Barca Begin Run Without Messi, Valdes

[Folami David]

Injury-ravaged Barcelona could be without seven first-team players as they look to consolidate their position at the top of La Liga at home to Granada on Saturday.
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The Catalans will begin a run of eight games across three competitions before Christmas without four- time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi after he tore his left hamstring in Barca's last outing away to Real Betis a fortnight ago.
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Barca's injury crisis has deepened since then as goalkeeper Victor Valdes will also miss the rest of the year after rupturing a calf muscle in Spain's 1-0 friendly defeat to South Africa in midweek.
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Right-back Dani Alves also returned from international duty with a calf problem that will see him sidelined for up to 10 days, while Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi Hernandez are doubts and Jordi Alba remains out injured.
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Valdes' absence means that 38-year-old stopper Jose Manuel Pinto will start in goal for the next six weeks.
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And defender Javier Mascherano is confident Pinto's experience will be key in deputising for the on-form Valdes.
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"The injuries to Victor and Leo are very important, but every player is able to play," he said on Thursday.
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"The squad is very big. Valdes is important for what he represents and for the excellent level he has had until now. But we have to support Pinto, he has always responded when he has needed to.
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"He is a keeper with a lot of experience. We cannot forget that he has won two Copa del Reys and had very good performances."
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With such a raft of injuries, coach Gerardo Martino may be forced to hand 21-year-old Sergi Roberto his first start of the season in midfield.
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Neymar, meanwhile, will carry the significant burden of compensating for the loss of Messi in attack.
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Should Barca slip up at the Camp Nou on league duty for the first time in over a year, Real Madrid will be confident of cutting their six-point deficit on the leaders when they travel to Almeria.

[EbukaOkafor14]

Lionel Messi's absence is bad enough already but Valdes too? Too bad

[Nifemi Donald]

They should be grateful that Xavi is back, that alone is something positive they can hold onto

[Glory Skales Charity]

Barcelona players should brace themeselves for more tough games ahead bcos they have to turn up.