One of the favorites in soccer online betting to win the league title, Barcelona is opening the season hobbled in injuries. It was reported this week in sports betting Australia that Lionel Messi is out for the game due to a thigh injury, so as Isaac Cuenca who is having his own knee issue. These absences were a major concern prior to the match against Malaga.
Barca is definitely the better team compared to the rebuilding Malaga even without Messi. However, it is also true that Messi plays a pivotal role to the personnel-dependent type of pressure offense that Barca plays.
His absence in the game was felt throughout the game. Without Messi, the club played more conservatively, opting to play safe and keeping the ball instead of forcing the issue against Malaga. Still, the club was able to come out with a win on Sunday thanks to a goal by Adriano in the 44th minute of the game. After the goal, the team still had several good chances to score, but they weren't able to convert from those opportunities.
Malaga had its own injury problems. Weligton was out of the game due to a fractured collar bone and Flavio Ferreira is still suffering a back problem. It has been a tough start for Malaga as they are now 0-2. They lost against Valencia on their opening match.
Barcelona have announced that Messi only suffered a contusion on his thigh, however, the team is definitely playing safe regarding the health of their best player.
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