“With Leo Messi out, football loses, we all lose”, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said.
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Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has said football will “lose” without Lionel Messi, after the club confirmed on Wednesday that the Argentine superstar will miss the next three weeks with a groin injury. The injury will also rule him out of his country’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Venezuela.
“As such, Barça will be without the best player in the world for the three games that the blaugranes have before the next break for worldwide fixtures: league games against Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo and the game against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League”.
Barcelona says Lionel Messi will be out for three weeks with a groin strain in his right leg.
Manchester City come to the Nou Camp on October 19th which, judging by the early-season form of Pep Guardiola’s side, is a game Barca will need to be at full strength for. If Barcelona once dominated Atletico prior to 2014, then that has all changed and matches between these two squads are some of the most intense to watch.
Real can extend their lead at the top before Barca and Atletico kick off and set a La Liga record with a 17th straight win at home to Villarreal earlier on Wednesday.
Ivan Rakitic’s first-half goal was cancelled out by a superb effort from second-half substitute Angel Correa as the La Liga rivals shared the spoils on the night. Atletico started the season with two draws, but the side still have not conceded a goal through four league matches.
“We did have something similar previous year, even longer than now, and the team played at a good level”. But if the groin injury continues to flare up and Messi misses larger and larger chunks of time, it would undoubtedly be a major blow for their title hopes in all competitions. We have to limit our mistakes and stick to our gameplan. The report adds that the progression of his injury in the coming days will determine exactly how long he will be out for.
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Messi was denied by Jan Oblak in one of few chances in a tight first half but Rakitic broke free of Atletico’s clutches to put Barca in front. While Barcelona like to take control of the game through possession, albeit not as much as they used to, Atletico are more than happy to give up the ball for effectiveness and that cut and thrust on the counterattack.
