La Liga: Why Lionel Messi's Absence Should Not Worry Barcelona on the Pitch

Lionel Messi has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks after coming off the pitch injured during Barcelona's 4-1 win away to Real Betis.

The injury is a tear in his hamstring, making it the third time he's suffered with the same injury this season.

The Argentine's fitness is of huge concern as his hamstring issues in both legs are causing a seemingly constant struggle for the 4-time Ballon D'or winner. The two month lay-off may put an end to the problem and Barcelona will be hoping he comes back with a new lease of life.

In recent seasons without the great Lionel Messi, Barcelona have tended to struggle both in La Liga and in the Champions League. Last season's quarter-final tie with Paris St-Germain was only won once Barca's number 10 came off the bench to inspire the Spanish champions to an away goal win and a ticket to the semi-finals.

However, when Messi was taken off in the first half against Betis with the score at 0-0, the Barcelona players left on the pitch stepped up themselves, when they would usually worry about how they can win a game without arguably the greatest player to step foot on to a football pitch.

Thanks to the reflexes of Victor Valdes, which have been a constant source of solace this season and can probably be credited for improving the health of many Barcelona fans, and the performances of Neymar and Pedro, the game went largely according to plan.

Betis were playing football roulette with their offside trap, which in actual fact is practically suicide against the likes of Pedro and Neymar, who had no problem exploiting it.

Not only did Pedro and Neymar torment the Betis backline, but Barcelona were able to rely on Cesc Fabregas and even Alex Song.

The two former Arsenal men had excellent games with the Spanish midfielder bagging two goals and an assist, while defensively Song was sound and even played a fantastic through ball in the build up to Barca's opener.

The attitude of the team when Messi departed the pitch was the opposite of worry but more of a "keep calm and carry on" mentality which actually improved a somewhat poor performance when the 26-year-old was on the pitch.

The league leaders can also look upon Iniesta, who came off the bench to replace Messi, and the in-form Alexis Sanchez, who already has seven La Liga goals to his name this season.

Barcelona remain unbeaten in the league and sit three points clear of Atletico Madrid after their draw at the weekend. However, the zero under their loss column will come under threat over the next two-to-three months. 

Before the winter break, the champions will face Granada, Athletic Bilbao, high-flying Villarreal and Getafe. Almost immediately after the festive period, they visit Atletico Madrid, but the timeline may work out for Messi to return.

The games which will undoubtedly be played without Messi as an option, though, are certainly winnable with the tools they have. Fabregas, Sanchez and Pedro have all elevated their game this season and Neymar's assists have been vital.

Defence, as always with Barcelona of late, is the main battleground to ensure there are not too many major slip ups.

But even with what appears to be a shaky defence, statistics say otherwise. The Catalan club can take confidence from only conceding eight league goals this season, which makes them the best defence in the league. Shocking, I know.

Messi's injuries this season are a concern considering their regularity, but two months without him will not mean failure.

Manager Tata Martino will make sure of Barcelona's continued success in La Liga this season. His view of "no Messi, no excuse" expressed post-match at the weekend sets the right tone and shows the right faith for his players to follow.

The worries will come if Messi cannot recover fully from his injury saga. For now however, the great players which also make up the Barcelona side are more than enough to keep Barcelona top for the winter break.