Gerard Pique insists Lionel Messi can be replaced
Lionel Messi's absence in the Barcelona team that played Sporting de Gijon on Wednesday was keenly felt, according to defender Gerard Pique.
Messi picked up an ankle injury following a challenge by Atletico Madrid's Tomas Ujfalusi last weekend, and he is expected to remain on the sidelines for at least another week.
With their star forward watching from the stands, Barcelona had to labour more than usual against Sporting to earn a narrow 1–0 victory at the Camp Nou. While the Catalans dominated possession, their inability to convert scoring opportunities showed.
Messi has already scored seven goals in all competitions this season, but Pique said that even the 2009 Golden Ball winner can be replaced.
“The challenge is to always win, with or without Leo," he told journalists after the win. "It is true that without Messi, everything becomes more complicated, but we have players who can replace him. He wants to return as soon as possible, whether we win
or not, but we need to let him recover, the season is long and we need him.”
Even Messi struggled against Hercules
Even with Messi in the team, Barcelona lost their first home game in the league this season against Hercules.
Like many opposing teams at the Camp Nou, the La Liga newcomers defended heroically throughout the 90 minutes and won 2–0 after catching Barcelona on the break.
Pique added that his team will have to get used to these kinds of tactics from visiting teams.
“The three points were very important, as if you want to compete with the teams above you in the table you have to defeat teams such as Sporting. It is clear that some teams come to the Camp Nou to shut up shop, something that their home fans would not allow
them to do."
Barcelona travel to face Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday.
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