Check out all the notable action from Europe this weekend, including Lionel Messi’s injury, Thierry Henry’s debut and Icardi’s Milan derby heroics.
BARCELONA — Jordi Alba is confident Barcelona can overcome Lionel Messi’s absence against Inter Milan and Real Madrid this week but warned there’s no one in the world capable of filling in directly for the Argentine.
Messi is set for three weeks on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his arm during Saturday’s win over Sevilla. He will miss Wednesday’s Champions League game against Inter as well as Sunday’s Clasico and may not reappear again until after the November international break.
“There is no other player that can substitute Leo, however good they are,” Alba said in a news conference on Tuesday when asked how Barca could replace Messi in the meantime.
“Leo is different to the rest, he makes the team better. We all have to take responsibility. Sometimes, everyone looks to Leo to resolve games, but with him missing we all have to work hard and show what a great team we are.”
Alba will particularly feel Messi’s absence. The relationship between the two on the pitch has developed in recent years, with Messi regularly finding Alba’s runs down the left flank.
“It affects me a lot,” the left-back admitted. “I feel better with Leo on the pitch. He gives me passes that others don’t see, even me. I have a good understanding with him because he spots me in space that no once else sees. He looks for me and I look for him.
“I feel stronger with Leo there, but my game will still be the same. Of course we are going to miss him. We’re much better with him. But we will do everything possible to win these games without him.”
Ousmane Dembele is the obvious option to come into the side in place of Messi. Malcom, Rafinha and Sergi Roberto have also been touted as alternatives.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde said he doesn’t want to give Inter coach Luciano Spalletti any clues when asked who would come into the side, although he emphasised the need for it to be a team effort to replace what Messi brings.
“I am contemplating various options,” he said. “We have players that can play in that position or we could change the shape. Everyone is speculating about the possibilities but I don’t want to give any clues to the opposition.
“Of course, not having Leo conditions what we do. But, at the same time, it’s a challenge for us. Like I said the other day, we want to miss Leo, but we want to miss him by winning.”
Barca and Inter have both won their opening two Champions League games this season and Valverde says whoever wins at Camp Nou will take a “huge step” towards reaching the knockout rounds.
The La Liga leaders then host a Madrid side in crisis on Sunday. Julen Lopetegui’s job is reported to be on the line following a five-game winless run, but Alba, who played under Lopetegui for Spain, says the coach deserves time to turn things around.
“I have a really good relationship with him,” the defender said. “Not just professionally, either. He helped me a lot personally when I was having a tough time. I have great affection for him. I hope he can keep his job with Madrid. I hope he stays there a long time. He’s a great professional and I will always wish him the best.”
Valverde also hopes he will come face-to-face with Lopetegui in El Clasico this weekend.
“Of course I’d like to see Lopetegui [on Sunday],” he said. “We’re in the world of football, it’s a spectacle and the coaches form part of that. We’re at clubs like Madrid and Barcelona, which means the noise is always louder than [elsewhere].”
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