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La Liga title race: Barcelona have not trained enough, while Atletico Madrid are fearful

B teams will increase competiveness and boost English football

Malaga's players celebrate their goal against Atletico Madrid
Image: Malaga celebrate putting a dent in Atletico Madrid's title tilt

Each of La Liga's big three dropped points at the weekend.

THUMBS UP FOR B TEAMS
I am a massive La Liga fan and get a lot of stick from friends who believe there are only two teams and that the PL is much better but I honestly think that the PL is going downhill. If you look at the top three teams in Spain and England, it is clear who has the top players and top teams. More importantly if you look down to the top eight and then look to the Europa League, again it starts to paint a picture. Although I support Barca and we haven't had a great season, I would still say that it has been the best season in La Liga for years. Can I also ask your thoughts on clubs in the PL to have a B team? Perhaps they play the same system as the first team as there is a massive jump from the reserves or youth teams to the first team. It seems to work in Spain as you only have to look at the young talent constantly coming through the ranks. What are your thoughts? Would a B team or perhaps new rules help the England team? Benjarno GUILLEM SAYS: If Atletico win the League, that will mean three teams have won it since 2004 - the same as the Premier League with Manchester United, Man City and Chelsea - but the Europa League has shown the strength throughout the sides in Spain, with teams like Sevilla, Atletico and Espanyol appearing in the final. While we are struggling financially, we are getting better and people are tightening up their belts and paying their debts. There is quality coming through and the teams are still very competitive. With regards to B teams, I am amazed by the negative response from the media and football world. There is a fear about losing the pyramid of English football but there are pyramids everywhere where B teams are included. I hear lots of worries about players going out on loan and then disappearing but that is because they do not play in a way that they would in the first team, so having a competitive B team will help. Another problem with English football is that players at big clubs from 16-18 hardly compete because the reserve league is very poor and that's when they drop their interest and sometimes their level. B teams will help that as they will increase competitiveness and make everybody better - and you should never be afraid of being better. People seem reluctant to change but I think this will be good for English football.

YOUR TOP 3?
Dear Guillem. If Barcelona win La Liga, Real Madrid win the Champions League and Atletico come second in both competitions which of the teams would you say has had the best season? Adam Burns GUILLEM SAYS: Whatever happens with Barcelona, it will be seen as a bad season - but for Real Madrid, winning the Champions League will be the best success in a decade. As for Atletico, coming second will now be a failure having come so close.

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