Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has backed his team to cope devoid of Lionel
Messi ahead of the trip to Sporting Gijon on Saturday (24 September). The boss
admitted the absence of "the best player in the world" will weaken
his side, but added that the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez are ready to step
in.
The Argentine is expected to miss upcoming games against Sporting Gijon, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celta Vigo, which will come before the October international break.
Luis Enrique admits the injury is a big blow for Barcelona, but pointed out his side has shown in the past they can win without the Ballon d'Or. Since the Spaniard took over in 2014, Barca have won 13 of their 16 games without Messi.
"Unfortunately last year he was out two-and-a-half months and the team responded fantastically. We've got more than enough resources to deal with it and beat any team," the Barcelona boss recalled during a press conference. "I think to win titles we need a full squad, while at the similar time we do have to be able to deal with situations like this when they come up."
Arda Turan looks the main candidate to fill the gap on Saturday after he replaced Messi during the draw against Atletico Madrid. However, Rafinha Alcantara, Denis Suarez, Paco Alcacer and even wing-back Aleix Vidal could also partner Neymar and Suarez in the Barcelona hit.
"I always look at unusual options," Luis Enrique said. "But anything that involves giving clues to my opponent, even though it's Sporting Gijón and Abelardo, who are good friends of mine, I am not giving anything away."
But when pressed as to whether summer signing Alcacer would be ready to respond to the challenge, he said: "He has nothing to prove, we know how good he is, he is an international player. More playing time would be useful, and he'll get extra with Leo out."