Injured Barcelona star Lionel Messi amused at inventive block by Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic from Luis Suarez free-kick as he watches Champions League tie with son Thiago
- Lionel Messi is sidelined for three weeks after fracturing his arm against Sevilla
- He was in the stands alongside son Thiago to watch Barcelona play Inter Milan
- Messi was left impressed at length Marcelo Brozovic went to deny Luis Suarez
Lionel Messi must get used to watching on from the stands over the course of the next three weeks but he’ll be fine if Wednesday evening is anything to go by.
He brought his son Thiago to watch at the Nou Camp as Barcelona defeated Inter Milan 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half from Rafinha and Jordi Alba.
But there was a moment aside from the goals that Messi, who hard his fractured right arm in a sling after sustaining the injury against Sevilla at the weekend, seemed to enjoy.
Lionel Messi watched Barcelona play Inter Milan from the stands with his son Thiago
Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic blocked a Luis Suarez free-kick by sliding along the ground
Brozovic successfully deflected Barcelona man Suarez’s free kick away from Inter’s goal
In the second half, Luis Suarez had an opportunity to extend Barcelona’s lead with a free-kick approaching the edge of the penalty area.
The striker attempted to trick the Inter wall by drilling his shot low along the ground and underneath their feet as they jumped in anticipation of an attempt through the air.
But it was superbly anticipated by Marcelo Brozovic, who slid along the ground behind the wall and successfully deflected the shot behind for a corner.
Messi was spotted laughing as he watched the scene unfold but he’ll likely be less relaxed at the weekend as he watches Barcelona take on Real Madrid in El Clasico.
The two sides clash on Sunday afternoon with Barcelona looking to establish a seven-point advantage over the fiercest rivals after only 10 La Liga matches.
Messi was filmed laughing when he saw Brozovic’s measures to deny Suarez
Messi is sidelined for around three weeks after fracturing his arm playing against Sevilla
Madrid head into the match with pressure intensifying over manager Julen Lopetegui but Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is expecting a gruelling encounter.
‘Madrid can be even more dangerous,’ Valverde said. ‘They will come out here to face us and although they come in crisis will want to demonstrate their strength, which they have because they have great players.
‘We have responded well without Messi,’ added Valverde. ‘There was a lot of expectation to see how we responded to his absence.
‘It was something that was in everyone’s head and it showed in the environment, but we have responded well.’
