Off the wire
• Feature: women paragliding pilots of Pokhara  • 20 soldiers wounded in PKK bomb attack in eastern Turkey  • CPC to increase presence in NGOs, trade unions  • Lewandowski setting sail for big clubs?  • China on red alert for super typhoon Dujuan  • Bangladesh imports surge about 16 pct to over 3 bln USD  • China Headlines: China's poverty alleviaiton efforts impress  • Pro-independence parties win majority of seats, but not votes in Spain's Catalonia  • Indonesia deploys aircraft, soldiers to fight forest fire  • 1st LD Writethru: Bangkok bombings retaliation against Thai gov't clampdown on human trafficking: spokesman  
You are here: 　 Home

Luis Enrique prepares for life without Messi

Xinhua, September 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique will have to decide how his side adapts to life without Leo Messi when they entertain Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Messi will be out of action for two months after damaging knee ligaments at the start of Barca's 2-1 win at home to Las Palmas on Sunday.

With Rafinha out for the season and the club unable to inscribe Arda Turan into their squad, the Barca coach will have to decide whether he decides to include young striker Munir in his starting line or to play with an extra man in midfield.

Andres Iniesta will return to the Barca side after being rested at the weekend, while there is a chance Jordi Alba could be back at left back after missing the last two games through injury.

Luis Suarez and Neymar will have to take the responsibility of leading the Barca attack, something that Suarez did on Saturday with his side's two goals, while Neymar will have to pick up his game after missing a penalty, although Messi's absence should give him more room on the pitch and more chance to shine.

"it is impossible to replace a player like Messi and it is a big challenge to keep being competitive without our best player," said the Barca coach, who tried to take pressure off Neymar.

"Only the press can ask for Neymar to take a step forward, but I think all of our players will take that step forward," he said, adding that Bayer could see Messi's injury as giving them an extra chance of winning.

Tuesday also sees Valencia in Champions League action as they travel to face Olympique Lyon needing a win after losing their first group game 3-2 at home to Zenit St Petersburg.

Meanwhile Real Madrid visit Malmo and Sevilla are away to Juventus on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid play at home to Benfica. Endi