Messi and Ibrahimovic a doubt for Barca v Real clash

Barcelona face a tough match at the weekend against arch rivals Real Madrid and both Messi and Ibrahimovic look doubtful for the match after missing training on Thursday.

Real Madrid sit top of the table, one point ahead of Barcelona, going into the match. The game is far from being a title decider but it could prove a crucial game come the end of the season if the league remains as tight as it currently is. Real Madrid have had their best start to the season for 17 years and Barcelona remain unbeaten in the league this season but do go in with the poorer form having drawn three of their last five league games. However the 2-0 victory over Inter Milan midweek will have given the Barca players a huge boost ahead of the weekends game.

Messi and Ibrahimovic both missed the Champions League clash on Tuesday night through injury and it had been hoped that both would be back in a Barcelona jersey for this weekends game with Real but with them missing training today, this looks less likely now. The news from the Barca camp is that both players are continuing “their process of recuperation.

Carlos Puyol speaking after training on Thursday said:

“It was an important game and it has given us confidence and lifted morale because we were at our best. We could have gone out of the Champions League.”

“We have great respect for Madrid. They are league leaders and that means something. They have won nearly all their games and are a difficult side. I think (the odds of) our game with them is 50-50,” he added.

Whoever plays the game is sure to be a cracker with both teams keen to stamp their dominance not only on the game but the league too.

Guest article written by Kampanart Wong, a sports editor who blogs about cheap football jerseys