FC Barcelona will take on their bogey team Malaga FC at the La Rosaleda in Matchday 21 of the 2015-16 La Liga season.
Despite their dominance in the league over the past decade, the Blaugrana have surprisingly struggled to get going against the coastal club. Earlier in the season, FC Barcelona registered an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Malaga at the Camp Nou.
Victory over Malaga on Saturday will see the Catalans temporarily leapfrog current league leaders Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga table. Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s league clash against Malaga, FC Barcelona manager Luis Enrique gave an update on the condition of his squad.
Messi Returns to the Squad; Neymar ruled out
Argentine sensation Lionel Messi has made his return to the Matchday squad following his omission from the team during Barcelona’s 2-1 away win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
“[Messi] has recovered, has trained and today we will see how the session goes,” said Luis Enrique (via ESPNFC). “I don’t believe there will be any problems.”
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Luis Suarez and Jeremy Mathieu, who were also left out by Luis Enrique for the midweek Copa del Rey clash, have also returned to the FC Barcelona squad against Malaga.
Neymar Jr. on the other hand, has been left out the Matchday squad by Enrique owing to a minor hamstring injury. Although the initial scans have discounted any major tear in his hamstring, Luis Enrique is unlikely to take any risks with his star Brazilian forward.
Apart from the absence of Neymar, the Catalans will also be without the services of Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique against Malaga due to injury and suspension respectively.
“Messi and Mathieu have recovered. In theory there is no reason they can’t play” – @LUISENRIQUE21 pic.twitter.com/OiLw1eQcoW
ai??i?? FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 22, 2016