Barca hit by Messi, Mascherano injuries

Posted Wednesday, April 03, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of Lionel Messi while Javier Mascherano is out for six weeks after both were injured in the 2-2 draw with Paris St-Germain.

Messi was replaced at half-time at the Parc des Princes in Barca's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg clash after holding his right hamstring and he will undergo further tests on Wednesday to determine the extent of the problem, Barca announced on their website.

The Catalan giants will be hoping it is nothing serious with the quarter-final second leg against PSG coming next week.

The 25-year-old, who at the weekend became the first player to score against every other side in the Spanish top flight in successive matches after netting for the 19th consecutive league game, had put Barca ahead against PSG on Tuesday night in the 38th minute before the French outfit battled back for a 2-2 draw.

He appeared to suffer the injury when curling a shot over the bar shortly before half-time and was a passenger for the last few minutes of the first period.

While Barca wait on news about Messi, they know they will definitely be without Mascherano for the second leg against PSG as well as a number of La Liga matches after he was ruled out with a knee injury.

The former Liverpool player was stretchered off in the 84th minute of Tuesday night's game to be replaced by Marc Bartra.

A Barca statement read: "As reported by the medical team at the end of the game, the Azulgrana number 16 suffered a torn ligament in his right knee after a collision with Jordi Alba.

"If he successfully returns in six weeks, Mascherano will be back just for the final stretch of the season."