SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 20 hrs 12 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Messi injury worry as Barcelona held by Valencia

:Headline: Messi injury worry as Barcelona held by Valencia: ID:349174: from db_amp
The striker is a doubt for the midweek Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi is a doubt for Wednesday's Copa del Rey Clasico semi-final at home to Real Madrid after sustaining a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw with Valencia.

The Argentina international scored twice, once from the penalty spot, as the hosts came from 2-0 down to earn a point and extend their lead at the top of LaLiga to six points.

Messi took his tally to 11 in the last nine matches in all competitions, passing 20 league goals for the 11th successive season.

However, it was not without cost as he needed treatment for what appeared to be a dead leg shortly after equalising and coach Ernesto Valverde does not know if he will recover in time for Wednesday's first leg against their arch-rivals.

"(Messi) has a small problem. I can't say exactly what problem he has, I don't know," he told a press conference after the match.

"We will have to wait to see what medical staff say. If he's in good shape, he'll play on Wednesday.

"We will wait. I imagine it's nothing, but we'll wait a few hours. Leo didn't ask me to sub him off."

The draw ended a sequence of eight successive league victories and Valverde admits that after a slow start he did not believe his side deserved to be 2-0 down.

"It was a very strange first part. It is true that Valencia started very well, generating a very clear opportunity, but from that moment on it was us who controlled the game, dominating the areas, creating the feeling that we could score," he said.

"When we were better we got the 0-1 in a counter-attack and then a second goal was a very severe punishment".

Valencia coach Marcelino looked on the positive side despite allowing a two-goal lead to slip.

"You can feel disappointed when you are 2-0 up and then draw but that's not how I feel," he said.

"The team had an extraordinary game and played spectacularly well but we were unlucky.

"We were close to winning but in the space of two minutes we went from almost being 3-1 up to drawing 2-2."

amp_article__349174 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-02 22:13:22:
html db last update - 2019-02-02 22:13:22 :

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
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
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.



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