Barcelona may save Lionel Messi for another day and other talking points

Here are the talking points:

WILL WE SEE SOME MESSI MAGIC?

Before his return to training on Thursday, the world last saw a frustrated Messi storm out of Santiago Bernabeu in disgust on Tuesday as Argentina suffered the indignity of being thrashed 6-1 by Spain.

A hamstring strain had forced the 30-year-old to sit out that clash and the preceding 2-0 victory against Italy. It has also left club head coach Ernesto Valverde with something to ponder.

Medical tests have been passed and the injury is nothing serious. But such complaints can turn into debilitating problems during the hectic final months of the season.

Messi has brutalised Sevilla throughout his celebrated career. They are the club he has scored the most La Liga goals against, registering a punishing return of 29 strikes in 31 games.

Valverde must now judge whether he’d like his key player to wreak havoc again, or be wrapped in cotton wool for the midweek visit of Roma.

With such a dominant advantage in La Liga, a substitute role may beckon at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

DEMBELE DILEMMA

France winger Ousmane Dembele’s curious first season at Barca could be about to make another twist.

With absent defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets set to be covered by Brazil’s Paulinho and veteran Andres Iniesta potentially in need of rest after a delightful performance against Argentina, a spot on the right flank looks open. The question now is where will Valverde turn?

Rumours abound about the supremo’s lack of appreciation for Dembele’s erratic talent. Only two away La Liga starts – from three in total – have been granted to the €105 million (Dh475.3m) summer buy from Borussia Dortmund, and both times he’s not completed 90 minutes – one of which was September’s serious hamstring tear at Getafe.

Barca’s system could be further shaken by Spain centre-back Gerard Pique’s and Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s knee complaints. Will Valverde want to risk the balance even more by throwing in the inconsistent Dembele?

Yet the 20-year-old started – for the first time in a year – on Tuesday as France prevailed 3-1 in Russia. Plus, his last two run-outs for Barca were starts that produced an assist for Messi in the 2-0 triumph against Athletic Bilbao and a goal of his own in the 3-0 round-of-16 thumping of Chelsea.

The XI will be illustrative as to whether such form means he might have finally earned the coach’s faith.

SEVILLA ARE UNLIKELY SAVIOURS

There is a sense of desperation for anyone hoping Sevilla can breathe new life into La Liga’s stale title race.

Slip-ups are needed by Barcelona and fast – only eight rounds remain after this weekend. The Catalans have also drawn two of their last four away fixtures.

But those hoping Sevillistas can provide another one should look elsewhere.

The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan’s fabled intimidating atmosphere has turned into a whimper as the hosts have won just two of their last six home games in the top flight under Italy’s Vincenzo Montella. In this spell, city rivals Real Betis, Atletico Madrid and Valencia have come away with victories.

Yet even when the club were flying under Unai Emery and sweeping up successive Europa Leagues, the trip to Andalusia held few worries for Barca. Since the start of 2012/13, they’ve won four, drawn one and lost one to a combined score of 14-8.

This volume of goals gives the visitors even more hope.

France debutant Wissam Ben Yedder, Colombia striker Luis Muriel and suspended attacking midfielder Pablo Sarabia are Sevilla’s top scorers in La Liga with six goals each. This is 19 less than Messi and 15 less than Uruguay hit man Luis Suarez.

It will take something truly unexpected for Barca’s quest for an unbeaten top-flight campaign to end this weekend.