Lionel Messi is left out of the Champions League squad for a second successive week.
The Argentine superstar is being rested for Barcelona’s Champions League trip to Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
The Blaugrana have already made it to the last 16 of the competition and Koeman believes it’s important to have Messi feeling fresh for Saturday’s trip to Cadiz.
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“It’s not usual for Messi to rest, I know this, but I have spoken to him about it even if the decision is mine,” Koeman said in a press conference.
“Given the way the calendar is this season, there have been two moments when I could rest him, in Kiev and tomorrow.
“We are already qualified and this way I am able to give opportunities to others. We need to win Saturday’s match in LaLiga, so this is the right time for him to rest. After tomorrow there won’t be any other chances to do that.”
Barcelona beat Ferencvaros 5-1 in the reverse fixture of the Champions League.
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