Messi sustained his latest groin problem during Barca’s 1-1 LaLiga draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and Bauza suggested the three-week time frame predicted for his recovery is too short.
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Barca’s all-time top scorer will miss league fixtures at Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo as well as the UEFA Champions League group game with Borussia Moenchen-gladbach.
However, during Messi’s previous long spell on the sidelines – which was two months from last September – Barcelona went nine games undefeated, winning seven and drawing two.
Speaking after the game, Simeone explained to the club’s official website: “For us, it is always hard to draw anything positive from Camp Nou”.
Atletico host Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday and will be in positive mood following Angel Correa’s second-half equaliser against Barca.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona reacts injured on the pitch during the match against Atletico Madrid.
“We understand that it was for the best for Messi and his club, and we agreed”.
Barca’s early possession yielded few clear opportunities, Messi curling into Jan Oblak’s arms from 20 yards out with his first real sight of goal, and it was Atleti who conjured the better openings in the first half-hour.
“We did have something similar a year ago, even longer than now, and the team played at a good level”.
Lionel Messi suffered a ruptured adductor in his groin to rule him out of the next three weeks, with Barcelona manager Luis Enrique claiming the blow means “football loses”.
There is an worldwide break at the start of next month, and Messi could miss the crucial World Cup qualifiers for Argentina as well.
Suarez was involved in a battle of his own as he was booked for a clash with Atletico left-back Filipe Luis six minutes from time.
Messi has played in all of Barcelona’s matches this season.
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“Without Lionel Messi we are much less strong but we can still be strong, we hope he improves and we’re going to continue as we need to continue, playing with confidence”. We will try to take care of him, but the pain persists.
