“They gave us no space and made everything more complicated”, Luis Enrique told a news conference. He is certain to miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru on October 6 and Paraguay on October 11. Consequently, Messi’s substitution took a toll on Barcelona whose morale seemed to go down a notch and youngster Angel Correa came off the bench and scored the equaliser for Atletico causing them to split points, keeping Barcelona in the 3rd position in the League Table.
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The injury means Messi is set to miss LaLiga matches against Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo plus a Champions League tie away to Borussia Monchengladbach in between.
The five-time World Player of the Year missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Venezuela earlier this month due to the problem and only started Barca’s shock 2-1 defeat to Alaves 10 days ago on the bench as coach Luis Enrique bedded him back into action gently.
After failing to unpick Atletico’s defence with intricate passing, the hosts took the lead as Ivan Rakitic glanced in Andres Iniesta’s cross.
However, Barca’s joy was short-lived, first by a double injury blow and then Correa’s leveller.
However, the good news is that Messi’s injury will not end up with him missing any big games as Barcelona will face just three games, with trips to Sporting Gijon, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celta Vigo coming up before October’s worldwide break all of them away from home.
Barca came closest to finding a victor in the final half hour as a fierce drive from Neymar was repelled by Oblak, whilst Jordi Alba and Rakitic fired off target.
“We lacked intensity in the first-half”, said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. “It happened today but it’s not going to change how we want to play”.
However, Villarreal were the better side in the first-half and got their reward just before half-time when Sergio Ramos handled Manu Trigueros’s shot and referee Jose Luis Gonzalez pointed to the spot.
Captain Bruno stepped up and coolly chipped the ball down the middle of the goal past Casilla.
Ramos made amends three minutes after the restart heading home the equalizer to hand his side a share of the spoils.
The off-colour Bale was then replaced by Lucas Vazquez, whilst Karim Benzema made way for Alvaro Morata in the search for a victor.
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Gareth Bale flashed a shot wide from a tight angle, Ronaldo narrowly failed to connect with a cross at the far post and later on shot straight at Asenjo, who had denied substitute Alvaro Morata from close range.
