Why did Witsel decide he was the one to close down Brandt here? Was he worried about Koke inability to or did he just get a rush of blood to the head.

“It’ll be important to control the emotions and [our] temperament,” Xavi said before the second leg.

Sent off by the hour mark while the tie was level at 4-4 and now this… not the most calculated look you’d have to say.

Mbappé gonna leave a big shirt to fill. Literally. It looks like he's wearing a triple XL.

Ahead of the second legs kicking off, go back and listen to our chat with Jon Mackenzie after the first legs.

These QFs are 'the most tactically interesting iteration of the competition' as Jon put it.

x.com/lapausa_pod/st…

🎙️ On episode #2 this week, we got a big helping hand from Jon Mackenzie to help us break down an entertaining week of #UCL action.

Analysis of Real Madrid, Barça and Atlético's first leg ties (and beyond) all on the menu.

🔗 open.spotify.com/episode/5BQfa1…
🔗 theanalyst.com/eu/podcast/cha…

Pau Cubarsí's line-breaking passes in his two #UCL games so far: 14 v Napoli and 13 v PSG.

He's made more from his own half (24) than any other player in the competition since his debut.

Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City FT

Six goals from a combined 1.46 xG. Exceptional finishing in the first leg setting up an exceptional finish in the second?

#RMAMCI #UCL

🎙️ On this week's episode, it's none other than a Copa del Rey final 🏆 special.

Valverde's subs, Athletic having to play differently, Nico Williams, Mallorca's hunting wing backs, and plenty more discussed...

🔗 open.spotify.com/episode/2CNIH5…
🔗 theanalyst.com/eu/podcast/cop…

The moment Vesga realised he had slipped but that the penalty was still on target and had a chance of going in.

Just passed a year's worth of Spanish football coverage over La Pausa alongside the crack that is Jamie Kemp. It's good stuff even if I do say so myself. Plenty more to come too...

That meeting between Aguirre and Valverde was perfect. Can we just call it a draw and put both these sides down as the winners of the 2024 Copa del Rey?

Has Iván Martín been mentioned for a Spanish national team call-up? during Girona's trickiest part of the season, he has become even more central. Not a specialist but he can play multiple positions and does everything at a high level.

Since his first start in December, Beñat Prados leads all players in LaLiga for ball recoveries per 90 outside of the defensive third (6.5).

Signs of an expanding passing game already, but his talent as a ball winner will ensure he sticks around in the team to see it through.

Why would Getafe’s website say there were only a few €80 tickets left available during the week yet there are literally hundreds of empty seats in the stadium?

Same with Alcorcón last weekend. Said it was sold out and there were hundreds of empty seats.

Endrick giving off very strong Bruno Mars vibes.

🎙️ On this week’s episode, we teamed up with Spanish Segunda to analyse a bunch of key storylines in Spain’s second tier.

Standout players, the automatic promotion race, the underperformers, and plenty more…

🔗 open.spotify.com/episode/2s9NcO…
🔗 theanalyst.com/eu/podcast/spa…