Messi in squad vs Inter Milan: Borja Valero, the Italian midfielder has admitted he doesn’t want Messi to play against them.
Lionel Messi suffered with an arm injury against Sevilla two weeks ago, which kept him out of games against Inter Milan and Real Madrid. However, Barcelona registered convincing victories in both the games, netting five past their El Clasico rivals.
Barcelona are yet to lose or draw a game without Messi since his injury, as the side also won the first leg of the Copa Del Rey. Valverde’s side registered convincing victory against Rayo Vallecano in the weekend.
The Catalan side now takes on Inter Milan in the Champions League clash at San Siro, where they have a chance to seal a place in the round-of-16. Barcelona also received a huge boost last night as the club announced that Messi has traveled with the squad.
However, one Inter Milan player has admitted that he doesn’t want Messi to play.
Messi in squad vs Inter Milan:
Borja Valero, the Inter midfielder has said that he doesn’t want Messi to play in the clash. Messi returned to training sooner than expected, and is in the squad for the game at San Siro.
Borja Valero (Inter): We are calm. We knew the difficulty of this game and we wanted to make it open to the end. We got some chances but we were not lucky and they were better than us. pic.twitter.com/Py2teFr8dz
— AMED MTR (@ahmedmontassir3) October 24, 2018
“Messi being on the pitch changes everything,” Valero said, according to Spanish outlet Sport. “If I could choose, I hope he doesn’t play.”
Valero, however, insisted that the side isn’t scared and will give their best against Barcelona, who are currently 1st in La Liga.
Spotlight on Borja Valero ahead of today’s Barcelona vs Inter match. With Nainggolan injured, Borja should start in the midfield against the team he nearly joined. Pep Guardiola wanted to sign him years ago but ended up staying with Thiago Alcantara, so Borja joined Fiorentina.
— Matteo Bonetti (@TheCalcioGuy) October 24, 2018
“We have to give everything to win but we can’t forget that they are favorites. We are not scared. We’ll see what happens because it doesn’t only depend on us, but also on how they play.”
🔊 [beINSPORTS] | Borja Valero on press conference: “Messi being on the pitch changes everything. If I could choose, I hope he doesn’t play.” pic.twitter.com/Ox0kWC44FN
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) November 5, 2018
In his two appearances in Champions League this season, Lionel Messi has scored 5 goals, and has registered 12 goals across all competitions this season so far.
⚠️ Messi was seen touching his arm in the day in San Siro, at the place of protection that was set for him, shortly before the game, Valverde and Messi and doctors will be able to participate against Inter. pic.twitter.com/p0WzKVkGnL
— Barcelona News (@BARCELO78415386) November 5, 2018
What next?
After their game against Inter Milan, Barcelona will return to the league where they take on Real Betis. Barca are currently at the top of the league, three points clear of second-placed Espanyol.
