Monday 6 April 2015 18:46, UK
Real Madrid are peaking at a good time while Barcelona are struggling in their new style, says Guillem Balague, who thinks the title race is closer than the table suggests...
For those that just like to look at results, here you go: Barcelona are four points clear of Real Madrid.
For those that like to look a little deeper at performance levels, read on.
Barcelona are, in many people’s eyes, still favourites for the La Liga title. I disagree. It’s 50-50. I think it will be decided in the last couple of weeks of the season and Real Madrid have a very big chance to win it – just as big as Barcelona.
The two will be a lot closer in the table at the end of the season than they are now.
Real Madrid look very strong at the moment. Not only because of their 9-1 hammering of Granada, who, it’s important to remember, only played three first-team regulars as their coach and chairman decided to rest players for this week’s matches against Celta Vigo and Almería.
That said, Real Madrid played very well against the weakened team from the 20th minute onwards.
They showed good aggression in their play. They want to win the next nine games. If they do, that will be 10 games in a row, which would be a brilliant achievement as no La Liga club has won their last 10 fixtures this decade. Not even the Jose Mourinho-managed Madrid team that won the league with 100 points.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona still have to play Sevilla and Valencia but, crucially, Luis Enrique’s men face a tough trip to Atletico Madrid. There is just two draws separating the two title chasing sides and then the head-to-head is in favour of Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are peaking in form at a good time, albeit not the right time, while doubts are starting to creep in about Barcelona. Their first half performance against Celta Vigo was the worst of the season according to Jérémy Mathieu and what he was referring to was the lack of control they had in possession.
It’s ok to change a style of football but this style must perform much better. It’s a subject we’re going to debate on Revista de la Liga on Monday.
The midfield need more help from the front three as they are running around like headless chickens doing too much work. Barcelona needed a brilliant defensive performance by Gerard Pique and a goal from Mathieu to win – that says it all.
They can get away with playing like that against Celta Vigo but with bigger games against Atletico, Valencia and Sevilla on the horizon there are questions to answer whether they can flourish in this new style.
I may be proved wrong, but this style exposes the weaknesses of Barcelona. I think you need to have a midfield like Real Madrid to play this kind of counter attacking football. Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets struggle in this set-up and are much better in a system that needs them to organise their team around the ball.
Despite the four points difference, it's still all to play for.
Sky Sports' Spanish football expert answers your questions La Liga strikers under the radar and potential Manchester United targets from Spain.
Who is the best striker in La Liga outside Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid? (Danny Barrigan)
GUILLEM SAYS: Two spring to mind. Carlos Bacca, who has scored 17 goals this season at Sevilla, and Paco Alcácer at Valencia. Of the two I’d probably just put Bacca ahead. Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals than him in La Liga this campaign.
Alcácer is very inconsistent but at 21-years-old he has time on side and he has the potential to become a star in La Liga and for Spain, where he has already scored three goals in five appearances.
Do Manchester United have any interest in Aymeric Laporte or Nicolás Otamendi? (Jonny White)
GUILLEM SAYS: Valencia think that Manchester United will pay the £38.2m buy-out clause in the summer for Nicolás Otamendi. United have already offered £27m and Valencia think they’ll improve on that offer, so the club are preparing for it.
