Barcelona May Miss Messi for Trip to Real Betis
Lionel Messi is a doubt for Barcelona's next Spanish league match at Real Betis on Sunday after being carried off the field on a stretcher late in a Champions League game.
With Barcelona already assured a first-place finish in its group, Messi entered Wednesday's game against Benfica with about 30 minutes to play. The Argentine needs only one goal to match Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a single year.
Instead of making history, Messi was carried off with a bruised left knee after colliding with the Benfica goalkeeper.
Barcelona said its leading scorer is doubtful for the trip to play a Betis side that has climbed into fourth place after winning its last two games, including a victory over Real Madrid.
Madrid faces what could be a tougher-than-expected test at Valladolid on Saturday.
Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova defended his decision to send on Messi even when his team didn't need a result and was playing with several youth team players.
"We had talked about the possibility of him playing half an hour," Vilanova said. "(Messi) is a player who likes to play. We didn't do it for the record like everyone is talking about. If we had wanted him to get the record, he would have played against Alaves (in the Copa del Rey) and the whole game (against Benfica)."
Vilanova said that playing 30 minutes in the match was the equivalent of "a good practice session."
"If we were worried about Messi getting injured, we would take him out of any game we are winning 3-0, and we never do that," Vilanova said. "If I had to do it again, I would make the same decision."
Under its first-year coach, Barcelona has established a Spanish-league record for a best start to the season with 13 wins and a draw through the opening 14 rounds.
Messi's league-high 21 goals have played a major part in setting that milestone. The 25-year-old Argentina international hasn't missed a game because of injury since September 2010.
Betis has won three of its last four games at Benito Villamarin Stadium.
Led by striker Ruben Castro and midfielder Benat Etxebarria, Betis' attacking approach always leads to goals, for one team or the other. Only three teams have scored more than Betis' 23 goals, and only three teams have conceded more than Betis' 24.
Castro has eight goals after scoring twice last weekend at Deportivo La Coruna.
"We are heading into the game with the idea of trying to win points," Betis midfielder Ruben Perez said. "It will be difficult because Barcelona is the best team in the world. They control the ball the entire game."
Atletico Madrid will try to rebound from yet another disappointing loss to Madrid last round when it hosts struggling Deportivo on Sunday. The team is six points behind Barcelona in second place and five points ahead of Madrid, which is in third.
Madrid enters Saturday's game after a pair of commanding home wins this past week featuring an in-form Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal forward scored both in Madrid's win over Atletico in the league and its victory over Ajax in the Champions League.
Madrid, however, will need to avoid another slip-up on the road if it hopes to retain any chance of catching Barcelona.
Madrid lost its last away game at Betis 1-0 and has as many defeats (three) as wins away from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium this season.
"The important thing is that we work hard and play with the same attitude we had against Atletico," Madrid midfielder Luka Modric said. "We have to keep winning and winning so we can stay near the top and be ready when Barcelona loses a game."
Promoted Valladolid is having a strong return to Spain's top division. The modest club is in seventh place— one point from a Europa League spot— after winning its last two matches.
Coached by former player Miroslav Djukic, Valladolid has displayed an entertaining attack this campaign led by forward Oscar Gonzalez and his team-high seven goals in league play. The team has only lost once in seven home games this season.
Angola striker Manucho provides a big target up front, while German forward Patrick Ebert gives Valladolid power to compliment Oscar's finesse.
"Of course we can beat Real Madrid," Oscar said. "We will go out to play them as equals."
Also Saturday, Real Sociedad will host Getafe in a meeting of two of the league's most attractive attacking sides which are both on winning steaks. Ernesto Valverde will coach his first Spanish league game with Valencia as it hosts Osasuna, while fifth-place Malaga hosts a slumping Granada.
Last-place Espanyol hosts Sevilla on Friday to open the round. Also Sunday, Levante hosts Mallorca, while Celta Vigo is at Athletic Bilbao. Rayo Vallecano plays Real Zaragoza on Monday.
Source: Associated Press
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