MX23RW : Friday, November 8 10:48:36| >> :60:1650:1650:
[monks data]
Attendance: 47,557
Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga | Gameweek 23
Feb 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-0

FT

Messi set to start for Barcelona

The Argentinian was only fit enough for the bench in Barca's last game.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde will have star striker Lionel Messi back for Barcelona's trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

The Argentinian was only fit enough to come off the bench in Barcelona's 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after suffering a thigh injury.

Valverde is expected to be cautious with Messi, as the Champions League last-16 first leg against Lyon takes place on February 19.

The manager told a press conference on Saturday: "As always, we have to wait to make a decision.

"The other day we did not want to risk him and we are in a similar situation tomorrow.

"He's okay, but if he were at 100 per cent, as he has been at other times, he'd play."

The 31-year-old recently became the first player in LaLiga history to reach 400 goals and would bring a boost to a Barcelona side looking for their eighth league win in a row.

Valverde expects a difficult game on Sunday, adding: "It will be a beautiful game, but visiting San Mames is always complicated, it is one of the most difficult games of the season."

The Barcelona manager returns to face the team he led for six seasons on his 55th birthday and will be looking to improve his record as a visiting coach of one win and four defeats in the League.

Valverde will be without midfielder Arthur who picked up a hamstring injury and is expected to return in a month.

The boss added: "(With Arthur) we've lost a player who gives us a control of the game but you can't avoid injuries over the course of the season."

In place of the injured Arthur, Valverde has placed his faith in Philippe Coutinho, who is set to start.

Ousmane Dembele will start for Barcelona while Samuel Umtiti was not included in the starting line-up.

Bilbao manager Gaizka Garitano believes his side have to be at their best tomorrow against top-of-the-table Barcelona.

Garitano said on the club's official Twitter feed: "We will play against the best team there is and it requires us to be at our best.

"We play at home with our people and it's a nice game to try and win against a great team."

The Bilbao boss admitted his side could struggle to have much possession against the style of football played by Barcelona.

He added: "We need to have everyone ready for tomorrow's game. Against Barcelona you always have to have a good match in addition to having a little luck."

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', 'd999e792-b920-4c89-b885-e42badd68ddf');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,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 set to start for Barcelona'});

ID:349879: cacheID:349879:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5239:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona on December 11, 2018
Read Next:
Lionel Messi's record vs. Athletic Bilbao
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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!