Lionel Messi suffered an injury in Barcelona’s league win over Sevilla and it was earlier reported that he would be out of action for three weeks.
Sport reported on Tuesday that several doctors outside the club fear the Argentine’s recovery period will longer than expected, but either way, he will miss the Champions League tie against Inter Milan today.
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo takes a look at Ernesto Valverde’s possible lineup to face the Nerazzurri, including the replacement for the Blaugrana star.
In the last European fixtures, Ousmane Dembele was the unused substitute as the visitors sealed a 4-2 victory at Wembley. The former Athletic Bilbao manager is likely to retain the majority of the starting XI against the north London club intact for this midweek fixture.
Sergi Roberto is back in the squad and could replace Nelson Semedo in the right-back position, while Dembele could take the place of Messi on the right side of attack.
Luis Suarez missed the last training session due to personal reasons (he’s a father to another child) but is expected to start upfront, with Philippe Coutinho to join the Uruguayan and Dembele in the attack and Arthur, who impressed against Spurs, will partner Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in the midfield.
Mundo goes on to stress that players and coaches ‘should do everything’ to beat the Serie A outfit at home for Messi, who has already expressed his firm desire to win the top tier continental competition this season.
The two teams have six points after two matches, while Spurs and PSV Eindhoven, who face each other today, are yet to open their account.
