We're set for another week of cracking action in La Liga, so who better to look ahead to the five live games on Sky Sports than our Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
If you've got a question for Guillem, send it in here.
Villarreal v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao v Mallorca
Messi & Mourinho: which is worth more?
Villarreal v Barcelona
5pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD3 & SS3
I'm pretty sure this is the weekend where the league will be decided. Because of the calendar of Real Madrid and Barcelona and also because we will also see what has happened in the Inter Milan game. If Inter get knocked out Barcelona may win the league and win everything, but if they don't then Barcelona may collapse mentally and physically. They are very tired and this will be their hardest test until the end of the season. I know they have to play Sevilla but Villarreal is a side who managed to get six league victories in a row at home - equalling the record of Manuel Pellegrini - are fighting for the top four and Juan Carlos Garrido's contract has been renewed for another season, which reflects his work there on a day-to-day basis, and also, perhaps, that he is a friend of the son of the chairman. Garrido has proved himself in the 14 games since he arrived and has got the same number of points as Ernesto Valverde did in the first 20 games of the season. This game is going to be key.
Real Madrid v Osasuna
7pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD3 & SS3
I think Real Madrid could get maximum points in all the games left. Their calendar is not as tough as Barcelona's, although with Rafael van der Vaart out for the season, the team may get divided into two again, with three or four players attacking and the rest defending. Van der Vaart certainly helped to be a link between midfield and attack and at the moment Kaka is not yet ready to play for 90 minutes, so that could be a bit of a problem. But they are so lethal up front that they will solve any problem caused by a lack of fluency. Meanwhile, Kaka has been defending himself from the doubts created by his injury. Basically he is saying people should believe he is injured. People doubted why he didn't play through the pain because it is the same injury - a groin injury - which the likes of Raul have played almost a full season with. That is what we are getting from inside the club, suggesting Kaka doesn't want to go through pain, but there is a World Cup pretty soon. Kaka doesn't want to play unless he is 100 per cent fit. He's not that at the moment, but he is feeling the pressure to be part of the team at a key part of the season, especially now van der Vaart will be out for the rest of the campaign.
Athletic Bilbao v Mallorca
9pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD3 & SS3
This is a great story of two clubs fighting above their expectations. Mallorca have an amazing record at home, where they have only lost to Sevilla and Barcelona. And Bilbao are fighting for a European position. As we have said all season they have got a very good generation of players. It will be great to see the likes of Fernando Llorente at the World Cup. With Alvaro Negrado losing form, Llorente will be part of the team, especially with doubts over Fernando Torres' fitness.
Guillem answers your questions...
Got a question for Guillem? Then send it in here or use the feedback form below, and then look out for his answer next week.
ON THE BOX
In light of the impending financial problems for the other La Liga teams (Not Barca or Real Madrid) in regards to paying the players causing a potential strike and a couple on the brink of bankruptcy if they go down, do you think that the league could look to put in a collective deal for TV rights? It has been adopted by most European leagues and at the moment I think is making the Premiership more competitive. Surely Barca and Real realising that their utter domination domestically is bad for football in Spain long term? Daniel P
GUILLEM SAYS: About 12 third division sides have asked for a meeting to ask for collective TV rights, but this is like a pendulum, sometimes everybody wants collective rights, sometimes everyone wants individual rights. At some point they were talking about negotiating on a game-by-game basis, especially Real Madrid and Barcelona. The benefits of Real and Barcelona is so huge they will not negotiate collective rights, so it is very difficult to convince them the domestic league will be affected by it. As long as they have individual rights they become very strong in Europe. The general impression in the Spanish media is that if rights were negotiated collectively that will weaken Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe; it is seen as a disadvantage. I completely disagree. I think there would not be such a difference if collective rights were done. It would make everybody stronger, by that you get Real and Barcelona stronger. Maybe they wouldn't be able to buy Cristiano Ronaldos every year but by having a domestic competition which is strong you get the top teams also having to improve their level.
But don't take anything away from Real Madrid and Barcelona this year, they have got amazing stats, the likes of which were unseen before. With the 87 points Barcelona have now they would have won the league in any other year in history (Deportivo won it with 69 and Pelligrini has got 10 more points now than three years ago under Fabio Capello and one more point than when Bernd Schuster won the league). So it is a huge competition this year.
REBUILDING PROJECT
Guillem, Just wondering what the situation is with the remodelling of the Camp Nou. Laporta presented Norman Fosters model of the new stadium a couple of years ago but since then there has been no movement on the issue. Will the remodelling of the stadium be an election issue for the candidates? Have any of the candidates commented on the issue? It is of my opinion that the exterior and stadium surroundings are in desperate need of work and also the facilities like shops and toilets. I wouldn't however touch the inside of the stadium (except the two scoreboard screens) for love nor money. It's simply breathtaking. Niall Sharpe (Barcelona fan)
GUILLEM SAYS: Yes this was one of the grand ideas Joan Laporta had, but I think some people calculated it would cost 250m euro and the cost could increase to 300m euro so they have decided to put it on the back burner. New people in charge may look to try and do it for less but I think all candidates agree the Camp Nou needs re-modelling. However, nobody is brave enough to say it because at the moment it is all about the team, challenging Real and winning titles.
DROP DISCUSSION
Hey Guillem, here's one for you. Is Mourinho or Messi more of an advantage at a football club? Jack Butler (Manchester Utd fan)
GUILLEM SAYS: This is a great question Jack! I really like these questions!
By Messi you mean a player who has cost nothing, develops in the style of the club and becomes the best player in the world. No competition! If you get that you have a player who helps you win titles, like in the case of Messi, a player who improves your team, a player for whom, if you want to sell, you could bring 60m euro into the club and rebuild the side. So that's what gives him the advantage.
Mourinho is certainly a great manager. I know for a fact he would like to go to Liverpool but his priority this year is, if possible, to go to Real Madrid. But let's see what happens against Barcelona first. But he is one that prefers to be surrounded by experienced players. He hasn't been allowed anywhere to build up a younger side. It is always about winning titles straight away, partly because of his methods, partly because of the clubs he goes to who want instant impact. He guarantees success with players with experience of winning cups and battling for the league etc but every three years you have to rebuild the side and that costs money. I wonder if one day he feels like going to Atletico Madrid or maybe Aston Villa and try to make the side his own and be there for 10 years. But I don't think that's in him. He likes to move around. I don't think all of a sudden he will become an Arsene Wenger, I don't think that's in him.
I'd definitely pick Messi!
Comments (15)
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Bijay Malla (Manchester United fan) says...
Jose Mourinho has both brains and brawn. He is a master in his field.. Any team which can outlast a rival like Barcelona with ten players for more than 45 minutes that too in an away game has to be termed as a great team. The credit must go to Mourinho who was able to motivate the players. Thus, as a Man United fan, I would love to have him at Old Trafford above anyone. Inter Milan are the winners of the Champions League this year for sure. Bj Malla from Kathmandu, Nepal.
Posted 08:22 30th April 2010
Jason Lam (Liverpool fan) says...
Mourinho for sure. A great coach can transform moderate teams into great teams. Greats teams wins trophies. Messi himself didn't win Barca's trophies, despite his brilliance on the field. Can Messi do what Maradona did to Napoli when he arrived???? yet to be seen.
Posted 04:35 30th April 2010
Kevin Blake (Chelsea fan) says...
I would take " THE SPECIAL ONE " back over any other manager or player. As the man himself said after the Barca came " I have another 25 years " no player will give you that.
Posted 21:51 29th April 2010
Franky Obi (Chelsea fan) says...
I dont think you made the right decision. You forgot Porto so soon with Jose? Imagine what Chelsea were like be for he came, &even Inter? You choose a player dat is a non-durable product to a durable coach? Does a coach go into injury? Well is your choice.
Posted 21:33 29th April 2010
Neil Bradshaw (Wigan Athletic fan) says...
I think I would have to choose Mourinho simply because have the best player in the world won't necessarily last for the duration that having the top manager in the world would. Messi could get injury after injury, lose form or become unsettled and tempted by more money elsewhere for example. Whereas you aren't going to endure such issues with a manager most of the time. Congrats to the special one for reaching the final of the champions league with a mere 27% possession against the self-proclaimed best side in the world. What a guy!
Posted 19:09 29th April 2010
Harry Abrikian (Manchester United fan) says...
Agree completely. Messi by a mile. Some managers build and some perfom on the back of what others have built. I put Mourinho in the latter category. Organization and team management is about more than just performing in the short run, itis also about balancing the needs in the short, medium and long run. Lastly, football should be entertaining. Parking 11 men in in your own penalty area for most of a match may be a tactical success but demeans the great game
Posted 17:44 29th April 2010
Sean Robinson (Manchester United fan) says...
Based on the Messi or Mourinho question of last week I thought a harder question might be Ronaldo or Ferguson? Im hoping that next season Athletico Madrid can really improve from this year. At the cost of being cheeky I'd also like to ask if there is any truth behind Barca making a bid for Ashley Young and if so how well do you think he would do there? I would like to see more British players plying their trade outside of the premiership. Thanks for all your hard work throughout the years Sean
Posted 17:36 29th April 2010
Douglas Wright (Rangers fan) says...
Hi Guillem. Nobody needs told about Pedro's quality. Scoring in 20 goals in his breakthrough season from the wing says it all. So what do you make of his chances of making the Spanish World Cup squad, and if not, do you see him possibly defecting to Mexico?
Posted 17:25 29th April 2010
Thomas Wood (Portsmouth fan) says...
Hi Guillem, I've seen reports that Real Madrid are so impressed by Sergio Canales' progress that they want him in their squad for next season. How good do you think he can be for them in the future and what impact do you think he'll have next season? Will it depend on who's manager?
Posted 23:17 27th April 2010
Mark Mcc (Manchester United fan) says...
Its more of a question than a comment, did Mourinho not build a side at porto that won a UEFA Cup and a Champions League and they decided that he had acheived everything there and moved on to chelsea? If so he has done more than Wenger has done by winning a champions League!
Posted 18:11 27th April 2010
Ed Lowndes (Manchester United fan) says...
HiGuillem Just to quote you here- "But don't take anything away from Real Madrid and Barcelona this year, they have got amazing stats, the likes of which were unseen before. With the 87 points Barcelona have now they would have won the league in any other year in history (Deportivo won it with 69 and Pelligrini has got 10 more points now than three years ago under Fabio Capello and one more point than when Bernd Schuster won the league). So it is a huge competition this year." Does this not show how much the competition has weakened in La Liga, that both Real and Barca have such great point advantages over everyone else and is at risk of becoming more like Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish premier league? Thanks, Ed
Posted 13:59 27th April 2010
James Saxton (Liverpool fan) says...
Guillem is Guti really going to Dubai? It seems to me like he could do so much better! Also, where do you think the futures of Higuain and Juan Mata lie? They are two players I really like and would love to see either one at Liverpool, although I think we wouldn't be able to get them unfortunately.
Posted 12:48 27th April 2010
Aron Rowe (Aston Villa fan) says...
If I had to pick one of Messi or Mourinho it would have to be Mourinho. Most people would say that it is crazy to pick a coach over quite possibly the best player ever but Mourinho is the best. He showed aganist Barcelona that when it comes to the battle of the best the self proclaimed Special One wins every time. Jose only has one superior in football and that is SIr Alex. Anyone else pails in comparison to Mourinho, if you hire Mourinho you're getting success, he has also stated he wants to settle down and spend 10/15 years at a club... Where? I do not know but I think that having Jose at a club for 15 years would benifit a club more than having Messi at a club for 15 years. Jose has proven time and time and time again that he has the quality to beat the best and he is my tip to replace the grestest manager of all time at old trafford!!!
Posted 10:00 27th April 2010
Jimmy Law (Barcelona fan) says...
Love the column, just wanted to ask though - how could you rate Messi at only 60million euros? Surely given what Madrid paid for Ronaldo and Kaka, and what Barca paid for Ibra he is worth a lot more than just 60million.
Posted 00:52 27th April 2010
Prav Ravi (Arsenal fan) says...
HI Guillem. I love your show. Keep doing what you are doing? Do you think there is any chance of Arsene Wenger going to Real Madrid in the future maybe after his contract ends at Arsenal? How well do you think he will fair in the Spanish league? How do you rate him?
Posted 21:17 26th April 2010
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