Messi ready as Barca drops Dembele
made heavy by the rain,” said Bra-
“We won and that’s what is important. It gives us peace of mind before th e ( interna- tional) break.”
Ancelotti’s side proved wasteful in the
a Zielinski strike. But Kouame broke the deadlock from a Romulo cross, rising highest to nod in his second goal this season.
Home goalkeeper Andrei Radu punched a dangerous Insigne cross off the head of Jose Callejon, before denying Milik with 10
Ancelotti’s side had already lost in Genoa this season when they fell 3-0 to Sampdoria, and another defeat was looming as the rain came down.
But Ruiz found a way through ing star man Wilfried Zaha due to a hamstring injury and missed the Ivorian’s end product.
Spurs were dealt an injury blow when Kieran Trippier limped off midway through the first half and is now a doubt for England’s upcoming internationals with the USA and Croatia.
Trippier is just the latest of Spurs’ large contingent that went far at the World Cup to be affected by a muscle injury.
And Pochettino’s men looked like a side tired out by their congested fixture list in the heavy conditions as they took nearly 30 minutes to begin to threaten.
Harry Kane pounced on a slack when Allan crossed to Mertens whose clever backheel in the penalty area set up the Spaniard to beat Radu.
Biraschi worsened Genoa’s current crisis amid a scramble in his own goalmouth, as they slipped to a third straight loss after last week’s 5-0 thrashing by Inter.
“It hurts to lose to a late own goal,” said Genoa coach Ivan Juric.
Earlier, promoted Parma came away with a 2-1 win from Torino to move level on 17 points with their rivals for a Europa League spot, who sit in eighth.
Walter Mazzarri’s side is unbeaten since losing to Napoli on September 23. BARCELONA: Ernesto Valverde has indicated Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti are both ready to return for Barcelona against Real Betis on Sunday (Monday in Manila) but Ousmane Dembele has been dropped.
Messi has been out since breaking his arm against Sevilla on October 20 while Umtiti has been nursing a knee problem and has not played since September 26.
Both are included in the squad to face Betis in La Liga this weekend but there was a surprise omission for Dembele.
Valverde said the 21-year-old had been left out after a “sporting assessment”.
Messi’s return would come as a major boost to Barca. Their captain was included in the traveling squad to face Inter Milan on Wednesday but was not deemed fit enough even for the bench.
Asked if he could play 90 minutes against Betis, Valverde said: “We will see, but he’s lost his fear of falling or struggling against an opponent.
“You have to get that out of your head, you cannot be thinking if you are about to make a bad movement. I have seen him training well and with confidence.”
Messi’s absence should have been a golden opportunity for Dembele but the winger’s form has been mixed in recent weeks, while Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Rafinha and Malcom have all impressed.
“Everyone can interpret it how they want but this is a team,”Valverde said. “I’m looking for the best for the team and that’s it.”
Barcelona paid around 105 million euros to sign Dembele from Borussia Dortmund last year but injury and inconsistency have plagued his career in Spain so far.
“Let’s hope he can make the most of all his talent so the team benefits and also the club, which has made a great investment in him,” Valverde added.
Umtiti has been a key player for Barca but the defender’s place in the starting line-up this weekend is not guaranteed, given Clement Lenglet has done well alongside Gerard Pique during the team’s strong run.
“It is great news that Lenglet has shown his level,”Valverde said. “Far from being a problem, it is perfect to have more possibilities, we will see tomorrow who plays.”
Barcelona sit three points clear at the top of La Liga and will hope for another victory against 14th-placed Betis, before the start of the international break.
Valverde also praised his fullback Jordi Alba, who earned a recall to the Spain squad for the first time under new coach Luis Enrique.
Coutinho will not play against Betis. The midfielder is recovering from a hamstring strain.