adminThe Spanish league leaders go to Seville looking to defend a six-point advantage over Atletico Madrid and 11 over Real Madrid at the scene of the latter’s latest upset a fortnight ago.
Betis beat Real Madrid 1-0 on that occasion and will be formidable opposition for Barca but Messi himself believes there is plenty of talent in the squad if he is not available to play with what has been diagnosed as a bruised knee. “The team will be the same, with or without me, there are more than enough players to do the job. I feel fine, but I don’t know yet if I will be available for Sunday,” he said.
No decision will be made on Messi’s involvement before he trains today but whether the initial fears that he could be out for some time appear to be unfounded.
Within 12 hours of leaving the pitch he was back in the gym doing a recovery session on Thursday but he explained how he too was worried.
“On the stretcher I thought the worst, of the pain torturing me, of being out for a long time,” he explained.
Fixtures
Today: Real Sociedad v Getafe (5pm), Malaga v Granada (7pm), Valladolid v Real Madrid (9pm) Osasuna v Valencia (11pm)
Tomorrow: Levante v Mallorca (1pm), Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (6pm), Atletico Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna (8pm), Betis v Barcelona (10pm)
Monday: Rayo Vallecano v Zaragoza (10pm).— AFP.
leeroy