FC Barcelona vs Sevilla FC — UEFA Super Cup

That means the 23-year-old will not only miss tonight’s clash with Europa League champions Sevilla in Tbilisi but he will also sit out the two-legged Spanish Supercopa against Athletic Bilbao later this month.

The 28-year-old was named among the substitutes for Barca’s Uefa Super Cup victory over Sevilla on Tuesday, despite Neymar’s absence through illness, but came off the bench to score the victor in extra time.

“We are confident in ourselves and in our strengths”.

“But for now, we are looking at the contest as a challenge to conquer”.

The 23-year-old had only just returned to action after a disappointing Copa America, but he and Lionel Messi’s presence sparked Barca into life after a bad run of pre-season results as both scored in a 3-0 win over Roma in their final friendly outing last week.

Barca won the treble last season and will now look to replicate the six titles won in 2009 by Pep Guardiola’s great Blaugrana side as they compete in the Spanish and European Super Cups and the Club World Cup at the end of the year.

“There is nothing better than starting the season with a title”, said the Croatian. We’re going to Georgia to win.

“We know the opponent we are facing will demand a lot of us”.

Emery has particular problems at centre-back with Nico Pareja definitely ruled out, whilst new recruit Adil Rami, Timothee Kolodziejczak and Daniel Carrico are all doubts.

For Barca, Neymar is the only member of Luis Enrique’s first-team squad not making the trip as injured duo Jordi Alba and Douglas as well as new signings Arda Turan and Vidal – neither of whom can play until January – have travelled with the team despite not being available.

Dani Alves turned down the chance to make the move from Barcelona to Old Trafford earlier in the summer after signing a new two-year deal with the European champions and said he would understand if Pedro was tempted by a lucrative offer from the free-spending Premier League side.