Monday 2 November 2015 21:30, UK
In his weekly column, Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague says that no decision has been made on Lionel Messi's availability for the Clasico despite reports to the contrary...
Barcelona showed against Getafe a much more solid version of themselves, after seven league games it was the first time they didn't concede a goal. Neymar is very comfortable being the leader of the team and Luis Suarez is finishing the actions as well - the club's last 14 La Liga goals have come from Neymar (seven) and Luis Suarez (seven). They seem to be doing well without Messi.
That's partly down to a team that works harder together, the lines are closer, there's less individual mistakes and especially the performance of Sergio Busquets - who is back to his best, he was fantastic in central midfield both attacking and defending - and Sergi Roberto. In fact, Roberto provided two goals and he's having the best moment of his career.
He was going to leave in the summer and Luis Enrique convinced him to stay. It was a great decision, and it was a great decision to accept to be the right-back early in the season. He has taken a step forward to where we all thought he would be, he is much braver with the ball now. He drives forward and he works really hard for the team.
It was good to see Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Busquets and Roberto in the last part of the game, which is a little bit of a step back to the essence of the team. It was more controlled football.
On Messi and his injury, despite the reports on Monday morning in Spain, actually no decision on the Clasico has been made. Reports say he is not ready, but I can guarantee you nothing is certain yet. As Messi told me in an interview, he will only play if he's 100 per cent and it won't be his decision, it will be the decision of the doctors. He wants to play, but only his full fitness will allow that.
Jese and Casemiro impressing
It was a Real Madrid that only played for one half against Las Palmas, they didn't need to do anymore. The big name here was Jese, who has had a fantastic last four games and he claims his place in the team as the number 12 - he is a guaranteed player in terms of being sharp, waiting for his opportunity and taking advantage of it. Of course, when James and Bale return they will be in the line-up, but it is good to have somebody like Jese hungry on the bench.
Casemiro has been fantastic too, and he is claiming a place in the line-up because he frees Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for more offensive duties. He's good with pressure, as he showed with the first goal when he helped recover the ball. Also, he gave the assist on the last goal, so he can play the ball well. It is interesting that Carlo Ancelotti didn't think he was technically good, so he let him go, but now he's come back and he's become the Claude Makelele of the side.
Both Jese and Casemiro, as well as Luis Vazquez and Nacho, are players from the lower ranks. That's something you have to give 10 out of 10 to Rafa Benitez for, he has given them the opportunity to make a claim to be important to the side.
Ronaldo scored again, he's still not at his best, but at least he's scoring and generally the team looks solid. On top of that as well, Marcelo is in the form of his life, he really is a mature player who knows when to attack and when to defend. He gives magic to this Real Madrid team.
Sergi Roberto's form seems to have been a big plus for Barca without Messi - how impressed have you been with him this season? (Alex P)
He comes from the lower ranks, he made his debut in 2010, but he was player who many thought by now should have made a claim for a place in the line-up. He hasn't, but he's close to it now, especially with the injuries to Rafinha, Iniesta and Alves this season.
What is interesting is he is the first player from the lower ranks coming into the first-team and close to being in the line-up. So La Masia has to look at themselves, and see why they haven't been able to bring more players through. Of course, Cesc Fabregas came and went, and Thiago Alcantara went to Bayern, but something is wrong when La Masia doesn't produce more players.
Who do you think has benefited most from Real Madrid's injury crisis? (MancMadridista)
Lucas Vazquez and Casemiro. Rafa Benitez likes Casemiro anyway, but Vazquez and Jese have both been fantastic, both with and without the ball. It's been a good opportunity to see more of them.
Any truth in the reports coming out of Spain that Barcelona are after Walcott? (@DanielGranton12)
This one is pretty simple to answer - no, the Walcott to Barcelona rumours are complete rubbish.
What are the chances of Getafe moving cities? What's been said so far? (@JosephMc94)
All that has been mentioned is Getafe president, Angel Torres, said unless things improve with the council - there is a controversy between the club and council - he will move cities and that there are two interested. Not everybody believes that is the case, it looks like a bit of a bluff. But regardless, that's what comes from the club and the president so we will have to keep an eye on that.
