MX23RW : Friday, May 31 23:15:50| >> :120:10583:10583:
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Attendance: 16,742
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La Liga | Gameweek 3
Aug 31, 2019 at 4pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-2

Torres (7', 81' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fati (51'), Arthur (64')

Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona

Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona
© Reuters
The Argentinian is still battling a calf problem.

Lionel Messi is still not fit to return for Barcelona when they travel to newly-promoted Osasuna on Saturday.

The forward was not played since suffering a calf injury in pre-season and coach Ernesto Valverde revealed on Friday he hoped to have the Argentinian back after the international break, in time to face Valencia on September 14.

"He is following the normal recovery process," Valverde told a press conference. "With this break we hope he will be available for Valencia."

Without Messi, Barcelona have won one and lost one of their opening two LaLiga games, bouncing back from their defeat to Athletic Bilbao by thumping Celta Vigo 5-2.

Antoine Griezmann was on target twice in that game and, with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele also out injured, the goal-scoring burden will once again fall on the summer signing.

Osasuna have started the season better than Barca, with four points from two games, and are yet to concede.

Valverde is wary of their home form, saying: "Osasuna have always been a fearsome team at El Sadar. They will want to take advantage of being at home in front of their fans."

Jagoba Arrasate's side followed up their opening win at Leganes by holding Eibar to a 0-0 draw.

The hosts will be without winger Enrique Barja and defender Unai Garcia through injury, along with Luis Perea and Inigo Perez, who are still working towards full fitness.

Valverde also offered his support to former Barca player and manager Luis Enrique, whose nine-year-old daughter Xana died of bone cancer this week.

A minute's silence will be held before all games in Spain's top two divisions this weekend in her memory.

"I want to send a message to Luis Enrique, in what are difficult times for his family," said Valverde.

"I want to convey love and send him a huge hug."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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