Barca need Neymar to keep up scoring form in Messi's absence

Sport360 staff 09:47 20/10/2015
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  • Formidable: Neymar (r).

    Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is hoping Neymar can pick up where he left off against Rayo Vallecano when his side take on BATE Borisov in Minsk on Tuesday.

    Neymar warmed up for the game against the newly-crowned champions of Belarus by scoring four goals on Saturday in a 5-2 win over Rayo. Barca need Neymar at his best with Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta out of action with injuries.

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    “I hope that Neymar never stops,” Rakitic said. “Hopefully we’ll keep getting him the ball, you’ve got to congratulate him.”

    Off the field, Neymar is one of several members of Barcelona embroiled in tax issues.

    Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell have all been charged with tax fraud in Spain for the transfer deal that brought Neymar to the club from Santos in 2013.

    Moreover, a Brazilian court last month froze $47 million in assets belonging to the player over tax evasion allegations.

    Consequently, contract talks with the Blaugrana have been affected with Neymar Sr, the player’s father and advisor, seeking judicial and tax assurances before agreeing to a new contract at the Nou Camp.

    “We have three years left on the contract. We, or my family, are suffering an insecure tax situation that affects the planning of his career,” Neymar Sr told Barcelona sports daily Sport. “We need these issues to stop. How can we extend something if we don’t have tax stability?”

    Collectively, the Catalans will be in good spirits as they go after their second win in Group E. Barca started their Champions League title defence with a 1-1 draw at Roma before beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at home.

    BATE bounced back from a 4-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen with a 3-2 triumph at home to Roma in the previous round. They have won their last four home games in the competition.

    They go into the contest having ensured a 10th straight title in Belarus as they are 10 points clear at the top of the standings with only three games remaining.

    “Our title victory will not affect this game,” BATE coach Aleksandr Yermakovich said. “I don’t think my team will fear Barca, we all have experience in the Champions League.”

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