Lionel Messi returns for Barcelona as Koeman warns towards dropping extra factors

Lionel Messi has recovered from an ankle damage and able to tackle Huesca on Sunday as Barcelona look to get their La Liga season again on monitor following final week’s shock 1-1 draw at residence to Eibar, coach Ronald Koeman has mentioned.
Barca’s all-time prime scorer watched on helplessly from the empty Camp Nou stands as his aspect struggled towards the minnows however Koeman mentioned his captain had been working extra time to return to health.
“Messi is in good shape, he trained on December 30 and 31, even when his team mates had days off, and he’s not feeling any discomfort anymore,” Koeman informed a information convention on Saturday.
“He’s ready, he’s feeling happy and very determined and that’s very important for us.”
Messi is now into the ultimate six months of his contract with Barca and has acknowledged he won’t determine his future till the top of the marketing campaign, however Koeman mentioned the uncertainty was no distraction for his aspect.
“Like any player who is finishing their contract, he is free to decide what he wants,” he mentioned.
“He’s proved he wants the best for this team and I have no problem with him not making his decision now. We aren’t feeling nervous or worried about it.”
Barca’s draw with Eibar left them sixth within the standings and 10 factors behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who even have a recreation in hand, and Koeman repeated his earlier perception that his aspect have been slipping out of the title race.
“I’m a realist when it comes to our chances of winning the league. We cannot afford to drop many more points, and as Atletico are so consistent, it’s very difficult for us. Each point lost is another chance gone,” he mentioned.
While Messi returns towards Huesca, Barca can be with out Philippe Coutinho, who underwent surgical procedure on a knee damage and can be out for round three months.
The Brazilian is the fourth participant the Catalans have misplaced to a long run damage this season after Ansu Fati, Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto.
“We will keep working with what we have but we have lost important players of real quality,” added the Dutch coach, who additionally despatched his finest needs to former Barca staff mate Eusebio Sacristan, who’s in an induced coma after struggling a fall.