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La Liga | Gameweek 3
Aug 31, 2019 at 4pm UK
 
BL

2-2

Torres (7', 81' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fati (51'), Arthur (64')

Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona

:Headline: Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona: ID:369834: from db_amp
The Argentinian is still battling a calf problem.

Lionel Messi is still not fit to return for Barcelona when they travel to newly-promoted Osasuna on Saturday.

The forward was not played since suffering a calf injury in pre-season and coach Ernesto Valverde revealed on Friday he hoped to have the Argentinian back after the international break, in time to face Valencia on September 14.

"He is following the normal recovery process," Valverde told a press conference. "With this break we hope he will be available for Valencia."

Without Messi, Barcelona have won one and lost one of their opening two LaLiga games, bouncing back from their defeat to Athletic Bilbao by thumping Celta Vigo 5-2.

Antoine Griezmann was on target twice in that game and, with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele also out injured, the goal-scoring burden will once again fall on the summer signing.

Osasuna have started the season better than Barca, with four points from two games, and are yet to concede.

Valverde is wary of their home form, saying: "Osasuna have always been a fearsome team at El Sadar. They will want to take advantage of being at home in front of their fans."

Jagoba Arrasate's side followed up their opening win at Leganes by holding Eibar to a 0-0 draw.

The hosts will be without winger Enrique Barja and defender Unai Garcia through injury, along with Luis Perea and Inigo Perez, who are still working towards full fitness.

Valverde also offered his support to former Barca player and manager Luis Enrique, whose nine-year-old daughter Xana died of bone cancer this week.

A minute's silence will be held before all games in Spain's top two divisions this weekend in her memory.

"I want to send a message to Luis Enrique, in what are difficult times for his family," said Valverde.

"I want to convey love and send him a huge hug."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97
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