Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona preview: Lionel Messi could start in Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
Wednesday 20 January 2016 22:29, UK
Lionel Messi could start for Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final at Bilbao on Wednesday, after doubts were raised over his fitness last weekend.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique sought to ease concerns by insisting he took the Argentina star off at half-time in Sunday's 6-0 La Liga win over Athletic at the Nou Camp only as a precaution.
Messi, who scored the opening goal, was replaced by Arda Turan at the interval over fears of a suspected hamstring strain.
But Enrique has since hinted the forward could feature against Athletic, saying: "Messi will have tests, he has a small strain and had a little discomfort so we preferred not to take any risks.
"We spoke about it at half-time and with the scoreline as it was, we did not want to take risks. I don't like taking risks with any player, so imagine what it's like with Messi."
Luis Suarez is still suspended after picking up a two-game cup suspension during the last-16 first-leg tie against Espanyol, while full-back Jordi Alba is out for 10 days with a hamstring problem.
Enrique has urged his side to not take anything for granted in Wednesday's game, insisting the cup tie will bear no relation to the convincing league victory.
"The game changed completely following the penalty. Things became more comfortable for us, it became a game that we had to close out, we had to work on positioning and on creating scoring chances.
"This game will be useless as far as analysing it to teach the players what we can do to hurt Athletic in the Copa del Rey game because having an extra man is a huge advantage."
Meanwhile, in the other quarter-final ties, Gary Neville's Valencia play recently promoted Las Palmas, La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid face fifth-place Celta Vigo while Sevilla will be up against Mirandes, the only second-division team left in the competition.
