Barcelona: Barcelona’s lowest ebbs are invariably followed by questions about Lionel Messi but the issue of over-reliance may become clearer over the coming weeks.
The sight of Messi on the ground, grasping his right arm, during Barca’s win over Sevilla Saturday prompted reactions inside Camp Nou normally reserved for the conceding of goals.
Hands behind heads, fingers over mouths, the concern became real shortly after the final whistle when the club confirmed Messi had fractured his radial bone.
The Argentine’s absence leaves Barca vulnerable when they need him most, for a run of fixtures that includes Inter Milan in the Champions League Wednesday, the Clasico against Real Madrid Sunday, before a return match against Inter in Italy at the start of next month.
However, with no Messi, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde has to take a big call Wednesday having plenty of options to replace him. Carles Alena, the 20-year-old midfielder, is an exciting talent, while Malcom, only a year older, scored 12 goals for Bordeaux last season.
But as it seems, Ousmane Dembele is most obvious. Messi’s position on the right of the front three is where he is most comfortable, rather than off the left, where the 21-year-old has often been made to adapt so far.
After a debut season blighted by injuries, Dembele started the first six games of this one, scoring five goals. But doubts remain about him in big games, where his habit for losing possession can be punished by opponents quick in transition and clinical on the counter-attack.
“He is not yet fully aware of what it means to play at the highest level,” said France coach Didier Deschamps last month about Dembele. “He still needs to learn,” Valverde said last weekend.
It would be a surprise if French international is not at least given the chance at Camp Nou against Inter, who are level on points with Barca in Group B, having also beaten PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham.
Second place might have been the limit of Inter’s ambitions when the draw was made but with Messi out, they might spy an opportunity. “It is a pity and a big blow for them as well,” said Mauro Icardi.
Sergi Roberto, who started on the bench against Sevilla is likely to replace Nelson Semedo in a like-for-like change at right-back, but other alterations are expected to be kept to a minimum.
On the other hand, Inter will be without one of their key men, Radja Nainggolan who injured his ankle at the weekend against AC Milan.