Lionel Messi ruled out of Barcelona’s Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev
Ronald Koeman insists he cannot afford to take a risk with the Argentine requiring a rest
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Your support makes all the difference.Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Barcelona’s Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev.
The Blaugrana have left the Argentine out of the 19-man squad to face the Ukrainian outfit on Tuesday.
Messi played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, but the 33-year-old will now miss the Group G match.
Manager Ronald Koeman insists the time is right to prioritise La Liga, with the Catalan giants languishing in 12th position in the table.
READ MORE: Champions League fixtures and standings — all matches by date and kick-off time
After three wins from three so far, Barcelona are already top of the group to leave them three points clear of Juventus and eight points clear of Kiev and Ferencvaros.
That has forced Koeman to omit both Messi and Frenkie De Jong to avoid an injury crisis.
“We've got various players out due to injuries and we have decided that we won't be taking Leo or Frenkie because the situation in the Champions League is something that is quite comfortable with the nine points that we've got,” Koeman explained.
“These two players need to rest because they have played a lot of matches and we think this is a good moment to rest them.”
Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto joined Ansu Fati and Samuel Umtiti on the injury list, with Koeman under pressure to revive their hopes of challenging for the La Liga title.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi transfer to Man City is ‘inevitable’ after Pep Guardiola contract extension
Barcelona are now 12 points off surprise leaders Real Sociedad and nine points behind Atletico Madrid in second.
Real Madrid are six points clear, though Barcelona have a game in hand on their rivals.
Osasuna are up next following their European involvement midweek in a Sunday afternoon kick-off at the Nou Camp.
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