Valverde keeps Messi on the bench against Granada

Cairo_21 September 2019: Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, announced the team's starting line-up for the fifth round of the Spanish League, known as Laliga, against Granada in the Southern Spain and Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, was not among the starting eleven.

Messi missed Barcelona's first four league games due to a muscular injury he picked during the pre-season and since then the player did not start for the Catalan club.

The Argentinean appeared on the score sheet on Tuesday when Barcelona faced Borussia Dortmund at the opening game of the Champions League and he played the last 30 minutes of the game.

Messi is expected to take part in the second half of the game against Granada.

Barcelona, defending champions, opened their league campaign with a 1-0 loss in Bilbao but they bounced back against Real Betis at home with a 5_2 victory.

Barcelona found huge difficulties for their second away game against Osasuna and the game ended with a draw but they regained confidence with another 5_2 win at home over Valencia.

Barcelona hope that they can achieve their first away victory on Saturday night against Granada.