Tuesday 10 May 2016 10:04, UK
In his La Liga review, Guillem Balague reckons Barcelona have rediscovered the intensity they need to win the title and denies rumours they will be signing Hatem Ben Arfa this summer...
Barcelona found motivation and intensity when they needed it most
Luis Enrique's players started both halves against Espanyol on Sunday looking like the Barcelona of old. They fell asleep a little bit after scoring the first goal, but their opponents didn't have much of a threat, beyond a little bit of (legal) aggression.
Espanyol didn't play too much football and had three defensive midfielders, which didn't really make much sense after conceding an early goal.
It didn't help that goalkeeper Pau Lopez decided to try and provoke Barcelona by saying he wanted one of the Madrid sides to win the league.
That's a big mistake to make against Barcelona!
Real Madrid could easily have lost to Valencia
Pako Ayestaran set his Valencia team up with the intention of winning the game at Real Madrid on Sunday - and they could have pulled it off.
Valencia played really well in the second half and the momentum only stopped when Rodrigo was sent off for saying something to the linesman - something which doesn't often result in a red card.
One of the contradictions of this Real Madrid team is that Zinedine Zidane has made the team competitive again and everyone is happier - but there was still some confusion in the game that suggests he is still not a top manager.
He wanted to put Alvaro Arbeloa on and take off James Rodriguez - until Cristiano Ronaldo told him that Lucas Vazquez was injured and needed to be taken off instead.
However, Zidane has given authority and responsibility to the players and they have responded to him. Thirteen consecutive victories in the league is a really good record.
Cristiano Ronaldo just keeps scoring. As I always said, he has reached his peak physically but he will still score goals because he has so much talent. He doesn't influence matches as much, but he still pops up with goals, which are very useful to the side.
Ateltico Madrid are tired
There was a defining moment towards the end of Sunday's defeat to Levante.
The ball was played to Saul, but it was about five metres in front of him and he stopped running. That shows this team is tired physically and emotionally.
This is the sixth season in a row Atletico Madrid have not won away at Levante, who are a proud team. They are going down but I'm sure they will come back soon. They have made mistakes this year because they have more money than ever, but have spent it badly.
Atletico can now switch their focus to the Champions League final and the team needs to rest. Luckily, they have time to recover so you shouldn't see a repeat of the pictures you saw at the end of the 2014 final when they couldn't handle extra-time.
As we saw against Bayern Munich last week, the team is fitter now and they are still favourites in my eyes.
The battle at the bottom is interesting
Rayo Vallecano are in trouble after losing to Real Sociedad. What Paco Jemez has done with Rayo is a little miracle. This is the sort of position you would expect them to be in, so they are not underperforming.
Until now they have been overperforming, as well as entertaining. Perhaps in certain games they have exaggerated their offensive approach and did not look after defensive details.
They could have worked on that a bit harder. That has cost them a lot of points and their survival is now out of their hands.
Survival is in Getafe's hands and the good news for Real Betis, Espanyol and Granada is that they will all be playing in the top flight next year.
Guillem answers your questions
Ben Arfa really a Barca option? L'equipe reporting he's travelling Barca today, deal is close! Mumtaheen Promith
GUILLEM SAYS: Ben Arfa is not an option for Barcelona. He was considered because he is available for free, but Barcelona have now said 'no' to that possibility.
Who would you give player and young player of the year to? Jack Carter-Hallam
GUILLEM SAYS: The Player of the Year has to be from a team that has won the league. I reckon Barcelona will win the league, so I will give it to Luis Suarez. Saul would be my pick for young player. Borja Baston of Eibar would be in contention, but Saul is looking like an exceptional player.
Rodriguez has constantly been linked with Manchester United and Bayern, what is the situation? Shantanu
GUILLEM SAYS: The situation is he belongs to Jorge Mendes and he has been talking to other clubs. Real Madrid will accept offers, but at the moment there is none and they want to recover some of the money they spent on him. Keep an eye on that.
Do you see Valencia sticking with Ayestaran or do you think they may approach Pellegrini? ZNic82
GUILLEM SAYS: I don't think Pellegrini is an option. In the eyes of Valencia, he would be too expensive but they haven't decided yet. I think Ayestaran has been told he has a chance. He lost some of that following the games with Villarreal and Getafe, but must have earned some credit after the Real Madrid match. They are talking to other managers and will make a decision, but for me, Ayestaran would be a good choice.
Any news yet on Torres' new contract, if there is to be one? Daniel Knights
GUILLEM SAYS: He will be offered a contract and I'm sure he will accept it.
Any truth in Mahrez to Barcelona rumours? Poncian Kamanda
GUILLEM SAYS: I don't believe those rumours at all, but Barcelona are looking for a fourth attacker. Perhaps Nolito or somebody of that calibre who will be happy to be on the bench. It won't be Mahrez.
Is there any chance that Real Madrid signs Paul Pogba next season? RealMadridistas_PH
GUILLEM SAYS: Pogba is on the market. Juventus, of course, will want to keep him but I'm pretty sure Manchester City, Real Madrid and PSG will want him. It's still early, so we will have to keep an eye on that.
