Messi injured but Barca seal much-needed win over Villarreal

Lionel Messi endured yet more injury frustration after going off at half-time against Villarreal but Barcelona gave their coach Ernesto Valverde some much-needed relief with a comfortable 2-1 victory.

Messi received treatment in the first half for what looked like a problem with his left thigh and was then unable to continue after the interval, replaced by Ousmane Dembele on Tuesday.

His withdrawal will be a major concern for Barca, particularly given this was Messi's first start of the season after just recovering from a niggling calf injury sustained at the start of August.

After the match, Valverde struck a note of calm.

"When something happens to Messi, everyone stops, not only on the field, but in the stands as well," he said.

"It is a small problem in the adductor and as a precaution we have decided not to risk it. In theory, it is nothing more but we will see tomorrow how it is."
"But I'm not too bad, right? Three goals. I can do better, yes, but I have to keep working."
- Cazorla gives Villarreal hope -
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