Football Daily charts Spain’s blueprint for sustained success with Benitez, Balague and Azpilicueta

Podcast unpacks the formula behind Spain’s golden era and beyond

Mark Chapman hosts the latest episode of BBC Sounds’ Football Daily, titled “The Reign of Spain”, as he is joined by Guillem Balague and Rafa Benitez to tell the story of how Spain found the formula to keep reproducing success.

Football Daily The Reign of Spain BBC Sounds podcast cover

The panel examines how Spain established that framework, the special relationship with the Barcelona academy and the Basque influence.

Barcelona academy and the Spanish way

Jordi Gratacos, International Director of Academies between 2009-11 and 2016-20, drops by to talk the footballing success of the Barcelona way. The discussion covers the origins of Spain’s style with Guillem Balague at 02:10, a segment on the student of football at 10:00, and Gratacos on Barca at 15:40.

Basque roots and national identity

At 28:50 the programme looks at Basque influence and the “tree trunk throwing” anecdote, before turning to identity at 38:50 with former Chelsea captain and Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta talking about the identity of the Spanish national team.

Later sections explore Spain style at 45:10 and divisions amongst some fans at 49:40. The episode is available for 29 days on BBC Sounds.