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Barca 4-2 Sevilla: Messi Fractures Right Arm, Set To Miss El Clasico

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Barca 4-2 Sevilla: Messi Fractures Right Arm, Set To Miss El Clasico

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insists his side can cope with the loss of Lionel Messi after the star forward was ruled out of next week’s Clasico with a fracture in his arm.

Messi will be sidelined for around three weeks, including the crunch clash with Real Madrid next Sunday, after falling awkwardly in the first half of Saturday’s 4-2 win over Sevilla which sent Barcelona back to the top of LaLiga.

A Barcelona statement said: “Tests carried out on the first team player Leo Messi have confirmed that he has a fracture of the radial bone in his right arm. He will be out for approximately three weeks.”

Messi had set up Philippe Coutinho’s opener before scoring himself 12 minutes in to Saturday’s match, but went off midway through the first half with the injury.

He is now set to miss two Champions League games against Inter Milan as well as the Clasico and LaLiga games against Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis.

“We know what he gives to us and what the opponents think when they see Leo on the field,” Valverde said at a press conference.

“We must prepare ourselves and have the resources to cope without him, even if these are tough games.

“In the past we have had games without him and we have always tried to maintain our style.”

Messi’s team-mates also insisted they would be able to cope without their talisman.

“Messi’s injury does not have to affect us mentally,” Gerard Pique said. “We have a host of forwards who can lead the games for us.”

Clement Lenglet added: “We can score without Leo, as we have shown tonight.”

After Messi’s exit, Luis Suarez added to Barcelona’s lead from the penalty spot before a frantic finish which saw Pablo Sarabia pull a goal back for Sevilla, Ivan Rakitic volley in a fourth Barca goal and Luis Muriel score a stoppage-time consolation for the visitors.

In between all of that, Marc-Andre ter Stegen made two outstanding double saves to ensure Sevilla did not get themselves back into the game.

“It was a difficult end to the game for us with the goals they scored,” Valverde said. “It is rare to see two double saves like this in the same game.”

The victory saw Barcelona end a run of four domestic games without victory, and capitalise on defeat earlier in the day for Madrid. Valverde’s side return to the top of LaLiga, one point clear of Alaves and two ahead of Sevilla.

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De Jong: Barcelona just need some luck to win Champions League

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Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong insists “luck” wasn’t with them for last night’s Champions League elimination at Atletico Madrid.

Barca won 2-1 on the night at the Metropolitano, but lost the quarterfinal tie 3-2 on aggregate.

De Jong told Movistar afterwards: “We played a very good game. We have left our lives there. I have the feeling that luck was not on our side.

“I think we are growing, that we have a young, talented team that can compete for everything. Let’s continue like this.

“We are left with one less, which is always more difficult. Each one has left what he could give. It hasn’t been enough.”

He also said: “It’s never good to fall in the quarterfinals. We want to win it (the Champions League). That doesn’t mean we don’t play well or we’re not on the right path. In the Champions League, there are details and you have to have a little luck.

“At some point, it has to fall on our side if it continues like this.”

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Carragher stunned by Slot benching Salah

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has ripped into Arne Slot after his tactics against Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool’s top goalscorer in the Champions League Mohamed Salah waved goodbye to European football with the side who lost 2-0 to PSG on Tuesday night.

The 33-year-old was left looking dejected as he clapped the Anfield crowd after full-time, in what is sad ending for the Egyptian who scored 53 times in Europe for Liverpool.

Salah was benched for the start of the clash as Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak started up top for the side who looked toothless going forward.

Speaking after the game, Carragher revealed that he was shocked to see the winger fail to start the game especially when he believes Isak was not ready to make a real impact.

“The manager will have his reasons, but Isak is nowhere near fit.

“Mohamed Salah didn’t play the first leg so he’s not like some of the players who played last week and then played at the weekend in the Premier League.

“He played in the Premier League and scored a goal. He’s still one of Liverpool’s best goalscorers. He’s used to this system. Isak’s never even played with (Hugo) Ekitike before.

“Is it because he’s already announced he’s leaving? It’s something like ‘I’m going with the players who are going to be here next year.’ That’s the only thing I can think of. Even that doesn’t make sense. It’s about the here and now. I’m flabbergasted.”

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“Next step is to win La Liga” – Barca boss Flick eyes domestic prize after UCL elimination

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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has already turned his attention back to winning La Liga after their Champions League elimination on Tuesday (April 14).

The Catalan giants managed to level their quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid within 30 minutes thanks to goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

Unfortunately for them, Ademola Lookman managed to pull a goal back in the 31st minute, and it was enough to send Atletico Madrid through.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Flick admitted he was disappointing but has now turned his attention back to La Liga.

“We played a fantastic first half. We had to score more goals. It was really possible. At the end we conceded the goal. In the end, it’s football. But the attitude, I am really proud of that,” he said.

“The next step is to win La Liga. We have to show the attitude, the mentality. We are all disappointed. For everyone, it’s a big dream to win the Champions League. Of course we have to learn but we also have a young team. We have to improve and we will improve next season.

“Today, it’s also good to speak about how the players are doing. Every day we have to learn more, we have to be better and this is what we want to do.

“I know it’s very disappointing for everyone but it’s football, it’s life and we have to come back.

“For me, I don’t care about when we win La Liga. I want to win La Liga. It doesn’t matter what day we win La Liga. Now we can focus on La Liga. It’s tough because everyone believed that we could make it happen today but we have to accept it and we will come back.”

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