Barcelona’s star attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all left out of coach Luis Enrique’s squad for their Copa del Rey semi-final, second-leg against Gary Neville’s Valencia on Wednesday with Barca already leading 7-0.
Messi underwent treatment on kidney stones which affected his participation in the Club World Cup last month on Monday and Tuesday, but is expected to be fit to face Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Suarez, who scored four times in the first-leg, and Neymar have been rested along with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique as Enrique takes advantage of the dead rubber amongst a hectic schedule, which sees Barca play six games in the next 18 days.
Neville is fighting for his job after suffering what Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch described as one of the worst results in the club’s history in the first-leg.
The former Manchester United captain has also failed to win any of his nine La Liga matches since taking charge in December.
“I’ve got full belief in myself, full belief in the players and from my point of view the only thing we can do now for the club and the fans is win football matches,” Neville told the club’s website. – Agence France-Presse
