Barcelona has appeared unstoppable during their season run through La Liga and that has not changed in the Spanish Copa del Rey. The team is fresh off a 7-0 win against Valencia and is looking to keep momentum moving as they face the team again on the road on Wednesday. However, will they be without one of their stars as Lionel Messi undergoes treatment for a kidney issue?
According to FCBarcelona.com, Messi has been missing training to undergo several tests regarding a kidney problem suffered last December. The striker missed the semi-final game of the Club World Cup in Decembert following kidney stones. He was able to play through the issue, but now it might sideline him once again. Diario Sports reports that Messi will have a small procedure to fix the problem, but is not expected to miss the match against Valencia. There is still a chance that Messi could be held out due to fitness, but Barcelona is not ready to make that call just yet.
If Messi is out for the match, Barcelona will have no issues relying on Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr for their scoring threats. Transfer rumors have been flying around the two names as Manchester City are reportedly looking to nab the two stars in the coming season according to ESPNFC.com. However, Barcelona fans should not assume this is a guarantee as both players have stressed they are happy at the club and their role on the team as the winning continues. Some believe Barcelona lacks the resources to retain both stars as they look to renew all contracts, but Marca reports that is not true and everyone is calm about the situation.
For now, Barcelona is focused on the match against Valencia in the second leg of the tournament. Manager Luis Enrique is not overlooking anything when it comes to this match. However, he is confident that his club has yet to peak despite the scoring as he told ESPN "the best is yet to come" with his current squad. He might be right about that even with Messi being out. Barcelona will get back Claudio Bravo, Dani Alves and Javier Mascherano after all three players were rested against Valencia the first time around. Enrique told the media he is more focused on maintaining the scoring away from Camp Nou.
"It will be a difficult game, for the needs of the rival, and because they have strengthened," Enrique said, via ESPNFC.com. "We are in a phase of the competition where results are decisive. It will be difficult to win. The previous plan continues, what happens in La Liga has nothing to do with what happened against Valencia. We should not exaggerate too much, neither good nor bad. It very different playing at home or away. The Camp Nou has its effect, although we always try and play the same way."
