Messi doubtful for Real clash
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde remains hopeful Lionel Messi will be fit to face Real Madrid on Thursday (Singapore time), despite the striker feeling a "small problem" during yesterday's 2-2 La Liga draw with Valencia.
Barca face Real in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals and Valverde said Messi had felt some discomfort against Valencia, after scoring twice to salvage his team a point and keep Barca six points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who played Real Betis this morning.
"We have to wait until tomorrow to do the tests. I don't know too much more, but we imagine that it can't be too bad," Valverde said. - AFP
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