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Messi done enough in Barcelona return – Valverde

SoccerNews in La Liga 18 Sep 2019

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Lionel Messi “done enough” in his return as Barcelona drew 0-0 with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, insisted head coach Ernesto Valverde.

Messi made his first appearance of the season after recovering from a calf injury in Barca’s goalless draw away to Dortmund in their Group F opener on Tuesday.

The Barca captain had been sidelined up until his second-half introduction against Dortmund, though Messi was a peripheral figure for the visitors.

“He’s like any player who hasn’t had a pre-season,” Valverde said.

“He’s had to play in a game at an incredible pace, which had already started, all without preparation.

“It’s his first 30 minutes. He’s done enough. It was also the first full game for Luis Suarez.”

Barca had goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for securing a point after the German star saved Marco Reus’ second-half penalty.

Ter Stegen thwarted Dortmund on more than one occasion in the second 45 minutes and Valverde hailed the Germany international.

“In LaLiga [Santander] we were saying that opponents score against us,” Valverde added. “But tonight, he was very good. We have a great goalkeeper and we benefit from that.”

On denying Reus from the penalty spot, Ter Stegen said:  It’s hard to study, Reus always changes. It was a feeling I had [going to his left] and I’m glad that I could save it.”

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