E615: Barça LaLiga defence begins with Elche rout & no Balde

Send us Fan MailRaphinha delivered a second hat-trick of the week to keep his remarkable form as a striker going. The Brazilian's goals helped Barcelona beat Sevilla 3-1 to continue their perfect start to the season: eight games, eight wins.Sam, Rik and Toni discuss Barça's latest victory, analyse Raphinha's improvement in front of goal and weigh in on Real Madrid's latest defeat -- and more referee moans -- as Hansi Flick's side go five points clear at the top of LaLiga.Bad timing for an international break...SP!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 Fan MailBarcelona are celebrating the continuation of their perfect start to the season with a 4-2 win over Levante... and Toni is celebrating the birth of his daughter (congrats, Toni!), so you'll have to put up with Sam and Rik this week.Barça won 4-2 at Levante on Sunday to make it five wins from five in LaLiga. Lamine Yamal scored two more, Xavi Espart netted his first goal for the club and Karim Adeyemi produced a stunning individual effort to seal the win.But Hansi Flick was not happy with the performance, conceding his side were nowhere near their best as poor defending and mistakes almost let Levante back into the game.An apology for the rattling cafe sound in the background. A technology fail and recording on location means it is not the smoothest audio, but hopefully you can appreciate the authenticity of the Valencia setting.It won't happen again (hopefully!).SP!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 Fan MailSam, Rik and Toni talk about Barca's 5-0 whipping of Valencia which took them clear at the top of La Liga. A brace for Lamine, Fermin at his best, Rodri's first start and a potential role change for Pedri. Toni still has a bee in his bonnet about 'no-goal' Gordon, who added another assist to his stat-book. It expands into a wider discussion about 'clutch players' and their costs.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 Fan MailRik and Toni get stuck into Barca's 5-2 rout of Rayo Vallecano with braces for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, and two goals created by Anthony Gordon, who is fast becoming a fan favourite at Camp Nou. Plus Gabriel Jesus on the way, defensive mistakes, and more.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 Fan MailThe Monday pod is back!Barcelona's title defence began in the best possible way, with a 5-0 win at Elche on Sunday. Are they not so desperate for a No.9 after all? There was also news in defence, with Alejandro Balde omitted from the squad amid doubts over his future.SP!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 Fan MailAdrian Bialkowski, authour of the Barcelona Football Guide, joins Sam to discuss his book, Poles in Barcelona and the season ahead.SP!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 Fan MailSam, Rik and Toni decide who the player of the season was, among awards in other categories from Barca's triumphant La Liga campaign. Feel free to share your thoughts below!Player of the seasonYoung player of the seasonMost improved playerMost disappointing playerBest and worst momentsGame of the seasonGoal of the seasonand any unpopular opinions...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 Fan MailSam, Rik and Toni talk about Robert Lewandowski's Camp Nou farewell in the 3-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday. The Polish striker has won three La Liga titles in four seasons with the Catalan giants. How big is his Blagurana legend?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 Fan MailBarcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0 at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday to seal the LaLiga title with three games to spare. Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres got the goals in what was a seventh Clásico success (out of eight!) for Hansi Flick's Barça in the last two seasons.Sam, Rik and Toni reflect on the what another championship means for Barça, why this Clásico victory was never in doubt and the factors behind what could still be a record breaking season.SP!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 Fan MailSam, Rik and Toni talk about Barca's 2-1 win over Osasuna which leaves them just needing a point in the Clasico next Sunday to be proclaimed champions once more. We talk about the game a little, but it's a pretty wide spread of topics on this pod. The Madrid game, squad contributions, Rashford's future, Roony's too, Raphinha, Sam tries to stir regarding the Shark, Barca's XI 'tipo', and.... (from 41:25) Barca women reach a sixth consecutive Champions League final.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