TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lionel Messi has always been Barcelona truf card this season, having played in all seven La Liga and two Champions League matches. However, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique claimed that Messi is on the verge of exhaustion.
Messi has just played for Argentina in a friendly in Asia. Previously, La Pulga also played against Brazil. Therefore, Enrique will likely to put Messi, along with Neymar, on the sideline when Blaugrana face Eibar.
Playing without Messi, Barcelona will face the real test. In total nine matches, Messi has contributed seven goals and seven assists. In nine matches with Messi, Barcelona have only lost once, against Paris Saint-Germain.
It means that this weekend's fixture will test Barcelona's depth, particularly without Messi. Barcelona now have collected 17 points out of 7 matches, topping the table. Eibar, on the other hand, sit at ninth with nine points only.
MARCA | NURDIN
