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Messi Fit And Ready for Barca Return – Setien

Lionel Messi will know how to manage his own fitness through La Liga 's swift end of the season, but he has no injury issues ahead of Barcelona's return against Real Mallorca on Saturday, confirms coach Quique Setien.

Messi missed three days last week with some pain in his leg, but he's been back in full training since Monday. "He 's great, he's practiced like the rest of his teammates, so he looks strong. I don't see any problems, "Setien said at a press conference on Friday.

Barcelona returns to Mallorca following a three-month pause owing to the coronavirus pandemic. La Liga began again on Thursday and would end on July 19th, with each team playing the remaining 11 matches in only 39 days.

An intense period of fixtures will stretch players like Messi, who will be crucial to Barca’s title bid. They sit two points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Asked if Messi could play all 11 games, Setien said: “We will have to play it by ear, fortunately, Messi and a lot of the players with experience know how to manage themselves. If any risk arises, he will be the first one to say that he needs a rest.”

Setien also said Luis Suarez is available after he recovered from a knee injury but believes he could need time to find full fitness. “He is likely to play but it may not be for the whole game,” said Setien.

“It would be taking a risk that we are probably not going to take. He is in good condition and getting better every day but after five months it’s true that it will be good for him to play and he will need some games to be the best Luis Suarez.”

Defender Nelson Semedo is available despite breaking the La Liga protocol and having to train on his own on Thursday. Semedo was confirmed to have attended a meeting of more than 20 people earlier in the week.

“Whether he plays or not will not be because of this careless or unfortunate thing he did,” said Setien. “He made a mistake and he’s apologized to everyone.” Samuel Umtiti is out with a calf injury.

Source: AFP

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