The Football Weekend7 Helmi 2025

The Madrid Derby (Feat. Graham Hunter)

It’s first against second in La Liga, as REAL MADRID lead ATLÉTICO MADRID by just a point at the top of the table. Barcelona have fallen away somewhat from their hot start under new boss Hansi Flick, and now Spain’s capital quarrel may answer quite a few questions around who will be crowned champions in May.

It’s all happening just as managers Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti—egged on by the tempestuous football media in Spain—trade barbs over refereeing controversies and Real Madrid’s repeated shattering of Atléti hearts in recent times. This one goes way further back, though. It's a dispute with roots in Spanish football’s earliest history and then—crucially—the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

For much of the ‘60s and ‘70s, as now, Atléti fought their way into the reckoning at the summit of Spanish football, forcing Real Madrid and Barcelona to take notice. The Colchoneros started out as a satellite of Athletic Club de Bilbao, gained then shedded associations with the Spanish military, and then the Madrid derby took on its modern shape: Real Madrid as the establishment club, the continental giants and serial winners. Atléti as the leftist, working-class outfit that proudly embraced a spirit of rebellion.

Here to trace it all and preview this weekend’s encounter is Graham Hunter, storied scribe of Spanish football for ESPN.

If you're enjoying The Football Weekend, please leave us a rating and review! It will help spread the good word.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(79)

How to Invent a Football Club (Feat. Max Mansfield)

With men's football in a very brief offseason, it's time for a change of pace. How does a football club get started in the first place? Maximilian Mansfield can tell you first hand. He's the CEO of Br...

7 Kesä 202432min

The Champions League Final (Feat. Clive Tyldesley)

It's the Champions League final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium, where REAL MADRID will seek a preposterous 15th title and BORUSSIA DORTMUND will play the David to Madrid's Goliath.CLIVE TYLDESLEY will...

30 Touko 202434min

The FA Cup Final (Feat. Jon Champion)

MANCHESTER UNITED and MANCHESTER CITY will contest the FA Cup final on Saturday at 10am Eastern, and Jon Champion will be calling the game for U.S. audiences on ESPN. He also graciously joined the sho...

23 Touko 202450min

Championship Sunday (Feat. Robbie Earle)

It's the Premier League's final day, and the title is still on the line. Arsenal have won 15 of their last 17 league games, but it may not be enough to topple mighty Manchester City. The Gunners must ...

17 Touko 202446min

UNITED vs ARSENAL (Feat. Chris Wittyngham)

Arsenal head to Manchester United on Sunday, and only victory will suffice. Mikel Arteta’s side are locked in a title race with Manchester City, and even a draw here will mean their race is run. Manch...

10 Touko 202447min

Bayer Neverlosin' (Feat. Derek Rae)

Bayer Leverkusen are six matches from immortality. The German champions have won 39 games of their 47 played. They’ve drawn eight. They’ve lost zero. This young team led by Xabi Alonso has already won...

3 Touko 202448min

The North London Derby (Feat. Rory Talks Football)

The loathing and disgust that Tottenham and Arsenal have for one another is truly uncommon. It all began in 1913, when the Gunners moved across the Thames to Tottenham's neighborhood. The locals never...

26 Huhti 202431min

El Clásico (Feat. Graham Hunter)

This is the glamor match of world football, the grandest stage for the biggest stars. This was Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane vs. Ronaldinho, Raúl vs. Carles Puyol. And then there...

19 Huhti 202446min