Gerard Lopez on Lionel Messi training with Barcelona B
Lionel Messi is in the final straight of his recovery. And it seems he will arrive for the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. At least that's what Barcelona B coach Gerard Lopez thinks. He knows Messi well and has observed him during the B team's last two training sessions ahead of his side's clash with Badalona.
"Leo completed the training sessions. I saw him well, and I'm happy that his recovery seems positive. I see him content and lively," explained the coach.
He said that there was no change to the plans when Messi joined the Barcelona B sessions. "The training was the same that we are used to doing before a game. We didn't change because Messi was there.
"For the youth players it was a great excitement to be able to train with the best player in history, although some of them already knew him. You already know that some often go up to train with the first team and are used to being with him.
"Messi adapted to our training and that included joining in the tactical aspects to prepare for the game. I'm delighted that he could take advantage of the two sessions with us and didn't miss two days of work of his recovery. I knew when it started, we share a dressing room and I'm happy the recovery is going well. I don't know if he'll be there on Saturday, but I see him well, content and I hope he can get back as soon as possible. It's a pity I couldn't call him up for our game," he joked.
