It's never a good day to rest Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi was in a state of grace. He found his best self. With hope, commitment, efficiency. The Argentine crack was happy on the pitch again. He found his magic connection with Pedri. And with an impulse that resuscitated Griezmann and Dembele. Messi, as Barca’s catalyst, had been able to take the team to victory of late. And hit four in his last two games. The Spanish Super Cup was a chance for him and Koeman’s side to take a step forward. Above all if they got Madrid in the final. So not playing against Real Sociedad let him a little down. The alarm bells rang against Granada. Better to rest him now than when things are more serious, but there’s never a good moment to rest Messi. As we saw on Wednesday. His teammates missed him.

Barca got to the final, suffering. A lot. Too much. Despite De Jong’s great goal, that sent Barca ahead, La Real threatened Ter Stegen, who became the hero of the game. For his great saves and two penalty stops. The German keeper dressed as Messi - the game’s most decisive player. But to win the final we need the authentic Leo. Without his magic and goals, it will be very hard to win the title, not to say impossible.

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