Barcelona – Barcelona boss Luis Enrique suggested Lionel Messi will have to be rested for some of an April packed with huge clashes, but that even the Catalan giants would struggle without the “best player in the world”.
Messi has started every Barca game in 2017 and will do so once more when Valencia visits the Camp Nou on Sunday.
However, the Spanish champions face 10 games in April after a two-week international break, including a two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Juventus and crucial La Liga clashes against Sevilla and Real Madrid.
“To do without the best player in the world is difficult, but we have thought about resting him,” said Enrique on Saturday.
Barca trails Madrid at the top of La Liga by two points, but has also played a game more than its eternal rivals.
“La Liga will be decided in the last few games. The most decisive part of the calendar is still to come,” added Enrique.
“It is a brutal schedule for those us in European competition and those at the bottom are going to fight too.”
Barca’s route to a potential second treble in three seasons under Enrique before he …read more