La Liga Lowdown - Mbappé's treble sends Real Madrid four points clear: LaLiga Matchday 21 recap

Mbappé's treble sends Real Madrid four points clear: LaLiga Matchday 21 recap

01/26/25 • 36 min

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.

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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.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The tables are turning as Mbappé sends Real Madrid top: LaLiga Matchday 20 recap

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.

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Next Episode

Inexplicable...there is still a title race: LaLiga Matchday 22 recap

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.

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