BARCELONA — The relax of Barcelona's squad will have
to do "a little bit more" to make up for the absence of five-times
World Player of the Year Lionel Messi for the next three weeks, according to
captain Andres Iniesta.
The Argentina
forward faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a groin damage in
Wednesday's 1-1 La Liga draw with Atletico Madrid.
"There's
no question we are stronger with Messi," Iniesta told Cadena Cope radio
ahead of Saturday's match at Sporting Gijon. "When these things happen we
all have to give a little bit more.
"We lost
two points against Atletico and we have to make sure we don't throw away any
more."
Third-placed
Barca, who won eight of their 10 games when a knee injury kept Messi out for
two months last season, are three points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Zinedine
Zidane's Real, who missed out on a La Liga record 17th straight victory when
they drew 1-1 with Villarreal on Wednesday, visit Las Palmas on Saturday.
Real talisman Cristiano Ronaldo failed to find the net alongside
Villarreal but Zidane was unconcerned.
"I'm
not worried if he doesn't score," said the French coach. "I'm worried
when he isn't out on the pitch.
"What
matters is for him to regain his form because he'll always get goals."
Las Palmas
striker Kevin-Prince Boateng was sent off in a 4-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on
Wednesday and is suspended.
Atletico
host Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday and will be in optimistic mood following
Angel Correa's second-half equalizer against Barca.
Second-placed
Sevilla travel on Saturday to Athletic Bilbao who are riding a three-game
winning streak in La Liga.
Unbeaten
Sevilla, 1-0 winners over city rivals Real Betis on Tuesday, are two points at
the back Real Madrid after five matches.