MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 11:37:53| >> :120:64286:64286:
[monks data]
Attendance: 16,742
Osauna logo
La Liga | Gameweek 3
Aug 31, 2019 at 4pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-2

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

Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona

Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona
© Reuters
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."

ID:369834: cacheID:369834:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5351:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts as Valencia score their second in the Copa del Rey final on May 25, 2019
Read Next:
Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Osasuna
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!