Luis Enrique Talks Lionel Messi, Neymar and More in Barcelona Pre-Match Presser

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says it will be impossible to replace the injured Lionel Messi in the coming weeks but has called on Luis Suarez and Neymar to step up in the Argentinian's absence.  

Messi is set to be absent for up to eight weeks after he picked up a knee injury in Barca's 2-1 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday, per the club's official Twitter account.

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Speaking on Monday ahead of the Catalans' Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, Enrique acknowledged how big a blow Messi's absence will be, per Spanish outlet AS:

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We just have to get on with things. A player like Messi can’t be replaced. Our plan is to keep playing the way we are but with other players. It’s a challenge to maintain our level of competitiveness without the best player in the world. Trying to substitute a player like Leo is impossible. Neymar just needs to keep being Neymar; Suarez the same. They will all take a step forward.

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While Messi is undoubtedly the key player in Barcelona's team, Suarez and Neymar are more than capable of driving the Blaugrana forward by themselves.

Between them they netted 17 times in the Champions League last term, while both found the back of the net as Barca prevailed in the final against Juventus, per WhoScored.com.

The La Liga giants are still favourites to beat Bayer at the Camp Nou, but Enrique might have to get creative in his tactics.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe had his concerns about Barcelona's attacking depth even before Messi got injured:

Youngster Munir El Haddadi, 20, may be called upon to play a bigger role in Messi's absence.

Similarly, Enrique revealed Barca may "look at" the possibility of playing Neymar as a centre-forward, with the Brazilian having played there previously on international duty, per AS. 

On a positive note, Enrique also revealed that Jordi Alba and Claudio Bravo will be available for the Champions League clash.

Bayer will undoubtedly be buoyed by Messi's absence on Tuesday—as will every side Barca play while he is unavailable.

However, Enrique still has more than enough quality in his squad to be competitive both domestically and in Europe, but it will be a great test of his managerial prowess while Messi is out.