and a routine win for Real Sociedad in the race to secure European football. We are again left questioning Alavés' decision to sack Luis García Plaza following a costly defeat against a relegation rival. And of course, we cannot finish the pod without talking about a winner from Celta’s talisman Iago Aspas.Remember, you can subscribe at lllonline.substack.com to access our weekly bonus podcast as well as all of our written content.

You could be forgiven for thinking that nobody wants to win the LaLiga title this season.Barça started so strongly and then gifted points away like Valentine's Day promotions. Then Real Madrid hit the summit before hitting the buffers amid cries of injustice and refereeing conspiracies. Even Atleti couldn't get the job done at home.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) are here to discuss everything from the weekend, a Matchday which saw 28 goals, six red cards and five draws.Wins were at a premium, especially for those in the top half of the table.Real Madrid were held in Pamplona, Jude Bellingham's frustration finally getting punished, but what exactly did he say?Atleti were down to ten even earlier, but managed to grab a point late on against Celta.Getafe turned Girona over on their own patch, Valencia snatched a point in their community derby, while Athletic had to also settle for a point at the RCDE.Betis smashed a sorry Real Sociedad, whose domestic issues continue to plague them.At the bottom, there was a pulsating draw between Lega and Alavés, while Real Valladolid are now well and truly adrift after being hammered at home by Sevilla.Subscribe to access all our content at lllonline.substack.com.

Could this be a title race for the ages? Join Ben Sully (@SullyBen) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they look back at the action from Matchday 23, including all the drama at the top of the league table.Real Madrid had to settle for a draw in Saturday’s derby clash with Atlético Madrid, opening the door for Barcelona in third position. We discuss the controversial moments from the Madrid derby, including THAT first-half penalty decision. Barcelona took full advantage of the draw, sweeping aside Sevilla to move to within two points of leaders Real Madrid. Is Diego Simeone right? Are Hansi Flick’s charges the favourites to clinch the title? Meanwhile, we recap Oihan Sancet’s memorable outing against Girona and a five-goal thriller at Balaídos.We kick off part two by reflecting upon Villarreal’s 2-1 victory over Las Palmas and the show of support for Kirian Rodríguez. Elsewhere, Valencia boosted their survival hopes with a win over Leganés, Real Sociedad saw off Espanyol and Rayo continued their European push against basement side Real Valladolid. There was also joy for Getafe, as they collected three points and another clean sheet.Thank you for listening, and remember you can upgrade over at lllonline.substack.com to access all of our written content as well as our weekly bonus podcasts.

A fabulous weekend in LaLiga is recapped by Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG).The league leaders were stunned in Cornellà as Espanyol took advantage of their reprieves to snatch a late winner. Carlo Ancelotti said it was 'inexplicable' that Carlos Romero was still on the field to be able to score the only goal, but Espanyol (and Real's title rivals) were not concerned with that.Atleti celebrated Diego Simeone's 500th LaLiga match with a classic win to put themselves just one point behind their neighbours ahead of next week's tantalising derby. Barça suffered but were just about able to beat Alavés to stay in touch.As well as Espanyol, there was a huge win for Valencia at Mestalla, beating Celta to heat up the relegation battle and drag Celta into it. Anyone from 13th down must be looking worried.Rayo have their goalkeeper to thank for securing the win at local Leganés, who missed two chances to equalise from the spot. Rayo are flying high in 6th and were the only visiting side to win in MD22.Villarreal kept their quest for a top four finish alive with a thumping win over hapless Real Valladolid, who have conceded 47 goals, ten more than the next worst defence in the league.Osasuna showed Real Sociedad what a clinical goalscorer looks like with a deserved 2-1 win on the back of Ante Budimir's brace. Only Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé have scored more than the Croatian front man. Paco thinks time is soon up for Imanol, and colourfully compares managerial longevity to food going off in your fridge.The two most experienced coaches in LaLiga faced off at the Benito Villamarín as Manuel Pellegrini's Betis twice took the lead against Ernesto Valverde's Athletic, but Los Leones roared back twice to maintain their unbeaten run. Antony looked bright on debut for Los Verdiblancos, but his Manchester United counterpart Marcus Rashford won't be gracing LaLiga, opting instead for Unai Emery's Aston Villa.Ahead of Copa quarter-final week, subscribe with us at lllonline.substack.com for plenty more content.

Matchday 21 saw a lot of equality in many of the results, but with a dollop of some heavy victories.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) are here to review it all, commencing at Montjuïc, where Valencia suffered a chastening, historic defeat by seven goals to one.We discuss whether they have hit rock bottom, or whether this is the clearest sign yet that they won't be able to escape from relegation and their worst possible fears? The only bright spot was the return of Mouctar Diakhaby from injury.Barça were relieved to get three points in the league, but it only keeps them third, as Real Madrid continued to motor on at the top of the table. Kylian Mbappé's first hat-trick in the famous white was the headline in Valladolid, extending their lead to four points at the summit.Atleti dropped more points in their home game with Villarreal, but in truth, it could have been worse. Athletic Club failed to capitalise following a stalemate at San Mamés, as Leganés achieved another impressive defensive performance and result.In Part Two, we pay tribute to José Bordalás (yes, again), as his Getafe side shocked everyone by winning 3-0 away against La Real, rounding off a torrid week for Imanol Alguacil. Are his days at the helm numbered? 17% of Getafe's LaLiga goals this season came in the final 20 minutes of this game.If that was not enough, we talk Sevilla struggling, Jagoba Arrasate raging, and why Míchel wasn't happy with Rayo's President.Subscribe with us at lllonline.substack.com for all our content.

A weekend for the relegation candidates. Join Ben Sully (@SullyBen) & Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they recap up an eventful round of LaLiga action.Leganés proved to be LaLiga’s giant killers once again, claiming a surprise win over Atlético Madrid to go with December’s stunning victory over Barcelona. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick discovered how tricky a trip to the Coliseum can be, as Getafe held Barça to a draw in Saturday’s encounter.Real Madrid ultimately took full advantage of Atleti and Barça’s slip-ups, with Kylian Mbappé starring in a dominant performance against Las Palmas. There was also a win for Athletic Club, who moved level on points with Barcelona thanks to a successful trip to Balaídos.In part two, we discuss Kike García’s perfect hat-trick at the Benito Villamarín as well as a crucial victory for Espanyol in their relegation six-pointer with Real Valladolid. Carlos Corberán celebrated his first league win as Valencia boss, while Dodi Lukebakio proved to be the hero for Sevilla. We then conclude our recap with a quick review of Rayo Vallecano’s hard-fought point against Osasuna.Thanks for listening and remember you can access all of our audio and written content at lllonline.substack.com.

We have another stacked podcast to bring you at the start of another week 🙌 Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) analyse the Supercopa final and review the weekend in LaLiga which saw the competition reach the halfway stage.In Part One, we look back on a thrilling final in Jeddah, one which saw seven goals, a red card, a comeback, and another title for Barça, their 100th in history. A jubilant Román hopes this can be the springboard to challenge on all fronts in 2025 and expects Real Madrid to recover from their second heavy Clásico defeat of the season. Work for Carlo Ancelotti to do.Back in Spain, Diego Simeone is loving life at the top of the table, as his side won a record-setting 14th match in a row to regain top spot and crown themselves winter champions. Can they sustain this form all the way to the end of the campaign?Elsewhere, Valencia were denied victory by a late leveller in Seville, pain which was compounded by wins for relegation rivals Getafe and Real Valladolid this weekend. Girona got a late winner of their own, Rayo's coach had to wear a bib on thr touchline, and the points were shared at the RCDE.Subscribe to lllonline.substack.com to ensure you never miss any of our content.