Luis Enrique Has Created Barcelona Worries over Atletico Madrid Clash

Dropping Lionel Messi and Neymar didn't just harm Barcelona's performance in their 1-0 defeat by Real Sociedad but also created the potential to disrupt their game against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Barcelona's schedule for this week sees them host Elche on Thursday night in the Copa del Rey and then take on Diego Simeone's Rojiblanco champions, also at the Camp Nou, three days later.

Leaving Messi and Neymar on the bench until the second half of their dour display against David Moyes' watertight La Real caused uproar in Catalonia with fans and journalists alike puzzled by Enrique's decision.

Barcelona-based newspaper Sport's front page questioned just what the manager was up to, saying he threw away the points from a game that could have seen the Catalan giants take control of the league.

A win would have moved them two points clear of Madrid, although having played a game more, and they would be captains of their own destiny by virtue of the Clasico in March.

The result of all this fuss is that Enrique may now be tempted to play Messi and Neymar on Thursday against Elche, which would be a mistake.

If he was planning on resting the duo, then he shouldn't have included them in the squad for Sunday's game and should not need them at home against relative minnows.

If Enrique believed that Pedro and Munir El Haddadi were good enough to help beat Real Sociedad away from home, then he should trust them to dispose of Elche at the Camp Nou.

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A big win for Barcelona would carry obvious benefits, because then they could rest players in the second leg ahead of a trip to Deportivo La Coruna.

But it's not worth obtaining that and tiring out Messi and Neymar ahead of the visit of Simeone's Atletico. The Argentine's side are always a physical challenge and with hard work and discipline overcome some of their technical failings.

Then there's the issue of whether or not to bring back Dani Alves. He too was benched for Barcelona's game against Real Sociedad and called from the bench in an urgent bid to turn things around.

If Enrique brings him back in to play Elche, will he then be too tired to play at his optimum level against Atletico? Or if Alves is rested, will he be ready for such a difficult game after playing little football in recent weeks.

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What about Montoya? He seems to have been given a message of reprieve and is now an important part of the squad, but if he's dropped for Atletico, then will he still want to leave?

Luis Suarez, too, is a problem. Few doubt that given time, he will find his level, but Enrique put all the responsibility on his shoulders against Real Sociedad, with the Uruguayan leading the line.

It didn't pay off and the former Liverpool man could not score against the defence organised by a former Everton boss.

Messi reported sick for training on Monday morning, too, while another substitute, Rafinha, has an ear infection, per an email Barcelona sent round to journalists.

It's too early to say that the walls are caving in on Enrique, but he has to tread lightly. The ground ahead may be treacherous and once you slip, it's hard to get back up.