Real Madrid v Barcelona: Lionel Messi won't be 100%, says Luis Enrique

By -

No Lionel Messi will not be at full fitness for Saturday’s clásico at Real Madrid if he makes his return from injury but “the feelings are positive”, the Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, has said.

Messi has not played since injuring his knee at the end of September, during which time the champions have pulled three points clear of second-placed Real at the top of La Liga, largely thanks to the form of the Argentina captain’s fellow South Americans Neymar and Luis Suárez.

Luis Enrique said a decision would be made on Saturday whether Messi will start at the Bernabéu, where a win for Barça, chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years, would put them six points clear of Real after 12 matches.

“Since he started training again [on Monday] the feelings are positive,” Luis Enrique told a news conference on Friday. “He has recovered and he is playing at the same level as the rest of the squad. Obviously he won’t be at 100% in physical terms due to the time he has been out but he is so important that to have him recovered at least gives us some security.”

There was more good news for Luis Enrique on the injury front this week when the Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic returned to training after a calf injury. If Messi and Rakitic start, Messi will be reunited with Neymar and Suárez in attack and Rakitic will likely join Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in a three-man midfield.

Luis Enrique said he was not worried about which match officials would take charge of Saturday’s game. An assistant referee last month filed an anonymous complaint through a lawyer with the state anti-corruption prosecutor claiming instructions had been given by the Spanish football federation’s refereeing committee to favour Real. The federation (RFEF) and La Liga dismissed the allegation, although Spanish media has reported an investigation has been launched by the state prosecutor.

“When that came out I asked it be investigated and that is being done,” Luis Enrique said. “Until conclusions are drawn I won’t comment. I am not worried about who is refereeing. I am just focused on the things I can control.”

Security is being ramped up for Saturday’s game after last week’s attacks in Paris, with more than 2,000 police and other security and emergency services personnel to be deployed around the stadium.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Barcelona's Neymar: I don't watch much of Real Madrid games

By -
Image
Barcelona forward Neymar says he cannot give an opinion on Real Madrid -- as he rarely watches them play. Neymar, 23, has been in outstanding form of late, helping to keep Barca neck-and-neck with Madrid at the top of the Primera Division table -- Rafa Benitez's side are ahead on goal difference -- even with Lionel Messi out injured. Asked for his thoughts on Los Blancos ahead of the Clasico at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Nov. 21, the Brazil captain told beIN SPORTS ESPANA that it was difficult to answer as he almost never watched other teams in action. "I hope we can enjoy many years together, with Messi and Luis Suarez, and in our best form," he said. "I do not know if we are the best but we are doing a good job. We have a great friendship on and off the pitch, and that helps a lot. "I knew how Barcelona played [before joining] and I loved their way of playing and the players the club had. I knew Leo was there. He is the best, and ...
Read more

We need to keep working – Daniel Carvajal

By -
Image
“It’s always good to be top of the table, but we have to carry on and keep on winning games to be champions come May. We knew about Barcelona’s half-time score and that it was a golden opportunity to take top spot. It’s an added source of motivation to get out there and play,” the 23-year-old commented. He went on to discuss his own form and how important this season is for him with one eye on getting into the Spain squad for next summer’s European Championships. “I try to repay the coach’s confidence in me by playing well. I hope that Danilo recovers soon and that when he’s back we make it hard for Benítez, and that it’s the team that benefits the most. For me, this year is the most important and the year with the most challenges in my career, with stiff competition at club and international level, and with the Euros in the summer. It’s a year to stand up and be counted,” he stated.
Read more

Arsenal are ready to meet Nolito’s Celta Vigo release clause of £12.6 million and are in pole position to land the Spaniard in January, according to The Telegraph.

By -
Image
The gifted attacker has been a standout player in La Liga for the over-achieving side and has been heavily linked with a move back to former club Barcelona. However, the Gunners are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the 29-year-old, who has forced his way into Vicente del Bosque’s star-studded Spain squad. The latest report suggests that Celta would prefer to sell Nolito to a foreign club over a domestic rival, which gives Arsenal an excellent opportunity to land him in January. Arsene Wenger’s men are reportedly ready to splash £12.6 million on the former Benfica star, who can play as a central striker or on the wing. The Emirates Stadium faithful have urged the club to sign a new striker in January to boost their Premier League title ambitions.
Read more