The Argentine star is stepping up his fitness ahead
of the Clasico and has begun working with a ball in training again, but
his presence has not been confirmedLionel Messi appears to be winning his fitness battle ahead of Saturday's Clasico clash as Barcelona take on Real Madrid, but whether the 28-year-old will start after two months on the sidelines is still unknown.
Barca boss Luis Enrique handed Luis Suarez his debut in the corresponding fixture last season. The Uruguayan striker was available after a four-month ban and was given a surprise start as the Catalans lost 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Messi's situation is different, however. The Argentine attacker has been sidelined since September 26, when he damaged knee ligaments in a Liga match at home to Las Palmas. So even though he is back training with his team-mates ahead of the trip to the capital, playing him from the start could constitute a risk as he is still short of full fitness.
It's a dilemma. Barca fans will want their star man managed correctly in order to avoid further time on the treatment table. But they will also hope to see him out on the pitch in one of their biggest games of the season. Luis Enrique has revealed his star man is not 100% for the Clasico but will he still play a part?
The most likely scenario at this stage would be for Messi
to start on the bench at the Bernabeu and if he does so, Luis Enrique
has a number of options available.
The Barca boss could stick to a 4-3-3 formation with Andres Iniesta moving into an advanced role as he did so often in the Pep Guardiola era. Iniesta has regularly played as part of a front three for the Blaugrana and in this case the midfielder would slot in on the right, with Neymar on the left and Luis Suarez starting centrally.
Another alternative, and one tried out briefly by Luis Enrique against Getafe and BATE Borisov, is to play Sergi Roberto as a winger in a formation that could be a 4-3-3 but would more likely resemble a 4-4-2.
That will depend on Messi but also on whether midfielder Ivan Rakitic is ready to return from injury on Saturday. It looks likely the Croat will feature at the Bernabeu, but if he and Messi are both deemed unfit to start, Luis Enrique will be forced to pick either Munir El Haddadi or Sandro in attack alongside Neymar and Suarez, with Sergi Roberto in midfield.
The Barca boss could stick to a 4-3-3 formation with Andres Iniesta moving into an advanced role as he did so often in the Pep Guardiola era. Iniesta has regularly played as part of a front three for the Blaugrana and in this case the midfielder would slot in on the right, with Neymar on the left and Luis Suarez starting centrally.
Another alternative, and one tried out briefly by Luis Enrique against Getafe and BATE Borisov, is to play Sergi Roberto as a winger in a formation that could be a 4-3-3 but would more likely resemble a 4-4-2.
That will depend on Messi but also on whether midfielder Ivan Rakitic is ready to return from injury on Saturday. It looks likely the Croat will feature at the Bernabeu, but if he and Messi are both deemed unfit to start, Luis Enrique will be forced to pick either Munir El Haddadi or Sandro in attack alongside Neymar and Suarez, with Sergi Roberto in midfield.
If both Messi and Rakitic are passed fit to start on
Saturday, Luis Enrique will have to decide between the Croatian's
big-match experience and the fine form of Sergi Roberto.
The Catalan midfielder would be extremely unfortunate to drop out of the starting XI following his impressive performances of late, yet Rakitic alongside Sergio Busquets and Iniesta is Barca's first-choice midfield in theory.
The Catalan midfielder would be extremely unfortunate to drop out of the starting XI following his impressive performances of late, yet Rakitic alongside Sergio Busquets and Iniesta is Barca's first-choice midfield in theory.
In defence, meanwhile, the Barca boss could decide to call
upon the extra height and pace of Jeremy Mathieu at centre-back. The
French defender started both Clasico clashes in La Liga last season and
scored in the 2-1 win at Camp Nou. Thomas Vermaelen is another
alternative alongside Gerard Pique, although Javier Mascherano remains
the most likely partner for the Catalan.
In goal, Claudio Bravo will start as he has habitually in La Liga this season.
In goal, Claudio Bravo will start as he has habitually in La Liga this season.
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