Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale were both left on the bench for the Copa del Rey semi-final between Barcelona and Real Madrid on Wednesday. Messi had felt pain in his thigh during Barca’s draw against Valencia on Sunday and, despite training on Tuesday evening, was not deemed fit enough to start the first leg at the Camp Nou. It is the second consecutive Clasico in which Messi has not played from the start, after the Argentinian sat out Barcelona’s 5-1 thrashing of Madrid in October with a broken arm. Barca’s slip at home to Valencia ended their eight-match winning run in the league. Madrid have found some form in recent weeks by registering five consecutive victories in all competitions.

Source: Punch February 06, 2019 19:18 UTC