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Messi? It's better if the best plays! The boss of Real Madrid wants to face the star of Barca
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari said he was not hoping Barcelona's Lionel Messi would miss Wednesday's game at Clasico in Camp Nou.
The Solari team will visit Camp Nou for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against the Catalan club. Messi's presence is still in doubt because of a problem in the thigh.
The Argentine striker scored twice in the Barca 2-2 draw at home against Valencia on Saturday night, but was treated on the sidelines of the match and the Blaugrana did not release any information on his condition before the Clasico.
Asked at his pre-match press conference, he would be relieved if Messi did not show up tomorrow, said Solari: "In football, the best must play, that's how it is."
The Real coach was then asked if he was concerned about the lack of information on Messi's physical condition and whether it would affect his preparations for the match, but he smiled and replied, "Absolutely not."
Gareth Bale made his first start after an injury while Madrid beat Alaves 3-0 on Sunday, but the Welsh winger was overshadowed by Vinicius Junior in that match. However, Solari refused to reveal if either or both of them would be in the squad tomorrow.
"No one is unbeatable," he said to the question whether the form of Vinicius meant that he was really up-and-coming. And when he was told that Bale's greatest experience could be helpful, he replied, "Some players bring experience, others of youth and freshness." is that we all grow together. "
It remains a rest day in Barcelona before the match tomorrow and before the return match at Santiago Bernabeu, February 27, which caused some annoyance to Real.
"I hope this is not [deliberate], "Said Solari. But it's curious to say the least. We do not decide the schedule, it's up to La Liga to settle. We just go and do our best. "
In tomorrow's game, his first coach of Clasico as coach, the Argentine said: "It's a match between two teams with great rivalry." A Clasico means River-Boca, Inter-Milan, but also Madrid-Atletico … "
A real trip to Atleti for this last match on Saturday, just three days after Clasico, and also participates in the Champions League against Ajax this month, before two other meetings with Barca in Copa and LaLiga.
"We like the competition and the moment of truth is every game, from the first friendly match to the last match," said Solari. "We can not think about what lies ahead, we are focused on tomorrow's match."
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