Episodes
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Episode 17 of Bombazo: The Scandinavian LaLiga Podcast is holding an intervention to make sure Alex goes home instead of constantly travelling to watch football. Also:
– After Joaquín became the oldest player ever to score a LaLiga hat-trick, we ask if he is even better in his late 30s than Ryan Giggs was?
– Alex reports from her trip to the Santiago Bernabéu, so we discuss whether Karim Benzema is better than Cristiano Ronaldo these days, and if Vinicius needs to be sent out on loan.
– Ivan Rakitic returns and Barça improve significantly. Coincidence? We don't think so.
– There's a second LaLiga report, this time from Leganés v Celta, where there was cause for optimism for both sides' hope of avoiding relegation (Espanyol, not so much).
– Plus we look at what may prove to be the most decisive game in Atlético Madrid's season as they play for Champions League survival, money to sign a top striker in January, and Diego Simeone's reputation.
You can follow the pod here, plus Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. Like every week we encourage you to leave a rating, review or comment at the provider of your choice. It's a simple transaction: you do that small favour for us, we'll keep putting these out.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Dec 02, 2019
Monday Dec 02, 2019
Episode 16 of Bombazo: The Scandinavian LaLiga Podcast is here, and we kick off with the biggest game of the weekend, Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona
– With Marc-André Ter Stegen keeping Barcelona in the game for 45 minutes yet again, and Jan Oblak having a ropey season, is the German now the best goalkeeper in the world?
– We discuss whether Diego Simeone's magic may finally be fading as he struggles to get the best out of new players and has even relinquished defensive solidity.
– Lee argues that there's only one man available who could come in and give Atleti the boost needed to win something this season: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (Alex is less keen).
– We praise the two Basque giants and wonder if this is the best Athletic Club and Real Sociedad have been at the same time since the glory days of the 1980s.
– And finally, Alex details her footballing adventure in sunny Mallorca that included Son Moix, the lower leagues, and meeting a true Spanish football legend.
As always you can follow the pod here, plus Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. Si us plau: leave a rating, review or comment.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Episode 15 of Bombazo: The Scandinavian LaLiga Podcast is fresh out of the oven boy is it a busy day. On the show:
– We sign up for the Fede Valverde fanclub after the young Uruguayan stole the show from Martin Ødegaard in Real Madrid v Real Sociedad
– Are Barcelona wasting a great generation of talent on a stale project that should have been ended in the summer? It sure looks that way.
– Pione Sisto returns from exile and it turns out the man who once tore Manchester United a new one is still a brilliant player when he wants to be.
– How do you capitalise by Martin Braithwaite's brilliant goalscoring form during the international break? By playing him on the wing, of course. It doesn't look good for Lega...
– And if you can make it to the end, you'll get to hear about the time Lee humiliated himself in Denmark. Probably not the last time, either.
If you haven't already, make sure to listen to Episode 14 for our summary of everything LaLiga's Scandinavians got up to during the international break.
And as always, follow the pod here, plus Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. Plus please, please (pretty please) leave a rating, review or comment.
Thanks for listening!
Friday Nov 22, 2019
Friday Nov 22, 2019
Episode 14 of Bombazo is here and we have a huge amount to cover across both the international matches and forthcoming LaLiga games:
– Martin Braithwaite bags two goals in two games including the strike that seals Denmark's place at Euro 2020. We reckon he would get 20 a season for a better LaLiga side.
– The Robert Moreno-Luis Enrique Spain coaching drama unpacked, and why it reminds us of Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova's split from back in the day. Has Pep ever really been as good since?
– We look at Alexander Isak's admirably cold-headed reaction to racist abuse in Romania, plus fellow Swede and LaLiga forward John Guidetti getting a great goal that reminds us all of what he's capable of.
– The Bombazo team reckons Norway and Martin Ødegaard are heading to Euro 2020 (sorry Scotland and Serbia), but are his Real Sociedad the toughest test Real Madrid have faced all season?
– Alex reports from Spain's most underrated, and arguably most heated derby, Real Oviedo v Sporting Gijon. And what an experience it was.
– Plus we praise fellow professional troll Gareth Bale, and look ahead to more LaLiga fixtures.
Don't forget to follow the pod here, plus Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. And please, please leave a rating, review or comment. It helps a huge amount.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Nov 11, 2019
Monday Nov 11, 2019
Want to get into Spanish women’s football but don’t know where to start? We have the answer!
Today on Bombazo, Alex is joined by special guest Elisa Revuelta, a journalist working with FIFA’s digital platforms focusing on women’s football and the Spanish women’s national team. Elisa gives us a detailed guide on:
– The two giants of the Primera División Femenina, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Who is likely to win the title? Who is pulling in the right direction? And why Atleti's progress in the Champions League at the expense of Manchester City as a massive deal for the women's game in Spain.
– Real Madrid’s struggle to break that duopoly and become a force in the women’s game. Did Sofia Jakobsson and Kosovare Asllani realise what they were getting themselves into at the soon to be former CD Tacón?
– Elisa also looks at the Scandi tearing it up in LaLiga Femenina, Caroline Graham Hansen. The Norwegian has been on fire at FC Barcelona and has her eyes on the Champions League crown.
– And we explain why the Basque giants Real Sociedad and Athletic Club are so damn passionate about their womens' teams. But can their quality on the pitch match their diehard enthusiasm?
You won’t want to miss this one – it’s an education!
Don't forget to follow the pod here, as well as Alex and Elisa at their personal accounts. And I know I say it every week guys and gals, but please, please leave a rating, review or comment! That way we can reach more listeners and continue to produce the pod.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Nov 04, 2019
Monday Nov 04, 2019
Episode 12 of Bombazo is here and the LaLiga news is coming thick and fast. This week...
– Just how crap are Barcelona, Atlético and Real Madrid?
– Alexander Isak and Martin Ødegaard's Real Sociedad on the other hand, are very good. How good? Statistically their best team since the title challenge.
– Do Barça need to go all out for yet another Dutch coach to change their fortunes?
– Is Zinedine Zidane invincible...?
– ... and is Santiago Solari underrated?
– Óscar García analysed in depth: his history as the heir to the Cruyff disciple crown at Barça, why his track record is promising, and what we should expect.
– With six goals in six, Lucas Pérez is back. Alex explains why even has a diehard Depor fan he has a unique history with Alavés.
– A moment of recognition for Sandro's first goal in two years.
#FreeJohnGuidetti
#RestIñakiWilliams
Don't forget to follow the pod here, plus Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. And please, please leave a rating, review or comment. It helps a huge amount.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Episode 11 of Bombazo is here and just because a certain game wasn't played doesn't mean there's any less to talk about ...
– Fresh from watching Alexander Isak score the winner for Real Sociedad and interviewing him post-match, Alex explains why he's already a hero in San Sebastián, and brings special audio evidence for the jury!
– Dropping Diego Costa pays off for Diego Simeone. Time to back Álvaro Morata properly? And do Atleti have greater potential than Barça or Real Madrid?
– The miracle of Granada: everything you need to know about the LaLiga leaders' wonder coach Diego Martínez.
– Martin Braithwaite: LaLiga's most underrated striker?
– Exploring the continued El Clásico delay, and why it isn't strictly true that it was suspended over safety...
#FreeJohnGuidetti
#RestIñakiWilliams
– And we reveal the best LaLiga stadium to work from as a journalist.
Don't forget to follow the pod here, as well as Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. And please, please leave a rating, review or comment. It helps immensely.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Against all odds we've reached Episode 10 of Bombazo and this week there are an endless amount of talking points:
– Why El Clásico being moved is good news for Real Madrid, but not great for Barcelona, just as the 'MSG' starts to click
– Speaking of Madrid, we told you so. Zidane out?
– Lee has a difference of opinion with Iker Casillas, who unknowingly unleashed Granada's internet fanbase on his ass...
– Is Martin Ødegaard the best player in LaLiga at present?
– Is it time to drop Koke?
– Plus we start the campaign to #RestIñaki
Don't forget to follow the pod here, as well as Lee and Alex at their personal accounts. And please, please leave a rating, review or comment. It helps immensely.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Oct 14, 2019
Monday Oct 14, 2019
It's the international break so today marks the debut of our special series Greatest Scandinavians where we look at the best players from the region to feature in Spanish football, and what better way to kick-off than with arguably the greatest Scandinavian footballer of all time, Michael Laudrup.
With five LaLiga titles in a row, a key part in Barcelona's first ever European Cup, the unique ability to boast playing in back-to-back 5-0 El Clásico wins on both sides of the divide, and a strong legacy as a coach that includes taking Getafe on a heroic European run, Laudrup's impact on LaLiga has been huge and spans decades.
The Blaugrana's false nine before Messi and the man who Andrés Iniesta tried to copy, we look at some of the anecdotes and lesser known details of Laudrup's time playing for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, including how he almost ended up at Barça as a teen.
We also analyse his move from from Barça to Madrid, including the forgotten context of why it happened, why Barcelona fans ultimately forgave him, and why he holds the rare honour of being seen as a club legend by both sets of fans.
And finally, we reach some conclusions on two big questions: is Laudrup the Scandinavian who had the biggest impact on LaLiga, and above all, is he the greatest Scandinavian footballer of all time?
If you're a fan of the Great Dane or simply want to understand a key figure in shaping modern day Spanish football, you won't want to miss this one.
Remember to like, comment, subscribe and rate, and as always you can follow Alex here, Lee here, plus the official Bombazo account here.
Thanks for listening!
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Episode 8 of Bombazo: The Scandinavian LaLiga podcast is here, and with the breaking news that Víctor Valdés has left Barcelona again we look in detail at why it happened, why Barça should have seen it coming, and how being a deep thinker makes the former goalkeeper a complex character. That, and...
– Is it time for Diego Simeone to drop Diego Costa, both for the striker and Atlético Madrid's benefit?
– Is Santi Cazorla the best Spanish midfielder at preset? (And should that be a concern for Spain?)
– Why Real Madrid topping the table could be deceptive...
– A difficult week for Martin Ødegaard, but a strong case for Cucurella at Barça
– The Antoine Griezmann problem
– Valencia's missed opportunity to break into LaLiga's top three
– Martin Braithwaite's golazo, Granada's incredible away fans, Celta's issues and more, so much more!
Please like, comment, subscribe and rate as always. And remember you can follow Alex here, Lee here, plus the official Bombazo account here.
Thanks for listening!