Lionel Messi injury: How do Barcelona cope vs Real Madrid? Three options for El Clasico

Last weekend saw Barcelona‘s worst fears realised. Lionel Messi, leading goalscorer and talisman for Ernesto Valverde‘s title-winning squad, the man upon which his club so often depend, was forced off the field of play due to injury against Sevilla. After reaching out awkwardly to stop a first-half fall, Messi made painful contact with the Camp Nou turf, fracturing his arm and rendering him unable to contribute further after an opening half an hour that had seen the Argentine notch both an assist and a goal.

As Barça rode out a comfortable 2-0 Champions League group stage victory against Inter midweek, Messi watched on from the stands with his arm in a sling. Expected to be absent for a further five games, ruling him out of action in this weekend’s high-stakes El Clasico clash with Real Madrid, his coach will be tasked with finding another way to win without him on Sunday afternoon. Valverde has managed to do so once, but the former Athletic Club boss has plenty more at his disposal to try and take a much-needed derby win at Camp Nou.

Here are three possible options:

Rafinha

Read more: Barcelona vs Real Madrid: El Clasico live stream and TV details, kick-off time, team news, expected line-ups and odds

Rafinha is the obvious place to turn. The Brazilian netted the opening goal during Barcelona’s win over Inter, playing on the right-hand side and profiting from some selfless play from an in-form Luis Suarez. Capable of featuring in central midfield and further forward as part of the attack, just as he was allowed to drift infield and influence play as part of Luis Enrique’s Celta Vigo side back in 2013, his versatility should make him a well-rounded pick to slot in on the right wing of a 4-3-3. Rafinha’s versatility allows Valverde greater fluidity in terms of in-game tweaks to match Julen Lopetegui’s tactical plans.

After learning of the severity of Messi’s injury, Valverde said he would still be looking to retain the same style of play and core idea. By deploying Rafinha out on the right with license to drift infield and provide space for Sergi Roberto to overlap into, he would be fulfilling a role that is fairly similar to Messi’s. Vacating space out by the touchline and providing a direct threat and presence to link up with Suarez at the head of the attack, the Brazilian will be able to provide the shape that his coach wants and encourage overlaps, as well as having no issue with working back defensively to support the midfield three.

Dembele

Ousmane Dembele started the season like a bullet out of a gun. Announcing himself on the scene as a fully fit option for Valverde during the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla, a screamer from the young Frenchman cannoned into the top corner to secure Barça’s 2-1 victory in Morocco in August. From there, he helped decide a 1-0 win against Real Valladolid, as well as netting a goal during the Blaugrana‘s 2-1 away win against Real Sociedad and getting in on the act during thrashings of Huesca and PSV. From that point onwards, however, his minutes have dried up.

Valverde was keen to keep hold of Dembele during the summer, amidst transfer speculation, and is carefully managing his exposure to first-team football after a first 12 months at Barcelona that was filled with more heartbreak than ecstasy. Starting with Dembele on the right-hand side of the attack would be a bolder move from the hosts. His pace, acceleration, agility and skill on the ball make him a very slippery customer – a nightmare for a left back that prefers to be on the front foot like Marcelo. If Valverde needs more cutting edge or a way to unbalance Lopetegui’s back four, the ex-Dortmund star would be the perfect nuisance to deploy against tiring legs from the bench.

Munir

His only goal may have arrived this season from a Messi assist, but Munir has earned his shot at making a name for himself at Barcelona. Joining the club back in 2011, the now-23-year-old had to head out on loan to Alaves last season in order to prove his worth at the top level. Netting 10 goals in a La Liga campaign where El Glorioso battled against the tide to survive in impressive fashion under Abelardo, Munir matured in the perfect scenario for a young loanee. He is a hardworking forward with very intelligent movement and could be a useful tool in a front two alongside Suarez.

If Valverde were to shore up his side with a 4-4-2 system at some point during proceedings on Sunday, it could see Sergi Roberto deployed either at right back or on the right-hand side of midfield – with Nelson Semedo then slotting into the back four. Against a Real Madrid side who may be forced to gamble and throw their wing backs forward to support their attack, leaving a Barça strike partnership occupying Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane man for man could do rather well. Both have been guilty of mistakes in recent weeks and Munir has the intelligence to outfox them.

Messi will be missed, but Valverde has options at his disposal. Barça have started to feel more balanced in recent matches, partly down to Arthur’s contributions, and that could give the hosts the confidence to get at left-back Marcelo. Rafinha, Dembele and Munir have all earned their right to be in contention for the biggest game of their season thus far. All three will want to create a reputation for themselves as the go-to man whenever Barcelona’s No 10 is unavailable, solving a long-reported issue of dependency. This isn’t an opportunity to be squandered.