In his latest column, Guillem Balague says Barcelonas dependence on Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is becoming excessive. Sky Sports Spanish expert also looks at Zinedine Zidanes tactical masterclass against Atletico Madrid, who are struggling defensively under Diego Simeone.Balague also answers your Twitter questions, including the likelihood of Messi joining Manchester City, and whether Luis Suarez deserves to win the Ballon dOr ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Barcelona have dropped seven points at home in the league, which is unheard of in recent times. In Alaves and Malaga, they have come up against five at the back and they took points from them, but this Barcelona side should still beat that.They had 29 shots in the 0-0 draw against Malaga, with eight on target, and 99 times out of 100 they would win that game - but they didnt on this occasion.This is a Barcelona made for the front three. If two of them are missing - like Messi and Suarez were against Malaga - then they do not seem to be as comfortable or have as many collective answers as they used to in the past. Barcelona were held to a goalless draw by Malaga in La Liga In the four games they dropped points, Messi has either not featured or hasnt played the 90 minutes, which again suggests their excessive dependence on him. Theyve only gone five games without conceding this season, and the second line arent adding a lot - Denis Suarez, Arda Turan, Lucas Digne, Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes all have to improveThe fact that its Barcelonas worst start since 2004 suggests that this league is the strongest it has been for many years. But it was also a weaker, more predictable Barcelona.Real second string providing welcome headache for ZidaneIts interesting that Real have managed to win difficult games without one or two of their superstars. They did it against Real Sociedad, Real Betis and of course Atletico Madrid - with Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos all missing the 3-0 derby win over Atletico. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 39th career hat-trick to help Real to a dominant win over rivals Atletico Madrid Injuries have worked in favour of Zidane, and the likes of Lucas Vazquez, Nacho, Mateo Kovacic and Isco all look hungry. The second line of players have responded really well and that hasnt happened so well for Barcelona or Atletico.I have criticised Zidane a lot in the past because he hadnt done enough for the team at times, and what I hear from the changing room is that he is not the most motivational of coaches. However, he actually did some very interesting things against Atletico which meant he regained some credit.Firstly, to have Gareth Bale on the left and Lucas on the right in a midfield five, they had to track Atleticos full-backs. And they both did really well, which is not always easy as Atletico create so much danger in the wide areas. Guillem Balague reserved special praise for Zinedine Zidane, having previously criticised the Real Madrid coach Zidane also played Isco in a free role in behind Ronaldo, who is looking more and more comfortable as a nine. Isco always found space in that position and Atletico did not know how to deal with it.Thats now 29 games without losing for the fourth time in their history and you have to give credit to Zidane. Not only does he have a calm demeanour, but he has managed to benefit from their injuries, getting everybody competitive. Atletico was their biggest test of the season so far and you have to give Zidane top marks.Are Atletico becoming too attack-minded?There is a divide in the Atletico camp about Kokes position. If he plays in central midfield, the team becomes better offensively and they score more. But it also becomes weaker defensively; for instance, they have conceded in five consecutive games for the first time under Diego Simeone. Highlights of the Madrid derby between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid In the first half against Real Madrid, it seemed less intense from Atletico when they were without the ball, and they looked stretched in terms of positioning. They could not deal with Isco, when in the past they would have.Antoine Griezmann has gone five league games without scoring and they have conceded eight goals in the last four. In their three last defeats, they did not even score. So thats where Atletico are now.Its interesting to consider why Simeone perhaps thought of leaving in the summer. Maybe he felt he had given as much as he could with this side, while perhaps he thought that he could not improve them.After losing points against Alaves and Leganes, he went for a more offensive team, which appeared to be working. But in recent games it hasnt, so Simeone has to decide which way to go now that he is dedicated to Atletico in the short-term. Hes going to have to decide whether he goes back to the essence or if he continues with this new Atletico. Atletico Madrids French forward Antoine Griezmann has struggled in front of goal in the past five games Guillem answers your Twitter questionsDo you think Messi will leave Barcelona for Manchester City? Lesley @shortielady7I dont think so. After El Classico in December, Messi, his dad Jorge, and Barcelona will meet up. Barca want to make sure hes happy with the finances and everything else. Its the priority for Messi to stay, but there are things that have to be sorted.Firstly, the wages - seeing the strong squad they have, Barcelona must renew the key players and Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta are likely to be next.Secondly, there is the tax case, where there will be an appeal in the summer. We will have to see what the situation with that is, and how that affects both Messi and his dad personally.Thirdly, Messi might want to let the contract run out but Barcelona are convinced that will not happen.I have said in the past that it has entered his mind to leave Barcelona, but that doesnt mean he will. We are in the same position. If it gets to a day when he has to say yes or no, I think he will stay at Barcelona. Luis Suarez is a contender for the Ballon dOr, having won the Golden Shoe award for his goalscoring exploits last season Do you think Suarez will win the Ballon dOr like he should? Rory ‏@RoryOCGMessi is ahead of Suarez in terms of importance to Barcelona but it feels like Ronaldo will win it this time. He scored a hat-trick against Atletico on the weekend and there is just over a week before the end of voting.A lot of people will argue that Ronaldo did not play well in the Champions League final, but of course he scored a penalty - perhaps this is not enough to win the Ballon dOr as he was injured in the Euro 2016 final as well.But... he was important to Portugal in the Euros and for Real against Wolfsburg in the Champions League, so well see. It looks like Ronaldo is ahead, but lets not forget that Messi won the league and cup with Barcelona.Will Isco start to get more game time after his display in the derby? Amin AlHawareen ‏@AmeenAlHawareenThe impression we all have is that when Benzema is back, he will revert to 4-3-3 which takes Isco out the side. He gave a really good display against Atletico but he does not do that consistently enough, but he should be ahead of Benzema right now. Theres no doubt about it but I dont think Zidane agrees with that. Balague says Tottenhan fans can forget about signing Isco (left) in January Any update on proposed Isco to Spurs in January? Ross J ‏@pennywiseKForget it, its not going to happen. Zero chances of that happening. Real are seeing that he is improving and they are thinking of giving him a new contract.Remember, Real cannot sign for two transfer windows.Whatll be Enriques tactics in future after this weeks huge upset? Especially without stars like Messi and Suarez. @me_rishabh7The front three normally wins them every game. The problem is that when they are not there, there is not enough layers in this Barcelona side.It should be enough to beat a team like Malaga, but there wont be any changes of tactics. Theyll continue with the same idea. Also See: Ronaldo hat-trick downs Atleti Win trip to Sevilla v Real Madrid Barca held by nine-man Malaga Pique: Barca form worrying Air Max Plus Tn Ultra Black For Sale . 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Cheap 2018 Nike Air Max TN Plus Ultra Mens White Grey Black .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the rest of the NASCAR season -- 18 races total -- as he continues to recover from a concussion.NASCARs most popular driver first began experiencing concussion-like symptoms in late July. He has been undergoing treatment from Dr. Micky Collins at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Hes also being treated by Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty.To say Im disappointed doesnt begin to describe how I feel, but I know this is the right thing for my long-term health and career, Earnhardt said in a statement Friday. Im 100 percent focused on my recovery, and I will continue to follow everything the doctors tell me.Earnhardt said doctors have seen progress in his recovery, and he plans to be back in the car next February for the season-opening Daytona 500.Joey Logano said he understands how difficult this choice was to make for Earnhardt.I look up to him for what hes doing. I know how hard that is to look out and want to be inside that racecar, Logano said. Your life and your health is not worth risking for the sport.Elliott Sadler, who drives for Earnhardts Xfinity program, said he had mixed feelings about his friends absence. He knows how desperately Earnhardt wanted to return this season.The flip side is Im happy and proud of him to take a step back and get everything in line from the medical side, Sadler said.Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman will continue to share seat time in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon will drive four races, including Sunday at Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500, as well as Richmond, Dover and Martinsville. Bowman will finish the year with eight more starts.Jeff and Alex will give us a great opportunity over the rest of the season, team owner Rick Hendrick said. Jeff is one of the bestt of all time and knows our system.dddddddddddd He brings things to the table that no one else can. Alex is a young driver with a lot of talent, and he will give us a fresh perspective. We know theyre not only capable of running up front and giving us a chance to win, but theyll help us get better.Jamie McMurray said those in the Sprint Cup garage miss having Earnhardt around, but the sport will continue to thrive no matter how long he may be out.You dont show up at the track for two or three weeks, not that youre forgotten, but its crazy how things move on, he said.Earnhardt has struggled with concussions before, including the 2012 season when he missed two races after suffering a pair of concussions over a six-week span.NASCAR has been updating its focus on concussions and treatment programs, beginning in 2002 in part because Earnhardt admitted he was unable to fully concentrate or communicate with his crew chief after an accident at California. He self-diagnosed himself with a concussion, which he revealed weeks later.NASCAR then said doctors at infield care centers could require drivers to undergo CT scans or MRIs if they suspected a concussion. Clearance to race after suffering a concussion is not given until after a driver obtains a medical release.More than a decade later, Earnhardt also spurred a baseline testing program that is now required of all drivers every preseason.I know how hard Dale has worked and how frustrating this is for him, Hendrick said. He wants to be back, and we want him back, but we want it to be for the long haul. Weve had incredible support from everyone involved with the team, including all of our sponsors. Theyve put Dales health first every step of the way. Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Gear White NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Stitched Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys ' ' '