Champions league holders Barcelona
are highly unlikely to have centre back Javier Mascherano available for
Tuesday's Champions League Group E match at home to AS Roma, coach Luis Enrique
said on Monday.
Mascherano, an Argentina
international who has been an integral part of Barca's recent glittering run,
was forced off in the first half of Saturday's 4-0 La Liga win at Real Madrid
after taking a blow to the thigh and replaced by Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu.
"Masche has a very big knock on
the quadriceps," Luis Enrique told a news conference previewing the clash
against the Italian side at the Nou Camp.
"He was not able to train today
and the logical thing is that he won't feature tomorrow because he is a key
player for us and we don't want to take any risks," added the former Spain
midfielder, who had a stint in charge at Roma in 2011-12.
Argentina captain Messi returned to
action for the first time since injuring his knee at the end of September as a
second-half substitute at the Bernabeu.
"He seemed in very good shape to
me," Luis Enrique told reporters.
"It was an enormous joy for
everyone in the Barca family to see the world's best player back on the pitch.
"All that is needed now is
playing time in his legs and to charge his batteries and we can get back to
enjoying Leo,” Enrique added.
Barca are on a high after thrashing
their arch rivals and fullback Dani Alves told an earlier news conference it
was the best performance against Real he had seen.
"The 'Clasico' in which Barca
have been most superior was this one," Alves said.
"Not because of Real's failings
but due to our own merits," added the Brazil international.
"We were incredible in all
areas, everyone bringing their best. I think it was perfect."
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