Barcelona vs Mallorca preview - Spotlight falls on goal-shy Messi

Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by PA

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi when Barcelona look to get back to their best at home to Real Mallorca.

The Argentinian superstar has been below par recently, failing to score in Barca's matches against Viktoria Plzen, Sevilla and Granada while Barca have failed to produce their best form despite winning two and drawing one of those games.

They now face a mid-table Mallorca side looking for a repeat of the 1-1 draw they managed in Catalonia last season.

Pep Guardiola has first-choice defensive pairing Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique available but, perhaps more crucially, could let midfielder Cesc Fabregas team up with childhood friend Messi.

The duo clicked immediately upon being reunited by Fabregas' summer arrival and the former Arsenal man is fully fit following a short-term injury.

And Fabregas has ridiculed criticism of Messi's recent performances.

"I haven't heard any arguments," he said. "He's my age. If you see the progress he's made, I don't think I'll ever see it again. He's won everything, except the World Cup.

"He scores goals every game, makes them, always plays. He's a fabulous player, physically and mentally.

"If there are doubts about Messi, I don't know how they see the rest of us. I've never played with a player like him, either at youth level or professionally.

"He's humble, never hides, always gives everything for the team, and loves the club. There's nothing more to say."

If Barca are out to prove a point, the visitors are keen to produce a reaction of their own.

Joaquin Caparros' island outfit have not won in four games and suffered a debilitating home defeat against Sporting Gijon in midweek.

Midfielder Gonzalo Castro knows the size of the task facing the visitors.

He said: "They're the best team out there but it is a chance for us to demonstrate what we can do and show that we're a good team too. With our work ethic we can try to salvage something after failing to take anything in the week.

"Barca will have a lot of control of the ball but we'll try to make it difficult for them. We'll make sure our priority is to be well organised and keep our lines then be ready for when they leave space to exploit.

"We'd like to repeat the draw of last year but of course we'd rather win!"

Barca lost attacker Pedro for up to three weeks this week but were boosted by the return to training of Alexis Sanchez after hamstring trouble, though he remains some way off a return.

Caparros will welcome back Jose Manuel Flores but Jose Nunes, Gianni Zuiverloon, Pablo Caceres and Kevin Garcia are likely to remain absent.