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La Pausa

@lapausa.bsky.social
1.2K followers 185 following 150 posts

An analytical look at La Liga and all things Spanish football, by @robbiejdunne.bsky.social & @jamiemkemp.bsky.social. 📝 Subscribe to our Substack: lapausapodcast.substack.com

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Reposted by La Pausa
La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
New post looking at a few players who have caught our eye in September. 🪄 Nizar El Jmili – Villarreal B 🚀 Romeo Hueso – Atlético Madrileño 🤔 Lacine Koné – Mérida lapausapodcast.substack.com/p/notes-from...
lapausapodcast.substack.com
Notes From Spain: September Edition
A closer look at three young players making their mark in Spain including Nizar El Jmili at Villarreal B, Romeo Hueso at Atlético Madrileño and Lacine Koné at Mérida.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
New post looking at a few players who have caught our eye in September. 🪄 Nizar El Jmili – Villarreal B 🚀 Romeo Hueso – Atlético Madrileño 🤔 Lacine Koné – Mérida lapausapodcast.substack.com/p/notes-from...
lapausapodcast.substack.com
Notes From Spain: September Edition
A closer look at three young players making their mark in Spain including Nizar El Jmili at Villarreal B, Romeo Hueso at Atlético Madrileño and Lacine Koné at Mérida.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Early snapshot from each team's first four games (minus Elche + Getafe on three). Barcelona and Real Madrid on a different planet of chance creation. Barcelona on a different planet to Real Madrid...
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Long way to go but Barcelona are pretty much at the peak of chance creation at the moment. One the one hand, difficult to sustain. On the other, very impressive to come out of the pre-season gate at this level.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The five highest xG game totals in LaLiga 26-27 (excl. pens): 🔴 4.23 - Barça v Athletic Club 🔴 4.08 - Barça v Valencia 🔴 3.59 - Barça v Elche ⚪️ 3.18 - Real Madrid v Real Sociedad 🔴 3.05 - Barça v Rayo Vallecano
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Iñigo Vicente took a circuitous route to LaLiga but now that he's here, he has looked every bit the part of an exciting Racing Santander side. lapausapodcast.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
lapausapodcast.substack.com
What to do with Iñigo Vicente?
The assist king of Segunda arrives in LaLiga, presenting his typical conundrums.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Pervading end-of-weekend thought: Athletic's opener was nothing short of a nightmare (result-wise), and you still leave fascinated by Peio Canales. We need to beg the football gods for no injuries, because there are very few obstacles to stop him becoming an elite player.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
We wrote this when Edin Terzić was announced as Athletic Club's new manager. A lot has changed since then but Peio Canales and Beñat Gerenabarrena is the stuff we hoped we would see from the German. A brand new era starts today. lapausapodcast.substack.com/p/a-peak-int...
lapausapodcast.substack.com
A peak into Athletic Club's future: team solutions, youth promotions & Edin Terzic
Change is coming in Bilbao, where the club are aiming for a swift return to the top table of Spanish football.
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Reposted by La Pausa
La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Chema Aragón said it felt like Racing Santander had won the lottery when they signed him for €3.5 million. With a €20 million release clause, it still feels like a bargain. Our latest on a player who lit up the World Cup with his midfield play: lapausapodcast.substack.com/p/gustavo-pu...
lapausapodcast.substack.com
Gustavo Puerta is built for midfield’s age of chaos
A todocampista in the truest sense, Puerta has used the World Cup to prove he is ready for the game’s highest level.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Very impressive display from Bil Nsongo last night in his top flight debut. When he went off after an hour, Elche really could settle more in possession and became more dominant. Did some seriously hard running out of possession to hurt Elche's build-up.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
A real gem.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Chema Aragón said it felt like Racing Santander had won the lottery when they signed him for €3.5 million. With a €20 million release clause, it still feels like a bargain. Our latest on a player who lit up the World Cup with his midfield play: lapausapodcast.substack.com/p/gustavo-pu...
lapausapodcast.substack.com
Gustavo Puerta is built for midfield’s age of chaos
A todocampista in the truest sense, Puerta has used the World Cup to prove he is ready for the game’s highest level.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Doesn't feel like their positional game has been hugely threatening on the creation front so far, but they're managing the game well with that platform. Even if Levante are happy defending deep, you could see Calero wasn't at all comfortable with the severity of that start.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
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-...
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
If you'd prefer this straight into your inbox every week, here's your ticket: www.lapausa.digital
lapausa.digital
La Pausa | Substack
An analytical look at football in Spain, by Robbie Dunne & Jamie Kemp. Click to read La Pausa, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Good timing for our cover star Altimira, with reports saying Stuttgart have been busy bidding for him and trying to jump the queue... www.estadiodeportivo.com/futbol/betis...
estadiodeportivo.com
El Betis rechaza ofertas por Sergi Altimira
El centrocampista, que tiene contrato con el Real Betis hasta el 30 de junio de 2029, es una pieza fundamental en el presente y el futuro del club verdiblanco que no piensa en venderlo a pesar de que ...
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
📈 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...
lapausa.digital
Charting LaLiga #2: Ascendant Altimira, Barça's revival, Real Madrid remain unscathed (& more)
With matchday two in the books, we're back with another drop of insights from around the Spanish top-flight.
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Reposted by La Pausa
Jamie Kemp @jamiemkemp.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
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...
lapausa.digital
Real Sociedad's post-Zubimendi plan begins to spin
Whether Martín Zubimendi stays or goes, La Real's preparation for the worst case scenario will pass through their academy.
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Reposted by La Pausa
Jamie Kemp @jamiemkemp.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
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...
lapausa.digital
Joaquín Panichelli puts unlikely Mirandés on his back
The 22-year-old already holds the Mirandés scoring record in a second tier campaign, and could yet propel an historic promotion for los Rojillos.
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Jamie Kemp @jamiemkemp.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
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...
lapausa.digital
The wing back flyers who could decide LaLiga’s final spot
Real Oviedo and Mirandés have plenty to thank their full backs and wing backs for in their respective runs to the play-off final.
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Reposted by La Pausa
Jamie Kemp @jamiemkemp.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
🧵 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):
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Average position maps for both Real Oviedo and Mirandés in their semi-final second legs. Oviedo a little more defensive in the second leg (naturally), but both teams are engineered get their full/wing backs in high positions and even finishing zones (as we've seen).
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
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...
lapausa.digital
The wing back flyers who could decide LaLiga’s final spot
Real Oviedo and Mirandés have plenty to thank their full backs and wing backs for in their respective runs to the play-off final.
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Reposted by La Pausa
Jamie Kemp @jamiemkemp.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
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...
lapausa.digital
Joaquín Panichelli puts unlikely Mirandés on his back
The 22-year-old already holds the Mirandés scoring record in a second tier campaign, and could yet propel an historic promotion for los Rojillos.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Sancet has played 1,428 minutes in LaLiga this season and is still averaging a goal or assist every game (1.01 per 90). Even with injuries and stop-start periods of the season, the way he can come in and immediately produce tells you all about his quality. Different level.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Maybe not all that surprising, but tells you the problem. If you don't or can't press, Real Madrid's defensive shape should be infinitely better than it is (with the legs you're saving/keeping numbers behind the ball). They're achieving neither as it stands.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
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).
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Assists can be misleading, but does feel symbolic of what McBurnie has brought on limited opportunities. Finding the right passes/linking up play at the end of the usual gritty CF moments a real strength of his. 6/6 aerial duels won v Celta too (as a feature of the gameplan).
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
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).
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Along with Ilaix Moriba from tonight, those are two players who'd be viewed in a very different light if they hadn't yet already had their 'big move' at a young age. Current performances of both should put them back where they once were, and both still young enough to go again.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Since the start of February, Betis have two players in the top five in LaLiga for attacking sequence involvements (Antony and Isco). Nice - and not unsurprising - to see Javi Guerra amongst it too. Improving form under Corberán and contributing in different ways from midfield.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
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).
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
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...
lapausa.digital
Pellegrini's Betis find their groove
Antony's arrival has helped to mark a before and after Real Betis, but he's not the only one putting the wind in their sails.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Some of the teams he's played in his 15 starts: Brazil, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands (x2), Serbia, Switzerland. 40% of his international starts have been in knockout stage matches too.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
(Come join us, amigos.)
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
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...
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
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...
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Another superb game from Areso as well, who is clearly one of the RBs of the season in LaLiga up to this point. Every game is a physical spectacle - just a permament attacking force from full back, constantly driving with the ball, making runs into the final 1/3...
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
(and you're pretty happy to trade defending a certain # of high-line situations for spending that much time camped out in the opposition half)
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
And not that Flick would even care about possession percentage, or set his team up to prioritise control, either. Just the casually overwhelming result of a bold attack and attitude to recover the ball as quicky as possible.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
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.
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La Pausa @lapausa.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
19 high turnovers... the most by a team in a single game in LaLiga this season (and two leading to goals). Athletic have just completely extinguished Girona. Frightening team on days like this.
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