E551: Barça's Joan García excels on Espanyol return

Send us a textHappy New Year!The podcast returns after another Barcelona win, this time in the derby against Espanyol, with Joan García excelling on his return to the club he left in a controversial transfer last summer for €25 million.Sam, Rik and Toni discuss the goalkeeper's performance, where he stands in the list of current Spanish stoppers and his importance to this Barça side.Other than García's display, it was not Barça's best performance of the season, with the quality off the bench tilting the tie in their favour as they turn their attention to this week's Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia.Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textRaphinha and Lamine Yamal were on target as Barcelona won 2-0 away at Villarreal on Sunday to keep their four-point lead at the top of LaLiga as the Spanish top flight breaks until January.Rik and Toni discuss the win at the Cerámica, as Barça snapped Villarreal's six-game winning steak in LaLiga by taking theirs to eight matches. There is of course some customary Ferran talk, but also Flick's Raphinha rant, the need for defensive reinforcements after Christensen's injury and doubts about an Eric-Frenkie midfield pairing.Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textBarcelona made it seven wins in a row in LaLiga as a Raphinha double downed Osasuna at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday.Sam, Rik and Toni discuss Raphinha's role as a No.10, the brilliance of Pedri and, of course, there had to be some Ferran Torres talk, even if we're trying to lay off the Shark chat.Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textSam, Rik and Toni talk about Barca's 5-3 win at Betis, in which Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick. That's the main talking point, but we also get into Roony's game, Lamine Yamal at the No 10 position and the goals conceded.Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textBarcelona beat Alavés 3-1 at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday to move to the top of LaLiga -- and they stayed there after Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Girona the following day. Sam, Rik and Toni discuss Barça's performance against Alavés, Hansi Flick's moment of solitude on the bench and look ahead to Tuesday's huge clash with Atlético Madrid as the top of the Spanish league squeezes together. Just three points now separate Barça, Madrid, Villarreal and Atlético as we welcome in December. Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textBarcelona made their long awaited return to Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday, beating Athletic Club 4-0 to move within one point of LaLiga leaders Real Madrid.Sam, Rik and Toni discuss the significance of Barça returning home, give their first impressions on the stadium (which is still being finished) and discuss a thumping win which brought another impressive Eric García performance, returns for Raphinha and Joan García, goals from Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres (2) and Fermín López and a couple of superb Lamine Yamal assists.Then attention turns to Tuesday, when Barça travel to London for the battle of Rik and Toni: Chelsea vs. Barcelona in the Champions League.Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textSam and Rik discuss Barca's 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo at Balaidos which helped them reel in Real Madrid to three points. Motivation, an improved second half, less carelessness, time up for Tek? and other discussion points as Flick's side take a step forward. Plus: Messi at Camp Nou!Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textSam and Rik discuss Barca's 3-1 win over Elche on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium as they trudge down the hill. Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford score the goals as Flick's side move five points behind Real Madrid once more. Update on Lamine's groin issue, was this a step forward for the team? Does the performance matter right now?Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textSam, Rik and Toni discuss Barcelona's 2-1 Bernabeu defeat on Sunday. Lamine Yamal's poor performance, Barca's mistakes, player ratings, the furore around the game... we get into it.Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod

Send us a textSam and Toni discuss Barcelona's last ditch win against Girona, with Ronald Araújo coming off the bench cast as a striker to score the winner in stoppage time.Join Patreon for post-Olympiacos and clásico preview content later this week as Barça prepare for a couple of big games. Support the showFor bonus content, including additional podcasts, Q&As, special collections and Discord access to join the discussion with other Barça fans, join our Patreon: patreon.com/siemprepod