Messi had certainly looked sharp in those games.
Advertisement
Ivan Rakitic gave Barca the lead four minutes before half-time against Atletico, but Angel Correa levelled for the visitors just past the hour-mark.
The leg injury has been a lingering issue for Messi, who missed time with both Barcelona and Argentina earlier this month with groin issues. We’ll see if Argentina plays it safe and leaves him off the roster for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Spanish media suggested that advice had come from the club’s doctor. “With Leo we are much stronger, but without him we are still a strong team”. He announced himself fit to play against Alaves before Coach Luis Enrique chose to rest him.
FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, centre, in action against Atletico Madrid.
Turkish worldwide midfielder Arda Turan could end up filling the boots of Messi just as he deputised for Neymar over the start of the season when the Brazilian forward was on global duty.
“Last year we had an unfortunate situation with a longer-term injury and my team played well”.
The Catalans are now sitting third in the table, three points behind leaders Real Madrid and one point adrift of Sevilla in second.
Rakitic headed the defending champions in front just before half-time – the Croatia worldwide redirecting a perfectly-placed Andres Iniesta cross down and past a helpless Jan Oblak in the Atleti goal.
Messi asked to be substitute moments after a sprint while challenging for the ball with Diego Godin. Torres fed Correa with a neat flick and space opened up when Barca defender Javier Mascherano slipped and Correa unleashed a low shot that flew in off the inside of the post.
Barca got great seasons from Luis Suarez (40 goals) and Neymar (24) in 2015-16.
“We lacked intensity in the first-half”, said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
Advertisement
“To lose Lionel Messi means football loses and we lose”, said Barcelona head coach Enrique.
