Goals and goalies… MADNESS in LALIGA | LALIGA Talks Episode 6

Hello and welcome to another episode of La Liga Talks. Guys, remember to like and subscribe if you like the content, it means the world to us. Now, it's just me and Carla here in the studio today as we bring you up to date with another crazy weekend of La Liga sports action in Matchday 9 and we saw Barcelona return to the top of the table after an impressive afternoon win over Alaves in which you saw a ruthless Polish striker So, Lewandowski, nine games, ten goals, he hasn't even started all those nine games which is the worst and the best part I guess. Flying, flying. I mean him and Rafinha linked up really well, Lamine was a little more quiet in this game, Eric Garcia also got a really nice assist, he came on for Ferran Torres right at the beginning of the game when Ferran got injured, two months he's going to be out on a FIFA flick, that's not great. Yeah, that's the bad news from the game, right? Yeah, I mean, but, I mean, people are saying Rafinha's having the season of his life, I agree with that, very underrated in my opinion, I think he's a great player, could he be the best Brazilian player right now? Some people are shouting that he is, but what did you make of it? Yeah, I mean, I'm really happy you mentioned Rafinha there, I think it's really important, he kind of took the game again under his control, under his spell and like you said, he's really, really impressing this season. I hope, guys, you're watching him because, he's doing everything so well and that game was about his assists again, right? We've seen games where he's scoring, games where he's assisting, he's got the whole package. And now he's captain as well, which I feel like that's helped him step up as well, he's really kind of taken that leadership role and kind of shown it as well, not only as a leader, but as leading the team, you know, carrying the attack and really helping Lewandowski find his goal-scoring form. Exactly. And this is actually something I was talking to someone about the other day, we thought Rafinha may have suffered a bit of Lamine's kind of stardom last season, but now he's kind of found a way to work with him and now he's gone over to that left wing, he's performing probably better than ever, so maybe we thought he was a right winger naturally, but he's really, really doing well on that left wing also. And yeah, we've seen, haven't we, Hansi Flick, he's got an ability to manage these players, we've seen that already. And like you said there, I think there's more of a chemistry now with Rafinha and Lamine Yamal, now they're working together and that's really clear. Now, Lewandowski also mentioned the impact the managers had on him, he spoke about that to La Liga TV. What kind of difference between Hansi Flick, Lewandowski and Bayern now in Barcelona? You know, it's like, of course it's a different team, but we have this connection that sometimes we don't have to speak, but I understand him, what he wants, what he expects from me, and in another way it's the same. I mean, what can we say? I mean, he set the game for Barcelona, they didn't really have too much to do in the second half, Alavis had a good few chances where they could have scored even that offside goal, but I mean, Lewandowski, what can we say? I mean, it's one of those games, isn't it, where just having a good, like, ruthless striker in your team wins you a game. So maybe another team there without a Lewandowski-type striker wouldn't have found the goal eventually, it might have been even a draw, you never know. Yeah, I agree, and Alavis is always a difficult away stadium to play at. Completely, they've been playing well at home. They have, they have. So, I mean, getting the game done and dusted in the 32nd minute was really great for Flick's side. Absolutely, and I think I saw a stat the other day that after nine games, the only teams, the only two teams in La Liga history who've had 24 points after nine games have gone on to win the title. I think it was one for Real Madrid and one for Atleti. Now, but we know there's going to be good competition for that title race this season. There really is, there really is. So, talking of a title race, I think the other contenders right now, are Real Madrid, we'll talk about Atleti's slip-up again in a bit, but I think Real Madrid scored two amazing goals at the Bernabéu at the weekend. Fede Valverde, he's having an amazing season, such an underrated player, and Vinicius Junior. What did you make of it? Yeah, I mean, like you said, two stunning goals. And I feel like we're saying the same thing every week, right? Real Madrid, we're not seeing them like this crazy link-up or Mbappe doing mad things every week, but we are seeing, well, Fede Valverde for starters, he's stepping up most weeks. He's one of the best midfielders around, I think. And again, he just only scores screamers. That's another thing we're saying every week. And yeah, I mean, the second goal was even better though, wasn't it, from Vinny? Yeah, just from outside the box, whipped it in past the goalkeeper. It was a really good goal. And then he came off, so shoulder, cervical discomfort. Hopefully, he'll be OK after the international break. And speaking of injuries, we need to mention Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid captain. He unfortunately tore his ligament. He'll be out for the rest of the season, and hopefully he can make it back as soon as possible, early next season. Best wishes to Dani Carvajal. So anyway, what will Real Madrid do there on that right back? What do you think is the solution? It's difficult, right? There's obviously lots of transfer rumours. We've heard her out, but they always find a way. And I think one of Ancelotti's strengths is his ability to pull someone in. He'll find a way, I'm sure. But yeah, I mean, away from the defence just a moment, with Vinicius Junior, and it's another game he had a massive impact on. If you've seen it down the weeks now, I mean, even in the Madrid derby, which we previewed on here a couple of weeks ago, he had the biggest moment for Madrid in that game, I think, with the goal, beating the man and putting the ball over the top. Now, there was obviously so much discussion about Mbappé, who wasn't there, about his arrival. But maybe that's lit a fire under Vinicius Junior. We're going to see more of these performances from him this season. I mean, I think that can always happen. Like, either the stars will bring out the better amongst themselves, or it's going to cause an issue. And right now, I think we're seeing the good side of it, when Mbappé's playing very well. Bellingham, he's been a bit more quiet this season. I mean, he's having to play a little... He can't attack as much as he was last season. He has that defensive responsibility now that Mbappé has arrived, and Benítez Rodríguez playing up front. But I mean, I'm sure we'll see the goals. Completely. I completely agree on Bellingham as well. We're seeing more box-to-box performance, aren't we? And even in that game there, there were some superb interventions he made. Just over the last few weeks, I've been keeping a close eye on him, just because of that change in role, almost. And he's, yeah, he's just much more of a midfield player. But I think he's doing it. Without the goals, it's hard to say, isn't it? You're always going to get glory for goals. But I think his performances are pretty much almost as good in that midfield. I agree, I agree. And one thing I'm going to say, that Valverde may end up playing right back in Carvajal's absence, so Bellingham will have even more importance in that midfield. But you never know. I mean, Lucas Vázquez is more than capable of playing in that position. They may make a signing, as you said, so we'll see. And what do you think? How do you think Real Madrid have dealt with Toni Kroos' departure? Do you think they've lost a little bit of control in there? I mean, I told you I was saying this the other day, right? Even Kroos himself said they've had to get over the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, players like Bale. I mean, Real Madrid have had stars their whole... I mean, in their whole history, right? Yeah. I think that Ancelotti is struggling. I mean, Kroos isn't a phenomenal player and he could have probably stayed another season. I think he made the best decision for himself. But it is difficult. It's going to be difficult for them to find a player like that. And they may not find it. So the thing is here, Ancelotti is going to have to use his kind of tactics and really be a coach right now and see what the solution to that is rather than try and find the next Toni Kroos, I think. Yeah. At least for now. But we imagine they'll remain right on the coattails of Barcelona right in this La Liga race. I mean, that's what we're hoping anyway. Yeah, absolutely. So one team that has dropped a little bit off the title race, which we maybe didn't imagine, maybe harshly with all the new players they've had to bring in, is Atleti. Another draw for them. Unfortunately, another draw at Real Sociedad. Julian Alvarez has finally kind of picked up a good scoring form. But it was very early on. It was, I think it was 50 something seconds. 51 seconds, I believe, yeah. And then Atleti being away, annoyed that, I mean, just coming from a terrible Champions League defeat as well. You could tell the players were tired. They just weren't able to hold out kind of that result and take away the three points. It's unfortunate for Simeone. That's five draws now and only four wins. Do you think there's been a bit of a hangover? Obviously, we, again, I say we've begun the preview on this show, didn't we, for the Madrid derby? And that was a very emotional game, wasn't it? It was very emotional. It was very draining for both sides, I think. But then both went on to lose midweek in the Champions League, both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. We even saw Real Madrid, as you said, struggle a bit in this weekend. Maybe not as much. They were playing at home. I mean, I think both teams, or all teams in general, are struggling with the amount of games they're having to play right now. But Atleti are really struggling away from home. It's nothing new. It's been happening for a few seasons now. But we do have to say, Suchik's goal was absolutely incredible. Atleti almost got the three points. But then this wonder goal came from nowhere. Netball actually had a little slip-up. He passed the ball backwards. Yeah. Radsović stole the ball. And that amazing goal that you guys will be able to see right now. It was amazing. We just sort of like swept it into the top corner. How players can do that from so far out is beyond me. But I thought, like you say, it was going to be one of those typical Simeone performances where they get the three points away from home. I did. I did as well. But I mean, Atleti really need to have a look at things now over the international break and see their seven points off Barca. It's not the end of the world. It's only match day nine. But it will be a difficult climb back. I mean, a classical game is going to be very important to Atleti's hopes of being able to contend for the title. So guys, it is time for the Next Gen segment. This week, we're going to bring you a player that we haven't yet talked about on the podcast this season. He is a young Colombian left or right winger. Depends where he's playing. I think Wermichel prefers to play him normally on the right. And he's 20 years old. Signed from Watford this season. And he scored a really cheeky goal this matchday against Atleti Club at Montilivi. We'll talk about that now. We'll talk about the game as well, because I think it's one that we want to go into. Because of all the drama that happened. But yeah, here you guys can see Yacer's goal. We can see Miguel kind of dummied. Clever dummy, wasn't it? And really, really helped that goal go in and kind of tricked the keeper there. But yeah, Yacer Azpilla is our player of the week. And let us know, guys, what you think of him and what you expect from him in the coming season. So it was one of the games of the weekend, wasn't it? There was so much drama, like there always is in La Liga EA Sports. What were some of the standout moments for you, Carla? I mean, he had a bit of everything. It was a 20-late goal, which I don't know how he always scores against Atleti Club in the dying moments of the game. The player with the most goals from the bench in La Liga history. Incredible, incredible. Another player that ages like fine wine. But I think we all have to say the triple save. Triple penalty save, guys. Triple penalty save from Gazzaniga. Luke, if you want to explain, you were covering that game. Yeah, absolutely. So yeah, so he makes the first penalty save, right? And amazing. Great penalty save. Iñaki Williams steps up to take yet another penalty for Atleti Club. Strikes it quite poorly down the middle. Keeper saves. But it was asked to be retaken after a short VAR review. Now, Ander Herrera steps up for the third penalty of the day and strikes it in almost an identical position for Gazzaniga to save. I mean, they were having a nightmare from the spot. Changing the players, everything. Nothing would work for them. Yeah, it didn't work. And then, obviously, Paredes got sent off right at the end of the game, which led to a red card. And then Stoani's goal. So honestly, if you don't know, it must have been incredible for the fans. Yeah, to be sat in the stands. Yeah, guys, it was an incredible game. So to prove that Liga has incredible games, and you need to stay tuned to watch them all. So guys, a short and sweet episode there. Next time we'll be back, probably with Oli beside us as well. He's on holiday right now, enjoying actually some football in Turkey, which if you follow him on socials, you'll probably be keeping up with. Loving life, isn't it? We've also got an incredible derby vlog that Luke and Oli made at the Madrid derby, which will be coming out very soon. It may be actually out by the time this is. Yeah, keep your eyes peeled, guys. Keep your eyes out for that. And not much more to say. Like, subscribe. Enjoy the international break, the international football. Liga will be back in two weeks. And that's all we've got to say. We'll see you soon, guys.