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Home , Luis Enrique, Zinedine Zidane

Mourinho weighs Rooney recall SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016 OCTOBER SATURDAY, SportsSports 46

SANT JOAN DESPI: FC ’s , right, and attend a training session at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper. —AP Barca, to battle ‘FIFA virus’

MADRID: Argentina’s pain is Barcelona’s gain as Lionel Messi However, with Barca trailing Real Madrid and Atletico is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks by a returns for the Spanish champions when Deportivo la Coruna Madrid by two points at the top following a 4-3 defeat to Celta knee sprain. visit the today after being sidelined for three weeks Vigo last time out, Enrique insists Deportivo have to be Barca’s Luka Modric is also out for the rest of the month due to with a groin injury. Messi missed Argentina’s World Cup quali- priority. “We want to cut the gap and the only way to do that is knee surgery, whilst influential holding is fiers against Peru and Paraguay as La Albiceleste’s struggles to win our matches,” he added. “The precedent is there and missing due to a fractured fibia. “If we draw three or four without the five-time World Player of the Year continued, put- the players know how difficult and special it is to only have games there are things that as the coach I have to find solu- ting at risk their place at the 2018 World Cup. two days to prepare for a game. To think of any other match is tions for,” added Zidane. “I know the players are great profes- However, international breaks have traditionally caused an error.” sionals and we have to have a bit more concentration, more Barca trouble too with lethargic performances on their return Messi is expected to be eased back into action as a second- intensity, a bit more of everything.” Atletico were the form to action coming to be known as the “FIFA virus.” Barca half substitute. Meanwhile, Suarez could make way for Paco team before the international break with six wins and a draw boss paid a heavy price for leaving Messi and Luis Alcacer having played twice for Uruguay in the past week. at the Camp Nou in their last seven games taking Diego Suarez on the bench for a shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves Neymar will definitely start as he returned to the Catalan capi- Simeone’s men to the top of the table on difference. after September’s international break. tal early due to his suspension for Brazil’s 2-0 win at Venezuela By contrast, Lucas Alcaraz will take charge of winless “It is a different game for us having had so few days with on Tuesday. Granada for the first time in his third spell as coach after the the team together to prepare,” Enrique said yesterday. “It is sacking of Paco Jemez when they visit the Vicente Calderon not an excuse because it happens to all big teams, but it is Betis bounceback looking to stop the on-fire . The French something that conditions the game and when you have had Real face the toughest task on paper of the title con- international picked up September’s player of the month the result like the Alaves one, it means you prepare the game tenders as they travel to aiming to snap a streak of award yesterday for his six goals in his last five La Liga games. with even more emphasis.” With a blockbuster Champions four consecutive draws. “I am not a magician” said Madrid Third-placed Sevilla have the chance to go top for at least a League clash against former Barca coach ’s boss yesterday. “Only hard work will get us few hours when they visit Leganes today. To do so, though, Manchester City to come on Wednesday, Enrique could be out of this run because the talent is there.” Zidane’s men Sevilla need to end a 22-game streak stretching back 17 tempted to roll the dice with his selection once more. also having a mounting injury crisis to deal with as captain months without a La Liga win away from home. —AFP