MX23RW : Monday, December 23 10:03:27| >> :120:38931:38931:
[monks data]
Attendance: 7,332
Huesca logo
La Liga | Gameweek 32
Apr 13, 2019 at 3.15pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-0

FT

Barcelona may rest Lionel Messi for trip to basement side Huesca

Messi was cleared of injury after a strong tackle from Chris Smalling.

Barcelona could rest Lionel Messi for their LaLiga clash with bottom side Huesca on Saturday.

The Argentinian star was given the all-clear after scans following a collision with Manchester United's Chris Smalling in the Champions League on Wednesday that left him bruised and bloodied.

But, with Barca 11 points clear at the top of the table and the second leg against United to come on Tuesday, boss Ernesto Valverde is set to make a number of changes.

Regarding Messi, he told a press conference: "It is possible that Messi will be rested. The blow was strong, as if a train passes over you. I spoke with him and it is a possibility."

Valverde insists he does not yet think that Barca are assured of the title but feels he needs to find the right balance.

"Circumstances are what they are," he said. "There may be changes tomorrow but we do not forget that we have 10 points left to be champions. No matter how much we think it is won, it is not, far from it.

"The intention of the changes is to strengthen us and be competitive. It's a risk, and it will also be a risk that they play on Tuesday. There are inactive players who have to play."

Huesca lost 8-2 when the teams met at the Nou Camp earlier in the season and sit six points adrift of safety but have improved through the campaign.

Coach Francisco said: "Everyone can understand that it is the best time to face Barca, because they are in the Champions League and come from beating Atletico to leave LaLiga almost wrapped up.

"But they always have the obligation to play well and win, regardless of the players who come.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is set to make changes to his side
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is set to make changes to his side (Ian Hodgson/PA)

"We have to be aggressive, but we must be balanced against a rival that with space is going to kill you. We are going to suffer."

Top scorer Ezequiel Avila does not feel Messi's potential absence will make too much difference, saying on sdhuesca.es: "He is the best player in the world, but they have many other great players and they will not all be missing.

"We know that in this type of match we are not going to have many chances and that we have to take advantage of them."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'a6a86a5a-3f91-4948-9c0d-9eeb155f145f');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Messi may sit out Huesca match'});

ID:356054: cacheID:356054:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7055:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Zinedine Zidane ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga fixture with Celta Vigo on March 16, 2019.
Read Next:
Zinedine Zidane expects Karim Benzema stay
>
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!