World News – CA – Champions League: Barcelona rests Messi, De Jong

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi interact during a Champions League game against Juventus on Jan.. October in Turin. – Getty Images

The Champions League has been Barcelona’s safe haven this season, so the club will leave Lionel Messi at home for Tuesday’s game in Ukraine.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman will rest Messi and midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the game against Dynamo Kyiv when the Catalan club move to 17th. Can secure a place in the knockout round for the first time in a row.

« Neither Leo nor Frenkie are traveling, » Koeman said on Monday. “You need some rest. With nine points in our group, we are in a comfortable position and need to keep it fresh. ”

Messi has played in every game so far this season after his off-season request to leave the club was denied. De Jong had also played in every game and both spent time with their national teams.

« In Leo’s case, you also have trips to South America (to play with Argentina), » Koeman said. “We have to protect our players. It is impossible for them to play every game and always be at their best. Everyone knows this, but we have to keep playing multiple games. FIFA and UEFA should take action as it is impossible to play all of these games. ”

Barcelona’s perfect campaign in the Champions League has been the only good thing for the club lately. It has no president in charge, it is struggling financially, some of its players are injured and it is struggling in the Spanish La Liga league.

Barcelona suffered a defeat against Atletico Madrid, which the team lost after eight games on the 13th. Left place in the Spanish league.

« We can’t be happy with our results, but we have to stay motivated, » said Koeman. “We have another game tomorrow (Tuesday) and we are one step away from progress. So we have to take this opportunity. ”

The club is run by a board of directors as former president Josep Bartomeu and his board of directors resigned following the aftermath of the Messi crisis. The club was also in the midst of difficult negotiations with players to adjust their salaries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In the match against Atletico, Barcelona also lost two players to injuries – Sergi Roberto with a muscle injury and Gerard Pique with a serious knee injury.

« (Pique) represents a significant absence, » Koeman said. “He’s been here for several years and has a great personality. It’s sad for the team and the club. It’s difficult, but we have to accept it and try to solve the problem. ”

Koeman said he could use a player from the « B » team to make up for the lack of center-backs. He could play alongside Clement Lenglet with 21-year-old Oscar Mingueza as Ronald Araujo returns from an injury. De Jong has played as a center-back and is an option for Koeman in future games.

« It’s not my usual position, it’s a little different, but I can do it to try to help the club, » he said.

Barcelona have won their Champions League group every time since 2007/08 and have not lost a group game since the 2016/17 season. Dynamo Kyiv will appear in the group for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

With three wins from three games, Barcelona lead Group G ahead of Juventus and are eight points ahead of Dynamo Kyiv and Hungarian club Ferencvaros. Juventus has six points.

FC Barcelona, ​​UEFA Champions League, Lionel Messi, FC Dynamo Kiev, Ronald Koeman, Frenkie de Jong, La Liga