Fati seriously injured, Griezmann cries below – Messi must remedy

Barça claim their third league victory of the season against Real Betis Sevilla. The Catalans are still not happy with it. No wonder, Ansu Fati is seriously injured and Antoine Griezmann is in a permanent low. So it all sticks to Lionel Messi again.

The amazement was great among the Barça fans when the starting line-up against Betis Sevilla became known. A certain Lionel Messi was missing from the first eleven. A rarity in La Liga: the Argentine was last replaced more than a year ago, but at the time due to an injury.

So one was curious if his new boss Ronald Koeman wanted to joke with the club legend. The performance of the six-time world footballer left a lot to be desired in recent matches, and the balance of goals was also poor by his standards. Additionally, a video made the rounds on social media where he was accused of lack of commitment.

«Leo came out of the match against Dynamo Kiev with a small physical problem and was not fit enough to start from the first minute. So we talked about it and we decided to put him on the bench because we might need him during the match, “says Koeman. Note:” But it’s clear that when a player like Messi is fit and has no physical problems, he always starts from the first minute”.

Griezmann inconsolable after a missed penalty

The Barça offensive was made up of other players: the young Ansu Fati and Pedri have long had a guaranteed permanent position. Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann, on the other hand, shouldn’t feel so safe. The two French were allowed to play together again from the start.

While Dembélé’s flickering shape curve points upward – he also scored the lead with a solid shot – his compatriot Griezmann was still unlucky in the first round. After half an hour Fati was put in the penalty area, but Griezmann failed with his penalty. Practically with the stop whistle the guests managed to equalize. When he entered the cabin, Griezmann was close to tears.

To make matters worse, Fati had to stay in the cabin. The 18-year-old suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee. There is a risk of a break of several months, but an exact diagnosis is still pending.

Messi came into play for him. The presence of their superstar seemed to fuel the team. Minutes after being substituted, the 33-year-old let the ball pass under his legs, Griezmann was able to push the ball into the orphaned goal. In his jubilation he seemed to be relieved of a great burden. Jordi Alba also said: “Griezmann needed the goal to boost his confidence.”

Suarez is now turning his lenses elsewhere

Messi also had enough confidence in himself. First he used a penalty to take the 3-1, but after another shot he stifled hopes with his second shot. Pedri clarified everything with the 5: 2. With the three, Barcelona improved from twelfth to eighth place after a bad start to the season. But the failure of Fati hopes hurts. So once again all the pressure is on Messi up front.

The Catalans could use a superior striker right now. They retired before the season started for a modest six million euros Luis Suarez, who has found a new home at Atlético Madrid. The Uruguayan is as precise as usual: he scored his fifth goal of the season against Cadiz.