Guillem Balague - Sky Sports Expert

Real risk for Schuster

Guillem looks ahead to our La Liga live offerings

Posted: 20th November 2008 13:07

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Bernd Schuster Valladolid v Real Madrid 2008

Schuster: attitude problem

It's amazing how fickle fans can be because Getafe have got two more points than last season. How quickly they forget that this is a very modest team that should be fighting against relegation.

Guillem Balague
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  • Athletic Bilbao
  • Atletico Madrid

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Our Spanish football expert Guillem Balague looks ahead to another weekend of live La Liga action on Sky Sports - and he answers your email.

Got a question for Guillem? Then send it in here.

Real Madrid v Recreativo
Sevilla v Valencia
Barcelona v Getafe
Deportivo v Atletico Bilbao

Real Madrid v Recreativo
7.00pm, Saturday, Sky Sports Xtra

Pedja Mijatovic came out in a press conference on Monday and said 'we haven't done anything wrong, the planning for the team was perfect, we are one of the stronger squads in Europe and we are backing the manager'. But they've already had informal conversations with the likes of Roberto Mancini, Victor Fernandez and Quique Sanchez Flores of Benfica. So that means basically that if Real Madrid lose against Recreativo, Bernd Schuster will be sacked. It's an attitude problem. He does look as though he doesn't care. He does look like he's doing things to be sacked and having spoken to some managers of La Liga they all agree that is not the behaviour of a proper manager.

Sevilla v Valencia
9.00pm, Saturday, Sky Sports Xtra

Sevilla are not the Sevilla of old; they don't look as domineering, they don't have that pace in the first 20 minutes of each half. They have had problems up front, of course, but with Kone coming back you are getting a team that is guaranteed to score and also they have one of the top defences in La Liga. But the football is not as impressive and that's why fans haven't warmed to the new manager despite the fact that statistically the start to the new season has been quite spectacular. On the other hand, I think they are getting found out finally. I said from the beginning that they did not look like a team that deserved to be so close to Barcelona; they might deserve to be top five or top six but not so close to Barcelona statistically. This game marks the beginning of a fantastic month-and-a-half of football where the top five are going to meet each other so Atletico Madrid may benefit from that actually.

Barcelona v Getafe
6.00pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 3

It's amazing how fickle fans can be because Getafe have got two more points than last season but over the last two weeks they have been calling for the head of manager Victor Munuz - only because the football is not that pretty. But how quickly they forget that this is a very modest team that should be fighting against relegation but instead of that they have been in the Cup final twice in the last two years and basically they are doing what they should be doing. Their defeats have been against Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Valencia Ii I'm not mistaken - basically against the top sides and I don't understand sometimes how the fans forget so quickly what kind of club they are.

Deportivo v Atletico Bilbao
8.00pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 3

The good thing about Bilbao is that Fernando Llorente is finally starting to become the player we all thought he could be. He scored one and made one at the weekend in the win over Osasuna and has now been called up to the national side for the first time. Here is a man who battles against the general perceptions that we have about talk strikers in Spain; we don't like them generally. We want them to be very skilful and very spectacular. He is not a regular goal-scorer, he's a different type of player and also he has admitted himself that he's learned to be tougher mentally. When things didn't go his way he used to put his head down but now he's changing that. It's lovely to see that we now have another alternative up front in contrast to the situation six or seven years ago. It's a fantastic crop.

Guillem answers your questions...

Got a question for Guillem? Then send it in here or use the feedback form below.

KEEP ON RONNING
Guillem, Please give me your opinion on the world player of the year vote. I would like to see Messi win this as in my eyes he is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo. I agree Cristiano Ronaldo won all he could win with his club last season and scored over 40 goals overall for his club, but for the sake of football and the beauty of the game, it would be nice to see the underdog, which Messi is in the World Player of the Year vote, win. Let's hope those voting look at the beauty of the game overall rather than the amount of goals scored. Abdul Abbasi

GUILLEM REPLIES: For the sake of football I do not see the logic in not giving it to Ronaldo. He could win everything else with his club and scored 40 goals overall so I think there is no argument. In fact, if you have a look at the year in total he is the best No 1, No 2 and No 3 in the world at the moment. But, of course, I think that will change next year. I predict Messi will be No 1 next year, Ronaldo will still be there at No 3 and No 2 could well be someone like Torres.

PRIME PIRES
Hi Guillem. I wanted your opinion on Robert Pires. I see this week he has come out and defended his form at Villarreal, but how well is he playing? Is he simply not the player he was or is he just "taking a holiday in the sun"? And at 35, how long do you think we will see him in La Liga? Bob Smith

GUILLEM REPLIES: Robert Pires is playing great, especially going forward. He's not playing as a winger but on the whole in the hole basically doing his own thing whenever he fancies. He wants to renew his contract for an extra year and I think Villareal is going to give it to him so I think we are going to see him for an extra year.

REAL DILEMMA
Hi Guillem, now that there is no Ruud, what are Real Madrid going to do? Surely they have to get a new frontman in come January, but who do you think is favourite? David Villa, Huntelaar of Ajax, or maybe even Tevez? Or what about Henry? Who do you think they will turn to? Neil Taylor

GUILLEM REPLIES:None of the above! Basically they are going to go for a couple of players with a future; they won't want to overspend because they had bad experiences in the winter with the likes of Gravesen and Cassano. Vucinic or someone of that stature. The plan is to get a manager in place in the next couple of months and then start planning for next season. They want a striker that can be No 2 to what's coming, either Benzima or David Villa. They won't spend lots of money and they won't be huge names. It will be someone to see the season out.

Comments

John Bosch (Arsenal fan) says...

Hi Guillem, do you think that Barca should let Henry go in the winter transfer period? It appears that he is not the goalscorer he once was and Barca has a lot of young talent that could easily replace him.

Posted 01:28 24th November 2008

Saydor Saydor (Arsenal fan) says...

i dont understand some fans at all, the moment a problem arise, the next thing is the coach or manager to be sacked. What about the times the club perform beyond expectation , maybe then the manager will be the next KING of england. Life is no bed of roses so leave Wenger alone and let him deal with the situation at hand.

Posted 22:33 23rd November 2008

Hart Matthew (Chelsea fan) says...

Hola Guillem! I was wondering if you knew if Madrid had any approaches for Sergio Ramos? He is perhaps the best young defender in the world and your earlier article mentioned his disenchantment with Madrid. Hopefully a move to England or Italy is on the cards! Thanks

Posted 04:58 23rd November 2008

Isfandior Ashurov (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

If Schuster is sacked, and i hope he is, my wish would be that Mijatovic acquires a manager that will bring enthusiasm and heart back to Los Blancos. Hopefully they sort this out before the january transfer window opens. This will allow the new manager to rebuild the squad. Gallas, Arshavin, Crespo and Navas are a must-sign in my opinion. My preferred manager to replace Schuster is Juande Ramos. Isfandior-life long Madridista

Posted 19:41 21st November 2008

Tyron Burton (Liverpool fan) says...

Hi Guillame, I am a liverpool supporter and although we are winning I still feel that we aren't developing as we should. I feel that players like Babel and Yossi are being forced out of the team to accomodate Dirk Kuyt. If babel is the new Henry then i worry we are his 'Juventus' team because he's not plaing to the levels he should. I would prefer to see Dirk Kuyt rested and these more natural wingers played. as there is no room for sentiment in a title chasing team. When these two players get the chance they are often played in the second string which does thier confidence no good. Can you explain why he has so much confidence in Kuyt but won't show the same level to players who are technically better (surely an asset in an attacking role)

Posted 16:30 21st November 2008

Anthony Amadi (Arsenal fan) says...

Somebody should tell Arsenal coach that he is the problem the club is having. We the fans of Arsenal in Nigeria are not happy with the current position of things in the club. The coach should use the January transfer window to recruite experienced players especially in the midfield. Gunners for Life

Posted 12:44 21st November 2008

Sandeep Kaverappa (Chelsea fan) says...

the reason real madrid have failed to win the champions league in recent years is due to the fact that they dont allow their managers to settle down.. n this applies to chelsea n inter too.. if u look at the recent trend, managers who have been around with the same team for more than 2 or 3 seasons have been successful in the UCL..be it rafa, Carlo Ancelotti or sir Alex... its not enough to have the worlds best players around, u need the right man for the job n give him a long run to produce the results.. a pity that inspite of all the history n aura surrounding them, they seem to overlook this fact..!

Posted 10:43 21st November 2008

Rafa Rafa (Manchester City fan) says...

Guillem, what do you think about Deportivo da Coruña? do you think next year they can be in Champions again? Will Newcastle target Guardado, Riki, Aranzubia..?? How about Xisco in Newcastle? thank you very much

Posted 00:58 21st November 2008

Martin Davis (Kidderminster Harriers fan) says...

Hello Gulliem, What Do You Think About Carlos Puyol (fc barcelona) My Friends Say He Is Overated Because He Is Getting Old And His Legs Are Getting Weak, I Think He Is A Quality Defender Who Gives His Heart And Sole For Club And Country. What Are Your Thoughts On This ?

Posted 00:54 21st November 2008

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