The challenge is much greater when The Magician is out of the lineup.
The La Liga season of 2017-2018 was a fairytale season for Barcelona until Match Day 36. The team gave up an unbeaten record with a defeat against Levante in the 37th match. The club had to win just one match without Messi but failed to do.
This has been the story of FC Barcelona. In spite of having many capable players, the team struggles when Messi has been out of action due to injury.
Messi is again out of action, having suffered a fractured right arm this month against Sevilla. He’ll be away from the team for at least 3 weeks, which means he’ll miss the important El Clasico match. His absence is a huge concern for Barcelona. Here’s why.
Since 2012-13, Messi has missed 34 matches (La Liga-21, Champions League-8, Copa Del Rey-5). Barcelona were able to win 26 of those matches (76.47% in all competitions) while drawing 4 and losing 4 matches. This winning percentage is low when compared to club expectations.
Courtesy: Tophdgallery.com
The exception came in 2013-14 when Messi suffered a torn muscle and was out for 56 days. Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Puyol, Sanchez, and Neymar were able to perform and Barcelona lost only 1 of 9 Messi-less matches.
Barcelona did well without Messi in the 2015-16 El Clasico. Returning from injury, Messi was brought in only at the 57th minute of the match. But the game was done and dusted at Santiago Bernabeu by then. Barcelona had already scored 3 goals.
So it’s not that Barcelona cannot win the El Clasico this year, but it does mean that, without Messi, they will be working against the odds
