BARCELONA – Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has joined other managers in lashing out at the packed European football calendar after deciding to rest Lionel Messi for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Dynamo Kyiv.
Barca lost Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto to serious injuries in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in La Liga, leaving them with only three defenders in the first team squad for the trip to Ukraine.
While the loss to Atletico sealed their worst start to a La Liga season in 29 years, Barca is flying high in Europe with three wins out of three in Group G and victory against Dynamo will clinch their place in the last 16.
Koeman said his side’s strong position in …
Keep on reading: Players need more protection, says Barca coach Koeman after resting Messi