Barcelona vs Levante preview - Barcelona rally around injury Rafinha ahead of Levante clash
Posted Saturday, September 19, 2015 by PA
Barcelona's players have rallied behind injured team-mate Rafinha ahead of their home Primera Division match against Levante.
The Brazilian midfielder ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Roma in the Champions League.
The 22-year-old, who sustained the injury after a heavy challenge from Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, will undergo surgery this week and be sidelined for around six months.
"Rafinha, stay strong! I hope you make a full recovery soon, I'm sure you'll come back even stronger," Barca star Lionel Messi wrote on his Facebook account.
Neymar also wrote a message to his Brazil team-mate that said: "It's difficult to say something right now but I wish you a lot of patience and all the strength to return as soon as possible."
Rafinha, a Brazil international, made 21 starts in all competitions for Barca last season and was set to have a more significant role this season.
He had started in two of Barca's three La Liga games.
"This is really nasty news for us," Barca coach Luis Enrique said. "There's no doubt that this was the worst thing about the (Wednesday's) game."
The draw in Rome brought an end to Barca's perfect start to the 2015-16 campaign.
Luis Suarez gave the Spanish giants a 21st-minute lead but Roma equalised eight minutes later with a wonder goal from defender Alessandro Florenzi.
"We deserved to win but I thought it was a fine all-round performance," Luis Enrique said. "There will always be things to improve.
"We did everything we could to win the game, but Roma were efficient."
Barca, who won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid last weekend, are two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings.
The Blaugrana have won their last four league meetings against Levante, scoring 15 goals.
In their last three meetings, Barca have not conceded a goal.
The hosts are also without defender Gerard Pique, who is suspended, and injured goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Marc Andre Ter-Stegen will play in goal while Brazilian right-back Dani Alves is set to return this weekend after recovering from a groin strain.
Levante have yet to win this season.
The club that is based in the city of Valencia have taken a point in each of their last two league games, including a 1-1 draw at home with Sevilla last time out.
Coach Lucas Alcaraz and his players accept that they will be big underdogs in Barcelona.
"They have the best players in the world," Levante midfielder Victor Camarasa said to Marca.
"But this is football and we are going there ready to battle and hopefully get a point.
"We hope they have a bad day and we can play well."
Levante defender Ivan Lopez has shaken off a minor knee problem and is excepted to feature on Sunday.
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