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Messi fit for Barca return: Setien


Bangladeshpost
Published : 13 Jun 2020 07:26 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 12:44 AM

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

Messi missed three sessions last week with some discomfort in his thigh but has been back in full training since Monday. "He is perfectly fine, he has trained with the rest of his teammates and he feels good. I don't see any problem," said Setien in a press conference on Friday.

Barcelona resume away at Mallorca after the three-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic. La Liga restarted on Thursday and will finish on July 19, with each team playing their remaining 11 matches over just 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.