Barcelona Close The Gap as Real Madrid Fail To Score Again

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1:56Alan Shearer:Coming up on today's show, Robert Lewandowski rolls back the ears and scores a hat-trick against El Tavigo as Barcelona come out as 4-2 winners. Real Madrid fail to score for the second time this week as they draw 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano. Antoine Griezmann scores within 30 seconds of coming off the bench for Atletico Madrid as he makes it three goals in two games and Villarreal's brilliant start to the season continues with an impressive win at Espanyol Stay tuned for all the action

2:45Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football La Liga episode with Alex Alger, me Gary Linek. I think we're pretty much a third of the way through La Liga season now, Alex. I think as we expected, the top two are Barcelona and Real Madrid are kind of fighting it out with honourable efforts from Villarreal and Atletico de Madrid. What have you been up to? I've been busy working, really, but you're somewhere far more interesting than I am here in miserable London. I am in Mexico. Mexico. La ciudad de Mexico. I've always wanted to go. What's it like there? Do you know, I've not been for 40 years. The last time I was here was in the World Cup in 1986, way before you were born.

3:32Alan Shearer:Not way before. Yeah, this is the second podcast I've done from here. I did obviously our regular episode as well. So I've already told why I'm here because I've been inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame. Amazing. For some illustrious company, including a particular favourite, of course, from La Liga, Iker Casillas, a great Real Madrid goalkeeper for many years. So where have you been working? I was at Tottenham, Manchester United. Yeah. But I was before that at Anfield for Liverpool-Real Madrid, which was a night to forget for Real Madrid. That's two games now, Alex, without a goal. It was all going swimmingly well, wasn't it?

4:13Alan Shearer:We know what football's like. You lose a game and then you draw nil-nil and all of a sudden the pressure mounts. What's the view in Madrid? They're not overly concerned, are they? They are concerned. They are concerned because they don't like losing football matches and especially not big ones. Like we saw the reaction after Madrid derby and losing in the Champions League to Liverpool. It doesn't go down very well with Madridistas and immediately blames on Xabi Alonso. Oh, this is exactly what we had with Carlo Ancelotti. They're blaming Mbappe now, you know, and over reliance. And when he doesn't show up and it's, it's, I think it's very hard to be a Real Madrid manager or to play for Real Madrid.

4:52But yeah, it was obviously a really disappointing defeat. I think the manner of the defeat as well, they just didn't show up at Anfield. All the key players were quiet. All of them were quiet. And it was a really, really poor display from Real Madrid. Liverpool played well, but Real Madrid did not. And you expected a reaction this weekend. And we'll go on to talk about the game. But there was no reaction at Vallecas.

5:17Alan Shearer:We'll come to that shortly. We should probably start with Barcelona with another goal fest. Let's have a look at what happened. By their own high standards, this is a mini-wobble for Barcelona. Three games without a win in all competitions. In contrast, their host, Celta Vigo, have won five straights. This is Firmin Lopez, who gets his shot away, deflects off Marcus Alonso, once off Barcelona, and away for a corner.

5:52Luminium out, wants handball, and the referee's going to go and check it. And that, you feel, is harsh on Marcus Alonso and Celta Vigo, penalty given, his arms were tucked right in, but a spot kick nonetheless.

6:14There are few as reliable as him, Robert Lewandowski will shoulder the burden.

6:24Lewandowski.

6:36Lewandowski against Radu.

6:42Lewandowski has squeezed it in. Not by much, but he won't mind. They all count to his chunky tally. Oh, Barcelona's high line has been breached here Here comes Sergio Carrera They won't catch Carrera Celta Vigo have caught up though 1-1 And Barcelona exposed Oh, Luminium Al has got himself in the way there This is Lewandowski And Firmin Lopez, good block Marcus Rashford gets the shot away Here comes back off the post Lewandowski again Somehow, Celta Vigo survive

7:23Rashford. For Lewandowski, he squeezed it through the legs of Radu. And Barcelona back in front. Marcus Rashford has another assist. Robert Lewandowski has another goal.

7:42Tukla for Borja Inglesias. That is a beautiful equaliser. Barcelona peg back for a second time and in some style as well

8:07onside, quite comfortably onside it's hookless ball but it is all about the finish from Borja Iglesias it's the wrong side might come to Lominiumal and Lominiumal has scored it was maybe a fraction fortunate how it ended up at the teenagers feet in goes Rashford it's Lewandowski to complete yet another hat-trick

8:48Lewandowski rolled out of play they're going to go back for a yellow card to Frankie de Jong which is his second of the night and Barcelona are just going to have to see through a couple of minutes with Ted here the Dutchman is gone it shouldn't matter too much but it will mean Frankie de Jong is missing against Athletic Club after the international break

9:13Alan Shearer:I must say before we actually talk about the game itself the one goal in particular where the whole Barcelona line is on the halfway line and they're still trying to play offside when they've got players in the other half it was almost comical but I mean he did succeed with this last season although it did against the very best they fell foul obviously in the Champions League didn't quite happen for them but I hope it works for Hansi Flick because it's so joyful to watch I mean it's sort of kamikaze style of football in many ways but he just backs his team because of the high press to play high up the pitch which will create more opportunities Yeah, it was not so easy but I think we played really good with the ball and they may have had two chances and they scored at the moment it's like this but at the end I really appreciate a lot what I saw What means crazy game?

10:05It's always about when we make mistakes the opponent uses it So the second half, we want to control the ball much better and want to make less mistakes. And we did it. I sat here watching the Real Madrid game, which I'm not going to criticise Real Madrid. Of course I'm not. But it wasn't the most entertaining game. I was sort of falling asleep watching. And then within the first two minutes of the game at Baleidos, I was totally gripped. Five first half goals. It was really, really, really good to watch. It's a shame that the second half wasn't as good. Celta Vigo didn't come at them in the way they did in the first half.

10:45But really good performance because obviously disappointment, that draw in the Champions League midweek against Club Bruges. But a great performance from Barcelona. And Robert Lewandowski, seven La Liga goals. Now a hat-trick for him, considering that he's not really played that much. He's done so well when he's played. and I think that he's proving how key he is still for this Barcelona team.

11:09Alan Shearer:It must be a dream for him as well because the way Barcelona play, because they press so high, he very rarely has to chase back. So he hasn't got to do too much. So it's playing to his strengths. And also he seems to be forging a nice relationship, doesn't he, with Marcus Rashford. Marcus assisted two of his goals. One was a corner where he headed in at the far post. Terrific header. Forging that kind of relationship with the experienced cookie in the side won't do Marcus any harm at all. The first goal was a delicious cross from Rashford, wasn't it? A little bendy ball that he put in for him.

11:40Alan Shearer:And then also Rashford could probably claim an assist for Lamine Jumal's goal because it was his cross. Slight deflection from the defender before Lamine stuck it away. But again, another encouraging performance from Marcus. Yeah, hat-trick of assists for Marcus Rashford. We can say that, can't we? I think that counts, doesn't it? I think so. He should get it. 100 career assists, I believe it is now for him as well. And I think he's actually played more minutes than all of the forwards for Barcelona this season. And we didn't see that coming at the start of the season. He's really a crucial player now in that team.

12:14And maybe we didn't think it would happen so fast. I don't know. Obviously, you went and spoke to him at the beginning of the season.

12:20Alan Shearer:I think most of Zalek's thought, and lots of people were saying, where's he going to play? Because obviously, they had the incredible forward line last season of Rafinha, Lewandowski and Jamal. So everyone's going, yeah, but he's not going to play. But you know what I said at the time? But football's not like that. You can't keep three players fit. And as it happens, two of those players have been out for quite a lot of the start. You know, Lewandowski's now back, but Rafinha's still out. They're really missing Rafinha, I think. Yes, they are missing. I mean, Rafinha's been fantastic as well. But Marcus has made that position difficult for Hanty Flick to remove him from because he's been consistent, consistently performing really well.

12:59Alan Shearer:And I've watched Marcus for a long time. And when Marcus is happy and when he's in the zone, he is seriously talented and he's such a dangerous player. I mean, he's quick, he can go past players. And when he's confident, when he's confident, he's a joy to watch. Yeah, I'm sure he's full of confidence right now, certainly the way he's playing. Yeah, absolutely brilliant. Your connection, as you say, the connection he has with Lewandowski. Lewandowski wouldn't be scoring those goals without the quality of Marcus Rashford's assist that we saw today. Once they're all fit, it will be interesting to see how Hansi Flick handles things.

13:34Alan Shearer:But as I've always said before, circumstances, it's a way better problem than only having three and then two of them are injured and you haven't got any cover whatsoever. So, you know, but all the best clubs, you fight for places. It's always, it's difficult. So you have to perform and you have to keep your level up. But I mean, Robert Lewandowski is extraordinary. I mean, what is he now? 37? I mean, he obviously keeps himself in fantastic shape. And players are generally lasting a little bit longer than they were 10 years ago, 20 years ago, certainly. He's probably almost the leader of the team as well because of the vast experience that he's had.

14:12Alan Shearer:He's done it, you know, obviously he was incredible at Bayern Munich for many years. He's been a brilliant addition for Barcelona and he's a credit to himself, really. Yeah, and stepping up to take the penalty as well. The first goal, maybe a little bit lucky, I think you could see on his face, couldn't you? Yeah. Yeah, he got a bit lucky there, but he will take it. He will take it. And they're back to the Nou Camp. Yeah. Game after the break is Athletic Club at home. Yeah. So the plan is to play that game at the Nou Camp. It'll be nice to get, because once you get a full camp now, that does make a difference, particularly, I think, in the big games, in the Champions League matches and Clasicos, etc.

14:53Yeah, absolutely. And as you say, the gap closed. Yeah, three points. So we'll see. Yeah, it's nothing. It's nothing.

15:01Alan Shearer:Wasn't much going on in the Real Madrid game. Shall we see the few bits that did? Let's have a look. A rare misstep for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid in midweek, beaten by Liverpool. Tonight, not too far from home, they take on Rayo Valencarna. Courtois looks long. Little drop to Brahim Diaz. Surges past the challenge. Valverde on the overlap. Back to Brahim Diaz.

15:33Camavinga recovers it for Real Madrid. this is Ardegula, good save by Batalla. First real sight of goal for Real, it comes from the Turk, who have developed a taste for it this season.

15:57Real Vallecano just feeling their way into this one. André Ratiu has set off down the right-hand side and there is a bit of space that has been vacated there as Rachu shoots and Courtois saves. Bellingham. Arna Gula, Bellingham. Real Madrid playing in the tightest of spaces here. This is Kylian Mbappe towards Bellingham. It comes to finish his junior. Bataya makes another good save.

16:37He has looked the brightest spark at times. Off goes Drew Bellingham. It's Bellingham! It's a good save by the boot of Batalla.

16:51Mbappe. It's killing Mbappe! It's so close to an opener.

17:08Radhuis ball in, it's the Frutos again, over the bar, couldn't control his effort.

17:18Bellingham, Ardegula, Raheem Diaz tried the outside at the foot, it was belting through a crowd from Valverde, but again Bataya saves so Real Madrid haven't actually won away at Rayo now since the 21-22 season they tend to struggle there but after that

17:38Alan Shearer:bogey ground bogey ground absolutely just 10 miles outside the city centre it's a derby Rayo up for it they had that big comeback win in the conference league midweek as well but Real Madrid were just not up for it Xabi Alonso has been criticised for his team selection as well He left Trent on the bench. We saw Trent come on at Anfield for the final 10 minutes or so. Yeah, final 10 minutes. And the same again in this game, wasn't it? You would think, because he's so creative. Yeah, they needed him. I hope he's not got an issue with Trent. But the thing is, I mean, he is coming back from injury.

18:14But the strange thing is, Feddy picked up an injury in the game at Anfield. So you'd think he'd sit this one out. Trent starts, he's fit and then maybe bring Fede on. But also to remember, Fede's playing out of position. He doesn't, he's said before, he doesn't want to play there at right back. He just happens to be very good at it. But to me, that makes a little sense as well, especially, and then another really interesting thing is they're struggling to create chances, struggling to score goals, two games now without a goal. Gonzalo Garcia, remember him? Remember him from the Club World Cup who was scoring for fun?

18:49He can't get a minute. I don't know what's going on there either. And maybe there's a certain over-reliance on Kylian Mbappe as well. So 18 goals in all competitions for him this season. The second highest in all competitions is five goals, and that's Vinny Jr. And Vinny Jr. was really quiet at Anfield, thanks to Connor Bradley's amazing performance. But he was really quiet again this afternoon. So it is a concern. It is a concern.

19:13Alan Shearer:I wonder if a game of that magnitude at Anfield, I mean, had a kind of debilitating effect on them, where they were a little bit jaded, a little bit tired. And we saw it with Liverpool, very much outplayed by Manchester City as well, despite the fact that Liverpool actually played really well in midweek and obviously bossed that game. If it wasn't for Thibaut, it could have been 3-0, 4-0. Some incredible saves. Eight saves, but some were absolutely extraordinary. World class. Which he also did, of course, in the final, didn't he? Yeah, that's what Trent said in the interview that we did last week, that he's said to Tebow, what were you on that game, by the way?