Messi was absent from Barca’s 0-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in their opening match last weekend and he continued to miss training before the match against Real Betis (taking place at 2 am 26.8, in Vietnamese time). ).

Coach Ernesto Valverde hands in Barcelona’s defeat against Athletic Bilbao

The continuous absence of the Argentine captain made Barca’s attack lack serious in the context of Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele still being injured.

"We do not dare to risk Messi to play. He has not healed the injury yet, we do not want any risks to happen to Messi," coach Ernesto Valverde told a press conference before the match.

Messi’s lack of pressure put pressure on rookie player Antoine Griezmann, a 120 million euro contract that Barcelona had chased after Atletico Madrid. The French striker played very enthusiastically in the game but still could not save Barca in Bilbao.

Strategist Valverde said Greizmann is trying very hard but he needs more time to match Barcelona’s play-off style.

"Every day he integrates a little more with the team’s play but we want him to coordinate more. Greizmann has not achieved our expectations in Bilbao but if a little more as‌sertive, everything will be fine." "Barcelona needs to play more effectively and Greizmann has to play more," Valverde said.

Barcelona is ranked 3rd from the bottom up on the rankings with 0 points and -1 difference. Of course they do not want to stand for the first time when there is only one player missing Messi.