MADRID: Barcelona pair Neymar and Ivan Rakitic have picked up minor injuries that could sideline them for Wednesday’s La Liga game at Malaga, the league leaders said on Monday.
Brazil forward Neymar hurt an ankle and had to be substituted early in the second half of yesterday’s 5-0 win at Levante, while Croatia midfielder Rakitic has a bruised foot and both were having treatment.
Luis Enrique’s early leaders made it four wins from four and kept a fourth straight clean sheet as goals from Neymar, Ivan Rakitic, Sandro, Pedro and Lionel Messi demonstrated the wide gulf in class between the two sides. However, moment of Messi missing a penalty after Loukas Vyntra was dismissed for his professional fault.
How the injuries develop “will determine when they can return to training”, Barca said on their website.
Barca are the only team to have won their opening four La Liga matches this season and top the standings on 12 points.
After playing Malaga on Wednesday, Barca host Granada on Saturday before playing at Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Sept.30. (Reuters)
