Stagnant Real Madrid Bailed Out By Mbappe Again

Summary

The Rest Is Football

Episode: Stagnant Real Madrid Bailed Out By Mbappé Again

Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alex Aljoe
(Alan Shearer & Micah Richards not present in this episode)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the current state of La Liga’s giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, with a special focus on Real’s struggles, the role of Kylian Mbappé in papering over the cracks, and the discontent among Madridistas. The hosts dissect recent matches, assess the mood in Madrid and Barca camps, discuss major injuries, and glance at Atlético Madrid’s stagnation under Simeone. The banter, storytelling, and keen analysis make this a compelling listen for football fans craving insight and personality.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekend in Review & Spanish Football Vibes

• Alex shares her weekend: attending Chelsea vs. West Ham and Spurs vs. City, highlighting the atmosphere and player interviews.
• Gary recounts his day at QPR vs. Coventry and the civilised football culture experience.

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2. Real Madrid: Scraping By but Showing Fault Lines

The Late Win vs. Rayo Vallecano

• Real Madrid secure a dramatic, last-gasp 2-1 win, with Kylian Mbappé converting a penalty deep into stoppage time to keep their league run intact (03:07–04:22).
• Vinicius Jr. scored a stunning opener after suffering jeers from the home crowd, responding by kissing the badge in front of the fans (05:52–06:24).

"Vini Jr. was being jeered before he went and scored that golazo, and I thought he reacted well... after he scored that brilliant goal—the opener—he was sort of kissing the badge, trying to get the fans on his side."
— Alex (05:52)

• Discussion on the tense atmosphere at the Bernabeu: whistles, boos, and a palpable sense of dissatisfaction.

Fan Discontent and Player Critique

• Real fans’ patience is wearing thin—especially with Vinicius Jr. (criticised for work ethic and lack of goals) and even with Jude Bellingham, who was booed while injured on the pitch.
• Past and present player-fan tensions in Spain compared to England (07:29–08:45).

"He [Bellingham] was visibly distraught, in tears, coming off. And he was booed by some of the fan base, which is just awful, isn’t it? ...It doesn't get much worse than that."
— Alex (08:51)

• Gary draws parallels with his own experience at Barcelona and Everton, revealing the psychological toll of fan pressure.

Mbappé: Savior, but Not the Solution

• While Mbappé continues scoring (a league-leading 20th goal), Gary and Alex argue his goals are "papering over the cracks" (10:13), masking deeper issues with squad harmony and performance.
• Notable miss: Mbappé rounded the keeper but hit the bar—highlighting he’s not infallible (10:22–10:37).

"He didn’t play well, but he scored the important pen and... three points. But I just think it’s papering over the cracks."
— Alex (10:13)

Managerial Struggles and Injuries

• Coach Arbeloa's post-match comment: "I'm not Gandalf the White," referencing the need for patience and admitting he can't magically fix the team overnight (11:16–11:37).

"I’ve got no magic wand. I can’t change things here overnight."
— Alex, paraphrasing Arbeloa (11:37)

• Discussion of squad issues: players played out of position, calls for a summer overhaul, and the blow of Bellingham’s hamstring injury (likely out a month, 11:53–12:11).

"They might need to offload a few players in the summer and maybe start again."
— Alex (11:37)

Champions League Fallout

• The midweek defeat to Benfica and failing to secure a top-eight spot looms heavily (13:06–13:18).
• Anxiety over additional playoff fixtures and Benfica’s renewed confidence.

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3. Barcelona: Effective but Vulnerable

Win Over Elche

• Barca dispatched Elche (3-1), maintaining top spot amidst a run of 14 wins in 15 games (17:11–19:21).
• Praise for Lamina Yamal and Marcus Rashford’s form, though concern at wastefulness in front of goal.

"Barcelona were really wasteful in front of goal. Hansi Flick came out and said, '...the good thing is we created a lot of chances. The bad thing is we missed them.'"
— Alex (21:07)

• Hansi Flick’s approach prioritises attack but exposes a defensive high line that could be their Achilles’ heel against Europe’s elite (19:21–20:36).

"It makes for fun football... It almost guarantees goals in the game, so keep doing your stuff and keep entertaining us, because ultimately football is entertainment."
— Gary (20:23)

Comparing Barca and Real Squads

• Gary gives Barcelona a slight squad advantage, especially in midfield (Pedri, De Jong) and forward line (Rashford, Rafinha), noting Madrid’s reliance on Mbappé and form issues with Vinicius Jr. (22:04–23:19).
• Both teams considered weak defensively.

"If you’re looking at the Champions League and you had to say one of the teams would win it, I’d say more likely be Barcelona than Real Madrid."
— Gary (23:24)

Champions League Prospects

• Discussion of possible quarterfinal opponents and title race dynamics—Barca favorites for the league, but Champions League is the true target (23:34–24:29).

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4. Atlético Madrid: Time Up for Simeone?

Stagnation and Fan Frustration

• Another goalless, uninspired Atletico showing leaves them 10 points off the top, with fans, and even the pod’s Atletico contact Eric, calling the performance a "turd" (24:48–25:34).
• 76% of fans in a poll want Simeone gone—a striking signal after years of loyalty (26:03–26:20).

"So three supporters in every four... want Simeone out."
— Gary (26:20)

• Gary and Alex debate manager longevity and the dangers of change for the sake of change—cautioning fans to remember the club’s prior inconsistency.

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5. Elsewhere in La Liga: Results and Standouts

• Brief round-up of weekend results (31:16–32:45)
• Espanyol’s woes, Oviedo’s rare win, Betis’s comeback, and Basque derby drama (including “name of the week” banter: “Luis Rioja,” likened to the wine).

"Name of the week. Gotta be Louis Rihanna."
— Gary (32:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gary Lineker on fan pressure in Spain vs England:

"It’s not something you really see happen over here... in Spain they Turned on Sparky in a similar way." (07:29–08:09)

• Alex on Real Madrid’s troubles:

"It hasn't been a great week for Real Madrid. It's not looking good. I think there are a lot of issues, a lot of issues at the club right now." (06:24)

• Gary on Barcelona’s entertainment value:

"Keep doing your stuff and keep entertaining us, because ultimately football is entertainment for paying supporters." (20:23)

• Arbeloa channeling Gandalf:

"I’ve got no magic wand. I can’t change things here overnight." (11:37)

• Atlético fan Eric (via Alex):

"I definitely won't be using 'sick' or 'filth' to describe this latest Atletico Madrid performance, but I would like to use a word beginning with T... turd." (25:34)

• Alex on wine and football:

"I genuinely do. You should try it. It's like... It's super pale. It's nicer than, like, Provence. Honestly, I really like... Rioja rosé." (33:04)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Real Madrid late win & Bernabeu atmosphere: 03:07–06:44
• Fan discontent & Vinicius/Bellingham booing: 06:44–09:26
• Mbappé—match-winning, but masking problems: 10:09–10:37
• Arbeloa’s ‘no magic wand’ quote: 11:16–11:37
• Bellingham & Trent injuries; implications: 11:53–12:53
• Barcelona's win & high attacking line: 19:21–21:03
• Squad comparison (Barca vs Real): 22:04–23:34
• Atletico’s struggle; Simeone under fire: 24:48–26:20
• La Liga results round-up & wine banter: 31:16–33:16

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Summary

The Rest Is Football’s La Liga special exposes the cracks at Real Madrid—even as Mbappé provides short-term salvation—while highlighting Barcelona’s effective, if vulnerable, approach under Hansi Flick. Atlético Madrid is discussed as a club at a crossroads, their fanbase increasingly restless under Simeone’s pragmatic regime. Through vivid anecdotes, sharp analysis, and signature wit, Gary and Alex bring Spanish football’s pulse straight to the listener—reminding us that, in football, the story is always unfinished.

Transcript

[Alex]

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[Narrator]

Oh, that's brilliant. From Vinicius Junior.

[Alex]

Jude Bellingham picked up that injury.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes.

[Alex]

He was visibly distraught, in tears, coming off and he was booed, which is just awful, isn't it? I think there are deep rooted issues.

[Gary Lineker]

I can't quite work out how it looks like the keeper's going to get it and suddenly he's out and he's got it round him.

[Alex]

Le mean Magic. How would you compare Barca's squad with Real Madrid right now at this moment?

[Gary Lineker]

Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football. La Liga episode with Alex Aljo and me, Gary Lineker. Well, it's as you were, really at the top of La Liga with both Barcelona and Real Madrid getting three points a piece. A little bit trickier for Real Madrid, but they managed it in the end. We'll come to those very shortly. But firstly, Alex, how are you?

[Alex]

Yep, all good, thank you. I've seen two great games at the weekend. I was at Chelsea West Ham. Not working, just watching and enjoyed that one. And then I was at the Spurs City game yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

So you interviewed Rodriguez. See, I'm trying to find a Spanish. That angle.

[Alex]

Exactly, exactly.

[Gary Lineker]

A rather cross Rodri just before we started recording and said, did you see Rodri having a real whine about the goal is a little bit, oh, nobody likes us anymore.

[Alex]

Which is unlike Rodri.

[Gary Lineker]

It is. I mean, I get they've given away a two goal lead and he's a bit upset. You know, it might well have been a foul, but it wasn't clear and obvious. Howler.

[Alex]

But I could tell before we started the interview, he looked fuming. Fuming. He wasn't speaking and normally you have a little bit of chat before you start the interview. He was just going like, shaking his head, just like furious.

[Gary Lineker]

So I obviously just seen the images. Yeah.

[Alex]

When he went back into. Yeah, exactly. Because he said that in the interview. He said, you know, you don't see it when you're on the pitch, but you go back in. So my first question was something like, wow, Roger I can see you're really frustrated. Like, you know, tell me. And he spoke for like, his first answer was about two minutes.

[Gary Lineker]

I think he's struggling a bit as well to get his full fitness and hopefully by the end of the season it'll be important, very important for Spain that he's fit. I know they've got someone like Zubi Mendy that can play in that position as well. But I think Rodri adds anything to a fit and kind of inform. Rodri adds a lot to anything, which.

[Alex]

Is not what we saw yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

Not yet. You know, he could have been sent off for the second time because he could have been sent off in midweek as well.

[Alex]

What about you?

[Gary Lineker]

I went to watch QPR versus Coventry Friends on Saturday. Had a nice pub lunch before we went to the game. It was very civilized, a lot of fun. That was good. And overall, watched a lot of football, as always. Most weekends been some great games, including very exciting game in La Liga with Real Madrid. Just what Was it, the 98th minute? 100th, I think the 100th minute, which is quite something. Penalty decision. Mbappe popped it away. Let's see how they managed to retain their position in the table.

[Narrator]

Real Madrid were involved in a Champions League classic against Benfica on Wednesday. Tonight it's back to the league and struggling Real Vallecano. Real stride forward Vinicius Junior. Oh, that's brilliant from Vinicius Junior. He was running out of road that found just enough space to curl one into the top corner bow Garcia. Oh, he'll get a. Fruitos has squeezed.

[Alex]

One in.

[Narrator]

Valacano level and Defrutos has a ninth of the season. A slightly heavy touch from him and it meant that he barreled into a challenge on Danny. Saos and R. Valicano are down to 10. Mbappe, it's worked it around the corner for Brahim Diaz. It's a little bit scrappy in there. Referee points to the penalty spot. Think the challenge is Nobel Mendy on Brahim Diaz. And once again Kylian Mbappe will have the chance from the penalty spot. The Panenka last week. What will he choose today? The right option and the right result for Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappe wins it right at the death. Rail. Just looking to tick down the clock. That's not too smart from Chavarria. It's a shove on Rodrigo and a second yellow card. And Ray of Alicano are going to finish with nine. It is six straight league wins for Real, supplied by the most familiar source.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, they left it late. Alex, your team.

[Alex]

Yes, yes. They did leave it late, and I think the atmosphere at the Bernabeu was not great. Again, apparently not as bad as the Levante game, but a lot of boos, a lot of whistles. Vinnie Jr. Was being jeered before he went and scored that Golass, and I thought he reacted well, actually, because after he scored that brilliant goal the opener, he was sort of kissing the badge, trying to get the fans on his side, which, you know, he'd been booed earlier in the game, so I think it was good that he did that. But an underwhelming performance from Real Madrid yet again, obviously, off the back of that game midweek, that defeat to Benfica, which cost them a top eight place now in the playoffs. Playing Benfica again, of course, in the playoffs. But no, it hasn't been a great week for Real Madrid. It's not looking good. I think there are a lot of issues, a lot of issues at the club right now.

[Gary Lineker]

What is their critique of him? What are they unsatisfied with? Is it his work ethic? Is it.

[Alex]

Well, I think those issues with the work ethic, they started last season, didn't they, under Carlo Ancelotti? They were criticized a lot, Vinni Jr. And Kylian Mbappe for not working hard enough, for not running. Vinny Jr. Hadn't scored in La Liga since October. So I don't think that goes down too well with the Real Madrid fan base. You know, they want him scoring week in, week out, but I think they've always had a bit of a. Actually that true. I think at the beginning, they did not. They all. The Madridistas adored Vinnie Jr. Yeah, exactly. It's something that we've seen. It is something that we've seen recently, and I think it's hard to get the Madridistas back on your side once they've. Once they've turned against you.

[Gary Lineker]

It's not something you really see happen over here. There might be a bit of grumbling if a player wants to leave, like we saw with Trent, and there might be a few boos at the end of the game. And I've. I've witnessed it myself. I witnessed it with Mark Hughes when I played for Barcelona, went there. Mark was very young. He's only 21 when we went, and it was probably a bit early for him. I was 25 and I got a couple of early goals in my first game, and Mark struggled. And also, Mark's game was about backing in. And every time he did that in those days, the referees gave a free kick against him and they Turned on. On Sparky in a similar way. Spark as he was then.

[Alex]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

You know, you weren't born then, you see. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Alex]

A lot. And he always. My grandad.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes. And it was really, really hard for him because no player, no player doesn't want to be successful and want to do well. So, I mean, I, I. Well, although I did get booed on my first ever appearance for Everton. Why were you booed by some. Some people in the crowd when they read the team, she out first home game.

[Alex]

Well, they weren't having it because I'd.

[Gary Lineker]

Replaced Andy Gray and they loved Andy Gray.

[Alex]

Gotcha.

[Gary Lineker]

But I thought that was a bit harsh, but little bit har before I kicked a ball.

[Alex]

I'll tell you what was really hard and actually really just like horrible to listen to was when Jude Bellingham picks up that injury, which we hope isn't overly serious. He was seen just before the game started, sort of holding onto his left hamstring. And then it was that hamstring that he then injured during the game. And he was visibly distraught, in tears, coming off. And he was booed by some of the fan base, which is just awful, isn't it? You know, a player like Jude Bellingham down injured and then he's getting booed. But I think that sums up the situation at the Bernabeu right now, because it doesn't get much worse than that.

[Gary Lineker]

No. When the crowd's against you. So it makes life difficult. You can see that in the performances. They look like they're playing a little bit under pressure. Having said that, we go back. You mentioned the golazo. I mean, it really was an absolute beauty, wasn't it?

[Alex]

I love the sound when it went in. It's so good.

[Gary Lineker]

There is no better sound.

[Alex]

No, no.

[Gary Lineker]

Then the thud of the ball hit the back of the net.

[Alex]

Yeah. It was a brilliant, brilliant goal. But Fruity George. Fruity George equalized in the 49th minute. But then they went down to nine men, didn't they, by the end of the game. Rayo. But they played well. They played pretty well. But then Brahim Diaz brought down in the box and Kylian Mbappe took the pen.

[Gary Lineker]

I thought he might let Diaz take it after what happened in the AFCON.

[Alex]

Good point, good point. But he didn't. His 20 La Liga goal of the season and a really important win for Real Madrid. But I just think it's papering over the cracks.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Speaking of Mbappe, he missed an. He went around the keeper and then managed to hit the bar. That was quite literally an open goal, that one, actually, because there wasn't even a goalkeeper in there. So that was a bad miss. But he can handle the pressure, that fella.

[Alex]

Yeah. What is it? 37 goals in 30 games. But he scored a lot of goals last season as well and was still criticized, to be fair. Actually. Have a good game. He didn't play well, but he scored the important pen and. And, yeah, three points. And now one point in it once again. But I think the next few games are going to be not. Not decisive. Champions League. Yes, decisive. Not in the league, but I think it's just. Yeah, a really important time. What did Arboloa say after the game? I was never a fan of Lord of the Rings, so I didn't actually know what it meant, so I had to look it up.

[Gary Lineker]

Jarry's alongside me. He's an absolute fan of the Lord of the Rings.

[Alex]

I've never seen it, which is crazy.

[Gary Lineker]

But he said, I'm not Gandalf.

[Alex]

He said, I'm not Gandalf the White, Harry. Is he a wizard?

[Gary Lineker]

Gandalf the White? He's a wizard.

[Alex]

He's a wizard.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he's the wizard. The wizard.

[Alex]

The wizard. So I think that's. Thanks, Harry. I think that's Arbaloa basically saying, look, I can't.

[Gary Lineker]

I've got no magic wand, basically.

[Alex]

There we go. I've got no magic wand. I can't change things here overnight because there's. I think there are deep, deep rooted issues and they might need to offload a few players in the summer and maybe start again. And I think a lot of players sort of look like they're not playing in their best positions.

[Gary Lineker]

Obviously they've got one or two injuries as well. Yeah, Bellingham injury, little hamstring. He'll be out for a month. I mean, I suppose from an England perspective, you go, oh, he gets a nice little rest now. Not bad for good news for the World Cup. But that's only if it comes back and doesn't get into the game.

[Alex]

And he's probably not thinking that because obviously they've got the March international break if he's not fit for that.

[Gary Lineker]

And he's already had a spell out, obviously, with his shoulder. So I think. I mean, it's quite harsh that he's getting booed and stuff, because he always definitely gives everything on the pitch. But I think that's going back to the Xabi Alonso situation. Is he where he's perceived as being one of the troublemakers, which, I mean, We've not seen any evidence of this, so. Yeah. And so hopefully you get fit. How close is Trent?

[Alex]

I was gonna say Trent is back in full training, so I reckon any day now he'll be back in a matchday squad. And Trent is the type of player that can make the difference for Real Madrid.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, absolutely. So creative.

[Alex]

And we saw that when he came back from his injury, played so well in that game against Athletic Club, and it was that game that he then got injured in and got an assist in that game. So, yeah, fingers crossed. Fingers crossed for Trent.

[Gary Lineker]

I suppose a lot of the whining with the Real Madrid fans and the fact that it happened early in the game was because of the performance in midweek as well against Benfica, where they slipped out of that top eight position.

[Alex]

Which is not good, obviously, because now they've got two more games to play, which they needn't have had to play those games and they might not beat Benfica. You know, Benfica will be full of confidence knowing that they've done it would.

[Gary Lineker]

Jose's always tricky.

[Alex]

Anything's possible.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, we've seen him do things before. It was quite an evening, that, wasn't it?

[Alex]

Trubin to the rescue.

[Gary Lineker]

Trubin. Yeah, Trubin.

[Alex]

I remember Trubin from the Club World Cup.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alex]

I actually had sent a message to my dad during the Club World cup saying Chelsea should sign Truman, because when Chelsea were looking to get a keeper in, I remember watching him out there thinking he was absolutely brilliant, and then coming up and scoring that goal so good.

[Gary Lineker]

Did you think he was brilliant because you thought, this guy's going to score some goals?

[Alex]

Yeah, exactly. Yes. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. Anyway, so we'll see what happens with Real Madrid. But not great at the moment. It's not great.

[Gary Lineker]

Let's take a break here and when we come back, we'll talk Barcelona. Welcome back to the Resties Football La Liga with Alexander and me, Gary Liner. We discussed Real Madrid in the first half. We definitely got to discuss Barcelona in the second. But before we do, let's see how they saw off El. This episode is brought to you by. Whoop. January is full of noise about doing more. But in football, you learn quickly that more effort isn't. Isn't always the answer. Especially after a match, you think you're fine, then you hit the stairs the next morning and your knees start negotiating early retirement.

[Alex]

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[Gary Lineker]

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The Home Depot dream baths built here Elche have not beaten Barcelona since December 1974. Tonight they seek to end that sequence and Barca's own relentless run of 14 wins in their last 15 matches. Danny Olmo off goes Lamina Mal. Out comes in Yaki Pena. He goes around the young goalkeeper and you know the rest. They took a while to get going against Copenhagen on Wednesday night, but this time Barca ahead after just six minutes. Looking for Alvaro Rodriguez, who has breached the Barcelona high line. It's Rodriguez to equalize for El was perfectly Timed. Then came the composure to steer his finish in Yamal Torres. Deong Hena again comes out Deong with El bodies tumbling. Instead he has the composure to roll it into the path of Ferran Torres, who reestablishes Barcelona's lead. Well, again El have got the wrong side of the Barcelona high line. Jules Kunde is racing to get back in and this time the offside flag goes up. Lal does really well to keep that in play. Romina. For Marcus Rashford, who has two in.

[Alex]

A week.

[Narrator]

It was a fraction of fortune as to how it arrived at Marcus Rashford's feet, but when it did, he slammed it in. It is a familiar theme. Barcelona beat Elche. Barcelona win again.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, Alex, fairly comfortable in the end, as usual with Barcelona. They create a lot and they give one or two chances away. Yeah, the goal was very typical of many that they've conceded the crazy high line. That is all.

[Alex]

Is it an issue? Is it an issue?

[Gary Lineker]

Well, I think it's an issue if they play against the very best. And that's what we'll find out. I think against the majority of the sides, they'll outscore them. But as we saw when they played Chelsea, or not necessarily one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. No offense, Alex, they found a way of beating that offside TR and cause them all sorts of problems. But he's adamant and that's the way you want to play. And I would like to say, actually, it's great to watch. It's great to watch. It makes for fun football. It almost guarantees goals in the game. So keep doing your stuff and keep entertaining us, because ultimately football is entertainment for paying supporters. So I think that's really important, especially at a time where we get teams going right one side and they pass it back and then they go back to the goalkeeper and then it comes out again. Actually, it's to be applauded, not overly criticized.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Even though ultimately it may cost Barcelona when it comes to actually winning the big trophies. But we shall see. But it's working in La Liga and they've kept their lead at the top. And nice finish from Lamina. I've watched the replays quite a few times and I can't quite work out how it looks like the keeper's going to get it and suddenly he's out and he's got it round him.

[Alex]

Lamine Mag. Yeah, it was a good finish. It was a good finish.

[Gary Lineker]

He's another wizard.

[Alex]

But they were wasteful in front of goal. Barcelona were really wasteful in Front of goal. And Hansi Flick came out and spoke about it after the game and he said, look, the good thing is we created a lot of chances. The bad thing is we missed them. Yeah, that was a really comical moment, I think, with Ferra Torres. I was about to say, it's actually quite comical. Two sitters, yes, absolute sitters, please. With Marcus Rashford, that he came on and scored, but Rafinha came off with a little injury. But I don't think it's anything serious, which is good because obviously they need Rafinha. Still no Pedri.

[Gary Lineker]

They do miss Pedri. I thought Frankie De Jong for Torres's goal was excellent. Brilliant bit of play, patient, didn't rush it, picked out his man. Yeah, and he knocked it in.

[Alex]

Not great defending from Elche.

[Gary Lineker]

No, but they're hard to defend against Barcelona. I mean, they've got some talent up the top and, you know, they can rotate.

[Alex]

How would you compare Barca's squad with Real Madrid's right now at this moment?

[Gary Lineker]

I would compare it favorably at the moment. If Madrid are at their very best, they can be very difficult and they have, I think, in four positions, they've got good players. I mean, obviously Mbappe's one of the very best, but I think Barca, you know, they've got immense talent up there. I mean, Lamina Mal, you know, if you compare two players, Lamin and Mbappe, they're different. Different. But you'd say they're both absolutely at the very top in world football. I think at the moment, you would put Rafinha quite comfortably ahead of Vinicius Jr, who's going through issues in terms of the love from the fans and also his form, albeit he scored that brilliant goal we saw in the first half elsewhere, then you've got people, you know, like Torres and Rashford, which I would put marginally ahead overall. I think in four positions around, I think in midfield, Barcelona are stronger.

[Alex]

Yes.

[Gary Lineker]

Particularly when Pedri's fit with Pedri and De Jong. So good in people like Danny Olmer around there as well. And then there's Fetterman Lopez as well, who's fabulous player. So I think they've got the edge there. I think defensively, both sides are not particularly strong, and I think that is where they're both a little bit weak.

[Alex]

At the moment, and they'll be tested against the top sides, as you were saying earlier.

[Gary Lineker]

Overall, though, if you, you know, if you're looking at the Champions League league, and you had to say one of the teams would win it, I'd say more likely be Barcelona than Real Madrid.

[Alex]

Yeah, maybe.

[Gary Lineker]

What?

[Alex]

Copenhagen 41 midweek, top eight. And they'll play either PSG, Monaco, Newcastle or Carabag.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes.

[Alex]

Hopefully for Alan it will be Newcastle, not Carabag. He's been calling them carrier bag to me.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, yeah, it's easy to do that, isn't it? But I think Newcastle should win that and then obviously PSG will be the one they'll want to avoid. They'll be a threat. Although they're not quite what they were last season. But they weren't quite what they were last season at this stage last season, if you understand what I'm saying.

[Alex]

Yes, that is true. That is true.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, what, Boss, owner were only a point ahead, so it's all to play for. But I. Looking at the overall squads and the way I think the mental state of both sides are at present, you would have to fancy Barcelona to go on and win the league, would be, wouldn't you?

[Alex]

I think, yeah, I think.

[Gary Lineker]

So much as it pains you, it.

[Alex]

Pains me to say, and I know that obviously Champions League is their priority, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alex]

So it just depends what happens later in, later in the season and the big games they have and what happens with Real Madrid.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alex]

You know, as we always say, things change very quickly in football, so.

[Gary Lineker]

They do. And they've changed quite quickly against Diego Simeone.

[Alex]

Atletico, 10 points now off the top.

[Gary Lineker]

10 points off the top. A kind of. Of awful nil. Nil with barely any chances for either side. I mean, Oblach and Matt Ryan both made a save each. But that aside, and it's brought back, once again, a little disgruntlement with. With Mr. Simeone. And no doubt, no doubt Eric has had something to say on the matter.

[Alex]

He has. He definitely has. He was listening to the pod last week, so he was listening to our chat about. About filth and tea and sick and all of that. So he was like, I definitely won't be using sick or filth to describe this latest Atletico Madrid performance, but I would like to use a word beginning with T. And then he's written turd.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, turd. Lovely.

[Alex]

Yeah, lovely, Sherlock. Yeah, literally. And then he was just saying. He went on about Julian Alvarez. He said he's lost his mojo. Still chases every ball and presses, but has definitely lost his mojo. Pressure mounting on Simeone. So they did a poll that said, should they change the manager and the project at the club and Sinduda. Without a doubt.

[Gary Lineker]

Without a doubt, yeah.

[Alex]

76%. And then no, Simeone 100% was 24%. Obviously. Poll after the game on the channel that showed the match live is pretty accurate. Accurate. So Eric thinks that. Yeah, 76% want Simeonia.

[Gary Lineker]

So three supporters in every four. Basically both. Three quarters of three quarters.

[Alex]

Good math. But. But they've been busy in the market. Transfer market as well. They might sign some more players today. They're recording, which obviously we don't know yet, but they've signed. Remember Adamola Lookman, of course.

[Gary Lineker]

Scored a hat trick in the final, obviously against Bayer Lebanon cousin, which was probably the day of his life. Yeah. A little winger. He could cause. He could do damage in. In La Liga, I think.

[Alex]

Yeah. He said his favorite position is where Bayna, Nico Gonzalez and Almada prefer to play. Unless Cholo wants to use him at left back.

[Gary Lineker]

He's. I don't think he's a fullback. I sense. I sense a bit of sarcasm. Sarcasm.

[Alex]

Yeah, exactly. Anyway, so, yeah, really, really poor from Atletico Madrid. Madrid and defeat in the Champions League midweek against Bodo Glint as well.

[Gary Lineker]

I know it's a bit like Real Madrid, isn't it? Part of the complaints here are because of what happened last week in. In the Champions League.

[Alex]

Yeah. So, yeah, 10 points. 10 points off top. Now, definitely no title race for Atletico Madrid this season. But when a manager has been at the club so long, do you think inevitably there comes a time when. And it is time to move on. Enough's enough.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, I. I wonder with. I mean, there are not many long, long, long serving managers. I mean, there's Simeone and Pep, the two that I can think of at present in. In major football clubs. I mean, nobody ever stays that long at somewhere like Real Madrid or even Barcelona or certainly not Chelsea. So it's. But he's very much part. And you know, sometimes be careful what you wish for because they have been incredibly consistent for a long time. You know, sometimes fans. And I get it. I get it that Eric might not like and maybe three quarters of their fans don't like probably their style of play. I think they'll always be grateful what he's given them so much success over that time. But, you know, if you think back to what they were before Simeone was there, they had way more success subsequently. But I wonder if players get tired of hearing the same voice constantly and whether, you know, there comes a point where you switch off slightly. I think it only subconsciously because players always want to do well for themselves, their family, their club, their fans. So. But I. I don't know it's not like they're halfway in the table and having an absolute stink season, but they.

[Alex]

Won'T be winning any trophies. Well, they, they, they might. They might, but might not as well. Unlikely, unlikely, unlikely. I think that's where the frustration is. I was also watching Conor Gallagher yesterday at Spurs.

[Gary Lineker]

Did really well. Great energy.

[Alex]

I was, I was just. And he's always been that player, hasn't he? That's in like 110% on the pitch. You can just, like, you just see it. And I was just. I was watching yesterday just thinking, like, I wonder why he was surplus to requirements there and didn't really get his chance at Athletico Madrid.

[Gary Lineker]

He did early on in when he went there, didn't he? He had a sustained run and he was well. And then he's obviously at the beginning, went out of favor. Went out of favor. That happens with coaches.

[Alex]

And what is it? Simeon's good players. Average and average players. Good.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, not my words. Not yours either, Conor.

[Alex]

A good play turned average, maybe.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, I think. I don't know because it's. If you don't play, it's. It's hard to know. But I think, I mean, Conor Gallagher, you know what, you're getting incredible energy. Really presses a lot. He's not probably the most technically gifted footballer in the world, but he gives you something.

[Alex]

Yeah, he makes up for it with.

[Gary Lineker]

His, you know, I mean, he's technically sufficient. That's difficult. But, yeah, so I think that's what spurs have bought. And you could see the energy that he brought into the team. Well, you didn't see in the first half like, they were bloody awful, but in the second half it was much better. But, yeah. And yeah, Atletico Madrid, they're a little bit stagnant. Is that a way perhaps to describe them at the moment?

[Alex]

I think. I think stagnant. And Alvare, is his form stagnant as well? He had his head up and.

[Gary Lineker]

Players do have a dip. Players do have a dip. And he almost brought a head up. Because he's class.

[Alex]

Yes, yes. No, he is. He had a good opportunity that Matty Ryan tipped his head over the bar. And then Simeone came out really positive about the first half performance. He said, we dominated from start to finish and controlled the game. And so he, he, obviously, he's saying, we're a group, we're united. And the first half was really good, so he's obviously trying.

[Gary Lineker]

Group doesn't include three quarters of his supporters, but such is football.

[Alex]

I know.

[Gary Lineker]

Before we go, do you want to round things up for us, Alex.

[Alex]

Yes, I will. I will. Right, so let's have a look at the other results from the weekend. It's no wins in five for Espanyol as they lost 21 at home to relegation threatened Alois. Goals from Antonio Blanco and Lucas Boye gave the visitors the points and saw them move up to 10th while Espanyol dropped one place to sixth. Bottom Club Real Oviedo picked up a rare win as an Ilias Chiara goal was enough to give them a 10 victory over Girona. A brace from Gerard Moreno wasn't enough to get Villareal three points at Osasuna as first half goals from Victor Munoz and Ante Bullemere saw the points shared. Real Betis clinched a big three points on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Valencia 2 1. Luis Rioja gave the visitors the lead in the 20th minute, but Chimi Avila levelled soon after and Pablo Fornaos forced home the winner in the 88th minute minute. Getafe extended their winless run in La Liga to eight games with a goalless draw at home to Celta Vigo. Although with just four points separating 10th to 18th, it could yet prove a valuable result. The points were shared in the Basque derby between Athletic Club and real Sociedad at St. Mames. Gonzalo Guedes gave the away side the lead in the 37th minute. A red card for Real Sociedad's Bryce Mendes allowed Athletic Club back into the game and in Nicolas Ruiz de Gallareta. Firetoma equalizer in the 88th minute.

[Gary Lineker]

Name of the week. Gotta be Louis Rihanna.

[Alex]

I love that.

[Gary Lineker]

He'll probably get better as he gets older.

[Alex]

Yeah, sorry. I really like rose from Rioja, which is.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, stop it.

[Alex]

No, I do. I genuinely do. You should try it. It's like.

[Gary Lineker]

I don't mind it.

[Alex]

It's super pale. It's nicer than, like, Provence. Honestly, I really like rose. Rioja rose.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, Rioja rose. Okay, I'll give you. I'll give you that. But it's a summer drink on the beach somewhere. A bit paella.

[Alex]

A bit of paella. Oh, by the way, your paella the other week looked incredible. My mom actually sent it to me. My mom. Yeah, she screwed. She screenshot it and, like, sent, like. This looks unbelievable.

[Gary Lineker]

Good stuff. All right, Alex, let's call it a day there. Goodbye for me.

[Alex]

Goodbye from me.

[Gary Lineker]

Sa.