Latif Issman. Remember that name. 19 years of age and playing for Logroñés in Primera RFEF. Real Madrid were linked in the summer but it never turned into a deal. He has everything a modern midfielder needs to succeed.

A victory for Madrid in the Clásico, a boost for Mourinho as the myth-maker and an existential crisis for Barcelona. All in a night’s work for the Real Madrid manager. ✍️ The tactics that decided the first Clásico of the season. lapausapodcast.substack.com/…

Pedri is just so good. It's only in the most tense of games where Barcelona need someone to receive the ball and progress it under pressure that it becomes so apparent.

Ángel Pérez (Alavés) has everything to succeed in the Premier League. Can see there being plenty of interest in him next summer.

Highly recommend @Jon_Mackenzie's book The Spectre of Pep. The section that dives into Mourinho's approach, tactical periodisation and comparison to Conte particularly interesting. We are seeing this playing out right now and is the reason why Mourinho was picked to manage (not micro-manage) this group of players. Teams have gotten so good at a) building up and then creating against loose defensive units and b) so good at defending against build-ups that aren't very clearly defined and the players' ability to 'decide' games with moments is going to be key for him to succeed. Will it be enough?

One thing that would have helped Barcelona against PSG is for Cancelo to start 10 yards further up the field. Gordon stepped inside and up to press Marquinhos to prevent any potential pass into the middle. Cancelo had to jump maybe 25 yards on Hakimi, who could receive, turn and pick his pass out.

Didn't see a single thing about Barcelona's defensive frailties before last night. Prior to the PSG game, they had played 11 and won 11, scoring 48 goals in the process and only conceding 11. These results and games are part of the deal. And it's not like being slightly more solid would have guaranteed a result anyway. PSG probably would have won 2-1 instead of 4-2.

Since we wrote this, Nizar made his debut with Villarreal's first team. Lacine Koné just scored a double to help Mérida win once again... Subscribe if you don't want to miss any of the upcoming Spanish talent we are writing about! lapausapodcast.substack.com/…

The level Mikel Goti has been playing at for the last month is simply incredible. His display against Sporting alone was one of the best I've seen in a while. And now a goal after 3 minutes against table-toppers Eibar. Let's see what the next 87 minutes of the Goti experience has for us.

Stumbling towards sustainability Sevilla have been forced to face reality. A squad rebuild brings increased uncertainty, but it has also given them a clearer financial path forward. ✍️ latest on a busy summer at Sevilla and how it looks to be already paying them back. lapausapodcast.substack.com/…

Caught Atlético C vs. Conquense last night. New signing, Beltrán Auguste, did well for Atlético against a tricky opponent in Raul Pescador. Javi Tena came on in the second half and looks a very interesting player. 190cm playing at the base of midfield. Really good sense of where to be to pick up the ball and provided good tempo for a team looking to see out the win.

Koné with his first goal for Mérida in his second start. One of the players we wrote about below in our Notes from Spain newsletter. lapausapodcast.substack.com/…

Troy de Triana.