El Partido

The final of the African Cup of Nations was this weekend and it did not fail to live up to the drama and chaos we expect from one of the most underrated footballing competitions on the planet! With Paul back from El Partido Paternity, we thought we'd celebrate our rekindled love of African football by celebrating the stars of the continent who played in La Liga - with our Favourite African XI! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For Part Two of this epic Futbol Weekender in Barcelona, Tom takes us to two brilliant games in the Spanish lower leagues. Starting with a pilgramage we should all make at least one in our lifetime, a trip to the Campo Municipal Narcis Sala to watch the ever popular UE Sant Andreu before then heading slightly out of the city to watch surprise Primera RFEF league leaders Sabadell destroy an ailing Marbella side to remain out in front for promotion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football in Barcelona is world famous and not just for the Blaugrana. Below the headlines of La Liga, the non-league scene in Catalan capital is one of the fastest growing and best support in Spain and probably in Europe. Friend of the podcast spent the weekend in the city and took in 3 games which we are delighted to bring you on EP en Directo. First up, La Liga founders CE Europa had to say goodbye to Nou Sardenya at the weekend as league rules have forced them to find a temporary home with a grass pitch. They welcomed Alcorcon as Europa looked to leave Grazia on a high. Join Tom to find out more! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Paul on El Partido Paternity Leave, Nick brings you a solo-cast and another installment of El Partido Stories. This week, we take a look at Fernando Morientes, the Forgotten #9. As Real Madrid started their first galacticos era, traditional strikers like Morientes soon found themselves replaced by the idea of striker who brings as much off the pitch than on it - that wasn't how Morientes was built. In this episode, we explore what made Morientes the perfect centre forward and how the role of a striker has evolved so far away from what made #9's the focal point of every team. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asturias is a hotbed of football with some of the most loyal fanbases in Spain - none more so than the fans of Real Sporting de Gijón. As one of the oldest clubs in Spain, you will struggle to find a club with a richer history and more passionate fanbase than the Asturian club on the coast. From the magic of El Molinón to the legends that have passed through their famed academy, Nick is just by Matt Harrison to talk about this 'Sleeping Giant' in the North of Spain! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's 2026 and we are back with another installment of En Directo with Matt Harrison - this time from the stunning city of Gijon! Malaga have transformed from potential relegation candiates to play off dark horses under Juan Funes, so obviously Matt had to travel across Spain to the colder climes of Asturias to witness them in one of his favourite Estadios! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We welcome back Matt Harrison to the podcast as we look to assemble our next 'Favourite XI' and this time, we've flipped it on its head - we're doing our favourite Spanish players who've played in the Premier League! So join Nick, Paul and Matt as we talk about some the greatest but most importantly, our favourite Spaniards to appear in the English top flight! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Matt Harrison as he vacates the warmer climes of the Costa del Sol and braves the elements in the northern Spanish city of Vallodolid. Malaga were looking for a second win in a row under Funes but the former La Liga side have made the Jose Zorilla a difficult place to visit. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are delighted to share this week, our first El Partido en Directo from a Copa del Rey game! Torrent CF of the Segunda Federacion had drawn a plum tie against Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis and for the occasion, got the opportunity to play at the impressive Ciuadad Valencia. Russ Pearce (Seagulls Over Spain) was lucky enough to be there and sent us his report straight from Valencia! If you want to be featured on El Partido en Directo, then don't hesitate getting in touch and sending us your recordings from whatever game of Spanish football you might be at this weekend! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 years ago this week, Peter Lim shocked the footballing world by announcing a former Manchester United right back as manager of Valencia - that man was Gary Neville! As he took his first steps into management, Neville found out that charm and charisma isn't enough when your aim is to impress the crowds at Mestalla. Join Nick & Paul as they recollect the 118 days of his tenure in Valencia and look at the aftermath in Valencia of the Lim custodianship. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has always been fierce. Whether the undercurrents of political viewpoints, nationalism or class, El Clásico had it's intensity unrivalled elswhere in the world. However, at the turn of the Millenium, that rivalry reached new heights of hostility - when Luis Figo, darling and star of Barcelona, crossed the divide by signing directly for Real Madrid... It would be a transfer that would take El Clásico to new levels of rivalry that completely changed the face of Spanish football and is defined by the scenes we saw in the Nou Camp when emotions reached boiling point and even a pigs head was thrown onto the pitch. This week, Nick & Paul explore the motives of the move, how the dynamics of El Clásico shifted and the aftermath of one of the most controversial transfers in football history. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 'Journeyman' in the UK is a mythical beast. You see him rock up at a league rival, knowing that he could potentially pulling on your colours the following season, adding you to the list of badges he's represented. That sentiment isn't as common in Spain - some may even say it's normal for a player to have several clubs across his career in Spanish football due the nature of short term contracts and other varying factors - but we say this stops now! We need Spain to embrace the Journeyman (or Viajero Futbolero) so this week, Nick and Paul have picked out their favourite 5 players from Spanish football who you could label the Spanish Football Journeyman! Available now wherever you get your podcast, over on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2004, a man with the nickname “El Ingeniero” would accept a job in the small town of Villarreal. An ambitious move to appoint the Chilean would be the foundation of Villarreal establishing themselves as a domestic and European force but also sent La Liga on a long term love affair with this man. That man is one Manuel Pellegrini! In this episode, Nick & Paul are joined by Rahul (@laligalondon) to talk about Pellegrini across his 4 stints as a manager in Spain and what the impact and lasting legacy of one of the most interesting, respected and successful managers in La Liga history will be. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon page on on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some things just go together. Salt and Pepper, Roasts and Gravy and of course, Liam and Yeclano Deportivo. We are delighted for this week's El Partido en Directo that Liam once again heads to the Murcia region as Yeclano Deportivo host the Abuelo, Recreativo de Huelva in a top end of the table Segunda Federacion clash - with both sides having aspirations of an immediate return to the Primera RFEF! Liam also takes us on a Tecera Federacion side quest of a visit to El Palmar as well as brings us some chats with our friends in Yecla. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in 2007, Real Racing Club were a solid side treading water in La Liga - Enter Marcelino! The former Recre de Huelva manager came to Cantabria and ripped up the rulebook, turning Racing Santander into a challenger at the top of the La Liga table and would eventually bring European football to El Sardinero for the first time in the clubs history. Nick and Paul dig deep into how he managed to transform this side and the players that would go onto to become legends in Santander! Available wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our first Halloween special, we bring you a collection of spooky Spanish football stories including haunting howlers, terrifying shockers and scary screamers! We also look at the 'Haunting of Getafe' where a routine Barcelona win in Getafe on Halloween turned into a nightmare that would question the integrity and image of the club in the Spanish media! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was once a player from El Salvador that Diego Maradona once described as 'a better player than Maradona and Pele'. The man he was referring to never went on to reach the accolades of those two players but his skills and love of the game would make an entire city in Spain fall in love with him. Of course, we are talking about Mágico González and Cadiz Club de Futbol! We are joined by Mark from the Living Lacita Loca podcast to talk all about their love for Mágico González and subsequently, his love for Cadiz. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a football weekend in Madrid for Matt and friends with Malaga heading to Butarque to take on Leganés. Matt is joined by the lads from the Spanish Segunda show as Malaga look to build on their emphatic defeat of Depor last weekend, whilst the home side need to start picking up results if they have any aspirations of returning to La Liga at the first time of asking. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diego Simeone has always been a serial winner but his exploits with Atletico Madrid have not just earned him the respect of his peers - but he has broken the duopoly in Spanish football and introduced a third horse into the race. He often gets brushed playing with a 'certain brand' of football - which is so far from the truth. His longevity is based on his team building and the culture of 'Cholismo' that he introduced. This week, Nick & Paul are joined by Emmanuek Lagovez of the Partido a Partido podcast, to celebrate all things Diego Simeone! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week, another special edition of En Directo - this time from the incredible Unio Esportiva Sant Andreu. A staple of the ever-growing popularity of non-league football in the city of Barcelona, Sant Andreu are an incredible club that are the face of this movement, as well as Catalan traditions. Join Liam Bambridge as he brings us his report of Sant Andreu v Valencia Mestalla in the Segunda Federacion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices