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La Liga | Gameweek 3
Aug 31, 2019 at 4pm UK
 
BL

2-2

Torres (7', 81' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fati (51'), Arthur (64')

Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona

:Headline: Lionel Messi still not fit enough to feature for Barcelona: ID:369834: from db_amp
The Argentinian is still battling a calf problem.

Lionel Messi is still not fit to return for Barcelona when they travel to newly-promoted Osasuna on Saturday.

The forward was not played since suffering a calf injury in pre-season and coach Ernesto Valverde revealed on Friday he hoped to have the Argentinian back after the international break, in time to face Valencia on September 14.

"He is following the normal recovery process," Valverde told a press conference. "With this break we hope he will be available for Valencia."

Without Messi, Barcelona have won one and lost one of their opening two LaLiga games, bouncing back from their defeat to Athletic Bilbao by thumping Celta Vigo 5-2.

Antoine Griezmann was on target twice in that game and, with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele also out injured, the goal-scoring burden will once again fall on the summer signing.

Osasuna have started the season better than Barca, with four points from two games, and are yet to concede.

Valverde is wary of their home form, saying: "Osasuna have always been a fearsome team at El Sadar. They will want to take advantage of being at home in front of their fans."

Jagoba Arrasate's side followed up their opening win at Leganes by holding Eibar to a 0-0 draw.

The hosts will be without winger Enrique Barja and defender Unai Garcia through injury, along with Luis Perea and Inigo Perez, who are still working towards full fitness.

Valverde also offered his support to former Barca player and manager Luis Enrique, whose nine-year-old daughter Xana died of bone cancer this week.

A minute's silence will be held before all games in Spain's top two divisions this weekend in her memory.

"I want to send a message to Luis Enrique, in what are difficult times for his family," said Valverde.

"I want to convey love and send him a huge hug."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1GironaGirona13111131161534
2Real Madrid1310212891932
3Barcelona1494127141331
4Atletico MadridAtletico1291229121728
5Athletic Bilbao137332517824
6Real Sociedad136432316722
7Real BetisBetis135621716121
8Getafe144731718-119
9Valencia145451618-219
10Rayo Vallecano144731618-219
11Las PalmasLas Palmas135351112-118
12AlavesAlaves144371419-515
13Osasuna134271521-614
14Sevilla122641817112
15Villarreal133371824-612
16CadizCadiz122461017-710
17Mallorca121651218-69
18Celta Vigo141581424-108
19Granada141491933-147
20Almeria1403111637-213
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