A trio that's playing hard to get

BeSoccer 5 years ago 3.4k |

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Expectations to see Barça's deadly trio are growing. EFE/AFP

Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, mains Barcelona attractions, have been sidelined due to injuries since the beginning of the season, and with no clear return dates as of yet, Barça fans are starting to worry. With Valencia as their next rival, the is a sense of urgency for the team's big stars to recover quickly and finally form the long-awaited triple threat with Antoine Griezmann.

If Messi and Suarez are available for Barça's next encounter, Ernesto Valverde could play Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann, Barcelona's last major signing, for the very first time in the replay of the Copa del Rey final won by Marcelino Garcia Toral's side.

Messi's injury

Barça's biggest star fell injured in training on August 5 and had to miss the club's preseason matches in the United States.

He spoke about his disappointment with getting injured in a post first published on Instagram: "I wanted to start and unfortunately I had a mishap in the first training session that is going to leave me out for a while. I want to be with the team and with the people who follow us in the United States. This time it won't be possible, but we will see each other again soon. A big hug to all of you."

The last game he played was on July 6, in the consolation final of the Copa America against Chile (2-1).

So far this season, Messi has missed all three of Barça's matches in La Liga: Athletic Club, Betis and Osasuna.

Suarez' Injury

Luck was not on Luis Suarez's side either, as the Uruguayan got injured during Barça's La Liga opener in San Mames against Athletic Club (1-0).

He hasn't played since 16 August. He was diagnosed with a break in the soleus of his right leg, but no time off was determined, although this type of injury lasts for about a month.

He could play against Valencia in his first minutes of the course at the Camp Nou. However, there are chances he is kept out of the action, as the club wants him and Leo Messi to be fully available for Barça's Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund on September 17.

Antoine Griezmann's numbers

Barça paid Atletico 120 million to make the Frenchman their star signing this season. Messi's injury means that he has not been able to share any game time, but expectations are high. The pair is pinned to become one of La Liga's top attractions.

The Frenchman has played all of Barça's LaLiga games, accumulating a total of 270 minutes and scoring two goals, both in the victory against Betis in the Camp Nou (5-2) after overcoming Fekir's initial goal.

Meanwhile, the expectations to see the deadly trio all together grow every day.