Messi missed Thursday’s semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande because of pain casued by a kidney stone and Neymar was recovering from a small strain in his adductor muscle.
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“River worry [us]. They are a strong team and they have quality players in midfield and in attack”.
Manager Luis Enrique refused to elaborate on Messi’s condition during a news conference on Saturday. “We haven’t hidden him or anything”.
“Messi and Neymar wanted to play in the final, no matter what”, said Suarez.
“We stayed calm and played our game until Leo scored the first goal”. “But we have to avoid that and we have the desire to keep winning titles and be the best team in the world”.
River boss Marcelo Gallardo, meanwhile, was happy to accept the role of underdogs in Sunday’s final, saying that while European champions had the best players, his team had a big heart.
Brazilian superstar Neymar also took part in Barcelona’s training session at the International Stadium Yokohama after being out since December 8 due to a minor leg injury, but Enrique also gave no guarantees that he would play on Sunday. “Hopefully we can win the game in regulation time so it doesn’t get to penalties”.
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“It’s a chance to make history”, said Gallardo, whose Copa Libertadores winners struggled to beat Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 in midweek but will be roared on by some 15,000 fans who made the trip from South America.
