Messi misses Barcelona game with illness

Barcelona could not find a way to break down the Malaga defence on Saturday.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi during their match against Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville November 6, 2016.

The champions were also without captain Andres Iniesta and defender Samuel Umtiti through injury while coach Luis Enrique rested midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

Atletico played well in the emotionally charged game at the Calderon, and was in control of most everything except the scoreboard.

The genius of Messi has been papering the cracks for Barcelona in recent weeks, but it certainly doesn’t bode well for the near future. “Squads win titles”, he said.

Paco Alcacer (right) was a regular starter at Valencia but has not been able to get a foothold in the Barcelona starting XI.

Barcelona could have Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu back from injury but Luis Suarez will serve a one match ban.

Malaga are the only team in the top 15 without an away so far this season.

Neymar was one of few Barca players who looked capable of finding a victor but found few willing partners, with stand-in striker Paco Alcacer produced an anonymous display and defender Pique looking far more threatening in attack.

The Argentina superstar missed Saturday’s match against Malaga, as Luis Enrique’s men drew a blank at Camp Nou. In other words, if the Catalan club cannot extend it he will bring himself to sell the next summer to prevent the world’s best player will bar free. “We weren’t counting on losing these two points”.

Diego Simeone’s team, which has lost three of its last four league games, dropped to fifth in the standings.

“I’d give the team a B+”, he said.

But Malaga entered the pitch with a clear plan and executed it to perfection. In the last of those Juankar was shown a red card for protesting, reducing Malaga to nine men but by then it was too late.

However, it turned out to be a forgettable night at the Camp Nou as Barcelona were held by Malaga to a 0-0 draw.