Notice: Undefined index: banner_ad_width in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 359
Notice: Undefined index: image_width in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 359
Notice: Undefined index: banner_ad_height in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 360
Notice: Undefined index: image_height in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 360
Lionel Messi will miss a second successive Champions League match after Ronald Koeman took the opportunity to rest him once again.
Messi’s absence is not an issue Barca have often had to deal with down the years in the Champions League, particularly in recent times the 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev last time out was only the fourth in 43 matches in the competition that he has not featured in.
Nevertheless, one would expect Barça to have enough firepower to see off their hosts on Wednesday and they are undefeated in their previous nine Champions League games without Messi since a 2-1 loss to Ajax in November 2013.
Barça crushed the Hungarian champions 5-1 at Camp Nou in October and are already assured of a place in the next round having won all of their first four matches in Group G.
As such, Koeman wants to take every opportunity to rest his star man in what is proving a hectic season.
“I understand that it is not normal, but in the calendar this season there were two moments for Leo Messi to rest, Kiev and tomorrow, because we are already qualified,” Koeman told reporters on Tuesday.
“It allows me to give opportunities to other players and the Saturday games in the league are very important. From tomorrow there is no more [chance] to rest him.
“Leo is always Leo. He is very important in our attack. When the ball reaches him, it may be that at the beginning of the season it has cost him a little [in terms of fatigue]. He may not score 30 goals per season, but he is working well and it is very important in our attack.
“He always likes to play and it’s good that he has this mentality, but I spoke with him and asked him, but the final decision is up to the coach.
“I wanted to give him rest in Kiev and tomorrow. For the rest of the season he may not get any more rest because we play every three days.”
Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Philippe Coutinho are two others who have been afforded a rest and left out of the travelling party.
Messi is expected to return for Barca’s final group match next week against Juventus and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Vincent Paul
[12/1, 8:55 PM] AFF EDITOR IN CHIEF: BREAKING: Six youth corpers test positive to COVID-19 in Abia
Six National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Abia State have reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus.
The State Information Commissioner, John Okiyi-Kalu on Tuesday in a press statement made this known while reacting to a social media report on the mandatory testing of Corps members posted to the state by the COVID-19 team before they were allowed entry into the orientation camp in Bende LGA.
Okiyi-Kalu disclosed the discovery being made by the state’s surveillance team on COVID-19.
The commissioner ,said the State government is supporting the NYSC medical team with the state’s medical team; epidemiology, Surveillance and rapid response personnel.
Okiyi-Kalu confirmed the treatment and discharg of the six persons, in line with the COVID-19 guidelines.
He reiterated the position of the state government concerning compulsory testing and carrying surveillance (on suspected cases) during and after the camping period.
According to the statement , “Our attention has been drawn to social media publications regarding the ongoing compulsory testing for COVID-19 of all potential National Youth Service Corps members in the state prior to camping.
“We wish to state that the State Government is fully supporting the Corps with our epidemiology, surveillance and rapid response teams.
“So far, we have recorded only six positive cases of the disease among those tested and they have been managed and/or discharged as applicable.
“Testing and surveillance processes continue throughout the camping period and beyond.”
Fatimah Oyesanmi
Comment here