Lionel Messi injured by the hands of Julen Lopetegui and Real Madrid, a lifeline for Clasico

Lionel Messi's injury is of course a blow for Barcelona. Argentina have been absent for three weeks after a broken arm in the Catalans 4-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday night. She will miss Clasico's match against Real Madrid next Sunday.

For Julen Lopetegui, however, it's a lifesaver.

Lopetegui has lamented "bad luck" in recent weeks, claiming that his opponents were not rewarded, complaining that some of his key players have been missing due to an injury and seemingly generally believing that the world is against him.

But if he is still at work on Sunday, Messi's injury is a chance for the 52-year-old. Because although the Barca is not a team to a man, playing the leader of the championship is a much more difficult prospect when Argentina is present.

Just ask Seville. By the time Messi had contracted his injury on Saturday night, Pablo Machin's men had already scored two goals. The Argentinian had set up Philippe Coutinho for the first and had scored the second himself in a solo effort. When he left, it was a much more balanced affair and finished 4-2.

"Well, he's done enough, is not it?", Said Machin at the end of the match, when he was questioned about Messi's departure. "In the 15 minutes that he spent, he decided to play. Or at least put it on its way. "

It was a fair evaluation. And without Messi, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to thank the goalkeeper for two spectacular doubles. The match could have been much tighter than it had been – and it might have been very different if Leo had not left his camp with a two goal cushion in the end.

"We have lost focus," admitted Ernesto Valverde, director of Barca. "We will miss him, but we have enough resources and we have to face it."

Messi not being there next Sunday, it is logical to assume that Madrid has better chances. However, this is not a guarantee of success, and it should be remembered that with Argentina on the bench until the end of a clash with Clasico at the end of 2015, Rafa Benitez saw his Real team lose 4- 0 at home against Barca.

At the time, Neymar was still there, with Luis Suarez at its peak. It was a better Barca than this one, but the danger remains. And having lost to Sevilla, CSKA Moscow, Alaves and now Levante at home in recent weeks, Real certainly can not be sure to beat the champions – even if Messi will not be involved.

Lopetegui is a man under pressure, but he has at least the support of his team and the skipper Sergio Ramos said after the defeat against Levante: "Julen has the support of all the players. We must try to win on Tuesday (against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League), then to think about the next (the Clasico). "

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was seen ringing his phone in the stands, while Madrid was 2-0 to Levante on Saturday in a vicious image. privately with Lopetegui.

For now at least, the coach seems safe. "I'm sure football will give us back what he won," said the Basque after his team accumulated 34 attempts but scored only once against Levante, putting an end to a eight-hour run without goal.

At a time when everything seems to be going against the former Spanish boss, Messi's injury may be the lifeline he needs. Real Madrid must improve in many ways, both in terms of defense and goals. But the absence of Argentina gives them a chance next Sunday.