Confirmation of Messi's injury also set off alarm bells in Argentina. The countdown has commenced for the 2014 Brazil World Cup and with only 253 days until the tournament kicks off, any injury to the Argentina captain is a headache.
Now more than ever, Tata Martino's words are gaining strength. The Barça coach spoke about the need to rest Messi and his other players, irrespective of whether the Argentine always wants to play. "They signed me to make decisions and I’m going to continue making them for the good of my players", the coach had said after the game against Real Sociedad.
On Saturday, after Barcelona's win over Almería, trans-Atlantic communications started between the Argentine Football Federation's medical team and its counterpart in Barcelona. Alejandro Sabella received confirmation of the Argentine star's injury this very Sunday, after the pertinent medical examinations were completed.
Messi travelling to Argentina to undergo a check-up with the Argentine national team's doctors has not yet been ruled out. Sabella plans to contact Barcelona this very Monday to discuss what steps must be taken. Depending on how the injury progresses, they will decide whether Messi will travel, even if he cannot take part in the matches against Peru and Uruguay, or whether they will follow his recovery from afar.
The central defender returns to a stadium which is already familiar to him. On 7th November last year, he played 70 minutes and returned home defeated (2-1) – the first game which he lost wearing the first team shirt.
He failed to win again in the Champions League – after the game in Glasgow, he played the full ties against PSG and Bayern. His side never managed more than a draw against the Frenchmen and lost both matches against the Germans. Nevertheless, the youngster's performances have been good and he has played in three games this year.
Martino announced his squad on Sunday, which includes 19 first-team players and two from the reserves: Patric and Sergi Gómez. They both played against Mallorca in the game which Barça B lost (0-1) at the Mini Estadi after a Casadesús goal.
Now more than ever, Tata Martino's words are gaining strength. The Barça coach spoke about the need to rest Messi and his other players, irrespective of whether the Argentine always wants to play. "They signed me to make decisions and I’m going to continue making them for the good of my players", the coach had said after the game against Real Sociedad.
On Saturday, after Barcelona's win over Almería, trans-Atlantic communications started between the Argentine Football Federation's medical team and its counterpart in Barcelona. Alejandro Sabella received confirmation of the Argentine star's injury this very Sunday, after the pertinent medical examinations were completed.
Messi travelling to Argentina to undergo a check-up with the Argentine national team's doctors has not yet been ruled out. Sabella plans to contact Barcelona this very Monday to discuss what steps must be taken. Depending on how the injury progresses, they will decide whether Messi will travel, even if he cannot take part in the matches against Peru and Uruguay, or whether they will follow his recovery from afar.
Bartra has an axe to grind at Celtic Park
Bartra will continue to partner up with Piqué on Tuesday. Mascherano's injury and the youngster's good performances in the last two games (Real Sociedad and Almería) mean that he will remain in the starting eleven.The central defender returns to a stadium which is already familiar to him. On 7th November last year, he played 70 minutes and returned home defeated (2-1) – the first game which he lost wearing the first team shirt.
He failed to win again in the Champions League – after the game in Glasgow, he played the full ties against PSG and Bayern. His side never managed more than a draw against the Frenchmen and lost both matches against the Germans. Nevertheless, the youngster's performances have been good and he has played in three games this year.
Martino announced his squad on Sunday, which includes 19 first-team players and two from the reserves: Patric and Sergi Gómez. They both played against Mallorca in the game which Barça B lost (0-1) at the Mini Estadi after a Casadesús goal.
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