Kouandjio replaced Scherff before he eventually returned to the

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 MLB Jerseys Outlet .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. https://www.mlbjerseyschina.us/ . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Fake Nike MLB Jerseys . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Discount MLB Jerseys . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Here are the most significant NFL players who got banged up in Week 7:LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills: McCoy tried to play Sunday after injuring his hamstring during the week. But he was largely ineffective (11 yards on eight carries), and the team eventually ruled him doubtful to return to the game.Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets:?Smith cant catch a break. After waiting a year to get his starting job back, Smith got sacked, went down awkwardly and suffered a knee injury in the second quarter. Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom the team benched this week in favor of Smith, came into the game for the Jets. Smith showed up on the sideline in street clothes in the second half, after the team ruled him out for the game. Smith said after the game that he didnt think the injury was anything too significant, but on Monday, coach Todd Bowles confirmed that?Smith tore his ACL.Josh Norman, CB, Washington Redskins:?Norman stayed down on the field after landing hard on his head following a deep catch from Lions WR Marvin Jones. The cornerback walked off the field slowly, immediately went to the locker room for further concussion testing and was eventually ruled out for the game. He had shut Jones down all game prior to the 52-yard catch.Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons:?Coleman left Atlantas game against San Diego with a hamstring injury in the second half. The team listed him as questionable to return, and TV cameras showed him limping to the locker room. Coleman, who recorded 74 total yards and a TD before being forced from the game, did not return.Cody Kessler, QB, Cleveland Browns:?Kessler took a shot as he bought extra time on a red zone play in the second quarter. The play resulted in an 11-yard gain, which eventually propelled the Browns to the end zone, but Kessler was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion. The team eventually ruled him out. Rookie Kevin Hogan,?whom the Browns had been using as a zone-read QB against the Bengals when Kessler was healthy, took over as the starter. Hogan is the sixth quarterback to take a snap for the Browns this season.Darius Slay, CB, Detroit Lions:?Slay grabbed his right hamstring during the second quarter. He had to be helped off the field, and after being evaluated on the bench, he went back to the locker room.?Johnson Bademosi replaced Slay in the lineup, and the Lions star CB did not return.Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers:?Brown left the game late in the third quarter following a short-yardage catch. After lying on the sideline in pain and trying to stretch out his thigh/hip, Brown limped to the locker room. He returned to the field after a very short absence but was clearly not 100 percent, as he favored his left leg. Brown will have the bye week to get right.Arik Armstead, DT, San Francisco 49ers:?Armstead has been battling a shoulder injury all season and appeared to reinjure it in the second half against Tampa Bay. Armstead was in pain, as he lay on the sideline holding the shoulder and getting more medical attention. He did not return to the game.Trent Williams, LT, Washington Redskins:?Williams injured his knee in the final seconds against the Lions. After the game, coach Jay Grudenn said Williams had a sprained knee and would have an MRI on Monday.dddddddddddd According to ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim, Williams was walking with a severe limp in the locker room.Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Evans took a huge shot from 49ers CB Jimmie Ward?as he was trying to make a tackle following a Jameis Winston interception at the end of the first quarter. He stayed down on the field for a while before walking off the field slowly with trainers. Evans came back into the game on the Bucs next possession.Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: Hill hadnt rushed for more than 71 yards in a game this season, but he had rushes of 74 and 40 yards against the Browns on Sunday. He left the game early in the fourth quarter because of a chest injury. With the game in hand, Hill did not get another carry, but the teams listing him as probable is a good sign for his status next week.Nick Mangold, C, New York Jets:?Mangold limped off the field and immediately went to the locker room in the first quarter after RT Ryan Clady rolled up on his ankle. The Pro Bowl center did not return to the field, and coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that Mangold has a sprained ankle.Andrew Sendejo, S, Minnesota Vikings:?Sendejo injured his ankle at the tail end of his interception return in the first quarter and was carted to the locker room. Rookie?Jayron Kearse replaced Sendejo, and the safety did not return. Coach Mike Zimmer called Sendejo day-to-day on Monday.Andrew Whitworth, T, Cincinnati Bengals:?Whitworth (head injury) was ruled out of the Bengals game against the Browns in the fourth quarter. According to ESPN Bengals reporter Katherine Terrell, coach Marvin Lewis said Whitworth was fine, but the O-lineman was off-limits to the media after the game because he was in concussion protocol, which puts his status for next week in question.Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Redskins:?Coming off his best game this season, Scherff went down with a left shoulder injury in the first half against Detroit.?Arie Kouandjio replaced Scherff before he eventually returned to the lineup. According to ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim, Scherff said his shoulder was sore after the game but he was OK.Aaron Williams, S, Buffalo Bills:?Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry launched himself into Williams, and the safety stayed on the ground for several minutes while trainers evaluated him. He suffered head and neck injuries and did not return to the field.Ron Brooks, CB, Philadelphia Eagles:?Brooks sustained what looked to be a serious knee injury in the first quarter against the Vikings. He stayed down on the field for a while as trainers stabilized his right leg. Brooks was carted to the locker room. Coach Doug Pederson announced on Monday that Brooks ruptured his quad and will miss the remainder of the season.Terrance West, RB, Baltimore Ravens:?West limped off the field after the Ravens first play of the game. Rookie Kenneth Dixon replaced him in the lineup for the remainder of the series, but after his ankle was retaped, West returned to the game. ' ' '