• The premiere: Aduriz knocks down Barcelona (1-0)

The last time Messi wore the Barca shirt in a match, it still did not show off the horrible checkered design . It was three months ago, in the Copa final lost by Barcelona against Valencia in Villamarín. Messi marched to the Copa América with the confidence that Ernesto Valverde would remain in office and the promise by President Bartomeu that the team would be reinforced. And so it was, with Griezmann leading the new gang. It didn't seem enough.

It happens that in the offices they insist on living their own dystopia. The tragicomedy with Neymar is unbearable. The club has no idea what to do to avoid ridicule, the Brazilian and his cronies press whatsapp , and the PSG lifts his chin proudly while sweeping the white scarecrow. Messi, one more year, already appeared at this point as the only solution for a bewildered Barcelona and that began with a defeat in San Mamés. But the Argentine did not even train on the eve of the match against Betis. Nor did he enter the call .

Messi was injured in the session with which he inaugurated his preseason, on August 5. Everything seemed ready for him to play the first minutes of his sixteenth league campaign. Although Ernesto Valverde already warned this Saturday that he would go with lead feet . Not only because of the risk of a relapse in a muscle as treacherous as soleus or because of its long inactivity [does not play a game since last July 6, with Argentina in the Copa America], but because of the pandemic of casualties in attack.

Ansu Fati enters the list

Luis Suárez and Dembélé, both injured, are not expected within a month. Coutinho, who got tired of playing as a left-hander, marched to Munich and debuted this Saturday with Bayern. Malcom opted for St. Petersburg. And the spooky Kevin-Prince Boateng ended up in Florence where, yes, he already scores. He scored one of Fiorentina's goals in the loss against Naples (3-4).

The Valverde meninges will have to be squeezed to make a guarantee attack against Betis de Rubi, who also arrives in a hurry after falling in his debut and who lost Borja Iglesias due to injury. Carles Pérez and the very young Ansu Fati (16 years old and Juvenile A soccer player) oppose taking any of the offensive places the day Griezmann is left alone in the face of danger. «Life has to be sought to participate more». Valverde already achucha.

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  • Ernesto Valverde
  • Ousmane Dembélé
  • PSG
  • America Cup
  • America
  • Argentina
  • Neymar
  • Coutinho
  • Luis Suarez
  • Malcom Filipe Silva de Oliveira
  • First division
  • Transfer Market

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