FC Barcelona vs Getafe: Messi’s long awaited return

Barcelona (FCB).- Gerardo Martino, Barça’s Boss, said on Saturday that Leo Messi “has the eye of an assassin” since he returned from Argentina. The FC Barcelona forward, who missed the match against Elche, was given the medical all-clear to play on Tuesday and he could make an appearance this Wednesday evening in the match between Barça and Getafe in the first leg of the 1/8 round of the Copa del Rey (22.00 CET).

Unpredictable starting team

Leo Messi was named in the 18-man squad by Martino, while Dani Alves, Bartra and Xavi will be rested. The absence of the latter two (they both started against Elche) means that we’ll have a new starting team this evening. Pinto will be in goal despite Valdés’ recovery and it’s probable that Puyol, Adriano and Sergi Roberto, all of whom were on the bench on Sunday, will be named in the starting eleven. Messi is expected to get some playing time, but it’s not known if he’ll start the match on the pitch or on the bench.

Rematch after 17 days

Getafe come into the match at the Camp Nou with the same team that pinned Barça back in the opening minutes of the last match of 2013. In that match, Barça fought back from a two-goal deficit to win 2-5. Only 17 days have passed since then.