Revista de la Liga with Graham Hunter

During my time in Spain, I have seen the heights of Villarreal’s extraordinary rise from a scruffy port town team, playing in front of a couple of thousand fans in a ramshackle stadium. Here, from my writing this week for ESPNFC, is the special story of how their billionaire owner, Fernando Roig, has sustained that improbable transformation for a quarter of a century, and now stands on the edge of a new frontier: the Champions League final.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Boudewijn ‘Bolo’ Zenden was a winger full of pace and precision who graced the jerseys of the Netherlands, Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and his beloved PSV Eindhoven, where he now coaches.His childhood grounding in judo prepared him for epic duels with full-backs, and he’s as good a Big Interview guest as we’ve had at articulating the intricacy of his craft, how he lured opponents into his traps.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Hola!Here's an interesting one... this is my chat with Mick Clegg, the former power development coach at Manchester United. Mick is a fascinating character who tells tales of boxing with Roy Keane and Wes Brown, training the 'non-athlete' Paul Scholes and, of course, helping to shape a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo into the specimen he became. A fascinating tale of a unique guy.G** Mick has a brilliant book out, The Power and The Glory, expertly ghostwritten by Steve Bartram - You can buy it here ** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Xavi often cites Luuk de Jong as setting the standard of professionalism and application that he demands at Camp Nou. In part two of our conversation with Luuk, there’s amazing content about the Barcelona head coach’s methods, which include fun team games at training that seem to have little to do with football yet which sharpen you mentally and teach you positional and possessional play, and also bond the players.You’ll also hear great insights into the natural talents of Barca superstars Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Today's story comes from Brian Laudrup. In 1992, he was a teammate of Stefan Effenberg at Bayern Munich and they were both moving to Fiorentina after Euro 92. They met in the final, but Effenberg's pre-match promise of comradery faded quickly after Denmark's upset victory over Germany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

There can only be one winner for the Ballon D'Or, but he has not done it alone. Here, from my writing for ESPNFC, is my argument that Karim Benzema must end the year in possession of his first Ballon d'Or - and my explanation that the key to his incredible level of performance has been his partnership with Vinicius jnr., a player Benzema himself has shaped into exactly the foil he needed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

To celebrate our sixth birthday, The Big Interview did something special: visited the Barcelona training ground to meet with their bright and brilliant Dutch striker Luuk de Jong.In part one, you’ll hear about how Luuk formed a relationship with Ever Banega at Sevilla which helped them clinch the 2020 Europa League. Sevilla’s record-breaking win was achieved with zero fans present, but the Covid bubble actually helped bond the players for victory.You’ll also hear about Luuk’s explanation of how the striker’s instinct kicks in in the heat of the moment, and his favourite footballing moment: PSV beating Ajax 3-0 to become Eredivisie champions in 2018.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Today, Wolves defender Conor Coady sells us on the merits of his favourite formation – 3-4-3 – and his it has changed the way he watches football, not just plays it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Today’s story comes from Ander Herrer. I asked him to break down how he prepares himself for big games – here’s what he had to say, I think you’ll like it.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Today’s story comes from Michael Carrick, former Manchester United midfielder and now a key part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff at Old Trafford. Here’s Michael transporting us – and himself – back to the penalty shoot out that ended the 2008 Champions League final.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe