La Liga Lowdown

Spain are back in the third Nations League Final Four, where they'll face France for a spot in the final. But to get there, they had to overcome a tough Dutch team that took them all the way to a penalty shootout. Ben Sully (@SullyBen) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) review all the action and key talking points of this entertaining tie, as well as taking a closer look at their upcoming opponents and their World Cup qualifying group for 2026.They also discuss the controversy in the Barça - Madrid women's match and reflect on the RFEF's decision to make Barça and Osasuna face off next Thursday, giving players little time to recover from the international break.Make sure to join us over at lllonline.substack.com, and a big thank you for subscribing and supporting our content!

How much heartbreak can one team take? Just a matter of days after their cruel Champions League exit, Atlético Madrid gave up a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to Barcelona at the Metropolitano, dealing a major blow to their LaLiga title hopes.Join Ben Sully (@SullyBen) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they dissect the six-goal thriller in the Matchday 28 recap and ask whether Atleti can still win the title this season. Kylian Mbappé’s brace against Villarreal kept Real Madrid’s title bid on track, as we discuss Carlo Ancelotti’s threat to boycott games over scheduling concerns. Elsewhere in the top six, there was a stunning comeback win for Real Betis and a late winner for Athletic Club.In part two, there were a couple of 2-2 draws to discuss, featuring a first LaLiga goal for a Real Sociedad youngster and a dramatic fightback from Las Palmas. There was penalty controversy in Mallorca’s home clash against Espanyol - a game that provided a rollercoaster of emotions for Vedat Muriqi. We then reflect upon Getafe's away day success, as well as Celta’s narrow win over doomed Real Valladolid. Join us over at lllonline.substack.com to access all of our written content and our weekly bonus podcasts.

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.