Clanregeln » argin of this season so far.The 29-year-o

In his weekly column, Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague reflects on the weekends La Liga action and answers your questions on Fernando Torres future, whether Barcelona would sell Neymar and how Gary Neville can turn things around at Valencia. For starters this week, I am going to put out a theory about why Barcelona, Atletico and Real Madrid all struggled at the weekend.The away form of Real Madrid is poor compared to their home form, Barca struggled on the road against Athletic Bilbao, Malaga and now Levante, while Atletico conceded first against Eibar before turning it around. Why have the big three struggled more against smaller sides this season? I think its because we have seen a change in dynamics.Football clubs in Spain have gone from having to earn money in order to pay debts, to actually reducing the debts and receiving more money from television. For a while in Spanish football, the smaller clubs, unable to compete with richer European sides, had to be clever with signings, get to players first and convince them to join - that sharpened their tools to get those kind of players. Luka Modrics late winner saw Real Madrid beat a gutsy Granada side 2-1 in La Liga on Sunday They understood better than most European teams what is required from players and they havent moved away from that; their analysis is very good.That means the money is maximised and very well used, which, now that financially the teams are stronger, means that, along with excellent coaching, the bigger sides tend to find it tougher on the pitch. The richer clubs, with their bellies full, relax and dont look after the details as much becasue they know they have players who can resolve games.That relaxation is happening mostly with Barcelona and Real Madrid, while the problem with Atletico is a bit different because they work hard but dont have goal scorers apart from Griezmann. Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of La Liga after a hard fought 2-0 win at struggling Levante Barca and Madrid do less work without the ball or in terms of team structure because they know their quality upfront will save them.While the top teams are resting on their laurels a bit and trusting their quality, the rest of the sides are working on the collective answers to problems and that is what makes Spanish teams so competitive when they go abroad in European competitions.Smaller teams are becoming stronger again, they have been using money very cleverly and coaches have been maximising their potential.Guillem answers your questions…Whats your view on Fernando Torres following his 100th Atletico goal - how do you assess his achievements? Whats next for him? JacksonI am glad he scored his 100th goal, it had become a big weight on his shoulders and the clubs, and that has now been lifted. Its a good closure on his relationship with Atletico Madrid.When it looked like Atletico couldnt sign anyone in the summer because of the transfer ban there was not an urgency to get a contract to Torres, because Diego Simeone feels that performance-wise he hasnt justified it. It was a special moment for Fernando Torres as he scored his 100th career goal for Atletico Madrid He will always be loved, whatever happens - Simeone keeps saying that - but the impression is that unless he scores another 10 goals or so in the second half of the season they will let him go.Whats next? We will have to see. I am sure he will have massive offers from China and the MLS, but he probably feels he would like to stay in one of the top leagues in Europe.How highly do you rate Luis Enrique after 100 games in charge? I saw hes equalled Peps 28-match unbeaten streak at the weekend. @Gurpal_1I have to admit I felt at the beginning, and still feel, that Luis Enrique has abandoned some of the qualities that Barcelona had, but its almost impossible to keep the focus on collective work, looking after the details, when you have the front players they have.Luis Enrique and the players know they can sort any problem out. Will it be enough when they meet Bayern, for instance? We will have to see. Balague does not think Luis Enrique has improved Barcelonas style Certainly I dont think Luis Enrique has improved the style; he has just put Luis Suarez in the team. The style has gone backwards slightly, as there is not such an emphasis on learning by heart a way of attacking, movement, or even pressure up front (still present, but not very visible against Levante for instance), because perhaps its not needed to win; they can still win with the front three.Do you think Barcelona would sell Neymar to United? @Shantanu3196Barcelona cannot afford to give new contracts to Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar as it stands - financially they do not have the power to do so. They need to bring a lot of money in, if they do that they will be able to keep them, but if they dont they may have to get rid of one. Thats why Neymar keeps leaving the door open for United and others. Could Suarez, Messi or Neymar leave Barcelona? The priority is to renew his contract with Barcelona but no option has been discounted.Who, in your opinion, will be Peps main targets for the summer at #mcfc? @richyrich7807I think he needs five new players in the line-up, one in each position. Everybody will have to stay on their toes because for City to be a Pep Guardiola side it will take a while, as it did with Bayern Munich, and it will require different types of players.What should Gary Neville do to try and turn Valencias results around? Are the players letting him down or is it tactics? @gregahamThe club is in disarray. The players are not playing to their full potential and he will admit, even though he is putting in a lot of effort and work, he is not maximising the potential of the squad. Balague and Gaizka Mendieta discuss the mounting pressure on Gary Neville There have been too many changes because of injury and suspensions. He felt against Sporting the team was close to what he wanted, even though the result wasnt. He is convinced with the work he is putting in that things are going to click any minute. The problem is the fans, the media, and the sporting director, are not so convinced, so he needs results.Any update on Simeones position at Atletico, Guillem? Are Chelsea and Man United still interested? @shaneOmac187His priority is to stay with Atletico and be the coach that takes them to the new stadium which should be open in the summer of 2017. So I expect him to stay for next season. Also See: Neymar very happy at Barca Neville in dugout for Barca Modric winner downs Granada Torres hits milestone Custom Kings T-shirts . LUCIE, Fla. Rob Blake Jersey Large . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.customnhlkingsjersey.com/ . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Custom Kings Jersey China . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. Kings Jerseys China . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls.Jorge Lorenzo beat fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez to win the Italian GP in a thrilling race that went right down to the finishing line. Valentino Rossi, the home favourite who started from pole position, had to retire from the race with a mechanical problem.Despite Lorenzo starting the race from fifth on the grid, he quickly closed in on his Movistar Yamaha team-mate and the two were involved in a battle until Rossi dropped out on the eighth lap. Repsol Honda rider Marquez then closed in on Lorenzo and tried to pass his Spanish rival - he was successful at the start of the final lap.In a nail-biting finish, Lorenzo, the reigning MotoGP world champion, retook the lead and then Marquez led into the final corner.However, a smmall mistake allowed Lorenzo to win the race by 0.dddddddddddd019 seconds, which is the smallest victory margin of this season so far.The 29-year-old announced in April that he would be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season to join Ducati.Lorenzo now has a 10-point lead over Marquez, with Rossi left in a distant third in the championship standings.Ducati rider Andrea Iannone took the final podium place in the race ahead of Repsol Hondas Dani Pedrosa and fellow Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso.The Moto2 race was won by Kalex driver Johann Zarco while KTM driver Brad Binder won the Moto3 class. Also See: GP2 Qualifying Report Formula 1 News ' ' '