SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 14 hrs 2 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
La Liga | Gameweek 4
Sep 14, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
VL

5-2

Fati (2'), de Jong (7'), Pique (51'), Suarez (61', 82')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Gameiro (27'), Gomez (92')

Barca won't rush Messi back from calf injury despite indifferent start

:Headline: Barca won't rush Messi back from calf injury despite indifferent start: ID:371339: from db_amp
The Argentinian has yet to feature this term.

Ernesto Valverde insists he will not rush Lionel Messi back before he is ready as Barcelona face up to the prospect of being without their talisman for another week.

Messi has yet to play this campaign after suffering a calf strain during pre-season and is definitely sidelined for Saturday's visit of Valencia and may also miss Tuesday's Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund.

Without their record-breaking forward, Barca have only managed to win one of their opening three LaLiga matches, with a 5-2 home victory over Real Betis coming in-between a defeat at Athletic Bilbao and draw with Osasuna.

However, Barca coach Valverde is adamant he will only bring Messi back when he is fit and ready, and says the Argentinian's absence gives other players in his star-studded squad a chance to shine.

He told a press conference: "Of course Messi's a very important player for us, I'm not going to deny it, but the team have responded well in other games which he hasn't played in.

"But he's a decisive player. He can change games because of how he affects our team and the opposition. He's the best player in the world.

"We want him back as soon as possible but we want him back at full fitness.

"I don't know if he will be ready for Tuesday. I don't want to create any expectations. It's difficult."

He added "Missing Leo Messi is always going to be noticed but it means chances and opportunities for other players to step forward. We saw that against Betis."

The good news for Valverde is that striker Luis Suarez is available again after being absent since the opening-day defeat to Athletic.

Luis Suarez is back for Barcelona (Nick Potts/PA)

The Spanish champions will come up against a familiar face in the Valencia dugout this weekend, with their former midfielder Albert Celades having been appointed Los Che coach on Wednesday.

Barcelona-born Celades, who spent almost a decade on the books of his home-town club before leaving in 1999, took over the reins following the sacking of Marcelino.

Like Barca, Valencia have also picked up four points from their opening three games and Celades is hoping they can add to that tally on his return to the Nou Camp.

He said on his club's website: "Barcelona are a great side. No more needs to be said about Messi, but Barca always give you difficulties, whatever starting XI they field or the changes they make.

"They cause even more problems at their home ground. We know how difficult the game will be, but we are focused on the plan that we have worked on in our two training sessions together. We'll see if we are capable of competing in the best way possible.

"We will go out there tomorrow in Barcelona with the best mentality, and try to compete against a magnificent side."

amp_article__371339 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-13 22:56:48:
html db last update - 2019-09-13 22:56:48 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .