Great win for Elche over Levante - and another game in which they showed a pretty extreme level of conditioning their opponents & the type of game they sustain. Averaged 94% (!) possession in the opening 20 minutes, with 121-6 for passes in opposition half.

Nice impact from Javi Rueda in Celta's (much improved) second half v Betis last night. Already their best off-ball mover from FB/WB, which is especially valuable when Aspas is on the pitch. One of our pre-season picks for a breakout year: www.lapausa.digital/p/12-laliga-...

📈 The second edition of Charting LaLiga is out - and here's what we've got for you: Sergi Altimira's rise, Jon Gorrotxategi's LaLiga debut (cameo), Enzo Boyomo love... plus some early thoughts on Alonso's Real Madrid & #FCB's correction at Levante. www.lapausa.digital/p/charting-l...

And from earlier in the season, another analysis on Jon Gorrotxategi - one of the stars of 2024-25 in Segunda and a player who might well figure in Real Sociedad's succession plan for Martín Zubimendi. www.lapausa.digital/p/real-socie...

Analysis of Joaquín Panichelli, the 20-goal Argentinean on loan from Alavés who's already attracting plenty of attention from across Europen football (& already has FOUR assists in the play-offs). www.lapausa.digital/p/joaquin-pa...

The wing back flyers who could decide LaLiga's final spot - looking at the influence of Oviedo pair Nacho Vidal & Rahim Alhassane and Hugo Rincón & Iker Benito of Mirandés. www.lapausa.digital/p/the-wing-b...

🧵 For anyone still following 2024-25 league football... written some stuff on the Spanish 2nd tier play-off final between Real Oviedo and Mirandés (6pm tomorrow) that may help to set the scene. Links below (check out @lapausa.bsky.social):

Just over 24 hours until Segunda play-off final time… 📝 In what will likely be our final piece of the 2024-25 season, @jamiemkemp.bsky.social analyses the influential wing backs on show and how they might just define the final. www.lapausa.digital/p/the-wing-b...

Piece on Joaqúin Panichelli, the 20-goal man who could lead (massive underdogs) Mirandés to the gates of LaLiga tonight. Suddenly one of the better young Argentinean CFs around. Already had a €15M bid from Strasbourg this summer, and potentially more to come... www.lapausa.digital/p/joaquin-pa...

Goal and xG difference in LaLiga in 2025. Concerning for Girona. Results, goals, and xG all say they've been the third-worst team in the division since the start of the year. And even in better performances (like yesterday at El Sadar), they're missing the key moments in games.

Oihan Sancet v Rayo Vallecano this season: at Vallecas: 2 goals in 34 mins at San Mames: 2 goals in 45 mins The only player this century to score 2+ home and away against an opponent in a LaLiga season, with both coming in sub appearances.

Real Madrid made 36 high-intensity pressures in the final 1/3 against Arsenal. The fewest by any team in a #UCL KO stage game this season (ranked 72nd out of 72).

After last night, Oli McBurnie now has six assists from open play in La Liga this season (1,179 mins played). The only players with more are Lamine Yamal (11) and Iñaki Williams (7).

Really not many CFs who've been as consistently good as Fábio Silva in LaLiga this season, factoring in his context. With the handicaps of playing in a weak team/lacking quality service, it's pretty surprising how well rounded he's looked. Regularly makes a lot out of little.

Lamine Yamal in LaLiga this season: 4.8 completed dribbles per 90 2.2 chances created per 90 (open play) Since Yamal was born, the only other player who's replicated/bettered both averages in a LaLiga season is Lionel Messi (11-12, 13-14, 17-18 & 19-20).

LaLiga returns this week, and brings with it a Betis v Sevilla treat. In our latest post, @jamiemkemp.bsky.social takes a look at a Betis team on a five-game win streak, and why Antony — while playing an important role — isn’t the only factor in their turnaround: www.lapausa.digital/p/pellegrini...

Most goals/assists per 90 for European nations since September 2023 (Yamal's Spain debut), including a few other attacking categories. When you consider how many strong opponents Yamal has had to play against so far, his record in international ⚽️ is sensational.

Joan García's shot-stopping performance since becoming Espanyol's starter (+11 goals prevented, based on quality of SOT faced - 42 apps). You'd have put your house on Mamardashvili being the most impactful GK in this season's relegation battle, and it's been a no contest...

Rodrygo is the first player to create 3+ chances, win 3+ fouls and complete 100% of his passes (31/31) in a #UCL knockout stage match since Arjen Robben in 2009 v Liverpool.

Hansi Flick's #FCB are averaging 3.1 goals per game this season. The last manager/team combo from Europe's big five leagues with as good an average as that was... Hansi Flick's Bayern Munich in 2019-20 (3.2). This guy might know a thing or two about attacking football...

Liking what Vicente Moreno is doing with Osasuna at the moment, and a very deserved equaliser last night. Four becoming three in the defensive line, allowing Areso to play higher. Him and Zaragoza as your two sources of width is really powerful for where Osasuna are at.

One other thing from the #FCB game - up until Fermín's red, Barça were averaging 74% possession (at 3-1 up). Crazy for a game away at Sevilla, with that atmosphere, and against a coach you know isn't comfortable with having little of the ball. Just walked right over them.

We're just starting February, and Raphinha already has more goals & assists (37) than any LaLiga player managed in the whole of last season across all competitions. And just look at his defensive contribution, especially after #FCB went down to 10 men. Monster season.

What a first half by Athletic - and a game they've set up perfectly with their work out of possession (after some initial difficulties w/ Girona). Relentless pressure, players doing multiple jobs, adapting on the fly to stop the free man being found... very few do it this well.

Took the Real half of this @optaanalyst.optajoe.com Madrid derby preview, with @robbiejdunne.bsky.social on Atlético duty. Real Madrid's starting XI decisions, tackling Atlético's rejuvenated defensive solidity, the first Mbappé v Simeone meeting + plenty more... theanalyst.com/2025/02/real...

One for #CFC fans — our article on Dário Essugo from earlier in the season. www.lapausa.digital/p/opening-da...

Liked quite a lot about Real Sociedad, despite yesterday’s defeat - less predictable, more movement on last line, Zubimendi joining attacks ahead of the ball… Unfortunately another fine-margins game they’ve come out the wrong side of — when they used to be so good in them.

Lamine Yamal completed 11 dribbles against Alavés; the most by a teenager in a LaLiga match on record. The previous youngest player with 10+ was Lionel Messi in February 2007 (19y 239d v Valencia)... two years older than Yamal is now.

Lamine Yamal just completed three dribbles in the opening four minutes vs. Alavés... Quickest an #FCB player has completed 3+ dribbles in a LaLiga match since Lionel Messi in 2019 (also 3/3 after four minutes, versus Mallorca).

Another night that tells you where Joan García is heading. Our article from October: www.lapausa.digital/p/the-elite-...

The top 20 centre backs for line-breaking passes in the #UCL this season. Pairing the numbers with what we're watching, it's pretty clear that Pau Cubarsí is already one of the best CB distributors in world football - and he turned 18 last week.

Real Sociedad lost 3-0 at home to a desperate Getafe side at the weekend, but it’s not their defence that should worry them. Wrote about their recent struggles here, and why the numbers game has started to fail them: www.lapausa.digital/p/real-socie...

Real Sociedad have lost three in a row, and suddenly look detached from LaLiga’s top four. In our latest post, @jamiemkemp.bsky.social takes a look at some of their issues, and why their usual formula seems to be losing its effect. www.lapausa.digital/p/real-socie...

Quickest to 100 goals in a season by LaLiga sides this century (games): 2011-12 Barcelona (31) 2024-25 Barcelona (32) 🚀 2011-12 Real Madrid (32) Flick's only responsibility isn't to get this #FCB team to score (of course), but the extent to which he has is remarkable.

Barcelona just put up 3.2 xG from open play against Valencia... in the first half. Most by a team in the opening half of a match in Europe's big five leagues this season.

Álex Baena's solution, while being hounded by Julián Álvarez deep in his own half at the Metropolitano. Could make the safe, 10-yard pass to Logan Costa...

So just to recap Las Palmas 1-1 Osasuna last night: ⌚️ 103:25 minutes played ⏱️ 48:21 ball-in-play 🟨 14 cards (including a red) ❌ 31 fouls The beautiful game...

Top 10 midfielders for line-breaking passes in the #UCL this season (per 90). Strange to see no Toni Kroos immovably sat at the top of this list.

Julián Álvarez made 108 high-intensity pressures against Bayer Leverkusen; the most by a player in a #UCL match in 24-25 (via Opta). Along with scoring twice (+ 90th winner) for an Atlético team playing with 10 men for 70 minutes. Simeone really hit the jackpot with this guy.

Pedri gets to do his 👓 celebration forever.

Kike García hat-trick at the Villamarín... superb. Glad he'll get the plaudits for a night like this, as his performances have been very good of late. Quality of his CF performances (with/without the rewards) are keeping more talented attackers on the bench every week.

Julio Enciso on loan to Valencia would be all kinds of exciting. A huge shot in the arm for attacking output/creativity from the second line, depending on how quickly he could get up to speed and back in rhythm. www.relevo.com/futbol/merca...

Andrés García looks a nice bet for the future for Villa. A converted wide player, which gives him advantages in the final 1/3, and a big time athlete who should be able to adapt well to the PL on the physical side (while he continues his def. progress). www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/footba...

Real Valladolid back in action tonight, where teenage CB Juma Bah 🇸🇱 will resume his part in trying to keep them in LaLiga. In our latest post, @jamiemkemp.bsky.social takes a look at his first steps & why he's already pinging the radars of European giants. www.lapausa.digital/p/juma-bah-i...

Real Valladolid back in action tonight, where teenage CB Juma Bah 🇸🇱 will resume his part in trying to keep them in LaLiga. In our latest post, @jamiemkemp.bsky.social takes a look at his first steps & why he's already pinging the radars of European giants. www.lapausa.digital/p/juma-bah-i...

Elche are in Copa del Rey action tonight against Atlético Madrid, pitting together two of the most in-form teams in Spanish football. Here's @robbiejdunne.bsky.social with a look at the underdogs, and what their idealist coach Eder Sarabia is building towards. www.lapausa.digital/p/eder-sarab...

Martín Zubimendi to Arsenal, you say? www.lapausa.digital/p/real-socie...

Raphinha has been directly involved in five goals against Real Madrid in 2024-25; the most by any player in a single season since Luis Suárez in 2018-19. Raphinha: 3 goals, 2 assists (169 mins) Suárez: 5 goals (348 mins)

The measure of Yamal’s performances - at his age, in the most challenging contexts - really is absurd. Loved the way he turned down the easy pass (which would have been fine) and hunted that Camavinga foul. Knew he was under pressure and pushed him to the limit.

On one hand - good eye from Chelsea. On the other - please, please, do not let this happen.