Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 1: Lionel Messi limps off as Angel Correa cancels out Ivan Rakitic’s opener at the Nou Camp
Argentinian superstar hobbles off with a groin problem as Luis Enrique's side make their worst start in eight years
LIONEL MESSI faces three weeks out after limping off in Barcelona's draw with Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp.
The Argentinian superstar left the field with a groin problem in the second half as his side failed to make up ground on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Luis Enrique’s side knew a win would take them to within a point of their arch rivals following their 1-1 draw with Villarreal earlier in the evening.
And they looked on course for three points when Ivan Rakitic met Andres Iniesta’s pinpoint cross to nod the Catalans into the lead before the break.
But the game changed within ten second-half minutes when Barca lost two of the star men to injury.
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First, Sergio Busquets – who will put pen-to-paper on mega new deal this week – was forced off with a muscle blow.
He was soon followed by Messi, after the Argentina star suffered another recurrence the groin issue that has plagued him in the early weeks of the season.
Barca were knocked out of their stride and Atleti instantly took advantage when Angel Correa slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to level.
The striker capitalised on Javier Mascherano’s slip to combine with fellow substitute Fernando Torres and coolly fire into the bottom left corner.
A frustrated Messi sat slumped on the bench for the final half an hour as the hosts pushed for a winner.
Neymar was twice denied by good blocks from Oblak and Pique headed narrowly wide in the closing minutes.
But Atletico held firm to leave Barca on 10 points from their opening five games - their lowest total since 2008.
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