Barca life without Messi begins with Leverkusen

Messi will be out of action for two months after damaging knee ligaments at the start of Barcelona‘s 2-1 win at home to Las Palmas in a La Liga match on Sunday, reports Xinhua. I’m really happy for the win.

The brilliant displays of football produced by Barcelona that most fans are used to wasn’t present during the match but, what the crowd saw was a team that is still capable of producing the required result when their best player isn’t on the field.

However, defender Javier Mascherano called on those like Roberto and Munir el-Haddadi, who made a significant impact from the bench against Leverkusen, to take their chance in the first team.

The news of Messi’s injury comes as a blow to the side, however, it gives plenty of opportunity for all members of Luis Enrique’s men to shine.

Suarez, who scored the winning goal dedicated his goal to the injured striker before admitting that Barcelona didn’t play well, but did enough.

Tuesday’s victory lifted Barca to the top of the section on four points from two matches, with Leverkusen second on three points, level with BATE Borisov.

Midfielder Ivan Rakitic is also hopeful that Messi’s absence will act as a spur for his teammates to take more responsibility in the coming weeks.

“The media has somehow created the idea that Neymar must do something extra now that Messi is injured, but it is not like that”.

The news could not have come at a worst time for Barcelona.

Luis Enrique said Barca would remain competitive despite the rash of injuries and hit back at the disgruntled fans, saying the players deserved greater respect.

“We hope he returns as soon as possible”.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and Nilito from Celta de Vigo had scored 5 each goals of the season after 6 match.

“It’s a major loss but now we have to become even stronger”. Barcelona has three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five games.

“We want to show that we won’t go under like that again“, Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno said.

“We didn’t deserve those whistles, they could whistle us at the end of the game but not during”.

BARCELONA coach Luis Enrique admitted his side’s first win in Champions League Group E came at a price, with Andres Iniesta set to join Lionel Messi on the sidelines.

But the Barcelona boss was also forced to defend Neymar himself, who had another poor game.