Pre-match MIL-BCN [2-0]

Jandito22 asks: "What's the current situation with Gerard Deulofeu? He's been doing well for the B team and has quite a bit of hype behind him, yet he's only made a handful of first team appearances. Barcelona's wide men haven't exactly been in great form this year. Could we get a look at Deulofeu in place of Alexis or Pedro anytime soon?"

Sid replies:

He's the player, as you probably know, who they are the most excited about from the youth system. Extremely talented, if a little individualistic. I think the intention is for him to get some first-team minutes, but he has had fewer than most people expected. Vicente del Bosque dropped a fascinating hint in an interview we did with him on Al Primer Toque: he said that he was going to call him up for the Spain squad and was advised against it (by Barcelona).

 Nico1866 asks: "Will the lack of competition at the top of La Liga start to erode the quality of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the long term? Could this be the season in which they start to pull out the Old Firm excuses of 'we play crap teams every week making it harder to step in in Europe'?"Sid replies:

I think this is a real danger and one that, for reasons I do not full understand, Madrid and Barcelona don't seem to see or don't want to see. But – caveat time – the rest of the teams in Spain are not necessarily weak (Athletic and Atlético showed that last year and Malaga walked their Champions League group). They are getting weakened constantly, so the process has begun and I think it may well impinge on the big two at some stage. Their sights are set on a European league. The problem they have is that the big teams they think would go with them from Germany, England, etc, are not so keen to leave their domestic leagues behind as Madrid and Barcelona are. Incidentally, the other day I was reading a book on Real Madrid from 1961 and they were talking about the inevitability of a European league in 'a few years'. Nothing has changed. Speaking of which, they were also slagging off the English style compared to Spain as too rigid, not creative enough, a bit neanderthal.

Arglc asks: "Would Barcelona be a match for Bayern Munich on current form?"Sid replies:

I guess it depends what current form means. Right now, if they faced each other, I'd be tempted to have Bayern down as favourites.

KevinDavies14 asks: "Is Barcelona v Bayern now the purists' final? Imagine, the sexiness of Schweinsteiger against the bastard Busquets – delicious! Plus don't you think Kroos would be a better fit for Barcelona than Fabregas?"Sid replies:

Cesc is playing really well this year and he also ticks the emotional boxes. He's Catalan, a youth teamer, a Barcelona fan, has the style of play (that said, he is more 'vertical' than most his team mates). But, yeah, I've really liked Kroos when I've seen him.

ColdCoffee writes: "I agreed with your article from earlier today. Barcelona look vulnerable this season. I also find it interesting that they have had no superiority over Real Madrid whatsoever this season on a head-to-head basis.
Clearly, as you say, they have not been sufficiently challenged. But don't you think in a way that's just what they need? Isn't it true that in the post-Rijkaard era, Barcelona have been at their very best when challenged?"Sid replies:

Not quite true: in the first of the two Super Cup games they battered Madrid (and were then close to battered back in the second game). I think you're probably right; they need that competitive push to bring th ebest out of them. Focus improves, the speed of the passing, the finishing too.

Elscollonsdelgos declares: "A lot has been said about Barça not being what they were during Guardiola's first years but I kind of like the way they stick with Vilanova and then Roure when any other club would have rushed out and brought a big name in. I also think they've played some pretty good football this season- 65 points can't be a fluke- despite the slapstick defence when they panic. Sid, can you answer these statements as if they were questions?"
Sid replies:

Yes, of course. Tito Vilanova appeared to forfeit a little bit of control in return for more decisiveness. They allowed the other team to play a tad more so that they could open the game up more. It felt, in that sense, perhaps a little less dogmatic.
Also, the defensive problems early in the season: well, they had most their defenders out. It's forgotten that Adriano (!) played at centre-back, for example, against Madrid. Now the defence is back (ish ... Puyol/Pique do not partner each other as often as they would like) but it's the traditional time of year that they dip (January-February) and they have lacked that real need which might improve them. Valdes' form has dipped too.

 Jonwoo writes: "I read your column on Valdes in Sports Illustrated. How are the Spanish press treating him at the moment? For such a key part of their treble team, I would have thought people would wish him well for the years of loyal service. Plus, as good as he is, there are better keepers out there."
Sid replies:

Yes, they did. He was mostly understood, cheered at next game, etc. Media (under influence?) spectacularly misjudged the public mood on Valdes. In terms of his replacement, Reina is one to keep an eye on.