Quite sad, Barcelona player Lionel Messi was confirmed would miss up to eight weeks after he tore a muscle in his left thigh during Barca's 4-1 La Liga victory over Real Betis on Sunday evening.Neymar Insists that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
Messi's phenomenal goal record over recent years has seen Barcelona cement their place as a European powerhouse to be feared, although they were given a firm setback last season when Bayern Munich dispatched them 7-0 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals. Messi wasn’t fully fit for either leg, and it showed as the Catalan side looked to be missing any sense of direction in the way they played.
So how influential has he been in 2013? If you take a look at the stats, they should get by just fine without him. Astonishingly, Barcelona have won every single game in 2013 that they have played without Messi, having played and won nine times this year without the 26-year-old.
With him in the side, that figure drops rather dramatically to 61.9 per cent - winning 26 out of 42 competitive matches this season – in which he has scores 39 goals along the way. In comparison, Messi had notched 79 goals for his club in the whole of 2012, whereas he will end this calendar year with 45 goals, a drop of over half of his 91 total goals the year before.
With Messi ruled out for up to two months, Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino will need to turn to Plan B in the hope that they don’t relinquish their unbeaten start to the season. They won’t have to worry about the immediate future though with the international break set to take centre stage, and return to action on November 23 when they take on Granada.
They then face their final two Champions League group matches against Ajax and Celtic, with a La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao and the Copa Del Rey tie with Cartagena sandwiched in-between. With the Spanish league champions already qualified from Group H, and Martino likely to deploy a fringe and youth side in the cup, these games will not pose too much of a problem in terms of competing without Messi.
They then face a rather simple schedule that sees them take on Villarreal, Cartagena again and Getafe before the winter break kicks in, and Messi will be targeting a return in the first game of the New Year when Barcelona host Elche on January 4.
Even without Messi, Martino will be expectant of his side to at least remain unbeaten through those matches, and having the addition of Neymar this season should ensure that any issues caused by Messi’s absence are minimalised thanks to the Brazilian star.
It
was confirmed on Monday that Messi would miss up to eight weeks after
he tore a muscle in his left thigh during Barca's 4-1 La Liga victory
over Real Betis on Sunday evening.
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
It
was confirmed on Monday that Messi would miss up to eight weeks after
he tore a muscle in his left thigh during Barca's 4-1 La Liga victory
over Real Betis on Sunday evening.
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
It
was confirmed on Monday that Messi would miss up to eight weeks after
he tore a muscle in his left thigh during Barca's 4-1 La Liga victory
over Real Betis on Sunday evening.
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
It
was confirmed on Monday that Messi would miss up to eight weeks after
he tore a muscle in his left thigh during Barca's 4-1 La Liga victory
over Real Betis on Sunday evening.
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
It
was confirmed on Monday that Messi would miss up to eight weeks after
he tore a muscle in his left thigh during Barca's 4-1 La Liga victory
over Real Betis on Sunday evening.
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
This latest blow comes after Messi suffered a bruised thigh on August 21 during the Spanish Super Cup first leg game against Atletico Madrid and a small muscle tear in his right thigh against Almeria on September 28.
The Argentina international is now set to miss games in La Liga and the Champions League, but Neymar has played down fears about Barca's chances without their star man, insisting that he and Cesc Fabregas are ready to fill the void.
He told Revista da Internet: "Leo [Messi] had already had two muscular problems. He had come off an unprecedented marathon of matches. Frequent injuries are statistically predictable given the level of physical effort and Leo is having a spell of more predispositions to injuries.
"Before his injury was confirmed and as a way to prevent it, the coach created alternatives on offence in which Cesc and I assumed responsibility, working with fewer improvisations.
"Messi is a ten in the artillery. Many times he breaks down the other team's defence and goes after it. This function was assigned to me and Cesc, always working under the hypothesis of a possible loss of Messi and so this could be faced in a way that was the least traumatic."
Neymar also spoke about Messi's role within the Barcelona camp as a leader and his upset at seeing him sidelined again.
"He's the leader for me and for everyone in the team, he's relaxed and calm," Neymar said. "It's impossible for me not to be affected when I see how sad he is to suffer another injury, just when I've arrived at the club.
"My dream was to play alongside Messi and to end up becoming part of a super duo and not to have to take over as the attacking force so soon for a Barcelona packed with stars."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/256939.html#CcdiyQpdqAuISUaU.99
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