Lionel Messi set to miss Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League fixture.
Barcelona released their squad list ahead of their match against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League with some notable absences. The biggest one being the exclusion of Argentinian ace, Lionel Messi.
After not playing particularly well in the loss to Atletico Madrid, manager Ronald Koeman decided to leave him out of the team’s next match and give his superstar a rest.
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Along with the absence of Messi is that of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
"“The situation in the Champions League is rather good with nine points and it is a good moment to give rest to these two players,” Koeman said.Source: Sport"
Messi and De Jong were the two players who have played the most minutes under Koeman this season and as he alluded to, the situation in the Champions League is better than the one in La Liga.
He therefore has more room for error and can afford to rest two of his best players.
Players who played the most minutes for Barcelona this season:
— adil (@Barca19stats) November 23, 2020
De Jong 980
Messi 945
It makes sense to spare them this long flight and give them a breather. Dembélé being called up is a relief. pic.twitter.com/QuCE407IpS
The rest comes at a good time for Messi as he had a poor game, by his standards, against Atletico Madrid. He looked increasingly knackered as the game went on. He was on edge to begin with when he returned from international duty.
The same could be said for De Jong who featured heavily with Netherlands over the international break and played the full 90 in their last match. Seeing as he’s going to be relied heavily given the injuries to Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto, Koeman is going to need him to be fresh for the upcoming packed schedule of games.
It is always going to be news when Messi is left out of a match. Especially with the player’s notorious reputation of wanting to play every game. Now is as good a time as any to rest him, and De Jong, and give other players an opportunity.