Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen claimed that the club always find it easy when Lionel Messi is on the pitch. The Argentine has had a couple of injury problems this season and it has prevented a direct impact since this season. Unsurprisingly, Barcelona have struggled at the start of the campaign and they have had a poor set of results. It is even future of manager Ernesto Valverde under a lot of doubt. Messi has so far made only four appearances and one of those came in the recent game against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou.
There was a major setback for the Catalan outfit as early as in the second minute after Inter took a shock lead. This was the first time Inter were scoring at the Camp Nou since 1970. However, Barcelona were able to get all three points thanks to a double from Luis Suarez. Even though Messi did not get on the scoresheet, the presence of the five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or award winner was a major inspiration to the players, according to Ter Stegen. After having struggled with a number of injuries this season, Messi had a lot of positivity after completing 90 minutes of action.Ter Stegen says that it can be only good news for Barcelona in the forthcoming weeks.
“It always makes us happy having him on the pitch and giving the best he can: passes, assists, goals. We’re happy that he played 90 minutes. He couldn’t [before] due to injury, but we hope this won’t happen again. It’s always easier with him.He [Luis Suarez] shuts a lot of people up.He’s always focused and gives his best. And he always fights. We know who we have up front. He’s always there to score goals,” said Ter Stegen after the game. Barcelona’s next match is against Sevilla on Monday night.