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| Lionel Messi during the game vs Atletico Madrid |
After putting up a wonderful performance in Barcelona’s first leg Copa del Rey semifinal 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon, Lionel Messi still has a little job to do in the second leg which may only not be helping the team qualifying for the final but also another important job of not getting himself booked.
Messi scored a cracker via a powerful shot from 25 yards to put Barcelona two up against Atléti at the Vicente Calderon after Luis Suarez had put the visitors in front, Messi dazzled and was the team’s best player of the night, almost grabbed a second in another spectacular fashion but his free kick struck the woodwork.
However, the fine performance was soured by his late booking after he picked up a yellow card on the 90th minute for a challenge on Filipe Luis and that has put him in danger of missing the possible final. The booking was Messi’s second of the tournament, and three bookings lead to suspension which means if Barcelona qualify for the final but Lionel Messi picks up a booking at the Camp Nou next week, then the Barça talisman will not take part in the final come May, that’s not only dangerous, but also bothering as a final without Lionel Messi will be incomplete.
Aside from Lionel Messi, defenders Samuel Umtiti and Jordi Alba are both also on two bookings each which means a third booking in the second leg will mean they’ll miss the final.
Neymar picked up a yellow in the game which was is third of the tournament and it means he won’t be available for the second leg and he will likely be replaced by Arda Turan.