Lionel Messi and Neymar Tipped to be Rested in Barcelona vs. Eibar Match

Updates from Friday, Oct. 17

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has confirmed Pedro will start the weekend clash with Eibar, heightening belief Neymar or Lionel Messi will be rested.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan predicts the Brazilian will be given the night off:

Original Text

Luis Enrique may rest FC Barcelona's star-studded attacking duo Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. for the visit of La Liga minnows Eibar. Barca currently top the league table and are preparing for a daunting run of fixtures, both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League.

That's prompting Enrique to think he can at least the start the game against Eibar at the Camp Nou without his prolific pairing, according to AS writer Moises Llorens:

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Messi and Neymar may start on the bench on Saturday against Eibar. Luis Enrique is considering this option, given the accumulated tiredness of the two players, who in the space of just over a week have been to the other side of the world and back to play friendlies with their national teams.

...

Barcelona are facing a tough few weeks, with a visit from Ajax next Tuesday, with little room for error in Europe now after the defeat to PSG in Paris (3-2). On 25 October Luis Enrique’s side head to Madrid for the first Clásico of the season, and Barça’s coach won’t want to be going into that with anything less than the four point advantage his side currently have over their bitter rivals – hence the need to pick up three points against Eibar, whether Messi and Neymar start or not.

"

Llorens' note of caution at the end is interesting. Many would expect Barca to sweep aside Eibar even without Messi and Neymar.

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

But that would be a tad disrespectful to the team that currently resides in ninth place. Eibar have produced some creditable results this term, not the least of which was beating Real Sociedad 1-0 at home back in late August. The club also recently earned a commendable 0-0 draw away at Athletic Bilbao.

More important than Eibar's form though is Messi and Neymar's obvious significance to Enrique's squad. The latter has scored eight times for Barca already this season, per ESPN FC.

Meanwhile, Messi has produced seven goals and as many assists in all competitions, per WhoScored.com. The two have even carried their superb form onto the international stage.

Neymar netted all four goals in Brazil's recent demolition of Japan.

National team boss coach Dunga was left suitably impressed, per Brazil Stats:

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Dunga: "Because of his enthusiasm and desire, Neymar does something new in every game. You don't get bored of him. He's a joy. Nonstop."

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) October 14, 2014"

Not even Messi could outdo Neymar's magnificent display, even though he tried. He bagged a classy brace as part of a 7-0 win over Hong Kong, despite starting the game on the bench.

Messi may not welcome starting the game against Eibar as a substitute. The prolific pint-sized goal machine is currently three goals shy of setting a new all-time scoring record in La Liga, per RealMadridNews.com writer Paul Collins.

If Messi sits out against Eibar, he'd have to hit a hat-trick to break the record at the Bernabeu. He's scored hat-tricks against Madrid before, including at the home of Los Merengues in a 4-3 win last season.

The best-case scenario likely involves Messi scoring at least once against Eibar and leaving the record firmly within his reach once the Clasico rolls around.

Enrique had better know that coping without that level of firepower is always going to be difficult, no matter the opposition.

He could turn to young ace Munir El Haddadi to fill the void. The 19-year-old has been very impressive in first-team action this season. He's displayed the customary creative instincts and flair all Barca academy graduates seem to have.

Munir could possibly be partnered alongside veteran Pedro Rodriguez. He's has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this winter. Premier League side Arsenal are reportedly keen, per talkSport.co.uk. So are Serie A giants Juventus, per Daily Express reporter Anthony Chapman.

For now though, Pedro remains a Barca player. That's good news when considering how much the 27-year-old's pace, sly movement and versatility could trouble the Eibar defence.

Enrique's not wrong to have one eye on the fixtures. Ajax caused Barca problems last season, winning 2-1 in last season's Champions league group stage.

As a former player for the Blaugranes, Enrique knows the importance attached to any meeting with Real Madrid better than most.

But if things get tricky against Eibar, it won't take long for Enrique to summon Messi and Neymar off the lumber, no matter how much he's focused on future fixtures.